REPOKT OF THE 



greatly enhanced by the facilities which the Park roads and the 

 Parkways affordedi The Lake had been frozen over early in 

 the winter, and the ice, which was in line condition for ever} 

 variety of ice sport, was almost in continuous use from Decem- 

 ber 10, 1880, to February 9, 1881. During this period skating, 

 iceboat sailing-, and other recreations peculiar to the place and 

 season, were freehy indulged in by all classes. A consider- 

 able expenditure was made necessary for the employment of 

 men and teams in regulating the snow upon the roads, and in 

 cleaning, planing and otherwise keeping the ice in order. 



The healthfulness and attractiveness of these various winter 

 sports are so generally conceded that the Commissioners have 

 made every effort to extend facilities for their enjoyment to the 

 utmost within the limits of safety and the means at their dis- 

 posal. 



Later in the year, with the advent of fine weather, the public 

 use of the Park shifted the responsibilities of maintenance t<> 

 the roads, walks, woods and meadows, the use of the lawns 

 being more general, perhaps, and more varied in the modes of 

 recreation than is customarily permissible in public parks else- 

 where. Practically but little restriction was imposed beyond 

 that which the general interest demanded. 



The meadows have been used for every variety of appropriate 

 field sport. Besides the popular game of croquet, whose many 

 votaries find such congenial surroundings, there has been added 

 during the last season lawn tennis, a game affording both recrea- 

 tion and healthful physical exercise, and one likely to become 

 equally popular with both sexes. This class of sports entails 

 injury to the sod to a greater or less extent, but its restoration 

 is not difficult, and the damage is more than offset by the 

 pleasure afforded to those who seek enjoyment and exercise in 

 this manner. 



Archery, an equally exhilarating sport, has probably received 

 more encouragement in Brooklyn than anywhere else in 

 America. 



