REPORTS OF
PARK COMM:SSIONERS
ORARE CIUDY OF.

- BROOKLYN
FOR THE YEARS
1861 to 1872 inclusive. —

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Poa har ORTS

OF THE

BROOKLYN

- PARK. COMMISSIONERS.

1864-1873.

REPRINTED
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD,
WITH SUCH ACTS OF THE LEGISLATURE
IN THEIR AMENDED FORM,

AS RELATE TO THE
BROOKLYN PARKS, AND THEIR MANAGEMENT.

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JANUARY,
. 1873.

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ANS

‘FIRST ANNUAL REPORT

.

— Comutsstoxers or Prospect Part,

BROOKLYN.

JANUARY 28th, 1861.

To Hon. Martin KaLpFLeIscH,
President, &c., of the Common Council :

SIR:

In pursuance of an Act of the Legislature, I herewith
present to the Common Council of the City of Brooklyn the
First Annual Report of the Commissioners of Prospect Park.

I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully yours,

J. 8. T. STRANAHAN,
President Board of Commissioners of Prospect Park.

‘Brooklyn, January 28th, 1861.

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Ss. — sees oe oe

REPORT

OF THE

COMMISSIONERS OF PROSPECT PARK.

By the 20th section of the Act of the Assembly of April
17th, 1860, entitled “ An Act to lay out a Public Park and a
Parade Ground for the City of Brooklyn, and to alter the Com-
missioners’ Map of said city,” it is made the duty of the Com-
missioners of Prospect Park, in the month of January of every
year, to make to the Common Council of the City of Brooklyn
a full report of their proceedings, and a detailed statement of
all their receipts and expenditures.

In complying with this provision of the law, the Commis-
sioners deem it proper to introduce their first Annual Report
with a history of the successive legislative enactments relating
to the subject upon which they are called to act.

On the 18th day of April, 1859, at the solicitation of the
citizens of Brooklyn, the Legislature of the State of New-York
passed the following act, entitled

TAN ACL

To authorize the selection and location of certain grounds for Public
Parks, and also for a Parade Ground for the city of Brooklyn.

The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and
Assembly, do enact as follows:

Section 1. John Greenwood, J. Carson Brevoort, William Wall,
James Humphrey, John A. Cross, Nathaniel Briggs, Abraham J.
Berry, Samuel 8. Powell, Thomas H. Rodman, Nathan B. Morse,
Thomas G. Talmage, Jesse C. Smith, Daniel Maujer, William H.
Peck and Luther B. Wyman, or such of them as shall undertake the
office of this commission, are hereby appointed Commissioners to
select and locate such grounds in the city of Brooklyn, and adjacent
thereto, as may, in their opinion, be proper and desirable to be re-
served and set apart for Public Parks, and also for a Parade Ground
for said city ; and they shall report such selection and location to the

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Common Council of said city, on or before the first day of November
next, and also to the next Legislature, upon the assembling thereof.

§ 2. The said Commissioners shall receive no compensation for
their services, under this act, but they are hereby authorized to pro-
cure maps and plans of the grounds so selected and located, and to
employ surveyors for that purpose at an expense of not exceeding
the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars; and the same shall be a
charge upon the said city of Brooklyn, and shall be paid as other city
charges.

§ 3. The said Commissioners shall make such selection and loca-
tion, in view of the present condition and future growth and wants of
said city; and the first meeting of the Commissioners shall be held
on the first Monday of May next, at twelve o’clock at noon, at the
Mayor’s office, in the City Hall in said city.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately.”

The gentlemen named in the above act entered upon the
discharge of their duties, with that earnest interest in the wel-
fare of the city which had previously distinguished most of them
in other public positions.

On the 9th of February, 1860, they submitted to the Legis-
lature, through his Excellency, Governor Morgan, the following
report, signed by all the gentlemen named in the act of 1859,
except Messrs. Humphrey, Wall and Briggs:

“The undersigned Commissioners, appointed by an act of the
Legislature of the State of New York, entitled ‘An act to authorize
the selection and location of certain grounds for Public Parks, and
also for a Parade Ground for the city of Brooklyn,’ passed April 18,
1859, respectfully

REPORT:

That, after a most careful consideration of the subject, aided by
the suggestions and advice of many of their fellow-citizens, who were
invited to submit their opinions to the commission, and in view, both
of the present condition and the future ‘ growth and wants of the city
of Brooklyn,’ as expressly directed by the act creating the commis-
sion, they recommend that the lands hereinafter described, be re-
served and set apart for public parks and a parade ground for said
city, viz. :

1. That piece of land situated on what is commonly called Pros-
pect Hill, lying chiefly in the Eighth and Ninth wards of the city, a
small part being in Flatbush, adjacent to the city, and particularly
described as follows, viz.: Commencing at the intersection of Dou-
glass street and Washington avenue; running thence southerly along
Washington avenue to the city line, at Montgomery street; thence
southwesterly in a straight line to the intersection of the city line and
Ninth street; thence northwesterly along Ninth street to Tenth
avenue; thence northerly along Tenth avenue to Third street; thence

ee ee ee

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northwesterly along Third street to the centre of the block between
Eighth and Ninth avenues; thence northerly in a line parallel with
Ninth avenue to Douglass street; thence easterly along Douglass
street to Washington avenue, the place of beginning, containing about
two hundred and fifty acres, exclusive of Flatbush avenue and the
reservoir, which, together, contain seventeen acres, making the whole
area of the park about two hundred and sixty-seven acres.

