New-York tribune., 1903-01-31
FIVE NEW FAIRGROUNDS.
Breathing Spots for Tenement Tots To Be
Ready by Spring

The youngsters of the lower East Side are to
have four or five new Fairgrounds next summer
The city has appropriated $3.50 900 for the purpose,
and Controller Grout has been authorized to secure
options on suitable sites. 1t is said at the Con-
trolIer's Office that all the Fairgrounds will be
ready for by spring. AS sites will be
chosen which are occupied by valuable buildings it
will be easy matter to have them cleared and
levelled.
No decorative features are necessary in a play
ground. If the bare ground is furnished the chill
dren will do the rest. Apparatus and other feat
ures of modern playground be added later.
The Outdoor Recreation League started the move
uent for these additional Fairgrounds, and
Charles G. Stover. who has worked for many
years to secure room for play for the children
of New-York. has submitted list of suitable
sites to Controller Grout. Mr.. Stover made out this
list with exceeding care, having in mind the
quirements that the ground should be cheap as
possible, should be covered with old and inexpen-
sive buildings, should be in the most densely
crowded sections. and should be as near to a
schoohouse possible. The league originally
made plea for the six old markets soon TO be
removed, but it was decided that these sites were
too valuable and much needed for other pur
poses. Controller Grout said the subject: .
The request for these Fairgrounds not un-
reasonable. The city has acquired large tracts of
land in the upper part Of the city for parks, and
annually expends large sums for Improvement
and fAaintenance. All of them are at such dis
tance that they can be reached only by miles OF
therefore available only Sundays and holidays
is no reason why the Fairgrounds cannot be ready
by spring. The playground is the best means or
lessening crime and preserving the public health,
and the playground should be brought to the chill
dren, not the children be forced 10 go long dis
tauceS to the playground -
In addition to the sites recommended by him. MI
Stover had something to say as to the dlspoSllon
of the old market sites. In the new mumclpal
building TO be erected the site Of the present
Tcmpkins Market, he recommended that a large
hall be included to be used as a forum Tor the
people, Cooper Institute, said Mr.. Stover, is now
the only place of its kind in the vicinity ana dt
has become entirely inadequate IN size Nhen
Catherine Market is abolished, he recommends that
the ground upon which it stands be incorporated
in the street. with the exception OF a strip ten
feet wide in centre, which, between South anu
Water sts shall contain row OF trees ana some
park benches and between Water and Cherry
SIS a public comfort station. He wants the water
front OF Corlears Hook Park purchased by the city
and a promenade constructed there. -,
This park" says Mr. Slower, lis now partly
shut off from the river view by hlgh ,poaru
fence and the storage Of trucks on what / sup
nosed was city land, but / was amazed to lnd that
II belonged to several private parties g
ContrOller Grout recommended to the f5oaru ol
Estimate that the matter of the waterfront De
referred to Mr. Hawkes. Commissioner OF DOCKS
and Ferries for the plans for Improvement, anu
estimate of cost. Commissioner Hawkes., now
ever stated to a Tribune reporter tfldt lle PuI
chase of land for purposes of recreatlon oIo Iloe
come under his jurisdiction, and ne could not IdAe
any action in the matter