NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF PARKS PRESS RELEASES, OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1940
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Search Terms relevant to New Deal [occurrences]:
Work Projects [10]
Works Projects [3]
Works Progress [0]
WPA [1]
W.P.A. [0]
W. P. A. [3]
New Deal projects in this archive:
2 Oct 1940: Manhattan New playground at 120th Street and East River.
2 Nov 1940: Queens Construction of Maurice (Urban Water Supply) Park.
11 Nov 1940: Queens Reconstruction of Juniper Valley Park.
13 Nov 1940: Bronx Picnic areas at Hunters Island and Twin Island.
19 Nov 1940: Manhattan Restoration of Herald Square.
26 Nov 1940: Manhattan Reconstruction of Seward Park.
7 Dec 1940: Bronx Reconstruction of Claremont Park.
18 Dec 1940: Manhattan Repaving of Central Park West Drive 86-110 Street.
(begin archive)
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Index January - June
1940
10/2/40 167 New playground at East 120th St., opened.
10/2/40 168 Bids opened for grading east of Sehmul Park, Richmond
10/5/40 169 Children of 18 playgrounds celebrate openings.
10/5/40 170 Demonstratio of magie to be in Central Park on Oct. 6.
10/9/40 171 Opening of new Boys Club of Harlem announced.
l0/ll/40-172 Bids opened for repaving section of Grand Central
Parkway extension.
10/11/40-173 Harvesting of crops in Children's Gardens announced.
10/15/40-174 Exhibition of handcraft begins Oct. 15.
10/23/40-175 Program of activities announced for fall and winter.
10/23/40-176 New members to be enrolled in playground children's
bands and orchestras.
10/24/40-177 City-wide finals of roller skating contest announced.
1O/27/40-178 2,289 trees planted during the spring season.
10/28/40-179 Bids received for construction of new roller and ice
skating facilities in New York City Building.
10/29/40-180 Pedestrian overpass at West l48th Street and
Riverside Drive 26% completed.
10/30/40-181 Northerly part of Baisley Pond Park completed; to be reopened.
10/31/40-182 Birthday parties for children in 14 playgrounds arranged.
NOVEMBER
#183: Nov 1, 1940-Bids on contract for transplanting trees on a construction
site;
#184: Nov 2, l940-Dedication of Maurice Park on Nov 3 at 3PM
#185: Nov 2, 1940-Annual fall chrysanthemum show in Prospect Park
Brooklyn greenhouse, Nov 3;
#186: Nov 2, 1940-Finals of volley ball tournament for girls Nov 2
at Heckscher playground;
#187: Nov 7, 1940-Landfill operations on Nov 6 in development of Schmul Park;
#188: Nov 8, 1940-Completion of "Animal Naming Contest" for new
arrivals at zoos;
#189: Nov 11, 1940-Completion of four baseball diamonds in Juniper Valley
Park, Queens;
#190: Nov 13, 1940-Completion of additional picnic facilities at Hunters
Island & Twin Island in Pelham Eay Park;
#191: Nov 16, 1940-IC4A cross country run to finish in Van Courtland Park
Stadium, Nov 18;
#192: Nov 19, 1940-Ceremonies for unveiling of Minerva & Bell Ringers in
Herald Square, Nov 19, at 5:45;
#193: Nov 20, 1940-Minutes of meeting of City Planning Commission,
Nov 205
#194: Nov 26, 1940-Ceremonies for reopening of reconstructed Seward Park
in Manhattan, Nov 26th;
#195: Nov 26, 1940-Announcement of plans for a marker t© be erected on
site of Cock's Hill Fort at southern tip of Manhattan;
#196: Nov 27, 19400Memorial to be erected in Battery Park to Senators
Marconi, inventor of radio communication;
#197: Nov 29, 1940-Bids on contract for repairing rest of West Drive in
Central Park;
#198: Nov 30, 1940-Closing of ten municipal golf courses at dend of
play, Dec. 1st.
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DECEMBER, 1940
#199: Dec 3, 1940-Anniversary of official opening of 10 Parks Dept
playgrounds with schedule of celebrations;
#200: Dec 3, 1940-New Jersey State World's Fair Building at Flushing
Meadow to be police precinct for Flushing Meadow Park;
#201: Dec 4, 1940-Former World's Fair Bld to be health museum for NYC;
#202: Dec 5, 1940-New police station completed which will be hdqs
patrolmen serving Marine Park, Shore Parkway, and other
adjacent Brooklyn areas;
#203: Dec 7, 1940-Claremont Park, The Bronx--reconstruction completed;
#204: Dec 10, 1940-Opening of Carl Schurz Park, Manhattan
#205: Dec 10, 1940-Bids opened for bridge over Gowanus Canal, Brooklyn;
#206: Dec 10, 1940-Winter sports program of Dept of Parks announced;
#207: Dec 11, 1940-Robt Moses letter to City planning Commission concerning
recent City Planning Dept suggestions for Master Plans of
land-use, schools, highways, and parks;
#208: Dec 14, 1940-Announcement of Christmas puppet show "Jack and the
Beanstalk";
#209: Dec 17, 1940-Completion and opening of repaved West Drive in Central
Park from 72nd St. to 110th St.;
#210: Dec 18, 1940-Special Christmas programs of recreational activities
from Dec 19 through Dec 31;
#211: Dec 18, 1940-Work completed on two triangles: one at Avenue V and
East 2nd Street, Brooklyn, and other at New Utrecht Avenue
and 45th Street, Brooklyn;
#212: Dec 19, 1940-Light of Christmas trees in five boroughs;
#213: Dec 20, 1940-Annual Christmas Exhibit of seasonal flowers in
Prospect Park, Brooklyn;
#214: Dec 20, 1940-Badminton tournament, Dec 21 at Mullaly Park Recreation
Bldg, The Bronx;
#214-B Dec 20, 1940-Bids on lighting system for Park Drive W.72-El68 Streets.
#215: Dec 21, 1940-Further scheduling of puppet show "Jack and the Beanstalk"
#216: Dec 21, 1940-Bids for sign work on Grand Central and Interboro Pkways
in Brooklyn & Queens;
#217: Dec 27, 1940-Bids received for Flushing Meadow Park development;
#218: Dec 30, 1940-Bids received for improvement of Coney Island boardwalk and
beachfront;
#219: Dec 30, 1940-Bids received for improvement of City Hall Park, Manhattan;
#220: Dec 31, 1940-Bids received for lighting last section of Belt
Pkway between Brighton Fourth Street & Plumb Third
Street, known as Emmons Ave connection.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Saturday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 December 21, 1940
The Department of Parks announces that since Monday, December 16,
the recently formed troupe of Park Department puppeteers had given 10 of a
series of 27 performances of the puppet and marionette show, "Jack and the
Beanstalk".
These 10 shows were presented to the playground children at
designated locations in the Boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn as part of
the Christmas program of recreational activities.
Each of the productions, which consists of 3 acts and lasts
approximately 50 minutes, is produced and staged with the precision and skill
of professionals. Every performance is so well attended and enthusiastically
received that the children have requested a second showing. Even the parents
are captivated by this dramatic adventure into fairyland since many of them
have added their supplications to those of the children for another
appearance.
The remaining 17 shows will be given in the Boroughs of Brooklyn,
Queens, Bronx and Richmond, according to the following schedule:
PROGRAM
MARIONETTES - "Jack and the Beanstalk" - Characters: Cow, Jack, Mother, Giant,
Giant
SCHEDULE
Brooklyn
Saturday Dec. 21 - 11:00 A.M. - Stillwell Ave. & Avenue U Playground
3:30 P.M. - 43 Street and 7 Avenue Playground
Queens
Sunday Dec, 22 - 2:30 P.M. - Von Dohlen Playground, 138 St. & Archer Ave.
Monday Dec. 23 - 11:00 A.M. - Flushing Memorial Plgd, Bayside Ave. & 149 S
3:30 P.M. - Dry Harbor Plgd, 80 St. and Myrtle Ave.
Tuesday Dec. 24 - 11:00 A.M. - i&iney Park Plgd, Vernon Blvd., 33 Road
3:30 P.M. - Jackson Heights Plgd, 25 Ave. & 84 Street
Bronx
Thursday Dec. 26 - 11:00 A.M. - Mullaly Plgd, Jerome Ave. & 165 Street
3:30 P.M. - St. James Plgd, Jerome Ave. & 191 Street
Friday Dec. 27 - 11:00 A.M. - St.Mary's West Plgd, E.146 St. & St.Ann's Ave
3:30 P.M. - 141 Street & Brook Avenue
Saturday Dec. 28 - 11:00 A.M. - Mosholu Plgd, Mosholu Pkwy. & Jerome Ave.
3:30 P.M. - Williamsbridge Plgd E.208 St. & Bainbridge Ave
Richmond
Monday Dec. 30 - 11:00 A.M. - McDonald Plgd, Forest Ave., Broadway,West
3:30 P.M. - McDonald Plgd Brighton
Tuesday Dec. 31 - 11:00 A.M. - Levy Plgd, Jewett & Castleton Ave.
3:30 P.M. - DiMatti Plgd, Tompkins Ave., Rosebank
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TRIBOROUGH BRIDGE AUTHORITY FOR RELEASE Saturday,
RANDALL'S ISLAND December 21, 1940
Bids were received today by the Triborough Bridge Authority at
Randall's Island on a contract for sign work on the Grand Central and
Interboro Parkways in the Boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens.
The work comprises the renewing of existing signs, painting new
texts, construction of new wood signs and frames and new enameled signs. When
completed the new and improved signs will provide additional directional
facilities made necessary by opening of the Belt Parkway, the Mid-Town Tunnel
and other major traffic arteries.
The lowest bidders for the work weret
Item I
1. Bryant Sign Shop $1,187.35
134 East 60 Street
New York, N. Y.
2. M. Barash 1,944.70
2132 Ocean Avenue
Brooklyn, N. Y.
3. Charles Stumpf 2,884.70
355 Pine Street
Freeport, L. I.
Item II
1 Allen Morrison Sign Company $ 788,65
512 Fifth Avenue
New York, N. Y.
2. M. Barash 1,617.00
2132 Ocean Avenue
Brooklyn, N. Y.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 December 27, 1940
Bids were received today by the Department of Parks at the Arsenal
Building on four contracts for development of the first section of Flushing
Meadow Park, These are the first contracts to be let in the construction of
Flushing Meadow Park. The work will be paid for from Capital Budget funds in
the budget just approved by the City Council. The work will be carried on at
Grand Central Parkway Extension and Willow Lake, adjacent to the Kew Gardens
section of the borough of Queens, near the Independent Subway Yard.
The work under these contracts consists of regulating, grading,
construction of pedestrian walks and curb, erection of new chain link fence,
construction of a children's play area including the supply and erection of
equipment. Also the construction of a comfort station including all
electrical, plumbing and heating facilities; fabrication and erection of a
timber bridge ovet the creek at the southerly end of Willow Lake to provide a
continuous walk to the proposed play area; erection of a flagpole, fifty feet
in height. Also the construction of a pedestrian bridge across Grand Central
Parkway Extension near 72nd Road, and topsoiling, seeding, planting new trees
and transplanting existing trees throughout the construction area.
The three lowest bidders on each of the four contracts were:
GENERAL PARK DEVELOPMENT:
1. Melwood Construction Corp. $27,479.50
507 Fifth Avenue, New York City
2. Frank Mascali & Sons, Inc. 28,229.14
4634 Third Avenue, New York City
3. Slattery Contracting Company 30,261.50
72-02 51st Ave., Winfield, L.I., N.Y.
COMFORT STATION:
1. W. E. Anderson & Sons, Inc. $20,110.00
1015 East 35 Street, Brooklyn, N. Y.
2. Melwood Construction Corp. 20,363,00
507 Fifth Avenue, New York City
3. Miller & Rothenberg, Inc. 20,635.00
11 West 42 Street, New York City
TOPSOILING AND PLANTING:
1. Grand View Nurseries $ 6,597.05
6 Grandview Avenue, Mt. Vernon, N. Y.
2. Grant Park Construction Co. 6,628.00
65 Prospect Avenue, Hewlett, N. Y.
3. Syosset Nurseries 7,490.00
Syosset, New York
PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE:
1. Foote Construction Company $23,391.72
100 Fifth Avenue, New York City
2. Melwood Construction Corp. 24,750.00
507 Fifth Avenue, New York City
3. Nolan & McSweeney 25,816.00
155 Avenue D, New York City
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Monday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 December 30, 1940
Bids were received today by the Department of Parks at the
Arsenal Building on two contracts for the further improvement of the Coney
Island Boardwalk and beachfront, Borough of Brooklyn.
The contract for general construction provides for the
fabrication and erection of a new fifty foot wide raised boardwalk from Coney
Island Avenue for a distance of approximately 1400 feet across the former
privately owned Brighton Beach; construction of new jetties, and placing of a
new white sand cover from Brighton First Street to the end of the new beach
area; construction of new boardwalk railing, benches; also the construction of
new jetties, extension of sewers where necessary and a white sand fill from
Stillwell Avenue to Seagate; fabrication and erection of additional drinking
fountains, chain link fence and other incidental work.
Upon completion of this work, all of Coney Island will be
covered with new white sand, to replace the old brown sand which previously
covered the area. 5,37 new acres of additional beach will be made available
by this work.
The other contract provides for the installation of all
necessary lighting facilities for the new section of boardwalk.
The three lowest bidders on each of the contracts were as
follows:
GENERAL CONSTRUCTION:
1. Tully & Di Napoli, Inc. $470,414.90
30-11 12th St., Long Island City
2. A.M. Hazell, Inc. & Fred L. Cranford 479,865.75
117 Liberty St., New York City
3. Melwood Construction Corporation 487,283.50
507 Fifth Avenue, New York City
LIGHTING:
1. Charles Michaels, Inc. $7,942.00
116 Nassau Street , Brooklyn, N. Y.
2. Public Improvements, Inc. 8,843.00
409 East 17 Street , New York City
3. Supreme Electric Equipment Co. 9,200,00
27-35 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Monday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 December 30, 1940
Bids were received today by the Department of Parks at the Arsenal
Building on a contract for the further improvement of City Hall Park, Borough
of Manhattan.
The work under this contract consists of the removal of the statue,
Civic Virtue from its present location in City Hall Park, grading and
restoring the site and erection of Civic Virtue on a site selected at the new
Queens Borough Hall, Kew Gardens, Queens.
The three lowest bidders on the proposed work were:
1. Melwood Construction Corp. $21,720.00
507 Fifth Avenue, N. Y. C.
2. Harry Hershon Co., Inc. 22,745.00
1860 Broadway, N. Y. C.
3. Thomas Rome, Inc. 25,063.00
8860 76th Avenue
Glendale, L. I.
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TRIBOROUGH BRIDGE AUTHORITY FOR RELEASE Tuesday,
RANDALL'S ISLAND, N. Y. December 31, 1940
Bids were opened today by the Triborough Bridge Authority at the
Administration Building, Randall's Island on the contract for lighting the
last section of the Belt Parkway between Brighton Fourth Street and Plumb
Third Street, known as the Emmons Avenue connection.
The work under this contract provides for the construction and
installation of all underground facilities including splicing boxes, conduit
and cable, the erection of standard type parkway cedar light poles complete
with sodium vapor luminaires, fabrication and installation of illuminated
directional signs for motorists and for parkway police telephone signal boxes.
Upon completion of the Bnmons Avenue section, motorists will have
continuous uninterrupted passage on the Belt Parkway from Owl's Head Park to
the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge approach, a distance of approximately 35 miles.
