The sun., 1919-02-02
SULLIVAN'S DREAM
NOW COMING TRUE
New York to Have Municipal
Stadium in Van COrt-
landt Park.
WORK ALREADY BEGUN
Park Commissioner Hennessv
Says Structure Will Be
Credit to City.
WORK ALREADY BEGUN

Many years ago the late James E. SUI
Ivan said II only would be question Of
time before New York and every other
city in the country would boast a munic-
ipally owned stadium and athletic field,
where all kinds Of athletic events could
be staged. New York soon is to have
such a stadium. and while not SO large
and splendid as the one dreamed OF by
the lamented Jim Sullivan. the plans
the way for a structure more worthy
Of the largest city in the world.
A delegation from the Metropolitan
Association Of the Amateur Athletic
Union. the Public Schools Atheti!
League, United States of America Foot
ball Association and amateur baseball
officials called upon Joseph 2. Hennessy,
Park Commissioner of the Bronx. yes
terday to ascertain Just what could be
done to expedite filling in the preser;
nlarshland in the southwestern corner
Of Van Cortlandt Park and transform
this thirty acre waste into an athletic
field with modern municipal stadium
Frederick W. Ruben. president 81
y
A. T.. who acted as spokesman for the
delegation. presented a plan which pro-
vides for quarter mile running track
with 220 yard straightway. enclosing
deld large enough for a regulation in
tercollegiate or soccer football game.
with ample room for the usual field
events such as running broad jump, pole
vault, high Jump, throwing the weights
discus and javel
Mr. RubIer ,oointeJ out fo Con,-,,,s
sioner Hennessy that the field Is so
planned that it can be developed fo-
various athletic purposes at very little
expense, leaving for the future the con-
struction OF a stadium. 1t Is suggested
that as early as convenient one portion
OF the stadium be built which would seat
$4,000 persons. with provisions under
meath for gymna stun. indoor handban
courts shower baths locker rooms ana
dressing accommodations for the many
thousands who use Van Cortlandt Park
for recreational purposes.
HenncHsy Approves.
THE whole proposition meets VITA
my approval said Commissioner Hen
messy. You can rest assured tha: us
department Is ready and willing 20 d
all possible to bring about the cor
structon OF a suitable athletic field
which will be credit to the city o,
New York. instead of an eyesore 70
the department. which this portion o,
the park has been for years. | think
1t Is an Ideal location for an athleti"
1eld, and II is very good idea 70
build an athletic field on the proposed
site for many reasons.
ut is well located and will localise
and hold all the sports together. our
facilities for recreation at present are
inadequate. ! will give all the help 7
possibly can. and am open to sugges-
tons from all those interested in the
project, as ! want this athletic fed
and stadium when finished 10 be me
finest IN the world
Commissioner Henuessy consulted
with Landscape Architect Waldroa
and Engineer Seymour and stated tina
the first points to he settled are the
construction OF a sewer to do ava"
with Tibbets Brook and the grading
OF the plot Commissioner HennessY
agreed that work on the sewer sho,. :
be started st once and estimated tina
1t would cost between $4,000 and So
600. and promised to immedia tely rs
quest an appropriation from the Board
of Estimate for this purpose and Co.,.
de-ed cot0piete plans prepa I'd.
\ similar proposition w. 8 suCcessfl''r
carried out BY the Park Department a
the suggestion Of Athletic Union club,
In 1905. when Cromwells Creek and -.
marsh at Macombs Dam Park WAS 4 -,
in and developed as An athletic fs'
Since that time various plane have bee
proposed for the development az II"
Van Cortlandt marsh into an atA',,.
neld, and four years ago I4arS.a p.
Architect Arthur G. Waldron Of the Park
Department Of The Bronx prepare
plan providing for a track, outdoo
swimming pool and pla Yields o. g..