The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-12
SPORT AMONG THE CLOUDS.
Utilization OF Skyscraper Roofs for Recrea-
tive Purposes.

tive purposes.
While the tops Of the skyscraper build
ings would be fine launching places for
aerial ships and flying machines, the record
Is still blank regarding any utilization
OF the lofty spots for such purpose thus
far the inventors have sought out perches
closer to the ground for their ambitious
trial trips. Summer gardens, OF the music
hall sort and also for the private use Of the
occupants. are no new thing on the tops
of the tall buildings, and it is also well
known that the janitors Of such buildings
often utilize the roof space for kitchen
gardens. The latest use OF the roofs is Us
recreation grounds.
On top of ono Fifth avenue apartment
house is perfectly fitted up squash racquet
court. for use in common by the tenants,
The building is Of wood. with pitched
roof lighted by glass windows, the play
court being Of the usual size and the build
ing also containing gallery for spectators.
Tie small space needed for squash court,
approximately 35Il6 feet, makes 1t an easy
matter to find room for such building on
a roof and there are several OF them IN Use
In the city close 10 the skyline. The courts
are almost invariably enclosed by walls,
and at an upper West Side apartment
house the space is used for lawn tennis
court in summer and for ice skating in
There is no better location possible for
pigeon lofts. especially If working homer7
are kcnt than the roof Of such q 5'::5iliiS,
and, as the Pigeon and Poultry Breeders
Association demonstrated during their snow
In Herald Square Hall, the location hlSh IN
air is an excellent starting place Tor dis
lance flight. There are several skyscraper
pigeon lofts in town. and at least one ANA
teIr fancier of show rabbits keeps his stock
on such roof.
in midair is as a kennel. The dogs that have
their home there are not toys, or OF the small
sort at all but instead the inmates are
collection OF English bulldogs as Wen known
a. winners at the bench shows as any IN
the country. The kennel Is tavoHte
meeting place Of dog owners from out OF
town. especially when dog show Is on,
and through it, popularity in this way iul-
fills the place Of a club for the amateurs
who take delight in calling themselves
Brothers Of the Fancy.
When the elevator reaches its high water
mark in this skyscrapcr the visitor has two
short flights of stairs 10 climb 70 gam the
iron door that opens on the ROOT. AS the
stranger passes through the door ana
closes it behind him. he shuts out all that
suggests CITY life tall buildings, or what
ever of the mol and toll Of town existence
NAV have logged his steps thus far
He finds himself within square Of hrck
walls such as they train fruits 10 grow on
in England. and before him Is brick stable
with peaked roof and gilt weathervane
the duplicate Of the carriage house OF any
detached suburban residence. He stands on
cav soil and overhead is the blue sky, WINE
the air is pure and as Inspiring as VINE,
II is like a clearing on a mountain top ana
n would not be a surprise to see the tops OF
trees waving above the brick walls.
Inside the building re kennels arranged
in double tiers and fifty dogs may be kept
there in comfort. On the walls are some
photographs Of notable winners for the
kennel, and a frieze Of sporting cuts. A
q eat collection OF blue ribbons and cups
Son at bench shows fills a glass case. and
/ there are plenty Of chairs 10 lounge on while
| The dogs are trotted out for inspection.
! The dogs thrive in the high location and
| the only detail that has required special
| Thought is a machine on which they take
( walking exercise.
Msnifestly, it would be a nuisance to
take the dogs all he way down to the street
! for their walks, and II turned out on the
! roof thew would do more sleeping than
! walking. The machine is merely tread
! mill such as dogs may often be seen work
! inc TO furnish power for churns or small
| cider presses, and il is usually regulated
"a, that fifty minutes OF he machineis equal
walk of a mile Each dog however.
gets twenty minutes on the tread
"a day and besides the walking ex
se the work Is deemed good TO square
. shoulders and broaden the chests Of the
bulldogs. The dogs DO their stint Of work
cheerfuly and as though they liked IL; in
fact. they would much prefer TO jog along
on the machine than 10 be shut no in their
boxea