The three lowest bidders for this work were the following:
1. Simpson Electric Corp. $58,278.00
71 East 116 Street
New York City
2. Jandous Electric Equipment Co. 63,640,00
210 East 40 Street
New York City
3 . H. Z. Altberg 64,379.00
1776 Broadway
New York City
***
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 December 20, 1940
Bids were opened today by the Department of Parks at the
Arsenal Building on a contract for reconstructing a portion of the lighting
system in Park Drive, Central Park, Borough of Manhattan, between West 72nd
and East 68 Streets. The work will be done in connection with the repaving of
Park Drive in this area and when completed the new lighting system will extend
from West 110 Street to East 68 Street. The remaining portion of the work will
be done under contract in the near future.
The work under this contract includes the relocation of
existing light posts and addition of new lighting, construction of pull boxes,
new conduit and cable, and relocation of traffic signal lights.
The three low bidders on this contract are:
Elco Electric Company $17,726.00
345 East 23 Street
Jandous Electric Equipment Co. 18,350.00
210 East 40 Street
Hittner Electric Company 18,644.00
415 Lexington Avenue
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 December 20, 1940
The Department of Parks announces that the city-wide finals of
the badminton tournament conducted by the Park Department will take place at
Mullaly Park Recreation Building, Jerome Avenue and 165 Street, The Bronx, on
Saturday, December 21, at 2:00 P. M.
Participants in this tournament have been divided into three
age groups: 14-17, 18-50, over 50. There will be separate singles matches for
the boys and girls, and men and women, within their respective age
classifications. In addition, mixed doubles matches will be played in each
age group.
Eliminations in these various divisions have been held in each
of the boroughs to determine the qualified entrants for the city championship
next Saturday afternoon.
Gold and silver medals will be awarded to the winners and
runners-up respectively in each section of the tournament. The borough
winners will receive bronze medals.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 December 20, 1940
The Department of Parks announces that the Annual Christmas
Exhibit of the seasonal flowers is on exhibition in the Greenhouse in Prospect
Park at Prospect Park West and 9th Street, Brooklyn.
This year's display comprises over 2000 Poinsettia Plants in
three varieties, white, pink and red, and groupings of other attractive
flowering plants, such as the well known Cyclemen and Christmas Cherries.
The exhibit will remain open to the public daily
from 10 A. M. to 4 P. M. until January 2, 1941.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Thursday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 December 19, 1940
The Park Department announces that ceremonies in connection with
twenty~one Christmas trees,, which are being erected and decorated in parks
throughout the five boroughs, will take place on Friday, December 20, at 5:00
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; Queensborough Hall,Kew Gardens, and Borough Hal1,
Richmond.
At City Hall Park, the ceremonies will start at 5:00 p , M. and
will be broadcast over Station WNYC. Mayor La Guardia will threw the switch
that will light the tree at 5:25 P.M., officially starting New York City's
observance of the Christmas season. Borough President Stanley M. Isaacs will
also participate in the exercises. Selections will be played by the
Department of Parks' Band and Christmas Carols will be sung by the Police
Department's Glee Club, the Boys' Choir of the Sacred Heart Church and the
Clearing House Choir. Borough Presidents Cashmore, Harvey, Lyons and Palma
will light the trees in their re- spective 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, Central Park, 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 4:30P.M. to
2:00A.M. until January 2. Christmas trees will be erected at the following
locations!
Manhattan; City Hall Park
Conservatory Garden - 104 to 105 Streets and Fifth Avenue
Thomas Jeffers«n Park - First Avenue and 111 Street
Roosevelt Park - Forsyth and Canal Streets
Fart Tryon Park - Riverside Drive, Broadway and Dyckman Street
Carl Schurz Park - 85 Street and East End Avenue
Mt. Morris Park - Fifth Avenue and 124 Street
Bellevue Hospital - East River Drive and 26 Street
Bronx Joyce Kilmer Park - 161 Street and Grand Concourse
St. Mary's Park - St. Ann's Avenue and East 144 Street
St. James Park - East 191 Street and Jerome Avenue
Brooklyn Borough Hall
Grand Army Plaza - Prospect Park
Leiv Eiriksscn park -67 S$.between 4th and 5th Avenues
McCarren Park - Driggs Avenue and Lorimer Street
Queens Queensborough Hall - Kew Oardens
King Park - Jamaica Avenue and 151 Street
Flushing Park - Northern Boulevard and Main Street
Forest Park - Park Lane South and 108 Street
Highland Park - Jamaica Avenue and Elton 3treet
Richmond Borough Hall, Bay Street and Borough Place
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Wednesday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 December 18, 1940
The Department of Parks announces the completion of work in
connection with two triangles, one at Avenue 7 and East 2nd Street, Brooklyn
and the other at New Utrecht Avenue and 45 Street, Brooklyn.
At Avenue 7 and East 2nd Street the work consisted of removing
existing walks, paving with bituminous materials, replacing street curbs,
installation of benches, landscaping and tree planting.
At New Utrecht Avenue and 45 Street the improvement included
resetting of street curbs, construction of new concrete sidewalks, the placing
of benches and tree planting.
These two small triangles came under the jurisdiction of the Park
Department in 1937 under provisions in the new City Charter. The improvements
were planned by the Park Department and the work performed by the Work
Projects Administration.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Wednesday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 December 18, 1940
The Department of Parks announces that the children of Park
Department playgrounds will participate in specially prepared Christinas
programs of recreational activities, beginning Thursday, December 19, and
running through Tuesday, December 31.
While the spirit of gaiety will predominate all the programs, the
singing of patriotic songs, pledges of allegiance and salute to the Flag will
be included.
The singing of well known Christmas carols, folk dancing, puppet
shows, and dramatic productions portraying themes appropriate to the Yuletide
Season, concerts by children's orchestras and recitations will form part of
the program. Of course, Christmas parties, accompanied by group games,
refreshments, and the exchange of gifts among the playground children will
also be included in the list of events.
Christmas trees have been provided by the Park Department for 50 of
the playgrounds. Many of the Mothers Clubs have made arrangements for trees at
the other recreational areas. All of these trees will be properly decorated
and lighted for the parties.
***
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Tuesday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 December 18, 1940
The Department of Parks announces the completion and opening
to traffic of the streamlined and repaved section of the West Drive in Central
Park from 72nd Street to 110th Street. Work on this 2-1/4 mile stretch of
pavement was divided between two agencies. Construction on the section from
86th Street to 110th Street was done by the Work Projects Administration and
from 72nd Street to 86th Street it was carried out under a general contract
which started in July, 1940.
The pavement is of reenforced concrete, 33' wide providing
three generous southbound lanes between slightly raised white curbs.
Connections to the existing entrances and exits are bituminous top on
reenforced concrete.
The new alignment which in general follows the old drive has
eliminated many dangerous curves although great care was used to save
important landscape features. The former traffic hazard caused by the simple
crowned surface of the old drive has been removed by providing banked curves.
The roadway profile designed to insure rapid drainage necessitated slight cuts
and fills which were blended with the adjacent topography by smoothly graded
and seeded side slopes.
In addition to paving the work also included grading,
drainage, irrigation, walk, construction, lighting and planting. The range of
plant material covered a variety of vines, shrubs and trees with the latter
averaging about 2˝ - to 3 inches in diameter.
Another section of the drive from 59th Street to 72nd Street
and the connecting park drive at 72nd Street will be paved under a contract
which is expected to be completed in the spring of 1941. In the meantime
traffic will be maintained over this portion of the drive.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Saturday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 December 14, 1940
The Department of Parks announces that this year's Christmas
program of playground children's activities will be supplemented by 27 puppet
and marionette shows depicting the famous fairy tale "Jack and the Beanstalk".
With, the exception of Christinas Day, two performances will be
given daily, one at 11:00 A. M., and the other at 3:30 P. M., at centrally
located playgrounds in the five boroughs, beginning Monday, December 16, and
running through Tuesday, December 31. Each show, consisting of 3 acts and
lasting approximately 50 minutes, will be presented according to the attached
schedule.
For the past 6 weeks, the playground directors, assigned to give
these shows, have attended regular rehearsals in order to acquire that
ambidexterity and deftness so necessary to a skilful manipulation of the
marionettes as well as to obtain the proper nuance for each of the various
speaking parts peculiar to the characters that make up the dramatis personnae
such as: Jack, Mother, the Cow, the Giant, and his Wife, the Harp and the
Gypsy.
While the stage and all the physical equipment was constructed in
the Park Department shops, each of the characters, participating in the play,
was made and costumed by the playground directors.
During the intermissions, demonstrations in shadow puppetry and
magic novelties portraying subjects befitting the Yuletide season, will be
given by the recreation personnel in charge of children's magic clubs
conducted by the Park Department.
According to those who saw the recent preview of "Jack and the
Beanstalk", the show is expertly done and the children are really going to
enjoy every one of the 50 minutes adventure through fairyland.
This initial puppet and marionette show is a forerunner to
several other performances scheduled for the outdoors during the spring and
summer season of 1941, when the stage will be set up on a truck and
transported to designated playgrounds in the five boroughs.
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CITY OF NEW YORK
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
SPECIAL HOLIDAY PROGRAM
MARIONETTES - SHADOW PUPPETS - MAGIC NOVELTIES
PROGRAM
MARIONETTES - "Jack and the Beanstalk"
Characters - Cow, Jack, Mother, Giant,
Giant's Wife, Harp, Gypsy
SHADOW PUPPETS - "Peter and the Bird"
Characters - Peter, Bird, Cat, Duck, Wolf
MAGICAL NOVELTIES - "Santa Claus' Offering"
SCHEDULE
Manhattan
Monday Dec. 16 - 11:00 A.M. Mt. Morris East Playground
Madison Ave, & East 120 Street
3:30 P.M. Mt. Morris East Playground
Tuesday Dec. 17 - 11:00 A.M. - Gulick Playground
Delancy , Broome & Sheriff Streets
3:30 P.M. Carmine Street Gymnasium
Clarkson and 7 Avenue
Wednesday Dec. 18 - 11:00 A.M. J. Hood Wright Playground
West 173 Street & Fort Washington Ave.
3:30 P.M. J. Hood Wright Playground
Brooklyn
Thursday Dec. 19 - 11:00 A.M. McLaughlin Playground
Bridge & Tillary Streets
3:30 P.M. McKibben Playground
McKibben and White Streets
Friday Dec, 20 - 11:00 A.M. Betsy Head Play Center
Hopkinson and Dumont Avenues
3:30 P.M. Bill Brown Memorial Playground
Bedford Avenue & Avenue X
Saturday Dec. 21 - 11:00 A.M. Stillwell Avenue & Avenue U Playground
3:30 P.M. 43 Street and 7 Avenue Playground
Queens
Sunday Dec. 22 - 2:30 P.M. Von Dohlen Playground
138 Street and Archer Avenue
Monday Dec. 23 - 11:00 A.M. Flushing Memorial Playground
Bayside Avenue and 149 Street
3:30 P.M. Dry Harbor Playground
80 Street & Myrtle Avenue
Tuesday Dec. 24 - 11:00 A.M. Rainey Park Playground
Vernon Blvd., 33 Road and East River
3:30 P.M. Jackson Heights Playground
25 Avenue and 84 Street
Bronx
Thursday Dec. 26 - 11:00 A.M. Mullaly Playground
Jerome Avenue and 165 Street
3:30 P.M. St. James Playground
Jerome Avenue and 191 Street
Friday Dec. 27 11:00 A.M. St. Mary's West Playground
East 146 Street and St. Ann's Avenue
3:30 P.M. - 141 Street and Brook Avenue Playground
Saturday Dec. 28 11:00 A.M. - Mosholu Playground
Mosholu Parkway and Jerome Avenue
3:30 P.M. - Williamsbridge Playground
East 208 Street and Bainbridge Avenue
Richmond
Monday Dec. 30 - 11:00 A.M. - McDonald Playground
Forest Avenue near Broadway, West Brighton
3:30 P.M. McDonald Playground
Tuesday Dec. 31 - 11:00 A.M. Levy Playground
Jewett and Castleton Avenue, Port Richmond
3:30 P.M. DiMatti Playground
Tompkins Avenue, Rosebank
12/10/40
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31A-1-10M-70840
CITY OF NEW YORK
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS RELEASE: Wednesday
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK P.M.
Dec. 11,
December 10th, 1940
City Planning Commission
Municipal Building
New York City
Gentlemen:
I have reviewed the four Master Plan booklets
issued by the staff of the Department of City Planning and ask
that the full Planning Commission consider the following comments:
I. MASTER PLAN OF LAND USE
This represents the kind of Ivory Tower, Theoretical
planning which dresses up revolutionary ideas in obscure
and newly invented phrases such as "greenbelts" and
"recentralization." It ignores the city's governmental
and financial structure, and contemplates an entirely new
charter along radically different lines.
What else can the following quotation from the report mean?
"This is done without any attempt to distinguish
between public and private ownership and use and
with fill recognition that important changes in
taxation and other public policies may be required."
The word "greenbelt" in particular intrigues us. It is,
of course, a form of park planning.
The property in a "greenbelt" is not going to be worth
much to the present owner if the plan is carried out.
Consider, for example, the following quotation:
"A good deal of the additional land needed (for
'greenbelts') could be secured by utilization
of vacant property which is not favorably
located for residential or business development,
and thus HAS NO APPARENT ECONOMIC FUTURE except
for public or private reservations of the various
types described."
Bear in mind also that the report states clearly
that it is planned to use the zoning ordinance to effectuate
more and more the kaster Plan of Land Use. The following
quotation leaves no doubt about this.
"Zoning maps always refer primarily to
present regulations, and should be
changed progressively as the time
becomes ripe for effectuating more and
more of the Master Plan of Land Use."
According to the figures in the staff report, you propose to
increase the area of the "greenbelts11 by about 48,000 acres. You propose, by
the adoption of this plan, to notify the owners of one third of all the
taxable land in the city shown on the land use map as "greenbelts", that they
are foolish to continue paying their taxes and that it's just like throwing
money in the sewer, since the land has no "economic future" for residence,
business or industry. Just what do you expect this to do to property owners
and to the city's financial structure?
No one in this city has greater enthusiasm for the expansion of
park and recreation areas than I have, and this applies with equal force to
the city and state officials who for years have labored to develop and
coordinate the city, suburban, and state park and arterial program in New
York. This group, as the result of long practical experience has developed a
healthy contempt for the kind of water color planning which consists of
splashing green paint at a map and labeling the resulting blobs as "open
areas", "greenbelts", ""breathing spaces", etc. Actual accomplishments in New
York City since 1934, and in the state and suburbs since 1924, were brought
about by poople who labored day and night for limited objectives in the face
of great difficulties. These accomplishments were not brought about by
itinerant carpet bag experts splashing at a ten league canvas with brushes of
comet's hair.
I recommend that you file the "Master Plan of Land Use" and
forget it. The city won't stand for it when its. implications become
apparent. Everything worthwhile in this direction can be accomplished by the
reasonable use of your zoning powers.
II. hASTER PLAN OF SCHOOLS
I agree that these schools should be made a part of the plan of
the city, and particularly commend the proposal to provide adjacent to schools
play areas of sufficient size to provide for neighborhood recreation.
III. MASTER PLAN OF PARKS
With the amendments already sent you, I endorse this proposal.
IV. EXPRESS HIGHWAYS, PARKWAYS AND MAJOR STREETS
I am opposed to many of the visionary plans proposed in this
report. Fifty years ago, was there anyone who could accurately plan for the
automobiles of today? Who can foretell the future of the automobile and the
airplane half a century hence, and say what transportation problems we shall
be facing then? Here again I believe that we should confine planning to
limited objectives, and map only those projects which can be financed and
built within a reasonable time. Certainly, even the most farsighted among
those familiar with the problem must admit that there is no relation whatever
between the projects here proposed and the ability of the city to finance
land, design, and construction.
