The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-27
clubs make the park their headquarters

clubs make the park their headquarters,
St. James Park contains tennis courts;
CroSons Park he's two baseball diamonds
and twenty tennis courts, five Of which
are enclosed for tournament Ute exclusively:
Claremont Park contains two baseball
fields and q number Of tennis courts, and
tennis Is played also In ST. Mary's Park.
All OF these grounds are in constant ,lse
throughout the summer though the tennis
courts arc not 80 crowded as those Of Cen
trail Park.
Boating on Bronx River Is about the only
sport permitted in Bronx Park, which is
mainly given over to the Botanical Garden
and tho Geological Park, and these e1.
hibits provide certain kind Of recreation
for thousands Of persons who never dream
Of going to the parks for any more vigorous
exercise than walking or driving, and to
whom the various sports and games do not
specially appeal.
But the most extensive facilities and
equipments for sports and games are to
be found in the two largest parks, largest
not only Of The Bronx, but OF the whole
city. Pelham Bay Park and Van Cortiands
Park.
The largest Of all the parks, Pelham Bay.
contains two golf courses ten baseball
fields. scores Of tennis courts, fine athletic
field and open air gymnasium. quarter
mile running track, four bowling alleys,
targets for archery practise boat houses
for boating on the bay, severn acht houses
built by various yacht clubs with the per-
mission Of the Park Department, 300 IRE"
bath houses, which are nowhere near
enough to supply the demand on Saturdays
and Sundays, and besides all these the
Commissioner grants permits for tentlns
or camping out on the shore of the bay
This summer there are about 200 OF these
tents, put up and occupied by individuals
or families from all parts Of Greater New
York, who are spending their summer
In this pleasant way. with all the fun and
frolic Of camp life within the city limits
and within easy call of business If business
should demand attention. There are
great many children in these camping
parties. They Of course enjoy it greatly.
and it is giving them health and strength. u.
Van Cortlandt Park contains two golf
courses, one q practise links OF nine holes
on the meadow for beginners. and the
other a regulation eighteen hole links,
which is kept in excellent condition and
is fairly sporty course. 1t is probably
the finest public golf course in the country
The polo field is another attraction at
Van Cortlandt, and is used constantly
throughout the season by various clubs
Of the upper part Of The city and the ad.
joining suburbs. There are also in Van
Cortlandt four baseball fields many tennis
courts, croquet grounds, parade ground
which is used by various military ano
uniformed bodies for their drills and evolu.
lions, and good facilities for boating on
the park lake. This is crowded on Satur-
days and Sundays. In the winter tins
skating is the great sport at Van Cortland'
and the ice of the lake is enjoyed by thor
sands.
Brooklyn and Queens boroughs also make
ample provision for popular sports and
games in their parks. In Prospect Park
arc permitted basketball, archery, cricket,
polo, tennis. boating and skating.
The parade ground adjoining Prospect
Park, which is used by various uniformed
organizations, provides also thirty -one base
ball diamonds, which are always thronged
The tennis courts number several hun
drsd, and this year the Commissioner has
issued some 5000 permits for tennis.
Forest Park has q very good golf links
OF eighteen holes, and there Is fourishing
golf club made up Of the players who Use
this links. This park also contains several
baseball fields and tennis courts.
Canarsie Beach Park is now being put
into good, shape with a running track and
athletic field, and new outdoor gymnasium
Is building in Williamsburg Bridge Park
under the Brooklyn approach to the
Williamsburg Bridge. There are also pub
lie Fairgrounds in williamsburg, familiarly
known as McCarren Park, and at New Lots,
in the East New York district.
Richmond Borough has not yet come TO
be 80 thickly populated as to need the same
park facilities as the other parts of the city,
and so no provision has yet been made
for sports and games in it's parks. 1t has,
only three small ones. none Of which would
be adequate for very extensive games or
exercises.
In all the city parks where sports are en-.
couraged baseball and tennis are the most
popular games. Tennis has been gaining
In popularity at rapid rate in the last few
years, and to-day the people who go to the
parks to play that fine game far outnumber
those who therein practise any other sport