This land is designated on the map hereto annexed, by the letter
-~A, as Mount Prospect Park. The estimated present value of this
land, with the buildings thereon, is one million of dollars.

2. The piece of land situated at, and adjacent to the receiving
reservoir of the Nassau water works, at Ridgewood, lying partly in
the county of Kings and partly in the county of Queens, and desig-
nated on said map by the letter B.

3. The piece of land situated at»what is commonly called Bay
Ridge, and designated on the map hereto annexed by the letter C.

The Commissioners recommend that these three pieces of land be
reserved for city parks, for the general benefit of the city of Brook-
lyn and the county of Kings.

4. They also recommend that a piece of land, of about twenty-
five acres, situated at East New York, in the town of New Lots, to
be taken from the southerly portion of the lands of the heirs of White
Howard, deceased, be taken and reserved for a parade ground. This
land is designated on the map by the letter D.

That the three following described pieces of land be taken and
reserved as local parks, to be paid for on the principle of assessment
adopted in the case of Washington park, in this city, if no other
principle should be deemed more equitable and expedient, viz. :

First. All that parcel of land, situated on Brooklyn Heights,
overlooking the East river, the Bay, the city of New York, and the
shores of New Jersey, and lying between Remsen, Montague, and
Furman streets and Pierrepont place, and designated on said map by
the letter E, commanding a view unsurpassed, as is believed, for
varied and picturesque beauty.

Second. The land lying between Ewen, Smith, North-second, and
Ainslie streets, comprising four blocks of ground, and designated on
said map by the letter F.

Third. The land lying between the Fourth and Fifth avenues
and Third and Sixth streets, comprising three large blocks of ground,
containing about seventeen acres of land, and designated on said map
by the letter G.

The Commissioners have, perhaps, performed the duty assigned
to them, by simply making the above recommendations. But the
great importance of the subject, and the deep interest which they feel
in the prosperity and future progress of the city, may excuse a brief
statement of the reasons which led them to the above conclusions.

No single location for a great central park, .suitable both to the
present state and future growth of the city, presented itself.

Prospect. Hill, on account of its commanding views of Brooklyn,
New York, Jamaica Bay, and the Ocean beyond, of the eastern part
of Kings county, of the Bay of New York, Staten Island, the Nar-

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rows, and the New Jersey shore, the undulating surface of the ground,
the fine growth of timber covering a large portion of it, the absence
of any considerable improvements to be paid for, has, for many years,
been contemplated by our citizens as a favorite place for a park.

‘Another very important consideration was, that the distributing
reservoir was established there, upon a piece of land of about four-
teen acres, owned by the city. While this would add to the attrac-
tions of a park, the park, by surrounding, would protect the reservoir
from encroachments, which might, at a future time, prove a serious
detriment.

The county has also recently purchased land near the reservoir,
for a court-house.

But this place, however suitable in other respects, is not central,
in reference to the whole population of the consolidated city of
Brooklyn. That population now extends for a distance of about
eight miles along the East river and the Bay of New York, namely,
from Greenpoint, on the East river, to the northerly line of New
Utrecht and is destined to extend still further, as is believed, in both
_ of those directions, keeping pace with the northward movement of

the population of New York, and at the same time rapidly occupying
the cheaper, but equally attractive situations lying along the eastern
shore of the bay, towards Fort Hamilton.

The progress of population eastward has been quite as remark- —
able, and seems to justify the current opinion that in a few more
years of such increase, not only a large portion of Kings county, now
lying beyond the city limits, but a considerable part of Queens, will
be merged in the city.

A glance at the annexed map will illustrate these statements, and
show that a park at Prospect Hill could not fairly be called a Cen-
tral Park; but though very accessible to the inhabitants of the West-
ern district, so called, is more distant from, and less accessible to
those of the Eastern district.

The Commissioners, in view of these facts, of the incalculable
importance of protecting from encroachment the great receiving res-
ervoir at Ridgewood; in view, also, of the diversified surface of the
land there, of its fine natural forest, of the noble views of the sur-
rounding country, the Bay and Ocean, presented from its heights, and
the comparative cheapness of the land, determined to recommend that
another large city park be laid out there.

This receiving reservoir, lying in a tract of land of about fifty
acres, owned by the city, now has the Cemetery of the Evergreens
on the southwest, and the Cypress Hills Cemetery on the northeast.
These cemeteries are now at a distance from the reservoir, but the
population of the cities of the dead increases, only less rapidly than
that of the abodes of the living.

The reservoir certainly should never be allowed to come in con-
tact with these cemeteries.

Ridgewood is near the termini of three city railroads, communi-
cating with six ferries on the East river. The population of the city
is rapidly spreading in that direction.

A portion of the land recommended for a park lies beyond the

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city line, and is in Queen’s county ; but so is a part of the reservoir.
This circumstance, especially in view of the rapid approach of the
time when the city proper will absorb all this territory spoken of,
affords no substantial objection to the proposition.