In the meantime, these plans put a blight on the property
immediately affected because the owner never knows what is going to happen and
when, if ever, it will happen. In many instances, new routes are proposed
where the city has not even completed projects only recently mapped by your
Commission. Cithers are merely lines drawn on paper by Irresponsible staff
members who have made no study of the details of the problem.
Some of the worst of the proposals are commented on below. Where
"express highway" is used, I believe you mean to remove all crossings at
grade.
MANHATTAN
(a) A new connection to the Triborough Bridge at 110th
Street. This is a preposterous suggestion involving,
among other things, a breach of contract with the
holders of the Triborough bonds, and a sheer waste
of some $18,000,000. of public money to duplicate on
Ward's Island the existing Triborough toll and mixing
plaza at Randall's Island. It would destroy the
plan for Ward's Island as a park, and for the
pedestrian bridge to 103rd Street, Manhattan, and
would involve tremendous property condemnation in
Manhattan. This is a completely irresponsible proposal,
(b) An express highway on Park Avenue from 96th Street
north to the Harlem River Drive, with a new bridge
over the Harlem River. This plan has been urged
by a number of people in the Bronx, It would be
enormously expensive since it would involve also
complete reconstruction of the present railroad
facilities toward which the railroads would certainly
refuse to contribute. Moreover the adverse effects
of making Park Avenue a speedway have not even been
thought of. What sense is there in giving the
impression to property owners and others affected that
a scheme of this kind is actually contemplated by
the city?
BROOKLYN
(a) You ignore the Borough President's plan (part of which
is completed, and another part of which is under
construction) for a widened artery along Tillary Street
and Park Avenue, connecting with the Meeker Avenue
Bridge. In place of it the report seeks to establish
a new and unnecessary highway close to the East River
from Newtown Creek to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel. In
Queens it is proposed to extend this new artery
northerly along the shore line to the Triborough Bridge,
Every study made so far by competent public agencies
indicates that this plan is completely without merit at
the present time, that it should be subordinated to
the Meeker Avenue Extension already under way, and that
if it is ever needed, it will be so far in the future
that no one need worry about it now,
(b) All crossings at grade are proposed to be removed on
Atlantic Avenue from about Platbush Avenue to
Pennsylvania Avenue, I have been familiar with the
Atlantic Avenue Railroad Grade Elimination Program for
many years, prepared the original grade crossing
amendments for the Governor of the State, was Chairman
of the Committee on Highways, Parkways and Grade
Crossings in the Constitutional Convention of 1938, and
have represented the Mayor and Board of Estimate on the
actual elimination program as it is being completed by
the Transit Commission and Long Island Railroad, All
reasonable incidental improvements are included in the
present program financed largely by the state and in
part by the railroad. The additional highway grade
separations proposed by the Planning Commission
excepting those at two or three main intersections, are
unnecessary, inordinately expensive, and cannot
conceivably be reached for many years. What purpose is
served by putting them on an official plan of the city,
and thereby serving notice on innumerable interested
parties that there is some sanction back of the
proposal?
(c) Eastern Parkway is proposed to be extended as an express
highway in a westerly direction to tie in with the
Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, and crossings at grade are
to be removed from Flatbush Avenue to approximately
Nostrand Avenue. No one who has the slightest
knowledge of Brooklyn and a grain of sense would
propose such a plan.
(d) Crossings at grade are to be eliminated on Prospect
Avenue between G-owanus Parkway and Ocean Parkway.
This proposal is unsound, unnecessary, expensive, and
therefore silly.
(e) A new east-west express highway through the center of
Brooklyn from 65th Street near Owl's Head Park is pro-
posed, following the Bay Ridge Division of the Railroad
to Linden Boulevard, east of Rockaway Parkway, then
following Linden Boulevard to the Southern Parkway.
It would be entertaining to know the estimated cost of
this fantastic scheme which is quite impractical, and
which could not possibly receive serious consideration
by any Mayor or any Board of Estimate likely to hold
office in New York in the twentieth century.
(f) An express highway is proposed along Fort Hamilton
Parkway from the east-west route mentioned above to the
proposed Staten Island tunnel. Same comment.
BRONX
(a) All crossings at grade are eliminated on the Grand
Concourse. The cost of this proposal would be so
prodigious and there are so many other needed improvements
ahead of it, that it might better be removed from
the plan.
(b) A new express highway is planned along the east shore of
the Harlem River from the westerly approach to the
Triborough Bridge to the southerly end of Van Cortlandt
Park, This proposal is not inherently unsound, but here
again, the possibilities of its construction are in the
very distant future, and only confusion can result from
mapping the project at this time.
(c) Two new cross town east-west express highways are
proposed, one at the southerly end of Van Cortlandt
Park, and the other in the vicinity of 177th Street.
Same comment.
QUEENS
(a) The Cross Island Parkway is incorrectly indicated as an
express highway from 154th Street to the Bronx-
Whitestone Bridge. This is a genuine restricted
parkway, and should be indicated as such.
(b) The Whitestone Parkway is incorrectly indicated as an
express highway from the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge to
the Flushing River. This also is a genuine restricted
parkway, and should be so indicated.
(c) The so-called Creedmoor Parkway between the Grand
Central Parkway and Flushing Meadow Park is shown on
this plan as an express artery. The only change seems
to be in the westerly terminus. At the western end,
it branches in two directions. One connects with
Northern Boulevard at about Lawrence Street and the
other with Horace Harding Boulevard.
There is no need of a Creedmoor Parkway. It would
mess up traffic to an appalling extent at Grand Central
Parkway. It would cause endless confusion at the west-
erly end at Flushing Iieadow Park, Horace Harding
Boulevard, Northern Boulevard and Lawrence Street.
Union Turnpike and Horace Harding Boulevard, widened
to their ultimate capacity, will relieve traffic on the
Grand Central Parkway. This traffic has already been
relieved by the use of the Francis Lewis and Belt
Parkways over the so-called northerly loop. The use of
the Kissena corridor for drainage and park purposes
should eliminate all consideration of the so-called
Creedmoor Parkway. Here again nothing but confusion
results from advocating officially something which
sensible people know will not happen within any
reasonable time.
(d) In spite of the fact that the new Connecting Highway is
in the process of being planned and constructed, the
staff proposes a new highway parallel to the East River,
from the Triborough Bridge to Nowtown Creek. I have
already commented on this above in connection with the
Brooklyn proposals.
(e) On Queens Boulevard crossings at grade are proposed to
be eliminated from the Connecting Highway to Jamaica
Avenue, and a new highway with all crossings at grade
removed, picks up at this point and follows the
Atlantic Division of the Long Island Railroad to the
Southern Parkway in Laurelton. It is safe to say that
these improvements will not seriously concern any
Board of Estimate for generations.
(f) On Woodhaven Boulevard and Cross Bay Boulevard although
these arteries are just being finished by the Borough
President of Queens and the Park Department, it is
proposed to eliminate all crossings at grade. The
cost would be prohibitive. This is another proposal
which will not merit consideration for several
generations, and therefore needs no advertising now,
(g) Beach Channel Drive is proposed to be converted into
an express artery between Cross Bay Bridge and the
Marine Parkway Bridge, The improvement of this drive
is just being completed. It is quite apparent that
nothing further is going to happen for an indefinite
period.
There are many arterial improvements reflected on your map which
have just been finished, are still under way, or are about to start. In the
aggregate they represent all that the city can do for a considerable time. To
them should be added only projects where there are vital gaps in the city's
arterial system, No good purpose is served by drawing lines on your plan
representing ill-considered, dubious, and distant projects.
Very truly yours,
/s/ ROBERT MOSES
Commissioner
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Tuesday P.M.
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 December 10, 1940
The Department of Parks announces its winter sports program
which will include carnivals, skiing, ice-skating and coasting.
Twenty-eight lakes are used for ice-skating in the larger parks,
187 additional locations, such as wading pools, tennis courts and other
suitable surfaces will be flooded also for this sport. This represents an
increase of 30 ice-skating areas over last season.
Twenty-seven hills have been set aside in the parks of the five
boroughs for coasting. Sixteen locations have been designated for skiing.
Winter sports carnivals will be held in each borough on Sunday,
January 5, 1941, at 2:00 P. M., at the following lakes:
Manhattan - Conservatory Lake, Central Park, near 72 Street and
Fifth Avenue
Brooklyn - Prospect Park, near Empire Boulevard and Lincoln Road
Bronx - Van Cortlandt Park, near West 242 Street
Queens - Bowne Park, 29 Avenue and 155 Street
Richmond - Clove Lakes, near Victory Boulevard and Clove Road,
West Brighton
These carnivals will feature the following events?
Age Group Boys Girls
Juvenile 9-11 years 60 yards 60 yards
Junior 12-14 years 220 yards 100 yards
440 yards 220 yards
Intermediate 15-17 years 220 yards 220 yards
440 yards 440 yards
Senior 17-50 years 880 yards 220 yards
1 mile
Men and Women over 50 years 880 yards (men) 220 yards(women)
Figure skating for the following age groups:
a) 16 years of age and under (boys and girls)
b) 17 to 50 years (men and women)
c) Over 50 years of age (men and women)
As a fitting climax to the borough carnivals, a monster winter
sports carnival will be held on Sunday, January 12, 1941, at 2:00 P. M. at
Conservatory lake, Central Park. The first three winners of the various
borough contests will be eligible to compete in these city-wide championships.
Prizes will consist of silver cups, gold, silver and bronze medals.
In the event of snow, contests in snow sculpture and snow
architecture will be held during the months of December and January.
Volunteer ski instructors, affiliated with the New York City
Ski Council, will be assigned to the various Park Department slopes.
The attached list contains the designated Park areas for
ice-skating, skiing and coasting.
***
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CITY OF NEW YORK
ICE SKATING AREAS 1940-1941
LAKES
Manhattan Central Park 59 Street Lake
" " 72 Street & West Drive Lake
" " 110th Street Lake
" " Conservatory Lake, 72 Street & 5 Ave.
" " North of 79 Sti3et & Transverse Road
" " Harlem Meer, 100th Street & West Drive
Brooklyn Prospect Park Lake & Dyker Park Pond
Queens Alley Pond Park Lake World's Fair Blvd. L Douglaston Parkway
Bowne Park Lake 158 Street & 32 Ave e , Flushing
Baisley Park Lake Sutphin Blvd., 125 Street opp. 153 St.
Brookville Park Lake Brookville Blvd. & 143 Ave., Rosedale
Crocheron Park Lake 35 Ave & 214 Place, Bayside
Jackson Pond 108 Street & 30 Ave., Richmond Hill
Linden Park Lake 41 Ave. & 103 Street, Corona
Oakland Lake Alley Pond
Capt. Tilly Park Lake Highland Ave, 85 Ave, & 165 St, Jamaica
Twin Ponds Brookville Blvd & Merrick Road, Rosedale
Bronx Springfield Pond Springfield Blvd., Sheffield Ave. 147 St
Bronx Park, Twin Lakes Bronx Park near Mosholu Ballfield
Crotona Park Lake Crotona Ave, & 173 Street
Van Cortlandt Lake Broadway & Jerome Ave.
Richmond Brooks Pond Slossen Ave. off Clove Road
Clove Lake #2 Victory Blvd. & Clove Road
LaTourette Pond Rockland Ave. & Forest Hill Road
Martlings Pond Slossen Ave. & Clove Road
Willowbrook Pond Richmond, Rockland Ave. & Victory Blvd.
Wolfes Pond Park Holten & Cornelia Ave», Princes Bay
TENNIS COURTS
Manhattan Central Park 93 Street & West Drive
Brooklyn Fort Greene Park Myrtle Ave. & St. Edwards Street
McCarren Park Berry & North 12 Streets
Queens Alley Pond Park Grand Central Pkwy., Winchester Blvd.
Astoria Park 25th to 21 Avenue, Astoria
Brookville Park Brookville Blvd. & So. Conduit Highway
Cunningham Park Union Turnpike & 90 Street, Woodhaven
Wayanda Park Hollis Ave. & Springfield Blvd., Hollis
Equity Playground 89 Ave. & 90 Street, Woodhaven
Baisley Park Sutphin Blvd. & 125 Street
Bronx Bronx Park East Bronx Park East & Brady Ave.
St. James Park Jerome Ave. & 192 Street
St. Mary's East Trinity Ave. & East 145 Street
Van Cortlandt Park Broadway & 240 Street
FLOODED AREAS
Manhattan East River Park East River Drive & Broome Street
Riverside, 148 Street Park
Queens Alley Pond Picnic Area,Grand Cnetral Parkway near 76 Ave.
Atlantic & 88 St, (Softball Area)
95 Ave. & 125 Street Plgd., (Games Area)
Broadway & 78 Street Plgd., ( Roller Skating Area)
Braddock Plgd. (Softball Area) Braddock Ave. & 2403treet
Grover Cleveland Plgd, ( Softball Area) Grandview & Stanhope St.
Corona 111th St. Plgd. ( Softball Area) 46 Ave. & 111 Street
Flushing Memorial Plgd. ( Handball Courts) 25 Ave, & 149 Street
Jackson Heights Plgd. ( Handball Courts & Softball Area)
85 Street & 30 Ave, Jackson Heights
Liberty Park ( Paddle Tennis Courts) Liberty Ave. & 172 Street
Marconi Plgd.( Softball Area) 155 Street & 108 Ave,
Maurice Plgd. ( Games Area) Maurice, Borden & 54 Ave., Maspeth
O'Connell Plgd. ( Handball Courts) 113 Ave. & 196 Street
Parkway North Plgd. (Softball Area) 114 Street & World's Fair EJ
Rockaway Boardwalk & 79 Street
Riis Park ( Parking Field )
30 Road Plgd. ( Softball Area) 45 Street & 30 Road, Astoria
Von Dohlen Plgd. ( Handball Courts) 138 St. & Archer Ave.
Windmuller Plgd. ( Softball Area) 52 Street & Woodside Ave.
Thompson Hill ( Games Area Upper Level) 47 Ave. & 43 Street
Brooklyn Atlantic Ave. & Linwood Street Plgd. ( Softball Field )
Bushwick Plgd, ( Softball Field ) Putnam & Knickerbocker Ave.
Douglas St. & Third Ave. Plgd. ( Softball Field )
Elton St. & New Lots Ave. Plgd. ( Softball Field )
Greenpoint Plgd. ( Softball Field ) Franklin & Dupont Sts.
Kelly Memorial Plgd. ( Softball Field) Ave. S & E. 14 Street
Lincoln Terrace Plgd. ( Softball Field ) Buffalo & E. N, Y. Aves.
Marine Park ( Parking Space) Fillmore Ave. & Marine Parkway
McKinley Plgd. ( Boy's Playground ) 75 Street & 7 Avenue
Red Hook Recreation Center (Roller Skating Area) Bay & Clinton
Bronx Pelham Bay Park, Pelham Pkwy,, Eastern Blvd. & Middleton Road
Playground at Waterbury, Edison & LaSalle ( Softball Field)
Playground at vTatson Gleason & Noble ( Softball Field )
Richmond Roller Skating Area, Schmul Plgd., Wilde Ave., Travis
Parking Area, Silver Lake, Victory Blvd. & Forest Ave,
Softball Field, Mahoney Plgd, Beechwood & Crescent Ave.
WADING POOLS
Manhattan Carl Schurz Plgd. E. 84 Street & East End Ave,
Chelsea Plgd. W. 27 Street & Ninth Ave.
