Figure 1--Here we see a charming photograph of a group enjoying a picnic in Central Park, New York City, during the 1890s. Notice how dressed up they are. Most of the boys wear knee pants suits with shirts and ties (most with jackets). Some have peaked caps that go with their outfits. All wear black long stockings. These seem to be rather affluent children or at least from middle-class homes. Notice the grey policemen's uniforms with the domed helmets. The adults are presumably parents. Could this be a picnic sponsored by a local school or church? The boys seem to outnumber the girls by quite a lot.

HBC in the park section here has focused primarily on urban parks. This is because these parks appeared at about the same time photography appeared and there are wonderful images of people enjoying these parks over a wide time period. We notice the parkd being enjoyed by a wide social spectrum. And because urban parks weee located in urban are see them being enjoyed by children, bith boys and girls. Sometimes children have been brought to the parks by parents or nursemaids. Other children have come on their own. While we have focused on urban parks, the United States helped pioneer the concept of national and state parks. These parks were commonly located in remote areas and at first set around prominant landmarks and geological formations. Gradually historical parks were added, often associated with the Rvolutionary od Civil War. Because of the locations, they were not easily accessible to working-class families. Attendance did not become common until after World War II when most families acquired cars and planned summer vacations.

Urban Parks

The most well known American urban park is of course Central Park in New York. One interesting view of Central Park in 1919 is available in HBC. Central Park was a huge urban park. Other cities had nuch smaller parks. All big cities had important parks. Nothing was as large as Central Park, but there were many important parks around the country. Small towns had a town square or some kind of park in the center of town. Various activities took place in these parks. his depended in part on the size of the park. A fountain was a big assett during the summer. Images from these parks provide fascinating images of American life over time. American boys might have worn Fantleroy suits like English boys. Younger boys might have worn kilt suits. The sailor suit was very commonly worn to the park--commonly with kneepants. Boys might wear smocks at home, but were unlikely to wear them to the park. Older boys would wear a variety of kneepants suits to the park. After World War I, conventions shifted. Gradually more casual clothes became popular and were increasingly seen in images from parks. The nature of parks also changed. Facilities were added specifically for children. This was true of new parks built to accomodate families moving to the suburbs. These often included sports facilities like baseball fields.

National and State Parks

While we have focused on urban parks, the United States helped pioneer the concept of national and state parks. These parks were commonly located in remote areas and at first set around prominant landmarks and geological formarions. Gradually historical parks were added, often associated with the Rvolutionary od Civil War. Because of the locations, they were not easily accessible to working-class families. Attendance did not become common until after World War II when most families acquired cars and planned summer vacations. Attendance at these parks was alnost always family groups. A reader found this account about a family attending an Arkansas state park. "A couple of 8-year-old twin boys have found a 2.50 carat raw diamond that could be worth thousands of dollars, according to the director of a state park in the southern U.S. state of Arkansas. "They thought it was a piece of mica. When they learned it was a diamond, there were many 'woo hoos' and high-fives exchanged," said Rachel Engrecht of the Crater of Diamonds State park. She said the children found the 2.50 carat diamond during the weekend in the park, where visitors are encouraged to prospect for the precious stones. Another park official, Bill Henderson told AFP on Monday the gem could be worth several thousands of dollars. He said the stone, named the "Duncan twins" after its young boys who found it, has a sparkling metallic look and is "almost heart shaped."

Amusement Parks

Amusement parks have their roots in Europe. There were medieval follies, fairs, and pleasure gardens. Here people came to find entertainment in the form of a range live performances and competitions. It was niot until modern times that the idea of a fixed location amusement park developed. This began with the world fairs in Europe. In American it began with Columbian Exposition in Chicago (1893). Here the midway was born. This was an enclosed area offering games and rides. It included the world�s first Ferris wheel. The midway became a staple and were adopted by crcuses as wellas traveling carnivals. Amusement parks steadily increased in size and number. It all began to come togeter in a permanent location. Here Coney Island is arguably the first modern amusement park. Coney Island beganm as a seaside resort and skiwly we begin to see games and rides being adding permanent locations. Knott's Berry Farm opened (1920s) and slowly began adding amusements. Amusement parks opened all over America. Thrill rides and water features were themajor vattractions. Roller Costers became the crown jewell of these parks. It is Disney that finally put together the first modern amusement park with rides based on Siney entertaiment. The amusement park became an American dominated experience. And major tourist attractiions, including foreign tourists. They even became part of the Cold War. Soviet Primier Nikita Khrushchev was furious when during his trip to America that he was not allowed to visit Disneyland (1959). (There were security concrns.) Oyher major ammusement parks appeared such as Bush Gardens, Hershey Park, Kings, Island, Six Flags, Universal Island, and many others. These theme parks offer immersive experiences and major franchises creating irresistible attractions for children as well as many results.

Sources

"Eight-year-old twins find costly raw diamond in US state park," AFP, March 12, 2007.