This land will, we think, require but a small expenditure for em-
bellishment. It may be almost called a natural park. It presents a
great diversity of surface, yet is smooth and free from rock. A
large portion of it is well covered with timber, and the ridges of the
hills overlook a charming landscape, bounded on the south only by
the ocean, which is in full view.

The land proposed for a park at Bay Ridge is well situated, com-
mands magnificient views of the bay, the ocean, Staten Island and
the New Jersey shore.. It is now purchasable at a comparatively
low price. If, as has been suggested, a macadamized road from Fort
Hamilton around the eastern side of the city, passing over Prospect
Hill, around Ridgewood Reservoir, and so westward to the river at
Green Point, should be laid out, this, in connection with the other
two great parks and the drive, would afford a public attraction un-
surpassed, as we believe, in the world.

Irrespective of this particular communication between the three
parks, Atlantic avenue, if widened and ornamented as proposed
by a bill now before the Legislature, will form a communication be-
tween the Mount Prospect and the Ridgewood Parks, and greatly en-
hance the value of all the parks as places of resort for health or pleasure.

The Parade Ground recommended has been, by common choice,
used for many years by the military of Brooklyn, and to some ex-
tent by that of New York, for exercises and displays. In the opinion
of military men, this can be made as perfect a parade ground as
could be desired.

It lies near the termini of the three city railroads spoken of as
terminating at Ridgewood. The land is almost perfectly level and
smooth, and is commanded by the high grounds of Ridgewood Park
as proposed. -The Commissioners, after full consideration, are con-
vinced that it is inexpedient to have the Parade Ground within either
of the parks proposed; and that neither the comfort nor the safety
of the citizens generally would be promoted by bringing large
crowds of men, women and children in close contact with bodies of
soldiers, exercising or on parade.

That these public grounds should now be secured to the city, the
Commissioners have no doubt. With the increase of the necessity
for them, if not now reserved, will come a rapid increase of the cost
of finally securing them. By taking them, we know the city in the
first instance releases so much taxable property from the taxing power.

The taxable value of the land lying in the three large parks is
supposed to be about $300,000. ,

The Commissioners entertain the hope that if these improve-
ments are made, the increased taxable value of the real estate lying
in the vicinity of these parks, the addition of a very large amount
of taxable personal property, which may be expected as incidental
to the increase of population, and to the general rise in the value of
the real estate of the city, produced by these and the other great

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improvements now in progress, will not only prevent the withdrawal
from taxation of the lands taken for parks from being felt, but will
prevent the payment of the interest upon the debt created, and the
gradual extinguishment of the debt itself from becoming burdensome.

While it behooves our citizens to avoid creating oppressive
burdens, something must be conceded to the taste and spirit of the
age—an age unequalled in activity, enterprise, intelligence and re-
finement, something to the peculiarity of our geographical situation |
contiguous to the metropolis of the western world, and something to
the wants of future millions, who seem destined to draw largely to
this point of the resources of every nation on the earth.

The intense activity and the destructive excitement of business
life as here conducted, imperatively demands these public places for
exercise and recreation. If they tend to abate this excitement and
to divert our people somewhat from the mere struggle for wealth,
their moral and physical effects will compensate largely for the pe-
cuniary cost.

As already intimated, the fullest opportunity has been afforded
to our fellow citizens to express their wishes and opinions in regard
to this matter. Some earnestly advocated the adoption of a plan for
a grand drive or carriage road, to extend from Fort Hamilton to
Green Point, connecting a chain of five parks, somewhat smaller
than the three city parks recommended; three of which were pro-
posed to be located where such large parks are recommended by the
Commissioners. The Commissioners concluded that the pleasure of
a great drive, though accessible to the more opulent, would be en-
tirely inaccessible to the masses of our people; that these need
parks to which they can go on foot or by the cheap railroad lines,
where health and pleasure shall be freely offered to all classes.

Again, the Commissioners heartily approve and recommend the
plan for widening and ornamenting Atlantic Avenue referred to, and
trust that it will be sanctioned by the Legislature. That will con-
nect the two great parks at Mount Prospect and Ridgewood by an
avenue unequalled for beauty in this country, at a moderate expense,
and prove beneficial, as we believe, to the property on the line of
improvement. For the purposes of a drive, that avenue will fur-
nish all needful accommodation.

All which is respectfully submitted,

J. GREENWOOD,
THOMAS G. TALMAGE,
L. B. WYMAN,

THOS. H. RODMAN,
JESSE C. SMITH,
SAMUEL S. POWELL,
JOHN A. CROSS,
ABRM. J. BERRY,
DANL. MAUJER,

J. CARSON BREVOORT,
N. B. MORSE,

WM. H. PECK.

Brooklyn, February 3, 1860.

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In pursuance of the recommendations in the foregoing report,
the Legislature, on the 17th day of April, 1860, passed the fol-
lowing act, entitled

“AN ACT

To lay out a Public Park and a Parade Ground for the city of
Brooklyn, and to alter the Commissioner’s map of said city.

Passed April 17th, 1860—three-fifths being present.