Colonial Plgd. W. 152 Street & Bradhurst Ave,
Columbus Plgd. Baxter & Park Streets
DeWitt Clinton Plgd. W. 52 Street & Eleventh Ave.
Ft, Tryon Plgd. Broadway at Dyckman Street
Great Lawn Plgd. 85 Street & West Drive, Central Park
Gulick Plgd. Columbia, Sheriff & Broome Streets
Hamilton Place Plgd, W. 141 Street & Hamilton Place
Highbridge, 167 St. Plgd. W. 167 Street & Edge comb Ave,
Highbridge,, 180 St, Plgd. W. 180 St, & Amsterdam Ave,
Highbridge,189 St. Plgd. W. 189 St, & Amsterdam Ave,
J. Hood Wright Plgd; W. 173 St. & Ft. Washington Ave.
John Jay Plgd. E. 77 St. & East River
Kelly Plgd. W. 17 St, bet, 8 & 9 Ave,
Wald Plgd. Cherry, Monroe & Gouverneur Sts
McCray Plgd. W. 138 St, bet. Fifth & Lenox Ave.
Mt, Morris East Plgd. E. 120 St, & Madison Ave,
Mt. Morris West Plgd. W. 122 St. ft Nathan Davis Place
Riverside, 75 St, Plgd. W. 75 St. & Henry Hudson Parkway
Riverside, 97 St, Plgd. W. 97 St. & Henry Hudson Parkway
Riverside, 102 St, Plgd. Wt 102 St, & Henry Hudson Parkway
Rumsey Plgd. 72 St. & East Drive, Central Park
Roosevelt Plgd. Forsythe & Broome Sts.
Fnuer Memorial Plgd. E. 12 St, bet. Avenue A & B
St, Gabriels Plgd. E. 35 St, bet. 1st & 2nd Ave.
St, Nicholas Plgd. W. 141 St, & St. Nicholas Ave.
Seward Plgd* East Broadway & Canal Street
Thompson St. Plgd. 95 Thompson St.
Thomas Jefferson Plgd. E. 114St. & Pleasant Ave.
Tompkins Square Plgd. Avenue A & E, 10 Street
Yorkville Plgd. E. 101 St, bet. 2nd & 3rd Aves,
Playground E. 119 St, & East River
Playground 83 Roosevelt Street
Playground W. 130 St. & Fifth Ave.
Pie yirr ound Lewis & Rivington Street
Brooklyn Atlantic & Linwood Street Playround
Avenue L & East 18 Street Playground
Berry & South Third Street Playground
Bay Parkway & Avenue P Playground
Bushwick Park Plgd. Knickerbocker Ave. & Sudam Street
Byrne Memorial Plgd. Third Street & Fourth Ave.
Carroll Park Plgd. Carroll & Smith Streets
Cherry St, 4 Vandervoort Ave. Playground
City Park Plgd. Flushing Ave. & Navy Street
Crispus Attucks Plgd. Fulton Street & Classen Ave.
Dreier-Offerman Plgd. Cropsy & 27 Ave.
Fort Hamilton Pkwy. 52 Street Playground
Greenpoint Plgd. Franklin & Dupont Streets
Heckscher Plgd. Grove Street & Wilson Ave f
Hopkinson Ave. & Marion Street Playground
Howard Ave., Dean & Pacific Street Playground
Lafayette & Reid Avenues Playground
Lincoln Terrace Park Plgd., Buffalo & East New York Aves,
Lynch Street & Lee Ave. Plgd.
Marine Park Plgd. Gerrittsen Ave. & Ave. X
Marine Park Plgd. Fillmore Ave. & Marine Parkway
McCarren Park Plgd. Berry & North 12 Streets
McKibbin Playground Seigel & White Streets
McLaughlin Park Plgd. Tillary & Jay Streets
Neptune Ave. & West 28 Street Playground
New Utrecht Ave. & 70 Street Playground
New Lots Playground Riverdale Ave. & Sackman Street
Ocean Parkway & Ave. P Playground
Cwls Head Plgd. Colonial Road & 67 Street
Prospect & Greenwood Avenues Playground
Park Avenue & Taaffe Place Playground
Rudd Playground Bushwick Ave & Aberdeen Street
Schermerhorn & Third Street Playground
Sheridan Playground Grand St & Wythe Ave.
Stillwell Ave. & Ave. U Playground
Shiplacoff Playground Pitkin Ave. & Sackman Street
Tenth Ave. & 43 Street Playground
Tompkins & Lafayette Aves. Playground
Union " Van Brijnt Street s Playground
Williamsburg Housing Playground
Dahill Road & 38 Street Playground
Bill Brown Memorial Playground, Bedford Ave. & Ave. X
Leiv Eiriksson Plgd. 66 Street & 8 iivenue
Prospect Place & Underbill Ave. Plgd.
Queens Atlantic Ave. & 88 Street Plgd.
Atlantic Ave. & 125 Street Playground
Brookville Plgd. Brookville Blvd, & 143 Street
Benninger Plgd. Madison Ave. & Fresh Pond Road
Braddock Ave. Plgd. Braddock Ave. & 240 Street
Corona 111 Street Plgd. 111 Street & 46 ;ve,
Dry Harbor Plgd. 80 Street & Myrtle Ave.
Highland Lower Plgd. Jamaica Ave. & Elton Streets
Francis Lewis Plgd. 3 Ave., 147 Street to Parsons Blvd.
Grover Cleveland Plgd. Grandview Ave. & Stanhope Street
Jackson Pond Plgd. 108 Street & Myrtle Ave.
Jackson Heights Plgd. 30 Ave. & 84 Street
Jamaica 179 Place Plgd.
Junction Blvd. Plgd. Junction Blvd. & 96 Street
Juniper Valley Plgd. Dry Harbor Rocd & 62 -ve.
Liberty Ave. & 102 Street Playground
Liberty Ave. & 179 Street Plav?round
Martins Field Plgd. 164 Street & Queens Ave.
Marconi Plgd. 155 Street & 108 .ve.
Newtown Plgd. 56 ..vs. & 92 Street
O'Connor Plgd. 32 Ave. & 210 Street
O'Connell Plgd. 113 Are. f 196 Street
Parkway North Plgd. 114 St. &. Grand Central Parkway
Thompson Hill Plgd. 47 Ave. * 43 Street
Triboro 66B Plgd. Hoyt Ave. & 21 St.
Triboro 66F Plgd. Hoyt Ave. & 2 Ave.
Windmuller Plgd. Woodside Ave. & 54 Street
Whitestone N.E. Plgd. Hurd Ave., 17 Road & 20 Ave,
Van Wyck Plgd. 111 Ave. & 134 Street
Von Dohlen Plgd. 138 Street & Archer Ave.
30 Rocd Plgd. 30 Road & 45 Street
Bronx Alexander Ave. & E. 131 Street Playground
Brook Ave. & 141 Street Playground
Belmont Ave. & 182 Street Playground
Bronx Park East & Waring Ave. Plgd.
Cedar & Sedgwick Ave. Plgd.
CrotonaPark East & 173 Street Plgd.
Crotona Park East & Charlotte Street Plgd.
Cauldwell Ave. & 161 Street Playground
Ciccarone Plgd. 188 Street & Hughes Ave.
Devoe Erst Plgd. University Ave. & Fordham Road
Morris Ave. & 166 Street Plgd.
Mullaly Plgd. 165 Street & Jerome Ave.
Noble Ave. & 177 Street Plgd.
Stebbins Ave. & 167 Street Plgd.
St. Mary's West Plgd. St. Ann's Ave. & 143 Street
Van Cortlendt Park South Plgd., 240 Street & Broadway
Waterbury & Edson Ave. Plgd.
Watson, Gleason & Noble Ave. Plgd.
Williamsbridge Plgd. 208 Street & Brinbridge . , v ,
Zimmerman Plgd. Olinville Ave. & Britton Street
Richmond Clove Lake Plgd. Victory Blvd. & Clove Road
DeMotti Plgd. Tompkins Ave., Rosebank
Levy Plgd. Jewett & Castleton Ave.
McDonald Plgd. Forest Ave, & Broadway
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CITY OF NEW YORK
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
SKIING AND COASTING AREAS
SKIING LOCATIONS
Manhattan Central Park Cedar Hill, 79 St, & East Drive
Burns Lawn, 79 St. & Test Drive
Brooklyn Prospect Park Lookout Hill, S,W. of Music Grove, Empire Blvd. Snt,
Sugar Bowl Hill, S. of Picnic House, 9 St. &
Prospect Park west
Tennis House Hill, 9 St. & Prospect Perk West
Long Meadow, 3 Street & Prospect Park West Entrance
Maryland Monument Hill, 16 St, & Prospect Pk. W.Ent
Owl's Head Park - Colonial Road & 67 Street
Queens Alley Pond Motor Pkwy. - Bicycle Path towards World's Fair(Green &
White House on Motor Pkwy.)
Clearview Golf Course - Willets Point Blvd, & 22 Ave.
(3rd Fairway)
Crocheron Park - 35 Ave« & 214 Place, Bayside
Forest Park Golf Course- Forest Park Main Drive & Interboro Pkwy».
(3rd Tee)
Kissena Golf Course - Fresh Meadow Road & 164 Street
( 9 & 14 Tee)
Bronx Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course - 18 Tee & Fairway, Gun Hill Road
East of Van Cortlandt Lake
Silver Lake Golf Course - Forest Ave. & Silver Lake Roadway
( 7th Fairway )
LaTourette Golf Course - Rockland Ave. ( 2nd, 14th, & 18th Fairway)
COASTING HILLS
Manhattan Central Park - 83 St. & East Drive, Forth of Museum
79 St. & Erst Drive (For Small Children Only)
72 St. & East Drive, North of Boathouse
60 St. & West Drive, near Heckscher Plgd.
72 St. & West Drive ( For Small Children Only)
72 St. & East Drive, S.E. of Conservatory Lake
Pilgrim Hill, 72 St. & 5 Av. S.W. of " "
Cedar Hill, 79 St # & East Drive
East Meadow, 99 St. & Fifth Ave.
Burns Lawn, 79 St. & West Drive, S. of Transverse Rd.
Brooklyn Same as above
Queens Crocheron Park, 38 Ave. & 215 Street, Bayside
Chisholm Park, Poppenhausen Ave. & East River, College Point
( Hill from Mansion to baseball Field)
Forest Park Golf Course, Main Drive & Interboro Pkwy.,(l8 Tee)
Highland Pork, Elton Street & Jamaica Ave. (Snake Hill)
Alley Pond Park, Bicycle Path, Motor Pkwy. & Winchester Blvd.
Astoria ParV, Ditmars Blvd. at 19 St. & 25 Ave.
( 23 Drive & Berclcy to Shore Road & Parking Field to Shore ..)
Bronx Vnn Cortlandt Park Golf Course, 18 Tee I: Fairway
Bronx River Parkway & 226 Street
Richmond Silver Lake Golf Course - Forest Ave. A Silver Lake Road,(7 Fairway)
LaTourette Golf Course - Rockland Ave., ( 2nd, 14th, & 18 Fairways)
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Tuesday P.M.
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 December 10, 1940
Bids were opened today at the Arsenal Building, Department of
Parks, on a contract for the construction of a low level bascule bridge at
Hamilton Avenue over the Gowanus Canal, Borough of Brooklyn, Plans for the
project were prepared by Waddell & Hardesty, Consulting Engineers.
The work comprises the construction of two skew bascule spans
each 50 feet iin width and approximately 47 feet between piers providing for
a 42-foot open grating roadway and an 8-foot sidewalk. The steel spans will
be separated by open water approximately 36 feet across above which the
Hamilton Avenue section of the new Gowanus Elevated Parkway is now being
constructed by the Triborough Bridge Authority. Included is the
construction of new concrete piers on steel piles, fender piling, houses for
gatetenders and operating equipment, mechanical and electrical facilities
for operation of the spans, signalling and safety devices, and
reconstruction of the adjoining approaches to the bridge carrying Hamilton
Avenue traffic. Also included is the removal of the existing twin bascule
Sherzer type spans and portions of the existing foots which must be removed
to provide space for the proposed new construction.
The work will require approximately nine months for completion.
The three lowest bidders for the work were as follows:
P. T. Cox Construction Company $1,910,501.00
270 Broadway, New York City
P. J. Carlin Construction Co. 1,924,215.00
101 Park Avenue, New York City
Thomas Crimmins Contracting Co. 1,932,700.50
734 Lexington Avenue, N. Y. C.
* * * *
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OFFICE OF THE BOROUGH PRESIDENT OF MANHATTAN
and FOR RELEASE: Tuesday,
THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS December 10, 1940
Mayor La Guardia, accompanied by Manhattan Borough President
Stanley M. Isaacs , Park Commissioner Robert Moses and other city officials
today (TUES) inspected and formally opened to the public Carl Schurz Park,
which extends along East End Avenue from 84th to 90th Streets. The Park was
enlarged and extensively improved in connection with construction of the
East River Drive, which forms its eastern boundary.
More than h a l f of the old park development was redesigned
and reconstructed in connection with the new tripe deck structure which
carries vehicular traffic on the two lower levels.
The spacious esplanade atop the drive is about 33 feet wide
and has a row of benches on either side both of which face the water. The
outer row forming a series of detached units adjacent to the open wrought
iron overlook railing permits an unobstructed view of the river 35 feet
below. Convenient connections from the promenade to these various areas are
afforded at frequent intervals via broad granite stairways and stepped
ramps. One may cross the deck to the adult court games area or the
interesting landscape development of the informal park areas. Facilities
provided in the adult court games area include badminton, paddle tennis and
shuffleboard. Three large sandpits for children with ample benches for
mothers are located in V-shaped offsets on the park side of the deck.
A simple modern structure consisting of two units joined by a
covered portico has replaced the old comfort station at the south end of the
park.
The main axis of the park centering on 86th Street has been
developed as a broad mall with a central grass panel flanked by tree
bordered entrance walks which lead to the elipitical stepped ramps
connecting with the promenade deck.
At the southeast corner of the park there is a children's
playground with ample tree shaded seating areas for mothers.
The remainder of the eastern half of the park consisting largely
of informal landscaped areas provides several access points from last End
Avenue which lead via the old walk system to the newly landscaped river front.
The East River Drive at this point is constructed with about 600
feet of tunnel and 1,200 feet of roadway built over the East River in front
of Gracie Mansion, where the beauty r>f this historic building and its fine
lawns was preserved by depressing the viaduct, thus maintaining and
improving the view of the river.
The portico of the Drive opposite the Park reaches out into the
East River and is of concrete with a foundation of steel shell caissons six
to nine feet in diameter, filled with concrete and resting on solid ledge
rock on the river bottom. These caissons are as much as 58 feet long and
were constructed in a current of about five miles per hour. This part of the
work was one of the most difficult and hazardous pieces of construction of
the entire project.
Because of the narrow space between the large apartment houses to
the south and the United States Army bulkhead line at the river providing
only a 40 foot strip in which to construct the drive, the southbound lane
was built over instead of along side the northbound lane.
The Mayor and his party also inspected the 91st Street Sanitation
Dump; the ferry house at 78th Street and the East River Drive; another dump
in the process of construction at 61st Street, and parks at 58th, 57th, 56th
and 49th Streets.
* * *
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Saturday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 December 7, 1940
The Department of Parks announces the completion of work in
connection with the reconstruction of Claremont Park, The Bronx, and the
reopening of the entire park to the public on Saturday, December 7, 1940,
This park has been redesigned by the Department of Parks and
constructed by the Work Projects Administration to provide wider year round
usage for all ages and groups of citizens of the surrounding community.
