New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-12-04
SKATING.

IN THIS CITY AND EEIGHB0RHooD.
The skating season. though not fairly inaug-
urated hereabouts has nevertheless begun Aiew OF the
sunken lots on the old Beekman estate In tie hegnpor
hood bounded by tho Fifth and FourthaVes 0iN'e'i
and sxtyftlss wherein water is always TO DE iouhu'
prcsented Yesterday an Ice surface sufficiently strong 10
bear the few ambitious skaters who hequehteu 'ne'
After the frost OF the last few nights all the pohs III o
neigborood truth present clear surfaces OF scep"s
water but yet positively safe for sustaining the Be
weight skating populace would put upon tei "eio
It announced they were open for operations week
must elapse even should tho weather continue NJ us
present temperature before the community can nope 10
enjoy this Winter exercise. However inviting tue Ice may
look, 1t must be remembered II Is yet treacherous 's
decOy, however only operate 70 tho prelu"co VI
the few exposed Ice ponds in suLeD lots. ana s au' Ce
is given that tie people may not trust themselves upon
them.
A few years ago tho artistic, delightful, ana
nvigorating exercise Of skating had bat httie
patronage in this neighborhood. owing to the absence
Of facilities necessary to its enjoyment. Surrounded
NewYork is by large streams OF salt water when
IN tho coolest weather freeze but treacherousy,
our citizens were debarred the happiness enjoyed
by the inhabitants Of the rural districts, where fresh
water ponds abound and solid ice forms ana re-
mains months IN the Winter season. Until the OPEN
ing OF the Central Park ponds, about eight years ago.
there was no place within reasonable distance save
"A fow uncared.for mud-pts around the old Beck
mau estate, that people could resort 10,
and these were monopOlHci by tho
boys OF then uptown district adults had no place TO
enjoy this most health giving amusement. On TIE open
Ing OF the Park ponds however thousands hoced there
TO- and manufactures and omporiuns for the production
and sale OF skates loaped into existence as If obedent To
the wand Of the magician. Private skating ponds were
soon introduced and the patronage they received no less
than the public ponds at the Park, showed conc!usVey
tho necessity Of meeting tho great demand by more
suitable aud convenient method than that afforded by
frns,c al rain
ter enterprise was insured within the last year or
two by sudden iso IN the value OF real estate 10 INC
city which tho time threatened. ana has now eohe
ted the thoros s extinction of the onco private poh IL
the central neighbOrhood OF EewIork Iho Central f"A
Commissioners pcrceiying the want OF tho people
extended their area Of frcsh.watcr lakes, and added
now one at tho upper end Of tie park thus making three
distinct waters beautiful to behold in Summer aud
aordng clear and unobstucted crystalZed surface for
the enjoyment Of the dcHzcrs o. tie metropolis IN WINTER
But The latest feature introduced here. ard tie one al
ludcd 20 first "a enterprise IS the construction Of
rlnss These consist Of bA!l1n' constructed for mud e
be devoted TO skating The tenn rink, seotcism for
ring has It's origin with tie Ulgblandgrs These people
have q national and hgllycnioyabc game called "cur-
Ing" which consists Of gliding large stones made Tor tue
purpose at goal THIS goal "a IN the center OF circle or
iin and Is called rink" CORRUPTION OF the English
word ring" 1ho teru Il an oil one aud came INTO
vogue a. now applied because the formation OF MSaty
curling clubs in Scotland the budrRg i oleh
houses Tor tie performance 81 thor game when w.
dubbed Kinks These buildings were oIIen usea i"t 80.