The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and
Assembly do enact as follows :

Ssction 1. All the following tracts, pieces or parcels of land in
this act described, having been selected and located for a public park
and for a parade ground for the city of Brooklyn, by the Commis-
sioners appointed for that purpose, by the act entitled “An act to
authorize the selection and location of certain grounds for public
parks and also for a parade ground for the city of Brooklyn,” passed
April eighteenth, eighteen hundred and fifty-nine; the said tracts,
pieces and parcels of land, are hereby declared to be public places,
that is to say: All that piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and
being in the city of Brooklyn, and town of Flatbush, and bounded
and described as follows:—Commencing at the intersection of War-
ren street and Washington avenue; running thence southerly along
Washington avenue to the city line at Montgomery street; thence
southwesterly in a straight line to a point one thousand feet
easterly in a straight line drawn from the intersection of Ninth
street with the city line; thence to the intersection of the city line
and Ninth street; thence northwesterly along Ninth street to Tenth
avenue; thence northerly along Tenth avenue to the northerly side
of Third street; thence northwesterly along Third street to Ninth
avenue; thence northerly along Ninth avenue to Flatbush avenue ;
thence along Flatbush avenue to Vanderbilt avenue; thence along
Vanderbilt avenue to Warren street; thence easterly along Warren
street to Washington avenue, at the place of beginning, is hereby
declared to be a public place to be known as Prospect Park, and
which ghall be a charge upon said city as hereinafter provided.

§ 2. All that piece of land situate, lying and being in the town
of New Lots, to be taken from the southerly part of the lands be-
longing to the heirs of White Howard, deceased, containing about
twenty-five acres, is hereby declared to be a public place, to be
known as the Parade Ground, and which shall be a charge upon the
county of Kings, as hereinafter provided, and shall be under the
management and control of the Supervisors thereof.

§ 3. The aforesaid pieces of land shall, from and after the pas-
sage of this act, be public places, and the lands in the first section of
this act mentioned, shall be deemed to have been taken by said city
of Brooklyn, for public use, as and for a public park, and to have
been declared open as a public place, with the same effect as if the
whole of the same had been within the city of Brooklyn, and as if they
had been taken and declared open under and in pursuance of the
provisions of an act entitled “An act to revise and amend the sev-

12

eral acts relating to the city of Brooklyn,” passed April fourth,
eighteen hundred and fifty, and the acts amendatory thereof, except
as herein otherwise provided, and with the same effect as if the same
had been originally laid down upon the Commissioners’ map of the
city of Brooklyn, and from and after the passage of this act, they shall
be and form a part of said city of Brooklyn, and of said Commis-
sioners’ map; and the parts of all streets, avenues and highways,
(except Flatbush avenue and Third street,) laid out as running
through said pieces of land, are hereby closed and discontinued and
stricken from the said Commissioners’ map, so far as the same would
run through or intersect said pieces of land, and the land in the
second section of this act mentioned shall be deemed to have been
taken by the County of Kings, as and for a parade ground.

_ § 4. Three discreet and competent persons, being citizens of the
State of New York, shall be appointed to act as Commissioners of
Estimate and Assessment, in relation to the taking and the value of
the land mentioned in the first section of this act; and three other
persons shall also be appointed Commissioners of Estimate in rela-
tion to the taking and the value of the lands mentioned in the second
section of this act. All of said Commissionérs shall be appointed
in the manner provided by an act entitled “An act to provide for
the opening of Washington Park, on Fort Greene, in the city of
Brooklyn,” passed April 27, 1847, except that such Commissionevs
shall be appointed by the Supreme Court of the Second Judicial
District, at any Special Term thereof, and all other proceedings in
any Court contemplated by this act shall be had in said Court; and
in case of the death, resignation, disqualification or refusal to act,
of either of said Commissioners, it shall be lawful for the said Court,
at any General or Special Term thereof, on application, as in said
act provided, and from time to time, as often as such event shall
happen, to appoint any other discreet and disinterested person, being
a citizen of the State of New York, in the place and stead of such
Commissioner so dying, resigning or refusing to act; and said Com-
missioners shall proceed to discharge the duties of their appoint-
ment, and to complete their estimate and award, as soon as conven
iently may be; and shall, if practicable, file their final repo#t in the
office of the Clerk of the county of Kings within twelve months of
the date of their appointment.

§ 5. It shall be competent and lawful for a majority of each of
said Board of Commissioners designated, as aforesaid, to perform the
trust and duties of their appointments, and their acts shall be as valid
and effectual as the acts of all the Commissioners so to be appointed,
if they had acted therein, would have been; and in every case the
proceedings and decisions of a majority in number of either of said
Boards of Commissioners acting in the premises, shall be as valid and
effectual as if the said Commissioners appointed for such purpose had
all concurred and joined therein.

