New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-21
A SANITARY PLAYGROUND.
SEWARD PARK TO HAVE ONE WITH
EXCELLENT BATHS.

contract has been let for the Improvement OF
Seward Park and the land bounded by Hester.
Essex. East Broadway and Suffolk SITS. will soon
be the site of spacious building in which will be
n gymnasium and baths, and near by running
track The cost will approximate SIS, oo.
This site until condemned by the Building Depart
ment was occupied by a mass Of cheap tenements
and In 1897 ii was acquired for park purposes. To
do this II was necessary to close Divison-st from
jefferson TO Essex st. and Norfolk-st from Hester
to Division st. The property became public nut
in 1895 through failure to remove the debris
which was dumped there by the public. and the
following year IT found necessary to construct
n high fence around the plot and TO All In the ce-
lars The land allowed TO remain in that con-
dition until the present year. 1t a sort of
refuge for pushcart pedlers and others OF that
character.
workmen have been clearing away the refuse
and the land has been put in good condition. Per
feet drainage sewer and water pipes have been
put in, and the surface is being made ready for the
park purposes.
The erection OF a pavilion. plans for which have
been drawn by Architect Arnold B. Drummer and
approved by the Art Commission will begin the
first part OF December The pavilion will be on the
Essex-st. side and will face the rest OF the park
In front Of II will be running track nine laps
10 the mile.
This track will be surrounded by a picket fence
and several rows OF raised seats for the specta-
tors In the centre OF the track which Is nearly
completed. will be an outdoor gymnasium. equipped
with horizontal bars. parallel bars and swinging
rings. An instructor With attendants will be
provided by the Park Department.
playground on the Suffolk-st side will be given
to the of the children. and sand piles and
swings will be provided for them.
Several grass plots and spacious asphalt walks
varying from twenty-five to forty feet wide. will
wind through the park. These walks will be light
ed. as will the playground and running track by
electric lights. Where Norfolk-st. formerly ran
through the plot the walk will be forty feet wide.
and A line of elm will be planted
The building will be built In the style OF an ItaI-
Ian loggia, and is designed arcade, with a
pavilion at either end The Enclosure will be % feet
high l3S feet long and 81 feet vide 1t intended 10
he unitarian. and viii also be ornamental. Lime
stone. gray brick and terra Gotta will be chiefly
used. the ornamental portions of terra Gotta to be
in light tones OF color. Between the stone col
umns with Ionic capitals, will he semi-circular
arches giving the effect Of Ightness to the struct-
IRE The building will be approached by flight
of steps IS feet wide.
Under this main recreation ground the space will
be devoted to toilet rooms. approached at oppo-
site ends for men and women and shower baths
of the most improved type. These baths expect
and are known as the inclined shower the water
being thrown from the wall instead of the cell
with bench and hooks for clothes, and the shower
adjoining. 1t is proposed to have thirty baths
for men and twenty-one for women.
Lockers for those taking part in the games in the
Fairgrounds, storage rooms Tor bicycles ana other
necessary adjuncts of a playground will be fully
In the rear of the building the office for super
ntendents and womens retiring rooms will be sit
uated.
In winter the upper part of the building will be
inClosed. that the classes in gymnasium work
and games may continue the year round. Ample
weather the playground will be flooded that
Park Commissioner Wilcox says this will be the
first playground constructed on sanitary basis
i'm the city and every detail will be furnished to
provide for the needs and pleasures of the people
who will patronize 1t.