The sun., 1912-07-20
800 CHEER As SLOWER
OPENS PLAYGROUND
Washington Heights Children
Delight in New Rccrca-
tiOn Field.
WILL ACCOMMODATE Loon
Park Commissioner Tells the
Youngsters It's Theirs as Long
as They Behave Themselves.

went up to open the new watergate
playground. on Washington Heights
yesterday afternoon he was greeted
with the cheers Of more than 800 chill
dren, who for the first time In their
lives were allowed to run and dance
and play ball in the lot bounded by
Convent and Amsterdam avenues,
l34th street and 135th street.
When the Commissioner arrived q
score Of the bigger boys were kicking
q football around the south end Of the
park, two or three rings OF girls were
skipping gayly around In the classic
game "Charlie over the Water" dozens
of mothers and babies were resting
comfortably under big white canvas
tent roof and Patricia and Josephine
McKenna were dancing an Irish Jig to
the strains Of the municipal street
piano.
But Playground Inspector William
Lee had been watching for him. and
scarcely had the Commissioner passed
through the Amsterdam avenue gate
than 200 flags were waving and Tho
Star Spangled Banner" was being
sung in several dozen different keys.
MIR. Slower beamed upon the children
and explained that the beautiful new
playground which comprised a whole
acre Of land and had space enough for
1000 to run over was theirs as long
as they behaved themselves.
This lot has been turned over TO
the Park Department for recreation
purposes" he said. Through the kind
ness OF Commissioner Thomson Of ths
Department Of Water Supply. Gas and
Electricity. and 20 long a. you don't
dig holes in the aqueduct or break the
walls Of the gate house I think there
will be nothing to interfere with your
possession"
After a pause for three cheers and
a tiger by the flag wavcrs Mr.. Stovcr
regarded his audience gravely and said
that he had recently seen a cartoon
representing Central Park showing
dozens OF s!gn posts labelled keep on
the grass" and one emaciated
woman carrying a child looking long
ingly at the forbidden ground.
| ~ am accused Of wanting to deprive
the children Of this city Of the pleasure
Of playing on the grass" he went on,
but ! think that the condition Of
Rutgers Park and Hamilton Fish Park
and Tohpkins Park and several others
I could mention proves pretty conclu.
sively that ] value the children above a
few blades Of grass"
And right you arc" yelled q gaunt,
black haired woman who had been
eyeing the speaker with a hostile gazc.
But. children" continued Mr. Sto, or
imprcssively. would YOU like to live in
a city where there weren't any bladcs
Of grass at all?'
"No." murmured a few voices.
"rhen perhaps you will understand
he said. "why I don't turn over the
whole of the S43 acres Of Central Park
10 you for a playground.
81 don't care peg for the lying
editorials and cartoons. I shall do my
duty as sce 1t. and part of my duty,
ss defined In tho city Charter. consists
in making the parks Of the city besuti-
ful and in keeping them SO. Some DAY
when you want walk. just 60 to ths
riverfront at i29th street or Ninety
sixth street or Seventy street
and notice tho wagonloads Of dirt and
ashes that arc being carried there Ia
build Fairgrounds for the children ot
this borough. During my term of Office
thirty Fairgrounds have been added to
the eleven that were In existence whon
/
average of ten a year-and not one Il
these has cost the city penny for
land. We have made use ~ plots ot
ground already owned by the city.
"Now We want you to have good
time here" ne sid In conclusion. land
remember. it's for you and not for your
bis brothers. Tell them to 60 to Jsspr'
Oval when they want In play"
When tho games and dancing were
resumed Inspector Leo called tho re-
porters aside and told them he had just
discovered tho only possible King "'
Fun and Tro,ic for tho grand fctc ri
all nations. which Ia to ne held on An
gust 3 on the sheep pasture in Contra
Park. Tho lucky youth II John Hn'
of lass Amsterdam avenue, who is
years old and weighs 100 pounds. Mr.
Lees daughter. Eleanor. Is to hc thu
Queen of Fairy'and. The park sheer
will appear in the Swiss scene and th'
donkeys in the irish scene. Mr.. L"'
said that he had Just heard that th'
grounds would ne illuminated by thou
sands Of electric lights. The band VII
consist of forty-hve pieces and there
viii he a moving picture show to wine
Iup the festivities.