§ 6. The Commissioners herein provided for, in relation to the
taking and value of the lands mentioned in the first section of this
act, shall make just and true estimate of the value of the lands men-
tioned in said first section, and of the loss and damage to the respective

13

owners, lessees, and parties and persons respectively entitled to or
interested in the same, together with the tenements, hereditaments,
and appurtenances, privileges or advantages to the same belonging or
in any wise appertaining, by and in consequence of relinquishing the
same to the said city of Brooklyn; and in making such estimate they
shall not make any deduction or allowance for, or on account of any
supposed benefits or advantages to be derived from taking said lands
as public places, or in consequence thereof, and the amounts so esti-
mated, when duly confirmed, shall be paid as hereinafter in this act
provided. But after the cost of the said lands shall have been deter-
mined by the confirmation of the final report in relation thereto, it
shall be the duty of said Commissioners to apportion such part of
said cost as they may deem equitable, and not exceeding twenty per
cent. thereof, among the lands outside of said park, which they shall
deem to be benefitted thereby, and in proportion to such benefit ; and
said Commissioners may extend such apportionment to such distance
from said park as they may deem equitable and proper within the
Western Fire District of said city of Brooklyn. And whenever their
report in relation to such apportionment shall be completed, they
shall file the same with the Clerk of Kings county, and thereupon
proceedings may be had to correct or confirm the same, as in this act
provided. And after the confirmation of any final report of said
Commissioners making such apportionment, the one-twentieth part
of the amount thus apportioned shall be assessed annually upon the
lands in said city affected thereby, and shall be included annually in
the taxes to be levied thereon, and shall be levied and collected like
other taxes upon property in said city; and the proceeds thereof
shall be paid over to the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund of said
city, to be by them applied to the redemption of the bonds of said
city, to be issued by virtue of this act.

§ 7. The Commissioners appointed in relation to the taking and
value of the lands mentioned in the second section of this act, shall
in like manner make just and true estimate of the value of the lands
in said second section mentioned, and of the loss and damage to the
respective persons, owners thereof, or entitled to or interested in the
same in any wise, in consequence of relinquishing the same to the
‘county of Kings; and the value of the lands so taken and mentioned
in the second section of this act, and the amount of compensation so
estimated by the Commissioners to the owners thereof, shall, when
confirmed, as herein provided, be paid by said county of Kings to
the parties thereto respectively entitled, and for the purpose of mak-
ing such payment, the said county may issue and dispose of its bonds
to such amount as may be necessary, in such form and manner as the
Supervisors thereof may direct.

$8. Payment of the damages awarded by the Commissioners
provided for in this act, in any report made in pursuance hereof, shall
become due and payable, and shall be paid immediately upon the
confirmation of any such report of said Commissioners in the premises.

§ 9. Said Commissioners and any party being owner of or inter-
ested in-any of the lands mentioned in this act, may agree upon the
value thereof, and upon the amount of damages and compensation to

14

be awarded therefor, and said Commissioners may make special re-
ports in relation to any matters so agreed upon; and any such special
report may be filed, and proceedings may be had to confirm the same,
and the same may be confirmed in the same manner and with like
effect as is provided herein in relation to other reports of said Com-
missioners; and upon the confirmation of any such special report, the
amount of the awards thus confirmed shall be paid in the same man-
ner as if such awards had been made in a general report of said Com-
missioners, and duly confirmed.

§ 10. Before proceeding to discharge any of their duties, the
Commissioners shall respectively take and subscribe an oath in
writing, before some officer, authorized by law to administer oaths,
honestly and faithfully to discharge the duties which shall devolve
upon them in pursuance of this act, which oath shall be filed in the
office of the Clerk of the county of Kings. Said Commissioners
shall proceed, as soon as may be after their appointment, to dis-
charge the duties of their trust, and to make and complete their
estimates, and awards and reports, as herein-before provided; and
every estimate, award and report so made shall be signed by at
least a majority of said Commissioners, and filed in the office of the
Clerk of the county of Kings, and notice thereof given to the Coun-
sel of the Corporation of said city of Brooklyn. Within twenty
days after receiving such notice of the filing of any report of said
Commissioners, said Corporation Counsel shall give notice by pub-
lication for ten days in two daily papers of said city, that he will at
the then next ensuing Special Term of the Court aforesaid, and at
the time and place to be specified in such notice, present such report
for confirmation; and if said Corporation Counsel shall not, within
the time above prescribed, cause such report to be presented for
confirmation, then such notice may be given, and said report may
be presented for confirmation, as above prescribed, by any party
whose lands are to be taken, and to whom compensation is estimated
and awarded by such report; and thereupon all such proceedings as
are provided for in the fifth section of an act entitled, “An act to
provide for the opening of Washington Park, on Fort Greene, in
the city of Brooklyn,” passed April twenty-seventh, eighteen hun-
dred and forty-seven, shall be had for the confirmation of said
report, or for the revisal and correction thereof, until a report shall
be made or returned in the premises, which the Court shall confirm ;
and any such report, when so confirmed by the said Court, shall be
filed in the office of the Clerk of the county of Kings, and shall be
final and conclusive upon the said city of Brooklyn, and upon the
owners of and persons interested in the lands and premises men-
tioned in said report, and also upon all other persons whomsoever ;
and upon the confirmation of any such report, and upon payment
being made to the owners of the lands in such report mentioned, or
upon their assent thereto by deed duly executed, the said lands shall
vest forever in the said city of Brooklyn for the uses and purposes
in this act mentioned; and whenever and as often as the title shall
have been perfected in said city to the lands embraced in the park
and public place provided for in the first section of this act, the

15

Common Council of said city shall forthwith declare and establish
said lands to which the title shall have been thus perfected, as a
public park, or place, as herein provided, (and may make any im-
provements thereon, as such park and public place, which they may
deem proper). In case any party, officer or person who is by this
act directed or authorized to apply for the appointment of Commis-
sioners, or for the confirmation of any report made by such Commis-
sioners, shall neglect to make any such application in the manner
and within the times in this act limited, such application may be
made by any resident of the city of Brooklyn, being an owner of
real estate in the said city, and the Court shall proceed thereon as if
the same had been made by the person or officer hereinbefore author-
ized and directed to make the same.

