The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-14
RIVERSIDE PARK ATTRACTIONS.

There are many attractive parks in In
dianapolis, but few If any are as interest
ing as the one in the northwest part of
the city known as Riverside. This park
is owned by the city, and has many inter-
esting features. The grounds include near
ly a thousand acres of land and the new
improvements which are constantly under
way make this one of the places of which
all Indianapolitans are proud. Riverside
Park is situated at a bend in the river
where the stream Is exceedingly wide, and
a big dam just below the park makes this
a pleasant feature of the place. In the
grounds are a number Of things to enter
tain the visitor. The bear pits, containing
two fine black bears, are across the start
ing point of the golf links, and are a source
of much pleasure to the small boy who is
investigating the grounds. A short dis
lance from these are the deer and elk,
which also cause the young folks to stop
and take a fond look at the graceful an
imals. In the center of the park are cages
of numerous other animals; including
number from the feathered tribes, all Of
which prove entertaining to strangers.
The grounds proper are large and are
we'll supplied with benches and rustic seats.
The shade trees make this a popular re-
sort on hot days. Sunday is an exception
ally big day at Riverside, and the park is
always filled in the afternoon. Band con-
certS are given every Sunday.
The most interesting part of Riverside
Park is the golf course, in charge Of F.
". Lennon. Mr.. Lennon came from Boston
last May to take charge of the links and
he has done much to make golf popular
sport in this city. The course at River
side comprises eighteen holes. The entire
distance around is about two miles and
half. These links are among the best in
the country. Instructor Lennon has played
on six of the best public links in the
United States and he says that the In
dianapolis course Is better than any of the
others. 1t is the intention of the Park
Board to make great many Improvements
at Riverside in the near future and the
golf links will be made much better this
winter. They will be as good any pri-
vate links by next spring. The best links
in the country are those of the Van Cough
lin course in New York. These are public
links and the only public eighteen-hole
course with the exception of Riverside in
the United States. Mr.. Lennon thinks these
links will be as good as the Van Coughlin
by next spring.
Golf has become very popular with In
dianapolis people and the links at Riverside
are always in use. Between 800 and 400
people often play on the course in a day
Some very good records have been made.
Lennon holds the record for the links, hav-
ing made the nine holes in thirty-four.
There is no record for the eighteen holes
The amateur record is held by Will Hard
ing, who went around the nine holes in
play and the caddies charge Is cents an
hour When IL was decided to charge for
playing at the park a number of persons
strongly objected, but IL is said that the
new idea is very popular and the persons
who use the links would not change again.
Ii is said that the course OF eighteen
holes can be made once I'm an afternoon
The afternoon is the popular time for the
game, although number can be seen going
to the park I'm the mornings. Among the
best-known players on the Riverside links
are Miss NJ. Magee. Mrs. j. NJ. Reyes. Miss
Lois Dyer. Miss Elizabeth Rawls. Miss
Mcintosh and Miss Hattie Elite. One of
the pest YOUNG women playets Mas MISS
live IL is said that the game will not
cease to be played this winter and those
in charge OF the Riverside links will ar
range to continue 10 accommodate players