New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-28
To Make Every Cent Count.

Although the engineer Of the depart
ment estimated the cost of the Queens
boro playground at S41oO0." said Com
missioner Slower yesterday, the con-
tract was let at a much smaller figure.
That will enable me to spend the sur
s3lus on some other play centre. Every
cent counts and | mean TO make the
100000 appropriation go as far as 1t
will Business with some of the con-
tracing firms has been slack and |
understand that that wa' one reason
why the contractor bid lower than the
department estimated
Commissioner Slower said ne had used
every means at hand 10 complete DIS
playground system, but that he had met
with delays He desired 10 have the
whole thing completed by the present
summer, but red tape had held him
back.
~ The $4,000 was the largest single
playground development Appropriation
ever requested by a Park Commissioner
and granted by the Board of Estimate.
The Commissioner willie continue during
the rest If his administration to get
more ground, outside Of parks for play
grounds.
ny or the play centres now being con-
structed and about TO he put under way
none has the significance Of the Queens
toro project. The plans for this centre
-chich were commented on favorably by
the Municipal Art Commission. include
IL -
= 4ailI seat nearly two thousand persons
and playhouse which will include up
to-date shower baths and other modern
conveniences. II Is in district Where
2 playground has been a crying need
because Of the lack Of facilities there TO
accommodate the large number Of chill
dren. At night in the summer band
concerts will he held there. and many
81 the yearly athletic events will he held
there.
Providing for Smaller Children
Stress has been placed on tho needs IF
d the Younger children on the lower East
side Commissioner Stoyer has planned
10 segregate the children into three
groups in one or two Fairgrounds, espe-
cisllv in 81. Gabriels Park. OF the 81
COP 70 he expended there, $1,000 will go
toward the erection Of a modern play
house which will have every up-to-date
feature. including lockers and shower
baths There will be separate play
ground there for little children. one for
girls and another for boys, which VIII in
,lpdo an athletic oval and running
track
At the West J9th street playground
work on which is nearing completion. a
large part Of the SOS COZ TO be spent viii
70 toward the construction of a modern
playground house. with shower baths
and lockers. Never before has the batn-
ing feature been so prominent IN play
ground development. but Commissioners
Stover said it was one Of the most popu-
lar features for boys and youths. This
playground is across the street from lie
Witt Clinton High School, to which the
playground house will conform archl-
,ecturalIv. The boys Of the high school
viii erect a fountain in the grounds at
a cost Of 500.
AT Amsterdam avenue and l1lst street
the $40 600 10 be spent for the develop
mont NJ q play centre Will include
Japanese sunken garden. The GROUND
was opened in June with hfIli'el
amount Of apparatus. but since then sew
ersl houses have been removed ~ re
Park Department, and the work OF con
structing the large play centre VIII
shortly he under way. There had never
been a playground in this district ana
since its opening even in an undeveioped
state II has been jsmmed every hne
day
plans Model Playhouse.
4, ,o1s, s,reet and Second avenue the
finest model playhouse VIII pe conlpie'eI
To no q