§ 11. For the purpose of paying for the land mentioned in the
the first section of this act, and for the regulation and improve-
ment of the same as in this act provided, the bonds of the city of
Brooklyn, to such an amount as shall be necessary for that purpose,
shall be issued by the Mayor, Comptroller and Clerk of said city,
from time to time, as the same shall be required for the purposes
aforesaid ; which bonds shall be issued in the manner, and shall be °
in the form of the bonds issued by said city under the provisions of
an act entitled “An act to provide for the supply of the city of
Brooklyn with water,” passed February eleventh, eighteen hundred
and fifty-seven, except as herein otherwise provided; and said bonds
shall be payable in not less than forty-five, nor more than sixty,
years from the date thereof, and shall bear interest at the rate of six
per cent per annum, payable half-yearly, on the first day of January
and July, in each year; and the said bonds and the proceeds of the
sale thereof, shall constitute the fund for paying the costs of the
lands in the first section of this act mentioned, and for the improve-
ment of the same. And as ‘the said bonds are from time to time
issued, the Mayor, Comptroller and Clerk shall each cause to be
kept in his office, in a book to be provided for that purpose, a true
and correct statement and account of each and every bond by him
executed, showing the number of each bond and the date and amount
thereof, and the time when due, and such book shall be open for
public inspection, and shall be delivered by them to their successors
in office.

§ 12. The bonds of the city of Brooklyn, which shall be issued
by virtue of this act, may be used by said city, or by the Treasurer
thereof, at their par value, in paying any amounts which said city
shall have become liable to pay for compensation or damages
awarded under this act; or the same may be sold at public or
private sale, or by subscription, and on such terms as the Common
Council of said city may think proper; and the proceeds of all
such sales shall be paid over to the Treasurer of said city, or
said Treasurer may, with the concurrence of the Mayor and
Comptroller of said city, pledge any of said bonds for money bor-
rowed temporarily, at a higher rate of interest, not exceeding seven
per cent. per annum, if they shall deem it expedient and necessary
so to dow

§ 18. The property of the city of Brooklyn, and the lands author-

16

.

ized to betaken by the first section of this act as a public park and
place, are hereby pledged for the payment of its bonds to be issued
by virtue hereof.

§ 14. In order to pay the interest upon the bonds hereby author-
ized to be issued by said city, there shall be added to the general tax,
for the city of Brooklyn at large, in the year eighteen hundred and
sixty-two, and yedrly thereafter, and levied and collected therein,
as hereinafter specified, such sum of money in each of said years
shall be sufficient to pay the interest upon the bonds issued by virtue
of this act; and from and after the year eighteen hundred and sixty-
five, there shall be added to the general tax for the city of Brooklyn
at large, and levied and collected, as aforesaid, in addition to any
amount so required, to pay the interest upon said bonds, a sum
equal to one-half of one per cent. upon the total amount of bonds
which shall have been issued in pursuance of this act; and from and
after the year eighteen hundred and seventy-five, there shall be in

like manner levied and collected, in each year, and in addition to the . -

amount required to pay the interest aforesaid, a sum equal to one
per cent. upon the total amount of bonds which have been issued in
pursuance of this act; and from and after the year eighteen hundred
and eighty-five, there shall be in like manner annually levied and
collected, in addition to the interest aforesaid, a sum which, together
with the amounts above required to be levied and collected, and the
accumulations thereof, will, with its accumulations, be adequate to
pay and discharge the bonds to be issued’ under this act by the
maturity thereof, which said several sums shall be, from time to
time, and each year, paid over to the Commissioners of the Sinking
Fund of the city of Brooklyn, to be held and managed by them,
and shall be applied to the payment of the interest upon said bonds
as it shall become payable, and to the full and final redemption of
said bonds, and for no other purpose. And it shall be the duty of
the Mayor and Comptroller of the said city to estimate and ascer-
tain the amounts required to be so added to the general tax, by
virtue of this section, and to transmit a statement of the same in
each year to the Board of Supervisors of the county of Kings, in
time to have such amount included in the general tax of said city,
for that year; and it shall be the duty of said Supervisors to cause
such amount to be included in such general tax. And said Super-
visors shall also annually provide by tax for the payment of the
principal and interest of the bonds to be issued by the said county
of Kings, by virtue of this act. And in making the levy of taxes
in this section prescribed, the said Supervisors shall so apportion
and levy the same, as that all sums of money whiah shall be levied
for the purpose of paying principal and interest of the bonds which
may have been issued on account of the purchase, improvements and
ornamentation of the lands comprising the said Prospect Park, shall
be levied and collected exclusively upon and from the taxable prop-
erty within the first twelve wards of said city.

