NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF PARKS PRESS RELEASES, JANUARY-DECEMBER 1936
http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/41891936_press_releases.pdf
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Coding: ISO 8859-1 (for cent signs and fractions).
NOTE: The July 23, 1936, Orchard Beach announcement was misfiled in the 1937
archive. A copy of it has been placed here.
Search Terms relevant to New Deal:
C.W.A.
T.E.R.A.
WPA
W.P.A.
W. P. A.
Works Progress Administration Playground Directors
westerly approach to the triborough bridge (WPA funds for)
Other interesting search terms:
Olympic
Babe Ruth
Lou Gehrig
colored
Civil War veteran
William (Bill) Robinson
New Deal projects announced in this archive:
27 Mar 1936 Manhattan 106th St east of Fifth Ave
27 Mar 1936 Manhattan New playground at E.Houston & Elizabeth Sts & Bowery
27 Mar 1936 Richmond New Rosebank playground at Virginia & Vermont Aves
27 Mar 1936 Brooklyn New playground at Owl's Head Park
27 Mar 1936 Brooklyn New playground at Jay and Nassau Streets
27 Mar 1936 Brooklyn New playground at Smith & Carroll Sts & First Place
27 Mar 1936 Brooklyn New playground at White, McKibben & Bogart Streets
27 Mar 1936 Brooklyn New playground at Smith St btw Nelson & Huntington Sts
27 Mar 1936 Brooklyn New playground at Smith St btw Luqueer & Nelson Sts
27 Mar 1936 Brooklyn New playground at Remsen Ave, Winthrop-Clarkson Sts
4 May 1936 Brooklyn New playground at 47th Avenue at 111th Street
4 May 1936 Bronx New drainage system in Van Cortlandt Park Parade Grds
4 May 1936 Bronx Three new ball fields, Van Cortlandt Park Parade Grds
4 May 1936 Bronx New ball field, Bronx Park S.of Boston Rd, Pelham Pkwy
4 May 1936 Bronx New playground on 146th, Grand Councourse & Walton Ave
4 May 1936 Brooklyn New playground (ball field) on 8th Ave btw 65th & 66th
4 May 1936 Brooklyn New playground on 23rd St between 4th-5th Ave
4 May 1936 Brooklyn New playground in Tompkins Park Tomkins & Lafayette Av
4 May 1936 Brooklyn New playground in NW corner of Fort Greene Park
4 May 1936 Manhattan New playground in Central Park, 68th St & CPW
4 May 1936 Manhattan New playground in Central Park, 100th St & 5th Ave
4 May 1936 Manhattan New playground in Central Park, 77th St & 5th Ave
7 May 1936 Richmond Reconstruction 1st 9 holes at LaTourette Golf Course
7 May 1936 Richmond Reconstruction of Silver Lake Golf Course
7 May 1936 Bronx Reconstruction of Pelham Bay Golf Course
7 May 1936 Queens Reconstruction of Forest Park Golf Course
7 May 1936 Brooklyn Reconstruction of Dyker Beach Golf Course
7 May 1936 Richmond Nine new holes at LaTourette Golf Course
7 May 1936 Queens Opening of Kissena Golf Course
7 May 1936 Bronx Opening of Split Rock Golf Course in Pelham Bay Park
3 Jun 1936 (all) Summer dances with WPA orchestra
3 Jun 1936 (all) WPA orchestra concerts for June-July 1935
9 Jun 1936 Richmond Opening of Barrett Park and Barrett Zoo
12 Jun 1936 Queens New seawall and parking lot at Jacob Riis Beach
12 Jun 1936 Queens Expansion of Jacob Riis Beach
11 Jun 1936 (all) WPA Portable Theater Shows spring-summer 1936
12 Jun 1936 Queens Reconstructed playground on Myrtle Ave at 80th St
12 Jun 1936 Queens New playground, Crocheron Park, 34th Ave, 214th Place
12 Jun 1936 Queens New playground 149th St and 15th Ave
12 Jun 1936 Brooklyn Reconstructed playground at McLaughlin playground
12 Jun 1936 Brooklyn Reconstructed playground at Carnarsie park
12 Jun 1936 Manhattan New playground at Lexington Ave and 106th St
12 Jun 1936 Manhattan New playground at Park Ave and 121-124 Street
24 Jun 1936 Manhattan Opening of Hamilton Fish Swimming Pool
1 Jul 1936 Manhattan Opening of Randall's Island Municipal Stadium
1 Jul 1936 Queens New Astoria Swimming Pool at Hoyt and Ditmars Avenues
5 Jul 1936 Richmond New Tompkinsville Swimming Pool
8 Jul 1936 Bronx New playground at Bryant Ave and 176th Street
8 Jul 1936 Queens New playground at 46th Ave & 146th St
8 Jul 1936 Queens New play area in Juniper Valley Playground
13 Jul 1936 Manhattan New Highbridge Swimming Pool in Highbridge Park
19 Jul 1936 Brooklyn New Sunset Swimming Pool in Sunset Park
23 Jul 1936 Bronx New beach and bath house at Orchard Beach
23 Jul 1936 Bronx New Crotona Park Swimming Pool in Crotona Park
30 Jul 1936 Brooklyn Reconstructed playground in McKibben Park
30 Jul 1936 Brooklyn New playground, Marine Park, Ave U, Stuart & 32nd Sts
30 Jul 1936 Brooklyn New McCarren Park Swimming Pool in Greenpoint
5 Aug 1936 Brooklyn New Betsy Head Swimming Pool in Brownsville
7 Aug 1936 Manhattan New Colonial Swimming Pool in Harlem
10 Aug 1936 Manhattan Reconstructed area of St. Gabriel's Park
12 Sep 1936 Bronx 20 new handball courts in Macombs Dam Park
12 Sep 1936 Manhattan New playground at 11th Ave, 58th-59th St.
19 Sep 1936 Manhattan Water Carnival with music by WPA Hudson Concert Band.
1 Oct 1936 Manhattan New playground at Northern and Fort Washington Aves.
1 Oct 1936 Manhattan Shade trees and benches at Dyckman St and Broadway
1 Oct 1936 Manhattan Reconstruction of Stuyvesant Square Park
1 Oct 1936 Manhattan Reconstruction of Tompkins Square Park
1 Oct 1936 Manhattan New playground in Central Park at 84th St & 5th Ave
1 Oct 1936 Manhattan New playground in Central Park at 93rd St & CPW
1 Oct 1936 Brooklyn New playground at Gerrittsen Avenue and Avenue X
1 Oct 1936 Brooklyn Reconstruction of playground in Carroll Park
1 Oct 1936 Brooklyn Redesigned children's garden in Fort Greene Park
1 Oct 1936 Brooklyn Completion of east half of McLoughlin Park
26 Oct 1936 Manhattan Indoor social dancing with WPA orchestra
26 Oct 1936 Queens Indoor social dancing with WPA orchestra
5 Nov 1936 (all) Conversion of all pools into winter playgrounds
7 Nov 1936 Bronx Renovated Field House in Macombs Dam Park
7 Nov 1936 Brooklyn New playground ball fields at Neptune Ave, 28-29th Sts
7 Nov 1936 Brooklyn New playground ball fields at Ave U E58th-60th Sts
7 Nov 1936 Brooklyn New comfort station in Fort Greene Park
7 Nov 1936 Queens New playground at 21st St btw Hoyt Aves N and S
10 Nov 1936 Manhattan New playground in Central Park at 86th
11 Nov 1936 Bronx New Wm.F.Deegan Playground at 181st St & Ryer Ave.
11 Nov 1936 Bronx New marginal playground in Crotona Park
4 Dec 1936 Bronx New ballfields and running track in Macombs Dam Park
4 Dec 1936 Brooklyn Expanded Avenue X playground in Marine Park
4 Dec 1936 Manhattan New playground in Highbridge Park
4 Dec 1936 Manhattan Remodeled playground at 111th Street and 1st Avenue
4 Dec 1936 Manhattan Remodeled playground in Stuyvesant Park
4 Dec 1936 Richmond George Cromwell Rec Center, Pier 6, Tompkinsville
11 Dec 1936 Brooklyn Remodeled McLaughlin Park, Cathedral Pl & Bridge St
11 Dec 1936 Brooklyn Remodeled play area in McCarren Park
11 Dec 1936 Queens New section of Juniper Valley Playground
11 Dec 1936 Queens Reconstructed Martin's Field Playground
30 Dec 1936 Queens New playground at Broadway and 78th St.
30 Dec 1936 Queens Expanded Dry Harbor playground in Forest Park
30 Dec 1936 Manhattan Reconstructed Hecksher playground
30 Dec 1936 Brooklyn Two new baseball diamonds at in Marine Park at Ave U
30 Dec 1936 Bronx Six new handball courts at Broadway and VC Park South
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1/2/36 267. Announcement that the sports carnival will be held on 59th Street
lake instead of Conservatory Lake.
1/2 368. Monthly Recreation Program.
1/3 369. Henry Hudson Parkway Authority received bids today for the
construction of the Riverside Drive Connection with the Henry
Hudson Parkway.
1/4 370. Announcement that the Winter Sports carnival will be held at 59th
Street Lake.
1/10 371. Board of Estimate has received the Dept. of Parka plans and
specifications and estimates of cost for the covering of
N.Y.C.B.R. tracks, continuation of Westside Highway and park
restoration of Riverside Drive.
l/ll 572. Announce organization of Junior Park Protective League under
supervision of park playgrounds.
1/11 373. Announcement of postponement of winter sports carnival due to
lack of ice.
1/15 374. Kindergarten for children of pre-school age will be continued
in the Park Department throughout the spring and summer.
1/15 375. New Schedule for the playground traveling troupe announced.
1/16 376. Recreation course for playground directors of the Park Department.
1/17 377. Forestry report of the five boroughs during year 1935.
1/17 378. Announcement of the courses given the playground directors.
1/21 379. Snow sculpture contest in the city playgrounds announced.
1/23 380. Winter-sports carnival to be held January 26th on the 59th Street
Lake.
2/25 381. Winter sports carnival to be held January 26th on Central Park
Lake.
1/30 382. Winter sports carnival February 4th at 8:30 P.M.
2/1 383. Winter sports carnival on February 4th at 8:30 P.M.
2/6 384. First meeting of Junior Park Protective League Units.
2/10 385. Monster winter sports carnival at Prospect Park, Lincoln's
Birthday.
2/11 386. Winter carnival in Brooklyn, Richmond and Bronx.
2/13 387. Greatest winter sports carnival in Central Park February 23, 1936.
2/20 388. Next meeting of Brooklyn League of Park Protectors.
2/20 389. Monster winter sports carnival in Central park, February 23, 1936.
2/21 390. Winter sports carnival in Central Park, February 25rd.
2/26 391. Park Dept issues a warning to property owners on the care of
their trees.
2/27 392. Park Dept announces that the brown bear cub will be on exhibition
in the Prospect Park Zoo every day from 2 to 4 P.M.
2/28 393. Park protectors will meet Saturday, February 29th*
2/29 394. Plan for Reorganization of Park Department on a self-financing
basics.
3/9 395. First monkey to be bred and born in Central Park Zoo.
3/17 396. Agreement reached with WPA regarding signs la parks.
3/18 397. Rugby football will be introduced for the first time in Central
Park on March 21st.
3/19 393. Rugby football announcement that game will be held on March 21at
in Central Park.
3/20 399. Rugby football game to be shifted from Central Park to Van
Cortlandt Park.
3/27 400. Opening of ten new playgrounds by Park Dept. on March 28th.
4/1 401. Monthly program of Recreation Department.
4/1 402. Announcement of sailboat contest for children in the various
boroughs.
4/2 403. Dept. of Parks announces that applications for permits to play
on the Municipal Golf courses and public Tennis Courts are in
order.
4/9 404. Easter Exhibit at the Greenhouses in Brooklyn.
4/9 405. Opening of Mosholu, Clearview and Dyker Beach Golf Courses on
Sunday at 6 A.M.
4/9 406. First international Rugby Football Game at Van Cortlandt Park
April 12 at 3 P.M.
4/14 407. Opening of golf courses, announcement of dates and courses.
4/14 408. Official opening of Park Dept. Baseball Diamonds.
4/27 409. Gracie Mansion opened for inspection on May 2nd to the public.
4/29 410. Announcement of Arbor Day Tree Planting on May 1st.
4/30 411. Announcement of portable Farmyard Exhibition in the various
playgrounds on May 1st.
4/30 412 Schedule of farmyard exhibition announced.
5/4 413 Opening of 13 new playgrounds by the Park Dept.
5/5 414 Rugby football introduced in the north Meadow in Central Park on
May 9th.
5/7 415 Park Lake model yacht end motor boat contest in Central Park on
May 9th.
5/8 416 Hurling teams will play in Van Cortlandt Park on May 10th.
5/7 417 Opening of golf courses in Bronx and Queens May 9th at 6 A.M.
5/13 418 Emergency truck put into service by the Park Dept. to cover every
kind of emergency arising in parks, playgrounds or streets
under Park Dept. Jurisdiction.
5/18 419 Announcement of construction of bicycle paths throughout the City
Park System.
5/18 420 Park Dept. will conduct the final matches of the inter-boro
handball oontests at Houston St. Playground on Tuesday, May
19th, at 4 P.M.
5/19 421 Park Dept. will conduct final match of the City-wide marble
shooting contest at City Hall Park, May 20th.
5/20 422 Park Dept. invites children and grown-ups to participate in
harmonical contest to be held at Roosevelt Plygd. at 4 P.M.
May 27th.
5/24 423 Victor Herbert Festival at Central Park Mall, Sunday, May 24th,
1936 at 8:30 P.M.
5/23 424 Final games of the inter-boro basketball contest at Roosevelt
Playground at 4:30 May 26th.
5/25 425 Final match of the inter-boro horseshoe pitching for boys and
men at Edgecombe Avenue and 168th Street on May 27th, 1936 at
5:30 P.M.
5/27 426 Bids received for a contract for the general grading for Flushing
Meadow Park at the first step toward the development of this
park, site of the 1939 World's Fair
6/2 427 Announcement of unveiling of the bust of John Wolfe Ambrose on
June 3rd at Battery Park
428 Dept. of Parks established project for the restoration of
monuments in the City
6/5 429 Park Dept. will conduct dances on the Mall, every Tuesday and
Thursday starting June 9th.
6/3 430 Announcement that concerts will be given by Y
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 June 25, 1936
The Department of Parks will open eleven new playgrounds
Friday, June 26th, making a total of 168 playgrounds added to the
recreational system of the Park Department since January 1934. Prior to that
date there were 108 playgrounds in the park system; twenty of which have
been completely reconstructed and modernized and twenty-nine more of which
will be rebuilt before the end of the year. In addition to those
rehabilitated areas there will be 70 more entirely new recreational areas
which will be opened to the public before January 1, 1937. When the present
program is completed there will be a total of 325 playground areas under the
jurisdiction of the Department of Parks.
Of the eleven new playgrounds, one will be in Queens, four in
Brooklyn and six in Manhattan.
In Queens the new College Point playground from 127th to
128th Streets and from 14th Avenue to 20th Avenue not only will be fully
equipped with apparatus for small children, but will have a large earth play
surface with two soft ball diamonds and five, double handball courts for
oldor children or adults.
In Brooklyn there will be two new playgrounds. The area at
Sullivan Place west of Nostrand Avenue will be fully equipped with apparatus
for small children and a portable shower for use during hot weather, while
at Seaside Park in Coney Island there will be eight paddle tennis courts,
eight horseshoe courts, ten handball courts, twelve shuffleboard courts and
a large gravel surfaced play area, all located in the area formerly taken up
by the Dreamland Parking Field.
In Bushwick Park, Irving and Knickerbocker Avenues, the old
play area has been reconstructed and will be completely equipped with
apparatus and wading pool for smaller children and also basketball, volley
ball, horseshoe and handball courts for older boys. At Avenue R, West 12th
Street and Bay Parkway, the reconstructed playground will have horseshoe,
basketball and volley ball courts, a play area for larger boys and a
completely equipped play area with wading pool for smaller children.
Six of the playgrounds to be opened are in Manhattan. Four of
them are marginal areas in Central Park adjacent to Central Park West at
81st, 84th, 96th and 100th Streets. These four new perimeter playgrounds for
children of pre-school age make a total of fifteen marginal play areas now
open in Central Park. Of the other two Manhattan playgrounds, the one
located in Thomas F. Smith Park at 11th Avenue and 22nd Street under the
Express Highway will have shuffleboard, horseshoe and handball courts for
older children and adults, as well as kindergarten swings for small
children. At Chelsea Park, 27th and 28th Streets, between Ninth and Tenth
Avenues, the reconstructed area will hive a large play area with one ball
field, handball courts, complete play equipment for small children and a
wading pool.
END
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 June 25, 1936
Mayor LaGuardia, Park Commissioner Robert Moses and
other officials will participate in ceremonies Saturday, June 27th at 11:30
A.M. in connection with the official dedication of the new Thomas Jefferson
Swimming Pool at First Avenue and East 111th Street, Manhattan. This is the
second of ten new swimming pools being constructed by the Park Department
with W.P.A. funds to be opened for use this summer. The area includes a
swimming pool 100 ft. x S46 ft., a diving pool 51 ft. x 100 ft. and a
wading pool 60 ft. x 100 ft. The pools are equipped to handle 1450 persons
at one time.
The pool will be open from 10:00 A.M. to 10:30 P.M.,
the same as the Hamilton Fish Pool, which was opened last Wednesday.
Children under 14 years of age are admitted free from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00
P.M. daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, with free group swimming
and diving classes held each day at 10:00 A.M. After 1:00 P.M. children
under 14 years of age will be admitted for ten cents and all others for 20
cents.
The facilities will be operated entirely by
uniformed civil service Park Department employees. As at the Hamilton Fish
Swimming Pool, instead of the customary lockers and dressing room
arrangements, a basket system of checking clothes will be used permitting a
greater use of dressing room facilities. The swimming and diving pools
will hold 1,080,000 gallons of water, which will be filtered, treated with
chemicals, heated to the proper temperature and completely recirculatod by
the most modern machinery every eight hours.
Attractive pool shows consisting of swimming and
diving exhibitions similar to that presented last Wednesday at the Hamilton
Fish Swimming Pool opening exorcises will be offered periodically.
During the spring, fall and winters seasons when the
pool is not in operation the bath house vail be converted into a gymnasium
and the outdoor areas will be used for basketball, volley ball,
shuffleboard, handball and other active outdoor games. During freezing
weather, provision will be made for ice skating.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 June 24, 1936
Bids were taken today at 2 P.M. Eastern Standard Time by the
Marine Parkway Authority for the construction of the Marine Parkway Bridge
across Rockaway Inlet.
The low bidder on the substructure was Frederick Snare
Corporation, 114 Liberty Street, New York City, who submitted a bid of
$1,595,337.80.
The low bidder on the superstructure was The American Bridge
Company, 71 Broadway, New York City, who submitted a bid of
$2,139,311.40.·
The Marine Parkway Bridge will replace the ferry now running
across Rockaway Inlet between the end of Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn and
Jacob Riis Park in Neponsit. The bridge will be slightly over 4000 feet in
length, having three 500-foot spans in the center bridging the channel,
flanked by five shorter spans on either side. The three 500-foot spans will
have a clearance of 55 feet above the water at all times and the middle one
will lift 95 feet to give a total clearance of 150 feet for the passage of
large ships. It is expected that the bridge will be completed about August
1st, 1937. It will provide a new fast route through Brooklyn to the
Rockaways as well as a new through route to the south shore of Long Island.
The Marine Parkway Bridge is an important factor in the
development of Marine and Jacob Riis Parks. Jacob Riis Park at the present
time is being entirely remodeled by the Department of Parks and the Marine
Parkway Authority working in cooperation with each other, both organizations
being headed by Commissioner Robert Moses. When the reconstruction work in
Jacob Riis Park is completed, large areas of low land will have been
reclaimed, a 72-acre parking field will have been provided, the beach will
be greatly enlarged and will be bordered by a promenade over the entire
length. Recreation facilities will be provided along the inshore side of the
promenade. New roadways to provide easy access to the parking fields and to
the Rockaways will be built and the entire perk will be properly landscaped.
The Marine Parkway Authority is financing their portion of the
work through a $6,000,000 bond issue which was completed last December. The
bonds will be amortized by the collection of a 15¢ toll on the bridge and
a 25¢ parking fee.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 June 24, 1936
Mayor LaGuardia, Park Commissioner Robert Moses and Works
Progress Administrator Victor Ridder participated Wednesday in ceremonies in
connection with the official opening of the Hamilton Fish Swimming Pool at
East Houston and Sheriff Streets, on the lower east side of Manhattan. The
Hamilton Fish Pool is the first of ten new swimming pools now under
construction to be opened. They are being built by the Park Department with
W.P.A. funds. This area includes a swimming pool 100 ft. x 165 ft., a
semi-circular pool 100 ft. wide for skilled divers and a wading pool 50
ft. x 100 ft. for small children. These three tanks accommodate 1700 people
at one time.
The pool is open from 10:00 A. M. to 10:30 P. M. and children
under 14 years of age are admitted free from 10:00 A. M. to 1:00 P. M. every
day except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, with free group swimming and
diving classes held daily at 10:00 A. M. After 1:00 P. M. children under 14
years of age are admitted for ten cents and all others for 20 cents.
The pool is operated entirely by uniformed civil service Park
Department employees. Instead of the customary lockers and dressing room
arrangements a basket system of checking clothes is used which permits a
greater use of dressing facilities. Boys and girls, men and women may use
the pool at the same time, permitting antire families to enjoy recreation
together.
Nine other new swimming pools are scheduled to open. At Thomas
Jefferson Park, located at First Avenue and East 111th Street, Manhattan, there
will be a swimming pool 100 ft. x 246 ft., a diving pool 51 ft. x 100 ft. and a
wading pool 60 ft. x 100 ft. These facilities will be opened on June 27. They
will accommodate 1450 people at one time.
The Tompkinsville Pool at Arriotta Street and Pier 6, Staten
Island, will accomodate 2800 people. The swimming pool will be 100 ft. x 165
ft., the diving and wading pools will be 68 ft. x 100 ft. It is scheduled to
open July 2.
The Astoria Pool at Hoyt and Ditmars Avenue, Queens, formerly
the site of a large earth bottom wading pool, will have a swimming pool 165
ft. x 350 ft. and semi-circular diving and wading pools 165 ft. wide. The
tanks will accommodate 6670 people at one time and are scheduled to open
July 2.
The remaining six pools are being rushed to completion as
rapidly as possible for opening this summer. In Highbridge Park, at
Amsterdam Avenue and West 173 Street, Manhattan, thore will be a swimming
pool 166 ft. x 228 ft. and a wading pool 97 ft. x 228 ft. accommadating 4880
people.
The Colonial Park Pool at Bradhurst Avenue and West 149th Street,
Manhattan, will be 93 ft. x 328 ft. and will accommodate 4090 people.
At crotona park, 173 Street and Fulton Avenue, the Bronx, the
swimming pool will be 125 ft. x 330 ft., the wading pool 100 ft. x 100 ftf
and the semicircular diving pool 100 ft. wide. The tanks will accommodate
4265 people.
In Brooklyn the pool in Red Hook, at the foot of Henry Street on
Gowanus Bay, will be 130 ft. x 350 ft. and the diving pool will be 65 ft. x
150 ft, They will accommodate 4460 people. The new swimming pool in Sunset
Park at Fifth Avenue and 41 Street will be 165 ft, x 256 ft., the
semi-circular diving and wading pools 165 ft. wide and will accommodate 4850
people. In McCarren Park, at Nassau Avenue and Lorimer Street, the swimming
pool will be 165 ft. x 330 ft., with semi-circular diving and wading pools
165 ft. wide at either eifd. The three tanks will accommodate 6800 people.
The swimming pool in Betsy Head Memorial Playground, at Hopkinson
and Livonia Avenues, is being reconstructed; when reoponed it will be 165
ft. x 330 ft. and will accommodate 1200 people.
These pools are the most modern in the world. The swimming and
diving tanks are designed and constructed for the maximum safety of
bathers. The total area of all the pools is thirteen acres which, if placed
between the building lines along Fifth Avenue, would extend northward from
the Public library at 42nd street to Central Park at 60th Street. Their
total capacity - 14,445,000 gallons - is sufficient to float either the
Rex or Europa or supply cities like Albany or Utica one day's supply of
water. The water is filtered, treated with chemicals, heated to the proper
temperature and recirculated by the most modern machinery and undergoes a
complete turnover every eight hours. The pumps, piping and filters have been
arranged for the most convenient inspection and maintenance. The filters
have been arranged so they can be cleaned while the pools are in
operation. All diving and swimming pools are equipped with underwater
floodlights for night use. They will bo operated entirely by uniformed
civil service Park Department employees and will be opened to the public the
same hours and at the same charge as at Hamilton Fish Pool. Attractive pool
shows consisting of swimming and diving exhibitions similar to those given
at Jones Beach will be offered periodically to patrons of the pools.
During the seasons the pools will not be in operation the
bathhouses will be equipped as gymnasiums and the pool areas will be used
for basketball, volley ball, handball, shuffleboard, etc. During freezing
weather they will be flooded for ice skating.
End
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HAMILTON FISH SWIMMING POOL
Statistical Data
Hamilton Fish Park and Playground, prior to its reconstruction,
was divided into two separate areas by Willet Street. It had a hard ball
baseball diamond, and play area with earth surface for older boys and &
playground for girls and small children. There was also a large wading pool
which was used during the spring, fall and winter seasons for roller and ice
skating. The building now used for dressing rooms, ticket office, etc. had
public showers, men and women's comfort stations, which were inadequrts,
unsanitary and the plumbing defective beyond repair. There were also men and
women's gymnasiums. Surrounding the building were passive recreation areas
with shade trees end benches for adults.
The old building has been remodelled and has on the
women's side a tiled shower room containing ten showers, a comfort
station and lavatories. On the ground floor room, 42 dressing
cubicles have been provided. On the men's side the tiled shower
room has sixteen showers and a comfort station. The men dress in
one large room provided with double benches.
No lockers are provided for and patrons' clothes ere
checked and stored in 1700 wire baskets.
The park rrea has been redesigned and reconstructed
end now contains a swimming pool 100 ft. x 165 ft. and a semi-circular
diving pool 100 feet wide. The swimming pool holds 485,000 gallons
of water and the diving pool 375,000 gallons, making a total of
860,000 gallons of water. Fifty pounds of chlorine gas, seventeen
pounds of ammonia gas, sixty pounds of alum sulphate and sixty pounds
of soda ash ere used daily in purifying the water in these pools, which
re-circulates through the pumps and filters every eight hours.
The reconstructed park area also contains a playground for
girls and snail boys completely equipped with swings, slides, see-saws,
jungle gyms, a large game area and a wading pool 50 ft. x 100 ft.
Volley ball and shuffle board courts, play apparatus and a large play
area where soft ball may be played is provided for larger boys. Park
areas with shade trees and benches are provided for adults.
During the spring, fall and winter months the building will be
converted into a gymnasium by removing the dressing and storage room
equipment and installing play apparatus. The pool areas will be drained rnd
converted into paddle tennis, hand ball, volley ball and shuffle board
courts. During freezing weather there will be ice skating.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 June 22, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that a city-wide
championship harmonica contest will take place on the Mall in Central Park
Thursday, June 25th at 8:30 P. M.
During the past three months elimination contests have been
taking place in all boroughs and the winners of the respective boroughs will
compete for the championship. Each contestant will play two musical
selections. There are three age classifications competing in this contest -
under 16 years of age, 16 to 18 years and over 18 years of age. Marjorie
Haug, 13 years of age, who won first place in the Borough of Richmond,
representing Clove Lakes Playground, will be one of the five
finalists. Marjorie is the only girl harmonica player who succeeded in
reaching the final contest, and a large delegation of her loyal followers
from Richmond will attend hoping that she vail win the championship.
Another youthful contestant to reach the finals is John Mendelsohn, 16 years
of age, 923 Hoe Avenue, The Bronx, representing Lyons Square Playground.
Johnny has won many cups in connection with his mouth-organ playing. In
fact, each contestant has quite a reputation in his neighborhood.
As an added attraction to the championship, five harmonica bands
organized in the various boroughs by playground directors will compete in a
band contest.
Judges for the contest are Ralph Wurlitzer, President of the
Wurlitzer Music Company, William Dougherty, Editor of Music Trades Magazine,
Guiseppe Creatore, Conductor of the New York State Symphonic Band, Borrah
Minnevitch, founder of the Harmonica Institute of America, and Arthur
M. Abell.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 June 19, 1936
The Folk Dance Contest for children which was terminated
last Saturday on the Mall, Central Park because of the rain, will be held at
Roosevelt Playground, Chrystie and Forsythe Streets, Block 2, Saturday, June
20 at 2:30 P. M.
Eliminations were held in the various playgrounds within
the five boroughs for children in three age groups, viz.
10 to 12 years
12 to 14 "
14 to 16 "
The final contestants will compete in folk dances of many
lands to determine the best dancing group in each age classification. Two
hundred children will take part. Colorful costumes have been made by the
playground directors.
John O'Brien, Ella Sonkin and Daniel Cranford Smith
of the Folk Festival Council, will act as judges.
A green and gold banner will be awarded to the best
dancers in each of the three divisions.
Program is attached.
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CITY OF NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
CHILDREN'S FOLK DANCE CONTEST
SARA DELANO ROOSEVELT PLAYGROUND JUNE 20, 1936
CHRYSTIE & FOESYTHS STREET ELOCK 2 2:30 P.M.
PROGRAM
1. Selection Children's Park Band
2. Polish Dance Cherry & Vandervoort Ave. & McCarren Playgrounds
3. American Medley Payson Ave, & Dyckman St., Playground
4. Irish Lilt Clove Lakes Playground
5. Indian Dance Flushing Memorial & Jackson Heights Playground
6. Dutch Dance Mosholu Playground
7. Folk Dances Czechoslovakian Group
8. Tarantella DeMatti Playground
9. Japanese Dance O'Connell Playground .
10. Highland Fling West 59th Street Playground
11. Irish Four Hand Reel Bay Parkway & Kelly Memorial Playgrounds
12. Russian Gypsy Dance Zimmerman Playground
13. Selection Children's Park Band
14. Tarantella Riverside 96th Street Playground
15. Russian Dance McDonald Playground
16. Mexican Dance Jackson Heights & Von Dohlen Playgrounds
17. Russian Dance New Lots & Betsy Head Playgrounds
18. Japanese Dance St. Mary's East
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 June 19, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that reserved seats for
the Final American Olympic Men's Track and Field Tryouts to be held at the
Randall's Island Stadium, July 11th and 12th, will go on public sale Monday,
June 22nd, at 10:00 A.M. at two central locations.
Reserved seats at 75 cents, $1.00 and $2.00 may be
purchased at the Department of Parks, Arsenal Building, Room 100,
64th Street and Fifth Avenue, and at the office of the Olympic
Committee, Woolworth Building, 233 Broadway, 22nd floor.
Finals are scheduled to be held at the Stadium on both days.
#
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 June 18, 1936
On Friday, June 19, after almost a year of negotiations, the
U. S. S. "Illinois" (armory of the First Battalion Naval Militia) will be
towed by the George W. Rogers Construction Company from West 96th Street and
the Hudson River, to the bulkhead at the foot of West 135th Street and the
Hudson River.
This change in location is essential in order that contract work,
based on plans prepared by the Department of Parks, can proceed on the West
Side Improvement. The work involves the covering of the railroad tracks and
the further extension of the West Side Parkway northward through Riverside
Park.
After removal of the U. S. S. "Illinois", the Park Department will
continue the erection of the stone seawall on the bulkhead line, which has
been extended fifty feet into the river by the War Department's
permission. When this fifty foot strip has been filled in from 72nd to 129th
Streets, a distance of slightly over three miles, twenty acres of land will
have been added to Riverside Park.
E N D
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 June 18, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that the summer series of puppet and
marionette shows will be presented out of doors in various playgrounds in
New York City, beginning June 22nd at Gulick Playgretmd, Columbia, Delancey
and Sheriff Streets, Manhattan and McKibben Playground, McKibben and White
Streets, Brooklyn and on June 23rd at McDonald Playground, Forest Avenue and
Broadway to W. Brighton Street, Richmond.
Among the shows that will travel to these play areas throughout the
summer are such old favorites as "Robinson Crusoe," "Oliver Twist,"
"Treasure Island," and also original fabrications such as "The Birthday
Party," "The Brass Trumpet" and "Snee Zee."
Last year over 350 puppet and marionette shows were given in the
playgrounds of Greater New York. They were a source of delightful
entertainment to thousands of children and their parents. It is expected
that more locations will be covered this year. Attached is the itinerary for
Manhattan, Brooklyn and Richmond.
# # # # #
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[SIX PAGES OF PUPPET SHOW SCHEDULES OMITTED - SEE PDF]
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 June 18, 1936
The opening concert of the "City Amateur Symphony Orchestra"
under the direction of Judge Leopold Prince will be held on the Mall, 72nd
Street and Central Park, Tuesday June 23rd, at 8:30 P.M.
This orchestra was formerly known as the "Symphonic Ensemble".
It comprises one hundred musicians, both men and women. The series has been
extended this year to include ten concerts. Five of the series, with the
exception of the opening concert, will bo presented Saturday evenings on the
Mall, Central Park and five concert s Sunday afternoons at the Music Grove,
Prospect Park. Following is the schedule:
ON THE MALL PROSPECT PARK
CENTRAL PARK BROOKLYN
June 23 8:30 P. M. June 28 3:00 P.M.
