New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-25
ZOE BRINGS MIRIH AND JOY
SKATING IN THE ANNEXED DISTRICT.

THE LAKES IN CENTRAL PARK WILL. BE STNoN"
ENOUGH FOR USE TOMORROW.
Many merry laughing youths and rosy checked girls
carving skates went TO the upper end OF Manhattan
Island yesterday. This has not been usual ABOUT
New-York in recent years, and people watched 'he
happy with envy.
The "ban, was displayed yesterday morning as
sign that there was skating the poncs In Tie An
nexed District and the crowd began 10 arrive early.
gsere was ice on Van Cortlandt and Crotona laHes'
which were crowded with people all day ana Ia'e
into the night The ice seemed as solid as granite
but II It had been smoother II would have furnished
better Skating 1t was said to be between five ana
six inches thick last ght, and the prospects lot sew
eral days good skating are excellent
This is the first Christmas in seven years tlst
skaters in this neghborhood have been able TO enjoy
their favorite winter sport in spite of the fact
that to-day Sunday, the lakes in Westminster VIII
be crowded with skaters, in all probability. Inc Keen
northwest winds blew hard across the lakes yester
day. but the active skaters did not mind the cold
The wind however, too strong for the spectators
who would take short gmpses at the merry scene,
and then hasten to the skating houses. Iher
was an unusually large number OF pretty Young women
on the Toe and while the young people have not hac
many opportunities to enjoy the sport IN recent years.
they appear to be as proficient as ever.
The young men, however, were not all sauShed
with skating. and they organized "shinneG' teams
ana tried lively sport themselves, but they utter
fered with the enjoyment Of others TO certain ex
tent. Tho "shinney' sticks would also come in con-
tact with tender Sims sc times, and would SEND the
unfortunate owners SPRAYING on theil backs.
small army went to the lakes IN Central Park
hoping be allowed to skate there. but they were
disappointed. The lakes will be opened to the pub
Lie probably tomorrow, and there is little chance ea
there will be skating there to-day in spite OF the four
days OF freezing weather. The Park Commissioners
have regard the safety OF the public and skating
will not be allowed until there IS absolutely no danger
OF accidents. The Park police had hard time keep
Ing venturesome youths OF the ice.
On the larger lake IN the Park the ice is in
comparatively good condition, and 1t win be thick
enough for skating to-day. However, much snow has
frozen into the Toe and rough places numerous.
In such good condition The snow Of Friday has made
the ice rough and uneven. There is large open
piece Of the boahouse. on which even the
cold weather OF yesterday placed crust Of ice The
snow been formed into little hllocIs and frozen,
and these have 10 be all cut away before skating
be enjoyed.
The lakes in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. generally
thrown open sooner than those IN Central Park and II
body Of ice all the smaller lakes and the red ball
Will DC displayed probably to-day. All arrangements
have been made at the skating house The accommo-
dalton Of skaters, and rcd-ho stoves and steamlng
coffee viii be ready 10 warm tie skaters to-day The
ice the larger lake Is not heavy enough yet Tor
skating.
did good business yesterday. The proprietcrs said
tiat trade was nvelier than any previous dav IN
years. Buyers aareeaby surprised at the cheap
be bought at from 81 to 80. one dealer displayed
ALL clamp. allmetal' skates which he retaed at 80
cents a pare' No straps needed. and the skates
looked as II they mig eserviceable skates which
sold at s6 and IS a pair years be purchased
for less than half that sum now.