DEPARTMENT OF PARKS. 



23 



should be acquired, in order that the park, which is a natural one 

 with admirable views of the harbor, may be properly developed. 



The Parade Ground has been kept in fine shape throughout the 

 season, and has afforded the people opportunities for enjoyment 

 greater than could be obtained elsewhere. This great common, 

 unequaled by anything of a similar character in this country or 

 Europe, has been utilized by the local militia for parades, by 

 Troop C for drills, by the Polo Clubs for match games, and by 

 the people generally for football and baseball matches. 



The Polo games were especially interesting and attracted large 

 numbers of spectators, the attendance at each game being between 



AT THE GOAL. 



twenty and twenty-five thousand. Many coaches lined the field. 

 These afforded fine places from which to view the sport. The 

 series of games were for the championship. The final struggle 

 was between the Rockaway and Meadow Brook teams. This 

 occurred September 14th. It was an exhilarating spectacle to 

 see the tough polo ponies with their expert riders dashing up and 

 down the long field in pursuit of the ball. Rockaway won the 

 championship cup by a score of 7 goals to 6%. The games, 

 arranged through the courtesy of H. L. Herbert, the creator of 

 the sport in this country, were so interesting that they will un- 

 doubtedly be played on the Parade Ground each year for some 

 time to come. 