June 27 8:30 P. M. July 5 3:00 P.M.
July 11 8:30 P. M. July 12 3:00 P.M.
July 18 8:30 P. M. July 19 3:00 P.M.
July 25 8:30 P. H. July 26 3:00 P.M.
Judge Prince has chosen for his concerts this season a well
balanced array of musical solections, which include scores of both the old
and the now masters. The following is the program for the opening
concertjon the Mall, June 23rd.
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[JUDGE PRINCE CONCERT PROGRAM OMITTED - SEE PDF]
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 June 15, 1936
The Department of Parks announced today that the
dedication of the new Cunningham Memorial will be held June 16 at 4:00 P.M.
This Memorial, located in Hillside Park on the Grand Central Parkway, was
constructed by the Long Island State Park Commission from a design furnished
by the City Park Department.
The Memorial consists of a flagpole, set in an
ornamental bronze and stone base, and placed in a formally landscaped area
in front of the restaurant building on the north side of the parking field
in Hillside Park.
The late Major W. Arthur Cunningham was Comptroller
of the City of Now York from January 1, 1934, to May 5 of the same year.
The unveiling of the Memorial plaque will be attended by a formal military
ritual, with field music furnished by the Band of the 165th Infantry (old
69th) New York, Major Cunningham's old regiment.
Speakers at the ceremony will be Mayor LaGuardia,
Comptroller Frank J . Taylor, Park Commissioner Robert Moses, Borough
President Ingorsoll of Brooklyn, and Borough President Harvey of Queens.
The Department of Parks is inviting the relatives,
friends and former associates of the deceased Comptroller to be present at
the ceremonies.
* * * * *
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 June 12, 1936
The Department of Parks will open seven new playgrounds Friday
June 12, This will make a total of 157 playgrounds added to the recreational
system of the park Department since January 1934. Prior to that date there
were 108 playgrounds in the park system, seventeen of which have been
completely reconstructed and modernized and thirty-two more will be rebuilt
before the end of the year. In addition to these rehabilitated areas there
will be 78 entirely new recreational areas which will be opened to the
public before January 1, 1937. When the present program is completed, there
will be a total of 325 playground areas under the jurisdiction of the
Department of Parks.
In Manhattan a completely equipped small children's playground
will be located on park Avenue between 121st ard 124th Streets, and the new
playground at Lexington Avenue and 106th Street will have horseshoe pitching
courts as well as an open play area for adult children.
In Brooklyn two reconstructed areas will be opened, one in
Canarsie park, Seaview Avenue and East 92nd Street, fully equipped with
play apparatus for young and older children, ant the other in McLaughlin
playground, Cathedral and Jay Streets, where the girl's playground will be
fully equipped with play apparatus, basketball, volley ball and paddle
tennis courts.
In Queens there will be two new and one reconstructed
playgrounds. The new playground at 149th Street and 15th Avenue will be
fully equipped with play apparatus for small children and also provide
basketball, volley ball and horseshoe pitching courts for older children.
The other new playground in Crocheron Park at 34th Avenue and 214th Place
will have a large central grass panel surrounded by play apparatus for small
children. The reconstructed area at Myrtle Avenue and 80th Street, Forest
Park, will contain a wading pool, complete equipment for small children and
a play area with a soft ball diamond and horseshoe pitching court for boys.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 June 11, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that it will present for
the first time a "Folk Dance Contest" for children, which will be held on the
Mall, Central Park, Saturday, June 13th, at 2:30 P.M.
Eliminations were held in various playgrounds within the
five boroughs for children in three age groups, namely:
10 to 12 years
12 to 14 years
14 to 16 years
The final contestants will compete in folk dances of many
lands to determine the best dancing group in each age
classification. Colorful costumes have been made by the playground
directors.
John O'Brien and Ella G. Sonkin of the Folk Festival
Council will act as judges.
A green and gold banner will be awarded to the best
dancers in each of the three divisions.
Program is below:
1. Selection Children's Park Band
2. Polish Dance Cherry & Vandervoort Ave. Plgd. &
McCarren Plgd.
3. American Medley Payson Ave. & Dyckman St. Plgd.
4. Irish Lilt Clove Lakes Plgd.
5. Indian Dance Flushing Memorial & Jackson Heights
Plgd.
6. Dutch Dance Mosholu Plgd.
7. Folk Dance Chechoslovakian Group
8. Tarantella De Matti Plgd.
9. Japanese Dance 0'Connell Plgd.
10. Highland Fling West 59th Street Plgd.
11. Irish Four Hand Reel Bay Parkway & Kelly Memorial Plgds.
12. Russian Gypsy Dance Zirmierman Plgd.
13. Selection Children's Park Band
14. Tarantella Riverside 96th Street Plgd.
15. Russian Dance McDonald Plgd.
16. Mexican Dance Jackson Heights & Von Dohlan Plgds.
17. Russian Dance New Lots & Betsy Head Plgds.
18. Japanese Dance St. Mary's East
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 June 11, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that ths Portable Theatre
Shows will be presented as a weekly feature in the following parks within
the five boroughs.
Manhattan Fridays Washington Square Park
Saturdays Roosevelt Park
Brooklyn Tuesdays Owl's Head Park
Wednesdays Gravesend Park
Fridays Prospect Park
Queens Mondays Forest Park
Tuesdays King Park
Saturdays Astoria Park
Bronx Mondays St. Mary's East
Tuesdays Crotona Park
Thursdays Franz Siegel Park
Richmond Tuesdays Silver Lake Park
The play season in the parks will officially open Tuesday, June
16th, at 8:30 P. M. with the following performances:
Tues. June 16th "The Barker" · King Park - Queens
" "The Conjure Man Dies" Crotona park - Bronx
" "The Emperor's New Clothes" Silver Lake Park - Richmond
" "The Comedy of Errors" Owl's Head Park - Brooklyn
The shows will continue to play in the respective boroughs for
one week, touring from one borough to another until the completion of the
cycle.
The Portable Theatre Shows have been presented in the Parks for
the past two years with great success. Last year's attendance for the
entire summer was recorded as 1,999,075 persons.
A variety of plays will be offered this year ranging from
tragedy to light operettas. Several Gilbert & Sullivan productions, which
were very popular last year, will be repeated.
All plays are presented by the Drama Department of the Works
Progress Administration.
#
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 June 12, 1936
Saturday, June 13, Jacob Riis Park will be opened to
the public for the 1936 season.
Several major changes in the development of this park
have been completed or are under construction. The beach will be increased
from an area of 8 acres at high tide to an area of 24.2 acres by the
construction of a new seawall which curves back into the park 500 feet on
the westerly half of the beach. Along the top of the new sea wall is a
44-foot promenade which, when completed, will be continuous across the whole
ocean front of the park.
The old dusty cinder parking space, most of which
has been eliminated by the widening of the beach, will be replaced by a new
concrete parking area to the north of the bathhouse. When completed, this
new field will accommodate 13,600 automobiles a s compared with a capacity
of 3,800 cars in the old field.
When the park is opened much of this work will be
going on and will continue through most of the summer. All of the new beach
area south of the present roadway has been completed and is ready for use.
During the summer the road west of the bathhouse will be diverted to the
north and the balance of the new beach will then be completed.
The promenade along the back of the beach will not be
ready for use until later in the season and, although the available
parking space at present is somewhat smaller than the old area, its size
is increasing daily at the rate of one-third of an acre.
Although construction will be going on in the park
during the summer the bathhouse, parking field, and beach will not be
affected and there will be no serious interference with the public on account
of construction operations.
The construction of the sea wall, promenade, and
concrete surface of the parking field is all being done with relief
labor. The clean white sand used to enlarge the beach and fill the parking
area is being pumped from the bottom of Jamaica Bay under a contract let by
the Marine Parkway Authority. June 24 the Authority will take bids for the
construction of a bridge across Rockaway Inlet from the foot of Flatbush
Avenue to Jacob Riis Park.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 June 11, 1936
Recently Congress passed an appropriation of $129,000,000 to be
spent through the War Department for the improvement of rivers and harbors
and among the projects included in this appropriation was the staightening
of the Harlem River between the Hudson River and Broadway. Some years ago
the state acquired the land necessary for this straightening and made the
land available for the use of the federal government. One of the provsions
made at that time was that at such time as the channel was relocated, the
land under water now under the Jurisdiction of the federal govermnent in the
old channel could be turned over to the City of New York for the use of the
Department of Parks. Upon the completion of this work the Department of
Parks will have reclaimed and added an area of approximately 24 acres to the
north end of Isham and Inwood Hill Parks.
The Department has announced that th«y are taking bids on
July 7, 1936, for the removal of approximately 869,000 cubic yards of earth
and 214,000 cubic yards of ledge rock to be removed during the next year. It
is planned that this material will be removed and placed in the area to be
added to Isham and Inwood Hill parka. A method has been worked out whereby
the old channel may be kept open while the new channel is being constructed.
Upon the completion of the reclamation in the new area, the Park
Department will have provided the public with a new yacht basin capable of
caring for well over 100 boats. Adjacent to the yacht basin will be a new
clubhouse and roadways and a parking area capable of taking care of 300
cars. There will be a large additional recreational area including a
baseball diamond. The whole plan is pleasing in appeaxanee, will be well
landscaped and amply provided with walks and roadways. It is anticipated
that these additional park facllities be subjected to intense use.
The entire development with its easy accessibility to the
crowded sections at the north end of Manhattan and the Bronx should be an
improvement of the utmost importance to the large population of this urea.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 June 9, 1936
At 4:30 P.M. on June 10th, the old Barrett estate, between
Clove Road and Broadway just west of Forest Avenue, on Staten Island, will
be opened to the public as Barrett Park. Ceremonies will be conducted
jointly by the Department of Parks and the Staten Island Zoological Society.
In the center of the area is the most modern zoo in the
country. Although smaller than the zoos in Central and Prospect Parks,
it will provide a more varied exhibit of living specimens. In addition
to mammals and birds, there will be exhibits of reptiles and fish.
Although the zoo will be open to the public, its primary
function will be to provide facilities for teaching some phases of
natural history and biology to pupils from all sections of the city.
For this program the single building is equipped with an auditorium,
four classrooms ap.d a laboratory.
The park and zoo were constructed by the Department of
Parks with relief labor. The final design of the building followed
closely the first sketches made by Henry G. Jefferson, who is a resident
of Richmond, and who has, for the last year, been inspector on Park
Department construction in Staten Island.
The zoo will be operated and maintained and the lectures
and classes will be conducted by the Staten Island Zoological Society.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 June 3, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that concerts will be given
by the Works Progress Administration Music Division, at the following
parks during the summer season:
CONCERTS
Prospect Park Every Wednesday night starting June 10th, and
in addition every Sunday night beginning August
2nd. - - - - - - - Manhattan Concert Band Orchestra.
Sunday afternoons, starting June 28th and follow-
ing Sunday afternoons - July 5th, 12, 19, 26 at
3 P. M.- - - - - - Judge Prince
Forest park Tuesdays - - - - - The Hudson Orchestra
Fridays, starting Friday June 5th-N.Y.State
Symphonic Band
Sundays, - - - - - Manhattan Concert Band
Kings Park Saturday nights, starting June 6th - Hudson Concert
Band
Astoria Park Thursday nights, starting June llth-Hudson Concert
Band
Bronx County Court House Tuesdays, starting June 9th Manhattan Concert
Band
Silver Lake Park Sunday nights starting June 14th Waverly Brass
Band
DANCES
Dances will be held at the following locations:
Mall - Central Park - will start Tuesday June 9th Tues. Knickerbocker
Thurs. Gotham Dance
Orch.
Roosevelt Playground " " . Friday June 12th Mon. Gotham " "
Fri. Knickerbocker
Colonial Park " " Tuesday June 9th Tues & Thurs Colonial
Prospect Park " " Monday June 15th Mon. Knickerbocker
Fort Greene Park " " Friday June 12th Fri Gotham Dance Orch
Jackson Heights " " Monday June 15th Mon. " " "
Bronx County Court House " " Wednesday June 10 Wed. Knickerbocker
McDonald Playground " " Wednesday June 10 Wed. Gotham Dance Orch
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 June 5, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that it will conduct dances on the
Mall in Central Park every Tuesday and Thursday evening, starting June
9th. Arrangements have been made for a dance area to accommodate 3,500
dancers and 7,000 spectators.
For the past two years these dances have been very successful and have
given wholesome recreation to thousands of young persons. During the past
month a new surface has been laid on the Mall which will be smoother and
better for dancing. Children under 18 years of age will not be permitted to
dance. Girls will not be permitted to dance together. Gentlemen will be
required to wear coats. Smoking will not be permitted on the dance
floor. The dances will be supervised by the playground directors of the
department, and improper dancing will be prohibited. Dancers will be
required to leave the dance area after each dance.
The music will be supplied by a fourteen-piece orchestra "The
Knickerbocker Dance Orchestra" by Dick Gordon, which is furnished by the
Music Division of the Works Progress Administration. Leo Reisman will act as
Guest Conductor on the opening night.
In addition to the dances on the Mall in Central Park, dances have been
scheduled for Harlem on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in an area opposite
Colonial Park, from 148th Street to 150th Street. These dances will start
Tuesday, June 9th. "The Colonial Dance Orchestra", conducted by Wilson Kyer,
will play at this location.
In Roosevelt Playground at Chrystie and Forsythe Streets, starting
Friday, June 12th, on every Monday and Friday evening.
The schedule of the dances in the other boroughs is as follows: In
Brooklyn, the area adjacent to the Picnic House, Prospect Park, Monday
evenings, to start Monday, June 15th; Fort Greene Park from Myrtle to
DeKalb Avenues, in the Tennis Court area, every Friday evening, to start
Friday, June 12th. In Queens, Jackson Heights Playground, 84th and 85th
Streets and Schurz Avenue, every Monday evening, to start June 15th. In the
Bronx, the area adjacent to the Bronx County Court House Building, every
Wednesday evening, to start June 10th. In Richmond, Austin J. McDonald
Playground, Forost and Myrtle Avenue, Richmond, every Wednesday evening, to
start June 10th.
The same rules and regulations apply to all dance areas. These dances
are controlled and supervised by the playground directors of the Department
of Parks.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 June 2, 1936
UNVEILING OF BUST OF
JOHN WOLFE AMBROSE
The Department of Parks announces the unveiling of the Bust
of John Wolfe Ambrose, June 3rd, 3 P. M. at Battery Park.
Mayor La Guardia, Commissioner Moses, Rev, Dr. Ralph Sockman,
Mr. George A. Voss and Mr. Edgar A. Martin will speak, and among the invited
guests are representatives of the Navy, the Coest Guard, the Steamship
Companies, the Port Authorities of New York and New Jersey, the Department
of Commerce, the Municipal Art Commission, the Merchants Association and
other interested organizations.
Mrs. George Frederick Shrady, Mr. Ambrose's daughter will unveil
the bust, which is placed in a niche in a monument constructed against the
wall of the Aquarium and overlooks the deep sea channel which bears his
name. Friends and associates presented the bust to his family.
John Wolfe Ambrose was born January 10th, 1838, at New Castle,
Ireland, and came to the United States with his parents as a child. Although
obliged to earn his living at an early age, he prepared himself for college
and entered New York University, later going to Princeton University, to
prepare himself for the ministry. On completion of his college course in
1860, he changed his plans, taking up newspaper work as a member of the
staff of the official organ of the Citizens' Association, one of the first
civic organizations devoted to municipal reform.
Later in his business career, Mr. Ambrose engaged in construction
work on a large scale, and among his many accomplishments in this line were
the building of the Second Avenue Elevated road, the Sixth Avenue Elevated
road, from 72nd Street to 158th Street, the laying of the first pneumatic
tubes for the Western Union Telegraph Company and the construction of
numerous uptown streets, particularly in the Harlem section. In 1880 he
became interested in the development of the Brooklyn waterfront
properties. He was the organizer and president of the Brooklyn Wharf and Dry
Dock Company, and the founder of the 39th Street South Brooklyn Ferry. Soon
after the formation of the companies his attention was directed to the
inadequate channels of the port of New York, especially along the Brooklyn
shore. The long stretch from 28th Street to 65th Street, South Brooklyn,
which today is a busy center of shipping representing investments of
hundreds of millions of dollars, was an undeveloped swamp section, the shore
line a succession of mud flats, with an average depth of eight feet at high
tide, With prophetic vision, Mr. Ambrose recognized in advance of his
fellows the dangers of New York being handicapped through inability to
supply port accommodations to ships with a draft exceeding 18 feet.
He first went to Washington in 1881 to ask appropriations for New
York Harbor, and bent all his energies to the education and conversion of
successive River and Hasbor Committees so that they would fully understand
the pressing needs of New York in this respect.
From 1881 to 1896 successive appropriations were obtained for the
Bay Ridge and Red Hook Channels, making them 1000 feet wide and 40 feet deep
where formerly they had been 8 feet. To his indefatigable initial efforts is
directly due the great development which in recent years has taken place on
the Bay Ridge water front, when he had secured the necessary appropriations
for upper New York Bay, he turned his attention to the ocean approaches to
the harbor. He felt that to properly impress Congress with the necessity of
granting permission for a real deep sea channel was a work of such magnitude
that no effort should be spared. He, therefore, organized a large delegation
composed of prominent and representative citizens from the Chamber of
Commerce, the Produce and Maritime Exchanges, the Board of Marine
Underwriters, and the Merchants' Association, of which he was a director and
which he represented. On December 22nd, 1898, the delegation appeared
before the River and Harbor Committee of the House of Representatives,
strongly and extensively advocating a channel 2000 feet wide end 40 feet
deep. Mr. Ambrose made the principal address on this occasion.
Notwithstanding the intrinsic merits of New York's claims in this
matter, which meant larger vessels and reduced rates to producer and
consumer, the Committee of the House of Representatives absolutely denied
the plea of the petitioners, end cut the appropriation fron the River and
Harbor bill. Mr. Ambrose then appeared alone before the Committee on
Commerce of the United States Senate, and secured the appropriation, which
gave Now York a suitable approach to its magnificent harbor. He died without
seeing the fruition of that for which he had labored so long and
unselfishly. In 1901-2 Congress passed a bill naming the Channel after him.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 May 27, 1936
The Department of Parks received bids this afternoon
for a contract for the general grading of Flushing Meadow Park, as the first
step toward the development of this park, which is the site of the 1939
World's Fair.
The Board of Estimate and Apportionment on May first
approved the form of contract for this work and authorized the Commissioner
of Parks to proceed to take bids. This is the first contract to be let by
the City for the improvement of this area, although approximately three and
a half million dollars has already been expended by the State in grading,
paving and the erection of bridges on the Grand Central Parkway Extension,
which forms the westerly boundary of this park between Kow Gardens and
Flushing Bay, and connects with the Triborough Bridge Approach.
This contract calls for the moving of seven million
cubic yards of material, all of which is available at the site. Six million
cubic yards of the available material consists of ashes located in the old
Brooklyn ash disposal dump located just south of the Long Island Railroad in
Corona. This property was acquired by the City in connection with the
settlement of a contract held by the Brooklyn Ash Removal Company for the
disposal of refuse collected in the borough of Brooklyn and represents waste
material accumulated over a period of thirty years. This contract will
eliminate the ash dump which has been an eyesore in this community for years
and will create a park of over a thousand acres in the geographical and
population center of the city.
In addition to the six million cubic yards from the
ash disposal dump, there is approximately one million yards to be excavated
from the center of the southerly section of the park to form two lakes which
will remain the main features of the park development south of Nassau
Boulevard. The work under this contract will be completed on April 1, 1937,
when construction can start on the development of the World's Fair
structures.
There wore seven bids received, ranging from a low
bid of $1,843,775 to a high bid of $2,631,800. The three low bids are
listed below:
D. M. W . Contracting Co., Inc. 1,843,775
S. J . Groves & Son 1,967,525
Arthur A. Johnson Inc. )
Nocaro Co., Inc. ) 2,186,185
The qualifications of the low bidders are being
carefully investigated.
# # # # # # # #
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 May 25, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that the final match of the
Inter-boro Horse Shoe Pitching Contest for boys and men over 16 years of
age, will take place at Edgecombe Avenue and 168tja Street on May 27, Wed.,
at 5:50 P.M.
The Richmond team will compete in singles and doubles games against the
Manhattan team to determine the championship of New iork City.
This is an annual contest conducted by the Department of Parks. The
winning individual and doubles champion, first place, will each receive a
gold plated medal.
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Department of Parks
Arsenal, Central Park For Immediate ilelease
Tel. Regent 4-1000 May 25, 1936.
final game of the Inter-boro basketball contest for boys under
16 years of age will take place at Roosevelt Playground, Chrystie and
Forsythe Streets, on Tuesday, May 28th at 4:30 P.M.
The Bronx Team will compete against the Richmond Team to determine
the city championship. This contest is an annual tournament conducted by
the Recreation Department.
There is a continual transfer from year to year of this sought for
"basketball crown." One borough seldom retaining the championship for more
than one year in succession. The winning team be awarded a suitably engraved
silver cup.
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VICTOR HERBERT FESTIVAL
of the
GAELIC MUSICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA
Dr. James J . Walsh Chariman
Edward J. Walsh Executive Director
Hugh A. O'Cormell Master of Ceremonies
CENTRAL PARK MALL
Sunday - May 24, 1936 - 8:30 P.M.
HEW YORK STATE SYMPHONIC BAND
Guiseppe Creatore, Conductor
Assisted by the Gaelic Singers
PROGRAM
MARCH from Irish Opera "Eileen" Victor Herbert
INVOCATION (In Song) "THE PRAYER PERFECT" Nicholas Farley
GREETINGS Mr. Hugh A. O'Donnell
Selections from "WONDERLAND" Victor Herbert
Tenor Solo "THINE ALONE" from Irish Opera "EILEEN" John Feeney
BADINAGE Victor Herbert
Gems from VICTOR HERBERT Arranged by
Guiseppe Creatore
BABES IN TOYLAND Soloist
THE RED MILL Helen Alexander
MADEMOISELLE MODISTE
Vocal: "KISS ME AGAIN"
NAUGHTY MARIETTA
Vocal: "ITALIAN STREET SONG"
SERENADE
THE FORTUNE TELLER
Vocal: "GYPSY LOVE SONG"
INTERMISSION
IRISH RHAPSODY Victor Herbert
TRIBUTE TO VICTOR HERBERT Mr.James MCGurrin
President-General,American Irish Historical Society
WALTZ "ESTRALLITA" Victor Herbert
PAN AMERICANA Victor Herbert
AMERICAN FANTASIE Victor Herbert
Program presented by the Gaelic Musical Society of America -
in conjunction with the Departnent of Parks and the Works
Progress Administration of the City of New York.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 May 20, 1936
The Department of Parks invites children end grown-ups to participate in the
Harmonica Contest to be staged Wednesday, May 27th, at 4:00 P.M. at the
Roosevelt Playground, Chrystie and Forsythe Streets.
This contest is one phase of the city-wide Harmonica Contest being sponsored
by the Department of Pr.rks in all five boroughs. Borough Champions will be
crowned in Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Richmond with the
all-borough finals scheduled to take place on The Mall, Central Park, on
June 6th.
The Contest is open to boys raid girls, who will compete in 3 classes -
Class "A" for contestants 15 years of ago and under. Class "B" - contestants
16 to 18 years of age. Class "C" - unlimited, for contestants over 18 years
of age. Harmonica groups will also compete in the special Bands Division of
Class "C".
Hundreds of contestants havs already enrolled and a large turnout is
expected. Championship Trophy Cups and special harmonica prizes donated by
Borrah Minevitch, world-famous harmonica virtuoso, will be awarded the
winners.
The rules for the contest are simple. Players wishing to enter are requested
to address a postcard to the Swedish Cottage, 79th Street, West Drive,
Central Park, giving name, address road age. All applications for individual
or band entries must be in the hands of the Contest Director no later than
Friday, May 22nd.
Each contestant will be required to play one selection of his own choice and
of not more than three minutes duration. Competent and impartial judges will
rate the players.
# # # # # # # # #
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 May 19, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that it will conduct the final
match of the City-wide Marble Shooting contest for boys and girls at City
Hall Park, Wednesday, May 20th at 4:15 P.M.
This annual marble shooting contest is an event which is looked
forward to with.great interest by the children. Eliminations were held in
all playgrounds within the five boroughs. Entries were numerous in this play
activity, the girls vieing with boys to win the champion- ship of greater
New York.
The pick of the boroughs, consisting of the first two winners will
meet at City Hall to compete against the respective borough finalists.
In the event that a boy opposes a girl contestant in the final
playoff at Gity Hail, the public will be assured of very keen competition.
Such a game was played two years ago, with the girl competitor the victor.
The winners will be awarded Park Departiaent medals
for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 May 18, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that it will conduct the final
matches of the Inter-boro Handball contest at the Houston and First Street
playground on Tuesday May 19th at 4 P.M.
The tournament is arranged for contestants of three age groups,
zix. Boys 16 years of age and under -- Boys 16 to 21 years of age, and men
over 21 years of age. A singles and doubles game will be played in each
classification.
Winning individuals and doubles teams from Manhattan will meet the
Brooklyn contestants to determine the championship of New York City.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 May 18, 1936
the Department of Parks is planning construction of
bicycle paths la the City Park system to meet the growing demand for this
form of recreation. Bicycling is sot only popular with growing boys and
girls, thousands of mature men and women derive pleasure from this form of
exercise. The use of City streets and boulevards for bicycling is dangerous
to the bicyclist and the use of walks in the parks dangerous to the
pedestrian.
The recent designation of the closed driveway west of the
Mall in Central Park one morning eaah week demonstrated that bicycling paths
are needed. This particular area has been used for roller skating for two
years and is now being resurfaced to add bicycling, restricted to two
outside ten foot lanes. The two inside lanes will be resurfaced for roller
skating. Both facilities will be used at the same time and Park recreation
employees will be assigned to maintain order and move traffic In one way
lanes.
Plans are being prepared by the Park Department to provide
a bicycle path along the Harlem River Speedway which will not interfere with
pedestrians and which will have no grade crossings. Another path is being
planned in the northerly section of Hillside Park in Queens. The
construction of a bicycle path on the center strip of the Pelham parkway is
being designed and another path is being laid out along Ocean Parkway in
Brooklyn. Facilities for bicycling are also included in the reconstruction
of Riverside Park in connection with the West Side Improvement.
If men and materials are available from relief funds these
new facilities will be developed after July 1st, where the oonstruction of
the Park Department's program of playgrounds, swimming pools, golf courses
and beaches is completed.
- END -
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 May 13, 1936
A truck equipped for emergency has been put into service by
the Department of Parks. This truck is equipped to cover every kind of
emergency that might arise within the parks, playgrounds or streets that are
under the jurisdiction of the Department of Parks.
The crew will consist of expert mechanics, specially trained
for their particular line of duty and with years of experience in park
activities which oualifies these men for this special type of service. The
crew is comprised of the following mechanics:
Carpenter
Plumber and Steamfitter
Blacksmith Welder
Letterer Painter
Climber and Pruner
Chauffeur
The truck's equipment will consist of a complete outfit for
mechanics, also pulmotors, pumps, spraying apparatus, danger signs, first
aid kits and many other emergency devices.
Emergency truck will operate in the entire Borough of Manhattan
and in approximately half of the Boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens and Bronx.
The terminal for operations will be at Central Park, Regent
4-1000 or Rhinelander 4-5330. Upon receipt of a complaint from the public
the truck will be dispatched immediately to the point of emergency. The
Park Department lists emergencies such as: fallen street trees, sliding
rock, broken water pipes, dangerous road conditions and accidents of like
nature within the parks or parkwavs.
* * * *
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 May 7, 1936
Saturday morning at 6 A.M. the Split Rock and Pelham Bay Golf
Courses in the Bronx, and the Kissena Course in Queens, will be open for play.
With these courses the Park Department will have ten eighteen-hole courses
open to the public.
Split Rock, Kissena and the second nine at LaTourette, Borough of
Richmond, are new. Dyker Beach in Brooklyn, Forest Park in Queens, Pelham
Bay in the Bronx, Silver Lake in Richmond and the first nine holes at
LaTourette in Richmond are thoroughly reconstructed with new tees and greens
throughout. Van Cortlandt and Mosholu in the Bronx, and Clearview in Queens
have been reconditioned and remodeled to some extent. All this work has been
done with relief funds provided by the C.W.A., T.E.R.A. and W.P.A.
The opening of the new Split Rock course and the completely
remodeled Pelham Bay layout has been long awaited by the golfing public. It
is an interesting fact that both courses measure 6,617 yards in length. It
was not the original intention to make them the same length, and the
condition was revealed after a survey of the completed courses. Par at
Pelham Bay is 73 and at Split Rock 71, owing to a greater numbar of par 5
holes on the former.
The formal opening of the new golf house at Pelham Bay to serve
both the Pelham Bay and Split Rock Courses will be announced at a later
date, but it will be in temporary use.
Reports of play and the sale of permits indicate a most successful
season. On this date in 1935, 6,663 rounds of golf had been played as
compared with 18,300 this year.
# # # # # # # #
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[MAP OF PELHAM BAY AND SPLIT ROCK GOLF COURSES]
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[PICTURE OF CLUBHOUSE]
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[PICTURE OF CLUBHOUSE]
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS MAY 8th, 1936
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
REGENT 4-1000
The Department of Parks announces that the Galway and Tipperary
Hurling teams will play a hurling game at the formal opening of the Gaelic
Grounds at Van Cortlandt Park, Sunday afternoon, May 10th, at 3:00 P. M.
The teams which will line up Sunday are two of the best in New
York, Both teams boast four men on the all star team that will meet Ireland
at the Yankee Stadium, May 17th. Jim Smee, Dick Purcell, Chris Hayes, Tom
Donlon and Paddy Morgan, outstanding stars at hurling, will be seen in
action at the Van Cortlandt grounds.
End
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 Thursday, May 7, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that on Saturday, May
9th, at 2 o'clock, the borough winners of the park lake model yacht and
motorboat contest will compete in a city championship to be held on
Conservatory Lake. In the event of rain, the contest will be set for
Sunday, May 10th.
Arrangements have been made with the officers of the
French Line to permit the winners of the 1935 and 1936 contests in the five
boroughs to visit The Normandie on Kay 12th at 2:30 P.M. Captain Rene
Puguet of the Normandie will accompany the children on a tour of inspection
of the huge liner. Captain Puguet will inspect sailboats brought by the
children and eight ten-inch accurate scale models of The Normandie will be
awarded winners of the 1936 championships. Other winners will be presented
with official Park Department medals.
The children also will be entertained by a puppet show,
after which light refreshments will be served aboard ship. One guardian
will be permitted to accompany each child.
The sailboat contest has attracted and interested 5,000
children with boats classified according to size.
* * * *
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 May 5, 1936
Rugby football will be introduced on North Meadow in
Central park on Saturday afternoon, May 9th, the Department of Parks
announces today. Several thousand enthusiasts are expected to witness the
game scheduled between the French Rugby Club and the Princeton Rugby Club,
two of the most powerful aggregations on the Eastern seaboard.
Both clubs are at the top of their game at present.
They have scored notable victories over rival rugby fifteens in the past two
months and rn exciting tussle is in prospect for the fans.
The Department of Parks is making all arrangements
for the rugby inaugural in Central Park and the teams will find an excellent
field ready for the game. The game will get under way at 3 o'clock sharp.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 Monday, May 4, 1936
The Department of Parks is opening thirteen new playgrounds
today. These will make a total of 149 playgrounds added to the recreational
system of the Park Department since January, 1934. Prior to that date there
were 108 playgrounds in the park system. Fourteen of these old playgrounds
have been completely reconstructed end modernized and thirty-five more will
be rebuilt before the end of the year. In addition to these rehabilitated
areas, there will be 82 entirely new recreational areas which will be opened
to the public before January 1st, 1937. When the present program is
completed, there will be a total of 325 playground areas under the
jurisdiction of the Department of Parks.
Five of the playgrounds to be opened today are in Manhattan.
Among them are three marginal areas in Central Park located at 77th Street
and Fifth Avenue, 100th Street and Fifth Avenue, and 68th Street and Central
Park West. These three new perimeter playgrounds for children of pre-school
age make a total of eleven of these areas in Central Park. The other two
playgrounds are in the southeast corner of Mt. Morris Park and on Sixth
Avenue between Third and Fourth Streets.
In Brooklyn, there will be four new playgrounds located in the
northwest corner of Fort Greene Park, in Tompkins Park, at Tompkins Avenue
and Lafayette Avenue, on 23rd Street Between Fourth and Fifth Avenues, and
on Eighth Avenue between 65th and 66th Streets. The latter area is adjacent
to Leiv Eiriksson Playground and will provide baseball and other adult
facilities which were not included in the Leiv Eiriksson development.
In the Bronx, a completely equipped small children's playground
will be opened on 146th Street, between the Grand Concourse and Walton
Avenue. In Bronx Park, south of the intersection of Boston Road and Pelham
Parkway, a baseball field has been constructed as the first unit of an
active recreational development, and three reconstructed big league baseball
diamonds will be opened on the Parade Grounds in Van Cortlandt Park. This
entire area has had a new system of drainage installed and construction is
proceeding on seven similar baseball fields, three cricket fields, two
soccer fields and one lacrosse field.
In Queens, there will be a playground opened at 47th Avenue at
111th Street.
