24 REPORT OF THE 



Iii the winter season the frozen surface of the lake extends an 

 invitation which is eagerly accepted by young and old, for enjoy- 

 ment in the exhilarating exercise which good skating affords. 

 The lower lake is extensively used for Held sports appropriate to 

 the ice, and for ice boat sailing, curling, &c. 



The park has been for years a favorite resort for students and 

 artists, to whom special privileges are accorded in the pursuit 

 of studies and the practice of their profession. Facilities of this 

 nature have been sought for, and readily granted to the principal 

 art schools and educational institutions of both cities, while a 

 large number of special permits have been issued to students of 

 botany, engineering, &c, &c. 



The several lessees have fairly responded to the requirements 

 of the terms of their lease-hold. Every building on the park 

 has a specific public use, and this use is guaranteed to the public 

 independent of the privileges which the lessee pays for. The 

 buildings are heated and lighted at the expense of the Commis- 

 sioners, and are at, all times open during reasonable hours for the 

 accommodation of visitors. The facilities thus afforded therein 

 are common to all, together with the respectful service of our 

 employes, without cost or fee of any kind. 



The park carriages and other provisions for the use of visitors 

 have been operated during the year with a view to meet the 

 demands of the public in their several directions. 



The several leases, including the purveyorship of the dairy 

 cottage, the pedestrian Concourse shelter, and the picnic wood 

 house, the boating privilege, skating house, the carriage and 

 pony service and the carousel, &c, expire in the Spring, at 

 which time it may be desirable to devise some change in their 

 terms by which an increased revenue to the park and additional 

 facilities to the public may be secured. The floating structure 

 known as the Rotary Yacht, for which privilege was granted 

 several years since to Mr. D. R. Smith to place upon the 

 waters of the upper -pool, is a disfigurement to an otherwise 



