New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-01-15
ON SKATES AND TOBOGGANS.
MAKING MERRY OVER WINTER SPORTS.
4 SUCCESSFUL CONSPIRACY OPENS THE CENTRAL
PARK LAKE-FrIN IN BROOKLYN.

PARK LAkE-FUN IN BROOhLfN,
Skaters will find the flag with red ball flying
&o.dv from the Arsenal and ali the street cars that
yun in the neignborhoOd of Central Park. Groups
OF men and boys assembled around the lake with
skates under their arms yesterday Inc Ice
sparked in the sunlight and looked inviting, put
broad-shouldered park policeman patroled tne
the ice seemed TO tempt them to any risk niue
crowd of constructors gathered at one corner Oh he
platform In front of the skate-house; One slender
long -mbed boy mad pair of club skates. lie de-
ter{nlned 10 take the risk in spite of the officer
When the policeman walked away WIN ms Dack
turned the skates were slipped OH with chick and
the next instant the boy was on the ice. In
minute he had gided TO, a safe distance ; ana
wheeled around 70 await the consequence. n ne
HE skates and looked at the boy. An outburst OF
wrath was expected, but he only said:
"Go 1T Dyes III not touch YEP
In another minute q score of skaters were gliding
over the lake. Others continued to arrive, and be-
fere evening the lake was dotted with hundreds OF
boys, men and women. Superintendent Parsons
explained that ii was a kind of informal opening
Yesterday afternoon. An examination OF the Ice
was made in the morning and IT was found tnaI II
had improved the night and had attained
thickness of four inches. Another nights frost
was wanted before the skating was announced.
but instructions were given 10 tae police that they
need not prevent those who came TO the Park ron
trying their skates. The buildings are all bnlshed
and the lights have been placed around the AXE 10
be used ta-night. Only the large lake has rs YET
been cleared, but the Harlem Mere will also be
ready tomorrow, The small lake near titty-nlnth-
st. on the east side of the Park which mas not peeh
used BY the skaters for several years VIII De
cleaaed to-day and thrown open Tomorrow. With
the present weather the Ice Will form rapldIy
enough to keep up the skating for the rest OF the
The lake in Prospect Park was thrown open to
skaters for the first time this season YESTERDAY te
ball being put up at 1850 p. m. The ice vas III
poor condition. the snow having frozen TO the sur
face and despite the fact that 1t had been planed
the skating was not good except IN rev spots
where the snow mad blown off and glare Ice ex-
listed Out on he large lake some fine places for
fancy skating were found The ice was illunl-
mated last evening with electric lamps, placed at
suitable distances along the narrow part OF the lake
The light was great Improvement over the naphtha
lamps formerly used. a merry throng OF skaters
glded over the Ice, the moonlight rendering the
large lake almost as light as day. The ice VIII De
planed again TINS morning, and Its condition VIII
The warmer weather sent a shlver of dismay
through the ranks of the Jersey to6ogganlsts
cOasting of that slide might melt and become COM
mon s!ush was quite TOO terrible ort Tor b con-
temptation They tS dd nS fUsG aed
each to It's greatest capacity. The fair tODoggan-
lists in their interesting and attractive suits were as
vivacous and plentiful as ever some topoggansts
al0ne In this case the method OF starting is TINS
The toboggan is sent of with kick, the rider runs
a few steps behind 1t, and then jumping into the
air lands on the quarterback and sails proudly
away with one leg trailing behind nun: III is
graceful but delicate operation that requires great
nicely of Judgment for its successful accomplish
ment Tradition tells Of particularly majestic
youth, with particularly gorgeous UNI
FORM who on pps aL1Iaaj Gs SS' fail
TO make connections with the itoboggan.
Ii was an exciting chase, but not long one The
tobogCan gained at every lap. and when 1t reached
the bot ON of the slide the youth was only half
way down, in an attitude IN which loyal New
Zealander approaches his chief, minus all his but
tons and much of mis- cuticle.
Next to his toboggan In the affection OF the en-
tbusiastic club mem Der comes his badge. It's that
taismanic and conspicuous piece of silk that gives
him dignity in the eyes of the less fortunate by
ISLANDERS and keeps the red;coated guard fT ron
ordinary members badge is of red, the club gov
ernors-of whom there eight-is OF yellow, and
the presidents of silver color The Executive
Committee wear silver pins engraved TO represent
snow-shoes These were presented to his fellow
committeeman by Mr.. O'Reilly.
toboggan side has been prepared, IN Prospect
PARK ON the south side OF Lookout Hill, from its
crest to the lake, and merry parties enjoyed 1t on
Wednesday and yesterday