Figure 1.--Cities were swealtering places in the days before air conditioning. Sometime the fire hydrants were turned on for the children. Park fountains were also an atraction. Here we see a group of New York City boys on a hot day after a dip in a pool. They are probanly in Central Park, but we are not sure. The photograph is undated, but looks like the 1910s because of all the knickers. Source: Library of Congress.

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.

Chronology

New Yorkers began considering the possibility of creating a park in the city (1811). Wealthy individuals who had been to Europe had noted the beautiful public grounds in majoe cities and th thought that New York should have a park as well to help establish its status as a major world city. There was considerable debate about the nature of the prk and where to locate it and of course the cost. Individivals saw a range of purposes for a public park. Some saw it as attractive setting for carriage rides and horseback riding. Social reformers thought that a park would provide working-class New Yorkers with a bit of fresh air and nature for themselves and their families. Creating a substantial city park is a costly matter. New York City turned to the state legistlsture. The state legislature after considerable debate authorized the City to use the power of eminent domain to purchase more than 700 acres of land in the center of Manhattan for the proposed park (1853). Central Park became the first landscaped public park in the United States. It had an enormous impact on municipal planning throughout the country. Other cities wanted their own municipal 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.

Individual Parks

There are several particularly large and well known city parks in major U.S. cities. Smaller cities and towns also have wonderful city parks. Each have their own ubique character and special features. 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. Rock Creek Park on Washington, D.C. was even larger and part of the Nation Park System. There were many other city parks that were not nationally known, but very well known locally. Many cities had small parks. All big cities had important parks. Nothing was as large as Central Park, but there were many important parks around the country.

Types of Parks

There are severl types of urban parks. There are some large city parks. Some are well known. The most famous is Central Park in New York City. They are easy accessable to the people living near by. And in large cities this can be a substntil number of people. Cities are large places and getting to Central Park outside of Manhattan requires an organized family event. Another kind of park is the neighbthood park with vrious facilities, often playground equipment and picnic areas, but this varies widly from park to park. Some have unique features and facilities. But the most important characteristic is that they are neigborhood parks located by a short walk or ride that families and children can easily use. They do not have allmof the features of a major big citybpark, but thy are geen reas that are readily availbl to children and adults. Many small towns had a town square or some kind of park in the center of town.

Activities

Various activities took place in these parks. This 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.

Clothing

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.

Created: 12:54 AM 10/9/2009
Last updated: 5:10 AM 2/5/2018