# # # # # # # # # #
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 April 30, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that "The Portable Farm Yard" will
again visit many playgrounds throughout the city, starting May 1st.
This model farm yard will remain in each play area for three days during
the course of the summer with the exception of a ten day period each month
when the animals will remain in one play area in order to rest.
City dwellers and especially the under-privileged children of the
congested districts will be given an opportunity to see and enjoy the
domestic animals which are common to children of rural districts.
This miniature farm yard will contain a barn for housing animals. It
will also have a regular farm fence connecting the area adjacent to the barn
where the animals can move around.
Through the courtesy of Bordens Milk Company, a cow and a calf will be a
featured attraction. In addition, there will be pigs, ducks, chickens,
chicks, turkeys and pigeons.
The first showing of "The Portable Farm Yard" will be at the Roosevelt
Playground, Chrystie & Forsythe Streets, Friday, May 1st. After three days
it will move to Corlears Hook Park, South Street, foot of Jackson Street.
Playground directors will notify children the time the farm yard will
visit the respective playgrounds.
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[DUPLICATE COPY OF PORTABLE FARMYARD ANNOUNCEMENT]
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PORTABLE FARMYARD SCHEDULE
MANHATTAN
May 1 Roosevelt Playground
May 4 Corlears Hook Park
May 7 Battery Park
May 10 Houston and 6th St
BRONX
May 13 St. Mary's Playground
May 16 Franz Siegel
May 19 Claremont Park
May 22 Crotona Park
May 25 St. James
May 28 De Voe Park
May 31 Fort Independence
June 3 Mosholu
MANHATTAN
June 10 Highbridge 189th
June 13 Payson Ave. & Dyckraan
June 16 Hamilton Place
June 19 John Jay
BROOKLYN
June 22 Williamsburg Bridge
June 25 City Park
June 28 McLaughlin
July 1 Red Hook
July 4 Gravesend
July 11 11th St. & 2nd Ave.
BROOKLYN
July 14 Lindsey
July 17 Cooper
July 20 Bushwick Playground
July 23 Betsy Head
July 26 Lincoln Terrace
July 29 New Lots
August 1 Heckscher
August 4 Kelly Memorial
QUEENS
August 10 Rainy Park
August 13 Jackson Heights
August 16 Kissena Park
August 19 O'Connell
August 22 Baisley
August 25 St. Albans
August 28 Greenhouse Forest Park
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 April 29, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that on Friday, May 1, Arbor Day Tree
Planting will take place at the following Children's Gardens--
Crotona Park, Bronx , ) 1:50 P.M.
Children's Garden ) 300 Children
Fulton Ave. & St. Pauls Place )
Betsy Head Perk, Brooklyn ) 2:00 P.M.
Guildren'a Garden. ) 300 Cuildren
Hopkinson & Blake Sta. }
St.Nicholas Park, Manhattan ) 10:30
Cuildren's Garden } 300 Cnildren
131st St. & St.Nicholas Terrace )
In addition to a grown tree, seeds of Oak, Sycamore and others will be
planted by the children in a forestry plot so that their growth may be
observed in the years to come, as an object lesson for their preservation,
thereby helping to mould an attitude of greater respect and appreciation
toward our public parks and teach the value of tree conservation and its
relation to our public and economic needs.
Suitable ceremonies, recitations, tree and tree seeds planted by the
children will commemorate the Arbor Day Celebration.
PROGRAM
Planting of tree seeds and trees by the children
Address by child ------ Value of trees
Recitation by child --- Tree Mutilation
" " " --- Woodman Spare That Tree, With a little history of
this poem.
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THE VALUE OF TREES
Whether you live in the country with trees overshadowing your doorstep or
near a city park, it is fitting this day, to give a thought to trees, those
silent friends whose value and beauty contribute so much toward our
happiness and comfort. Their beauty in spring, summer and autumn is but a
part they play in the general scheme of our lives. Pencils and paper, desks
and doors, houses and floors, all these things and hundreds more depend upon
our forests. Without trees, we could not have them. Do you know that 160
million trees are cut down every year for various uses? One billion lead
pencils are used each year. It takes 160 acres of spruce trees to make the
paper for a large, Sunday edition of a newspaper. Planting trees and giving
them protection is true conservation.
HISTORY OF POEM
"WOODMAN SPARE THAT TREE"
The history of the writing of this poem by Geo. P. Morris, the author, was
explained in a letter to a friend by Mr. Morris in 1837. Mr, Morris was
riding in the country with an old gentleman who asked him to turn down a
little country lane, to look at an old tree which was planted by his
grandfather, near the doorstep of the house in which he was born. He had
many recollections about this old tree and always remembered it as an old
friend. As they neared the tree, they saw before it a man with his coat off
and sharpening an ax. You're not going to cut down this tree the old
gentleman asked? -- Yes but I am, the old woodman said. I want that tree for
firewood. It is worth $10.00. The old man then said, if I give you $10.00
will you let it stand? The woodman agreed and a bond was drawn up and signed
by the three men, to spare that tree. This impressed Mr. Morris, the
author, who then wrote the poem, WOODMAN SPARE THAT TREE.
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"WOODMAN SPAHE THAT TREE"
Geo. P. Morris
Woodman, Spare that tree!
Touch not a single bough!
In youth it sheltered me,
And I'll protect it now.
'T was my forefather's hand
That placed it near my cot;
There, woodman let it stand,
Thy axe shall harm it not
My heart-strings 'round thee cling,
Close as thy bark, old friend
Here shall the wild bird sing,
And still thy branches bend.
Old tree, the storm still brave
And woodman, leave the spot;
While I've a hand to save,
Thy axe shall harm it not.
MUTILATION
By Ann Williams
I wonder if I shall ever see,
A lovely, stately white birch tree,
Whose bark has not been marred by hand,
Leaving an ugly, dark red band.
Along the highway, or in a park,
Each beautiful birch has lost some bark,
Disfigured for life it stands apart,
Drooping as with a broken heart.
We are given eyes that we might see,
The beauty of each lovely tree;
Yet thoughtless people leave a scar,
That shows unsightly from afar.
God never meant for you or me,
To injure or abuse a tree;
A kindly thought we each should give,
To every tree,--and help it live.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 April 18, 1936
Two identical statues of stainless steel will be erected
in the near future on the promenade of the Astoria swimming Pool in the
Borough of Queens.
The figures, each sixteen feet high, are the first pieces
of three-dimensional sculpture of any considerable size to be executed in
stainless steel and are the result of nearly two years of planning and
experimental work by the Department of Parks.
They were designed by Emil Siebern and executed by sheet
metal workers under the direction of Thomas Roberts, representing a
collaboration of architects, sculptors and artisans. As the limitations of
steel had to be kept in mind when making the models, the shapes and forms
were developed along modern lines. Stainless steel is not only fitted to
harmonize with the architectural features of the Bath House, but its cost is
less than that of bronze, marble or any of the other materials usually
associated with sculpture.
As the statues are a new departure in this field, the
method, of assembling them is of particular interest. After the full size
models were completed, preliminary paper patterns, similar to those used by
dressmakers, were made and fitted to them. The paper patterns were then
copied in zinc and eventually in galvanized iron. This stage of the work had
to be executed with the utmost attention to detail as each figure consists
of one hundred and twenty five separate pieces which had to be assembled
with the greatest accuracy. Once the metal patterns were completed and
carefully fitted to each other, the final work was cut in stainless steel by
means of electric shears specially designed to overcome the unusual
toughness of the material.
The next stage was to construct a system of reinforcement
inside the figures to counteract the wind pressure which would be exerted on
their sixteen feet of height. The pieces were welded together, using a
special alloy so as not to break down the rust resisting qualities of the
metal through overheating.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK APRIL 14th, 1936.
REGENT 4-1000 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The official opening of the Park Department baseball
diamonds, postponed by inclement weather last Monday, will take place
Thursday, April 16th, the Park Department announces today.
Mayor LaGuardia will greet representatives from ten
baseball teams at City Hall at 1 P.M. and autograph ten baseballs, after
which the teams will travel to their respective borough diamonds and
officially open the 1936 season.
At 2:30 P.M. the opening games will be played at North
Meadow, Central Park; the Parade Grounds in Brooklyn; Mosholu Park, 201st
Street and Mosholu Avenue, Bronx; Yictory Field, Woodhaven Blvd. and Myrtle
Avenue, Queens; and at Willowbrook Park in Richmond.
Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Earle Combs, present and past
stars of the New York Yankees, and Mr. Daniel Chase, "father of playground
baseball", have been invited to be present on the steps of City Hall when
the Mayor receives the representatives of the boys' clubs.
The Department of Parks will cooperate with the New York
City Baseball Federation and all organizations promoting baseball for
juvenile teams. Playing facilities of the Department of Parks have been
increased 20% for baseball and 69% for softball since 1933.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 April 14, 1936
The Department of Parks will open golf courses under its jurisdiction as
follows:
April 18th-
Mosholu - Bronx
Clearview Queens
Dyker Beach Brooklyn
LaTo ure t t e Hichmond
April 25th-
Van Cortlandt Bronx
Kissena Queens
Forest Park Queens
May 2nd -
Silver Lake Richmond
May 5th -
Pelham Bay Bronx
Split Rock Bronx
(Formal Opening)
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 April 9, 1936
The Department of Parks announces today that the first
international rugby football game of the 1936 season will be staged at Van
Cortlandt Park, Sunday Afternoon, April 12th at 5:00 P.M. A representative
all Montreal team from Canada will oppose an all-star team recreuited from
the Eastern rugby Union of U.S.A.
The French Rugby Club is sponsoring the event in co-operation with
the Department of Parks and several thousand rugby football enthusiasts are
expected to witness the game between the all-star fifteens.
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Phoned In to the City News Association
Opening of Mosholu, Clearview and Dycker Beach Golf Courses
on Sunday at 6 A.M.
O.K. By Mr.James A. Sherry.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 April 9, 1936
Easter Exhibit
The Department of Parks announces that the Easter Show in the
Park Department Greenhouses, Brooklyn, will surpass anything that has
heretofore been done.
The Department will offer another masterpiece of horticultural
display. This year the cross, which measures 14 by 27 feet, is made of
Easter Lilies edged with beautiful Blue Cineraria, which sets off the
formation of the cross and yellow Genista as a background. The foundation of
the cross on both sides is made of beautiful Rhododendrons in pink and the
rear is banked with Crab Apple, Acacias and Azaleas. The main bed is lafl
out in Azaleas with all the shades of various colors. Visitors will find
the side benches a great mass of color in Cinerarias, Calceolarias, Sweet
Peas, Snapdragons, Schizenthus, Caila Lilies, white and yellow Lilacs end
Wisterias, Crab Apple, Flowering Peach and Cherry.
The entrance to the greenhouse has a great set up of Hydrangeas
in all colors and lilies.
The greenhouses are located in Prospect Park, 9th Street and
Prospect Park West, Brooklyn.
The doors will be open to the public from 10:00 A.M. until
6:00 P.M. while the exhibit lasts.
-end-
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 April 2, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that applications for permits to
play the Municipal Golf Courses and to use the Public Tennis Courts will
be received at the following offices:
The Bronx - Zbrowski Mansion, Claremont Park
Brooklyn - Litchfield Mansion, Prospect Park
Manhattan - The Arsenal, Fifth Avenue at 64th Street, Central Park
Queens - The Overlook, Forest Park, Kew Gardens, L.I., N.Y.
Richmond - Clove Lakes Park, Victory Blvd. and Clove Road, S.I., N.Y.
Permits will be issued as follows:
GOLF:
Season Permit - $10.00 - Good for any day that course is opened to play.
Limited Season Permit - $5.00 - Good for play Monday to Friday inclusive,
excepting holidays.
Junior Permit - $3.00 - Issued to players up to and including 16 years
of age. Good for play week days, Monday to
Friday, inclusive, excepting holidays.
Daily Fee - Monday to Friday, inclusive, excepting holidays - $.75
Saturday, Sunday and holidays - $1.00
Season Locker - $5.00
Daily Locker - $0.25
Permit holders may reserve starting time for Saturday, Sunday and
holidays during the calendar week prior to the day of play. Reservations
for foursomes only may be made by personal application or by telephoning the
Borough Park Department office in which the course is located. The name of
each player in the foursome will be required. Reservations are limited to
one-fourth of actual play. Fee for reservations will be $1.00 a foursome.
Courses under the jurisdiction of the Department of Parks are:
Bronx: Van Cortlandt, Mosholu, Split Rock, Pelham
Brooklyn: Dyker Beach
Queens: Clearview, Kissena, Forest Park
Richmond: Silver Lake, La Tourette
Applicants are required to submit with application, a photograph of
themselves, size 1 3/4" x 1 3/4".
Permits will be issued as follows:
TENNIS:
Season Permit - Adult $3.00
Junior (under 17 years) . . . 1.00
Season Locker Permit 2.00
Daily Locker Permit (for one day only). . . .25
Courts may be used for a period not exceeding ONE hour.
Applicants are required to submit with application, a photograph of
themselves, size 1 1/2" x 1 1/2".
Tennis courts under the jurisdiction of the Department of Parks are:
Borough of The Bronx:
Bronx Park, Crotona, Macombs Dam, ivlacombs Extension, St. James,
St. Mary's East, Van Cortlandt, Woodlawn.
Borough of Brooklyn:
Betsy Head, canarsie, Fort Greene, Gravesend, Kelly Memorial,
Liev Eiriksson, Lincoln Terrace, McKinley, Prospect Park
Borough of Manhattan;
Central Park, Fort Washington Park at Riverside Drive & W. 173rd St.
Borough of Queens:
Anawanda, Forest Park, Flushing Memorial, Howard Beach, St. Albans
Memorial, Kissena, Highland, Wayanda, and a t 30th Avenue and 48th St.,
Astoria.
Borough of Richmond:
Walker Park, Silver Lake Park
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 April 1, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that it will conduct a
sail boat contest for children who have not reached their sixteenth birthday
in all boroughs, in accordance with the following schedule:
Borough Eliminations;
Brooklyn - prospect Park, Saturday April 25th at 2:30 P. M.
Cueens - Kissena Park, Saturday April 25th at 2:30 P. M.
Richmond - Martlings Pond, Clove Lake, April 25th at 2;30 P. M.
Bronx - Macombs Dam, Wading Pool, April 26th at 2;30 P. M.
Manhattan- Conservatory Lake, Central Park, May 2nd at 2:30 P. M.
Final Contest
Conservatory Lake - May 9th at 2:30 PM (In the event of rain, May 10)
CLASSES
Sail Boats:
1. Boats from 12 to 18 inches 4. Boats from 26 to 30 inches
2. Boats from 18 to 22 inches 5. Boats from 30 to 36 inches
3. Boats from 22 to 26 inches 6. Constructed models to 30 inches
Motor Boats -
1. Electric and spring-powered boats.
2. steam and gasoline driven boats.
Arrangements have been made with the French Line to permit
winners of this contest, as well as winners of the Park Department contest
in 1935, to inspect the S.S. NORMANDIE May 12th.
A Puppet and Marionette show aboard the N0RMANDIE will also
be given for the entertainment of the winners, who will be accompanied by
their parents.
Light refreshments aboard ship will be served.
Winners of the final sail boat contest will be awarded Park
Department medals. Eight 10-inch models of the N0RMANDIE will be awarded the
champions of the, respective classes by Captain Rene Pugnet, who will
inspect the winning boats aboard the N0RMANDIE.
Entries can be forwarded to the Park Department Borough
offices as follows:
Bronx: Zbrowski Mansion, East 173rd Street & Claremont Parkway,
Claremont Park, Bronx, N. Y.
Brooklyn: Litchfield Mansion, Prospect Park West and 5th Street,
Prospect Park, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Manhattan: The Arsenal, Fifth Avenue at 64th Street, Central Park, New York
Queens: The Overlook, union Turnpike and Park Lane, Forest Park,
Kew Gardens, L.I., N.Y.
Richmond: Clove Lakes Park, Victory Blvd. and Clove Road, Staten Island, NY
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
MONTHLY PROGRAM
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
APRIL, 1936
DEPARTMEMT OF PARKS, NEW YORK CITY
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CITY OF NEW YORK
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN
ACTIVITIES
Baseball
Inwood Park Dewitt Clinton
Jasper Oval Hudson
North Meadow Corlears Hook
Central Park Lawn Playground Queensboro Oval
Horseshoe Pitching
Highbridge & 168th St. 10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. Daily
North Meadow 10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. Daily
175th St. - East of Amsterdam Ave. 10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. Daily
Basketball Tournament - Boys 16 years and under
J. Hood Wright April 1 4:00 P.M.
Hamilton Pl. April 1 4:00 P.M.
W. 59th St. April 1 4:00 P.M.
Roosevelt April 1 4:00 P.M.
Gulick April 1 4:00 P.M.
Seward April 1 4:00 P.M.
York & 67th St. April 1 4:00 P.M.
Yorkville April 1 4:00 P.M.
Hamilton Pl. April 3 4:00 P.M.
Roosevelt April 3 4:00 P.M.
Gulick April 3 4:00 P.M.
York & 67th St. April 3 4:00 P.M.
Roosevelt April 6 4:00 P.M.
York & 67th St. April 6 4:00 P.M.
Roosevelt April 9 4:00 P.M.
Handball Tournament - Boys up to 16; 16-21; over 21
Corlear April 4 3:00 P.M.
Gulick April 4 3:00 P.M.
E. 6 7th St. April 4 3:00 P.M.
E. Houston & 1st April 4 3:00 P.M.
Hudson April 4 3:00 P.M.
W. 59th St. April 4 3:00 P.M.
Jasper April 4 3:00 P.M.
J. Hood Wright April 4 3:00 P.M.
Corlear April 11 3:00 P.M.
E. Houston April 11 3:00 P.M.
W. 59th St. April 11 3:00 P.M.
Jasper April 11 3:00 P.M.
Corlear April 11 3:00 P.M.
Jasper April 11 3:00 P.M.
Houston & 1st April 11 3:00 P.M.
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[FIFTEEN MORE PAGES OF ACTIVITIES SCHEDULES OMITTED]
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 March 27, 1936
The Department of Parks will open ten new playgrounds
Saturday, March 28, making a total of 125 added to the recreational system in
two years.
Seven are in Brooklyn. At Remson Avenue, Winthrop to
Clarkson Streets, there will be a hard ball baseball diamond, a football
field, four handball courts, three basket-ball courts, horseshoe, quoits and
Boccie courts; at Smith Street between Luqueer and Nelson Streets there will
be kindergarten swings, see-saws, a jungle gym, a sand table and six play
houses; at Smith Street between Nelson and Huntington Streets there will be
four shuffle-board courts, three horseshoe courts and one basket-ball court;
at White, McKibben and Bogart Streets there will be three hand-ball courts,
three shuffle-board courts, three horseshoe pitching courts, three
basketball courts and swings; at Smith Street, Carroll Street and First
Place there will be four hand-ball courts, four shuffleboard courts and six
horseshoe courts; at Jay and Nassau Streets there will be one hand-ball
court, four see-saws, six junior swings, eight kindergarten swings, a play
slide, a kiddie slide and a jungle gym; at Owl's Head Park there will be a
wading pool, an area for group games, four slides, six kindergarten slides,
kindergarten swings, large swings, see-saws, a jungle_gym and a baby jungle
gym.
In the new Rosebank Playground at Virginia and Vermont
Avenues in Richmond there will be a basketball court, garden swings, junior
swings, kindergarten swings, shelters, play houses, a sand table, see-saws,
a jungle gym and a portable shower.
In Manhattan there will be two new playgrounds: At East
Houston, Elizabeth Street and Bowery there will be two hand-ball courts,
three horseshoe pitching courts, parallel and horizontal bars and an open
play area for games, end at 106th Street East of Fifth Avenue there will be
junior swings, kindergarten swings, see-saws, slides, a jungle gym, a junior
horizontal bar, two sand tables, two play houses and an open area for games.
All of these playgrounds were constructed es Works Progress
Administration projects.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 March 20, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that owing to the poor playing
pitch at North Meadow in Central Park due to recent heavy rains, the rugby
football game featuring the New York Rugby Club and college stars from Long
Island University has been shifted to Van Cortlandt Park where the teams
will clash Saturday, March 21 at 5:00 P.M.
The game will mark the first of a series of three in which the New
York Rugby Club will meet college and amateur rugger clubs on Department of
Parks fields. The French Club will be encountered at North Meadow in Central
Park, Saturday, March 28, while the Princeton Rugby Club will be met
Saturday, April 4, at the same site.
Several thousand spectators are expected to thrill to the famous
English sport.
# # # #
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 March 19, 1936
Rugby football will make its debut in North
Meadow Central Park this Sunday, March 21st, at 3:00 o'clock with the strong
fifteens of the New York Rugby Club and New York University furnishing the
competition. The Department of Parks will sponsor the match.
The game will be the first of a series of
three in which the New York Rugby Club will meet the outstanding amateur
clubs on the Eastern seaboard. On Sunday, March 29th, the French Club will
make its appearance at North Meadow for a match with the New Yorkers while
on Saturday, April 4th, Princeton's Rugby Club will travel here to engage
the locals. A regulation rugby field has been laid out in North Meadow
between 99th and 100th Streets off Central Park West.
The Department of Parks plants to invite the
invading Oxford University squad touring the United States in the summer to
compete in several international exhibition matches.
# # #
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 March 18, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that rugby football will be
introduced to the general public for the first time at the North Meadow,
Central Park. The New York Rugby Club, one of the outstanding amateur
organizations in the metropolitan districtt, will engage in a series of
three games, the opening game being scheduled Saturday afternoon, March 21,
at 3:00 o'clock, with New York University's collegiate squad.
Sunday, March 29, the New York Rugby Club will play host to the
French Club and Saturday, April 4, the New York team will oppose the strong
Princeton Rugby Club. These games will be staged at the North Meadow field
in Central Park.
The Department of Parks plans to invite leading English teams
visiting the United States to engage in several international exhibition
matches later in the season. The sport is spectacular and considered as
fast and exciting as modern American football.
End
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 March 17, 1936
SIGNS IN CITY PARKS
The agreement with the Works Progress Administration reached
in the Mayor's office yesterday as to signs in City parks has been carried
out by the Park Department. This includes the placing of one 30 x 50 placard
at each of the new swimming pools and a similar sign on each other major
construction project.
In the course of this controversy, statements without
foundation have been made as to other existing signs in City parks. These
signs have been placed in areas from which the public has been excluded on
account of temporary construction and where numerous inquiries have been
received as to what is going on and at such places as temporary exits and
entrances on the West Side development and at the end of Riverside Drive
where the Henry Hudson Parkway begins. None of these signs have included the
name of the Park Commissioner or anyone else connected with the Park
Department. A few contractors signs have been put up but only where there
was some legal basis for doing so under contracts. On the other hand,
thousands of signs have been taken down throughout the park system.
In order that thore may be no misunderstanding as to the
attitude of the Park Department, all signs of a temporary nature indicating
struction work including contractors' signs and signs showing plans of
construction work, except those recently agreed on with the Works Progress
Administration, have been ordered taken down. The principle will, therefore,
be carried out without any exceptions whatever.
Robert Moses
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 March 9, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that the first monkey to
be bred and born in the Central Park Zoo according to the memory of the
oldest keeper, was born to Gertrude, one of the Rhesus monkeys, at 9 o'clock
this morning. Gertrude was acquired in February 1935, and has been noted
for her termagant qualities. She has been the iron-fisted boss of her cage
and her fellow occupants have always shown her the greatest respect. For
this reason, the baby, which was born in the hospital room of the monkey
house, has been returned with his mother to the large cage where he may be
viewed by the public. The baby is perfectly formed, stands about 6" high,
and weighs 15½ ounces. There will be no diet prescribed for the new
arrival as it is being nursed by its mother. Gertrude, however, will get
delicacies not usually the fare of the primates during the next few weeks.
-end-
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 February 28, 1936
The enthusiasm of the children of Manhattan over the formation of
a League of "Park Protectors" continues at high pitch. The next meeting of
all Manhattan Units will be held Saturday, February 29.
Patrols already are reporting a willingness on the part of adults
as well as children to respect Park Department ordinances when violations
are courteously brought to their attention.
Each League Unit is industriously making and erecting a handsome
replica of the Oath of Office, which will be displayed in their meeting
rooms. A prize will be awarded for the best.
-end-
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 February 27, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that beginning Saturday,
February 29, and until further notice, the brown bear cub, which on that day
will be sixteen days old, will be put on exhibition in the elephant house at
Prospect Park, Brooklyn, between 2:00 and 4:00 P.M. Between those hours the
little fellow will be placed in a glass incubator, fed and handled by the
human hand, something that never before has ever been attempted. Probably
there are fewer than 100 people in Greater New York who have ever seen a cub
of his age, size and weight.
END
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 February 26, 1936
The Park Department issues a warning to property owners who have
trees in front of their houses, that specific attention must be given to
trees where large quantities of rock salt and calcium chloride have been
used to remove snow and ice from sidewalks.
The tree experts in the Department state that there is danger of
the rock salt and the calcium chloride mixed with water being absorbed by
trees and destroying them. It is unlikely that these chemicals will kill
well-established trees at once. However, there is a danger that these
materials will weaken them and cause trouble later in the season. Particular
attention should be given to young trees that have been planted within the
past few years.
The Park Department recommends that during the thaw the soil
around these trees be given a liberal watering with a hose, if possible
three times a week. This will dilute the strength of the rock salt and
calcium chloride and will lessen the possibility of injury to the trees.
# # # # # #
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 February 21, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that over twenty thousand fans are
expected to attend the City Championship Ice Skating Races and Winter Sports
Carnival to be held this Sunday afternoon at 2 P.M. on the 59th Street
Lake, Central Park,
Features of the elaborate program include fancy skating, ice skating
races, figure skating, novelty races, a costume parade and other events.
The following stars have been invited to appear: Herman Lamazar, Rae
Racine, Charlie Jewtra, Dick Williams and Wilbur Meyer.
Ray Murray, former Speed Skating Champion, will lead a fox chase in
which children of the various playgrounds will participate.
Another event that will appeal to the young and old will bring
together Sam See, 80 year old speed skater and Jimmy Schnell, the four year
old boy wonder.
The following races will be held:
Juvenile Boys - - - - - 8 to 12 Years -- 100 Yards
Junior Boys 12 to 14 Years -- 100 Yards & 200 Yards
Intermediate Boys 14 to 16 Years -- 220 Yards & 440 Yards
Senior Boys 16 to 18 Years -- 220 Yards & (880 Yards
Juvenile Girls 8 to 12 Years -- 100 Yards
Junior Girls 12 to 14 Years -- 100 Yards & 220 Yards
Intermediate Girls 16 to 18 Years -- 220 Yards & 440 Yards
Senior Girls 16 to 18 Years -- 220 Yards & 880 Yards
Unlimited Class -> Men One Mile
Unlimited Women 220 Yards
Senior Men (closed M.A.S.A.) Two Mile
Senior Women (closed M.A,S,A.) 880 Yards
Prizes will be awarded those finishing one, two and three in
the various races.
Beautiful cups or trophies will be presented to the champion
of each individual event.
The program will finish with a hockey game between the Borough
Champions of Queens and Manhattan t© determine the Park Department
Ice Hockey Championship.
A point score will be kept to determine the individual borough
championship.
Arrangements have been made to accommodate the huge crowd.
END
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 February 20, 1936
MONSTER WINTER SPORTS CARFIVAL
The Department of Parks announces that an ANNUAL MONSTER WINTER
SPORTS CARFIVAL will be held at 59th Street Lake, Central Park, Sunday,
February 23, 1936, at 2 P.M. The carnival will open with a parade of
competitors and others in costumes. Eighteen speed races are scheduled.
Winners who placed 1-2-3 in events of the borough carnivals held recently,
will be eligible to compete for the city championship. Two events are
closed to the winners registered with the Fiddle Atlantic Skating
Association and the remainder for the Park Department champions. These
races will be conducted over an eight lap track.
Juvenile Boys - 8 to 12 Years -- 100 Yards
Junior Boys - 12 to 14 Years -- 100 Yards & 200 Yards
Intermediate Boys - 14-16 Years -- 220 Yards & 440 Yards
Senior Boys - 16 to 13 Years -- 220 Yards & 880 Yards
Juvenile Girls - 8 to 12 Years -- 100 Yards
Junior Girls - 12 to 14 Years -- 100 Yards & 220 Yards
Intermediate Girls - 16-18 Years -- 220 Yards & 440 Yards
Senior Girls - 16 to 18 Years -- 220 Yards & 880 Yards
Unlimited Class - Men One Kile
Unlimited Women 220 Yards
Senior Men (closed M.A.S.A.) Two Kile
Senior Women (closed M.A.S.A.) 880 Yards.
In the Park Department championships the winners will be awarded
silver engraved cups. Winners of the closed events will receive engraved
plaoues, and silver and bronze medals will be given to those who finish 2nd
& 3rd.
Added features will include fancy skating exhibition by Herman
Lamazar and Rae Racine, Figure skaters representing the Manhattan Skating
Club will be led by Robert Fenn. Joe Moore, former Speed Skating Champion,
will lead a fox chase in which 50 Playground children will participate. The
Race of the Century will bring together Samuel See, 80 Year old skater
against little Jimmy Schnell, 4 years of age.
Among others invited to take part are Charlie Jewtraw, former
Olympic winner, Dick Williams and his Beginner's Act, Bobbie Hearn, famous
barrel jumper, Wilbur Meyer, and Ray Murray.
The program will close with a hockey game between the borough
champions of Queens and Manhattan to determine the Park Department ice
hockey championship.
All skaters will report at 1 P.M. sharp. The public is invited
and admission is free.
#######
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 February 20, 1936
The Department of parks announces that the next meeting of the
Brooklyn League of Park Protectors will be held Saturday, February 22nd,
1936,
Patrols already are reporting a willingness on the part of adults as
well as children to respect the ordinances of the park Department where
violations are courteously brought to their attention.
Each League Unit is now industriously making and erecting a handsome
replica of the Oath of Office which will be displayed in their meeting
rooms. A prize will be awarded for the best.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 February 13, 1936
The Department of Parks announces the greatest winter sports
carnival of the 1935-1936 winter sports season. This monster carnival will
be staged on the Fifty-Ninth Street Lake in Central Park on Sunday
afternoon, February 23rd, at 2 P.M.
The carnival will be featured by 18 boy and girl speed skating
events for the city parks championships. Winners of the recent carnivals
held in Manhattan, Queens, Richmond, Brooklyn and The Bronx are eligible for
these titular affairs. Prizes in forms of trophies will be awarded.
In addition to the park speed races, a second series closed to
members of the Middle Atlantic Skating Association will be contested. These
races, open to senior men and women, are expected to bring out the leading
contenders of the present season.
Exhibitions in figure skating, barrel-jumping, a waltz contest and
an inter-borough hockey match between playground teams also are scheduled on
the program. Ideal skating weather and the great interest exhibited by the
public in winter sports this year have been responsible for the most
successful carnivals staged by the Department of Parks.
END
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 February 11, 1936
The Department of Parks will sponsor a series of borough winter
sports carnivals on Lincoln's Birthday, Wednesday, February 12th, at 2
P.M. Brooklyn, Richmond and The Bronx will see hundreds of speed skaters,
fancy skating stars and playground hockey teams in action on programs of
assorted events. The Brooklyn carnival will be staged on the Prospect
Park Lake. The Richmond and Bronx meets, postponed from Sunday, will be
held at Clove Lakes Park and Van Cortlaclt Park, respectively.
In Richmond more than 15,000 are expected to witness the Richmond
County speed skating championship. This meet has attracted the entries of
leading boy and girlskaters in Richmond.
In Brooklyn speed skaters from the Middle Atlantic Skating
Association will compete in the speed skating series. A fancy costume
contest will be one of the highlights of Brooklyn carnival. Ten events and
a hockey game between teams from Mullaly and De Voe Playgrounds will feature
the Bronx carnival. Skaters who wish to compete in any of these three
series are urged to report at 1 o'clock for registration.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK February 10, 1936
Regent 4-1000
The Department of Parks will sponsor a monster Winter Sports
Carnival, the fourth of a series of borough ice carnivals this winter, at
Prospect Park Lake, Brooklyn, Lincoln's Birthday, Wednesday, February 12 at
2:00 P.M. Speed skating events open to skaters of all ages will feature the
program.
Teams from the Brooklyn Ice Palace, high schools and public
schools and Brooklyn playgrounds will compete in the speed skating races
over distances ranging from 100 yards to two miles. Exhibition hockey games
between playground sixes and fancy skating exhibitions ere also listed on
the borough carnival program.
All skaters wishing to compete in the meet are requested to appeer
and register at the course at one o'clock Wednesday fternoon.
End
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 February 6, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that the first meetings
of the Junior Park Protective League Units, recently organized under the
supervision of park playground directors, will be held Saturday, February 8,
at 2:30 P. M., at forty-one field houses throughout the five boroughs. More
than 3,000 prospective junior members are expected to attend these meetings.
The conferences Saturday will be devoted to organization
and the election of officers for each junior group. The aims of the Junior
Park Protective League will be fully explained and a badge presented to each
member.
The League is limited to school children between the ages
of 12 and 16 who receive "A" in conduct and are recommended by their school
principals. The members of the League will aid regular park forces in
calling the park ordinances and regulations to the attention of park patrons
throughout the city park system. They will make reports at their regular
meetings, which are scheduled twice a month.
Other important functions of members of the League
include the prevention of vandalism, the sanitation of parks and playgrounds
and the cooperation of children and adults. The project, sponsored for the
first time by the Department of Parks, has aroused great interest among the
children.
