BROOKLYN PARK COMMISSIONERS. 33 



PUBLIC USE OP THE PARK. 



The skating season commenced on the 26th December, 1884, 

 and extended through a period of thirty-eight days, and closed 

 upon March 1st. With some atmospheric disadvantages due to 

 the more proximate influences of the ocean, our citizens enjoyed 

 nearly double the number of days of skating that were provided 

 at Central Park. Through a greater part of this period nearby 

 fifty acres of ice were kept in condition for use. The park lake 

 was frequently resorted to by a large number of persons from 

 New York to whom it proved an attraction. In addition to 

 skating, ice boating and other sports were provided for. 



The winter was a seasonable one, with frequent snow, and the 

 exceptional facilities for sleighing upon the Park and parkways 

 were amply availed of. The sleighing was often kept in good 

 condition by restoring snow at intervals along the roads, whence 

 it had drifted or blown away. 



The cleaning of snow from the small parks and City Hall 

 necessitated the employment of an additional force at frequent 

 intervals during the winter. 



On the 22d February (Washington's Birthday) the use of the 

 Park was assigned to the Second Division N. G. S. N. Y. A 

 series of operations simulative of movements and manoeuvres 

 upon the battle field were carried on, and were participated in by 

 all the military organizations, comprising the Second Division, 

 under the command of Major-General E. L. Molineux and Briga- 

 dier-Generals Chtistensen and Brownell. A favorable conjunc- 

 tion of weather, interest, and the freedom attending a holiday, 

 had the effect of bringing together so large a concourse of visi- 

 tors, estimated in numbers at 100.000, as to seriously interfere 

 with the contemplated object. It is believed however that, from 

 a military point of view, considerable advantage resulted from 

 the enterprise. The ground was frozen and covered with snow, 

 and there was no serious damage done to any part of the 

 Park. 