§ 15. The Commissioners. appointed by virtue of section four of
this act shall have authority to employ surveyors and to use any
map on file or belonging to said city, and to cause maps to be made

az

as may be necessary; and said Commissioners may be allowed a
compensation of three dollars per day for their time actually em-
ployed in discharging their duties as such Commissioners; and all
such compensation, and the necessary expenses of the Commissioners
in discharging their duties, shall be allowed on taxation by the Court
aforesaid, and paid by said city of Brooklyn, and shall be added to
and form a part of the cost of the said park.

§ 16. The said Prospect Park shall be under the exclusive con-
trol and management of a Board of Commissioners, to consist of
seven persons, who shall be named and styled “The Commissioners
of Prospect Park;” a majority of said Board of Commissioners in
office for the time being shall constitute a quorum for the transaction
of business, and no action of said Board shall be final or binding, unless
it shall receive the approval of a majority of the said Board, whose
names shall be recorded in its minutes.

§ 17. James 8. T. Stranahan, Thomas H. Rodman, E. W. Fiske,
R. H. Thompson, Thomas G. Talmage, Stephen Haynes, and Corne-
lius J. Sprague, are hereby appointed, and shall constitute the first
Board of Commissioners of Prospect Park; they shall hold office as
such Commissioners for three years from the passage of this act.
No member of said Board shall receive any compensation for his
services, except the President or Treasurer, but each Commissioner
shall nevertheless be entitled to receive for his personal expenses, in
visiting and superintending said park, a sum not exceeding three
hundred dollars per annum. In case of a vacancy, the same may be
filled by the remaining members of the Board, for the residue of the
term then vacant; and all vacancies occasioned by expiration of the
terms of office shall be filled by the Mayor, by and with the advice
and consent of the Common Council of said city.

§ 18. The said Board shall have full and exclusive power to
govern, manage and direct the said park; to lay out and regulate
the same; to pass ordinances for the regulation and government
thereof; to appoint such engineers, surveyors, clerks and other offi-
cers, except a police force, as may be necessary; to prescribe and
define their respective duties, and authority; to fix the amount of
their compensation; and generally in regard to said park, they shall
possess all the power and authority now by law conferred on, or
possessed by the Common Council of said city, in respect to the
public squares and places in said city.

§ 19. It shall be a misdemeanor for any Commissioner to be
directly or indirectly, in any way pecuniarily interested in any con-
tract or work of any kind whatever, connected with said park, and
it shall be the duty of any Commissioner or other person, who may
have any knowledge or information of the violation of this provi-
sion, forthwith to report the same to the Mayor of the city of
Brooklyn, who shall present the facts of the case to any Judge of
the Supreme Court of the Second Judicial District. Such Judge
shall hear, in a summary manner, such Commissioner in relation
thereto, and any evidence he may offer, and if, after such hearing, he
shall be satisfied of the truth thereof, and shall so certify to the
Mayor, he shall immediately remove the Commissioner thus offend-

2

18

ing. Every Commissioner shall, before entering upon the duties of
his office, take and subscribe the oath prescribed by the Constitution
of the State, which oath shall be filed in the office of the Clerk of
the city of Brooklyn.

§ 20. Said Board of Commissioners for the government of said
Park shall, in the month of January of every year, make to the
Common Council of said city a full report of their proceedings, and
a detailed statement of all their receipts and expenditures.

§ 21. Whenever the city of Brooklyn shall have become vested
with the title to said park, as in this act provided, it shall be lawful
for the Commissioners of said park to let from year to year any
buildings and the grounds attached thereto, belonging to said city,
which may be within the limits of said park, until the same shall
be required for the laying out and regulation thereof, when the said
buildings shall be removed, except such as may be used for the pur-
poses of said park.

§ 22. Whenever the said city shall have become vested with the
title to said park, as aforesaid, said Commissioners may sell any
buildings, improvements, and other materials being within the limits
of said park, and belonging to said city, which, in their judgment,
shall not be required for the purposes of the said park, or for
public use, the proceeds of which shall be deposited to the credit
of the Commissioners, and devoted to the improvement of the

ark.

: § 23. No plan for the laying out, regulation and government of
said Prospect Park, shall be adopted or undertaken by the Commis-
sioners thereof, of which the entire expense, when funded, shall re-
quire for the payment of the annual interest thereon a greater sum
than thirty thousand dollars per annum; and bonds shall be issued,
sold and disposed of as directed in this act, for the purpose of pro-
viding such sums of money as shall be from time to time required
by said Board of Commissioners having the government of said
park, subject to the limitations in this section prescribed.

§ 24. The money raised from the bonds in the preceding section
mentioned shall be deposited, as fast as the same shall be realized,
to the credit of said Board of Commissioners, in such banks of the
city of Brooklyn as shall be by said Board designated; such banks
shall allow such interest upon such deposits as may be agreed upon
with said Board, and shall open and keep an account therewith. All _
moneys received by said Commissioners shall be immediately de-
posited with such banks to the credit of their account, and no
moneys shall be drawn therefrom by said Board of Commissioners
except upon a warrant signed by at least a majority of said Board,
and all receipts and vouchers shall be filed in the office of said
Board.