***************
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 February 1, 1936
A Winter Sports Carnival Under the Stars will be
sponsored by the Department of Parks at the Fifty-Ninth Street Lake, 59th
St. and Fifth Ave., Manhattan, on Tuesday evening, February 4. The carnival
which will be open to the general public will feature several novelty events
in addition to speed skating events and a hockey game.
The program will get under way at 8:30 P.M. The card
will consist of a waltzing contest on skates, a costume parade, a
wheelbarrow race, a sled race and the hockey game between playground
sixes. The leading speed skating stars of the Metropolitan district have
been invited to compete in a two mile exhibition race.
An added feature will be the awarding of prizes to the
winners of the Metropolitan championships and the Park Playground ice
skating championships recently staged at Central Park.
###
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 January 30, 1936
The Department of Parks announces a Winter Sports Carnival Under
the Stars which will be held at the Fifty-Ninth Street Lake Tuesday evening,
February 4th, 1936, at 8:30 P.M. The carnival will be open to the general
public and in the event there is skating that night, exhibitions and novelty
events will take place.
Included among the features scheduled Tuesday night will be a
waltzing contest on ice skates, a costume parade, a wheelbarrow race, a sled
race and a hockey game. Speed skating champions have been requested to
participate in a two-mile exhibition race. An added attraction will be the
awarding of prizes to the winners of the recent Central Park Winter Sports
Carnival.
Public skating will follow the carnival.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 January 25, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that the
twice-postponed annual Winter Sports Carnival will be staged this afternoon,
Sunday, January 26, 1936, at the Fifty-Ninth Street Lake, 59th St, and Fifth
Ave., Manhattan. Several hundred speed skaters recruited from playgrounds
and skating centers will compete in eighteen events over an eight lap track.
Added features will include figure skating exhibitions, a hockey game and
the presentation of prizes to the winners of the recent Snow Sculpture
contest sponsored by the Department of Parks.
Juveniles, Juniors, Intermediates, Seniors and Unlimited
Age contestants will flash their speed in races over distances ranging from
100 yards to a half mile. Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded
the one-two-three finishers in each speed skating event.
The skaters will, appear in. two races limited to each
division. The leading senior boys of the metropolitan district will battle
in a 220-yard sprint and. an 880-yard fixture.
Through the courtesy of Joseph K. Savage of the United
States Figure Skating Association, a bevy of leading fancy skaters will
exhibit in singles and pair skating events. The hockey game will be between
representative playground center teams from Manhattan and Queens. This game
will close the winter sports carnival program.
All skaters who wish to compete today ere invited to
report at the course at 1 o'clock sharp. Admission is free both to the
competitors and the public.
# # # #
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 January 23, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that its annual
Winter Sports Carnival will be staged Sunday afternoon, January 26, 1936, on
the Fifty-Ninth Street Lake, 59th St. and Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, starting
promptly at 2 o'clock. Eighteen speed skating finals, figure skating
exhibitions and a hockey game between representative playground squads will
comprise the program.
Juvenile, junior, intermediate, senior and unlimited
age skaters from playgrounds and skating centers throughout the five
boroughs will compete in the speed skating events. The skaters will contest
over distances ranging from 100 yards to a half mile. Skaters who qualified
in elimination tests several weeks ago will advance to the finals without
having to start in the trial heats. All other skaters who wish to compete
are invited to report and register at the course at 1 o'clock.
An eight lap track has been laid out on the northeast
end of the lake. The Park Department Band will furnish music before and
during the carnival.
# # # #
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 January 21, 1936
Yesterday's heavy snowfall makes it possible to complete the
"Snow Sculpture Contest" that was begun by the Department of Parks, December
30th in all city playgrounds.
This is the second annual snow sculpture contest
sponsored by this department. City-wide competition to determine the best
example of snow architecture and sculpture in each borough is being held the
first week of January. Eliminations in this contest have been confined to
the six best models submitted from each borough.
The playgrounds are as follows:
MANHATTAN: East 28th St.
St. Catherine's
W 130th St. & Amsterdam Ave.
Columbus
Fort Tryon
J Hood Wright
Ave A & 3rd St.
QUEENS: Kissena
0'Connell
Van Dohlen
Rainey
Jackson Heights
Flushing Memorial
Victory Field, Forest Park
BRONX: Mosholu
Mullaly
Crotona West
Spofford Ave.
St Mary's E.
Cauldwell Ave.
Fort #4.
BROOKLYN: Montgomery & Nostrand
Gravesend Plgd.
McKinley
Dyker Beach
3rd St & 4th Ave.
Kelly Memorial
RICHMOND: De Matti
McDonald
Model
Mariners Harbor
Walker Park
Clove Lakes Park
Their ingenuity is shown in such sculpture as a replica of
Gowanus field house, a temple, a sea monster, Father Time and the Baby 1936,
a polar bear on a cake of ice, a hippopotamus, seal and lion.
Eliminations to determine the best snow model in eaoh borough
and the city winner will be held in the park grounds January 21st to 23rd.
A committee of judges will select the best examples of this
art Wednesday and Thursday, January 22nd and 23rd.
Judging will be determined from the following:
1. Subject matter
2. Skill and workmanship.
3. Originality
4. Conformity to prescribed rules of the contest.
Prizes, furnished by Wanamaker's, will be awarded to winners
for the best structure built by group effort as well as for individual
ability. Sweaters will be given winning playground contestants and leather
jackets will go to finalists. The prize awards will be topped by a grand
prize of a complete sportman's outfit, with a suitably engraved cup which
Wanamaker's will award the winner for the best display of sncw structure to
be found in the city.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 January 17, 1936
The Department of Parks announces it will give a
Recreation Course at the Carmine Street Gymnasium, Clarkson Street
and Seventh Avenue, Manhattan, beginning January 22 to and including
March 4. Classes are from 10 to 12 A.M. There will be one evening
lecture and demonstration February 19 from S to 8 P.M.
This course is for the benefit of all Works Progress
Administration Playground Directors, who are performing such duties
in our park playgrounds. This course is also open to regular Civil
Service Playground Directors, who will be excused to attend the lecture
whenever their absence does not interfere with the regular recreational
program of the playground.
The Park Department is anxious to increase the efficiency
of its playground staff because the children become the ultimate benefactors.
All courses are in the form of lectures and, whenever
possible, demonstrations will be given on different subjects. Some of
the courses are:
1. General Duties, Responsi- 7. Folk Dancing.
bilities, Organization 8. Tournaments.
and Administration, 9. Tennis and Paddle Tennis.
Control, Courtesy, Con- 10. Baseball.
tact with Public, and 11. Basketball.
Sanitation of a Playground. 12. Dramatics.
2. Kindergarten Organization 13. Handcraft.
and Activities. 14. Group Games.
3. Athletics. 15. Stunts.
4. Club Organization. 16. Puppets and Marionettes.
5. Scout Organization, Purpose, 17. first Aid.
Program. I8. Music.
6. Day Camps.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 January 17, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that during 1935 an average of
750 Civil Service and W.P.A. man were employed on forestry work in the five
boroughs.
This program called for the removal of dead and damaged trees,
pruning of dangerous or obstructing limbs, insect and disease eradications
and fertilization of trees to keep them in a healthy growing condition.
A summary of reports from the five boroughs shows that
approximately 120,000 trees were pruned to better their condition or to
eliminate poor visibility at traffic lights or intersections.
In cooperation with the State and Federal Conservation
Departments the park foresters detected 989 cases of Dutch Elm disease. The
only method of eradication for this disaasa is to destroy the infected tree.
Every elm tree in the five boroughs has been spotted and is being closely
watched to prevent further spread of this menace which is threatening to
destroy the American Elm.
At intervals throughout the year over two and a half million
gallons of spray solution were used on four hundred thousand trees in all
boroughs. This was the largest program of spraying for insect and disease
eradication ever carried out by the Park Department. Destructive pests were
conspicuous by their absence in localities which had been sprayed.
Two boroughs reporting on tent caterpillar eradication show over
ten thousand nests destroyed during the early aunmer. This is in addition to
the countless thousands of egg masses destroyed by spraying with penetrating
oils.
A healthy tree is less susceptible to disease. Twenty-five
thousand trees were treated with three hundred and fifty tons of fertilizer.
A still larger program of tree feeding is planned for this year.
Van Cortlandt Park and vicinity were thoroughly gone over to
detect the presence of Gypsy Moth, one of our most destructive pests. This
work was done under the direction of the State Conservation
Department. About two hundred acres of woodland were fine-combed and
approximately thirty thousand, shade trees inspected in parks and along
streets, resulting in an application of fifty thousand pounds of arsenate of
lead to eradicate the pest.
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376
January 16, 1936.
To; Borough Directors
Borough Supervisory
FROM: James V. Mulholland
SUBJECT: Recreation Course
In order to increase the efficiency of our playground directors,
this Department will conduct a Recreation Course at The Recreation Building,
Carmine Street Gymnasium, Clarkson Street & 7th Avenue, January 22 to March
4, 10-12 A.M.
It is compulsory for all Playground Directors who entered this
Department subsequent to September 20th, 1935, to attend this course.
The various instructors selected to lecture have been chosen for
their superior ability in a particular subject and they are directed to
prepare an instructive and intelligent lecture. The Supervisors of
Recreation are directed to notify all playground directors mentioned above
to attend this Course,
Miss Mary E. McKenna, Manhattan, will designate a representative
to keep an accurate attendance record during the entire period.
Attached find schedule of classes.
JAMES V. MOLHOLLAND
Director of Recreation
JVM:IHM
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RECREATION COURSE
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
Carmine St. Gymnasium
Clarkson St. & 7th Ave., N.Y.
DATE HOURS COURSES INSTRUCTORS
.Jan. 10-12 A.M. General Duties, Responsibilities, J.V.Mulholland
22 Organization and Administration, Safety,
Discipline, Control, Courtesy, Contact
with Public , Sanitation of a Playground
(Man and Women)
24 10-11 Kindergarten (Women) A.Buckley
H.Goldberg
11-12 Music (Women) M.Kimball
A.DeCesare
29 10-11 Puppets and Marionettes-(lecture and K.Henderson
demonstration (Women) O.Gallston
11-12 Folk Dancing (lecture and demo. (Women) S.Naftalen
L.Oblas
31 10-12 Aims, Organization & Purpose of a Scout C.Weingarten
Program (Women) C.Thompson
Feb. 10-11 Handcraft (Men and Women) A.Ficareff
5 J.Sarych
11-12 First Aid (Men and Women) R.A.Learned
F.Jaeger
7 10-11 Patrol System, Troop Recreation C.Weingarten
11-12 Community Organization (Women) C.Thompson
11 10-11 Baseball (lecture & demonstration) (Men) J.O'Donnell
E.Cummins
11-12 Basketball (lecture & demonstration) (Men) M.O'Connell
J. Gorman
14 10-12 Nature Program & Crafts M.Gaidette
C.Marsh
19 6-6:50 P.M. Group Games (lecture & demonstration) M.Hemley
(Men and Women) A.Rosenberg
6:50-7:10 Junior Park Protective League-Aims, G.Featherstone
Purpose & Organization
7:10-8 Tactics, Marching, Calisthenics R.Stahl-H.Haas
21 10-12 A.M. Day Camps & Program (Women) K.Engle
Co-op.with Boro Counsel-Boro Staff Members C.Weingarten
26 10-11 Athletics (lecture and demonstration) J.Downing
(Men and Women) J.McCahill
11-12 Club Organization (lecture) (Men and Women) G.Coughlin
J.T.Murtha
28 10-11 Tennis-paddle tennis C.Starke-J.Roche
(lecture & demonstration)
11-12 Dramatics (Men and Women) M.Flood-A.Lemke
Mar. 10-11 Stunts (lecture and demonstration) (Men) E.Singer-M.Cohen
4 11-12 Tournaments (lecture) J.McCormack
(Men) J.Murray
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Department of Parks For Release
Arsenal, Central Park January 15, 1936
PRESS RELEASE - TRAVELING TROUPE
The Department of Parks announces a new schedule for the Playground
Traveling Troupe, featuring "Jiggs and Anna" the performing chimpanzees. The
revue which also stars clowns and a clever magician has proven tremendously
popular since starting its tour of playgrounds and parks in the five
boroughs two months ago.
The schedule from January to April:
Jan. 25 at 3:00 P.M. Faber, Richmond.
Jan. 29 4:00 P.M. McDonald, Richmond.
Feb. 1 3:00 P.M. DeMatti, Richmond.
5 4:00 P.M. McCray, Manhat can.
8 3:00 P.M. Payson Ave. & Dyckman St., Manhattan.
11 4:00 P.M. Highbridge, 189th St., Manhattan.
15 3:00 P.M. Zimcierman, Bronx,
19 4:00 P.M. 141st St., Bronx.
86 4:00 P.M. Gowanus, Brooklyn.
29 3:00 P.M. Fulton & Classon, Brooklyn.
Mar. 4 4:00 P.M. Lindsay, Brooklyn.
7 3:00 P.M. John Andrews, Queens.
11 4:00 P.M. Flushing Memorial, Queens,
14 3:00 P.M. Model Playground, Richmond,
18 4:00 P.M. Yorkville, Manhattan.
21 3:00 P.M. 83 Roosevelt, Manhat can,
25 4:00 P.M. Carmine "st. , Manhattan.
28 3:00 P.M. Mosholu, Bronx.
Apr, 1 4:00 P.M. Ciccarone, Bronx,
4 3:00 P.M. Heckschor, Brooklyn.
8 4:00 P.M. McKibben, Brooklyn.
11 3:00 P.M. New Lots, Brooklyn.
15 4:00 P.M. Corona 102d St., Queens.
18 3:00 P.M. Morningside, 123d St., Manhattan.
22 4:00 P.M. Lewis & Rivington St., Manhattan,
25 3:00 P.M. Gulick, Manhattan.
29 4:00 P.M. Drier-Offerman, Brooklyn.
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374
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS FOR RELEASE - January 15, 1936
PRESS RELEASE, KINDERGARTENS, Department of Parks
The kindergartens for children of pre-school, age which were
established one year ago for the first time by the Department of Parks, are
proving so successful they will be continued during the spring and summer.
Such great interest has been manifested by children that the Department of
Parks is conducting kindergarten activities in fifty-five park and
playground centers throughout the city.
Children between the ages of three and six years are admitted to
the kindergartens. Attendance is not compulsory, but every effort is made
to arouse the interest of children so they will voluntarily attend daily.
To further this end an educational play program has been devised that
arouses the interest of the child, at the same time tending to develope
social instincts and preparation for grade school.
The children engage in a multitude of varied activities each of
which has some definite recreational value, not only to the child but to the
community at large. Conversation between children upon planned topics,
dramatization of nursery tales, games designed to make little fingers
nimble, construction work with building blocks, the design of figures by the
use of peg-boards, paper cut-outs, songs and story telling are some of the
activities indulged in by the children during the kindergarten sessions.
While kindergartens are planned principally for the benefit of
the children, it has been noted that the mothers themselves derive pleasure
from them. Many of the mothers are, for the first time, enabled to do the
morning marketing and perform othor household duties without fear that their
children will be exposed to injury or danger, as they know the children are
in the hands of competent, older persons interested in their welfare.
As far as possible, the children are kept in the opon air. With
the arrival of the fine spring days, the kindergartens will soon ba moved
into the open entirely. Kindergartens are located at the
following places:
Manhattan--Carmansville, Morningside & 123rd St., W. 134th
St. Gymnasium, Riverside & 96th St., 83 Roosevelt St., Highbridge &
180th St., Roosevelt Playground, Highbridge & 189th St., Sauer Play-
ground, W . 17th St., John Jay, Payson Ave. & Dyckman St.
Bronx--Fort #4, Mosholu, Mullaly (Recreation Bldg.), 141st.
St., St. Mary's E., St. Mary's W., Crotona park W., Ciccarone, Zimmer-
man, Lyons Sq., Crotona E., Claremont, Echo, Cauldwoll, Spofford & Faile,
Mccombs, St. James, 163d- St. & Tinton Ave.
Brooklyn--McLsughlin, Gowanus, Sheridan, Fulton & Classon, New
Lots, Kelly, Red Hook, McKinley, Drior-Offorman, Heckscher, Gravosend,
Betsy Head, Lindsay, Bushwick.
Queens--O'Connoll, Von Dohlen, Corona 102d St., Jackson Hts.,
Dry Harbor, Anawanda.
Richmond-- Faber Park, Model playground, McDonald Playground.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 January 11, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that the Winter Sports
Carnival, scheduled at Fifty-ninth Street Lake in Central Park for
Sunday, January 12, has been indefinitely postponed due to lackk of
ice. The carnival will be held on forty-eight hours' notice.
End
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 January 11, 1936
The Department of Parks announces the organization of a
Junior Park Protective League under the supervision of the park playground
directors. Membership in the league will be limited to school children
between the ages of 12 and 16 who receive a grade of "A" in conduct and who
are recommended by the school principals.
There will be separate league groups for fifty-five
important parks in the five boroughs and 3,000 membership blanks will be
distributed by the playground directors Monday, January 13th. The first
meetings will be held Saturday, February 8th at 3:00 P. M.
Members of the Junior Park Protective League will aid the
regular park forces in calling the park ordinances and regulations to. the
attention of the park patrons. They will make reports to the playground
directors at their regular meetings to be held at the recreation buildings.
Each member of the league will be given a special badge which has been paid
for by the donation of private funds.
- END-
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[JUNIOR PARK PROTECTIVE LEAGUE BADGE]
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[JUNIOR PARK PROTECTIVE LEAGUE BADGE]
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[JUNIOR PARK PROTECTIVE LEAGUE BADGE]
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[JUNIOR PARK PROTECTIVE LEAGUE BADGE]
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[JUNIOR PARK PROTECTIVE LEAGUE BADGE]
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371
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 10th, 1936
The Board of Estimate and Apportionment has received the
Department of Parks' plans and specifications and estimates of cost for the
covering of the New York Central Railroad tracks, continuation of the West
Side Highway and park restoration through the entire length of Riverside
Park. The item appeared on today's Calendar for reference to the Chief
Engineer and Corporation Counsel for report before the January 24th meeting.
The plan calls for the complete covering of the New York Central
Railroad tracks through Riverside Park and the covering is used for
promenades and overlooks banked by trees and landscaping.
The West Side Express Highway is continued from 72nd Street to
St. Clair Place with access and exit drives at 72nd Street, grade crossing
eliminations and access drives at 79th Street, access to Riverside Drive at
95th Street, direct access to 96th Sreet including grade crossing
eliminations, and connections with St. Clair Place and the Viaduct which is
the continuation of Riverside Drive at this point. The Express Highway
throughout the length of the park is laid out as a parkway with no crossings
at grade and with proper landscaping. At 83rd Street it swings off the
covering of the tracks and follows along the Hudson River shoreline. This
will provide a safe, fast route extending from Canal Street to St. Clair
Place where it connects with Riverside Drive leading to the Henry Hudson
Parkway starting at Dyckman Street. The Henry Hudson Parkway will continue
the route through Inwood Hill Park across the Harlem River and through the
Bronx to the City Line where it will connect through the Saw Mill River
Parkway to the Westchester Parkway system.
Riverside Park will be properly developed and landscaped from end
to end. The plans include playgrounds, tennis courts, wading pools, walks
and overlooks, landscaped areas and boat basins.
- end -
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 January 4, 1936
RELEASE FOR SUNDAY PAPERS
The Department of Parks announces that the Winter Sports Carnival
will be held at 59th Street Lake, Central Park, Sunday, January 5 at 2 P.M.
There will be figure skating exhibitions by Olympic stars headed by Robin
Lee of Minneapolis, National Men's Figure Svating Champion. Others who will
give figure skating exhibitions are the following: Erle Reiter, runner-up to
Robin Lee, Howard Meredith and Marjorie Parker of Brooklyn who will give a
pair skating exhibition and Miss Nettie Franteil, Ardele Kloff, George
Boleren and Joseph K. Savage who will demonstrate skill and grace in a group
exhibition.
Approval has been obtained from the Middle Atlantic Skating
Association to hold the Metropolitan Skating Championships in connection
with this Winter Sports Carnival. At the present time, there are 5½
inches of ice on the 59th Street lake.
There will be races for juveniles, juniors, intermediates and
seniors from 100 yards to two miles. Winners of the Park Department Borough
Eliminations will not be required to compete in the trial heats during the
morning. All others who have not competed in Borough Eliminations must
report at the tent at the 59th Street lake by 9:30 A.M. sharp.
Following the exhibitions and the races, there will be an
exhibition hockey game between teams representing Manhattan and Queens and
music will be furnished by the Manhattan Concert Band in the morning and the
Brooklyn Concert Band in the afternoon.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 January 3, 1936
The Henry Hudson Parkway Authority, which is headed by Park
Commissioner Robert Moses, received bids today for the construction of the
Riverside Drive Connection with the Henry Hudson Parkway at Riverside Drive
and Staff Street in the Borough of Manhattan. The contract includes the
Riverside Drive Bridge carrying the Henry Hudson Parkway over the access,
which will handle southbound Riverside Drive traffic, and a steel viaduct
alongside Riverside Drive which will carry the access drive up to the level
of Riverside Drive.
A low bid of $277,772 was submitted by P. T. Cox
Contracting Co., 154 Nassau Street, New York City.
This is the last of a series of contracts for the
construction of five bridges between Riverside Drive and Riverdale Avenue in
the Bronx. This section of Henry Hudson Parkway is being constructed by the
Henry Hudson Parkway Authority working in conjunction with the Department of
Parks and includes the Henry Hudson Bridge across the Harlem River. The
State Department of Public Works, working in conjunction with the Authority
and the Department of Parks, is completing the section of the Parkway
carrying along Riverdale Avenue and through Van Cortlandt Park, where it
connects with the Saw Mill River Parkway.
The Henry Hudson Parkway, when completed, connecting with
the West Side Express Highway and Riverside Drive at one end and the
Westchester Parkway System on the other end, will provide the best route for
people of Manhattan and Brooklyn and New Jersey to the Bronx, upper New York
and New England.
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MONTHLY PROGRAM
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
JANUARY, 1936
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, NEW YORK CITY
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The City of New York
Department of Parks
Borough of Manhattan
Activities
Kindergarten Classes - 10 to 12 daily, except Sundays
Morningside 123rd St. Carmansville
West 134th St. Gym McCray Playground
Riverside 96th St. P.G. Highbridge 189th St.
83 Roosevelt Street Sauer Playground
Highbridge 180th Street West 17th St.
Roosevelt Playground John Jay
Carmine St. Gym Payson Ave. &
Dyckman St.
Horseshoe Pitching - 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. Daily
Highbridge 168th St. Playground Lawn, Central Park
North Meadow Circle Lawn
175th St. East of Amsterdam
Ave.
Soccer Games - Daily
North Meadow Jasper Oval
Playground Lawn 150 St.-Riverside
Drive
Hudson Chelsea
Inwood Corlear
Mother's Club
St. Gabriels Jan, 8 & 22 6 P.M.
Carmansville " 30th 8 P.M.
Sauer each Thursday 1-3 P.M.
McCray " Monday 8 P.M.
83 Roosevelt St. Friday 8-9 P.M.
St. Nicholas &
140th St. Thursday 8 P.M.
W. 134th St. Gym Tuesday 7 P.M.
Morningside & 123rd-every
2nd Wed. 1-3 P.M.
Gymnasiums
West 134th St. Gym John Jay Gym
West 59th St. " East 54th St.Gym
" Rutgers Fl. "
W. 28th St.
Carmine St. " Cherry & Oliver "
Coasting: Hills Weather permitting
100 St Central Pk.West 79th St, West Drive
79 St.W.Dr.S.of Swedish Cot. 60 St.& West Drive
76th St.& West Drive 93 St.N.W.of Museum of Art
72nd St. St. West Drive N.E. of Conservatory Lk.
79th St. & East Drive S.E. of Conservatory Lk.
Ice Skating Weather permitting
59th St. Lake 72nd St. Lake
110th St. Lake Conservatory Lake
Wading pools at - Blocks 2 & 5 Roosevelt P.G.
John Jay, Fort Tryon, McCray Wading Pool
Gulick W. 59th St.
86th St. Central Park St. Gabriel's Wading Pool
De Witt Clinton 93rd St. Tennis Cts. C.P.
173rd St. & Riverside Dr.
Tennis Courts
Ice Carnival
Conservatory Lake - 72nd St. C.P. January 5th. 2 P.M.
Snow Modeling Contest
All Playgrounds January 1st to January 4th.
Playground Traveling Troupe
"Jiggs and Annie"
Carimansville January 2nd. 4 P.M.
Dancing
Carmine St. Gym Every Friday 7:30 to 9:30 PM
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[MANY MORE PAGES OF ACTIVITIES SCHEDULES OMITTED - SEE PDF.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 January 2, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that the Gentral Park Winter
Sports Carnival will be hold at the 59th Street Lake, instead of
Conservatory Lake, Sunday, January 5th, at 2:00 P.M. An unusually large
attendance is expected.
There will be exhibitions by Robin Lee, the 16-year old
Minneapolis boy who is National Figure Skating Champion and member of the
Olympic Team and by Erle Reiter, National Senior Champion and runner-up to
Lee. Both Lee and Reiter will give singles exhibitions. Howard Meredith
end Marjorie Parker, of Brooklyn, who finished third in the National
Championships last Monday, will give an exhibition of pair skating. Others
who will take part in the program will be Nettie Frentell, Ardele Kloff,
George Bolerin and Joseph K. Savage.
The winners of the playground eliminations which took place in
all the Boroughs last week will be permitted to enter the final speed races
and compete, in the respective divisions, for the championship of the
metropolitan district. Those who have not competed in the Borough
eliminations, will be permitted to enter the trials which will take place
Sunday at 10 A. M.
If time permits, there will also be an interborough playground
hockey game between representative teams from Manhattan and Queens.
End
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7/1 451 Program for the opening of the new Municipal Stadium at
Randall's Island.
7/1 452 Independence Day Celebrations announced all playgrounds
7/1 453 Opening of Astoria Swimming Pool, July 7th, 8:30 P.M.
7/5 454 Tompkinsville swimming pool, July 7th, 8:30 P.M.
7/8 455 Delay opening of Orchard Beach from July 18th to July 25th.
7/8 456 Opening of three New playgrounds. July 10th.
7/12 457 Opening of Highbridge Swimming Pool.
7/15 458 Announcement of bookings for Randall's Island Stadium.
7/17 459 Announcement of varied sports program for the week-end at
Randalls Island Stadium.
460 Sunset swimming pool, Bkiyn, opened and dedicated Jujy 20th
at 8:30 P.M.
7/19 461 Opening of Orchard Beach to public on Saturday, July 25th
at 1:00 P.M.
462 Opening of Crotona Swimming Pool in Orotona Park, Bronx on
7/24/36 at 3:30 PM
7/23 463 Bids for the paving of Hudson Parkway from City Line to
Riverdale Ave, low bidder, The Immick Co., Meriden, Conn,
bid of #529,585.50.
7/27 464 Park Dept. will have travelling trailer exhibiting flowers,
plants and garden implements in the various playgrounds
starting July 27th.
7/29 465 Bids opened in Albany for construction of service road along
the westside
of Flushing Meadow Park - low bid - Johnson,Crake & Piper
Co. of Freepor L.I., $199,583.
7/30 466 Opening of 3 new playgrounds in Bklyn, Friday, July 31st,
7/30 467 Opening of McCarren Park Swimming Pool en July 31st at 8:30PM
5/5/36 468 Opening of swimming pool in Betsy Head Memorial Playground
Bklyn, d/6/56 at 10AM
8/7/36 469 Opening of new Colonial Swimming Pool, in Colonial Park,
Aug. 8th at 3:60 P.M.
8/10/56 470. Announcement of opening of reconstructed playground in
St. Gabriel's Park and reconstructed Stuyvesant Square Park.
8/10 471. Dept. of Parks will inaugurate a "Learn to Swim Campaign" in
the Thomas Jefferson Swimming Pool.
8/15 472. Control of Japanese beetle
8/14 473. Golf tournament for men and women to be held
bet. Aug. 15. and 30th.
8/15 474. Borough finals of a city-wide amateur singing contest
8/15 475. Golf tournament for men and women on municipal courses bet.
8/15 and 8/30
8/17 476. Opening of Red Hook Swimming Pool
8/19 477. Progress on Henry Hudson Parkway
8/20 478. Learn to Swim Campaign in Thomas Jefferson pool.
8/20 479. Comm. Moses reply on the article in the-N.Y.Sun re.Randalls
Is.construction.
8/25 480. Police protection in parks, parkways and playgrounds.
8/27 481. Amateur Golf championship finals Split Rock Golf Course 8/30/36
8/23 482. Open playground in Rosebank & plaque unveiled to Reinhard
E. Saltenmeier.
8/28 483. Gala water pageant in Hamilton Fish pool on August 30th.
8/31 484. Finals of Amateur singing contest on Mall Sept. 2nd at 6:30PM
9/5/36 485 Inter-pool swimming and diving championship-Astoria Fool 9/7/36
9/5/36 486 Last Naumberg concert un Mall, Central Park, 9/7/36 at 9:15PM
9/3/26 487 Results of golf championship held on August 30th at Split Rock
9/4/36 488 Municipal swimming and diving championship in Astoria Pool
9/13 2:00P.M.
9/5/36 489 Community Singing, Mall, Central Park every Sunday at 3:30PM
9/10/36 490 Bridge bids for Roosevelt Ave vehicular traffic -
Worlds Fair project
8/21/36 491 Open of one new playground and one redesigned area-Macombs &
39th St.Man
9/12/36 492 Swimming pools to remain open until SepL. 20 - warm weather
9/12/36 493 Swimming event in Astoria Pool Sept. 13th at 2:30 P.M.
9/14/36 494 2nd annual barber shop quartet contest to be held in
Randalls Island 9/15/36
9/13/36 495 Chiidrens orchestral concert in Central Park Mail, Sept. 20
at 1:30 P.M.
9/21/36 497 Closing of 12 pools - to be converted into active play areas.
9/22/3 496 Water carnival on 72nd St.Lake,8entrai Park, Sept. 22, 6:30 PM
9/22/36 498 Finals of amateur musical instrument contest Mall, Central
Park 9/24/36
3/22/36 499 Harvest festival Betsy Head Park, Bklyn, Sept 24th at 3:30PM
9/25/36 500 Introduction of football in Randalls' Island 9/26/36.
10/1/36 501 - Opening of 4 new playgrounds - Fort Tryon pk; Stuy. Square Pk;
Tompkins square Pk and Central Park - 10/2/36.
10/2/36 502 - Unveiling of Sophie Irene Loeb Memorial at Hechscher
Plg. 10/3/36.
10/3/36 - 505 - Comm. Moses statement regarding budget.
10/5/36 - 504 - 11 swimming pools converted into playgrounds.
10/6/36 - 505 - B.Somervell's reply to Comm.Moses' request for $2,000,000
relief approp.
10/7/36 - 506 - Handicraft exhibit of park playgrounds at Mullaly Rec Building
10/6/36 - 507 - New Recreational areas which have been developed from the
swimming pools to be open 6 days pr wk - acct.of shortage of
personnel.
10/8/36 - 508 - Comm. Moses' statement to press regarding resignation from
Worlds Fair
10/15/36- 509 - Repairs and restoration of 7th Reg. Memorial 5th Ave & 65th St.
10/21/36- 510 - Presented to the Zoo - Black bear - by MR. O.R.Kelly.
10/26/36- 511 - Swimming pools to be converted into play areas.
10/23/36- 512 - Hallowe'en to be celebrated on Mall Central Park, 10/30 6PM
10/29/36- 513 - Chrysanthemum show - Prospect Paric greenhouse
10/30/36- 514 - Marine Parkway Authority - bids en contract #9.
10/30/36- 515 - Stover Memorial dedication on Nov 5th at 3:30pm Central Park
11/2/36 - 516 - Social dancing in various recreation areas starting 11/5/36.
11/7/36 - 517 - Opening of 4 new playgrounds By the Park Department.
11/11/36- 518 - Open 2 new playgrounds in the Bronx on Nov 11, 1936
1l/12/36- 519 - Interboro roller skating contest in Central Park Nov.14,1936
11/16/36- 520 - Survey of concessions made by Parks Department
11/16/36- 521 - Bids for reconstr.of 4000 ft of Grand C.Pkwy Extension of
F. Meadow Pk.
11/19/36- 522 - Resumption of work on Marine Park, Staten Island
ll/l8/36- 523 - Received two ocelots in Zoo from M.C.E. Gomez of Columbia, S.A.
11/13/36- 524 - 3rd annual inspection of Civil Service personnel and equipment
11/20/36- 525 - Open new playground in Manhattan 86th St. and Great Lawn
ll/21/36- 526 - 10 municipal golf courses to be closed Nov. 29th, 1936.
11/24/36- 527 - Bids opened by State Dept.of P.Works in Albany, for
construction of bridge to carry the L.I.R.R.over the
E.Service Rd. in Flushing Meadow Park, Queens.
12/4/36 - 528 - Open.of new Geo.Cromwell Recr.Centre on Pier 6,
Tompkinsviile, S.I.
12/4/36 - 529 - Open.of 1 new playground, 2 redesigned and reconstructed
playgrounds another section of new playgr.previously opened
and 2 reconstr. park areas.
12/11/36- 530 - Bids received for the constr.of bridge to carry Northern
Blvd. over the east Service Rd. of the Gr.Central
Pkwy.Extension in .Fi.Meadow Pk.
