New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-12
CONDITION OF FAIRGROUNDS.
Seward Park Not Properly Supervised, Say
Those Who Know.

The arrogauon OF credit by the Tammany Park
Department officials for the public baths which
were opened few days ago IN Seward Park. and
for the whole Of the excellent system Of public
Fairgrounds ana baths which either have been
opened or viii be opened shortly. and The TTiD-
une's statement IN yesterdays paper Of the cor
rect facts in the case. have directed attention 10
the manner in which the Fairgrounds already
opened are being run under the present admins
tratiou.
There are about half the number Of Caretakers
employed this year L1ers were -aSt year and
the park itself is in lazaeurabe state OF untidi-
One q the men VINO has had opportunities OF
observing the way Seward Park IS being run now
s Edward Phillips, Of No, 81 Grznd-st-. chairman
Of the lid District local school board.
The tone is lowered il Seward Park" SAL I-r.
Phillips The trouble comes from lack OF ade-
quate inspection. a man named Kelly. an IN
structoT in one ot The public gymnasiuns has been
appointed supervise = small parks. This IS Ike
raising an ordinary teacher to the position OF prtn
cpaL He runs II 10 Seward Park for q few min
utes now and then-that Is about all
Seward Park IS not being developed as il should
be- for the that there is no one in the Park
Department who knows how 10 supervise kinder
garten gymnasuc and playground work in the
parks
y the Park Department can't and won't get a
proper person 70 supervise and develop the thing
this branch ~ park work would better go under
The management Of the Board Of Education
Another thing-a special officer should be de-
JAILED 10 sewsrk Park few months ago the
decent people o. the neighborhood would not 20 10
the park for fear of pickpockets
When the Outdoor Recreation league had the
playground in Seward Park. special officer was
detailed 70 81. There was no trouble with pick
pockets then Nor there any trouble last year.
don't think it should have been left Miss Julia
Richman 10 draw attention TO the conditions ex-
isting there now
1t Is. o, course, hard 10 find park commissioners
with the ability 10 attend personally 10 the de-
tails Of such recreation centres as sewark Park,
out 1t ought not 10 De hard to find them with
ability 10 discover the people who can do II. Mr..
Pallas has thus far shown this ability"
Gregory Weinstein, of No. Is New Chambers
St the president Of the East Side Civic Club, told
Tribune reporter that he believed unless the
supervision could De more intelligent and the dis
cpLne frmer Seward Park would degenerate into
loaAug place COR undiscpIined youngsters, and
Tor ;he vulgar display Of brute force.
The amusement IDEA has driven out the educa-
donsl idea.'' he said. AT present in the
Fark Department has any knowledge Of tho edu-
Ssuonsl side OF park work Already there are
nearly ten recreation centres Soon there will be
s@eaty employing a very large force Of teachers
~ supervisors. bfiess TIE authority is vested
= a head who Is perfectly competent things viii
ALA -4l.la.l l. Nald i.eadworker al the Nurses
se~ieIlent. No. henryst.. said she regarded Il
mistake Oh l4.e part OF the present EGullL4lS-
Taton not to avail itself Of the assistance Of an
enthusiast and expert in public Fairgrounds like
Charles B. Slower.
J believe Mr. PaIlas TO be a kindly intentioned
MAI. she added. ana one interested in The sue
cess OF the Fairgrounds, evlnced by MS calling
,osether The Settlement workers for a conference
OF Inc subject. But Commissioner Wilcox stands
olt bright and shining as the establisher OF the
present system Of Fairgrounds, baths. outdoor
sgfnnasiunls, etc he should down 10 history
as the Park Commissioner who munic!paliZed the
P.ay grounds. Before him they had been philan-
tropics Under Mayor Van Wyck al the Outdoor
1scrsaJ!on League could get the city TO do was
70 nj Up the holes In Seward Park and give the
Use OF De Witt Clinton Park The league had TO
pay Tor their equipment and maintenance.
! saw the plans OF several OF the parks. even
DeIore thew accepted They included the
paths. public toilet rooms and other excellent feat
lfes which have now. IN the case Of Seward Park.
.1een completed and opened 10 the public AS Mr..
" licoS. when Commissioner of Parks, repeatedly
acknowledged his Indebtedness TO Charles B. Sto-
Yer X only fair that the present Commits
soner OF Parks should be willing have the praise
iior the baths which he IS opening bestowed where
II belongs"