New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-06
DWELLING IN THE PARKS.
FEATURE OF CATsKILIS SUMNER LIFE THAT
is GROWING IN FAVOR

Is GROWlNG IN FAVOR
There are three modes Of summer existence IN
the Catskills-in a hotel or boarding house, In
your own private cottage. and last but least
enjoyable, the park life" in a cottage club
house in a community Of friends or congenial ac-
quaintances The various parks are distinctive
feature OF the Catskis. and the idea is steadily
growing in favor. a tract of land finely situated
view and not too far from railroad
station is selected, roads are cut through
it. lots sold on which cottages are erected, a
handsome clubhouse is added and the park IS an
accomplished fact. There is privacy well as
community Neighbcrs close at hand If you
want TO them. and II you don't you lock
the door and draw the curtains The cottages are
comfortable. but few Of them are over-ela borate.
the majority OF them rejecting in their archi-
lecture the prevailing note of park life. simple liv-
ing. with plenty OF outdoors In It. and a re-
frcshing absence OF starch"
The most widely known of the parks the
Narrow Gauge road perhaps the handsomest being
Elka Park. on mountain slope two or three miles
from Tanncrsville and a little east OF the Stony
Glove Notch. The cottage club owning this park
is composed chiefly Of members OF the Lederkranz
and other German societies OF this city. Adjoin-
ing Elka Park is schoharie Manor. similar com
munity. whose clubhouse. Schoharic Mansion IL
probably the handsomes. in the mountains North
OF Tannersville. about the same distance
from the station as Elka Park. is Onteora Park. on
high ground. with fine view OF the mountains.
This association numbers among its members
many well-known NEWCOMERS, whose families oc-
oUpy the cottages throughout the 1t is al
ways cool at OnteOra, and wood fires are accept.
able almost every day through the summer. A
stones throw from the station at Hainess Corners.
two miles from Tannersville are the massive stone
pillars which mark the entrance TO the grounds OF
twilight Park. the oldest and most noted Of these
institutions. The park is at the head OF Kaater-
skill Glove. and Is beautiful for situation. Down
the long deep ravine Is seen The Hudson River
Valley into which 4 leads; Facing the mountain
plateau which the park stands is the mouth
Of the wild gorge. az the furthest extremity OF
which Is perched the white Laurel House, a toy
house from that distance. the Cauterskill Fal &
tunbling almost from its very base into the depths
below. Almcs; In view OF the park cottages, and
only few hundred feet away, is the loveliness
OF Hnines Falls. spreading ts tenuous vapory veil
over q river precipice nearly two hundred feet in
height and keeping green with perpetual moisten-
ing the moss and the plants sprouting from the
Park are piled tier upon tier on the steep slope
some perched upon tho very edge OF the canon 5
prccpous wall, others In less exposed positions on
the roadways which thread the forest tract in
which the park les. The largest buildings are the
clubhouses. IN which many people spend the sum-
mer months who have not yet built cottages for
themselves