12/11/36- 531 - Open. 2 remodeled playgrounds, another section of a new
playground previously opened and 2 renovated buildings
12/11/36- 532 - Henry Hudson Parkway will be opened to public, Dec. 12th.
12/19/37- 533 - Ceremonies for 25 Christ.trees erected in various boros.
12/23/36- 554 - Newspaper playground contest in all the 5 boros.
12/23/36- 535 - Comm. Reply to Bx. Bd.of Trade, regarding Bronx Parkways
future plans
12/30/36- 536 - On 12/31 Park Dept. open.l new playground,2nd half of 2
remodelled playgrounds and additional sections of 2 new
play, previously opened.
12/31/36- 537 - Bids taken for grading and draiuage of a parking field,
betw. Northern Blvd. and Roosevelt Ave. in the north end of
Flushing Meadow Park.
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ROBERT MOSES (NYC SEAL) ALLYN R. JENNINGS
COMMISSIONER GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT
WILLIAM H. LATHAM
PARK ENGINEER
WILLIAM R. C. WOOD
THE CITY OF NEW YORK SENIOR PARK DIRECTOR
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS JAMES A. SHERRY
ARSENAL CHIEF CLERK
STREET AND FIFTH AVENUE
CENTRAL PARK
NEW YORK CITY
December 28, 1936
Hon. Roderick Stephens, President
Bronx Board of Trade
349 East 149th Street
Bronx, N.Y.
Dear Roderick:
You have asked for future city and state parkway plans for
the Bronx. These are indicated on the attached map. I must warn you
against any assumption that these improvements can be effected over night or
that they have as yet been financed. These plans represent the cooperation
of a number of city and state agencies authorized by law to proceed with
such a program. In all cases, some funds are available at least for plans
or preliminary studies.
The traffic from Westchester County and points north and east
converge like a funnel on the upper boundary of the Bronx. Much of this
south and west bound traffic is carried over the three Westchester County
parkways beginning with the Saw Mill River Parkway in the west, the Bronx
River Parkway, and the Hutchinson River Parkway.
It is proposed to build an entirely new parkway spur from the
Henry Hudson Parkway in Van Cortlandt Park to the Grand Boulevard and
Concourse, and by way of the reconstructed Mosholu Parkway to a junction
with the Bronx River Parkway in Bronx Park. The Bronx River Parkway is
proposed to be reconstructed from 233rd Street to Gunhill Road and thence,
on an entirely new line, will be extended south through Bronx Park,
bordering the east side of the Botanical Garden and the Zoological Park.
From the southern boundary of Bronx Park, the parkway will follow the Bronx
River on new right-of-way to be acquired and will bring the combined Saw
Mill and Bronx River traffic to Eastern Boulevard. This artery, uogether
with Whitlock Avenue, has already been improved as a Triborough Bridge
connection.
Construction will be completed next year on the extension of
Hutchinson River Parkway through Pelham Bay Park to Eastern Boulevards This
widened improved artery will serve as a fairly adequate bridge connection
for some time; but in the future a parkway connection should be built as
nearly as possible along the oast and southeast shore front of the Bronx to
relieve city streets of the burden of traffic induced by the Triborough and
Whitestone bridges. The location of this new parkway is being studied and
preliminary plans for it are being made.
Another arterial improvement which will have a great effect
on Bronx traffic is the extension in 1937 of the Henry Hudson Parkway south
through Fort Washington and Riverside Parks, to connect at 72nd Street with
the express highway constructed by the Borough President of Manhattan.
Another improvement, for which funds have already been provided by the
Public Works Administration, is the westerly approach to the Triborough
Bridge, on which construction by the Borough President of the Bronx will
commence early in 1937.
In connection with the reconstruction of the Bronx River
Parkway through Bronx Park, the New York Botanical Society is transferring
to the Department of Parks approximately one-third of the land under its
jurisdiction, while the New York Zoological Society is ceding an additional
strip of land along its east boundary. In neither case is the property to
be transferred to the Park Department actively used by the Society. In the
north portion of the Bronx Botanical Garden it is proposed to use all the
transferred land for recreational purposes.
Cordially,
(Robert Moses signature)
Commissioner
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 December 23, 1936
During the past two years children attending playgrounds
of the Department of Parks have edited and published monthly playground
newspapers.
This newspaper contains various items of interest to the
children and parents of each particular recreational area.
In an endeavor to stimulate and increase the enthusiasm
of the children in the monthly publication the Park Department decided to
hold a contest each year at which a banner will be awarded to the playground
submitting the best newspaper. Also, certificates of award will be presented
to those playgrounds which, in the estimation of the judges, merit second
and third places.
This year the playground newspaper contest is scheduled to
take place at the Roosevelt Playground, Chrystie & Hester Street, on Tuesday,
December 29th, at 4 P. M.
The supervisors of recreation in each borough have been
requested to select the newspaper publications which are most representative
of playground activities in their respective boroughs.
Men prominent in the field of journalism will act as judges.
In appraising the newspapers the following points will be
considered:
1. Content; mainly art work, special stories, news, features - 60%
2. Style; English and treatment of subject 30%
3. Originality 10%
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Saturday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 December 19, 1936
The Park Department announced yesterday that ceremonies in
connection with the twenty-five Christinas trees, which are being erected
and decorated in the parks of the five boroughs, will take place on Monday,
December 21st at 4:45 P. M. A special program will be held at the principal
trees in each borough, which will be at City Hall Park, Manhattan; Borough
Hall Park, Brooklyn; Joyce Kilmer Park, The Bronx; King Park, Queens; and
Borough Hall, Richmond.
At City Hall Park the ceremonies, which will be broadcast over
TJNYC, will start at 5:00 P.M. Mayor LaGuardia will preside at the
exercises and throw the switch that will light the tree at 5:15 P. M;
starting officially New York City's observance of the Christmas season. An
address will be made by Borough President Samuel Levy, Selections will be
played by the Department of Sanitation band, and Christmas Carols will be
sung by the Police Department Glee Club and the boys* choir of the Sacred
Heart Church. Borough Presidents Ingersoll, Lyons, Harvey and Palma will
light the trees in their respective boroughs, where exercises will be
conducted under the direction of the borough Park Directors who have
arranged appropriate programs.
A special decorative scheme has been designed for the Park
Department Headquarters at the Arsenal in Central Park, the feature of which
will depict the Three Wise Men proceeding to the star in the East, centered
in a holly wreath ten feet in diameter.
The trees will be lit each evening from 4:30 P.M. to 2:00
A.M. until New Year's Day. Christmas trees will be erected at the following
locations:
Manhattan - City Hall Park, Broadway and Murray Street
Arsenal, Central Park, 64th Street and Fifth Avenue
Thomas Jefferson Park, First Avenue and 111th Street
Roosevelt Park-Block 7-Forsythe and Canal Streets
Center Plot-Seventh Avenue and 135th Street
Fort Tryon Park - N.E. Flag Pole Terrace,
Fort Washington and Northern Avenues
Carl Schurz Park, 85th Street and East End Avenue
Bronx - Joyce Kilmer Park, 161st Street and Grand Concourse
Claremont Park, Claremont Parkvray and Wobster Avenue
St. Mary's Park, St. Ann's Avenue and East 144th St.
Pelham Parkway, Boston and Polham Parkway North
Grand Concourse and Hosholu Parkway
Brooklyn - Borough Hall Fark, Fulton and Joralornon Streets
Grand Army Plaza,Prospect Park,Flatbush and
Vanderbilt Avenues; Leiv Eiriksson Park, 67th
Street between 4th and 5th Avenues; McCarren Park,
Driggs Avenue and Lorimer Street
Queens - King Park, Jamaica Avenue and 151st Street
Flushing Park, Northern Boulevard and Main Street
Forest Park, Park Lane South and 108th Street
Highland Park, Jamaica Avenue and Elton Street
Richmond - Borough Hall, Bay Street and Borough Place
Silver Lake, Victory Boulevard and Forest Avenue
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[MAP OF BROOKLYN SHOWING PROPOSED EXPRESS HIGHWAY]
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 December 11, 1936
The Henry Hudson Parkway will be opened to the public without formal
ceremony on Saturday morning, December 12th. No tolls will be collected on
the Henry Hudson Bridge on that day and Sunday. The regular toll of ten
cents will be collected beginning Monday, December 14th.
The Shore Parkway Extension in Brooklyn will also be opened to motorists
on December 12th.
Reports on the Henry Hudson Parkway and the West Side Improvement, and on
the Shore Parkway Extension and Brooklyn Circumferential parkway and
boulevard system are enclosed. This information is for release on Friday,
December 11th.
ROBERT MOSES
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS Immediately
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 December 11, 1936
On Saturday, December I2th, the Department of Parks will open
two remodeled playgrounds, another section of a new playground previously
opened in part and two renovated buildings.
In Brooklyn, in McLaughlin Park at Cathedral Place and Bridge
Street, the old comfort station building has been equipped with a new
heating plant, new wiring and lighting fixtures. Modern plumbing has been
installed and the interior of the building remodeled to provide up-to-date
comfort facilities for men and women and also a large play room for
children.
The Elephant house of the old Prospect Park Zoo has been
converted into a modernized comfort station for men and women.
In McCarren Park at Union and Driggs Avenues, the remodeled
play area has sixteen handball courts and a circular roller skating track.
At Dry Harbor Road in Juniper Valley Park, Queens, another
section of the Juniper Valley Playground will open. The first part, which is
for girls' use, was opened earlier this fall. The new play area is for
senior boys and has parallel bars, horizontal ladders and bars, basketball,
volleyball and horseshoe pitching courts.
At 46th Avenue and 164th Street, the old Martin's Field
Playground has been redesigned and reconstructed. The new design includes a
circular wading pool, see-saws, swings, slides, jungle gym, play houses and
sand tables for younger children, and a large play area with two soft
basketball diamonds, basketball, shuffle board, handball nnd horseshoe
pitching courts for older children and adults.
end
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 December 11, 1936
Two bids were received this afternoon in the office of the State
Department of Public Works in Albany for the construction of a bridge to carry
Northern Boulevard over the East Service Road of the Grand Central Parkway
Extension in Flushing Meadow Park.
This is the fifth of nine contracts to be let by the State for
the construction of basic improvements in the preparation of Flushing Meadow
Park for the World's Fair in 1939.
The bridge to be constructed under this contract will consist of
seven steel spans. The East Service Road of the Parkway will pass under the
center span. The abutments will be concrete treated architecturally in the
same style as the concrete work on the Tri-Borough Bridge approaches.
This new bridge will tie the boat basin and shore development
north of Northern Boulevard to the main portion of Flushing Meadow Park,
extending south to Kew Gardens. During the Fair, it will permit the passage
of pedestrian and intra-mural traffic under Northern Boulevard. Upon the
termination of the Fair, it will give pedestrians a place to pass under
Northern Boulevard between the boat basin on the north side and the athletic
fields and play areas on the south side.
During the course of construction, the trolley tracks and all
traffic on Northern Boulevard will be detoured around the south side of the
bridge site on a temporary earth fill.
The new bridge will carry four lanes of traffic in each
direction on Northern Bouleverd, which continues the widening of Northern
Boulevard which wes started with the two existing bridges over the Grand
Central Parkway Extension. The new widths on Northern Boulevard will be
extended to the east along the shore of Flushing Bay to the new bridge to be
constructed over Flushing River, and on to Main Street, Flushing, so as to
relieve the present congestion of traffic on this artery and to provide
ample roadway widths for the heavy traffic expected during the Fair.
The two bids received were:
Tully and di Napoli . . . . . . . . . . . $448,376.30
New York City
Arthur A. Johnson - Necaro Corp . . . . . $576,000.00
The engineer's estimate was . . . . . . . $448,376.50
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 December 4, 1936
On Saturday, December 5th the Department of Parks will
open one new playground, two redesigned and reconstructed playgrounds,
another section of a new playground previously opened in part and two
reconstructed park areas.
In Manhattan, in Highbridge Park at 167th Street and
Edgecombe Avenue the new playground is equipped with wading pool, swings,
see-saws, slides and jungle gym for younger children and a large play area
with horizontal bars and ladders, basket ball, hand ball, paddle tennis and
horseshoe courts for older Children and adults. At 111th Street and First
Avenue in Thomas Jefferson Park, the remodeled play area has two hard ball
baseball diamonds and can also be used for football, soccer and rugby. In
Stuyvesant Park at First Avenue, East 17th Street and Livingston Place, the
northeast section of the rehabilitated square will be opened. This is a
passive recreation area and around its two semi-ciruclar walks there will be
continous rows of permanent concrete benches.
In The Bronx, at Jerome Avenue and East 161st Street
in Macombs Dam Park, an area for passive recreation has been redesigned and
reconstructed; in the same park at River Avenue and East 162nd Street, two
baseball diamonds and a turf play field which can be used for football,
soccer and rugby have boen provided, and are encircled by a four lap to the
mile running track.
In Brooklyn, at Gerrittsen and Bijou Avenues, in
Marine Park, the second section of the Avenue X marginal playground, the
first part of which was completed early this Fall, will be opened. The new
play space is for senior children and adults and has hand ball, paddle
tennis, shuffle board and horseshoe pitching courts.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 December 4, 1936
On Monday, December 7th at 8:00 P. M, the Park
Department, in cooperation with the office of the Borough President of
Richnond, will open to the public the new George Cromwell Recreation Center
on Pier 6, at the foot of Arietta Street, Tompkinsville, Staten Island.
The interior of the pier has been remodeled to provide
for three basket ball courts, three paddle tennis courts, two volley ball
courts, two hand ball courts, two shuffle board courts and badminton. An
indoor running track of slightly over six laps to the mile has also been
provided.
Supplementing these facilities, there will be equipment
for high jumping, running broad jumping, wrestling and calisthenics. An
area with benches and tables has been set aside for use by those desiring
quiet games, such as checkers and chess. There will be free public dancing
one night each week, with music furnished by the Division of Music of the
Works Progress Administration. There is floor space sufficient to
accommodate more than 5000 people.
Arrangements are being made to schedule paddle tennis
exhibitions and also basket ball games with ping-pong matches between the
halves, and it is proposed to promote basket ball, paddle tonnis, ping-pong,
volley ball and badminton tournaments.
Calisthenic classes will be established for business men
and women.
There are provisions for checking clothes, as well as
dressing room and shower facilities, and the structure will be heated during
the hours of supervised play.
The recreation center is available for amateur theatricals
upon application to the Park Department at the Clove Lakes Park office.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 November 24, 1936
Bids were opened this afternoon by the Chief Engineer
of the State Department of Public Works in Albany, for the construction of a
bridge to carry the Long Island Railroad over the East Service Road in
Flushing Meadow Park, Queens.
One bid was received from Wilson and English
Construction Company, Inc. of New York City for #168,729.00.
The engineer's estimate was $178,283.80.
The work under this contract consists of the
construction of a steel girder bridge with stone-faced abutments, similar to
the present bridge which carries the railroad over the Grand Central Parkway
Extension. During the construction period, the railroad tracks will be
detoured to the south around the operation on a temporary fill and temporary
wood trestle over the Grand Central Parkway Extension.
The East Service Road which win pass under this new
bridge will provide a route for intra-mural bus and pedestrian traffic
during the life of the fair, between, the main fair development, south of
the Long Island Railroad and the bus terminal along the south side of
Roosevelt Avenue, the New City Parking Field between Roosevelt Avenue and
Northern Boulevard and the Boat Basin and excursion boat docks st the south
end of Flushing Bay. Upon termination of the fair, this service road will
become a pedestrian walk to provide communication between the various
sections of Flushing Meadow Park which are separated by the Long Island
Railroad, Roosevelt Avenue and Northern Boulevard.
This is the fourth of nine contracts to be let by the
State Department of Public Works for the construction of basic improvements
in Flushing Meadow Park in preparation for the 1939 World's Fair.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Saturday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 evening and Sunday
morning papers
Nov 21 & 22, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that the ten municipal golf
courses will close after the play on Sunday, November 29th.
This has been decided upon because of the earlier winter
conditions prevailing this year, combined with the necessity for protecting
the greens and fairways which have been seedad and sodded within the last
twelve months. Play over them with conditions of alternate freeze and thaw
would be injurious, and the resultant damage would retard the date of
opening in the spring.
The small demand at this time for the year is another factor which
determined the closing date of the courses, which, as well as other revenue
facilities under the jurisdiction of the Department of Parks, are run on a
self-sustaining basis which requires the income to be sufficient to pay the
cost of maintenance and operation.
End
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 November 20, 1936
The Department of Parks will open in Manhattan one more
new playground on Saturday, November 21st. This will make a total of one
hundred and eighty-seven new playgrounds, added to the Park Department
recreational system since the beginning of the present administration, while
twenty-six of the one-hundred and eight playgrounds, which were in the park
system prior to January 1, 1934, have been completely reconstructed and
modernized.
The new playground, which is for older children, is
located south of 86th Street in the northeast corner of the Great Lawn,
formerly occupied by the old reservoir. The play area includes basketball,
hcrseshoe and paddle tennis courts, game tables and horizontal ladders,
while surrounding the play spaces is a 20 ft. wide elliptical roller-skating
track of concrete, eight laps to the mile. The opening of this playground
completes the development of 32 acres of park land which has been torn up
since the reservoir was drained six years ago.
The center of the Great Lawn area is developed into a
tree-studded oval meadow surrounded by a promenade connected with the
adjacent park path system. In the lower end, just north of the 79th Street
transverse road, and at the foot of the rocky prominence upon which the
Belvedere stands, is a new two-acre lake, the sloping banks of which have
been planted with Japanese cherry trees and other flowering shrubs. Another
playground for small children in the northwest corner of the Great Lawn was
completed and opened in the summer of 1934.
End
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 November 19, 1936
The Park Department, on Friday, Novenber 20th at
10:00 A. M., will hold its Third Annual Review of its Civil Service
personnel and equipment, on the Sheep Meadow, vrtiich lies between 66th and
69th Streets east of the West Drive in Central Park.
The Manhattan Borough forces, which won the Gold Star
for appearance and record during the year 1935, will be in the front rank.
Competition for the Gold Star, which was won the first year by the Borough
of Queens, is much keener this season than in former years. The various
borough units have been holding inspections, replacing worn uniforms and
repairing and painting the motorized equipment.
The inspection will be a routine affair, giving park
executives an opportunity to look over the combined forces and men from the
various boroughs a chance to meet and renew acquaintances.
As a skeleton force must be left in the parks,
particularly to operate comfort stations, playgrounds, revenue producing
facilities and borough offices, approximately twenty-four hundred of the
regular civil service maintenance and operations force will be present.
Included in the ranks will be foremen, laborers, mechanics, gardeners,
climbers and pruners and men and women playground directors.
There will be 110 pieces of equipment, or 33-1/3% of
the department's total in the review. One of the tree movers, as part of
the ceremonies, will be used in planting a five inch pin oak.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK Telephoned to City News Association
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 November 18, 1936
Mr. C. Enrico Gomez has a ranch In Columbia, S,A. -- donated turo ocelots t
o the Zoo, Saturday, November 14th one of which is slightly lame in the
front leg, otherwise they are In good health and nice specimens. They have
been put on exhibition in the Antelope House.
-end-
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 November 19, 1936
The Park Department announces that work on the
development of Marine Park, Staten Island resumed last week.
The City of Now York is acquiring title to S4 acres
of privately owned land on Oakwood Point by purchase and condemnation. The
acquisition of this land, with an assessed valuation of $171,850, is
necessary to close the water gap between Crookes Point on Plum island and
Oakwood Point on the mainland and to prevent infiltration of sand into the
370 acres yacht basin, which will be formed by the L-shaped bulkhead to be
constructed. This yacht basin will undoubtedly stimulate the formation of
new local yacht clubs and bring thousands of pleasure craft and sunnier
visitors to this new Marine Playground.
Contracts for the sheet piling and equipment, such as
tugboats, scows, pile drivers, tenders, compressor and hydraulic dredge,
have been let, with $25,000 of the cost furnished by the city and the
balance furnished by the Works Progress Administration, which is also
supplying all the labor.
As part of the development, 5,500 linear feet of
steel sheet piling bulkhead is being added to the 2,300 linear feet of
bulkhead previously placed on Crookes Point. After the bulkheading is
completed hydraulic fill will be placed against its ocean side as a
protection from seaward wave act ion.
END
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 November 16, 1936
The Department of Parks received bids this afternoon for a
contract for the reconstruction of 4000 feet of the Grand Central Parkway
Extension, in Flushing Meadow Park, between the Long Island Railroad tracks
and Horace Harding Boulevard.
There were eight bids submitted. The lowest bidder was the
Harlem Contracting Company who submitted an estimate of $194,270.50. The
next two bidders were Johnson, Drake & Piper of Freeport, L.I.., and John
Meehan & Sons of New York City who submitted bids of $208,113.90 and
$209,829.60 respectively. The engineer's estimate was $240,126.00.
The work under the contract will consist of the construction of
a temporary detour along the west side of the parkway, the paving of the
parkway itself with permanent concrete pavement, and grading, topsoiling and
seeding the slopes on each side of the parkway, The present pavement in this
section of the parkway, constructed by the State Department of Public Works,
was made of temporary materials because, at the time it was built, the
requirements of the World's Fair Development were not known. The new
concrete pavement will be constructed at a grade averaging ten feet lower
than the present grade, so that the parkway will be depressed below the
general grade of the Fair Development on each side, and so that bridges can
be constructed between the two largest units of the Fair Development at
grades which would not discourage passage from one part of the Fair to
another. The detour will be constructed of bituminous concrete of
substantially the same character as the temporary pavement with which the
parkway is now surfaced. Half of the detour is located within the area
leased by the Fair Corporation and will be left in place on the termination
of this contract to form part of the road system of the Fair. Construction
is to be coupleted by May 1st,. 1937.
End
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 November 16, 1936
Some interesting facts have been established by the
Department of Parks as a result of a survey of the concessions now operated
under its jurisdiction. This study was made to determine the results of the
policies introduced by the present administration in 1934.
One of the many major problems which confronted the
Department was the solution of the difficulties arising from the granting of
concessions within the City's parks. To quote the words of Commissioner
Moses in a memorandum on the subject:
"The smaller concessions seem to have been parceled out
to the aged, the blind, the lame and the needy, and to
war veterans -- wounded or unwounded . . . irrespective
of the need of the concessions or the ability of the
concessionaire to render adequate and sanitary service
. . . The large concessions were, for the most part, let
at public bidding. This did not prevent favoritism. In
practice, it prompted aid abetted trickery."
In short, the old policy was based entirely on favoritism and
political expediency rather than upon the service which the concessionaire
was able to render the public. The new policy, which is predicated on the
principle that the public must be served well, and that the revenue shall be
fair to the City and the concessionaire alike, provides that all agreements
must be in the form of licenses rather than leases. This makes it imperative
for concessionaires to abide by the terms of the agreements or be removed by
the Commissioner.
It is the policy of the present administration to issue no
licenses extending beyond the term of its administration, except in instances
where concessionaires have entered into license agreements and made
corresponding commitments, and have not been established sufficiently long to
clear their capital outlay, or where exceptionally good service has been
rendered.
The large concessions within the parks now pay their rent as a
fixed percentage of their gross receipts rather than as definitely stipulated
sums. This practice has worked well, in that it places no hardship on
concessionaires when business is dull nor does it deny the department its
fair share when business is at a peak.
Most of us remember how the parks were formerly overrun with
peddlers selling all kinds of items from shoe strings to ice cream. Sanitary
conditions were then at a low ebb, but itinerant facilities are now
officially provided, and properly supervised.
Newly designed, gay colored food carts, euphemistically called
carrettinas have been placed in the larger parks -- approximately one hundred
have been put into service. Laden with candy, cakes, cigars, cigarettes and
souvenirs, they are as inviting and adequate as the old basket of the peddler
was unwholesome and unsatisfactory.
The old type of news stand, ugly in design and poorly arranged,
has been replaced by thoroughly modern stands which do not offend good taste
and which provide better service. Incidentally, these news stands, now
located only at subway entrances and exits, are bringing increasing revenue
to both the City and the concessionaire. Modern news stands have been placed
in Greeley Square, Battery Park and Bryant Park, Manhattan; in Crames Square,
Bronx, and on Roosevelt Avenue, Queens.
In former years it was the policy of the Department to issue
permits for ground rentals, to make leases with private clubs serving only
those who were members and to give approval, by silence, to squatters
building unsightly sheds as their homes on park property. These conditions
have been entirely eliminated and today no enterprises are located on park
land which are not conducted for the convenience of the entire public. This
involved the cancellation of 1,741 permits.
New cafeteria buildings were erected within the Central Park
and Prospect Park Menageries, and the old Sheepfold in Central Park was
remodeled into a restaurant along the lines of an English tavern. New
facilities at Clove Lakes Boathouse, in Richmond, and at Kissena Park Golf
Course in Queens have been provided and the old oyster bar at Jeanette Park,
on South Street in Lower Manhattan has been rebuilt to give better
aceonmodations to its patrons. The club house at Pelham Buy Golf Course
contains a thoroughly modern restaurant having tables on its terrace
overlooking Long Island Sound. Food is also sold on the terraces of the
eleven new swimming pools.
The net income from concessions in 1933 was $252,000 although
there was $292,000 in charges, The remaining $40,000 was uncollected until
1934 when it was possible to recover approximately #4,400 or 11%. Tne
remaining $35,600, or 89%, was practically uncollectable and has already been
partially written off. In 1934 the net income was $222,000 but this figure
includes the sum recovered from the uncollected debts of the previous
year. In 1935 the net income was $184,000. This decrease was due to the
elimination of undesirable concessions and those not serving a park purpose,
as well as others that were removed to make way for park improvements. It is
expected that the revenue will show a steady increase in 1936 and the
succeeding years because of improved and increased patronage.
The concessions in the parks are now on a sound basis of
operation. To the City they pay a fair and equitable rental based on their
volume of business; and to the citizen and visitor they make available at
reasonable prices wholesome food served under carefully supervised and
sanitary conditions.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 November 12, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that the annual
Interborough "Roller Skating Contest" will be held on the concrete roller
skating track surrounding the Circle Lawn, 106th Street and the West Drive,
Central Park, Saturday, November 14th at 2:00 P.M.
The roller skating area was opened on October 23rd and has
proven to be tremendously popular. These finals are the first organized
function to be held in the area since its opening.
360 contestants will take part in the following twelve
events; the ages of the competitors ranging from eight to over eighteen
years.
EVENTS
8 to 10 years - Boys - 50 yard dash
8 to 10 years - Girls - 40 yard dash
10 to 12 years - Boys - 60 yard dash
10 to 12 years - Girls - 50 yard dash
12 to 16 years - Boys 4'-8" and under - 100 yard dash
12 to 16 years - Girls4'-8" and under - 70 yard dash
12 to 16 years - Boys 5'-2" and under - 100 yard dash
12 to 16 years - Girls4'-2" and under - 80 yard dash
16 to 18 years - Boys - 220 yard dash
16 to 18 years - Girls - 110 yard dash
Over 18 years - Senior Men 880 yard race
Over 18 years - Senior Women 440 yard race
Roller skates and medals of gold, silver and bronze will be
awarded to winners with Park Departnent certificates.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 November 11, 1936
The Department of Parks will open two more new playgrounds on
Wednesday, November 11. This will make a total of one hundred and eighty-six
new playgrounds added to the Park Department's recreational system since the
beginning of the present administration. Twenty-six of the one hundred and
eight playgrounds which were in the park system prior to January 1, 1934,
have been completely reconstructed and modernized.
In the Bronx, at 181st Street and Ryer Avenue, the new William
F. Deegan Playground will have swings, see-saws, sand tables, playhouses and
a jungle gym for younger children, and handball courts, play apparatus and a
large open play area with a softball diamond for the older children. There
will also be a comfort station for men, women and children.
This is the first of twenty-four sites recently purchased by the
city for playgrounds in thickly populated and neglected areas to be developed
and opened to the public. The property was acquired on August 24, 1936. It
has been named after the late Major William F. Deegan, former Tenement House
Commissioner and World War veteran.
At Charlotte Street and Crotona Park East, in Crotona Park,
there will be a new marginal playground with a wading pool and play equipment
for small children, and handball, volley ball, shuffleboard and paddle tennis
courts, a large play area and a soft ball diamond for older children. The
area is landscaped and provided with benches. Included in the area is a
recreation building with comfort station facilities for men, women and
children.
- End -
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 November 7, 1936
The Department of Parks will open four more new playgrounds, one new
recreation building and two renovated buildings on Saturday, November 7. This
will make a total of one hundred eighty-four new playgrounds added to the
Park Department's recreational system since the beginning of the present
administration. Twenty-six of the one hundred and eight playgrounds which
were in the park system prior to January 1, 1934, have been completely
reconstructed and modernized, with twenty-three more to be rebuilt before the
end of the year.
In Manhattan, at Columbus Park, Mulberry, Baxter and Park Streets, a new
recreation building of granite with slate roof will be opened. It will house
comfort stations for boys and girls, a mothers' room and a large play room.
In the Bronx, at Van Cortlandt Park South and Broadway, there will be a
fully equipped small children's playground, with an oval wading pool 56' x
94' and with benches and shade trees for mothers and guardians. This is the
first unit to be completed in a large recreational development, which will
include football and baseball fields and a quarter mile running track.
In Macomb's Dam Park at 161st Street and Ruppert Place the field house
has been completely renovated and modernized.
In Brooklyn, at Neptune Avenue between 28th and 29th Streets there will
be a wading pool 54' x 96', two hard ball diamonds for older boys and
see-saws, swings, jungle gym, slides and playhouses for younger children. At
Avenue U between East 58th Street and East 60th Street there will be a play
area with two baseball diamonds and a soccer and football field. Also, in
Brooklyn at Fort Greene Park, Myrtle Avenue and St. Edwards Street the old
comfort station has been redesigned and completely modernized, with
facilities for both men and women.
In Queens a playground under the approach to the Triborough Bridge, at
21st Street between Hoyt Avenue North and Hoyt Avenue South., will be opened.
It will be an adult play area with handball, basketball, horseshoe and
shuffleboard courts, horizontal bars and ladders.
- End -
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 November 2, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that social dancing for the
public scheduled in the following locations fron 8:30 to 11 P.11. will be
held in the sane recreation centers fron 8:00 to 10:30 P.M., beginning
Thursday, November 5th:
Tuesdays West 134th St. Gymnasium
Wednesdays Mullaly Recreation Building, 165th St.
and Jerome Avenue
Thursdays Highbridge Swimming Pool Building, 174th St.
and Amsterdam Avenue
Thursdays Picnic House, Prospect Park
Fridays Astoria Pool Building, Hoyt Avenue and
East River, Astoria
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 November 2, 1936
On Thursday, November 5th at 3:30 P.M., the Department of
Parks will hold a ceremony in connection with the dedication of the Stover
Memorial at the Shakespeare Garden, east of the West Drive opposite 80th
Street in Central Park, Manhattan.
Mayor LaGuardia, Park Commissioner Eobert Moses, Dr. John
H. Finley, Associate Editor of The New York Times; James K. Paulding,
Chairman of the Charles B. Stover Memorial Fund; Jacob S. Eisinger,
President of the Charles B. Stover Memorial Association; Joseph M. Price,
Treasurer of the Charles B. Stover Memorial Fund; Dr. Jane S. Bobbins,
former Director of the College Settlement; Gregory Weinstein and Stanley
Baro will speak.
The site of the Stover Memorial at the top of the rock
outcropping, known in the past as the Bock of Ages, is a particularly
fitting location for a monument to Charles B. Stover, who was Park
Commissioner of Manhattan and Richmond under Mayor William J. Gaynor from
1910 to 1914. In 1912 Mr. Stover changed the Rock of Ages from a
dilapidated stone mass covered with poison ivy to a rock garden with an
artificial stream of water and pools of water lilies, which became a popular
point of interest for numerous visitors to the park.
Shakespeare Garden, as it is now known, has been rehabilitated
and a circular memorial overlook of granite walls with bluestone walks and
platforms and with a large curved seat of highly polished granite, has been
erected on the summit of the old Bock of Ages. The Memorial was conceived
by a group of prominent men who gave their time and thought to the formation
of the Charles B. Stover Memorial Association, Inc., which organization
collected by donation the funds used in furthering the work and its design.
The inscription on the seat reads:
1861 Charles B. Stover 1939
Founder of Outdoor Playgrounds
Who devoted his life to Public Service
In Grateful Recognition
1936
From the Stover Memorial looking westerly over the roof of
Central Park's Swedish school-houae, first exhibited in America at the 1876
Philadelphia Centennial Fair, one obtains an extremely interesting view of
the Roosevelt Memorial Wing of The American Museum of Natural History.
North of the overlook is the site of the old lower Beservoir,
now a 32-acre expanse of lawn with a two-acre lake and with the huge oval
meadow encircled with wide walks, tree-shaded and bench-lined.
End.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 October 30, 1936
This afternoon the Marine Parkway Authority received bids
on Contract No. 9, for work in connection with the Marine Parkway Bridge
across Rockaway Inlet, from Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, to Jacob Riis Park,
Queens.
This contract calls for the construction of two and a half
miles of concrete roadway in Jacob Riis Park, an underpass, a bus terminal,
incidental drainage and guard railing, The major portion of the new roadways
will take the traffic of Rockaway Beach Boulevard from the east boundary of
the park northerly and westerly around the park, to the approach to the
Marine Parkway Bridge at the northwest corner of the park. The balance of
the roadways will form a connection to the new parking field and to the bus
terminal adjacent to the bathhouse.
