The sun., 1919-06-15
Big IMPROVEMENTS
AT BEAR MOUNTAIN
Commissioners Perkins De-
scribes 1919 Attractions
for Motorists.
By GEORGE w. PERKrNs.

Pre'tdert oommfs'foners, Po'tsudc' Int~stats
Park.
Nowhere in the world exists q greater
variety Of historic and scenic beauty
spots than here in New York, and
nowhere 10 this more strikingly shown
than in the great State Park at
Bear Mountain. Situated along the Hud-
son River-the Switzerland Of America
within two hours reach Of ten million
people. this great recreation centre Of
fers to a unique degree attractions that
have made this health giving preserve 80
popular each year with the throngs o.
motor tourists who visit there.
How to make this wonderful $4,000
acre playground. which Is maintained
Jointly by the States of New York and
New Jersey, a vital recreational and
health promoting factor has been the
single aim and task of the commissioners,
an unpaid non-partisan board, devoting
itself to the management Of this park.
No more natural or convenient outlet for
the millions of motorists can be found.
nor does one exist offering finer speci-
mems Of highway engineering. A funda-
mental principle of its government 10
that It's function lies beyond the mere
setting up of place where people may
come to shift for themselves, usually the
prey of commercialized concessionaires
To meet the need for supplying food
to over half a million people who each
year visit the park, Bear Mountain nm
was established. its sole purpose being
to furnish nourishing food at a reason
able cost The commission itself oper-
ates the inn, providing a seH-servioe
restaurant afeteria-where for thirty
five or forty cents tourist may be
substantially fed. For those desiring q
more elaborate service a table d'hote ee-
partment provides a luncheon for $3.50
and a dinner for s1.75. The grade Of
the food served. however, in the three
departments Is practically the same, the
difference in price being chiefly the diff
ference In service.
Overlooking the blue waters of Hes
sian Lake at the foot Of Bear Mountain
the commissioners have constructed a
large, circular. rustic dance pavilion ac-
commodating about 500 couples at a
time. Music is provided and no charge
whatever Is made to those who wish to
dance. A natural corollary to the es-
Establishment of the good roads through
out the park was to provide an oppor-
tunity for motorists to enjoy the various
rest pavilions and refreshment booths
which have been erected at important
points.
1t was not enough to provide the OPP
portunity merely for the days outing
in the park. as there was need for facili-
ties whereby a larger usefulness could
come from the establishment OF camps.
plan was entered upon for the utiiiza-
ton Of all the building adaptable for
this purpose and large number Of
rustic camp plants have been established
with mess halls. log cabins for sleeping
purposes, docks and swimming. &C. Dur
ing last year upwards OF $4,000 people
enjoyed the benefits Of vacations in the
park and not a single fatality or serious
accident marred the seasons Joy.
Since last year extensive improve
ments have been made. Bear Mountain
Grove. 30 popular with motorists. has
been resodded and hundreds OF concrete
tables and benches. constructed with a
view to sanitation, comfort and economy.
have been placed throughout. The unique
system OF free rowboats-the only one
in the State-is again in operation. To
make them available to the greatest
number-more than 10000 persons last
year-it is necessary to limit their free
use to half hour periods.
Ten new omnibuses. added to a feet OF
terror and survey the wonderful rock
formations and the seven artificial lakes.
over q quarter of a million people have
been carried each year without a single
mlshap on the buses, that are operated
at cost rates. Palisades Interstate Park
enjoys the distinction of being the only
public park where no commercial con-
cessions are let Gunchstands. sightsee-
ing buses and other conveniences are OPP
Grated by the commission itself. with the
prime view of giving the public an OPP
portunity OF enjoying the numerous at
fractions without allowing any one to
derive monetary profit.
Decoration Day marked this seasons
formal opening, and during the day over
$4,000 people were served at the inn.
where nearly 5000 motor cars were
parked. At this time of the year the
numerous wild flowers. notably the
mountain laurel. are In full bloom. To
enable all visitors to enjoy these. the
commission has requested all sightseers
not to pick them.