Besides three new children's playgrounds which were opened on September 14
of this year, the old playground at the Bast 170 Street end of the park has
been enlarged and provided with shuffleboard, volleyball and handball
courts, a wading pool and play apparatus. There are also two large open play
areas, one containing two softball diamonds and the other a softball
diamond, basketball and volleyball courts, the surfaces of which can be used
for roller and iceskating. Encircling this latter area is a one quarter
mile bituminous surfaced bicycle and roller skating track.
The balance of the park has been landscaped and provided with wide
walks, benches and broad sloping lawns.
* * *
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Thursday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 December 5, 1940
The Department of Parks announces the completion on December 5,
1940, of the new police station building adjacent to the Park Department's
service and maintenance building on Shore Parkway, west of Flatbush Avenue,
in Marine Park, Brooklyn. These attractive low, one story slate roofed
buildings, the larger of which will serve the police and the other the
Department of Parks, are constructed of hand made Virginia brick and
fireproof materials and were designed to conform with the requirements of
structures in parks.
This new police station will serve as a headquarters for the
patrolmen and other forces assigned to Marine Park, Shore Parkway, and other
park areas adjacent to the parkway.
The completion of this facility is not only another step in the
improvement of Brooklyn Marine Park, but also is a good example of the
proper coordination between various city departments in the planning of the
development of new areas.
* * * *
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Wednesday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 December 4, 1940
Health Museum - Flushing Meadow Park
The Department of Parks announces that a formal agreement has
been reached today between the City of New York and the American Museum of
Health which provides for the conversion of one of the Flushing Meadow Park
buildings inherited from the World's Fair into a health museum. Thus was
fulfilled the promise of Mayor La Guardia made at the dedication of the
American Museum of Health in the Medicine and Public Health Building at the
Fair to provide a permanent home in a City owned building.
This contractual arrangement, signed by Dr. Louis I. Dublin,
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Museum of Health and
Commissioner of Parks Robert Moses representing the City, specifies that the
Museum will closely coordinate policies with the Department of Health and
the Board of Education to provide instruction in matters of public health.
Special emphasis will be placed on the structure and function of the human
body and on personal hygiene.
The result of about ten years of planning by leaders in
medicine and public health education, the American Museum of Health came
into national prominence because of the excellence of its World's Fair
presentation. Over one quarter of the visitors to the Fair, approximately
11,800,000 persons viewed the various exhibits. In view of the general
current trend towards increased interest in educational exhibits and museum
displays it is believed that this facility, the first permanent one of its
kind in the city, will render an important service in the field of health
education which will be welcomed by an appreciative and enlightened
public. The museum as well as the entire recreational plant of the city,
though relatively insignificant in face of our present emergency cannot be
overemphasized as a direct step in a long range program of national defense
which is entirely dependent on a physically fit manpower.
It is expected that the alterations to the existing structure
which are now being made will be completed on May 1, 1941. In addition to
the outstanding attractions from the Medicine and Public Health Building
which are now being set up many new displays are being built for
installation in permanent form. When completed these exhibits will
constitute the most comprehensive and instructive collection of health and
medical educational material in the world.
Here the results of centuries of medical research along certain
of its diversified streams of endeavor will be crystallized in easily
understood visual form. It will undoubtedly stimulate the intellectual
curiosity of the public for its general well-being and serve as a directive
force to visiting students in their choice of profession.
For the operation and improvement of the collection a considerable
endowment will be required. Commissioner Moses stated that the Museum will
be made available to the City without cost to the taxpayers. As a non-profit
educational institution it will be financed through public subscription of
funds and through memberships which will entitle the holders to special
privileges.
Since its incorporation, the Museum has received financial support
from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation,
the Rockefeller Foundation, the John B. Pierce Foundation, nine large life
insurance companies including, the New York Life, the Metropolitan, the
Travelers, Aetna, John Hancock, the Connecticut General, the Connecticut
Mutual, Guardian Life and the Provident Mutual Life. A large number of
pharmaceutical houses including the Bayer Company, W. A. Baum Company, Inc.,
Ciba Pharmaceutical Products, Cherry-Burrell Corporation, Lederle
Laboratories, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Mead Johnson and Company, Parke
Davis and Company, I. R. Squibb and Sons, Winthrop Chemical Company and the
Powers X-Ray Products, Inc., have financed various medical exhibits. Active
cooperation has also been received from the American Medical Association and
a large number of other health organizations, both national and local.
The American Museum of Health was incorporated by the State of New
York in 1937. George McAneny is president; Frederick Osborn, vice-president;
Sam A. Lewisohn, treasurer. Other directors include Mayor La Guardia,
Commissioner Moses, Commissioner of Health. Dr. John L. Rice, Dr. Louis
I. Dublin, Dr. George Baehr, Dr. David J. Kaliski, Dr. Victor Heiser,
Dr. Seth Milliken, Mr. James Marshall, Dr. Malcolm Goodridge and Dr. George
E. Vincent. Homer N. Calver will be in charge of the Museum.
* * *
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Tuesday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 December 3, 1940
By a recent legislative act the State of New Jersey has
donated to the City of New York its World's Fair Exhibit Building which will
be used to house a permanent police precinct for Flushing Meadow Park. This
precinct will have supervision over the 1,216 acre park. Located near the
east boundary of the park at the intersection of Lawrence Street and Horace
Harding Boulevard, the building is ideally situated for police operations.
From this point all parts of the park can be easily reached.
Police authorities have stated that the floor plan can be
easily adapted to their use. Contract plans for the necessary interior
alterations are being prepared by the Department of Parks and the
construction will be financed from funds which have been requested for the
development of the park.
Until the new quarters are ready the police are temporarily
housed in the Boat House which is located on the east shore of Meadow Lake.
The existing building, a fine replica of the
pre-Revolutionary War Barracks located in Trenton, New Jersey, was built by
the New Jersey World's Fair Commission, of permanent materials. Of North
Jersey Colonial Architecture, the Barracks is a two-story, gable-roofed
structure about 70 feet by 150 feet with two short wings forming a broad,
shallow entrance court
The soft harmonius colors of the 8 inch stone walls were
attained, by using the red and brown shale which is characteristic of the
Trenton site. A flagstone paved portico with wooden floor balcony lines the
three walls of the court and is supported by 14 thin wooden square columns
reaching to the eaves line. Typical colonial detail is found in the wide
double entrance doors, the several double hung multipaned windows, the
narrow slate roofed dormers and the six massive chimneys.
A bronze plaque similar to the descriptive marker used at the
Fair will be mounted on the end walls of one of the wings. In addition to
recording the historical significance of the original barracks it will
suitably recognize the State of New Jersey's generous gift.
* * * *
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Tuesday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 December 3, 1940
The Department of Parks announces that the anniversary of the
official opening of 10 Park Department playgrounds will be celebrated by
the children of these recreation areas during the month of December by
participating in specially prepared Birthday Party programs.
While the regular schedule of daily recreational activities
including ping pong, checkers, chess, group games, dramatics and dancing
will not be changed, the day's program will feature events of both a
patriotic and festive nature such as: solo and community singing of the
"Star Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America", salute to the Flag,
recitations, concerts by junior orchestras and a variety of birthday party
games with refreshments and prizes for the winners.
Plans for contests in snow sculpture and snow architecture and
children's ice skating carnivals have also been prepared, should the
weather permit the holding of such activities.
The December schedule for playground birthday celebrations is
as follows:
Borough Playground & Location Opened Time of
Celebration
Manhattan 82 Street & Riverside Drive Dec. 4, 1937 4:00 P. M.
Highbridge Playground, Edgecomb
Ave. and West 167 Street Dec. 5, 1936 4:00 P. M.
Brooklyn Underhill Ave. & Prospect Place Dec. 6, 1938 3:30 P. M.
McLaughlin Park Playground, Bridge
& Tillary Streets Dec. 11, 1936 3:30 P. M.
Heckscher Playground, Grove Street
& Wilson Avenue Dec. 19, 1935 3:30 P. M.
Queens Broadway and 78 Street Dec. 24, 1936 3:00 P. M.
Equity Playground, 88-89 Avenues
near 90 Street Dec. 26, 1937 2:30 P. M.
Bronx 177 Street and Noble Avenue Dec. 4, 1939 3:45 P. M.
Watson and Gleason Avenues Dec. 4, 1939 3:45 P. M.
Cedar and Sedgwick Avenues Dec. 19, 1935 3:45 P. M.
* * *
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Saturday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 November 30, 1940
The Department of Parks announces the closing of the
ten municipal golf courses and the pitch and putt course at
Jacob Riis Park at the end of play on Sunday, December 1. Due
to the alternate freezing and thawing of the ground it would be
impractical to keep them open beyond this date, as irreparable
damage would be done to the grass by the players .
During the past season more than 575,000 rounds of golf were
played over the various courses, as compared with 604,000 rounds played
during the season of 1939. The drop in the total rounds during 1940 was
caused by the opening of the courses two weeks later than in 1939 and also
by the rainy weather during the entire season.
The Park Department also announces that after November 30 and
through the winter months it will not be necessary to have permits to play
tennis on the hard surfaced courts operated by the Department but players
must furnish their own tennis nets.
* * * *
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 November 29, 1940
Bids were opened today by the Department of Parks at the
Arsenal Building on a contract for repaving the remaining section of the
West Drive in Central Park south of West 72 Street and part of the East
Drive north to about 67th Street, Borough of Manhattan.
The work consists of the removal of binder and top course of
existing pavement and placing of new sheet asphalt; the construction of a
bicycle path paralleling the main roadway; the removal of an existing
underpass west of the southerly end of the Mall; the removal and
transplanting of trees due to change in alignment; drainage; reconstruction
of park paths; installation of new guard railing and other incidental work.
On completion of this phase of the work, the entire West
Drive, the connecting roadway at the southerly end of the park and the East
Drive t o 67 Street will have been entirely renewed. The remaining sections
will be rebuilt in the very near future.
The three low bidders for the work were:
1. Frank Mascali & Sons, Inc. $106,989.75
634 Third Avenue, New York City
2. John Meehan & Son 118,266.70
90 West Street, New York City
3. J. Leopold & Co., Inc. 119,203.80 .
60 East 42 Street, New York City
* * *
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Wednesday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 November 27, 1940
The Department of Parks announces that in the reconstructed
Battery Park there will be erected a memorial to the late Senatore Marconi,
inventor of radio communication.
This memorial will be sponsored and financed by the Veteran
Wireless Operators Association through a Committee under the Chairmanship of
Mr. David Sarnoff, President of the Radio Corporation of America.
The Committee has arranged to acquire the marble bas-relief
of Marconi that was on the front of the Italian Building at the World's
Fair.
Studies of the new Battery Park development are being prepared
so as to group this new memorial with the existing monument to the wireless
heroes which is now in Battery Park.
The construction of the Battery-Brooklyn Tunnel and the
connection between the West and East Side Drives have made necessary the
reconstruction of Battery Park and plans for the new Park which include the
extension of the present bulkhead are now in the process of preparation.
The Park reconstruction work will proceed along with the other operations in
the area.
* * *
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Thursday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 November 26, 1940
COCK'S HILL FORT - INWOOD HILL PARK
The Department of Parks announces that plans are being made
for a marker to be erected on the site of Cock's Hill Fort, Inwood Hill
Park. Located near the highest point of land on the promontory which forms
the northernmost tip of Manhattan Island, this old Revolutionary War
battleground commanding views of the Palisades, the Hudson River and Spuyten
Duyvil, affords a timely subject for memorial treatment. Consistent with
departmental policy to permanently signalize for posterity those park areas
which are of historical importance, this proposed development is of
significant interest at a time when defense preparations hold national
attention.
Visible traces of this old fort, which was thrown up by
the untrained and poorly equipped patriots as an outwork defense for the
main position at Fort Washington, have long since disappeared but the
location of the walls are recorded on topographical maps in the Park
Department files.
In the battle of Fort Tryon, November 16, 1776, the
courageous but outnumbered defenders under General Washington were driven
from "Cock's Hill Fort" by the Hessian allies of the British. With the fall
of the main fort the eastern slope of Inwood Hill was used as camp sites for
many famous regiments of British and Hessian Troops who maintained a battery
at Cock's Hill Fort because of the protection it afforded the convenient
landing places below on the east bank of the Hudson River.
Preliminary sketches for the proposed memorial development of
the site, which is roughly 80 feet square, indicate a 75 foot flagstaff
supported by a simple granite base upon which a suitable inscription will be
incised. Comfortable park benches will be arranged about the memorial under
the fine old trees which shade the site.
The development when completed will provide an interesting
and pleasant retreat in the 167 acre park which includes the one remaining
stand of wild woodlands on Manhattan Island. Consisting largely of a high
rocky bluff rising to an elevation 230 feet above the river the park is
richly endowed with thickly wooded valleys and hills.
* * * *
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Thursday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 November 26, 1940
The Department of Parks announces that ceremonies in connection
with the reopening of the reconstructed Seward Park at Canal, Hester, Essex
and Jefferson Streets, Manhattan, will take place on Tuesday, November 26,
1940, at 4 P. M.
Besides Park Commissioner Robert Moses who will act as Chairman,
Captain C. F. Robinson, Acting New York City Work Projects Administrator,
Stanley M. Isaacs, Borough President of Manhattan, and Mayor LaGuardia will
participate.
This recreation area, one of the oldest and most extensively
used in Manhattan, has been redesigned, reconstructed, and landscaped to
provide wider all year round usage. Of the original layout, there remain
only a fountain and walks along the Essex Street margin. In the center is a
wading pool which may also be used for basketball. Flanking the wading pool
on one side is a regulation basketball court, and on the other, play swings,
slides and see-saws. On the Canal Street side is a completely equipped play
area for small children containing slides, see-saws, play houses and a sand
pit. On the north or Hester Street side, are recreation facilities such as
horseshoe pitching and snuffleboard courts, a basketball court, and a large
bituminous-surfaced open play area adaptable for roller skating, paddle
tennis, and for ice skating when sub-freezing temperatures permit, for older
children and adults.
Development of the southeast corner of the park fronting on
Jefferson Street and Strauss Square will not be finished until a later
date. Here a combined brick recreation building and comfort station is being
erected to replace the old outmoded structure razed when reconstruction
began. Adjacent to it will be a farm garden, where next spring school
children will grow flowers and vegetables under the supervision of the Park
Department,
The reopening of this playground designed by the Park
Department and built by the Work Projects Administration, makes a total of
350 new or reconstructed playgrounds completed since January, 1934. At that
time there were 119 playgrounds in the five boroughs; 53 of these have been
redesigned and reconstructed. At present there are 415 playgrounds in the
park system.
***
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November 20, 1940
MINUTES of Meeting of the City Planning Commission, Held In Room l6, City
Hall, Wednesday, November 20, 1940, at 2:30 P.M.
Ihe Conmission met pursuant to adjournment,
::: PRESENT :::
R. G, Tugrrell, Chairman,
John C. Riedel, Chief Engineer Board of Sstimate,
Lawrence M. Orton,
Cleveland Rodgers,
Edwin A. Salmon,
Arthur V. Sheridan, Commissioners.
(Roll Call at 2:35 P.M.)
No. 1, Favorable Report adopted, six votes.
Nos. 2 through 5.
Reports adopted, six votes,
Nos. 6 through 12,
Favorable Reports adopted, six votes.
No. 13. Favorable Report, including resolutions adopted, six votes.
Nos. 14 through 25.
Resolutions adopted, six votes,
Nos. 26 and 27.
Hearings closed and matters laid over under Rule 105, six votes.
