BROOKLYN PAEK COMMISSIONERS. 23 



themselves of the privileges, and on, some days accommoda- 

 tions at one time were provided for as many as eight parties, 

 numbering from 100 to 1,500 children and adults. For all 

 of these, special dates were assigned, besides several hundred 

 formal gatherings were similarly accommodated during- the 

 season. 



Throughout all the fine weather of the year it was customary, 

 daily, thus to make "arrangements for the convenience of those 

 who sought these special privileges. Excursions from New York 

 City, New Jersey, and the outlying county towns by similar 

 organizations and charitable institutions, were quite common. 

 Fortunately our domain was large enough to enable us to grant 

 these privileges without inconvenience, and for which cordial 

 expressions of appreciation were returned. 



It is very generally understood, I think, that the policy of the 

 Commissioners has been uniformly to extend a broad invitation to 

 all classes of our citizens to make use of the parks in such manner 

 as might be -most in consonance with their tastes and desires, 

 within the necessary limits which a due regard for the proper 

 care of the parks would prescribe. The picnicking accommoda- 

 tions alone, the advantages of which have been shared in by 

 every class of the community, has tended more than any other 

 single feature of our resources to popularize the park, while the 

 liberal provisions which have been made for those who seek 

 recreation in appropriate field games, such as archery, lawn 

 tennis, croquet, &c, have been the means of developing a very 

 extended interest in out-door recreation, the enjoyments of which 

 can be secured with such little outlay of money on the part of the 

 participants. The facilities for boating on the park w T aters are 

 exceptional, and, besides the pleasure which has been derived by 

 the casual visitors from this source, the lake has been a frequent 

 resort for many ladies and gentlemen who have preferred the 

 enjoyable exercise which rowing affords, and for the practice 

 of which such convenient facilities are to be found on the 

 park. 



