The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-20
RHCREAYIVE REQUIREMENTS.
The Plan Of tho Prospect Park
Commissioners for Popularix-
ing the Park.
The Croquet Ground - Feature-Hov Il 4
Appreciated BY the People Of Brooklyn-
Croqust Gsthstically Rsgarded-A
Few Useful Hints to tho Com
misiensrs q Central Park

In the report Of the landscape architects ana
superintendents Of Prospect Park, dated January,
1885, occurs the following paragraph. setting FORTH
In part, the purpose they had In view In laying
out the Park to provide for the recreative require
ments OF the people, We quote:-
Tnere Is no doubt that the more intense intellec-
tual activity which prevails equally In the library.
tue workshop and the counting room makes tran
quilztng recreation more essential to continued
neaith and strength than until lately. 1t generally
ground against certain acute forms OF disease, are
growing more and more subject TO other and more
and against these the remedy and proven tive can
not be found IN medicine or athletic recreations,
out only IN sunlight and such forms OF gentle ex-
andreheve the brain. t
The visitor to the PARK OF to-day cannot fail
to be struck with the admirable manner In which
these ideas haye been applied ana developed in
noting its great popular use In various modes Of
quiet, heathlul enjoyment 1t Is not proposed ss
this time to enter fully into an examination Of
all tho
REcREArIvE RESOURCES
OF the Park although there Is In the examination
OF such, valuable suggestion for our own Park Com
missioners as to supplying much-needed facilities
for outdoor exercise and amusement OF healthful
character to the rising generation as well a.
to the class referred to In the paragraph above
quoted. single example Of the better APP
probation OF the needs Of the people, and how
these may be supplied. which prevails among those
having the control and management OF Prospects
Park over those similarity in authority over Cen
trail Park, win show our shortcomings in this re-
spect. And nowhere Is this more noticeable than
In 4
THE CRoQUET GROUND
at Prospect Park, which affords the opportunity
for such pleasant reunions during this delightful
season Of the year, when the heated period OF the
aoAh N,A -
its trim-cut, lawn-like grassy surface. Sheltered
from rude blasts on one side by bold cliff il Is
fringed on the opposite side by grove or young
trees, already aordtng fair shelter, but which, In
their maturity, Will give 1t all the beauty OF syi-
Concerning the game OF croquet itself it is nor
doubtful If the best crosues players 90 not remain
for ever ignorant in that respect the attraction OF
the game lying In its distractions, thus realizing
in another sense tic profound philosophy OF Cap
tain Cuttle,s remark. that "the merit Of an OBJ
seIwation lies in the application thereof" So
adept IN the use of the maes and move she Dais
about 10 II they were trained to obey his WILL and
i re II sme saS
although strict sense OF Justice to the feminine
party to- the game requires TO add that the cases
where she tails In expsrtness are few and lar
setween. Her strong points IN
are Its distractions and these-if she have brJu an
average PAL tner, II not her male opponent wtlLdO,
andthen the interest intensifes-she manages with
views this win q calm philosophy, perhaps cyni-
Saiy orr or maynap snvors yet the gay groups be-
unconcerned a., TO- the CRITICAL or jealous,
however: where ones heart has not been robbed;
OF all sympathy with humantys softer emotions, 70.
girls they are mostly~tsssefdliy alfred in light
summer costume moving about with that quick,
sprngy movement SO marked aGharacteristic OF
every pose OF the figure, both illustrating
the freedom from fashions HONS frequently Iantassic
favor now in their early school experience and 10
last obtaining general recoenitlcn; while
petaous activity with Kindred grace. as they do
be pleasant to listen to the interudcs OF CONVERSE
ton between these different parties who look 80
ing laughter sounds So cheery In this else auies
pastoral scene but, reader, they are
and their light badinaae' having It's charm for them
alone, would not interest you LII you nave ever
nirted, then 'you Know how'it Is yoursef;" II you
talk. the game and its points are, OF course,
touched upon immediately. but THIS seems OF minor
Affords however, its other resources aside~agree-
able exercise s filing the mind with pleasant pic
sIrordine "i Sealtniui exercise in the open air
to those most in need Of such stimulation The
Sroguet i ground md in Prospect PARK has been
appreciation OF the people OF Brooklyn
or the opportunity thus afforded them, an apple
citation that would be rapidly shown In New York
did but similar opportunity occur there. Nor u
this sense OF benefits bestowed confined to tho
Brooklyn young people HE thtther to enjoy this
favorite recreation. 1t Is by persons from the more
used in the afternoon, the younger and noisier
groups then predominatlng; but in the evening,
when long shadows cast upon the lawn state
ler groups appear TO share IN the enjoyment Of the
hour. These reside mostly in the vicinity, and to
them the Park Is as their own grounds, with the
same homelike feeling In Its uses. viii tho Com
OF our Park take noticef