skating and honce u may ne see' nov It'S -, o licr
"1uk' made 10 apply toa buiniu& lor INC D'"S'
Enjoyment Of skating rs Gu as ior ,od ono NJ
Tic Thinl-dye. R1noad company has ,i' -
these buildings, called the Empre City skAg i.uk' ~
sxty-thirdst. and TErdGye THIS DuhInS 'he k'a'I
facilities for etjoJln me Pheasant eAel.i" 81
than did perhaps tho private pohds 10 ven
AMI McAlana, which have all bcen overruh by lac Indtch
Of bricks aud mortar and the cutting thF9As oi ne"
streets whore these ponds were located. The priNats
ponds THING Of tne past now. lne new oE t,IiJ
tv flte
y 10 arches la et from base u base and from ground
floor center " arch. Perpendicular. TIE ds'"neg Is
20 feet; tie building proper Is l'J i,cI ~ ""','
Win by 30 fet In Length. Tho aoorirg Of the ccbcd
of composed part q blue stone oycln!i VITA
lets within The structure OF which follow the course
OF the arches; with tho cysiaized water beeti. afI
INK ~ reflector tne buinS VIII 10 uAt@nhSy .1i.uiI
mated at night. argeand imposing cnIFaNc1 Oh 1itd'
Tho north eide rooms GA ire gro.hu h4oi sae
for ladies these rooms viii DO tiaie'ul( idr'
,assgGcr Ti aq resngr1nt form to soa.h Wing
Beneath this nrst floor are kitchen sore rooIi iarse
@ycr0 eufr, sfe 6sa1cI by steam Tic
ond hS cH',h I,b occunie ME- tlig s"ms area
~ those below, contains dulusroon Tor laaIes Hiu
or tie Superintendent another Tor tie Janitor aud two
other rOOus. situated respectively ON inc eAtE hrb
aud south sides Of The building Tor " star skhers' 10
dress iu together with largo balcony for spectators
Tie building is tic largest and most perfect Of us kind
constructed Aside from al the above advauthseS
this edidce Is said TO possess great acoustic procrc 80
also be expected. The ia-ciucnt
81 tbs pioneer nnh Of Newiok is under the So'Io OF
the WellkOwn MACMILLAN. similar edce To the above,
Us the same direction I'm Philadelphia, and Is
s-tatod OH Race aud Twenty -irststs;
tides th year over last il possible. b. the intro
ducuOn OF recent contrvanecs fyr planning ice sc
not likely the attendance tho inaiu lake or IFS more
confined neghhOrs within the domains OF tie Great Gar
deu would suffer for lnck Of attendants. fr there are
thousands who prefer the open air and sunlight OF the
park ponds, matter how severe the blasts OF WINTER
may blow sheltered rink and It's restricted cebed
Tho only novel event OcCufilg In tue tlty Oh CLueeS
IN the skating ne is the new Rink now IN course OF cou'
,tructon In Carcmonaye. near Myrtle. Tbs. IKE inc
Empire city Rink described above Is the hst ol TO hnd
erected la Brooklyn The structure was TO have been
completed by the st Of December but owing to an aec
dent will not be finished before CHRISTMAS Althonsh
proentious rs the NcwiUrk Rink II Is ncyerthe-
less magnificent AFFAIR. Built after the model OF the
Thirdave Rink has width Of l2I feet by 200 ~ DEPTH
and Will present ceurface Of g0Xl7O feet There MD
DO seating accommodations for 1000 or 5000 people The
structure will not cost less than $4,000 Along te ROOF OF
the building will extend the cutre length glass surface
rs feet width. The ednce OF brick aud wood aud
may be used also for many purposes during mo summer
season IL has been constructed the Jont-stock pan
the builders being large Stockholders In the present IN
complete OF the structure full and detailed report
Of ito many c0uyenences cannot be well given. but that
IL Will be all the public requirements demand is not
doubted Last having demonstrated the necessity
OF Eink in Brooklyn. this enterprise was begun with
the understanding that liberal patronage woud be be-
slowed upon II. Tho builders VIII scarcely DO diSap
Tho Union Pond. belonging to Mr.. William Cammeyer.
and situated I'm The Eastern District OF Brooklyn. has
been since isGo II the pioneer private pond
IL having been projected by present proprietor shortly
sncccss fro first TO last rs resort for the lovers OF
that sport which only keen frost give. During the
summer season This ncloed field Of "a the scene OF
our great base bali contests. where thousands flock to
Witness them and also serves as drill ground for last
ern District regiments Great changes have been made
by the proprietor tins year I'm order To Keep up with
public requirements, and hold the tto or supreme man
agcment IA affairs OF tins KIND which he generally ac
corded. The platform running along the nam building
inside has been widcned given some IA feet of play room
for pedestrians while the dressing dining cloak and hat
mud lll