No. 28. APPEARANCE: Arthur S. Hodgkiss, AssU, Executive Officer,
Department of Parks.
Hearing closed and matter laid over under Rule 105, six votes.
No. 29. APPEARANCE: George Shannon, Esq., on hehalf of the Hew York
Central Railroad,
Hearing closed and natter laid over under Rule 105» six votes.
No. 30. APPEARANCE: In favor: Nathaniel Coller, representing the
South Ozone Park Civic Association,
Hearing closed and matter laid over under Rule 105» six votes,
Nos. 31 through 34,
Hearings closed and matters laid over under Rule 105, six votes.
No. 35· APPEARANCE: In Favor: H. W. 0rdeman,
Consulting Engineer, Bureau of Engineering,
President, Borough of Richmond.
Hearing closed, six votas.
Rule 105 waived, and Favorable Report (No. 1576, dated November
20, 1940) adopted, six votes.
No. 36. APPEARANCES: Charles Tilgner, Ass't. Engineer, Bureau of
Construction, Board of Education; Sol Herzog,
Esq., attorney for the Metropolitan Garage
Board of Trade; Arthur H, Haaren, Esq.;
Mrs. J. Luger.
Hearing closed and matter laid over under Rule 105, six votes.
Nos. 37, 38, 39.
APPEARANCES; H. S. Conncson, Esq., attorney for the Erostone
Corporation; W, C, Vladeck, Director, Project
Planning, New York City Housing Authority.
Hearings closed and matters laid over under Rule 105, six votes.
MATTER NOT ON CALENDAR CONSIDERED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT
REPORT
CITY MAP CHANGE
Borough of Brooklyn
No. 40 (OP - 1738)
IN THE MATTER OF a proposed change in the City Map by establishing the
lines of East 48th Street from Midwood Street to a point 100 feet
northerly therefrom and by changing the grades of East 48th Street from
Maple Street to Midwood Street and of Midwood Street between Schenectady
Avenue and Utica Avenue, Borough of Brooklyn..
(On September 26, 1940, Cal. No. l68, the Board of Estimate referred this
matter to the Commission; on October 23, 1940, Cal. No. 64, the Commission
fixed Novcmber 13, 1940 for a hearing; on November 13, 1940, Cal. No. 23,
the hearing was closed.)
favorable Report, No. l601, dated November 20, 1940, adopted, six votes.
THE COMMISSION THEREUPON ADJOURNED AT 3:30 P.M. TO MEET
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1940, AT 2:30 P.M., ROOM 16, CITY HALL.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Tuesday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 November 19, 1940
The Department of Parks announces that ceremonies in connection
with the unveiling of Minerva and the Bell Ringers in Herald Square, as a
memorial to the James Gordon Bennetts, will take place on Tuesday, November
19, 1940, at 5:45 P. M. sharp.
Besides Park Commissioner Robeit Moses, who will preside as
Chairman, Hon. Stanley M. Isaacs, Borough President of Manhattan, Colonel
Brehon Somervell, New York City Work Projects Administrator, Mr. William A.
Willis, President of the Owls of the New York Herald, Mr. William T. Dewart,
Jr., Chancellor Harry Woodburn Chase of New York University, and Mayor
LaGuardia, will participate in the ceremonies. Chancellor Chase will unveil
the monument and present Minerva and the Bell Rinbers to the Mayor who will
accept them for the City. The ceremony will end at 6:00 P. M. sharp with
the striking of the clock, the ringing of the bells by Stuff and Guff, and
the eyes of the owls blinking again for the first time in twenty years.
The rehabilitation of the hour-glass intersection of Broadway
and Sixth Avenue extending frora 32nd Street to 35tb Street is now
completed. Elevated structures, and surface car tracks have been removed,
building fronts cleaned, streets and sidewalks repaved and park areas
rebuilt.
Herald and Greeley Squares, the bulbs of the hour-glass, have
been redesigned and reconstructed. Greeley Square, which lies at the south
end of the improved area, has been planted and paved in a manner similar to
Herald Square. Within it has been relocated the seated figure of Horace
Greeley facing north and framed by 4 Hawthorne trees.
The old Herald Square, bounded by Broadway, Sixth Avenue and
35th Street, has been enlarged on the Sixth Avenue and Broadway aides to
provide an adequate setting for the new 50 foot granite monument housing
Minerva and the Bell Ringers.
In November, 1939, a number of businessmen in the Herald Square
neighborhood formed a committee which raised $10,000. for the restoration
of the old Herald Clock and Bell Ringers. Negotiations were started to
permanently halt the wanderings of Minerva and her companions who started
their exciting careers in France. Their sculptor, Antoin Jean Carles,
commissioned by James Gordon Bennett Jr., to create the model and supervise
the casting, completed in 1894 the group which was brought to this country
and erected on the old Herald Building at a cost of $200,000.
From atop this old landmark completed in 1893 from plans of McKim
Mead and White the bell-strikers "Stuff and Guff" under the gaze of the
"Goddess Of Wisdom" tolled the hours for 26 years establishing a tradition
which oldttmers are happy to see revived.
The group eventually became the property of William T. Dewart,
President and Publisher of "The Sun", who presented it to New York
University in 1919. Mr. Dewart considered the figures symbolic of the old
Herald and deserving of a permanent and appropriate civic site. Accordingly
it was hoped that the statuary would be enshrined in a group of University
Buildings near the Hall of Fame as a tribute to the younger James Gordon
Bennett, owner and editor of the New York Herald, considered one of
America's eminent newspaper figures. Because of the inability to finance the
plan in 1928 the group became part of the James Arthur collection of time
pieces.
The improvement of Herald Square afforded an opportunity for the
realization of Mr. Dewart's plans for the clock group. The monument, of
modified Italian Renaissance style, stands near the base of the triangle at
the north end adjacent to 35th Street and faces the open square to the
south. The bronze figures and bell, supported on a granite base 10 feet
above the square, are partly sheltered by a granite niche flanked by two
Copiathian columns. The simple and impressive pylon thus formed is
surmounted by the granite housing which shelters the double faced, rebuilt
Herald Clock. On either side of the 5 foot illuminated dial, facing
outward, two green-eyed bronze owls blink continually during the dark hours.
The south face of the 10 foot granite base has been incised
with the following memorial inscription:
A MEMORIAL TO
JAMES GORDON BENETT (1795-1872)
FOUNDER OF THE NEW HDRK HERALD IN 1835
AND TO HIS SON
JAMES GOEDON BENNETT (1841-1918)
THROUGH WHOSE VISION AND ENTERPRISE
THE NEW YORK HERALD BECAME ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREAT NEWSPAPERS
THE BRONZE FIGURES OF MINERVA AND THE BELL
RINGERS ARE THE WORK OF ANTONIN JEAN CARLES.
THEY STOOD, FROM 1895 to 1921, ABOVE THE
CORNICE OF JAMES GORDON BENNETT'S NEW YORK
HERALD BUILDING ON THE NORTH SIDE OF HERALD
SQUARE AND TOLLED THE ACTIVE HOURS TO THE
MILLIONS. IN 1928, THEY WERE GIVEN BY WILLIAM
T. DEWART, PUBLISHER OF THE NEW YORK SUN, TO
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, THROUGH WHOSE GENEROSITY
IN 1928 THEY ENTERED, ON PERMANENT LOAN, THE
CARE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS OF THE CITY OF
NEW YORK, THAT THEY MAY BE HERE RESTORED TO
THEIR ORIGINAL AREA OF PLEASANT SERVICE, AND TO
THEIR PLACE IN THE HEARTS OF OUR CITIZENS. FUNDS
FOR THEIR RESTORATION WERE PROVIDED BY SUBSCRIPTION
OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS WHOSE LIVES ARE
DEEP-ROOTED IN TEE NEIGHBORHOOD OF HERALS SQUARE.
MCMXL
This monument housing the original group of Minerva, the Bell
Ringers, and Owls, symbolizes the traditions of Herald Square. The bronze
figures who tolled the hours for twenty-six years from the top of the old
Herald Building, became an important part of the day and night life of old
New York and of visitors from other lands and cities.
Once again Minerva will watch over her original domain. Once more
her companions will mark the hourly passing of time for millions of hurrying
feet in one of the City's busiest squares, and again the Owls will blink at
passers-by.
The Park Department, under whose supervision the project was
executed, is grateful to all who participated in this work and made possible
the restoration of this symbol of Old New York.
Our thanks go to the Work Projects Administration who carried out
the designs and to Chancellor Chase of New York University, through whose
efforts the group was presented to the City of New York.
We are particularly grateful to the civic-minded business interests
and individuals in the neighborhood of Herald Square who generously
contributed to the restoration.
* * *
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Saturday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 November 16, 1940
I. C. 4A CROSS COUNTRY RUN TO FINISH IN
VAN CORTLANDT PARK STADIUM
The varsity cross country run of the Eastern Intercollegiate
Association, known as the I. C. 4A, will be held Monday, November 18
starting at 3 P.M. and finishing in the Van Cortlandt Stadium. Instead of
finishing at Broadway and 246 Street as in previous years, the runners will
continue straight on into the stadium, entering at the north gate of the
stadium, and finishing with one lap around the track. For the first time,
the majority of the spectators will be able to see the finish of the
run. This will eliminate crowding by spectators at the finish as experienced
in past years and provide an adequate view of the finish to all using the
stands which accommodate approximately four thousand. The admission is
free.
For the past thirty years Van Cortlandt Park has been the
scene of most of the cross country runs held in New York City, including
most of the championship runs of the colleges, public and private high
schools and athletic clubs. Runners in the early days traversed part of the
gel? course but the course was changed owing to construction of the Henry
Hudson Parkway.
The present course is considered to be one of the best in the
entire country. The directional posts have three colors: yellow, red and
blue. The yellow is for the schoolboy couse, 2˝ miles; the red is the
college freshman, 3 miles; and the blue is a two mile course. Any number of
combination courses can be made. The college varsity uses the combination of
red and blue as the standard five mile course. The A. A. U. senior
championship is six miles and is run two laps over the red course.
* * * *
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Wednesday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 November 13, 1940
Hunters Island Picnic Area
The Department of Parks announces the completion of additional
picnic facilities at Hunters Island and Twin Island in Pelham Bay Park.
This former island which was joined to the mainland by hydraulic fill when
Orchard Beach was constructed has been a popular retreat for basket parties
although the facilities until recently have been inadequate.
The Work Projects Administration under the supervision of the
Department of Parks, has added 150 tables and 80 fireplaces to the existing
units bringing the total to 205 tables, 85 fireplaces and 4 water outlets.
The natural character of this comparatively undeveloped and wooded
promontory with its winding trails and overlooks appeals to nature lovers
who wish to escape the crowded conditions of the formal developments to the
south.
Complete utilization for anticipated needs requires a considerable
program of future construction. The ultimate development will provide a
restaurant, comfort stations, field house and play areas, boathouse and boat
basin, paved walks and promenades, overlooks, benches and drinking
fountains. Twin Island will be connected to Hunters Island by land fill
operations and Orchard Beach will be extended several hundred feet eastward.
It is expected that a vehicular connecting will be built across the north
lagoon connection the northwest corner of Hunters Island with the Pelham
Shore Road.
* * *
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Monday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 November 11, 1940
JUNIPER VALLEY ATHLETIC FIELD
The Department of Parks announces the completion of four baseball
diamonds in 55 acre Juniper Valley Park, Maspeth, Queens. This field has
been reconstructed during the past six months by the Work Projects
Administration on the low area between Juniper Boulevard North and Juniper
Boulevard South.
Two regulation size baseball diamonds and two softball diamonds
with chain link hooded backstops have been built in the newly seeded 10 acre
oval field. It is expected that the grass will have developed sufficiently
to permit the use of the field during the season of 1941.
The 20' wide bicycle track which has been built around the
athletic field connects with the existing playground to the east. Facilities
provided here include a variety of court games and play apparatus, comfort
station and wading pool.
A five acre court games area is planned between this existing
playground and 80th Street. Included in the development will be 15 tennis,
10 paddle tennis, 5 badminton, 5 handball and 8 shuffleboard courts.
The existing playground at the eastern end of the park between 80th
Street and Dry Harbor Road contains an oval skating track, a small play
apparatus area and ample seating facilities.
The western end of the park on the recently completed Sanitation
fill will be developed as an open play field with playgrounds at the
northwest and southwest corners.
In order to provide adequate motor and pedestrian access to the
various units of the park, the Borough President of Queens has agreed to a
program of paving the boundary streets and walks.
* * *
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 November 8, 1940
The Department of Parks announces the completion of the "Animal
Naming Contest" which was conducted for elementary and high school children
during the months of September and October for the purpose of selecting
appropriate names for the new arrivals at the Zoos in both Central Park,
Manhattan, and Prospect Park, Brooklyn.
During this period, boxes were placed at several points in each
zoo area. Every child who was desirous of participating in the contest
wrote suggested names on a slip of paper, together with his name, address,
age, school and class, and placed it in a box.
Approximately 525 children took part in the competition and,
judging by the multiplicity and variety of names submitted, this contest
stimulated close observation and educational interest among the
participants.
All the suggestions were carefully considered by the board of
Judges, consisting of Dr. H. F. Nimphius, Director of Menageries, John
Kelly, Manager of the Central Park Zoo Cafeteria, and Richard O'Brien, Head
Keeper of Central Park Zoo.
The following names were chosen:
Central Park Zoo
Animal Winning Name Submitted By
Black Leopard "Blackie" Nancy Armstrong, 58 West 57 Street,
Manhattan,
8 years - 3rd grade, private school
2 Sea Lions "Dixie" & "Trixie" Catherine Stanton, 329 East 63 Street,
Manhattan,
15 years - Julia Richman High School
Thar "Kazan" Mary Berger, 329 East 63 Street,
Manhattan,
15 years - Cathedral High School
Antelope "Heda-La-Ma" Mary Smith, 42 West 64 Street,
Manhattan, 12 years -
7A -Blessed Sacrament School
Yak "To-To" Leonia Orloft, 2140 - 70 Street,
Brooklyn,
14 years - 8B - P.S. 96
Deer(Buck) "Rusty" Janice Paulsen, 329 East 63 Street,
Manhattan,
15 years -Julia Richman H.S.- 3 term
Deer(Doe) "Reddy" Mary Berger, 329 East 63 Street,
Manhattan, 15 years -
Cathedral High School, 3 term
Llama "Glamour" Rose Sacchi, 329 East 63 Street,
Manhattan,
16 years - Julia Richman High School
Prospect Park Zoo, Brooklyn
Tiger Cub "Duke" Eleanor Driscoll, 116-21 116 St.,
Jamaica,
13 years, Our Lady of Wisdom Academy
Lion Cub "Duchess" Tracy Rickers, 1241 East 32 Street,
Brooklyn,
7 years - Berkeley Institute, 2 grade
2 Monkeys "Ko-Ko" & "Jo-Jo" James Atkins, 892 Green Avenue,
Brooklyn,
14 years - 7B - P. S. 26
Antelope (Buck) "Buckeroo" Gloria Ellis, 309 Osborn Street,
Brooklyn,
12 years - 7A - P. S. 84
Antelope (Doe) "Sheba" Julia Laura, 1017 Putnam Avenue,
Brooklyn,
4 years old
Ceremonies, at which the animals will officially receive the
names chosen for them, will take place at both the Central Park Zoo,
Manhattan, and Prospect Park Zoo, Brooklyn, on Saturday, November 9, at
2:30 P. M.
Appropriate signs bearing the selected names will be hung in
front of the animals' cages at that time. The awarding of silver medals to the
winning contestants will also form part of the afternoon's program.
