The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-08-09

Among other desirable features in the
park system and administered by the
department of parks are gymnasiums
athletic fields. comfort stations. shelter
houses, recreation piers. drivewavs and
floral decorations.
Floral parks are a feature of the park
systems abroad practically unknown In
the United States. Large areas are De.
voted to roses and other flowers not
merely in the form OF small beds as Is
so often seen hare, but in great pro
fusion. In some cities, even as at Co
burg. Germany. large areas of roses are
cultivated, serving not only for decora.
tive purposes but being utilized in the
manufacture of periumery
AS Americans are. probably more
than any other people, devoted to
sports, spending a great amount Of time.
energy and money upon the various
branches. and not only participating In
but collecting in great numhers to wit
ness the contests, the proper treatment
of this form of recreation is among
the most important matters To be con-
sidered in planning public parks and
grounds.
The city should have as part Of is
park system n spacious athletic ground
which should be located in the suburbs
and be Of easy access by rail trolley
lines and highways. Wherever possible
such ground should be located On the
water to as to provide for aquatic sports
and give opportunity for bathing ana
excursions by boat.
Such ground should contain
stadium with a seating capacity Of from
$4,000 to $4,000. an auditorium with
seating capacity of from 10000 to 10000
which may also be planned to accommo'
date expostions lasting month or
more, and n raised or sunken coliseum
seating from $1,000 to 10000
The stadium should be in the nature
of an athletic field and be used for foot
ball, baseball aviation meets, county ana
State fairs. horse shows and the Ike
The auditorium should be Of monu'
mental character, and If posslhl" on
bluff or clff with terrace down 10 the
water gate. also of monumental design
The aquatic contests could thus be
viewed from the terrace.
The coliseum should be designed as
a place for athletic events, cdu'H'iona'
religious and general open air rs
eemblages and pageants. \ portion o.,
such a coliseum at one end of the oVa'
may be utilized for open air thraIr'A
performances.
The coliseum Is much better sunkeh
than raised, as in the latter form
would obstruct the general view ana
have other disadvantages. The SnnNe"
coliseum should be bordercd with trees
and ornamented with elrCtruliyrS. Ihr
Coliseum of Rome, which seated N'ooo
was 5l2 by 6l7 feet. while tho 'rn'ra'
part used for games was AS hy 2H
If properly constructed the sunk"n s'''
dunn could be partly filled with wafer
either for swimming events in tho SUM
mer or skating In the winter il olheF
water We're not available for thus pu''
pose. II ON navgablo stream
lakefrOnt n breakwater might hr erect
ed to afford n skating place i'm Oh" WIN
ter free from the usual rough shore "r'
An athletic centre of such an '.1nora'e
character would of course b" N'lo"d
the means of all except the large ',Nr'
but 1t would prove highly proh'I'l' "
such cities not only on account 'i l,e
physical and mental improvement Of Inc
participants in the games but also u"
h'AbuHl VI lllt Elfil llulI'''' .'
attracted.
Owing to the great volume "i W'''
to be handled in the rush To leave ''
grounds after the games wer" over
possible transit facilities should "' ','
lied and the most complete acc U'N'','
tons afforded, as otherwise the a. '"'.,-
would have the effect of rrdu' N- '''
number of visitors Points of d'i''f' NV
should be placed on all sld'- '
grounds leading To centres "i i''''
tatiOn distribution in the civ
1t must not he forgotten. N."''
that in order tn make "A sN7'
recreation successful il mu'.
Quoted by officials or manth''r
| tertainment who make ii thrH CA
business.