With the completion of these new roadways, the old
Rockaway Beach Boulevard or, as it is sometimes called, Washington Avenae,
through the park will no longer be needed and will be removed to make way
for the new developments and enlargements of the bathing beach.
The work under this contract will be completed by May
15th, 1937, so that there will he no interference witht he use of Jacob Riis
Park next summer.
The engineer's estimate was #237,000., and out of eight bids
received the three lowest were:
Total Bid
1. Mill Basin Asphalt Co,, Inc. $ 231,802.50
2. Tully & Dinapoli, Inc. 247,211.00
3, Johnson, Drake & Piper Co., Inc. 259,907.50
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513
PRESS RELEASE
CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW - PROSPECT PARK GREEHHOUSE
The annual Fall Chrysanthemum Show will be opened on Sunday, November 1st,
1936, at 10 A.M., at the Prospect Park Greenhouse, Prospect Park West and
9th Street, Brooklyn, N.Y.
The display, featuring over 4000 pots of Chrysanthemums, will be one of the
most magnificent ever staged.
The ground bed is laid out in groups of various f oriaations, with the
popular, large bloom varieties in all shades of pink, yellow, red. and
bronze. Some of the attractive plants in these groupings are the Pocketts in
3 varieties, the Turners in S varieties, John S. Bush, Rise of Day, Melba,
Marion Uffinger, Marie De Petres, Earl Kitchener, Mrs. B.D.Spilman, De
Inglis, Gaety, J.R.Booth, Mrs. Firestone, Grace Sturgis and others.
Surrounding the ground bed and banked along the sides of the show house are
about 75 of the smaller varieties of chrysanthemums, such as the poapons and
anemones. They also come in many shades of bronze, red, yellow and white.
Some of the more outstanding chrysanthemums in this class are Titan
Tangerine, Norman Pink and Bronze, Mrs. Harrison Craig Orange and Crimson,
Betty Eose Pink and lellow, Crimson Glow and Grimson Red.
The exhibit will be open every day from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. and the
Department of Parks extends a cordial invitation to the public to view the
display for the three weeks of its duration.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 October 28, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that it will celebrate
Hallowe'en on the Mall, 72nd Street, Central Park, Friday evening, October
30th, from 8:30 to 11 P. M.
An elaborate outdoor setting is being arranged as a
background on the Mall bandstand. This will consist of grinning pumpkins,
witches, goblins and skeletons, amid shucks of cornstalks, hay and autumn
leaves.
The program of the evening will be social dancing for the
public interspersed with a variety of acts for their entertainment, viz:
Magic Acts by the Park Department Magicians, American country dances, Mass
ball game, Egg and Spoon race, Songs and Ducking for apples.
The public is invited to come in costume.
The following village trustees have donated prizes for
appropriate costumes:
Dora Stitch Village Seamstress Sampler
Silas Shortweight Village Grocer Basket of Vegetables
Hiram Bellows Village Blacksmith Gallon of cider
Miranda Taekem Chairman of Village Grange Vegetable Corsage
Joshua Hayseed Village grain dealer Pumpkins
Bill Cuttem Village Veterinarian Bale of hay
The judges will award the above articles to persons
selected for wearing the best:
1. Funniest costume - Boy
2. Nicest looking costume - Girl
3. Most unusual " - Boy
4. " " " - Girl
5. Most Appropriate for Hallowe'en - Boy
6. " " " " - Girl
All are invited to come to these festivities and enjoy a
gala Hallowe'en.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 December 30, 1936
On Thursday, December 31st the Department of Parks will
open one new playground, the second half of two remodeled playgrounds and
additional sections of two new playgrounds previously opened in part.
In Queens, at Broadway and 78th Street, the new
playground is equipped with swings, jungle gyms, sand tables, play houses
and a shower basin for small children, and basket ball, hand ball and
horseshoe pitching courts, roller hockey field and a soft ball diamond for
older children. The area is designed so that it can be flooded and used for
ice-skating in winter.
In Forest Park at Myrtle Avenue and 80th Street, the
second half of the old Dry Harbor playground, which has been redesigned and
reconstructed for girls, is equipped with horizontal bars and ladders,
shuffle board and basket ball courts and a large play area for group games.
In Manhattan, in Central Park, the reconstructed
Heckscher Playground, primarily for children, has been completed with the
exception of the old comfort station building, which is being altered to
provide indoor recreation rooms during all seasons. The old wading pool has
been redesigned not only to fit more appropriately into its natural
location, but also to provide restricted ingress and egress through a
sterilized, chlorinated footbath. The playground has been equipped with
swings, slides, see-saws, jungle gyms, horizontal bars and ladders for
children, and croquet and horseshoe pitching courts, separated from the
children's area, have been included for adults.
In Brooklyn, north of Avenue U in Marine Park, two more
baseball diamonds have been added, making a total of seven in this section
of the park.
In The Bronx, at Broadway and Van Cortlandt Park South, six
hand ball courts have been added to the large recreational area, which will
include football and baseball fields and a one-quarter mile running track.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 October 26, 1936
The Park Departments eleven new swimming pools, which were
converted into active play areas with facilities for shuffleboard,
basketball, handball, volley ball, paddla tennis, box ball, punch ball,
quoits and group games after the end of the swimming season, are proving
just as popular as play centers as they were as pool areas.
The following is the attendance for their first month's use from
September 24 to October 24, inclusive:
Astoria 55,295
Betsy Head 49,574
Colonial 14,895
Crotona 60,230
Hamilton Fish 33,311
Highbridge 59,283
McCarren 39,181
Red Hook 17,710
Sunset 24,445
Thomas Jefferson 22,544
Tompkinsville 9,642
Total 366,110
For the past month intra-play center tournaments, which will
end on October 28, have been conducted in handball, basketball, paddle
tennis and volley ball, 225 teams are competing in these games and, starting
November 2, the winners will compete in an inter-play center city-wide
championship for each activity.
At the Sunset play center in Brooklyn, John Kelly, a Civil War
veteran, 96 years of age, keeps fit by playing handball. Although not
competing in the tournament, Kelly challenges any one over 70 years of age
to a game of handball. Kelly also claims he was a former baseball player
back in 1869 and is anxious to "get back in the game."
All the games and tournaments are being conducted under the
supervision of competent instructors and coaches, many of whom, former
college stars, are now regular park Department employees.
The conversion of the bathhouses into gymnasiums is rapidly
nearing completion and all will be ready for indoor activities, including
social dancing, by the time weather becomes too cold or inclement for
outdoor play.
Indoor social dancing from 8:30 P. M. to 11:00 P. M. will
start at Highbridge play center on Thursday, October 29, and at the Astoria
play center on November 6. Music will be furnished by the Knickerbocker,
Gotham and Colonial dance orchestras from the Federal Music project.
- end -
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 October 5, 1936
The eleven swimming pools opened this summer by the Department
of Parks have been converted into playgrounds with facilities for shuffle
board, basketball, handball, volley ball, paddle tennis and various group
games. The pools were drained September 20th and on Monday, September 21st,
workmen began to construct handball walls, erect stanchions for tennis and
volley ball nets, and mark out the various courts. By Thursday, September
24th, this work was completed and at 3:00 P.M. they were opened as
recreational areas for children and adults.
The pools, popular with children and adults this summer, are
proving just as popular now that they are open as recreation centers. This
is evidenced by the number that have used the facilities since they
reopened. Following is the attendance from September 24th to October 4th,
inclusive:
Astoria 10,098
Crotona 7,411
Tompkinsville 1,650
Suns et 6,349
McCarron 16,066
Betsy Head 9,161
Red Hook 4,532
Colonial 3,944
Highbridge 22,735
Thomas Jefferson 7,500
Hamilton Fish 6,525
The games are under the supervision of competent instructors and
coaches and teams are being formed at the various pools. Leagues of
different age groups are being formed end competitions for league
championships will begin as soon as the children are classified into their
various age groups.
During the summer intor-pool swimming matches wore held and it
is intended that this inter-pool rivalry be kept up this winter with teams
of the various sports engaging in competitions with teams from other pools.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
510
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ARSENAL CENTRAL PARK
TE: REGENT 4-1000
Through Former Governor Alfred E. Smith, night superintendent of
the Central Park Zoo, a black Canadian bear has been presented to the City
by Mr. O. R. Kelly of 768 North Street, White Plains, New York.
While the bear is slightly homesick in his present quarters in
Central Park, his diet has not been affected for he eats from six to eight
raw eggs daily.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 October 8, 1936
Apparently there has been some comment on the absence of
my name from the list of directors of the World's lair. There is no
significance in my recent resignation. This was a routine matter involving
no difference with the corporation or lack of enthusiasm for the Fair. It
was necessary to mate a decision at the time the lease became effective and
the Fair plan was adopted as to whether the man in charge of city and state
permanent improvements at Flushing Meadow should also serve as a member of
the Board of Directors. It became clear to me that such service might
involve conflict of responsibilities and I resigned simply to concentrate on
the preparation of the site and the permanent improvements which will be
part of Flushing Meadow Park. In order tnat there may be no
misunderstanding I am attaching copies of correspondence with Mr. Whalen on
this subject.
ROBERT MOSES
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CITY OF NEW YORK
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK
October 1, 1936
Hon. Grover Whalen,
New York World's Fair 1939,
Empire State Building,
New York City.
Dear Grover:
Thanks very much for your letter with reference to membership on
the Board of Directors. My decision is, however, absolutely final. It nis
not based on lack of time or enthusiasm, but on the conviction that the
interests of the city and state government, as well as those of the Fair,
are best served by my sticking to the basic permanent improvements at
Flushing Meadow Park.
Cordially,
ROBERT MOSES
Commissioner.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Copy)
NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR 1939
INCORPORATED
EMPIRE STATE BUILDING
NEW YORK, N. Y.
Office of the President
September 30, 1936
Dear Bob:
I wish you would reconsider the suggestion you made in your letter
of the 28th. You have been such a tower of strength in the formative stages
of the Fair Corporation and in all its plans that your name should be
indelibly written in the corporate records of the Fair.
I fully realize how busy you are and that it would mean a hardship
and sacrifice for you to give much time to the actual work of the Fair
Corporation, nevertheless, I do hope that you will reconsider your decision
and continue as a member of the Board of Directors.
Speaking not as President of the Corporation but as a friend with
the deepest admiration for you as a man, as an official, and for your
unparalleled achievements. I want to be privileged to sit by your side at
the future deliberations Of the Board of Directors of the New York World's
Fair 1939.
Very sincerely,
(sgd) GROVER WHALEN
The Honorable
Robert Moses
Arsenal, Central Park
New York, N. Y.
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CITY OF NEW YORK
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK
September 28, 1936
Mr. Grover Whalen,
New York World's Fair 1939, Inc.,
Empire state Building
New York City
Dear Grover:
You may recall that some months ago when the question of the
approval by the city of the World's Fair lease was in tiehands of the
Corporation Counsel, I wrote the Mayor that I did not believe that there was
any serious legal question involved in the membership of elected or
appointed city of ficials on your Board of Directors. On the other hand, I
said that Mr. Windel's opinion raised a real question of policy at least as
to the Park Commissioner, and that as far as I was concerned I would make up
my mind about October 1st, when the plan of the Fair was ready, whether as a
city and state official immediately responsible for the site, I could best
serve by remaining on the board, or by concentrating on the basic
improvements.
I have now come to the definite conclusion that, so far as
the Fair is concerned, I ought to give all my attention to the preparation
of the site, and that it would be a mistake for me and my staff to have
their attention diverted to the plans for the Fair itself, except to the
extent that it is necessary that the two sets of plans be coordinated.
Arrangements for such coordination have been made and I am sure that they
will be satisfactory. My staff will have plenty to do to meet the schedule
for the completion of the basic improvements and to assist in every way on
permanent structures and facilities which are to remain as part of the park
when the Fair is over.
Under the circumstances I am presenting herewith my resignation
from the Board of Directors. I see no reason why it should have any public
notice, because it is merely a routine matter. You will, of course,
understand that tnis step involves no loss of interest in and enthusiasm for
the Fair, and it simply means that those immediately responsible for the
basic improvements will give all their available energy to the early
completion of these improvements.
With kindest personal regards and continued good wishes for
the Fair,
Sincerely,
/a/ ROBERT MOSES
Commissioner
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10/6/36
ARSENAL BLDG.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
THE MEW RECREATIONAL AREAS WHICH HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED IN THE
EMPTIED SWIMMING POOLS AND IN THE BATHHOUSES WILL BE OPERATED ONLY SIX
DAIS PER WEEK, THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS ANNOUNCED TODAY. THEY WILL BE
CLOSED EACH SUNDAY AS THERE IS ONLY SUFFICIENT PERSONNEL AVAILABLE FOR
THE WEEK-DAY OPERATIONS.
A.R.JENNINGS.
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10/7/36
PRESS NOTICE
The annual Handcraft exhibit, by the children of the park
playgrounds, Bronx, will be held at Mullaly Recreation Building, East 165th
St. and Jerome Avenue. The Manhattan exhibit will be held at Carmine and
Varick Street, from October 5th to October 10th. The exhibits will be open
daily from 1 to 10 P.M., admission free.
According to the variety and number of articles exhibited, it is
the best and largest shown in the past eight years. Some playgrounds are
submitting projects, Indian Village, Outdoor Camp, 20th Century Modern
transportation, Colonial Cottage etc. The Individual exhibits include, chip
carving, basketry, soap modeling, dolls of all nations, bead work, crepe
paper, model airplanes, paper flowers, party favors, etc.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 October 6, 1936
U.S. WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION
FOR THE CITY CF NEW YORK
70 COLUMBUS AVE., NEW YORK, N. Y.
BREHON SOMERVELL
Administrator
October 6, 1936
Honorable Robert Moses, Commissioner,
Department of Parks for the City of New York,
Arsenal, 64th Street and 5th Avenue,
New York, N. Y.
Dear Mr. Moses;
I have your letter of October 5th, in which you ask whether this
office knows of any changes in the Works Progress Administration rules and
instructions, and whether arrangements can be made which would permit us to
furnish relief personnel at a cost of about $2,000,000 to the City Parks
Department for the whole of the calendar year.
In reply I must state that there are no changes in these rules. You
must remember that Congress has not yet appropriated funds for the coming
year, and hence it would be impossible to assure you of the expenditure of
$2,000,000 or any other sum. Furthermore, the Works Progress Administration
does not consider that regular operations and maintenance of City activities
ordinarily carried in the budget are a proper WPA function.
Sincerely,
/ s / Brehon Somervell
Administrator
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 October 2, 1936
The Park Department announces the unveiling of the Sophie Irene
Loeb Memorial in Hecksher Playground, Central Park, tomorrow at 12 noon.
Mayor LaGuardia, Governor Herbert H. Lehman, Park Commissioner
Robert Moses and August Heckscher will speak at the exercises. Music will
be provided by the Department of Sanitation Band.
The Memorial consists of a granite pediment rising from a pink
granite bowl and surmounted by carved groups of stone statuary representing
the famed characters of Alice in Wonderland, with the Duchess playing a
prominent part. This sculpture was conceived and executed by I. G. Both and
is surrounded by circular granite steps and bluestone walks. At its base are
drinking fountains for children.
Miss Loeb, a newspaper woman and prominent social worker, was
instrumental in obtaining a great deal of social legislation for the State
sai City of New York and also in making Heokaclier Playground a reality.
She was the founder and first president of the Child Welfare Board of New
York City.
Hecksher Playground was originally opened after considerable
opposition from individuals and organizations who insisted that no
playground was needed la Central Park. Probably the one person who did the
most to combat this opposition was Sophie Irene Loeb. Mr. Hecksher's
generosity was responsible for the actual construction and equipment of the
playground, including a wading pool sad a recreation building.
Mr. Hecksher's generosity was again evident by his
contribution of $15,000., which paid for the carved figures and bowl at the
memorial. The granite steps, bluestone Walks, fencing, planting and
plumbing were furnished by the Park Department.
The redesign of the playground recognizes the original intent
of Miss Loeb and Mr. Btckseher that this area should be primarily for
younger children. The old wading pool has been redesigned to fit more
appropriately into its natural location, and provides for restricted
entrances and egress through a sterilized, chlorinated footbath. The ball
fields, formerly a mud hole after rainstorms, have been regraded, properly
drained, seeded, and will be opened as part of the ceremonies, with an
exhibition soft ball game played between the Roosevelt and Annunciation
playgrounds' teams, finalists for the Park Department borough
championship. There will be three soft ball and three Junior hard ball
diamonds. The present recreation building, primarily a comfort station, Is
being remodeled end heated to provide indoor recreation rooms for all
seasons.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 October 1, 1936
The Department of Parks will open four new playgrounds, a
new triangular gore and five redesigned and reconstructed areas Friday,
October 2nd, This will make a total of 177 playgrounds added to the Park
Department's recreational system since the beginning of the present
administration, and 85 more will be opened to the public before January 1,
1937. Purchase of sites for 25 of these was recently approved by the Mayor
and the Board of Estimate. 26 of the 108 playgrounds which were in the park
system prior to January 1, T934, have been completely reconstructed and
modernized, with 23 more to be rebuilt before the end of the year.
In Manhattan, located at Northern and Fort Washington
Avenues, south of Fort Tryon Park, there will be a completely equipped small
children's play area and also an area with shuffle board, paddle tennis and
baseball courts, separated from the playground by a shaded promenade with a
double row of benches. At Dyckman Street where Riverside Drive joins
Broadway, the safety island has been provided with shade trees and benches
for passive recreation.
At Stuyvesant Square Park the south half of the rectangular
section west of Second Avenue and bounded by Second Avenue, East 15th
Street, Rutherford Place and East 17th Street has been redesigned and
reconstructed, with the exception of the central portion, comprising eight
percent of the west half of the park. The area developed includes wide,
semi-circular walks, with continous rows of benches.
At Tompkins Square Park the north half of the park from
Ninth to Tenth Streets between Avenues A and B has been redesigned and
reconstructed and includes basket ball, volley ball, shuffle board, paddle
tennis and horse-shoe pitching courts; complete play apparatus and e wading
pool.
In Central Park two new completely equipped small
children's playground will open - one at 84th Street and Fifth Avenue and
the other at 93rd Street and Central Park West, completing the group of
marginal play areas around the perimeter of Central Park.
In Brooklyn there will be one new and three redesigned play
areas. At Gerrittsen Avenue end Avenue X, in Marine Park, there will be a
completely equipped small children's playground, with wading pool &nd &
large soft ball area and basket bell, shuffle board, peddle tennis,
horse-shoe end hand-ball courts for older children, all fitted into a
landscaped scheme including wide walks lined with benches for passive
recreation.
At Carroll Park, Court end President Streets, the west half
of the redesigned playground will include basket-ball courts and play
apparatus for older children.
In Fort Greene Park, at St. Edwards Street and Myrtle
Avenue, the redesigned children's garden has been provided with benches
under shade trees for guardians of children who visit the area.
In McLoughlin Park the east half of the park bounded by
Cathedral Place, Bridge and Tillary Streets will be opened, completing the
reconstrution of the entire park. The area to be opened includes a wading
pool and a large boys' playground with a soft ball diamond.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 September 25, 1936
The Department of Parks announces the opening of the Metropolitan
College gridiron season and the introduction of football to Randall's Island
in the new Municipal Stadium on Saturday afternoon, September 26th, when
Manhattan College plays Saint Bonaventure College.
Recent bookings for the Stadium promises a busy fall season and
numerous worthwhile football contests between college and professional teams
of national reputation.
Besides the Manhattan-Saint Bonaventure game, the following
bookings have been scheduled:
Sunday September 27th - Professional football-
NEW YORK YANKEES versus
SYRACUSE BRAVES
Saturday October 3rd - FORDHAM UNIVERSITY versus
FRANKLIN MARSHALL
Wednesday October 7th - Professional football -
(Night game) NEW YORK YANKEES versus
BROOKLYN TIGERS
Saturday October 17th - FORDHAM UNIVERSITY versus
WAYNESBURG COLLEGE
Wednesday October 21st - Professional football -
(Night game) NEW YORK YANKEES versus
PITTSBURGH AMERICANS
Wednesday October. 28th - Professional football -
(Night game) NEW YORK YANKEES versus
CLEVELAND INDIANS
Sunday November 15th - Professional.football -
NEW YORK YANKEES versus
BOSTON SHAMROCKS
Sunday November 29th - Professional football -
NEW YORK YANKEES versus
BROOKLYN TIGERS
Sunday professional games postponed because of inclement weather will be
played at night within the first three days of the following week and the
date announced through the press.
The New York Rugby Football Club is negotiating for several of
the open dates, and on Thanksgiving Day, November 26th, negotiations are
under way for a double-header between four New York City high school teams.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
TO REACH RANDALL'S ISLAND STADIUM
Triborough Bridge Approaches
at
124th Street and Second Avenue - Manhattan
134trh Street and Cypress Avenue - The Bronx
31st Street and Hoyt Avenue, Astoria - Queens
FREE pedestrian walks on bridge from above approaches
Bus Fares to Island;
5 cts. from Manhattan and Bronx Approaches and
10 cts. from Queens.
Automobiles;
Bridge toll for automobiles - 25 cts. for "crip
to and from Randall's Island.
FREE parking on the Island.
BDW TO REACH TRIBOROUGH BRIDGE APPROACHES
FRCM MANHATTAN: All north and south bound subway,
elevated, trolley end bus lines to 125th
Strset, then to Second Avenue by crosstown
trolley to 124th Street and Second Avsiue.
FROM THE BRONX; Lexington Avenue - Pelhara Bay
Parkway line to Cypress Avenue Station, All
Bronx trolley lines transfer to Southern
Boulevard trolley to 134th Street and Cypress
Avenue.
FROM QUEENS: B.M.T. and I.R.T. at Queens Plaza
station (31st Street and Hoyt Avenue),
Astoria. Long Island Railroad to Woodside
Railway station, change for B.M.T. or I.R.T.
subway going to 25th Avenue Station (31st
Street and Hoyt Avenue) Astoria,
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 September 22, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that 300 children, ranging
from eight to fourteen years of age, will harvest their second crop of the
season at Betsy Head Park Farm Garden, Hopkinson and Blake Avenue, Brooklyn,
ituirsday afternoon, September 24th at 3:30 o'clock,
The vegetables, which consist of beets, carrots, corn,,
swiss-chard and lettuce, were planted during the summer and are ready to be
harvested.
End
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 September 22, 1936
The Department of Parks announces the finals of
the first amateur musical instrument contest in the city, which will take
place on the Mall in Central Park Thursday evening, September 24, at 8:30
o'clock. The winners of all boroughs in the senior division will compete
for special prizes offered for. this event.
Contestants have been divided into the following
classifications:
Class A - Piano
" B - Violin, viola,, cello, basso '
" C - Banjo, mandolin, guitar,, ukelele, zither
" D - Trumpet, trombone, French horn, tuba, mellophane, (alto) bugle
" E - Clarinet, oboe, flute, bassoon, fife, saxaphone, English horn
" F - Zylophone. and drums
" G - Harp
" H - Accordion . .
" I - Bagpipes and One-man Band
" J - Miscellaneous
The judges of the contest will be:
Judge Leopold Prince, Chairman, Conductor of the
City Amateur Symphony Orchestra; Mishel Piastro, Concert Master of the
Philharmonic; Leon Barzin, Conductor of the National Orchestral Association;
Richard Korn, Assistant Conductor of the Goldman Band; Isidor Achron, piano
virtuoso and for over ten years accompanist to Jascha Heifetz; Miss Loa
Karena, Finnish soprano; Albert von Boenhoff, pianist, composer, Chairman of
the Entertainment Committee of the Bohemians, and judge for the past twelve
years of the Music Education League.
In addition to the foregoing event, which is for
seniors, a Junior Championship Contest will take place on the Mall Sunday,
September 27, at 2:00 P.M.
###############
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 September 21, 1936
The Department of Parks announces the closing of twelve swimming pools
on September 20th. They are being converted into active play areas
and will be reopened for use on September 24th. Ten of these were
newly opened this year, and of the other two, previously operated by
the Department, one has been entirely re-constructed.
Receipts of $175,105.45 have not balanced the expenditures of
$195,598.71 but the fact must be taken into consideration that this
latter figure included an item of $41,767.25 for permanent equipment,
which will not need replacement for some time. Up to September 19th,
1,790,382 persons have used the pools, of which 604,405 were children
who had been admitted free on week day mornings.
While the normal operation of these pools will be from May 30th to the
third week in September, the first of the new pools was opened on
June 20th and the last one on August 15th, and at the Red Hook and
Colonial Pools the dressing facilities were only half completed when
opened to the public. The total days of usage of all pools was only
47.67 percent of the normal swimming season. Revenue was obtained on
the basis of a charge of 10 cents for children under 14 years of age
and 20 cents for adults.
The following tabulation shows the number of days operated, and the
percentage of normal season for which each pool was open to the public
during 1936:
Days Percentage
Faber Pool 104 83.5
Hamilton Fish 80 64.
Thos. Jefferson 77 61.67
Astoria 71 56.8
Highbridge 59 47.2
Tompkinsville 66 52.8
Sunset 53 43.4
Crotona 49 39.2
McCarren 43 34.4
Betsy Head 45 36.
Colonial 33 26.2
Red Hook 35 28.
Immediately after the closing of the pools, crews of workmen started
emptying the water, cleaning the walls and converting the pools into areas
where large boys and girls may participate in active games. These new play
areas will provice facilities for playing at one time 47 games of paddle
tennis, 50 games of shuffle board, 10 volley ball contests, 12 basketball
games, and 44 handball matches. Numerous other playground games and athletic
activities may also be conducted within these areas.
The children's wading pools will be used by small children of preschool age
for kindergarten games until 3 o'clock each day. After school hours these
areas will be used exclusively for roller skating rinks by boys and girls of
elementary school age.
The sun decks adjoining the pools will be used by mothers and children
for passive recreation.
All areas will be lighted for evening activities and the facilities will
be available for boys and girls who are employed during the day time.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 September 19, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that a Water Carnival will be
held on the 72nd Street Lake, Central Park on Tuesday, September 22nd at 8:30
P.M., in cooperation with the Folk Festival Council.
Participants representing each of the five boroughs of the City of
New York and nine foreign countries will row out, in gaily decorated boats,
to the stage, which is being especially constructed on the lake for this
occasion. A program of dances, including a modern ballet by the Playground
directors of the Department of Parks, will be presented. Folk dances, by
playground children, as well as the age-old dances of Finland and Estonia,
the gay Tarantella of Naples and a dance of Thessaly will be performed.
The program will open with songs by members of the Park
Department Quartet and Glee Club, followed by the modern ballet. Then the
three children's groups which won first prises in the Folk Dance
competition for playground groups, will datce a Russian, a Polish and a
Scottish dance. The Folk Festival Council's share of the program will start
with a Polka by all the dancers; then the Ukranian Dancers' Club will
demonstate Solomeyka and Akran. The Finnish dancers of Imatra will swing
through their flirtatious Sappo, which has ended in an engagement for many
a Finnish maiden. The Esthonian Educational Society will sing to lovely old
tunes. The Swiss Folk Dance Society will do the dance of the "Three Leather
Stockings." The Lithuanian Lyrates will do a harvest dance that goes back
to pagan times. The Polish Folk Dance group will dance; also the Greek
daughters of Terpsichore; and the Coro d1Italia will sing and dance,
bringing the program to a close.
The Hudson concert band, a unit of the Works Progress
Administration Music Division, under the direction of Pasquale Acito, will
play for the Carnival.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 September 18, 1936
The Department of Parks, Division of Recreation,
announces that a children's orchestral concert will be given on the Mall,
Central Park, Sunday, September 20 at 1:30 P. M.
The orchestra was first organized the early part
of June with a proup of about five children. It grew quickly until at the
present time it consists of 26 children who play violins, viola, cello,
piano, saxaphone, clarinet and flute.
They have been rehearsing in neighborhood
playgrounds in preparation for this occasion. The ages of the children vary
to a great extent, the youngest being eight years and. the oldest eighteen
years.
The program will consist of compositions by
Mozart, Shubert, Beethoven, Grieg, Pleyel and Brahms. The two soloists of
the afternoon are Joan Gluck, 7-year old violinist, who will play "Mighty
Lak' a Rose" and Robert Baltar, 12-year-old violinist, who will play
"Czardas" by Monti.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 September 14, 1936
The second annual competition among the city's best Barber
Shop quartets, euphemistically styled as the American Ballad Contest by its
sponsor, the Department of Parks, will take place at 8:30 P. M. tomorrow
evening, Tuesday, September 15th, 1936, at the new Randall's Island
Municipal Stadium. Admission will be free.
The same stage which was used for the recent run of light
opera has been left in place and will be set to depict a quiet corner of New
York in the early 1900's. Flickering gas street lamps will illuminate the
shop fronts of which the neighborhood barber shop will be a focal point. A
cigar store, a pawnbroker's emporium and the inevitable corner saloon,
behind whose swinging doors the passerby is informed he can obtain the
largest in town for 5 cents, make up the rest of this minor civic center.
The time of action is a warm Saturday evening in the
summer of 1904, too early in the season for those flamboyant single-sheets
later to be indiscriminately plastered over the store fronts in the heated
presidential Campaign. On this particular evening the citizenry seem more
interested in haircuts and song than on the relative merits of Judge Parker
or Colonel Roosevelt.
As groups emerge from the busy barber shop (or in some
cases from behind the swinging doors) they will break into harmony of the
closest, most tear-jerking variety.
A group of prominent neighborhood figures, who may be
identified on closer inspection as Mayor La Guardia, former Governor Alfred
E. Smith and Park Commissioner Robert Moses, occupy ancient chairs at one
side, where they confer frequently with their neighbors on the relative
merits of the merry songsters.
These other critical listeners are Sigmund Spaeth, the
famed Tune Detective; Luther C. Steward, the noted collector of early
American Ballads; Mark Andrews; widely-known American conductor and Cesare
Sodero, eminent musician and composer.
Each group of singers, appropriately garbed in the dress of
the period, is a quartet of the highest virtuosity selected by previous
elimination contests in each of the five boroughs of the city. Sparrow cops,
obese bartenders, Chinese laundrymen, ragged newsboy urchins, dirty-faced
bootblacks and fashionably dressed dandies of the period complete the scenic
background while the quartets render the dear, old melodies of a past
generation.
After all of them have sung their selections, ranging from
"Wait 'til the Sun Shines, Nellie," to "Sweet Adeline," the critics, keen of
ear to the blending of tenor, bass and baritone strains waft over 15,000
opera chairs and bleacher benches filled by the attending public, again will
go into serious huddle and determine the first, second and third place
winners of the 1936 championships,
There will be added features galore to the gay and
rollicking scene, including a mammoth parade of the contestants who will
circle the cinder track on tandem bicycles, open barouches, victodias,
landaus, hansom cabs and a bevy of snorting, coughing one and two-cylinder
horseless buggies so fearlessly driven by the linen-duster dare-devils of
the period.
Another outstanding presentation will be musical selections
rendered by Diane Gaylan and Robert Shafer, leading stars of the San Carlo
opera Company. Pierre de Reeder will accompany these players who thrilled a
half million with their magnificent operetta performances at Jones Beach
state Park and Randall's Island this summer. Community singing lead by Harry
Barnhart, will be indulged in by the general public following the contest of
quartets.
A special municipal quartet contest in which harmony
foursomes from the Park, Fire and Sanitation Departments and from Jones
Beach State Park will vie for a huge silver trophy, will furnish another
added attraction. The Fire Department Brass Band will furnish music during
the festivities.
To reach the site of this eye and ear filling
extravaganza, the public may use the Triborough Bridge via buses from
Manhattan at 124th Street and 2nd Ave., from the Bronx at 134th Street and
cypress Avenue, and from Queens at 31st street and Hoyt Ave. Bus fares from
the Bronx and Manhattan are 5 cents and from Queens 10 cents. A toll charge
of 25 cents for automobiles is levied by the Bridge Authority. This charge
includes trips to and from the Island. Parking for 6,000 cars is free on
the Island. Pedestrians may use the Bridge, walks, from all approaches
without charge.
# # #
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 September 12, 1936
In addition to the gold, silver and bronze medals that will
be awarded to competitors who finish first, second and third in each event
at the municipal swimming and diving championships, which will be held at
the Astoria swimming Pool, 19th Street and 23rd Drive, Astoria, Queens on
Sunday, September 13th at 2:30 P.M., Mayor LaGuardia has donated a silver
cup. This cup will be awarded the department winning the most points.
The park Department, which is conducting the meet in
cooperation with the Mayor's committee on athletic activities, has also
offered a mounted silver plaque to the winning department.
With over 200 entries received from the Law, Health,
Hospital, Police, Fire, Sanitation, Plant and Structures, correction, public
Welfare and parks Departments and Board of Education, a spirited rivalry is
anticipated for the team prizes, as well as keen competition in the
individual events.
George Fissler, former national swimming champion, now
working for the Department of Sanitation, will compete in the open
events. In the Old Timers championship, open to employees who have been in
the City employ at least twenty years, several well known swimmers of
another era have entered. Among the entries for the Life Guard championship,
open only to Pool Operators and Life Guards, are numerous former college
swimming stars, including George cronin of the Park Department, national
life guard champion in 1935 and runner up for this title in 1936.