* * *
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Thursday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 November 7, 1940
The Department of Parks announces that another step towards the
completion of the final development of Schmul Park started on Wednesday,
November 6, 1940 in the form of land fill operations to reclaim the salt marsh
area at the easterly end of the partially developed eight and a half acre
neighborhood park. This property, donated to the City by the Louis Schmul
family, as a playground site is bounded by Wild Avenue, Pearson Street and
Melvin Avenue and extends to Flaak Creek a tributary lateral of Fresh Kills
Main Creek.
The reclamation of this low lying marsh will permit a needed
addition to the much used existing playground which was formally dedicated and
opened to public use in April, 1939.
The Otis Sand and Gravel Co. of 489 Bay Street, Staten Island,
low bidders for the estimated 50,000 cubic yards of fill at a lump sum price
of $14,982.00 will complete in thirty calendar days the contract for raising
the ground level to approximate final grades.
The existing trench drained, treeless meadow surface, lying just
slightly above the adjoining creek level will be raised an average height of 6
feet. The area to be developed is approximately 300 feet by 700 feet,
Upon completion of grading operations early in December the Work
Projects Administration under the supervision of the Park Department will
start construction on the completion of the existing boundary chain link
fence, drainage facilities, provide topsoil, grass seed and trees and build
two regulation size baseball diamonds, which are expected to be opened for
play in the spring of 1941.
The existing facilities, located in the 150' x 500' westerly
section were developed under Department of Parks supervision by the Work
Projects Administration upon fill provided jointly by the W. P. A. and the
Borough President of Richmond.
This section has three distinct areas. The first unit adjacent
to Wild Avenue is reserved for small children and provides in addition to a
brick comfort station, a wading pool, slides, jungle gym, seesaws and swings.
The middle unit is for adolescent and adult use providing
facilities for basketball, handball, shuffleboard and horse shoe pitching.
The third and largest completed unit has a roller skating track
and softball diamond. The new development which will adjoin this section will
round out the playground activities to satisfy the active recreation needs of
the community.
The playground may be reached via Victory Boulevard which passes
one block to the west.
* * *
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Saturday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 November 2, 1940
The Department of Parks announces that the citywide finals of the
volley ball tournament for playground girls up to 17 years of age will be held
on Saturday, November 2, 2:00 P. M., at Heckscher Playground, 62 Street and
West Drive, Central Park.
Teams from each of the 414 playgrounds have participated in a
series of elimination matches during the last six weeks, throughout the five
boroughs, in preparation for the city championship. The teams from the
Boroughs of Manhattan and Queens have been victorious in all their scheduled
matches and will play each other at the final game of the contest next
Saturday afternoon.
Gold medals will be awarded to the members of the
winning team and silver medals to the losers.
* * * * *
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Saturday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 November 2, 1940
The Park Department announces that the Annual Fall Chrysanthemum
Show in the Prospect Park Brooklyn Greenhouse, will open on Sunday, November 3
at 10 A. M,
The Greenhouse, located at Prospect Park West and Ninth Street,
Brooklyn, may be reached by way of the I. R. T. Subway, Grand Army Plaza stop;
the Independent Subway, 7th Avenue stop; and the Vanderbilt and Smith Street
car lines, Ninth Street stop; or by automobile direct to the Greenhouse by way
of the east drive in Prospect Park.
The Exhibit will be open every day from 10 A. M. to 4 P. M.
and the Park Department extends a cordial invitation to the public to
view the display which will be open for three weeks.
More than four thousand pots of chrysanthemums will be on
exhibition. The ground bed is laid out in groups of various formations with
popular large bloom varieties in all shades of pink, yellow, red and bronze.
Some of the attractive plants are the Pooketts, Turners, John S. Bush, Rise of
Day and the Melba.
Surrounding this feature of the display, banked on the sides of
the Show House are numerous small size chrysanthemums in 75 varieties, such as
the Pompons, the Anemone and the Single Daisy type.
In the class of varieties in all shades of bronze, red, yellow and
white, some of the outstanding chrysanthemums to be exhibited are the Crimson
Red, Purple Queen, Red Rover, Orchid Beauty, Cleopatra and New York.
* * * *
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Saturday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 November 2, 1940
The Department of Parks announces that on Sunday, November 3, at
3:00 P. M. Maurice Park (Urban Water Supply Playground) [in Queens] will be
officially dedicated and opened to the public. Neighborhood civic groups and
local representatives of the W. P. A. and Park Department will
participate. There will be recreation activities in which the children will
participate and music will be provided by the Park Department Band.
The completion of this neighborhood park and playground which is
bounded by Maurice Avenue, 54 Avenue, 63 Street and Borden Avenue will fulfill
a recreational need of long standing. The future southerly extension of 61
Street through the park between 54 Avenue and Borden Avenue was abandoned by
the Borough President as less desirable than a single unit park area.
Every square foot has been well utilized in this intensively
developed tract which was formerly the property of a privately owned Water
Company. Acquired by the City in 1937 for unpaid taxes and assessments
totaling $358,817.00, the property was placed under the jurisdiction of the
Department of Water Supply. Because the pumping station was inactive the Park
Department, in February 1939, succeeded in having the property transferred for
development as a park.
Three types of active recreation areas are grouped about the
formal central mall which serves as the main entrance to the park from Borden
Avenue and divides the property approximately in half. There are four rows of
Oak trees along the bench lined double promenade flanking the grass panels of
this shaded resting spot.
A flag pole with an attractively designed cast stone base accents
the intersection of this north and south major axis of the development and the
center line of a small brick comfort station which serves the adjacent play
areas in the eastern half.
For small children there is the typical battery of swings,
seesaws, slides and a sand pit. Adjoining this area is a wading pool which
also serves as a volley ball court for winter use.
A larger unit for adolescents and adult use contains 10 handball
courts, a multiple use section for open play, ice skating, softball and
basketball, four horse shoe and six shuffle board courts. A small section of
this unit also contains swings and slides for older children.
The western half of the park contains a regulation size baseball
diamond and concrete bleachers with seating capacity for approximately 1,000
spectators. Two football fields with removable goal posts and a softball
diamond complete the development.
The opening of this playground designed by the Park Department and
built by the Work Projects Administration makes a total of 296 new playgrounds
completed since June 1934. At that time there were 119 playgrounds in the five
boroughs, 52 of these have been redesigned and reconstructed. At present
there are 415 playgrounds in the park system.
* * * *
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 November 1, 1940
Bids were received today by the Department of Parks at the
Arsenal Building on a contract for transplanting of various trees located on
the site of the proposed construction shaft for the new Battery-Brooklyn
Tunnel across the Narrows in lower New York Bay.
The work will consist of the removal of the trees to new locations
in Battery Park and in the improved portion of City Hall Park in Manhattan.
The trees ranging from 8" to 18" in caliper are of a fine quality not easily
replaced and will serve as a useful addition to the park facing the City Hall.
The three low bidders for the work were The following:
1. Henry J. Tamke $2,795.00
475 Fifth Avenue
New York City
2. Syosset Nurseries 3,133.81
Syosset, New York
3. Grand View Nurseries 3,337.50
6 Grand View Avenue
Mt. Vernon, N.Y.
* * *
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Thursday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 October 31, 1940
The Department of Parks announces that "Birthday Parties" have
been arranged for the children of 14 playgrounds during the month of November
in commemoration of their official opening to the public.
These anniversary celebrations will include a variety of
recreational activities such as: ping pong, volley ball, basketball, handball,
and football games; also, checkers, chess, novelty races, roller hockey and
roller skating contests.
Group games, recitations, salute to the Flag, and community
singing of patriotic songs will also form part of the programs.
Time of
Borough Playground and Location Opened Celebration
Manhattan Thomas Jefferson Playground, East 111 Nov. 21,1935 4:00 P. M.
Street and First Avenue
Harlem Housing, West 150 Street and Nov.28,1937 4:00 P. M.
and Harlem River
Chelsea Health Roof, 9 Avenue and Nov. 27,1937 4:00 P. M.
West 27 Street
Brooklyn Dreier-Offerman Playground, Cropsey Nov. 9,1934 4:00 P. M.
Ave. and Bay 46 Street
Cooper Park Playground, Morgan Ave. Nov.16,1934 11:00 A. M.
and Sharon Street
South Third and Berry Streets Nov.12,1937 2 - 5 P. M.
Shiplacoff Playground, Pitkin Ave. Nov.10,1937 11:00 A. M.
and Powell Street
Marion Street and Hopkinson Ave. Nov. 24,1938 3:00 P. M.
Queens Flushing Memorial Playground, Bayside Nov.11,1934 10 A.M. -
and 25 Avenues 5 P.M.
Corona Avenue and 102 Street Nov. 12,1934 3:30 P. M.
Bronx Devoe East - University Ave. and West Nov.22,1935 3:30 P. M.
188 Street
East 183 Street and Ryer Avenue Nov.ll,1936 3:00 P. M.
Crotona Park East and Charlotte Nov.11,1936 3:00 P. M.
Street
Bronx Park East and Reiss Place Nov. 1,1939 3:30 P. M.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Wednesday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 October 30, 1940
The Department of Parks announces the completion of the northerly
portion of Baisley Pond Park between Sutphin Boulevard and Foch Boulevard,
Queens, The park will be reopened to the general public on October 30, 1940
without formal ceremony.
The thirty-acre lake in the park has been drained and cleaned to
provide deeper water, and new boat landings have been constructed at intervals
throughout its circumference. The lake will continue to be used for boating
during the summer and for ice-skating in the winter. It is expected that a
new semi-circular concrete basin along the lake will attract model boat
enthusiasts.
The park has a complete new system of walks and a number of new
play areas have been constructed. There are now three children's playgrounds,
two of which are new and the other remodeled, with handball courts, tennis
courts, three baseball diamonds and a football field. There are four comfort
stations, three of which are newly constructed and one remodeled.
The southerly portion of Baisley Pond Park adjacent to the Belt
Parkway will be the next section to be built. Already, as a part of the Belt
Parkway improvement, 83,000 cubic yards of fill were placed in this low lying
area and additional grading work is now going on in preparation for the
landscaping and other park construction.
This is the 414th new or reconstructed playground in the
New York City park system.
****
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Tuesday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 October 29, 1940
The Department of Parks announces that work on the pedestrian
overpass at West 148 Street and Riverside Drive, which will serve as a
connection from the Drive to the recreation areas in Riverside Park west of
the railroad and the Henry Hudson Parkway is 25% completed.
This overpass is being built at an estimate cost to the city of
$70,000. Work is being done by the P. T. Cox Construction Company, Inc., and
construction will be completed about December 1, 1940.
At the present time the playground must be reached by a devious route
over the old pedestrian bridge located a considerable distance north of the
present site. The heavy use made of the playground made it essential that the
city provide the funds to complete this portion of the West Side Improvement.
* * * *
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Monday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 October 28, 1940
Bids were received today by the Department of Parks at the
Arsenal Building on a contract for the demolition of exhibits and for the
construction of new facilities for roller and ice skating on the large floor
area of the New York City Building, in Flushing Meadow Park, Borough of
Queens.
The work consists of the removal of exhibits and the
construction of a fabricated sectional maple floor for roller skating. Also
included is the construction of a portable barrier enclosure for an ice
skating and hockey arena adjoining the skating rink. Other incidental work
necessary for maintenance and operation of these facilities is part of this
work. The work is to be finished and opened to the public by December 15,
1940.
The three low bidders for the work are as follows:
1. Balaban-Gordon Company, Inc. $21,600.00
220 West 42 Street, N. Y. C.
2. Rolin Contracting Company 23,200.00
11 West 42 Street, N. Y. C.
3. Frank Teicher 25,464.00
1679 Madison Avenue, N. Y. C.
*****
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Sunday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 October 27, 1940
The Park Department announces that 2,289 trees were planted on City
streets throughout the five boroughs during the spring season of 1940. The
planting of many of these trees(consisting of Oriental Planes, Norway Maples
and Pin Oaks) was made possible through funds appropriated from the Capital
Outlay Budget and with the cooperation of the W. P. A. under the direction of
the Borough Presidents' offices of Queens, Bronx and Brooklyn.
Private property owners planted 763 street trees after making
application and receiving permits from the Park Department which assisted by
assign ing one of their forestry representatives to inspect the planting site
and recommend the quantity and species of trees most adapted for the location.
The Park Department will cooperate and assit all property owners who
contemplate street tree planting in the fall of 1940, which may be done from
now until December 15. Application for a permit must be made to the Park
Director in charge of the respective borough:
Philip J. Cruise, The Arsenal, Central Park, 64th Street and Fifth Avenue,
Manhattan
Richard C. Jenkins, Litchfield Mansion, Prospect Park, Brooklyn
George L. Quigley, Bronx Administration Building, Bronx Park East and
Birchall Avenue, Bronx
James J. Mallen, The Overlook, Forest Park, Kew Gardens, Queens
A. M. Anderson, Field House, Clove Lakes Park, Victory Boulevard and
Clove Road, West Brighton, Richmond
A permit for breaking the sidewalk must be obtained also from the
Permit Department in the office of the Borough President in the borough in
which the planting is to be done. Heretofore, some of the Borough Presidents'
Offices required a fee for this purpose; but this has now been waived where
street trees are to be planted.
****
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Thursday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 October 24, 1940
The Department of Parks announces that the city wide finals of
the Roller Skating Contest conducted annually by the Park Department for both
children and adults will take place at the roller skating rink in the Great
lawn Playground, Central Park, located at 85th Street and East Drive, on
Saturday, October 26th at 2:00 P.M.
The following are the events of the program:
Up to 16 years of age Boys Girls
4'8" and under 60 yard dash 40 yard dash
5'3" " " 100 " " 60 " "
Unlimited(height) 200 " " 100 " "
Over 16 years of age
Unlimited(as to height 200 " " 100 " "
and age)
The first five winners of each event in the borough eliminations
held last Saturday will be eligible to compete in the finals on October 26th.
Silver cups will be awarded to those attaining first place in
each event.
* * * *
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Wednesday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 October 23, 1940
The Department of Parks announces that arrangements have been
made for the enrollment of new members in the playground children's bands and
orchestras starting Wednesday, October 23.
Any boy or girl, 18 years of age and under, who plays a musical
instrument, is eligible to apply for membership in these juvenile bands or
orchestras.
The department has assigned an instructor of music to these
playground musical units and he will interview eligible applicants at the
official rehearsal centers located in designated playgrounds of the five
boroughs at the time and on the day specified in the following schedule:
Day Time Playground and Location
Monday 3 to 5 P. M. Jay Hood Wright Playground, 175 Street and Fort
Washington Avenue, Manhattan
7 to 10 P. M. West 134 Street Gymnasium, 35 West 134 Street,
Manhattan
Tuesday 5 to 7 P. M. Von Dohlen Playground, 138 Street and Archer Avenue,
Queens
Wednesday 3 to 10 P. M. Abraham Levy Playground, Jewett and Castleton
Avenues, Port Richmond, Richmond
Thursday 3 to 5 P. M. New Utrecht Playground, New Utrecht Avenue and
70 Street, Brooklyn
7 to 10 P. M. Taaffe Place Playground, Myrtle Avenue and Taaffe
Place, Brooklyn
Friday 3 to 5 P. M. Corona Avenue and 102 Street Playground, Queens
7 to 10 P. M. McDonald Playground, Forest Avenue, near Broadway,
West Brighton, Richmond
Saturday 10 A. M. to Noon Abraham Levy Playground, Jewett and Castleton
Avenues, Port Richmond, Richmond
2 to 4 P. M. De Matti Playground, Tompkins Avenue, Rosebank,
Kichmond
***
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Wednesday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 October 23, 1940
The Department of Parks announces that a comprehensive program of
recreational activities has been planned for the fall and winter months at the
various gymnasia, indoor pools, and floodlighted playgrounds under its
jurisdiction.
