New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-10-02
SALOON IN CITY'S PARK.
MAGNET FOR ROWDIES'
Citizens Near SLIDER Lake Petltso'
for Re6ef-PoIice Indifferent.

The city of New-York has lately acquired
park in Staten Island which is known by the
name of the small body of water which makes
it distinctive-Silver Lake When the city &C
quired this property there so-called hotel
on the shore of the lake. This has been allowed
to continue in business as though the property
had not passed into the hands of the munich
pality.
AS result of the advertising which this new
est of city parks has received since last June,
when the city took control the riotous crowds
and picnics from Manhattan and Brooklyn
which used to go to South Beach and other re-
sorts on the Staten Island coast line have been
diverted to Silver Lake Park. They find there
an open dancing pavilion, with raised platforms
on the sides, where drinks are served as long
as the dance continues.
The revels Of the crowds which cross the
Staten Island ferry and wind UP at Silver Lake
have become the scandal OF Richmond Bor-
ough 1t has come to such pass that the peo-
pie who live near this resort do not dare
to take the cars at night because of the
trouble that is likely to occur. The late boats
from the island to the city nightly the scenes
of the utmost disorder. the special policemen
who are supposed to keep order the boats
take no action unless there is actual fighting or
weapons are drawn
Silver Lake has natural beauties that rival
those of any other park in the citys control It
was purchased and set aside for the people who
live in the central part of the island. In the
centre OF the park there is a natural lake. of
the most beautiful about New York. The sur
roundings include a rolling, wooded country,
through which the city is building fine mac
adam roads. The one blot the surface of the
park is this ramshackle dance nall and saloon
on the shore OF the lake.
Why the place has been allowed to continue as
before the city took charge Staten Island people
do not know. That it may be suppressed they
are now circulating a petition to the borough
authorities. This petition has been signed The
Tribune is informed, by all the residents within
a mile of the park. They are kept awake by
the noisy singing, the catcalls and the curses
of the crowds who come down from the city.
The summer season of picnics is nearly over,
but the citizens who live about Silver Lake can
hope for no relief from the nightly revels. for
the lake is a prize skating place and the saloon
promises to keep open all winter Their only
hope, unless the city takes real control of the
park. is that the skating parties are in the cold
open air and not likely TO be so noisy the
dances.
A Tribune reporter. returning from the island
few nights ago. happened to take the same
boat with a Silver Lake revel party. One of the
took a place on the saloon deck OF the
steamer and amused himself by splitting on the
passengers the lower deck. When they re-
mOnstrated with him he SHE'D camp stools at
them He finally subsidized only when one of the
unoffending lower deck passengers went to the
upper deck and knocked him down and out.
The special policemen on the ferryboat did not
see any reason for official interference. There
have been even serious fights recently.
On the cars razors, knives and revolvers are
frequently drawn. The reason there has not
been murder is said to be because only of the
drunken inaCcuracy OF the aim OF the jewellers.
Those who live in the neighborhood of the
city's new park want to know why the saloon,
which is the source of the trouble. is allowed to
it did when the lake private prop
erty. If the petition which is being signed
has any weight next summer will see the middle
of Staten Island clean, and the rioters will have
to find new resort