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Page 9
[Illustration: RECREATION PIER]
There are to be five of these piers in all--two on the west side, and
three on the east.
The pier was opened by the Mayor, amid much merry music and general good
feeling.
At the head of the pier a wooden band-stand had been erected. This was
gaily decked with flags, and filled with chairs for the city fathers,
who were to come and make speeches and give the pier to the people.
Seats had been set aside for the children, and the little ones flocked
to them in hundreds, seeming to feel that this pier was for their
especial benefit. They crowded every entrance, eagerly waiting for the
moment when the city should give the new building to the people.
Presently the Mayor, Colonel O'Brien, and several others walked down the
pier. Colonel O'Brien is the chief of the dock commissioners who have
worked so faithfully to give the people this pleasure.
As the Mayor came down the aisle the little ones cheered and cheered,
and the big people joined them, and waved their handkerchiefs, and it
was quite an exciting moment.
Then the party mounted the decorated stand, and in a few pleasant words
the Mayor presented the gift of the city to the people.
He was followed by several other speakers, among them Mr. John Proctor
Clarke, who said some very nice things to the children.
He began by leaving the benches where the guests were seated, and
walking across the stand until he was as near to the children as
possible, for he said that what he had to say was intended for them, and
not for the grown-ups, and so he wanted them to hear him clearly.
"The Mayor," he said, "has given this pier to you; but do not think he
has given it as a charity. He has given it to me as well as to you, he
has given it to all the people who are here to-day, and all the people
in the city of New York, not as a charity to us, but because now that
the city has finished it, it belongs to us by right as citizens of this
town.
"The city has given us the use of this pier, and promises to keep it
swept and clean, and in good repair for us, but it is ours; we own it,
it belongs to us as citizens.
"Now what do we do with the things that belong to us? Do we throw them
away, or destroy them? We take care of them so that they may last, don't
we?
"Yes. Well, that's all I have to say to you about this pier. It is
yours. Take care of it."
The new pier is one of the largest of the five that are to surround the
city. It is roofed over, so that those who wish to enjoy it are
sheltered from the sun.
It is seven hundred and twenty feet long, and fifty feet wide. Plenty
large enough for crowds of people to use it in comfort.
The pier juts farther out into the river than any of the neighboring
docks, and at its end there is a fine view up and down the river.
Mayor Strong made a suggestion during the ceremonies that met with great
favor.
He said that he thought it would be a very nice thing to put glass sides
into the pier, and heat it. He thought it would make a grand hall for
the people of the district to use for meetings in winter, as well as
promenading in summer.
These five recreation piers are likely to prove a great blessing to the
city. The people who know most about such things have learned that to
keep boys and girls good they must be made happy. One of the easiest
ways to make them happy is to give them plenty of places where they can
romp and play in the fresh air and sunshine.
G.H. ROSENFELD.
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