While the usual fee of 10 cts. for children under 14 years
of age and 20 cts. for adults will be charged those using the swimming
facilities, there will be no charge for spectators whouay desire to witness
the swimming and diving events.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 12, 1936
Owing to the continued warm weather the Department of Parks announces that
tie twelve swimming pools would remain open until Sunday, September 20, but
the hours of operation will be from 1 P.M. to 6 P.M. only from Monday to
Friday, with the Saturday and Sunday hours unchanged. No morning free
periods - because of school reopening.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 August 21, 1936
The Department of Parks opened one new playground and one
redesigned and reconstructed play area today, August 21st.
The new area makes a total of 173 new playgrounds added to the
Park Department's recreational system since the beginning of the present
administration, and 89 more will be opened to the public before January 1,
19S7. Purchase of sites for 25 of these was recently approved by the Mayor
and the Board of Estimate.
Twenty-four of the 108 playgrounds which were in the park
system prior to January 1, 1954, have been reconstructed and modernised with
25 more to be rebuilt before the end of the year. When the present program
is completed, there will be a total of 349 playground areas under the
jurisdiction of the Park Department.
In Macombs Dam Park, the Bronx, the reconstructed area,
located north of East 158th Street, between Exterior Avenue and the New York
Central tracks, will contain twenty handball courts, eight of which will be
opened to the public immediately.
The new playground located between West 58th and West 59th
Streets, East of Eleventh Avenue, Manhattan, was obtained by permit from the
New Amsterdam Gas Compaay. When completed, it will have three basketball,
four horseshoe pitching and six double handball courts} a large soft ball
diamond and a large earth surface play area. All of these facilities will be
com- pleted for the opening except the handball courts, which will be
finished at a later date. The opening of this area was marked by soft ball
games between two ball teams representing the Roosevelt and Annunciation
playgrounds in the Park Department's Junior Soft Ball League. Frequent games
have been scheduled for the balance of the season between teams of the Park
Department Playground League. This playground will be of particular value to
Haaran High School which adjoins it.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 September 10, 1936
The State Department of Public Works received bids
today on the bridge which will carry Roosevelt Avenue vehicular traffic over
the East Service Road of Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, the site of the 1939
New York World's Fair, The I.R.T. tracks of the Flushing Division which are
over Roosevelt Avenue will remain in their present position. The plans for
the structure, which will have stone-faced abutments and a double steel
span, were prepared by the Department of Parks.
Bids were received from only two concerns and were as
follows:
John Meehan & Son, New York City $154,733.80
E. L> North, Islip, Long Island 201,515.80
The Engineer's estimate for the work was
$156,636.80. Both bidders were pre-qualified under the rigorous standards of
the State Department of Public Works.
The East Service Road, which this bridge will span,
consists of two strips of 22' concrete pavement and lies directly East of
Grand Central parkway Extension. It will become the major access to the Fair
site from the Flushing Bay Boat Basin and the municipally operated parking
space which will accomodate 11,500 vehicles.
This bridge is scheduled to be completed by May 1, 1937,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 September 6, 1936
The Park Department announces a series of Community Singing
Programs to be given every Sunday afternoon at 3:50 P.M. on the Mall in
Central Park. Harry Barnhart, well-known director of Community Singing
Groups will conduct this feature.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 September 4, 1936
The municipal swimming and diving championships will be held
at Astoria Pool, 19th Street and 23rd Drive, Astoria, Queens on Sunday,
September 13th at 2:00 P.M. The Department of Parks is cooperating with the
Mayor's Committee on athletic activities in the conduct of this aquatic
carnival.
The events on the program are open only to the employees of
the City of New York and its borough and county officers.
Entry blanks have been mailed to heads of all city departments
for distribution to their employees. Additional blanks may be secured at
the Department of Parks' office located at 64th Street and Fifth Avenue in
Central Park, where all entries for the events must be filed not later than
September 9th. No entry fee will be charged in order to enter in the
events.
Gold filled silver and bronze medals will be awarded to
competitors who finish first, second and third in each event and a plaoue
and cup will be presented to the department scoring the greatest number of
points.
The following events are to be conducted:
NOVICE EVENTS OPEN TO ALL CITY, COUNTY ATD BOROUGH OFFICES
50-Meter Free Style; 50-Meter Back Stroke; 50-Meter Breast Stroke;
200-Meter Free Style; Obstacle Race; Diving (10 ft.) Swan Dive-
Back Dive; 1 Optional
EVENTS OPEN TO ALL CITY, COUNTY AND BOROUGH OFFICES
50-Meter Breast Stroke; 50-Meter Back Stroke; 50-Meter Free
Style; 200-Meter Free Style; 10-ft. Diving, Swan Dive, Back
Dive, Running 1% 3 Optionals.
RELAY RACES
200-Meter Free Style - 4 Men Swim 50 Meters each;
200-Meter Free Style Mixed Relay - 2 women, 2 men.
EVENTS OPEN TO MEN AND WOMEN WEIGHING 200 LBS. OR OVER OR
HAVING A WAIST LINE OF AT LEAST 4S INCHES
50-Meter Free Style; 10-Ft. Dive, 3 Optionals.
GIRLS EVENTS
50-Meter Free Style; 50-Meter Breast Stroke; 100-Meter Free
Style; 10-ft. Diving, Swan Dive, Back Dive, 2 Optionals.
OLD TIMERS CHAMPIONSHIP
50-Meters Free Style - for employees who have been in the
City service for at least twenty years.
LIFE GUARD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Events Open to All Pool Operators and Life Guards Only
100-Meters Free Style; 100-Meters Back Stroke; 100-Meters Breast
Stroke; Rescue Rece - 50 Meters.
End
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 September 3, 1936
The finals of the 1936 Championship of the New York City
Golf Courses were held at the Split Rock course in the Bronx, on
Sunday, August 30th.
137 Golfers, including 20 women, qualified for the finals.
They were divided into three classes and handicapped according to
their qualifying rounds.
As soon as the scores began to come in, it was evident that the
course was living up to its reputation. There were many golfers playing who
usually scored in the low seventies, but the woods and closely trapped
greens collected their toll and at the end of the first 18 holes, 80 was the
low score. In the afternoon, Olin Cerroche of Dyker Beach scored a 78 which
turned out to be the low score for the course.
Low Gross was a tie between Olin Cerroche of Dyker Beach and L.
E. Berg of Clearview at 163. This match will be played off at Split Rock on
Sunday, September 6th, at 12 noon. They will play 18 holes medal score. The
rules of the course will be suspended for that day and the public will be
allowed to follow this match without fee. Other results were as follows:
Class A - Low Gross - K. Furnya, Van Cortlandt - 167-139
Runner up - H. Hanley, La Tourette - 172-146
Class B - Low Gross - W. Sherry, Forest Park - 180-140
Runner up - J.Martinson, La Tourette - 177-141
Class C - Low Gross - J . E. Smith, Clearview - 207-143
Runner up - P. Donovan, Van Cortlandt - 199-145
Women - Low Gross - Rosita Wallace,Split Rock - 189
Low Net - Annette Reyl, Clearview - 198-150
Team Prize - Van Cortlandt - 685
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 September 3, 1936
The last concert in the series of four Naumberg Concerts held
yearly on "The Mall", Central Park, will be given on Labor Day, Monday
September 7th at 8:15 P.M.
An exceptionally fine program is planned for this date.
Mr. Rosario Bourdon will act as conductor and Mr. Ivan Ivantozoff will be
the guest soloist for the evening.
Following is the program:
PROGRAM
1. LEONORE OVERTURE NO. III BEETHOVEN
2. THIRD MOVEMENT SYMPHONY NO. VI TSCHAIKOWSKY
3. SIEGMUND'S LOVE SONG from "WALKURE" WAGNER
Ivan Ivantzoff
4e EMPEROR WALTZ STRAUSS
I N T E R M I S S I O N
5. RHAPSODY "ESPANA" CHABRIER
6. a. AIR ON THE G STRING BACH
b. MARCHE FRANCAISE (SUITE ALGERIENNE) SAINT-SAENS
7. TENOR SOLO "FEIDHERR" MOUSSORGSKY
Ivan Ivantzoff
8. MEXICAN FOLK SONGS: "CIELITO LINDO" "LA GOLONDRINA"
ARR. BY ROSARIO BOURDON
9. OVERTURE "SAKUNTALA' GOLDMARK
"AMERICA"
End
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 September 3, 1936
The Department of Parks will hold its first inter-pool svimming and
diving championship at Astoria Pool, 19th Street end 23rd Drive, Astoria,
Queens, on Lebor Day, September 7 et 3:00 P.M.
This event will be the climex of a program that was carried on
throughout the summer season in the swimming pools operated by the Park
Department.
Over 1,650,000 bathers have used these swimming pools so far this
season. Inasmuch as some of the pools were opened rather late in the summer,
this figure should be at least doubled next year.
Free diving and swimming lessons vere given in the pools each morning
by lifeguards employed by the Park Department who were especially trained
for this work.
To stimulate interest in swimming races end diving, events were
arrenged in each pool in which approximately 10,000 competitors
participated. Two hundred and sixty swimmers and divers, the best twenty
boys end girls from each pool have been selected to participate in the
events to be held on Labor Dry at the Astoria Pool, which is 165 feet wide
and 330 feet long, one of the largest manicipal pools in America.
In addition to the swimming and diving events, a number of children of
exceptional ability, averaging five yeers of age, whose skill has been
developed in the new shimming pools, will give exhibitions at this aquatic
carnival.
Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded to those finishing
first, second and third in each event. A mounted silver plaque will be
presented to the pool scoring the largest number of points.
The following events are on the program:
[EXTREMELY GARBLED TABLE OF EVENTS OMITTED]
Boys tnd girls from Colonia1, Hamilton Fish, Highbridge and Thomas
Jefferson Pools in Manhattan; Betsy Head, McCarren, Metropolitrn Avenue,
Sunset end Red Hook in Brooklyn; Crotona in the Bronx; Astoria in Queens;
and Faber and Tompkinsville in Richmond, will participate in the events.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 August 31, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that the finals of the Amateur
Singing Contest, conducted by the Recreation Division, will be held on the
Mall, Central Park, Wednesday evening September 2 at 6:30 P. M.
Throughout the city thousands of children have competed in
elimination contests at their playgrounds. The competitors, ranging from 3
to 16 years of age, were selected in the borough finals. There will be 17
entries in the final contest at which gold and silver medals will be awarded
to the winners.
Randolph Hanson, Director of Junior Glee Club and of the
University Glee Club, Brooklyn, end Supervisor of Music in Central High
School, Brooklyn; Luther Gloss, teacher of Music in N. Y. C. High School and
Director of Manhattan Junior Glee Club, and Mrs. A. L. Wolbarst, Chairman of
Auditions of City Music League, have been invited to act as judges.
Following is a list of singers who will compete in finals:
QUEENS
Peter O'Keefe John Andrews Playground
Ernest Presto Jsckson Heights Plfyground
Annette Ardizzone Jackson Heights Playground
BROOKLYN
Georgia Sonnenberg Kelly Playground
Leatrice Rosonth&l New Lots Playground
Salv&torc Compitello Tompkins Playground
Vito Mosco Taeffe Place Plfyground
BRONX
Eva Samberg Crotont East Playground
Joseph Carroll St. Jfines Playground
Rosario Scerfeo Teasdale Playground
MANHATTAN
John Hewitt Coloniel Park Playground
Miches1 Gillan DeWitt Playground
Ariette Pfeiffer John Jay Playground
Sylvia Lorand McCrty Playground
RICHMOND
Anita Simpson, George Kelly, Martin Rubin
- End -
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 August 18, 1936
The Park Department announces that a gala water
pageant, the first of its kind to be held on the lower east side, will be
presented to the patrons of the Hamilton Fish Swimming Pool, Pitt and East
Houston Streets, Manhattan, Sunday, August 30th. Many of the neighborhood
residents will participate.
The program, consisting of a pageant and aquatic
sports, will be reviewed by Father Neptune and his court. Besides a special
musical program the exercises will include formation and exhibition
swimming, diving, novelty races, comedy acts and water polo.
Two performances will be given, one at 2:00 P. H. and
the other at 8:00 P. M.
Admission will be as usual: 10 cents for children
under fourteen years of age and 20 cents for adults.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 August 18, 1936
The playground in Rosebank, located on Virginia Avenue, west
of Bay Street, which was completed and opened on March 28, 1936, will
be dedicated on Sunday, August 30 at 3:00 P.$., when a plaque will be
unveiled in memory of the late Reinhard E. Saltenmeier, former sheriff
of Richmond County.
Borough President Joseph A. Palma, Magistrate Henry 18. Bridges
and Judge Frederick L. Hackenburg will speak. Park Director James J.
Mallen, in charge of the borough office of the Department of Parks, will
act as chairman. The Park Department color guard will raise the flag
to full mast and immediately lower it to half mast while buglers blow
taps in honor of the late sheriff.
-end-
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DEDICATION OF REINHARD E. KALTENMEIER PLAYGROUND
VIRGINIA AVENUE, WEST OF BAY STREET, ROSEBANK
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 1936, at 3:00 P.M.
3:00 P.M. James J. Mallen, Park Director,
Borough of Richmond, Chairman
3:05 P.M. Honorable Henry W. Bridges,
City Magistrate
3:07 P.M. Honorable Frederick L. Hackenburg
Justice of the Court of Special Sessions
3:12 P.M. Honorable Joseph A. Palma, President
Borough of Richmond
3:18 P.M. Unveiling of Plaque
Raising of colors by Park Department Color Guard
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 August 27, 1936
Department of Parks, City of New York, Amateur Golf Championship
Finals, 36 holes medal play, will be held at the Split Rock Golf Course in
the Bronx, Sunday, August 30th.
Qualifying rounds were played on all of the ten courses during the
period of August 15th to 23rd. 137 players have qualified for the finals.
The entire tournament will be conducted under the direction of the
Department of Parks assisted by a committee of golfers chosen from the ranks
of the Public Links players.
The entry fee was one dollar ($1.00) and all of this money will be
used to purchase fifteen prizes of this tournment and also six prizes for
the caddy tournament, to be hold at the LaTourette Course in Richmond,
Monday, August 31st. One hundred caddies have qualified for this
tournament.
The cards of the golfers who qualified plus the existing club
handicap lists were the basis for the handicaps assigned by the Handicap
Committee.
All of the qualifiers were divided into three classes and prizes
will be awarded for low net and runner up in each class. There will be a
low gross prize and the winner will be awarded the City Championship for
1936. Also a runner up prize on the gross score and a team prize for the
four low gross scores from any one course. This team prize will be a
permanent trophy and must be won three times for permanent possession.
The following is the list of qualifiers with their handicaps and
starting time. One hour will be allowed for lunch before the start of the
final 18 holes.
End
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
CITY OF NEW YORK
Amateur Golf Championship
Starting times and handicap list for qualifiers for 36 hole
finals to be heia at Split Rock Golf Course, August 30, 1936.
[THREE-PAGE LIST OMITTED - SEE PDF]
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 August 25, 1936
The Park Department, after a careful analysis of the
requirements for police protection, finds that a minimum of 500 additional
over the present park quota of 552 men are required to protect park and
parkway areas and to enforce park ordinances.
Since January 1, 1934, 173 new playgrounds hare, been added to
the recreational system, all of which require additional vigilance from the
patrolmen in whose territory they lie, and, in cases of playgrounds such as
Roosevelt in Manhattan, Highland in Queens, Leiv Eiriksson and James
S. Byrne in Brooklyn and Macomb's Dam in The Bronx, definite and constant
assignments of police within the areas are necessary. In addition,
Randall's Island with its stadium and 194 acres surrounding it, eleven new
swimming pools and the complete reconstruction beach developments at Jacob
Riis Park in Queens and Orchard Beach in Pelham Bay Park, The Bronx have
been opened to the public. All of these revenue producing facilities attract
large crowds of people and need constant assignments of sufficient police to
keep order and prevent vandalism.
Besides the playgrounds, swimming pools, beaches and Randall's
Island, several large park areas such as the 58 acre. Fort Tryon Park in
Manhattan, Alley Pond, Brookville and Cunningham Parks in Queens and Fort
Schuyler in The Bronx have been added to the park system, practically every
park area has been rehabilitated and provided with additional facilities,
with such developments as the Prospect and Central Park zoos completely
redesigned and reconstructed and many miles of parkways have been or are
about to be completed and opened to traffic. Those parks are extensively
used by the public and require additional police protection.
Last year, after an unsuccessful attempt to have 300 additional
police assigned to work directly under the Park Commissioner to make up for
the shortage of regular city police, 200 Park Department Civil Service
employees were deputized as special officers. However, these 200 men, whose
police authority was simply added to their already burdensome supervisory
duties, could not prodvicc the same results as 200 regular police
officers. The needs of last year have increased materially, and in order to
help the Police Department obtain sufficient men to give adequate coverage
to city parks, Park Department officials, representatives of the Park
Association of the City of New York and other agencies familiar with the
present unsatisfactory conditions will appear at a budget hearing on
Wednesday, August 26th, to aid Police Commissioner Lewis J. Valentine in
obtaining his authorized quota of 1932 which, if granted, would permit the
appointment of some 1200 new patrolmen during 1937, plus all replacements
for vacancies caused by death, retirement, dismissal, etc.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 August 20, 1936
My attention has been called by the press generally to a
malicious and irresponsible article in the New York Sun of today on the
subject of the construction of the Randalls Island Stadium.
The article in question, which parallels other similar
articles in the Sun, all of them aiming to discredit the National and City
Administrations, makes a number of statements regarding the Randalls Island
Stadium which are unqualifiedly false. The obvious bias of the Sun article
is fully disclosed in its opening sentence. This sentence reads as follows:
"Rushed to completion as one of the properties in the
political drama staged on July 11 when President Roosevelt
opened the Triborough Bridge, Randalls Island Stadium,
which already has cost the taxpayers more than $4,000,000,
is such a poor piece of construction work that 'if it had
been done under contract, it certainly would not have been
accepted by the city,'"
An analysis of this sentence discloses the following batting
average of the Sun:
1. The Randalls Island Stadium was not "one of the properties in any
political drama staged for the opening of the Triborough Bridge by President
Roosevelt." There was no planned political drama. The date for the completion
of the bridge was determined long before the Randalls Island Stadium was
thought of, and was not changed since the reorganization of the Triborough
under my direction in February, 1954. The entire construction schedule was
geared toward opening the bridge immediately after the first week in
July. This is a matter of record which cannot be disputed. The precise date
of opening, that is July 11th, was determined in order to meet the schedule
of the Olympic Trials to be held in the Stadium. It was not even known that
the President would attend the ceremonies at the time these dates were fixed,
and as a matter of fact, he did not attend the ceremonies at the Stadium, but
only those at the bridge.
2. The Stadium did not cost $4,000,000. It has cost to date less than
one third of this sum, including $250,000 for material and equipment
contributed by the city, and no responsible person could have given any such
figures to the Sun. I therefore assume that the bright reporter took the
figures off the back of a passing automobile.
3. The statement that it was a poor piece of construction work is
also false, as is the statement that it would not have been accepted by the
city if it had been done by contract. As a matter of fact, exactly the same
standards are applied to acceptance of WPA work as for acceptance of any
other work for which I am responsible.
As a further example of the character of the Sun article, I call
the attention of other newspapers and the public to the following quotation:
"The faults are chiefly in the underpinning of the center section above
which the President stood at the bridge dedication, and pointed to the
gigantic structures around him as justification for the skyrocketing
costs of government."
The President did not stand on any part of the Stadium. He was
nowhere near the Stadium at the dedication. The place where he stood is at
the junction of the Triborough Bridge. This structure was built by a
well-known firm of contractors and the work was supervised by the Triborough
Bridge Authority and by federal engineers. There is nothing defective about
it. Some of the concrete work is a little rough. It is a grotesque and
malicious lie on the part of the Sun to indicate that this structure has
anything to do with the Stadium, which is a quarter of a mile away, or to
indicate that the work on it was done by relief forces, when it was done by
contract, or to indicate that the President stood on the Stadium at the
bridge dedication.
It is abundantly clear that any newspaper which prints a statement
of this kind as a fact, has no right to expect any confidence on the part of
the public in other statements in the same article.
In point of fact, the other statements are just as false. The
Stadium is an absolutely safe structure. The section referred to by the Sun
as being particularly defoctive was subjected to a load test double that of
the design strength and four times that of the heaviest usage to which it
could be subjected. It is not true that the Stadium will have to be rebuilt
or substantially repaired next spring. It is, of course, absolutely false
that this structure was thrown together for the occasion without regard for
expense and quality of work. It is true that there are minor defects and
instances of rough work in connection with the Stadium, but none of this
construction is vital or important, or substantially different from what
occurs on every major construction job whether done by contract or force
account. My experience is pretty extensive in this field and probably as
great as that of any layman in the country.
It is always easy for snoopers and second-story men to find roving
inspectors for the WPA who are ready to furnish highly critical memoranda
reflecting on the work of the Park Department. It is an unfortunate factor
in relief work that there are inspectors who have no real responsibility for
construction schedules or work and who seek to ingratiate themselves with
their bosses by making extravagant reports. It is also easy on any
construction job, especially on a job where there are workmen who feel that
they are put upon be cause they have been driven to exceptional exertions, to
find a minority who will toll snoopers that the work is defective and that
the structure will collapse shortly. I have had charge of a great deal of
public construction work for many years, and I have not known a job yet whore
there were not some disgruntled workmen or "smart alecs" who were ready to
make criticisms and gloomy prophecies. Obviously this is particularly true
of the park organizations under my supervision, both city and state, which
have demanded an exceptionally high standard of performance and speed on
relief work, bearing in mind, as I have often stated, that among relief
workers the standard of performance is not normally high, that there are a
good many loafers, some incompetents, some who cannot render full service,
and others who are discouraged or hostile. Along with my chief assistants, I
become accustomed long ago to be called a slave driver on relief work, but I
was under the impression that the Sun was one of the papers that was anxious
to do away with loafing and to get actual results from relief work. They
can't have it both ways.
I happen personally to be a Republican, but I am quite sure that
those opposed to the present National Administration will serve neither their
own nor any public ends by malicious and unfounded criticisms which in the
end simply prove to be boomerangs.
The Randalls Island Stadium is one of the worthwhile products of
the depression. No one connected with it need apologize for it, and I
personally do not propose that anyone in Washington or New York shall be made
the target of vicious and unjustified abuse, just because this happens to be
the eve of a national election.
END
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 August 20, 1936
The Department of Parks announces the successful culmination of
the first "Learn to Swim Campaign" conducted in the new municipal pool Thomas
Jefferson from August 10th to August 21st.
575 children have taken part in the two weeks drive to teach as
many youngsters as possible the rudiments of swimming. 323 have learned to
coordinate leg and arm movement sufficiently to propel themselves 25 feet and
return. These children will be awarded "Beginners Buttons" for their ability
to swim this distance.
164 ambitious youngsters will take the swimmers test on August 20th
and 21st. This consists of the following re- quirements:
1 Tread water 30 seconds
2 Float motionless
3 Dive plain, front or racing start
4 100 yard swim, using side and one other standard stroke
5 Witness demonstration of artificial demonstration
6 Swim 50 feet on back using legs only
7 Surface dive in six to eight feet of water and
recovery of object.
Successful candidates will receive their awards on "Graduation Day"
August 21st at 12 noon.
Buttons donated by the American led Cross will be given to
"Beginners" and "Swimmers".
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 August 19, 1936
The Henry Hudson Parkway Authority announced today that the
closing steel on the deck span of the Henry Hudson Bridge across the Harlem
River had been put in place by the American Bridge Company, its contractor.
On July 8th the 800 ft. arch spanning the Harlem River was closed. Since that
date the erection of steel has progressed so rapidly that today all the
columns and beams supporting and composing the deck of the bridge have been
placed. The paving of the roadway across the bridge will now start and be
progressed rapidly until completed.
The Henry Hudson Bridge is being constructed by the Henry
Hudson Parkway Authority which is headed by Commissioner Robert Koses.
Besides the main bridge spanning the Harlem River, construction of the Henry
Hudson Parkway is being rapidly progressed from the end of Riverside Drive in
Manhattan through Inwood Hill Park over the Henry Hudson Bridge, through the
Spuyten Duyvil and Riverdale sections of the Bronx into and through Van
Cortlandt Park to connect with the Westchester County parkway system by means
of the Saw Mill River Parkway at the City Line. This parkway is being
constructed by the Henry Hudson Parkway Authority, the Department of Parks of
the City of New York and the State Department of Public Works working in
coordination. When completed it will provide a beautiful parkway and one of
the most needed express traffic arteries, as it will connect with the West
Side Improvement in Manhattan and upon completion of this Improvement will
provide a through route from the Westchester County-New York City Line to
Canal Street, Manhattan intercepting the George Washington Bridge, the
Midtown Tunnel and the Holland Tunnel to New Jersey.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 August 15, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that a golf tournament open
to men and women who play on the municipal courses will be hold between
August 15th and August 30th. A committee has been formed from the ranks of
the public links players, and it is composed of one player from boroughs of
Brooklyn, Bronx and Richmond. This committee will purchase and distribute
prizes for the winners in the tournament and to defray the cost of those
prizes an entry fee of $1.00 will be charged to all entrants. Entry blanks
for the tournament can be secured at any of the ten Park Department golf
courses. It is necessary for entrants to have either a season permit or pay
the regular golf fee of 75¢ for week days or $1.00 for Sundays for each
day that they conpete in the tournament.
To qualify for the 36-hole final, a player must play two
qualifying rounds of 18 holes each on any of the courses. These rounds must
be played between August 15th end 23rd, Based on the qualifying scores, each
player will receive a handicap and the entire entry list will be divided into
three classes. A, B and C.
The final 36-hole match medal play will be held at the Split
Rock Golf Course on August 30, 1936.
Prizes will be given for the low gross and runner-up and also
the low net and runner-up i n each class. There will be a team prize for
season permit players only, the four low scores from any one eourse will
constitute the team.
Tournament committees have been set up at each of the courses,
who will supervise the qualifying rounds and the finals at Split Rock.
The Department of parks will hold a caddy tournament, open to
all caddies of the ten municipal courses.
All entries must play two qualifying rounds of eighteen holes
each, to be played on August 17th and 24th. The ten low scores on each
course will qualify for the final 36-hole match to be held at the LaTourette
Golf Course on Monday, August 31st.
Prizes will be given for low gross and runner-up end also a
team prize. The team prize will be a permanent trophy and will be deposited
in the club of the winning team. Separate prizes will be awarded to the four
members of the low scoring team.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 August 15, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that the borough finals of a
city-wide junior amateur singing contest, conducted as part of the recreation
program, will take place Tuesday, August 18th at 2:30 P.M. at the following
places:
Roosevelt Playground - Manhattan
Mullaly Playground - Bronx
Prospect Park; Bandstand - Brooklyn
Austin J. McDonald Playground - Richmond
Forest Park; Bandstand - Queens
Elimination contests are now taking place in the various
playgrounds of the several boroughs. The winners will participate in the
borough finals Tuesday afternoon.
Four winners fiom Manhattan and Brooklyn and three from Queens
} Bronx and Richmond will compete in the city-wide finals, which will be held
on The Mall September 2nd a t 8:30 P. M.
The contest is limited to children under 16 years of age who
are not professional singers. No fee is required and entries maybe filed at
each playground,, Each contestant is allotted five minutes and is permitted
to sing not more than two songs.
Suitable awards will be given to the winners of the borough
contests and also to the winners of the finals on The Mall.
The judges at the finals on The Mall will be -
Mr. Luther Gloss,
Supervisor of Music in New York Public Schools, and
who also conducts the Manhattan Junior Glee Club;
Professor Randolph Hanson,
Supervisor of Music at Central High School, Brooklyn,
and Conductor of the Brooklyn Junior Glee Club;
Mrs. A. L. Wolbarst,
Chairman of Auditions of the City Music League; and
Mr. David Guion,
Composer of "Home on the Range"
End
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 August 14, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that a golf tournament open to
men and women who play on the municipal courses will be held between August
15th and August 50th. A committee has been formed from the ranks of the
public links players, composed of one playger from boroughs of Brooklyn,
Bronx and Richmond. This committee will purchase and distribute prizes for
the winners in the tournament and to defray the cost of these prizes an entry
fee of $1.00 will be charged to all entrants. Entry blanks for the tournament
can be secured at any of the ten Park Department golf courses. It is
necessary for entrants to have either a season permit or pay the regular golf
fee of 75/ for weekdays or $1.00 for Sundays for each day that they compete
in the tournament.
To qualify for the 56-hole final, a player must play two
qualifying rounds of 18 holes each on any of the courses. These rounds uiust
be played between August 15th and 25rd. Based on the qualifying scores, each
player will receive a handicap and the entire entry list will be divided into
three classes, A, B and C.
The final 56-hole match medal play will be held at the Split Rock
Golf Course on August 50, 1936.
Prizes will be given for the low gross and runner-up and also the
low net and runner-up in each class. These will be a team prize for season
permit players only, the four low scores from any one coarse will constitute
the team.
Tournament committees have been set up at each of the courses,
who will supervise the qualifying rounds and the finals at Split rock.
The Department of Parks will hold a caddy tournament, open to all
caddies of the ten municipal courses.
All entries must play two qualifying rounds of eighteen holes
each, to be played on August 17th and 24th. The ten low scores on each course
will qualify for the final 36-hole match to be held at the LaTourette Uolf
course on Monday, August 3lst.
Prizes will be given for low gross and runner-up and also a team
prize. The team prize will be a peraanent trophy and will be deposited in the
club of the winning team. Separate prizes will be awarded to the four
members of the low scoring team.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 August 13, 1936
JAPANESE BEETLE
Property owners in the Boroughs of Brooklyn and Richmond, as
well as in some parts of Queens and The Bronx, became aware during the early
part of July, of damage caused in their gardens and shade trees by the
Japanese beetle, an insect nearly one-half inch in length, with a shiny
bronze green head and wings of tan or brown edged with green.
This insect, as its name implies, had its origin in Japan,
and in this country was first noticed in New Jersey. From there, it has
succeeded in spreading over a large area. As an omnivorous feeder, it has a
ravenous appetite. Although it prefers certain kinds of trees and plants,
when pressed for food supply it will attach almost any vegetation, including
the foilage of vegetable and flower gardens, various weeds, fruit trees or
shade trees.
The life cycle of this pest is a as follows: As a grub it
winters in the soil of gardens, lawns or orchards, or almost any waste ground
from six inches to one foot beneath the surface during the months of March
and April. After the cold weather has passed, it comes closer to the
surface, eating the roots of grass and other plants, enters into the pupa
stage, emerging in the latter part of June or July to feed upon its favorite
foliage or fruit. About one month later the winged female beetle deposits
eggs in the ground, a few inches below the surface. The young grubs hatch and
feed on decaying vegetable matter or live roots and as colder weather
approaches, bury deeper into the soil.
The control of the Japanese beetle has been a problem of the
Park Department for the past few years. All of the Department's heavy duty
spray trucks, using arsenical sprays, have been working in double shifts and
have kept thie pest under control and prevented the destruction of foliage on
park trees and shrubs. However, this does not aid the home-owner or his
flowers. The Park Department recoamnds that any one whose gardens or trees
are affected with this beetle purchase coated lead arsenate at any seed store
and follow the directions printed on the package. In using arsenical sprays
as a means of control, the application must be thoroughly made on the flowers
or foliage on which the beetles are feeding.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas Jefferson Pool
The Department of Parks announces that it will inaugurate a "Learn to
Swim Campaign" in the newly constructed Thomas Jefferson Swimming Pool 114th
St. and 1st Avenue.
This is the first of a series of instruction periods to be conducted in
the chain of municipal pools recently opened in greater New York.
Lessons will be given to children under 14 years of age, Aug. 11 to
19th daily from 10:50 to 12:15 P.M. Admission free on week days to children
under 14 years.
The objectives of this campaign are to teach as many non- swimmers as
possible the fundamentals of swimming and elementary diving and thus through
personal achievement to inculcate a natural desire to partake in this
healthful activity.
Graduation Day for youngsters who have learned to swim will be held on
Friday Aug. 21 from 10:50 to 12:15 P.M. Final tests will be given and awards
presented to successful candidates.
Supervisor.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 August 10, 1936
The Department of Parks announces the opening of one reconstructed
playground and one reconstructed park area on Monday, August 10th.
Prior to January, 1934, there were 108 playgroundr in the park
system, 23 of which have been completely reconstructed and modernised, vith
26 more to be rebuilt before the end of the year. Since the beginning of the
present administration, 172 new playgrounds have been added to the Park
Department recreational system and 30 more new recreation areas will be
opened to the public before January 1st, 1937. The purchase of sites for 25
of these was recently approved by the Mayor 8nd the Board of Estimate. When
the present program is completed, there will be a total of 349 playground
areas under the jurisdiction of the Department of Parks.
At St. Gabriel's Park located at 35th Street, 56th Street, First
and Second Avenues, Manhattan, the westerly half of the reconstructed area
will open. Hand ball, shuffle boord, horseshoe and basket ball courts,
parallel and horizontal bars, u roller skating track r.nd,a soft ball
ddarconc are included in the facilities for older children. When the entire
park in finished late this Summer, there will be a completely couipped
playground with wading pool and wide tree-shaded promenades paralleling 35th
und 36th Streets
At Stuyvesant Square, which is bisected by Second Avenue the south
half of the east rectangular section, bounded by Second Avenue, East 15th
Street, Livingston Place and East 17th Street has been redesigncd and
reconstructed, with the exception of the central portion on which development
has not progressed since June 22nd, when Suprume Court Justice William
T. Collins handed down a decision restraining the Park Department from
completing it as a play area after 65% of the development had been completed.
