New-York tribune., 1912-01-16
OPENS -FOUR Gymnasium
Public Recreation Commisskn
Begins Its Official Life.
M'ANENY MAKES ADDRESS
Tells How New Departmens
Came Into Being-General
Wingate Responds.

The first four gymnasiums to come under
the control Of the Public Recreation Com.
mission recently appointed by Mayor GAY.
nor were opened last night. Borough
President George McAneny and General
George w. Wingate vice-chairman OF the
new commission, were present and deliy.
cred addresses.
"The beginning Of new attitude on ths
part Of the city toward the recreation and
play of the people" was the theme Of Bor-
ough President McAneny's address. He
said that while in various ways The city
had been meeting its obligations to- aid
the people il had not realized until, recent.
ly that recreation in itself was part OF
the city's work. important enough, Ia JUS
Hfy the creation of separate department
"a wear ago" said President McAneny,
! 'tbe Board Of Estimate appointed a COM
mittee. of which ! served as chairman, to
nrepare TO bring together, so far as posi-
bIe the recreation facilities under the sep
arsta Jurisdiction OF the Park and Educa-
t,onaI denartments, the Department of
Docks and the boroui;h presidents. This
committee prepared the act ot the Legs
IatlIre under which the Mayer mas s'pes
Amounted the Public Recreation Somnhs-
sion. 80,
"Tbe commission is now well organlzed
and ready 10 proceed with its inGreSuns
ard important work The pubic oa'hs ars
urdor tho care Of the borough bureaus Inc
,,,,rnnasiums opened tonight in four OF 'ne
most modern and best equipped udto'
would ordinarily have remained uhuer us
Borough President as well, nut am "lo'e
.bar bannv 10 turn them over as the nrst
~ the facilities 10 pass directly TO the ne"
commission. which will in time develop
oor,nrahensive plans tina. l am sure VIII
onrrove themselves to. and oe adopteo o!
o,,arv danartn1ent Of the city having any
thing 10 do with recreation.
provision for the expenses Of each rec
roo,ior facility as, for instance tne pay
grounds I'm the public parks ana SQUARES,
| ,be recreation piers in the Department OK
: Docks. and the public taths az Oohey
I.Iord along the river fronts and In ths
Loart of the city. as we'll as these gyn1na-
a,,,ros will continue 10 be made in the sep
,roto departmental budgets. The actual
dtr.c,ion. however OF all the work OF wnas
might he termed the promotion OF recres-
,ior itself will be in the hands OF the COM
.
mission.
thousands OF people need to be con-
v,nced that recreation is a vital need IN
their lives. Other thousands while con-
yirced. must be taught how, and all OF US
az matter OF fact. require some stimuu'
to keep regularly at it,. To persuad g. teaea
and stimulate the people to make .Whoiesals
ard regular use Of existing facilities ard
~ SHOW US how and where 10 increase teer
number and use are some Of the big oppor'
tInities before the Recreation Commisson'
fraught | believe, with great promise loE
tho future welfare of the city"
General Wingate said it was the ear
nest hope of the commission that the iour
! evmnasums should be used 10 tnelr tuliesI
/ Extent by the people and that they shoula
! proye TO be centres for wholesome soGia'
/ and recreational life In the neignporh9oo
/ The new Institutions are iuilS slulpped
nnd the finest gymnasiunS IN the city
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