10 REPORT OF THE 



done as late in the season as was permitted, and a number of 

 evergreens and other plants removed from crowded plantations 

 and transferred to more open and desirable sites. With the 

 advent of Spring the more general use of the Park as a resort 

 became apparent. As soon as the turf was in a suitable con- 

 dition to be used for field games, lawn tennis, archery and 

 croquet was established and participated in by their numerous 

 votaries. These sports continued without interruption until 

 Thanksgiving Day. 



Over two hundred regularly organized tennis clubs were pro- 

 vided with courts and lockers during the summer. For this 

 purpose alone, nearly twenty acres of the Long Meadow were 

 used, the grass Avas cut as frequently as three times a week, 

 and the courts marked out and otherwise maintained without 

 charge of any kind to those seeking recreation in this form, at 

 the Park. 



The Annual Sunday School Meeting and Parade occurred on 

 the 21st day of May. The schools gathered together in three 

 divisions at different points, where seats for 12,000 children, 

 stands for speakers, &c, were erected, and the whole space, 

 including the north end of the Long Meadow, was enclosed for 

 the manoeuvres which followed the usual ceremonies. The 

 weather was in all respects favorable, and it is estimated that 

 from 25,000 to 30,000 persons visited the Park and witnessed 

 the ceremonies and parade. 



On Sunday, the 25th, the customary memorial services under 

 the auspices of the Grand Army of the Republic were held at 

 the Lincoln monument on the Plaza at the Park and at the 

 bomb of the prison ship martyrs at Fort Greene. The usual 

 arrangements were made for the accommodation of the public. 

 The Lincoln statue was profusely decorated with plants and 

 flowers, many of which were contributed for the purpose by 

 the pupils of Public Schools Nos. 9, 15, 39 and 42. 



On the 28th of May, exercises were held by the St. Patrick 

 Society of this city, commemorative of the birthday of the poet 

 Moore, at the Pedestrian Concourse. 



