The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1914-05-13
~ SOPHIE IRENE LOEB.

~ SOPHIE IRENE loEe.
Fifty citizens, representing the dis
tricts between One Hundred and
Thirty-frst and One Hundred and
Thirty-third streets. appeared before
the local improvement Board yester-
day and demanded that some provi-
sion be made for public Fairgrounds
In that vicinity.
The Evening World has advocated
that all public property suitable for
recreation purposes be opened AZ soon
As possible.
There are not enough places
TO meet the present needs Of more
than 60o. 100 children. The Bureau
Of Recreation has only been able
to procure from the Board Of Es.
innate half the amount needed,
and at present II costs the city
approximately only . cent . year
for each child enjoying public
playerounds.
The citizens stated they represented
1000 children who were on the streets
at the mercy of automobiles and other
traffic. and that the chaotic condition
on account Of congestion warranted
immediate relief.
Borough President Marks presided
at tho meeting and tho Aldermen OF
those districts were present.
ha IN tn
of affairs and stated that II there
was no public property available the
citizens were Justified in asking tho
city to buy some ground for this
purpose. 1t was also pointed out
that there were four public places In
that locality. a portion Of which could
at oncs be allotted exclusively for
children and supervisors Of play ap-
pointed there.
FOUR PARKS COULD eE USED
As FAIRGROUNDS. :.
These ara Mornlngside Park. River.
side Park, st. Nicholas Park. and the
Croton Aqueduct Water Gate.
After tho matter was thoroughly
discussed. tho chairman suggested
that n committee be appointed from
the citizens present, this committee
to report the avttlsble spaces public
~ owned; and they had the assure nee
The Borough President also stated
places would he given over to the
children with the least possible delay.
The Borough President also stated
that this was one Of the most vital
needs at present. owing to the COM
Ing Of the hot weather. and that
every effort would be made on tho
part Of his once In the direction of
public Fairgrounds.
This Citizens Committee consists
Of Miss Valentine. head Of Speyer
school, Messrs. Csnerty. Dempsey.
Robinson, Bogue and Kells, and Miss
Ford. The committee is TO report
within a few days.
Similar activities are in progress
on the East Side. A. stated in The
Evening World, in this thiekiy popu.
vatsd section there are many avail.
able public spaces that could bs con.
vsrtsd into playground with little Or
no expense. Many Of these places
are practically useless. and IN spite Of
the fact that the Fairgrounds Asso.
citation, ~ we'll ~ many public spirit.
Cd citizens have been sndssvorinp for
ysars 70 secure these spaces there has
been svsrlastin0 postponsmsnt and no
results because the Plete Of ground
are under direction Of different de-.
partments.
Besides several plots in the centre
Of Delaney street that are now
practically purposeless. since there
are high iron fences around them en-
closing few flowers, there 10 also a
piece Of property occupying a whole
square on the river front, known az
Old Corporation Yard. At present
this Is filled with scraps from the
Sewer Department and the Highways.
HAVE TRIED THREE YEARS TO
GET THE SQUARE.
The Fairgrounds Association has
for three years endeavored to get this
ground, which would relieve much OF
the conyested condition OF children in
that vicinity for many blocks around.
DIR. Patterson, Assistant Commits
sioner OF Public Works, stated:
'rOT tHTtS years We nave Decn en-
deavoring to remove the contents OF
this lot to another place and turn II
over for Fairgrounds. as II was de-
signated by the Board Of Aldermen. We
had intended to put this stuff under
the Williamsburg Bridge and have
money on hand for the purpose Of
building a high stone wall around
that portion OF the bridge. But ow-
ing to various ordinances regulating
markets and Fairgrounds under the
bridge we have been delayed in get-
ting these % amended that viii make
1t possible to mako this change.
~ we could get these Measures
% adjusted that we could lawfully
remove this material ] en- sure 4
would prove . great boon TO the ohil.
drsn and keep many Of them on the
streets"
A section similarly situated on the
east side had been converted TO play
grounds. and for three years has
given most gratifying results.
WOULD USE SCHOOLS FOR
RECREATION PURPoogS.