New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-13
SKATING.
FINE SPORT BEING ENJOYED.
MoRp MODERATE WEATHER APPRECIATED
CROWDS AT CENTRAL AND PROS

MORO MODERATE WEATHER APPRECIATED
CROWDS AT CENTRAL AND PROS
PEcr PARKS.
The weather moderated yesterday, ana even 'ne
lovers OF skating did not complain. while the aver
are citizen felt much relieved But the more agree
able weather promised either snow or rain IN tne
near future and that Ia something that the io
lowers OF the heathful outdoor sport 90 no, want
A man could walk the streets yesterday "'"ou.
thought OF frostbtten fingers and toes Inc WIN
Ind also died down considerably. and even the en-
thusiastc whcelman thought OF getting out MS
wheel and taking "A spin OF few miles to-day.
Secretary Holly Of the Park Department had
promised on Wednesday that II the cola weather
continued there would be skating on the lakes III
Central Park and he kept his word AS soon MS
the school children had reached the various schooi-
houses In the borough the magic req DAHL oeno'
ing skating on the lakes In Central PARK, was as
played BY noon there a goodly tbrons on the
ice for the appearance of the red bail IL the sort
Of good that travels fast.
In the Afternoon the lakes were thronged, ana
the attendance had not diminished any last night
Early in the afternoon the lakes were gwen over
almost exclusively to the young folks, and 1t was
not until late in the afternoon and at night that
the grown people appeared to show their daring
and skill upon the steel runners.
The Ice on the lake at Fifty-ninth-st., the Har-
lem Mere and the large lake was solid enough
TO bear a regiment but IL was not In the pest OF
condition. The high winds which prevailed In tho
cod spell when the ice forming kept
cloud of dust In the air, and as this was blown
the freezing Ice II made rather rough sur
face.
The lakes we're kept open until II o'clock last
night, and the merry skaters made a glad winter
picture good for the dyspeptic TO see ana pohuer
over
on the big lake two young women and young
man. not with them. waiting 10 nave the
honor OF being the first on the Icy lake. Inc
women had their skates on, and were waiting py
the side OF the lake in readiness 10 get the WORD
from Park empoye The young man had nor
put his skates. When the employe told them
he was going to send up the bail the young women
darted the ice like experts. circled around
a few times and then explored every part or the
field TO II they had been deprived OF the honor
of opening the season that lake. They found
second. saying the young women had made dead
heat for first.
over in Brooklyn the lovers Of the sport had
day OF pleasure indeed. The lakes In prospect
Park were thronged all day and far into the night.
Many Of the skaters would have remained on the
ice all night had the Park officials permitted them
to do Considerable complaint had been made
Wednesday night about the poor lighting OF the
lakes. but there Improvement noticed In
this respect night. All three lakes were open:
There Is still! an open space under the second
bridge and the skaters wishing to reach the large
lake compelled to walk around the bridge
The skating at Van Cortlandt Lake is fine, and
q crowd of people thronged the lake all day. The
ice never in better condition The scene yes
tcrday is said have been OF the gayest OF
the season. All the other ponds and lakes and
creeks in the Bronx had their quota OF skaters.
Snow began falling last evening. much to the dis
appointment Of skaters, who feared their sport
would be spoiled.