History

Asphalt Green is a nonprofit sports, swim, and fitness organization in New York City founded by Dr. George E. Murphy, a professor of pathology at the Cornell University Medical College, and his wife, Annette. In 1972, the couple led an effort to preserve the abandoned Municipal Asphalt Plant at York Avenue and 90^th Street in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The Murphy’s and local residents formed a charitable organization to renovate the plant and create Asphalt Green, a community center that offers sports activities. Due to their efforts, the Municipal Asphalt Plant was declared a city landmark in 1976.

Asphalt Green officially opened in 1984 on the site of the former Municipal Asphalt Plant. The interior of the plant was rehabilitated to house a gymnasium and multi-purpose classrooms and renamed the George and Annette Murphy Center. In 1985, the outdoor turf field was added to the site. In 1993, the AquaCenter was built next door, including a 50-meter Olympic-size pool and a 15,000 square-foot fitness center.

In 2013, Asphalt Green opened a second location in Battery Park City in lower Manhattan. The Battery Park City campus includes a 25-yard lap pool, fitness center, hardwood floor gymnasium, outdoor field, and multi-purpose classrooms.

Today, Asphalt Green continues its dedication to helping New Yorkers of all ages and incomes achieve an active and healthy lifestyle through sports, swim, and fitness.