New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-27
ICE GRATING AT PROSPECT PARK.
) YET on THE CENTRAL Park LAKES

no SKATING YET on THE CENTRAL PARK LAKES
CROWDS At VAN CoRTLANDT AND CRoToNA.
Every suburban lake and pond crowded with
merry skaters yesterday but the magic red bal de-
noting skating the great lakes In Central and
Prospect parks remained out Of sight. There may be
skating in Central Park to-day. and probably In
Prospect Park, Brooklyn. tomorrow.
The crowd larger than at Van COrtlandt
and CroOna lakes yesterday. and the fee crowded
with merry tlgong of Youngsters all day and late
into the evening The Ice firm rock but
the army Of skaters had cut up the surface so that
# dangerous 10 attempt intricate movements and
fancy steps. The ice swept clean Of the small
particles of ice pnters but the sweepers could hardly
keep up with the skaters.
The usual crowd went 10 the lakes I'm Central
Park full of hope and anticipating sport. They
would scarcely believe the tale Of woe told by those
returning from the lakes but insisted upon trampng
to the lakes and seems for themselves. with five
days OF cold weather they could not understand why
there should be no skating and they wanted 10 see
why II was The police were kept busy answering
questions and they explained that while the weather
had been all right the high winds dad kept the water
from freezing IN exposed places Willie the Ice was
four inches thick in places It WAS not bali an
inch In others
4 stroll through Prospect Park. Brooklyn. yester-
day was not unlike trip 10 Greenland icy
mountains snow lay everywhere. and the wind
whis,lod through TIE trees with terrific force. one
could be comfortable only when stepping ont At hi,
uvellest gait There was good scigIns in the
driveways but no slcphs were there TIL" streets
leading to the park barren Of snow, and the
scighs could not get 10 the park. I"e smai boy -
however were more fortunate, and the hills were alive
with merry c0asting parties.
At the Ninth-st. and other entrances to the park
steady stream OF merry skaters poured into the b's
Measure ground. Skating not allowed. however.
The police Informed every that there was good
skating on steamer pond Just beyond tie park IN
the Flatbush district, and maay went ther"' me
pond however was soon crowded that sport Wa
out Of the question.
The authorities at Prospect Park are working nara
10 have the lakes opened soon as possible. ana q
scheme was devised yesterday which will insure good
sport by omorrOw, unless q ihaw SETS H. Inc
HIGH winds have prevented the ice from forming In "N-
po,d place, and there were wide. open spaces around
both bridges Yesterday morning. At Ia" hrNt bidS''
near the skating house. there was 10 lee al all ana
the open water extended nearly 100 feet on each
side Of the bridge. At the second bridge the open
wafer was not 50 wide. There also open spaces
I'm the larger lake which viii be filled I'm before skat
Ing will b. allowed The ice is about four inches
thick in most places. but Is covered with snow.
II was decided Yesterday morning 10 close up
those open spaces, especially under me bl1der''
Workmon and carts secured, and the men were
kent al work all day. Ice cut from the small
ponds near the music stand and the blocks used 10
fiji in the open spaces in the larger laheS The ice
was car.ad TO the holes and dumped into the water
Then with long poles the blocks We're PACKED together
and froze almost soon as they touched Nhil"
the ice will be solid and firm TO day it viii BE-
rough and II cannot be used until the planiAg ma
chimes have evcncd the surface. Thu, cegiaiilng
has never before been attempted, at least on ire
large scale carried out yesterday.
The followers Of the sport in Ncw-Jer-eN We're
more fortunate. The ice the Morris tan1 WAS
frm and smooth and large crowds enjoyed the sport.
The long stretch OF water gave speed ~hilicr an excel
lent opportunity 10 show their skill and endurance
Tho ANIMAL trip north 81 The local curriers' Will be
made TODAY Tie curriers' Wl visit tea and ~
rontp and they expect 70 have rare spoIt. The
dcIrpntlon viii b. headed by Thomas Ni"lOl,On
pr,sident Of the Grand National Curling club and
t;corge orirve veteran known 10 every cutler IN
tho land The delegation viii include member OF the
Manhattan lonkcr-. American, Caledonia hal -
Andrews clubs, enough in all 10 make five rink
Arrangements are also being made for curling matches
I'm Central Park as soon a. The lake. ~" opened