New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-06-10
MOVE To MAKE PARK
Of F|RESWEPT AREA
Many Organizations Urge That
City Buy Fort George Prop
erty for a Playground.
PUBLIC HEARING THURSDAY
Associations To Be Heard
Assessment Plan Only One
Feasible Owing to
Lack of Funds.

The ruins Of Paradise Park at Fort
George were still smoudering yesterday
when a city-vide movement 10 reclaim
this area for the people got under way.
There have been leanngs in that direction
for long time. After the flames got
through with the resort. which has been
50 strongly objected 10 by persons In the
upper section { the city, II was cOnsld-
cred the time had never been so auspi-
cious as now to bring this territory under
the jurisdiction of the city.
Some of the organizations favorinS the
plan were tho Public Recreation Commits
sion. Parks and Fairgrounds Association
and Public Schools Athletic League. Bor-
ough President McAneny will hold hear
ing Thursday morning, when representa-
tlves Of many organizations, including
Washington Heights taxpayers, will APP
pear in behalf Of the park plan.
General George W. Wingate, president
Of the Public Schools Athletic League
and a member OF the Public Recreation
Commission. was strongly I'm favor OF con-
vcrtng this territory into recreation
centre, but thought that al the present
time. with the city in such financial
straits. 1t would be possible to acquire the
land only through assessing property
owners for some distance around Fort
George. He cited Brownsville as an Illus
tratlon where the people were willing TO
be assessed 10 get playground.
This city cannot have too many play
grounds he declared. There should be
many more such centres than are at
present available. They enhance the
value Of surrounding property. Another
thing they are a means OF keeping chill
drcn off the streets which reduces van
dalism and bad behavior.
The city hasn't the money at the
present time to buy any more play
grounds had long talk with the Con-
troler on that subject a few days ago.
and he agreed that the best way to secure
more park land was by the assessment
plan. II II can be arranged In this In
stance. by all means this site should be
acquired for a city play centre"
Miss Lillian y. Wald. vice president OF
the Parks and Fairgrounds Association.
and at present its acting president. spoke
strongly IN favor of the Fort George site
being converted into park.
1T would be a beautiful place for a rec
rcation centre" she added. II think the
city should Immediately add this site to
its park space. It is already far behind
other cities IN tho country in that respect
the amount OF available park land.
hope II can be acquired without delay
Bascom Johnson. secretary OF the Public
Recreation Commission. also was I'm favor
OF adding this space to the city's parks
1t has been an eyesore.' said Mr..
Johnson. and Objectionable in other
ways. The site occupied by the wooden
shacks and amusement devices should be
turned into useful park ground | speak
from first hand information. for made
a thorough investigation OF the locality
a short time ago. when there was some
agitation I'm favor OF converting II into
recreation centre
The extent OF tho territory assessed
should be great enough TO make tho per
capita tax small II seems 10 me that the
property owners I'm that part OF the city
would bc only too willing 10 be assessed
for such a purpose II would mean an In
creased valuation OF their property, for
tho resort tended 10 lower property
values
The FIRE which destroyed the park light
cd up the heavens to such an extent that
the reflection was seen many miles away.
Thousands OF persons I'm the Washington
Heights section fingered long in the early
morning 10 see the flames cat up the
amusement structures.
II was estimated by Schenck Brothers.
projectors Of the park. that the damage
done would amount 10 $4,000. The flames
spread to Schutheis's Fort George Park
and Casino and destroyed several struct-
ures All fire apparatus north OF ll5th
street were out. and Police Commissioner
Waldo Fire Commissioner Johnson and
Chief Inspector Schmittberger were on
hand.