All the gymnasia have adequate showers and dressing facilities and
are operated from 10 A. M. to 10 P»M, daily. The program of activities
includes: basketball, handball, shuffleboard, volley ball, badminton, ping
pong, track, calisthenics, gymnastics, group games, magic shows, club
meetings, and social dancing, with music supplied by the WPA Federal Music
Project. They are located as follows:
Gymnasia and Locations
Manhattan
Carmine Street - Carmine and Tarick Streets
Rutgers Place - 5 Rutgers Place
Baruch - Rivington and Mangin Streets
East 54 Street - 342 East 54 Street
West 134 Street - 35 West 134 Street
West 60 Street - West 60 Street, between 10 and 11 Avenues
West 28 Street - 407 West 28 Street
Cherry and Oliver - Cherry and Oliver Streets
Brooklyn
President Street - President Street and Fourth Avenue
Richmond
Cromwell Center - Victory Boulevard and Murray Hulbert Avenue,
Tomkinsville, Staten Island
Faber Park Recreation Building - Richmond Terrace at Faber Street,
Port Richmond, Staten Island
Basketball teams desiring to use these gymnasia are requested to
apply for the necessary permit to the Borough Directors, whose names and
addresses follow:
Manhattan Philip J. Cruise - Arsenal Building, Central Park, 64 Street and
Fifth Avenue
Brooklyn Richard C. Jenkins - Litchfield Mansion, Prospect Park, Prospect
Park West and 5th Street
Richmond A. M. Anderson - Field House, Clove Lakes Park, Clove Road, West
of Victory Boulevard,
Basketball tournaments are being organized in all gymnasium
centers for boys, girls and men of the surrounding neighborhood and medals
will be awarded to the members of the winning teams.
Playground directors are present to assist boys in various
gymnastic stunts. A monster demonstration in gymnastics will be given by
those attending these classes in the latter part of January.
At the present time, a group of playground directors are being
trained in the art of giving puppet and marionette shows. It is expected that,
during Christmas week, the first of a series of shows will be presented by
these puppeteers at the various gymnasium and recreation buildings throughout
the five boroughs.
Indoor swimming pools, which may be used free of charge, are
located in each of the gymnasium buildings, in the borough of Manhattan, with
the exception of the one located at Cherry and Oliver Streets.
In addition, there is a Park Department indoor swimming pool at 23
Street and Avenue A., Manhattan, and at Metropolitan and Bedford Avenues,
Brooklyn.
Swimming classes are conducted for beginners at all these pools.
Anyone wishing to learn how to swim is invited to register at the pool nearest
his home. Lessons in Life Saving are also given to the advanced swimmers.
At various intervals during the fall and winter seasons, swimming
tournaments for all age groups will be held and they will include: relays,
individual events, diving and water polo.
Facilities are also available in all boroughs for such outdoor
activities as: soccer, football, field hockey, roller hockey, roller skating;
horseshoe pitching and handball. Seventy-two of the Park Department outdoor
recreation areas are equipped with modern floodlighting equipment and their
facilities may be used until 10 P. M. each night.
***
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Tuesday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 October 15, 1940
The Department of Parks announces that an ejdaibition of
handcraft composed of articles made by children of Park Department
playgrounds, will take place at the City Information Center, located at 42
Street and Pershing Square, Manhattan, opposite the Grand Central Terminal,
beginning Tuesday, October 15, and running through Monday, October 21.
3,812 persons visited a similar Exhibition at the Education
Hall of the American Museum of Natural History, during the week of September
29.
This handcraft display will reveal skilfuLleather, soap and
chip carving, raffia, reed, bead, weaving and basketry work. Useful and
decorative articles for home and school have also been made from such
materials, as cork, wood, metal, leather, wool, crepe paper and felt.
Discarded materials of various sorts have been salvaged from the waste heap by
the young craftsmen and converted into instruments of practical value.
Other contributions to the handcraft display consist of wearing
apparel such as sweaters, scarfs, gloves and hats with singular designs and
beautiful color schemes; also articles for household use such as table cloths,
doilies, book cases, lamps and rugs.
* * *
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 October 11, 1940
The Department of Parks announces that on Columbus Day, October
12, at 2:00 P. M., harvesting of the crops in Children's Gardens, maintained
by the Park Department, will begin in the following gardens:
Manhattan
Thomas Jefferson Park Garden - 114 Street and Pleasant Avenue
St. Gabriel's Park Garden - 35 Street and 1st Avenue
Highbridge Park Garden - 189 Street and Amsterdam Avenue
Brooklyn
Fort Greene Park Garden - Myrtle and North Portland Avenues
Queens
Highland Park Garden - Jamaica and Cleveland Avenues
Medals will be awarded to the boys and girls producing the best
vegetables in each garden.
Hundreds of youngsters, ranging from eight to fourteen years of
age, will harvest their second crop of the season, consisting of beets, corn,
kohl-rabi, carrots, lettuce, escarole, fennel and swiss chard, which were
planted during July.
* * * *
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Friday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 October 11, 1940
Bids were opened today by the Department of Parks at the Arsenal
Building on a contract for repaving a small section of the Grand Central
Parkway Extension south of Horace Harding Boulevard, in the immediate vicinity
of old Horse Brook Creek.
The work consists of resurfacing with a bituminous macadam,
including incidental grading and seeding an area which had become depressed
due to proximity of the old creek and the heavy flow of traffic.
The three low bidders for the work were:
1. Frank Mascali & Sons, Inc. $2,342.50
4634 Third Avenue
The Bronx, N. Y.
2. Sicilian Asphalt Paving Co. 2,558.50
41 Park Row
New York City
3. John I. Mattiello Contracting Corp. 2,987.50
1270 Sixth Avenue
New York City
***
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Wednesday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 October 9, 1940
PARK FACILITIES ADJACENT TO NEW HARLEM
BOYS' CLUB OF THE CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETY
The opening of the new Boys' Club of Harlem, under the
jurisdiction of the Children's Aid Society will be another improvement in the
recreation facilities in Harlem. The construction of this building and the
recreation facilities that go with it will be a most welcome addition to
those which have been supplied by the City of New York during the last six
years.
Although the Park Department has not been able to do everything
it would like to do in the way of providing new and improved facilities in
Harlem, it has been able to improve the situation greatly in this congested
section of the Borough of Manhattan. Fifteen new play areas have been added
to the system and seven old ones have been rebuilt and, wherever possible,
expanded.
The following are the Park Department accomplishments in Harlem
since 1934:
ENTIRELY NEW
Name Location
McCray Playground West 138th Street between Fifth and Lenox Aves.
Playground West 150th Street and Seventh Avenue
Playground East 106th Street and Fifth Avenue
Playground East 106th Street btwn Third & Lexington Avenues
Highbridge Park Playground West 167th Street and Edgecomb Avenue
Playground West 130th Street and Fifth Avenue
Harlem Housing Playground West 150th Street and Harlem River
Health Center Roof East 115th Street between Third & Lexington Aves
Mount Morris Park, West 122nd Street and Nathan Davis Place
West Playground
Playground West 151st Street and Seventh Avenue
Playground West 140th Street and Lenox Avenue
Colonial Park Playground West 145th Street and Bradhurst Avenue
Swimming Pool & Dance Area
Marginal Playground Central Park at 110th Street and Lenox Avenue
Marginal Playground Central Park at 108th Street and Fifth Avenue
Marginal Playground Central Park at 110th Street & Central Park West
REHABILITATED PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS
Name Location
St. Nicholas Park and West 141st Street and St. Nicholas Avenue
Playground
Morningside Park and West 114th Street and Morningside Avenue
Playground
Colonial Park West 153rd Street and Bradhurst Avenue
Mount Morris Park East 120th Street and Madison Avenue
West 134th Street Gymnasium West 134th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues
West 134th Street Indoor West 134th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues
Swimming Pool
Jasper Oval West 135th Street and Convent Avenue
Future improvements now being planned include the recreation areas
that will be constructed in the proposed Harlem River Drive, and the
playground acquisition in connection with Public School No. 117, East 115th
Street and Madison Avenue.
***
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Saturday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 October 5, 1940
The Department of Parks announces that a demonstration in
Magic will be given by the children of Park Department playgrounds at the
Mall, Central Park, on Sunday, October 6, at 2:00 P. M.
Ten magic clubs, composed of 300 boys and girls, ranging
from 6 to 18 years of age, have been organized in various Park Department
playgrounds throughout the five boroughst All the members of these clubs have
displayed unusual talent in the art of magic, and their regular attendance at
the weekly classes has resulted in a marked improvement* Lesson plans and
study aids have been compiled for use in the programs of instruction,
supplemented by materials and bibliographies which have been collected and
classified after extensive experiments and wide experience with thousands of
playground children.
The course of study includes a variety of subjects such
as: unusual forms of paper tearing and folding, parlor tricks, puzzles,
various phases of shadowgraphy, chalk talks, sleight of hand, rag, sand, and
smoke pictures, optical and psychological illusions, juggling, Punch and Judy,
marionettes, ventriloquism, and other forms of dramatic expression,
Dantomines, magical games, plays, skits and stunts. In fact, there is some
form of magic expression or activity for every age level and for every type of
child.
The magic review, scheduled for next Sunday afternoon,
will be given by some of the outstanding playground magicians from each of the
ten clubs. The program will be divided into three parts with each part under
the super- vision of a prize winner in a former magic contest conducted by the
department, and will include tricks taken from Indian folklore, mind reading,
disappearing acts, ancient puzzles, ventriloquism, juggling, and many other
demonstrations of mystery usually found in the repertoire of a magician.
The Park Department Band will furnish the musical
selections for the afternoon's entertainment. The complete program follows:
Part One
Seymour Eskow - "Magical Master of Ceremonies"
Nicholas Stathes - "Adventure in India" - tricks of Indian folklore
Harold Ryfas - "Ball Manipulations" - Disappearance of balls by
skilled manipulation
George Kanjo - "Chalk Talk" - Creative art
Koss and Dorman - "Mind Reading"
Bob Rice - "Magic De Luxe" - Ancient tricks demonstrated
Part Two
Jerry Nadel - "Magical Master of Ceremonies"
Thimbleny - "Thimbles and Such"
Meyer Hornstein - "Feats with Hands"
Sol Stone - "Magical Moment"
Tommy Down and Alicia - "Sophisticated Sorcery"
Gymnastic Tricksters
Accordion Selection
Part Three
Danny Morris - "Magical Master of Ceremonies"
Murray Landsberg - "Prestidigation"
Dave Call - "Miscellaneous Magic"
Irving Tarr - "Color Changes"
Richard Hillman- - "Slick Magic"
Ruth Dore - "Feminine Magic"
Band Selection
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Saturday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 October 5, 1940
The Department of Parks announces that the children of 18
playgrounds in various boroughs will celebrate the anniversary of the official
opening of these play areas to the public during the month of October by
participating in specially prepared "Birthday Party" programs.
These anniversary celebrations are conducted primarily for the
purpose of inculcating in the children a deeper sense of appreciation for the
recreation facilities that have been made available to them; and also, to
impress upon them that they have a civic obligation to cooperate in
maintaining all parks and playgrounds in good physical condition.
The programs for these "Birthday Parties" will include softball
games, demonstrations in six-man football, roller skating contests, handball
matches, horseshoe pitching tournaments, track and field meets, and gymnastic
exhibitions.
In addition, there will be feature events such as; tug of war,
novelty contests embracing pie eating, banana eating and apple bobbing
contests; treasure hunts, doll and carriage parades, handcraft exhibits, and
obstacle races, some of which, will be: the wheelbarrow race, the egg and
spoon race, the sack race, and the three-legged race.
Community singing of patriotic songs, salute to the Flag, one
act play contests, folk dancing, and musical selections by members of the
playground children's orchestras will also form part of the day's
entertainment.
The schedule of October Playground "Birthday Parties" follows:
Time of
Borough Playground and Location Opened Celebration
Manhattan Essex, Norfolk and E. Houston Sts. Oct. 5, 1934 2:00 P. M.
Columbus Playground - Baxter and Oct. 12, 1934 2:00 P. M.
Park Streets
Lillian D, Wald Playground, Cherry, Oct.19,1934 2:00 P. M.
Monroe and Gouverneur Streets
Gulick Playground, Delancey, Oct.19,1934 2:00 P. M.
Broome and Sheriff Streets
Colonial Playground, Bradhurst Oct.16,1936 4:00 P. M.
Avenue and West 153 Street
Brooklyn Red Hook Playground, Dwight, Oct. 5,1937 4:00 P. M.
Richand and Pioneer Streets
Leiv Eiriksson Playground, 5th Ave. Oct.12, 1934 4:00 P. M.
and 66 Street
Bill Brown Memorial Playground, Oct.14,1935 4:00 P. M.
Bedford Avenue and Avenue X
Williamsburg Housing Playground Oct,27,1937 3:00 P. M.
Manhattan Ave. & Scholes St.
Crispus Attucks Playground, Fulton Oct.27,1934 2:30 P. M.
Street and Classon Avenue
Dahill Rd. and 38 Street Oct. 29,1937 3:30 P. M.
Queens Tudor Field Playground, North Oct. 6,1938 11:00 A.M. to
Conduit Avenue and 80 Street 5:30 P. M.
Thompson Hill Playground, Greenpoint Oct.25,1937 10:00 A.M. to
Avenue & 47 Avenue 6:00 P. M.
Bronx Fort #4 Playground, Sedgwick and Oct.14, 1934 3:30 P. M.
Reservoir Avenues
Teasdale Place and E. 164 Street Oct. 14,1935 3:30 P. M.
Spofford Avenue and Faile Street Oct. 14,1935 3:30 P. M.
Macombs Dam Park South, Sedgwick Oct. 14,1935 3:30 P. M.
Ave. & Exterior Street
Pulaski Playground, East 133 Street Oct. 11,1939 3:30 P. M.
and Willis Avenue
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Wednesday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 October 2, 1940
Bids were opened today by the Department of Parks at the
Arsenal Building on a contract for filling and grading the easterly portion of
Schmul Park, in the Borough of Richmond.
The work consists of filling the present low salt marsh area
with hydraulic material from the nearby channel or dry fill from other
sources. When completed the area will be developed into ball fields for
various sports.
The following were the bids received for the work:
Otis Sand and Gravel Co. $14,892.00
489 Bay Street, Staten Island
Certified Construction Corp. 22,700.00
Box 107, West New Brighton
Staten Island
Brighton Contracting Corp. 23,485.00
16 South G-reenleaf Avenue
West N ew Brighton, Staten Island
* * * *
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
ARSENAL, CENTRAL PARK FOR RELEASE Wednesday
TEL. REGENT 4-1000 October 2, 1940
The Department of Parks announces the opening without ceremonies
of a new playground at East 120 Street and East River Drive, Manhattan, on
Wednesday, October 2. The Department of Sanitation surrendered this land to
the Board of Estimate who turned it over in 1939 to the Park Department for
playground purposes.
This small playground consists of three handball courts and a
free play area. It has been paved with permanent material to provide year
round usage. The entire area is landscaped with shade trees and concrete
benches have been provided.
The opening of this playground designed by the Park Department
and built and landscaped by the Work Projects Administration makes a total of
292 new areas completed by the Park Department since January 1, 1934. At that
time there were 119 playgrounds in the five boroughs, 52 of these have been
redesigned and reconstructed. At present there are 411 playgrounds in the
City Park System.
****
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