New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-02
4 RECREATION PIER.
THE EXPERIMENT WHICH THE DOCK
DEPARTMENT IS MAKING AT
EAST THIRD-ST.

People passing up and down the East River re-
Gently have observed the work In progress on d
new pier adjoining the Houston-st FERRY on the
north side 1t is not pier. strictly speaking
but new upper works on Il pier buiit Dy the city
several years ago II is AT Third-st.. the HIS.
street that extends clear to the river north OF
Houston-st The pier reaches well out INTO the
stream, and is particularly noticeable because tne
shed being erected on It is double-decker Such
sheds are exceptional along the waterfront OF 'he
city and there are no others on the East River
This pier Is. in fact. unique. 1t Is CARED oy 'he
officials OF the Dock Department under whose d.
rectlon II il being constructed recreation per-
for want of a better name. The name IS sunlciehuy
descriptive the pier Is TO be place OF recrea
ton for the poor people In the crowded tehe'Ieh'
house district In the vicinity Of Houston-st lna'
Il will be a boon 20 them there can be no DOUBT Inc
buiIding OF the pier Is not an &C, OF charity and
mercy on the part Of the Dock Commissioners. nor
a voluntary attempt to benefit the poor at 'he
public expense They are merely carrying OUT a
law which has been the statute book OF the state
for the last five years
IN 1892 an act was passed which. after designating
certain piers TO be set aside FOR the convenience
OF dealers in country produce and other merchan-
disc transported to the city OF New-fork for sale,
provided in its second section follows: The
purpose OF this act is to afford the inhabitants OF
the city OF New-York' greater opportunity for
healthful recreation than they now possess, and to
accomplish such end the said Department OF DOCKS
Is hereby authorized 70 construct or rebuild the
piers apart, under the provisions OF THIS act lot
public use in such manner as shall PROVIDE plat
form or upper story thereof, and the approaches
thereto shall be constructed under the direction
of skilled architect who shall be employed by the
said Depart OF Docks for that purpose" The
piers mentioned in the act were those at Barclay
and Perry SITS. and such others as the DeparsSeht
might deem necessary for the use OF the people.
The law further stated that its intention was TO
N
herein authorized to be set apart tor pubic use
wholly free the Of said s tg io or dae
should be maintained by the police In ana around
such portions Of the piers as should be set apart
The present Dock Commissioners decided to make e
a Sa E' wor hs w Be- by
summer. If sooner. The cost OF the double
IL Consists Of an iror or steel framework and
Will be a substantial floor: The main deck OF the
the supports OF the upper part The recreation moor
Will be p H4 all sds H work. Which hnS viii OBJ
struct the air as little as possible.
sakng q The matter few DAY. y s sss 6esk
Commission, said that this recreation pier was in
se useful as OF d hs aa ~Sou
less erect others for the same purpose. Another
of course gu it is impossible to tell how many peo
plo will use 1T or just what uses i will be put TO-
the neighborhood, and there will be restriction
on them, except that they will have to maintain
place quite suggestive OF the deck Of a ship and
il is expected that large numbers will flock there
in warm weather. They will be allowed to stay all
night IL they want to. suppose. There VIII be
scttees for those who wish to sit down, and open
spaces for those who wish to promenade. Probably
a good many babys carriages will be taken on the
pier.
THE Department does not intend to supply any
thing In the way OF music, / understarl l..
though there may be music stand erected ana
possibly the Park Department will send bald
there occasionally. But imagine that there Will
often be dancing the pier with no other music
than a jewsharp There will be accommodations
for both men and women the first floor of the
pier Possibly simple refreshments will be offered
TO- sale such as milk. popcorn and so on Nobody
The lower part OF the pier will be for the use Of
vessels bringing farm produce and stuff OF that
kind to the city"