Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-07-05
NEED OF BATHING BEACHES

NEEU OF bEACHEO
Never has the need for adequate bathing b~eachesbeen more keen
ly felt than during the present heated spell. Yesterday the people
congested the tiny resorts that are at present the only accommoda-
tions afforded. The crowding was almost beyond the point of decency,
yet the fine sandy beaches along the property owned by the city on
the river front were almost deserted, the bathing being next to I'M
possible not only because of a lack of facilities, but mainly because
of the sewers which the city permits to be empted directly on the
sand to trickle across the beach into the river at the very wateredge
But it is only the story Of last year repeated excepting that the
demands are even greater this year because Of the increased popula-
tion. 1t will be the same story next year, and so on for year after
year unless the authorities do something.
That the vast majority of the people of the city like to battle is
apparent from the long string of automobiles lined up at the curb
in front of the beaches now in operation. These beaches do an enor-
nous business. The crowd is more than they can handle. 1t IS
apparent that any investment made by the city to furnish the people
with adequate facilities for bathing would more than take care OF
itself from the income derived from the concessions to be leased or
10 be operated by the city, as may be deemed best.
The point is, the city, with a population of $4,000 or more,
possessing a matchless waterfront, has not adequate bathing facilities
for the people. The trouble is, no one seems to be able to arrive at
a proper solution to the problem. All admit that there should be
recreation for the people along the shore; the hundreds of people who
crowd Caledonia park these hot nights prove the necessity of park
along the water front.
On the other hand, there are the commercial developments to be
considered and the interests of the city in making itself a great port
We can continue to talk about these things and discuss the various
advantages of each until Dooms Day, but we are getting nowhere.
In the meantime, thousands of people clamor for decent facl-
ties for bathing and recreation along the waterfront. The only way
to arrive at something is to get a city plan. Let an expert study the
situation and give us the benefit of his knowledge and experience
His plan can be accepted or rejected as the city sees fit, but there is
good reason that he will be able to point out such a feasible plan that
the city vii. be ready to adopt It at once and then some constructive
work can be done
Perth Amboy, with her enormous population that does not know
what it is to go away for a summer vacation, needs some adequate
recreation facilities of her own. She has all the advantages that are
needed it is merely for some progressive official to take hold of the
matter and put it across.
Without any expert knowledge of the subject the EVENING
NEWS would suggest that the section of the river front next to the
railroad 2n-extenas=s>eastva as far as State street, perhaps, or
to the Hayes tract at Brighton avenue, be used for commercial pur-
poses and that from that point to High street and around the Bluff
be used for park purposes and bathing beaches with all the sewers
run into one big trunk sewer which would be extended for a thou
sand feet or more out into the bay toward the lighthouse. This would
give Perth Amboy commercial development and, at the same time,
would give a park to rival Battery Park in New York, which, in
spite of the great congestion there, is carefully guarded for the bene-
fit Of the people.
But this is only the EVENING NEWS idea. Others, equally as
competent to decide, may have other suggestions. The fact is, there
are so many ideas and suggestions that we get nowhere. The only
hope is to engage an expert municipal engineer to draw up a city
plan, which would give first consideration to the sewers, parks and
waterfront development.
Another season ought not to come around without something
worth while being done to furnish the people of Perth Amboy with
adequate bathing facilities. The oppressiyeness Of the present hot
spell ought to be a sufficient lesson.