510 



SKATING. 



The Pond house was put up in December, and all necessary 

 preparations for skating completed. The season, commencing De- 

 cember 26th, 1870, and ending February 23d, 1871, consisted of 

 42 skating days, during which period it is estimated that nearly 

 100,000 persons visited the pond. The whole pond, nearly 50 acres 

 in area, was thrown open to the public, December 20th, and there 

 have been to this date (January 1st) 11 days skating. 



Ample accommodations for the comfort and convenience of the 

 public have been provided by the Commission, the aim being to 

 make the skating facilities equal to those of any public or private 

 pond in the country. The ice has been maintained in the best con- 

 dition possible, under existing circumstances of weather and tem- 

 perature. The keepers have been discreet and attentive, and al- 

 though nearly three quarters of a million of people have visited 

 the pond since skating was inaugurated, no serious disturbance 

 or accident has occurred, nor has it been necessary to arrest any 

 person. 



THE PARADE GROUND. 



During the year two brigade parades occurred on the respective 

 dates given below. 



May 22d, Fifth Brigade, N. G., S. N. Y., Brig.-Gen'l T. S. 

 Dakin, commanding. 



June 8th, Eleventh Brigade, N. G., S. N. Y., Brig.-Gen'l 

 Meserole, commanding. 



Preceding each of these parades the grass was cut and rolled and 

 put in condition for use by the military. On the days of the parades 

 water was freely supplied to the soldiers, and the public accommo- 

 dated with seats, &c, on the slope fronting the shelter. Early in 

 the fall (October 14) an exhibition drill was given at the Parade 

 ground by the Battery of Light Artillery stationed at Fort Hamil- 

 ton, under the direction of Generals Vodges and Captain and Brevet 

 Brig. General Wm, Graham, commanding. The exhibition was re- 

 peated on Saturday, November 4th, on each occasion attracting a 

 large number of visitors and giving much satisfaction. The parade 

 ground was also used for base ball and La Crosse games, by numer- 

 ous clubs, during the season. 



The whole number of visitors for the year is 6,168,339, an in- 

 crease of 2,324,359 over the last year's record. Driving and riding 

 are proportionately increasing with the advance of the Park towards 



