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 parks 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 or 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.

Public Recreational/Preservationist Parks

While we have focused on urban parks, which he Europeans basically began creating (earlyl-19h century). Britain was a pioneer. here is some debate as to what was the first urban park in America. Some say it was the Boston Common (17th century). But the Boston Common was not created as a recreational area. In fact the Puritan Colonists were not interested in recreation at all. The City of Boston tells us, "When Puritan colonists purchased the land rights to the Common, the price was 30 pounds, and each homeowner paid six shillings. The pasture then became known as the 'Common Land' and was used to graze local livestock until 1830. A town shepherd was paid 'two shillings and sixpence per head of cowe' to tend townspeople’s livestock. The Common was a site for Puritanical punishments, home to a whipping post, pillory, and stocks. Pirates, murderers, and witches were hanged from the tree known as 'The Great Elm'' now gone. Mary Dyer and three other Quakers were also hanged on the Common for their beliefs. A statue of Mary Dyer now stands on the Massachusetts State House lawn. Also referred to as a 'trayning field'' over 1.000 Redcoats made camp on the Common during the British occupation of Boston in 1775. It was from here that three brigades of Redcoats embarked to make the fateful trip to Lexington and Concord." 【Recreation Department】 It is in Europe that the idea of urban parks was born led by England. Here the industrial Revolution and he loss of green spaces in the rising industrial cities were a factor. In America the first such park was Central Park in New York City (1853). While urban oaks were a European invention, the United States helped pioneer the concept of national and state parks. Yellowstone National Park is the world's first national park. President Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Act into law (1872). States were also active. California launched the idea, setting aside land in Yosemite Valley for preservation and public enjoyment, but not actually creating a park, This was formally done back East in New York. Niagara Falls State Park in New York was the first state park (1885). Niagara Falls was in an urban area accessible to tourists, Yosemite and Yellowstone were not. These parks were established with preservationist ideas in mind as travel to the parks in remote Western areas was at first very limited, although the expanding rail system was making it possible at first for the privileged few. Large-scale visitation would require Henry Fords and the his Tin Lizzie (1907). These parks were commonly located in remote areas and at first set around prominent landmarks and geological formations. Gradually historical parks were added, often associated with the Revolutionary or Civil Was. 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 almost 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'."

Commercial 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

Reation Department, City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department. "Boston Common," (undated).

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