RECREATION PARKS 



form. It has no bad results except that in the outset it may tempt to 

 profanity." Golf, tennis and cricket are all desirable forms of park 

 recreation, and areas maj^ advantageously be provided for them in the 

 park layout. 



WATER AND ICE SPORTS 



Aquatic sports with proper provision of boathouses and landings, 

 in addition to bathing-beach facilities, should be made a part of large 

 parks whenever possible, details of which are discussed in other 

 chapters. 



It should not be overlooked that parks are for service throughout 

 the entire year, and provisions should be made for winter sports 

 whenever practicable. The toboggan slide in Franklin Park, Boston, 

 is in constant demand when in condition, and skating parties and skat- 

 ing festivals are popular in all parks where provision is made for them 

 and the season permits. There should not be overlooked the setting 

 apart of certain hills and slopes where the children may slide. In the 

 congestion of city streets, and even in the suburbs, sliding is a danger- 

 ous sport for the children; and though such use of park slopes will 

 occasionally cut through the snow and leave ugly scars in the turf to 

 mar its beauty the following summer, it is not unreasonable, if the 

 slopes are in a conspicuous position, to make their re-grassing each 

 spring a recognised part of park maintenance. 



Roller skating, in both summer and winter, is a healthful sport, 

 and a skating circle should be provided in the parks instead of the 

 frequent signs prohibiting roller skating on the park walks. There is 

 a semi-public rink in the Tennis Club Ground of the Public Garden at 

 Naples, and a public one in the little town of Parma near Bologna. 

 The latter is located in the midst of a formal park treatment, con- 

 structed of cement and railed around, furnished with seats and sup- 

 plemented with a booth where skates may be rented. In Reading, 



140 



