New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-05
BIG FIELD ON HUDSON.
PLANS OF COLUMBIA.
Bemsel ApproUes Scheme to Reclaim
Long Riuer FRONTAGE.

Columbia University has a novel plan for
building an athletic field by filling in the Hud-
son River front to the bulkhead line, between
116th and 12Oth streets. 1t will be presented to
the Sinking Fund Commission on Wednesday,
when Dock Commissioner Bensel will present
plan of his with which the Columbia
scheme seems to harmonic. His idea is to fill
in the entire river front between I'D street and
l3Oth street for park purposes.
It is said that If the city authorities consent
TO the plan the proposed field will enable Column
bia TO carry out its new athletic policy in abol-
ishing gate money to all contests Although
they will not say where the $1OOOOOO which It
is estimated the execution of the plans will cost
Is coming from, the university authorities ad-
NIT they are not worrying about that end of It.
III Is understood that the money is practically
pledged. and friends of President Butler hold
that this is in the line of vndication of his
policy In introducing athletic reforms
President Butler has talked with Commits
sioner Bensel in regard to the proposed athletic
field. and the latter said yesterday that he was
/ heartily IN favor of the plans as he understood
them The field would be under the SUPERVISION
of the CITY, and would be available for nubIic
games at such times 1t was not in use hv Co
luInpia- lt would be large enough for any and
all sports or an intercollegiate nature There
"ouio De a quarter-mile running track The
stands, to accommodate thirty-fve Thousand
"oUtu NC constructed In an ornamental manner
or steel and concrete. Over the stands would
De public recreation platform At the south
ana horth ends Of the field would be public
Fairgrounds, which could be used nv the p,h,,o
schools Athletic League and other organizations
ior oaseoal tennis and other sports An,a+aur
championship games other than +h.o = ~,
colleges and public schools couId ba ba,5 -
II Is also suggested that perhaps the ar+boritias
Oh west Point and Annapolis would hs Glad 20
field. o' h'i sucn a
Ai'HeNGEMENTs FOR AQUATIC SPORTS
exceptionally favorable arrangemen+s ro -
ing and other aquatic sports could he furnished
anu are part or the plans. including lighthouses
iauhchlng noats and stands for WITNESSING +ba
sports. Inc solid filling can go only to the hulk
mead line, but the plans call for ths ut,Itzo+io
OF most OF the space TO the pierhead linz by
building on piles.
Oiio VI the features of the plan is the construo-
tion or water gate, which would NOT opIv et,.a
opportunity for striking architectural treat
ment' nut would furnish admirable place for
the landing of distinguished visitors II is stot.d
that whole brigade of troops If desired could
De massed on the athletic field and there would
De ample accommodations for spectators When
"arshlps OF this or foreign nations have gone
up the river to salute the tomb of General Grant
there has been easy way for the officers m
reach the tomb. Such water gate In connec-
uon with the entire improvement would give a
suitable landing place and a direct route to the
tomb. Speaking of the water gate the an
nouncement made by the Columbia authorities
says
1T will furnish an admirable landing place for
distinguished American and foreign visitors
They can go ashore in the most beautiful resi-
Dental part of the city, the homes of many of it's
most important institutions, away from all com
merce; and their first impression will be much
better than if they landed. as now, amid the
hurlyburly OF business"
The scheme is said TO have originated with
Daniel Leroy Dresser. of the class of 80 The
plans were elaborated by committee consisting
of William Barclay Parsons. 10: George L.
Rives. '6S. and Mr.. Dresser aided by the sug-
gestions of Gustavus T. Kirby 90 of the Inter
collegiate Athletic Association, by the alumni
committee on the re-arrangement of the sports
of the university, and by the officials of the Pub
lie Schools Athletic League. The last named is
expected TO derive much benefit from the field
If 1t is built. The design given was drawn by
Henry +. Hornbostel, 81.
The estimated cost OF carrying out the plans
is slightly in excess of 81 100000 OF that
amount 100000 will be needed for filing in the
land. The river is shallow at this point or the
filling In would be much more expensive mat
ter.
COULD DECLARE STREET OPENED.
In addition to getting consent of the municipal
authorities for carrying out these plans. it will
be necessary TO make arrangement with the
Ncw-York Central Railroad. whose tracks run
along the river front. for obtaining access to tho
field. This will. Of course. be In the nature of
bridges going the tracks. as the law will
not permit grade crossings Commissioner
Continued third page.
cI nRInhto EAMAlIo AIh1c