The San Francisco call., 1904-04-16
Valuable Addition to
the Park Is
Assured.

San Francisco's proposed athletic
field in Golden Gate Park, with it's
nest Of tracks for light harness horses,
cyclists and foot racers and its inner
requiring a large level area of turf, is
pictured herewith for the first time.
1t is minds eye view of the big pro-
ject drawn with faithfulness to detail
by an artist who looked over the site
and studied the plans in Superintend-
ent McLaren's hands The picture is
more eloquent than mere words and
explains the enthusiasm of the work
ers who have done such great service
in collecting funds for the building
of it.
In order to bring out the perspective
more clearly the spectators pictured in
the lower corner are banked UP a trifie
higher than they will be in reality.
On this edge of the speed track a space
is provided 100 feet in width and run
ming the length of the field. A gentle
raise of'twenty feet of this grass COW
cred surface will provide seating ca
pacity for many thousands of specta-
tors. The home stretch of all the
tracks will be located, on this side and
just as excellent a view of the field
will be afforded as though an unsightly
grand stand marred the landscape. The
absence of all buildings and fences in
the amphitheater is a hobby of Mr..
McLaren's and will make the place
much more beautiful to the eye.
A tunnel fer the admission of ath-
letes to the oval will run from a point
near the buildings depicted in the upper
corner. Polo ponies may be brought
through in this manner and cyclists
may reach their speed track without
crossing the horse track. On the OPP
posite side of the field an entrance will
be provided for light vehicles. On this
side will be located the sheds and
dressing rooms for the reinsmen, the
buildings being situated a short dis
tance from the oval and fitted with
all modern improvements. The ath-
letes will be quite as well provided for
in the manner of showers and rooms.
while plunge is a possibility if the
money subscribed be sufficient
In dimensions the speed track will
measure exactly half mile in circum-
ference. 1t will be about sixty feet
in width. Twenty feet distant win be
the cinder path, which is to run three
laps to the mile, leaving an inner oval
of 900x4s0 feet. A gradual slope from
the outer rim of green sward, contin-
uing through the several tracks, will
bring the surface of the infieId consid-
erably lower than any other portion of
tile grounds. This scheme will bring
every part of the amphitheater in plain
view of the spectators. In case of a
driving matinee the outer rim will hold
the throng. although the infield will
be available. For cycle races the same
space will be utilized, while an event on
the cinder path or the inner field will
call the cycle track into play as a van
tage point for the spectators.
AS the place is planned it will be
the finest public athletic field in the
world and will set a pace for other
cities to follow. Members of the Anna
teur Driving and Athletic Association
are working INCREASINGLY for the sue
cess of the plan, notably Frank O'Kane,
w. J. Simpson, James Coffin, e. H.
Aigeltinger and /. l.. Borden Of the
executive committee, who have given
up much of theit time to the raising