New-York tribune., 1897-01-30
CITY PLEASURE GROUNDS.
OVER SIX THOUSAND ACRES OF LAWN.
FOREST GLADE AND LAKE FOR
ALL SORTS OF CHILDREN
THE MAY QUEEN.
PATRON st. NICHOLAS GOES DOWN BEFORE THE
QUEEN OF THE MAY-MoDERN GAMES AND
CONTEMPORARY FASHION SIDE BY
SIDE WITH THE oBEIIsK OF TIE
ANCIENT EGYPTIAN KINGS.

SIDE WITH THE oBELIsK OF TIE
ANCIENT EGYPTIAN KINGS
Times have changed since the worthy Dutch
men OF early Manhattan declined the oppor-
tunty to make a park surrounding the old deep
water pond that used TO extend across the pres
ent Canal-st. They were a skeptical class and
declared amid much smoke and stolid conversa-
tion that the city would never extend north Of
the City Hail. and hence there was no necessity
for park. They had Bowling Green. What
more could the young men and maidens need
for their May Day festivals? But II the ghosts
Of the Stuyvesants. the Van Twillers and all the
other Vans. big and little. could only get re-
alizing sense Of Central Park a May Day. or,
in fact on &. saturday in May how their sight
less soclc,s would bulge out with surprise and
admira;ion not unmiXed with envy. The sight is
one thar cannot be witnessed in any other Ameri-
can city. for New-York is peculiar in her rever-
ence for ancient customs as we'll as for tme-hon- :
ored landmarks and May Day festivities are
among the things that have been brought down
TO the present time in an unbroken chain. Even
the patron saint OF the Island of Manhattan, St.
Nicholas himself. is not reverenced the
Queen Of the gladdes, day Of all the year. No
mere imitation Santa Claus is quite real as
her court under sylvan roof on emerald oar
pets and ruling her subjects with imperial power.
These are carnival occasions in New-York. and
the frst-time visitor as he witnesses the oft-re-
peated clmaxes Of childish delight wonders
whether the park was made for the children. Not
only this one so beautiful that it is celebrated
the world over, hu: many others far surprising
II in natural loveliness were made for the small
folks OF the great city. While such idea is
admirable for contemplation. yet II would be all
too narrow 10 compass the intention of the build
ers Of the city's breathing spots. Every State in
the Union has contributed to the material pros
perity Of the city Every State has sent popu-
lous contribution of her citizens to enrich the
manhood and womanhood of the metropolis. so
that New York is in a very large sense mirror
Of the National life and feels cosmopolitan
weight Of responsibility. Bowling Green was the
beginning Battery Park was the logical out
come Of a sentiment that the point looking out
over the finest harbor in the world should be
beautifed and given To the public for its enjoy
ment Especially on the West Side little open, ir-
regular squares Of ground are frequent. Away
down on the East Side far as Coenties slip
there is a delightful bit Of green fenced in be-
hind tai iron piclets and garnshed with grass
and redolent the summer long with the perfume
Of beautiful flowers Five Points. that locality
rrewsome in its record Of midnight deeds. has
long been a memory. but its exact location will
be easy OF retention because II is now the border
Of what will prove to be one Of the most gracious
bits Of pleasure ground in the city. More than
any other city of the United States that now
comes 10 mind. New-York has shown dispos!-
tion not only to relieve in so far as may he the
sufferings incident to dwelling in cramped-up
tenenents. but has done far more in the way Of
surmounting apparently insuperable obstacles.
Central Park, which is known far wider than any
= other pleasure ground on the American conti-
nent is pure artfce. 1t was built up from gray.
unyielding rock. The same was true of Morning
side Park, which climbs upward to the heights
on which stands st. Luke's Hospital. the new
Columbia University. and from which same
height in the years to come the imposing cathe-
dral of ST. John the Divine will look down upon
the city Of whose prosperity 1t is the adequate