New-York tribune., 1911-04-17
EAST SIDE WILL SUFFER
DEVELOPMENT of Old Centres and
Creation Of New Ones Can
not Be Completed fo-
Coming Season.

fund had been spent. and that IL had
hsen used in the execution OF plans.
The sum of $4,000 or moro for play
ground apparatus. which was to have
teen taken months ago from the amount
srrropriated. has not been expended be
cause # difficulty in the matter Of con-
.racting for it, The original bidder
abandoned his contract a the suggestion
~ the Park Department because Of un-
necessary delay II is still. however. 'in
The air." bids now being advertised for in
The Oity Record
n making his request for s250.o00
Commissioner Stover made II plain -
tre Board Of Estimate and Apporton-
rnert that in the event that the sum was
awarded he would begin as soon as pos
sihle 70 rebuild some Of the older grounds
ard improve others as well as 10 create
entirely new recreation centres The
money was appropriated In June and
was available in the latter part Of july.
When asked as 10 his plans at that
time Nr Stover said II would not be ad-
vissbe 70 disturb the present play CEN
tres A. Z time when they we're most in
uso. but that IN the winer the work of
Improvement would he started. To this
ord hr held numerous conferences with
Howard Pradstreet. at that time Super
visor # Recreation. and Mr. videtto, ar
chtec' % the department
Announced Extensive Plans.
n the course of the winter Mr.. Stover
made several announcements regarding
nep. play centres. which included those
under the bridge approaches on the East
SIDE Plans he said, were being pre-
pared for the development Of ono Of the
largest Fairgrounds IN the City-that 10
bo situated under the Manhattan ap-
rroach 70 tho greensboro Bridge. He
also said that here would be built a large
stadium, which would accommodate thou
sands
But The Greensboro ground was only
ono Of q chain along the East River
front At the Williamsburg Bridge ap-
proaCh was 10 be q vast baseball field
which would be one of the best in the
city There we're also 70 be tennis courts
and still other areas in that same district
FOR the Younger children.
The playground officials who are criu-
cising Commissioner Stover for the delay
IN putting his schemes into execution do
not doubt in the least that he has in A
tentative state a remarkable playground
programme and that he has considered
carefully his recommendations. What
4to.
Park Commissioner should by now have
made some showing because of his own
knowledge of the needs for more play
centres and the inadequacy Of some of
the older grounds.
When Howard Bradstreet resigned.
tomc weeks ago. as Supervisor Of Recre
alton he said he had not been supported
ny Commissioner Stover in matters that
he AZ Supervisor. had recommended. but
that he believed the delay of Mr. Stover
I'm putting into effect his schemes Of de-
ve'opnent would bring upon the Com
missioner severe criticism. Mr.. Brad
street also intimated that the constant
delay would not insure the success Of
any definite plan Of work.
sradstreet Foresaw Trouble.
IN thc matter If playground material
q was said that there had been so much
= hinder it's purchase that ii would not
b. available for the coming season. And,
finally Mr Bradstreet said he did not
care 90 take the responsibility for a delay
that would surely be placed on his shoul
ders although it did not belong there.
Commissioner Stover has been actively
insreotnP the plans for the new recrea-
ton centres and those for the develop
nent OF the old prepared by the archi- !
rsr4 ~ the Park Department He has
had in mind the conversion Of part Of
Mulberry Bend Park as Richard Wat
son Glider memorial: he has in view the
conversion Of part of Colonial Park as a
plan ground the latter a project opposed
n' Samuel Parsons the landscape arChi- /
'''i he has i'm mind the plans for play ,
ground running track and swimming tank |
H Central Park. which now is for him !
alone 70 condemn or approve. and which |
Dr. Henry Moskowitz Of the Downtown |
t'hral Society. has condemned as the |
chairman NJ the Citizens Union COM /
U.ttec
These are only a few projects Of Com /
missioner Stover. who has said that 10 /
complete his schemes for the betterment /
" the parks and the Fairgrounds it will |
take from four TO five years. What the /
playground officials want. however is /
sor-o concrete examples OF this plan dur !
Ms the coming summer. They heartily |
''mmend the Commissioner for trying TO |
~'t empty lots as baseball fields and the |
bS' Of West street as a baseball ground |
on sundays. But they also believe that |
Mt Stovcr should by now have made |
more Of showing with his S25OopD FOR /
never have Fairgrounds been more In !
demand. as centres for recreation rs
N'n as relief for the overcroWded /
Tafks
1T vas the most unfortunate oircum-
stance in the administration Of Mr.. |
S'over' said playground official |
'esterday, that he should have allowed |
anvthine 10 come I'm between him and /
Nr Bradstrcet for the latter would |
Lave been of great service 20 him in |
making a definite advance in playground |
seliyity IN this city,