This incomplete area comprising 8% of the east half of the Park, was to have
been devoted to the play of neighborhood children and has been enclosed with
a board fence, pending an appeal to higher Courts. The completed portion has
wide, semicircular walks with continuous rows of benches flower beds
containing 2800 petunias and 1500 zinnias.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 August 7, 1936
The new Colonial Swimming pool, the tenth of eleven
swimming pools constructed by the Park Department with W.P.A. funds to be
opened this summer, will be formally dedicated and opened to the public
Saturday, August 8 that 8:30 P.M. It is located in Colonial Park at 146th
Street and Bradhurst Avenue, in the Harlem section of Manhattan.
Mayor LaGuardia, Park Commissioner Robert Moses
and William (Bill) Robinson, stage and screen favorite, will speak and by
special invitation Roland Hayes, the distinguished tenor will sing various
selections, including the "Battle Hymn of the Republic."
The program also will include swimming and diving
exhibitions by local. Harlem stars who are being coached by the Park
Department's aquatic experts.
The swimming pool is 82 feet x 235 feet and the
diving pool is 65 feet x 82 feet. The location of the pool and bathhouse was
formerly the bed of a stream emptying into the Harlem River and considerable
construction difficulty was experienced with quicksand and mud.
While only the south half of the two story brick
bathhouse building, of medieval architecture with Roman arched windows,
buttresses and towers, accommodating 1800 persons, will be ready for the
opening, there will be accommodations for 4100 when the entire building is
completed.
When the redesign of the Park is completed, there
will be, north of the bathhouse, not only a completely equipped children's
playground but also a large area for adult recreation, including a new
granolithic outdoor dance floor to which will be transferred the popular
street dances now being, conducted on Tuesday, and Thursday evenings, by the
Park Department. The addition of these activities for adults within the
heart of the colored section of Manhattan is in keeping with the Park
Department's policy to increase adult recreation facilities wherever
possible.
The pool will be opened from 10:00 A.M. to 10:30
P.M. The bathhouse will open at 9:30 A.M. to children under 14 years of age,
who will be admitted to the pool free until 12:30 P.M., except Saturdays,
Sundays and Holidays. During the free period, group swimming and diving
classes will be held each day at 10:00 A.M. After 1:00 P.M. children under
14 years of age will be charged 10 cents and all others 20 cents. The wading
pool opened earlier this year, like the wading pools in all new playgrounds,
will be free at all times, and winter use of the pool and bathhouse areas
which are designed for other sports before and after the swimming season,
will also be free.
The facilities will be operated by uniform Civil
Service Park Department employees. Instead of the customary lockers and
dressing room arrangements, a basket system of checking clothes will be
used,permitting a greater use of dressing room facilities.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 August 5, 1936
The Park Department announces that the new swimming pool located in
the Betsy Head Memorial Playground on Hopkinson and Dumont Avenues, in the
Brownsville section, Brooklyn, will be formally dedicated to the public
Thursday, August 6th at 10 A.M.
Park Commissioner Robert Moses and Philip Hewansky, president of the
Pitkin Arenue Merchants' Association will speak.
Following the speeches there will be a flag-raising ceremony and
attrac tive exhibitions by the Park Department aquatic experts.
The opening of this pool makes a total of nine of the eleven new
swimming pools constructed by the Park Department with W.P.A. funds which
will be opened during this summer.
The Betsy Head Pool, formerly 60 feet x 150 feet, without filters,
chemical and recirculatory systems, has been entirely reconstructed and is
now 185 feet x 330 feet, with a broad, concrete beach on each side and ends -
almost three times as wide as the old pool, and will have the most modern
type of recirculatory system for the purification of water. The interior of
the old locker and shower building, which formerly contained 400 lockers, has
been entirely renovated and enlarged to provide dressing and checking
facilities for 4800 persons. Instead of the customary lockers and dressing
room arrangements, a basket system cf checking clothes will be used,
permitting a greater use of dressing room facilities.
The pool will be open from 10:00 A.M. to 10:30 P.M, The bath house
facilities will open at 9:30 A.M. to children under 14 years of age, who will
be admitted to the pool free until l:30 P.M. except Saturdays, Sundays and
holidays. During the free period, group swimming and diving classes will be
held each day at 10:00 A.M. After 1:00 P.M., children under 14 ye«rs of
age will be charged 10 cents and all others 20 cents.
Aquatic exhibitions will be offered periodically at the pools.
When completed, later in the year, the Betsy Head Memorial
Playground will have not only the new swimming pool, but also diving and
wading pools 50 feet x 100 feet, a new, completely equipped playground for
children, a new five-laps to the mile cinder running track and a new soccer
field, all fitted into a general landscape scheme.
The wading pool when completed will, like the wading pools in all
playgrounds, be free at all times.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 July 30, 1936
The Park Department announces-the opening of another asset in
community health in the form of a new swimming pool in the Borough of
Brooklyn. The new McCarren Park Swimming Pool located on Lorimer Street
between Driggs Avenue and Bayard Street in the Greenpoint section will be
formally dedicated to the public Friday, July 31st at 8:30 P.M.
The pool is equipped with special underwater flood lights, which
make it more pleasant and safer for night use.
Mayor LaGuardia, Park Commissioner Robert Moses, Hon. Frank
J. Taylor, Comptroller of the City of New York, Eon. Victor Ridder, Works
Progress Administrator of New York City, Hon. peter J. McGuinness, Sheriff of
Kings County, and Dr. Ignatius P. A. Byrne, President of the Greenpoint
Chamber of Commerce, will speak.
Following the speeches there will be a flag raising ceremony and
elaborate and attractive exhibitions by the Park Department aquatic exports.
The opening of this pool makes a total of eight of the eleven
new swimming pools constructed by the Park Department with W.P.A. funds which
will be opened during this summer.
The McCarrcn Pool is 165 foot x 330 foot with semi-circular
diving and wading pools at either end. The bathhouse, with dressing
facilities for 6800 persons, is the largest of the eleven pool buildings,
and, because of the high ceiling and clear span, will, during seasons when
the pool is not in operation, be converted into a spacious, free gymnasium.
The pool will be open from 10:00 A.M. to 10:30 P.M. The
bathhouse will open at 9:30 A.M. to children under 14 years of age, who will
be admitted to the pools free until 12:30 P.M., except Saturdays, Sundays and
holidays. During the free period group swimming and diving classes will be
held oach day a t 10:00 A.M. After 1:00 P.M. children undor 14 years of ago
will be charged 10 cents and all others 20 cents.
The facilities will be operated by uniform Civil Service Park
Department employees. Instead of the customary lookers and dressing room
arrangements, a basket system of checking clothes will be used, permitting a
greater use of dressing room facilities.
Aquatic exhibitions will be offorod periodically at the pool and
the wading pool opened last fall will, like the wading pools in new
playgrounds, be free at all times.
The Greenpoint Chamber of Commerce have arranged for a parade of
all neighborhood organizations along Manhattan Avenue to the pool. After the
pool opening the parade committee, of which Dr. Ignatius P.A. Byrne is
general chairmen, will hold a reception and dinner at the Lexington
Auditorium, Messrole Avenue and Lorimer Street, Brooklyn.
End
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 July 30, 1936
The Department of Parks will open three more playgrounds in
Brooklyn on Friday, July 31st, making a total of 172 playgrounds added to
the Park Department recreational system since the beginning of the present
administration.
Prior to January, 1934, there were 108 playgrounds in the
park system, 28 of which have been completely reconstructed and modernized
with 27 more to he rebuilt before the end of the year.
In addition to these rehabilitated areas, there will be 90
more entirely new recreation areas which will be opened to the public before
January 1, 1937, The purchase of sites for 24 of these was recently approved
by the Mayor and the Board of Estimate. When the present programs is
completed, there will be a total of 349 playground areas under the
jurisdiction of the Department of Parks.
The new facilities to open at Marine Park are located in the
southerly half of the area north of Avenue U between Stuart and East 32nd
Streets, and include three baseball diamonds, two football and soccer fields
and one-half of the oval-shaped bicycle and roller skating track. When the
entire area is completed besides the 7/8ths of a mile track, there will be
ten baseball diamonds, four football and soccer fields, tennis courts,
separate completely equipped boys' and girls' playgrounds and a large parking
area all fitted into a general landscape scheme.
The reconstructed area at McKibben playground, White Street
between McKibben and Siegel Streets, consists of a large game area, a wading
pool and complete apparatus for children. Benches are placed around the
edges of the playground under shade trees for the use of mothers and nurses.
At Carroll Park, Smith, President, Carroll and Court
Streets, the entire area is being redesigned and the facilities in the east
half which have been completed include a wading pool, which will be used as a
basketball court in the spring and fall and play apparatus for girls and
small boys. Around the granite monument, dedicated to the memory of the
Eighth Assembly District boys who died in the World War, and which has bean
relocated, is a large circular plaza with benches and shade trees for passive
recreation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 July 29, 1936
Bids were opened in Albany this afternoon for the construction
of the service road along the west side of Flushing Meadow park from Union
Turnpike to Northern Boulevard. This is the first of ten contracts for the
construction by the state Department of Public Vforks of highways through
and in the vicinity of Flushing Meadow Park, in preparation for the handling
of the enormous traffic expected during the period of the World's Fair in
1939.
The designs and plans were prepared jointly by the City Park
Department} the Queens Highway Department, and the State Department, and tha
State Department of Public Works. The roadway will be built with state funds
appropriated under Chapter #465 of the Laws of 1936, under the supervision of
the Division of Highways of the State Department of Public Works.
The low bid was made by Johnson, Drake & Piper Company of
Freeport, Long Island, $199.853. Two other bids were received, Tully &
Di Napoli for $201,981; and J. P., Burns for $203,739. The engineers' estimate
was $203,071,25.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 July 27, 1936
As a sequel to the Park Department's Travelling Farm Yard, which
toured the park playgrounds this spring, a 6-ton trellised-covered Trailer,
17 ft. long and 7 ft. wide, has been arranged by the Park Department, with
tiers of flowers, interesting plants, garden implements - their proper names
and uses, and other reminders of life in the country.
This "Bit of Country" on wheels will start its tour of city
playgrounds on July 27th at 9 A.M. Its first stop will be at Roosevelt
Playground, on the lower east side. It will stay at each playground from one
to two days, and then move on to the other playgrounds.
This novel display might attract but a passing glance from a
suburban or country youngster, but to children whose start in life is a world
of brick and stone, with burning pavements instead of shady lanes, it will
prove as inspiring and thrilling as the cow and chickens of the travelling
Farm Yard.
The Trailer has a platfonn and steps on each side, from which the
exhibit of over 100 different plants may be seen:
Marigolds, Black Eyed Susans, Cockscombs, Fuchsias,
Forget-Me-Nots, Petunias, Snowballs, Roses, give color to the more sombre
plants of Mint, Thyme, Sage, Sweet Potato, Cotton, Peanut and Tobacco.
Plants of beans and sweet corn, in different stages of growth, are also
included in this entertaining playground exhibit.
A plant of Poison-Ivy in a special glass enclosure will be shown,
with the potent sign - "Know it when you see it - notice the three leaves."
The versatile attendant will tell about the old country adage, which ran in
regard to Poison-Ivy - "Fingers Three Turn and Flee."
The rear end of the Trailer will have a model window-box and a
display of garden tools with their proper names and uses. The front end of
the Trailer will have a folding table resting on and enclosing the coupling
bar of the Trailer. On this table will be shown Frogs, Toads, Turtles,
harmless Garter Snakes and other insects; friends and enemies of the
countryside, properly named. Many city youngsters still call the rake, "a
scraper", the hoe, "a chopper", the spade "a shovel" and the trowel "a big
spoon." Likewise, when it comes to the insects, they call the dragon-fly, "a
darning needle", the earthworm, "a snake" and in many instances the friendly
ladybug suffers an odious comparison.
The Trailer is so constructed that the side platforms and guard
rails fold up, enclosing the sides of the exhibit when not in use.
The folding-table is fastened to the front when the Trailer is
moved, and the spaces underneath the tiers of plants are used to house part
of the exhibit at night.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 July 23, 1936
Bids were taken today by the State Department of Public Works
in Albany for the paving of the Henry Hudson Parkway from the City Line to
Riverdale Avenue, a length of one and a half miles. The low bidder was The
Immick Company (Inc.), Meriden, Connecticut with a bid of $329,535.50.
The Henry Hudson Parkway is being constructed through the
cooperation of the State Department of Public Works, the Henry Hudson Parkway
Authority and the New York City Department of Parks. It will run from the
end of Riverside Drive at Dyckman Street through Inwood Hill Park, across the
Harlem River on the Henry Hudson Bridge, through Spuyten Duyvil and Riverdale
sections of the Bronx into and through Van Cortlandt Park to connect with the
Westchester parkway system by way of the Saw Mill River Parkway at the City
Line.
The contract calls for two 3-lane concrete roadways separated
by a planting area which span all cross roads and the railroad by the
use of bridges built under previous contracts and has access roadways
leading to all important cross arteries.
-END-
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[THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WAS FOUND MISFILED IN THE 1937 PRESS RELEASE ARCHIVE]
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
July 23, 1936
The Park Department announces that Mayor LaGuardia, Park Commissioner
Robert Moses, Hon. James J. Lyons, President of the Borough of the Bronx,
Hon. James A. Deering, Alderman of the 27th District, Victor
Ridder, Works Progress Administrator and Roderick Stephens, President
of the Bronx Board of Trade will speak at the dedication exercises
coincident with the opening of the new bathing beach and bath house
facilities at Orchard Beach, Pelham Bay Park on Saturday, July 25th
at 1:00 P.M.
Although the entire development, a WPA project, has not been completed,
the facilities to be opened include a crescent-shaped white
sand beach approximately 200 feet wide at high tide, and 2500 feet
long facing the Sound; a beach walk and concrete seawall, which forms
the backbone of the beach; two temporary parking fields that will
accommodate 3500 cars and a section of the two-story bath house having 1568
lockers for men and 540 lockers and 192 dressing rooms for women.
A new four-lane traffic road approximately two miles long, running from
Eastern Boulevard to the bath house, eliminates the former narrow circuitous
route from Eastern Boulevard to City Island. Bus and taxi service will be
in operation from the bath house to the Pelham Bay station of the Lexington
Avenue line of the Interborough Rapid Transit.
When completed, Orchard Beach will compare favorably with Jones Beach.
Over 115 acres of land will have been added to Pelham Bay Park by the
addition of between 3,500,000 to 4,000,000 cubic yards of fill and the new
beach, approximately one mile long, will not occupy any land that was
formerly part of the park.
There will be a brick pavillion with limestone trim and colonnades of
simplified Greek architecture, with lockers and dressing room facilities for
over 5400 persons, a cafeteria, rest rooms and a [doggie?] terrace on the
second floor facing the Sound; a Mall 250 feet wide and 1400 feet long, with
benches and trees along the edges, connecting the bath house with a large
lagoon for small boating. This lake will be provided with a tidal dam to
keep the water a permanent level.
In the Rodman Neck section there will be a parking space for 7000 cars;
athletic fields with nine baseball diamonds, seven football fields,
thirty-two tennis courts, a completely equipped children's play area and a
field house with dressing room, lockers, toilet and shower facilities. A
small boat harbor will be provided. The Split Rock and Pelham Bay golf
Courses and Golf House, about one mile distant from the beach, were opened
this spring.
The entire development is fitted into a landscape scheme taking full
advantage of the natural rocky hillside and weeded areas.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 July 23, 1936
The new Crotona Swimming pool, located at 173rd Street and
Fulton Avenue, Crotona Park, The Bronx, will be formally dedicated and opened
to the public Friday, July 24th, at 8:30 P.M.
Mayor LaGuardia, Park Commissioner Robert Moses, Hon. James
J. Lyons, President of the Borough of The Bronx, Alderman Peter Donovan, and
John W. O'Brien, Chairman of The Bronx Committee of the Park Association of
New York City, will speak.
The program also will include swimming and diving exhibitions
by former swimming and diving champions now employed by the Park Department.
The Crotona Pool is the seventh of eleven swimming pools
constructed by the Park Department with W.P.A. funds which will be opened
during the summer and will accommodate 4265 persons a t a time. The area
includes a swimming pool 120 feet x 339 feet with a semi-circular diving pool
120 feet wide. There is also a wading pool 110 feet x 110 feet, which was
opened to the children in 1935.
The bath house is a two-story white brick limestone trimmed
building with a large, brick arched entrance. Along one side of the swimming
pool and encircling the diving pool are concrete bleachers where bathers may
rest and sun themselves and where spectators may watch pool shows and meets.
The pool will be open from 10:00 A.M. t o 10:30 P.M. The
bath house will open a t 9:30 A.M. to children under 14 years of age, who
will be admitted to the pool free until 12:30 P.M., except Saturdays, Sundays
and holidays. During the free period, group swimming end diving classes will
be held esch day a t 10:00 A.M. After 1:00 P.M. children under 14 years of
age will be charged ten cents and all others twenty cents.
The facilities will be opereted by uniformed Civil Service
Park Department employees. Instead of the customary lockers and dressing
room arrangements, a basket system of checking clothes will be used,
permitting a greater use of dressing room facilities.
Swimming and diving exhibitions will be offered periodically
at the pool. The wading pool built in connection with this project, like the
weding pools in new playgrounds, will be free at all times, end winter use of
the pools and brth house plan, which are designed for other sports outside of
the summer season, will also be free.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 July 19, 1936
The new Sunset Swimming Pool, located at 44th Street and 7th
Avenue, Sunset Park, Brooklyn, will be formally dedicated and opened to the
public Monday, July 20th at 3:30 P. M.
Mayor LaGuardia, Frank J. Taylor, Comptroller of the City,
Park Commissioner Robert Moses, Police Commissioner Lewis J. Valentine,
Alderman James J. Molen and Cary D. Waters, president of the Brooklyn Chamber
of Commerce, will speak.
The program also will include swimming and diving exhibitions
by former swimming and diving champions now employed by the Park Department.
The Sunset Pool is the sixth of eleven swimming pools
constructed by the Park Department with W.P.A. funds which will be opened
during the summer and will accomodate 4850 persons at a time. The area
includes a swimming pool 165 feet x 256 feet with semi-circular diving and
wading pools 165' wide at either end.
The pool will be open from 10:00 A. M. to 10:30 P. M.
Children under fourteen years of age will be admitted free from 10:00
A. M. to 1:00 P. M. daily, except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, with free
group swimming and diving classes held each day at 10:00 A. M. After 1:00
P. M. children under fourteen years of age will be charged ten cents and all
others twenty cents.
The facilities will be operated by uniformed Civil service
park Department employees. Instead of the customary lockers and dressing room
arrangements a basket system of checking clothes will be used, permitting a
greater use of dressing room facilities.
Swimming and diving exhibitions will be offered periodically
at the pool. The wading pool built in connection with this project, like the
wading pools in new playgrounds, will be free at all times and winter use of
the pools and bathhouse plan which are designed for other sports outside of
the summer season, will also be free.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 July 17, 1936
The Department of Parks announces a varied sports program over
the week-end at the new Municipal Randall's Island Stadium. A playground
track and field meet, an exhibition of folk dancing, a Gaelic hurling game
and a championship baseball game will be offered at the Island Sports Center.
The track meet and folk dancing is scheduled for tommorrow
afternoon, Saturday, July 18th, a t 2:00 o'clock. More than 1,400 assorted
junior entrants will compete in this junior Olympic Carnival. Among the
events scheduled are dashes from 40 yards to 100 yards; relays; obstacle
races; shot put; high jump and running broad jump competitions and a baseball
throw for distance. The entrants will come from the Park Department
Playgrounds throughout the five boroughs. Three special events will be open
to members of the Police Athletic League. More than 250 children will
participate in the exhibition of folk dancing on the grass infield of the
stadium.
Public admission to this event will be 10 cents for children and
20 cents for adults.
On Sunday, July 19th, at 2:00 P. M., Cork and Tipperary, two
strong Irish Hurling teams will clash in the feature event of the day.
Following the hurling game, the baseball nines of Saint Augustine end Saint
Margaret Mary, members of the Bronx Holy Name Baseball League, will meet in a
regulation league contest.
In the hurling match, many of the local stars who faced the
Irish champions for international hurling honors will be seen in action. Val
End Jack Medigan, Dick Purcell, Jimmy Smee, Teddy Me Carthy, Ned Browne end
Oris Hayes are among the local stars who will appear in this dashing game of
Gael. The baseball game will feature Bob Kimmer and George Behlmer, young
strikeout artists who will oppose each other on the mound.
Public admission for this Sunday double-barreled feature will
be 10 cents for children and 20 cents for adults. Parking for cars on the
Island is free. The Triborough Bridge toll is 25 cents for automobiles while
pedestrians may cross [WORD MISSING].
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 July 15, 1936
The Department of Parks announces the following bookings
scheduled for the new municipal Randall's Island Stadium which was formally
introduced to New York's sports public with the Final American Olympic track
and field try outs last Saturday and Sunday.
Wednesday, July 15th, a -- Baseball Double - header, Edison
Hotel vs: Roosevelt Hotel and Saks and Company vs: Franklin Simon Company,
was held.
Saturday, July 18th, 2 : 00 P.M. -- Monster five-borough
playground athletic meet with demonstration of folk dancing by playground
children.
Sunday, July 19th, 2:30 P.M. -- Hurling Match, County Cook vs:
County Tipperary of Gaelic League.
4:00 P.M. -- Baseball Game,
St. Augustine vs: St. Margaret Mary, Catholic League champions of the
Western and Eastern Division of the borough of The Bronx.
Sunday, July 26th, 1:00 P.M. -- Municipal Athletic League track
and field meet.
Saturday, August 15th, 2:00 P.M. -- Opening day of World Labor
Athletic Carnival.
Sunday, August 16th, 2:00 P.M. - - Final day of World Labor
Athletic Carnival and Soccer game.
Competent observers at the recent tryouts are of the opinion
that the Randall's Island Stadium is ideally suited for all types of sports
competitions. Admission to the above events will be 10 and 20 cents with the
exceptions of the Municipal Athletic League meet and the World Labor
Carnival. Tickets for the Municipal meet will be distributed free of charge
to the various City departments. Tickets for the World Labor Carnival are
priced from 25 cents to $2.00.
End
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 July 13, 1936
The new Highbridge Swimming Pool, located at 175th
Street and Amsterdam Avenue in Highbridge Park, Manhattan, will be formally
dedicated and opened to the public on Tuesday, July 14 that 8:30 P.M.
Mayor LaGuardia, Park Commissioner Robert Moses,
James E. Finegan, President of the Municipal Civil Service Commission,
Aldermanic President Timothy J. Sullivan, Alderman Alexander Falk and Samuel
R. Rosenberg of the Washington Heights Chamber of Commerce will speak.
The program also will include swimming and diving
exhibitions by former swimming and diving champions now employed by the Park
Department.
The Highbridge Pool is the fifth of eleven swimming
pools constructed by the Park Department with W.P.A. funds which will be
opened during the summer and will accommodate 4880 persons at a time. The
area includes a swimming pool 166 feet x 228 feet with a wading pool 97 feet
x 228 feet.
The pool will be open from 10:00 A. M. to 10:30 P. M.
Children under fourteen years of age will be admitted free from 10:00 A. M.
to 1:00 P. M. daily, except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, with free group
swimming and diving classes held each day at 10:00 A. M. After 1:00
P.M. children under fourteen years of age will be charged ten cents and all
others twenty cents.
The facilities will be operated by uniformed Civil
Service Park Department employes. Instead of the customary lockers and
dressing room arrangements, a basket system of checking clothes will be used,
permitting a greater use of dressing room facilities.
Swimming and diving exhibitions will be offered
periodically at the pool. The wading pool built in connection with this
project, like the wading pools in new playgrounds, will be free at all times
and winter use of the pools and bathhouse plan which are designed for other
sports outside of the summer season, will also be free.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 July 8, 1936
The Department of Parks will open three new playgrounds Friday,
July 10th, making a total of 171 playgrounds added to the recreational system
of the Park Department since January 1934.
Prior to that date there were 108 playgrounds in the park system,
20 of which have been completely reconstructed and modernized and 29 more
will be rebuilt before the end of the year.
In addition to these rehabilitated areas there will be 67 more
entirely new recreation areas which will be opened to the public before
January 1, 1937. When the present program is completed there will be a total
of 325 playground areas under the jurisdiction of the Department of Parks.
Of the three new playgrounds, one will be in the Bronx and
two in Queens.
The new playground in the Bronx, located at Bryant Avenue and
176th Street, is completely equipped with play apparatus for small children,
has a portable shower for summer use and also a large game area.
In Queens, the portion of Martin's Field Playground, located
at 46th Avenue and 164th Street to be opened, contains a wading pool,
playhouses, sand tables and play apparatus for small children. Benches
are set around the edges of the playground for the use of mothers and
nurses.
At the Juniper Valley Playground, located on Dry Harbor Road from
62nd to 63rd Avenues, the play area to be opened contains play equipment,
basket and volley ball courts and benches under shade trees for those with
small children.
This playground is situated in a fifty acre tract formerly part of
the estate of the late Arnold Rothstein, which was taken over by the City for
back taxes. Over 100,000 cubic yards of valuable peat, which covered a major
portion of the property, have already been salvaged from the site and used
throughout the park system.
When completely developed the park will contain, besides the
playground, a wading pool, a large athletic field with football, soccer
and baseball fields, a large lake, sixteen tennis courts and two parking
areas, all fitted into a general landscaping plan.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 July 5, 1936
The new Tompkinsville Swimming Pool located at Arrietta Street and
Pier 6, Borough of Richmond will be formally dedicated and opened to the
public on Tuesday, July 7 at 8:30 P. M. by the Park Department.
Mayor LaGuardia, Park Commissioner Robert Moses, Borough President
Joseph A. Palma, Alderman Harry Robillard and Louis Kaufman, President of the
Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, will speak.
The program also will include swimming and diving exhibitions by
former swimming and diving champions now employed by the Park Department.
The Tompkinsville Pool is the fourth of ten swimming pools
constructed by the Park Department with W.P.A. funds which will be opened
during the summer and will accommodate 2800 persons at a time. The 3.17 acre
area includes a swimming pool 100 feet x 165 feet and diving and wading pools
68 feet x 100 feet.
The pool will be open from 10:00 A. M. to 10:30 P. M. Children under
fourteen years of age will be admitted free from 10:00 A. M. to 1:00
P. M. daily, except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, with free group swimming
and diving classes held each day at 10:00 A. M. After 1:00 P. M. children
under fourteen years of age will be charged ten cents and all others twenty
cents.
The facilities will be operated by uniformed civil service Park
Department employees. Instead of the customary lockers and dressing room
arrangements a basket system of checking clothes will be used, permitting
a greater use of dressing room facilities.
Swimming and diving exhibitions will be offered periodically at the
pool. The wading pool built in connection with this project, like the wading
pools in new playgrounds, will be free at all times and winter use of the
pools and bathhouse plan which are designed for other sports outside of the
summer season, will also be free.
On the roof of the bathhouse is a wide promenade sun deck, which will
be open to the public for the dedication ceremonies.
end
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 July 1, 1936
Mayor LaGuardia, Park Commissioner Robert Moses, Works
Progress Administrator Victor Ridder, Borough President of Queens George
U. Harvey and Alderman Joseph J. Paretti will participate on Thursday, July
2nd at 8:30 P.M. in ceremonies in connection with the official dedication of
the Astoria Swimming Pool at Hoyt and Ditmars Avenue, Queens.
In addition to the speakers, the progress will include
swimming and diving exhibitions participated in by Park Department and Jones
Beach personnel. Julia Peters, Soprano of the Metropolitan Opera Company,
will sing the Star Spangled Banner, accompanied by the sixteen-piece
Wt. Catherine's Band. As an added attraction the champion Sunset Park
ten-piece harmonica band, recruited from park playgrounds and which won the
annual city-wide championship contest on the Mall in Central Park, will play
during the pool show.
The pools are equipped with underwater flood lights and the
skyscrapers of New York City across the river sparkling with lights in the
fading twighlight will offer a fitting setting for this modern, noteworthy
project. This is the third of ten new swimming pools being constructed by
the Park Department with W.P.A. funds to be opened for use this summer. The
area includes a swimming pool 165 feet x 330 feet with semi-cicular diving
and wading pools 165 feet wide on either and. The pools are equipped to
handle 6670 persons at one time.
Unusual design and construction features have been
incorporated into this project, which stands upon the site of a former earth
bottomed wading pool. In the building: housing the toilets, showers and
dressing room facilities large wall areas have been constructed of glass
brick permitting a maximum diffusion of light into the interior of the
building without sacrificing wall space for windows.
The high diving tower, a very graceful, concrete shaft
cantilevered to suspend out over the water, with platforms at the five, eight
and ten meter elevations, represents new construction ideas.
The pool will be opened from 10:00 A.M. to 10:30 P.M.
Children under fourteen years of age age admitted free from 10:00 A.M. to
1:00 P.M. daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, with free group
swimming end diving classes held each day at 10:00 A.M. After 1:00
P.M. children under fourteen years of age are admitted for ten cents and all
others for twenty cents.
The facilities will be operated entirely by uniformed civil
service Park Department employees. As at the Hamilton fish and Thomas
Jefferson Swimming Pools, instead of the customary lockers and dressing room
arrangements a basket system of checking clothes will be used permitting a
preater use of dressing room facilities. The swimming and diving pools will
hold 2,400,000 gallons of water, which will be filtered, treated with
chemicals, heated to the proper temperature and completely recirculated by
the most modern machinery every eight hours.
Attractive pool shows consisting of swimming and diving
exhibitions, similar to those given at the Hamilton Fish and Thomas Jefferson
swimming pools opening exercises, will be offered periodically to patrons of
the pool. In the free area are two completely equipped playgrounds, one for
girls and small boys and the other for larger boys. Both have open play
areas for games.
During the spring, fall and winter when the pool is not in
operation the bathhouse will be converted into a gymnasium and the outdoor
areas will be used for basketball, volley ball, shuffleboard, handball and
other active outdoor games. During freezing weather provision will be made
for ice skating. The use of the wading pool, playground areas and winter use
of the pool and bathhouse plant will be free to the public.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 July 1, 1936
The Department of Parks announces that appropriate
Independence Day Celebrations will be conducted in all playgrounds within the
five boroughs, Saturday, July 4th.
For many years it has been the policy of the Department of Parks
to conduct programs in keeping with a safe and sane celebration. Activities
will consist of athletic events, dance festivals, historical playlets,
musical revues, water carnivals and baby parades. The most outstanding of
these events will be conducted at the following play areas:
Borough of Bronx
Mullaly Playground 165th Street & Jerome Avenue
11;30 A.M. DeVoe 188th St. & Fordham Road -
Sedgwick Avenue
2:00 P.M. Macombs South Playground
2:00 P.M. Fort Independence 238th St. & Sedgwick Avenue
Borough of Richmond
10:00 A.M. Clove Lakes Park Victory Blvd. & Clove Road
12:00 Noon Faber Park Richmond Terrace & Faber St.
3:00 P.M. Model Playground Jewett & Castleton Avenues
2:00 P.M. Richmond Playground Park Ave. t o Vreeland St.
2:30 'P.M. Stapleton Playground Hygeia Place & Grove St.
Borough of Queens
2:00 P.M. Flushing Playground
11:00 A.M. Rainy Park 33rd Road-Vernon Ave.East River
2:00 P.M. 0'Connell Playground 113 Ave. 196th St. - St. Albans
2:00 P.M. Jackson Heights 30th Ave. - 85th St.
2:00 P.M. Anawanda Playground Grandview Ave. & Stanhope St.
Borough of Manhattan
11:00 A.M. J . Hood Wright 178th St. & Ft.Washington Ave.
2:00 P.M. Riverside & 96th Street
2:00 P.M. Gulick Sheriff, Broome & Delancey St
2:00 P.M. St. Catherine's 67th St. & 10th Avenue
2:00 P.M. Hudson & Essex
3:00 P.M. Hudson Leroy & Hudson Street s
Borough of Brooklyn
2:30 P.M. James J. Byrne Fourth Ave. & Third Street
2:30 P.M. Lincoln Terrace Rockaway Ave. & Eastern Parkway
2:30 P.M. Leiv Eiriksson 65th St. & Fifth Avenue
2:30 P.M. New Utrecht Ave. & 70th Street
Provisions are being made to accommodate large crowds of
spectators at the Canoe Regatta on 72nd Street Lake and at the official
opening of the Lawn Bowling Green in Central Park. These events will be
conducted at 10:00 A. M.
END
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK For Release Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 July 1, 1936
PROGRAM
OPENING OF THE NEW MUNICIPAL STADIUM
RANDALLS ISLAND
NEW YORK CITY
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 1936
at 2:00 P.M.
2:00 P.M. Introductory Remarks by Gustavus T. Kirby, Esq.,
President, Public School Athletic League
2:03 P.M. Commissioner Robert Moses, Presiding
2:06 P.M. Honorable Victor Ridder
2:09 P.M. Honorable Harry Hopkins
2:12 P.M. Dr. John J. Finley
2:15 P.M. Mayor F. H. La Guardia
2:18 P.M. The Star Spangled Banner
Flag Raising
Athletic Games Begin
The ceremonies and games will be broadcast over stations WJZ, WEAF, WOR,
WABC and WNYC.
END
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