t 304 



In the month of May of this year, the West Woods were thrown 

 open to the public as a picnic ground, subject to established regula- 

 tions for their use. Scups and swings were placed about the woods, 

 together with tables and seats, for the pleasure and convenience of 

 these gatherings. A temporary waiting-room was put up on the 

 grounds for the convenience of women and children. 



During the ensuing season, over 75 picnic parties, numbering 

 from 100 to 500 persons, under the auspices of churches, Sunday- 

 schools, and other societies, made use of these grounds. 



SKATING. 



The first skating season was inaugurated on Saturday, January 

 11th, and, with the exception of five days (January 21st, 22d, 23d, 

 24th, and 27th), was uninterrupted until its close, on Saturday, 

 March 11th — forty-four days. The pond covered an area of be- 

 tween four and five acres, with suitable accommodations for the 

 public. 



The second season commenced on Saturday, December 12th, and 

 and, with the exception of two days (December 17th and 21st), 

 continued until the 31st of December, as late a day as this report 

 is intended to cover, giving a total of sixty-two skating days for the 

 year. 



The skating area has been enlarged from four and a half to 

 twelve acres, with increased accommodations for the public use. 

 During the skating season of 1868, over 200,000 persons visited the 

 pond. The number of visitors to the pond on Christmas day was 

 21,000. 



MISCELLANEOUS STATISTICS. 



During the summer season two temporary places for refreshment 

 were provided on the park. One of these was located in the East 

 Woods, and the other and larger one in the West Woods or pic-nic 

 grounds. 



Twenty-four drinking stations were provided during the warm 

 weather, to which cool water was constantly supplied by water carts. 

 Temporary water closets were established in three localities. Nine 

 large swings and twenty-one small scups were placed about the East 

 and West Woods, at convenient points for the use of the public. 



