New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-18
TOMPKINS SQUIRE PARK.
NeD Playground and Gymnasium
for Children of the East Side.

When the Park Department proposed to open
public bath in Tompkins Square during the Strong
administration the citizens Of the neghoorhood en-
tered a protest against it with such success that
the profect was abandoned. Their idea of park
was a place of asphalt walks. green grass and
trees and II is possible that many Of them object
70 g playground to-day as much as they did to a
bath ten years ago But they were not consulted
IN the matter and now hundreds of happy chill
dren disporting themselves in an open air gym
nasium in Tompkins Square.
''And have doubt that in time the sacred pre-
cincts of Central Park itself will be invaded said
Charles B. Slower, president of the Outdoor Recre-
alton League, at the opening Of the gymnasium
yesterday.
But whatever the property owners Of the neigh
borhood may think of the playground there is
doubt as TO its popularity among the little folk
1t was thrown open to them at 2:30 and the boys
Immediately swarmed over the trapezes bars n.y.
ing rings and ladders while the girls took possess
sion OF the swings soups" and the little tots
buried themselves in the sand pile At o'clock the
floor OF the gymnasium cleared for an athletic
contest given by gymnastc teams from the Seward
Park gymnasium, and though the boys retired re-
luctantly they watched the performances of the
visitors with rapt attention. The team Of older
boys was under the direction of Frank D. Fenner,
and consisted of Samuel Kraemer. Abraham
Hasnsxy, Harry Blickman, Louis Lavine Edward
Schenker. Harry Bernstein. George Scheftel. B.
Wolf Samuel Wellerson, Abe Schneider, Irving
Censor Samuei GOlODe ana D OOFnSI' OaIhuOi
Kraemer was the star of the occasion. and gave
an interesting performance on the parallel bars,
and Mr. Schenker delighted a section Of the audi
ence with an exhibition OF bag punching.
team of little boys-so little that they had to
be lifted Up to catch the flying rngs-was also
there from Seward Park and did wonders with
their tiny muscles. They directed by L. ]. W.
Lowerre and the team comprised Bonnie Chaser,
Julius HurWftz, Joe Cohen Joe Solomon, Theodore
Jonap. David Koplowirz. Harry Robinson, Alex
z ALTAR
Jacob silverstein A Goldman and NJ Dashofsk
The afternoon closed with basketball contest
under the direction of Joseph Schapiro.
The gymnasium is what is called a single
one, 50 by 20 feet and there are two directors
Abraham A. Galerstein and Abraham L. Smoensky
Miss Nora c. Keane being playground director.
II is the fourth playground that has, been opened
this season by the Park Department, and four more
are TO be opened almost Immediately at the Ham
ilton Fish Park, Hudson Park John Jay Park and
Corlears Hook They are designed chiefly with
view TO the needs of boys. IL is impossible to
Slower hopes that something may be done for them.
Already a basketball ground has been laid out for
them al De witt clinton Park, although the last
time attempt was made TO have them play this
game the boys annoyed them so that It had to be
given
Although these new Fairgrounds are maintained
by the Park Department, Mr. Slower, as president
OF the Outdoor Recreation League, is superintend-
ing their equipment and directing them during their
infancy.
Some difficulty is being experienced in securing d.
rectors for the Playground the Civil Service list
has been exhausted. and be had until
another examination is held.
Among those present during the afternoon were
Thomas z. Murphy, assistant superintendent of
parks; George s Terry, secretary of the Park De-
Park Department and T. A. Fulton secretary of
the Citizens Union.