§ 25. None of the said Commissioners, nor any person, whether
in the employ of said Commissioners or otherwise, shall have the
power to create any debt, obligation, claim or liability, for or on
account of said Board, or the moneys or property under his control,
except with the express authority of said Board, conferred at a meet-
ing thereof duly convened and held.

<< ———s

19

26. The office of either of said Commissioners who shall not
attend the meetings of the Board for three successive months, after
having been duly notified of said meetings, without reason therefor
satisfactory to said Board, or without leave of absence from said
Board, may be by said Board declared vacant.

§ 27. Real or personal property may be granted, devised, be-
queathed or conveyed to the said city of Brooklyn, for the purposes of
improvement or ornamentation of said park, or for the establishment
or maintenance within the limits of said park, of museums, zoological
or other gardens, collections of natural history, observatories, or
works of art, upon such trusts and conditions as may be prescribed
by the erantors or donors thereof, and agreed to by the Mayor and
Common Council of said city ; and all property so devised, granted,
bequeathed or conveyed, and the rents, issues, profits and income
thereof shall be subject to the exclusive management, direction and
control of the Commissioners of the park. A

§ 28. It shall be lawful for said Board of Commissioners, at any
meeting thereof, duly convened, to pass such ordinances as they may
deem necessary for the regulation, use and government of the park
under their charge, not inconsistent with the ordinances and regula-
tions of the city of Brooklyn, or with the provisions of this act ; such
ordinances shall, immediately upon their passage, be published for
ten days in two daily papers published in said city.

§ 29. All persons offending against such ordinances shall be
deemed guilty of misdemeanor, and shall be punished, on conviction
before any court of competent jurisdiction in the county of Kings, by
a fine not exceeding fifty dollars, and in default of payment, by im-
prisonment not exceeding thirty days.

§ 30. All acts and parts of acts inconsistent herewith are hereby
repealed.

§ 31. This act shall take effect immediately.

On the passage of this law, the Common Council of the
city of Brooklyn passed a resolution endorsing the action of the
Legislature as being in accordance with the generally ex-
pressed wishes of the citizens.

Under the provisions of this act of the Legislature, the
undersigned Commissioners named therein, formally organized
the board by the election of James 8. T. Srrananan, as Presi-
dent, and R. H. Taompson, as Secretary.

The location of Prospect Park having been selected and
fixed by law, to the undersigned were confined its control and
management, with power to lay it out and regulate it. In
entering upon the discharge of duties so honorable and so
important, the Commissioners determined that the whole sub-
ject, in all its general aspects, and in all its details, should re-
ceive their most careful and deliberate consideration ; and,

20

while they felt reluctant in any way to delay the progress of
so important a work, urged on by the great mass of the citi-
zeus of Brooklyn, they deem it but common prudence, and
eminently due to the taxpayers of the city, that their actions
should be cautious and their movements well considered.
Much attention was given to the subject of the boundaries,
and an earnest investigation‘as to whether those designated in
the act, were the best which, under the circumstances, could
be adopted. They directed their inquiries also to the practical
bearing of the laws relating to the park, and endeavoring to
ascertain whether their provisions were ‘sufficiently guarded
for the interests of the city, and at the same time ample
enough for the purposes of the contemplated improve-
ments.

As the law expressly forbids the adoption of “any plan for
the laying out, regulation and government of said park, of
which the entire expense, when funded, shall require for the
payment of the interest thereon, a greater sum than $30,000
per annum,” it became necessary for the Commissioners, at the
very commencement cf their duties, to obtain some definite
information on the subject of the ultimate cost of the improve- —
ment. To this end, the services of an accomplished and ex-
perienced engineer were secured, and instructions were given
for minute and accurate surveys, general plans and careful
estimates of the entire work.

The report of the engineer, to which the careful attention
of the citizens of Brooklyn is earnestly invited, is embodied
herein and submitted as a part of the proceedings of the Com-
missioners.

The application for the appointment of Commissioners of
Estimate and Assessment is now pending in the Supreme
Court. Some question having arisen as to the constitutionality
of the law in relation to this subject, the Commissioners sug-
gest the propriety of such an alteration in the act as will meet
the real or supposed constitutional difficulty.

This delay on the part of the Supreme Court need not be
regarded by the friends of the park improvement as in any
way injurious or detrimental. It has given to the Improve-
meut Commissioners ample opportunity to consult with the
property holders and taxpayers of the city, from whom they

»

21

haye obtained much valuable information and many important
suggestions.

The result of the labors and investigations of the Com-
missioners during the year fully satisfies them of the practi-
cability of carrying out, by gradual progress, all the improye-
ments of the park, within the sum limited by law for that pur-
pose. And from an intimate knowledge of the grounds, and a
eareful study of the whole subject of laying them out and of
improving them, they are fully convinced of the great capa-
bilities and superior advantages of the designated location for a
park or pleasure ground, worthy of the city of Brooklyn—the
third city, in point of population, in the Union—and if not
holding the same relation to other cities for the variety and
beauty of its public and private edifices, yet, for the intelligence,
morality and enterprise of its citizens, and for its remarkable
healthfulness, it challenges a parallel with any city of equal
population in the world. To preserve this high distinction,
and to perpetuate and increase its attractions as a city of
private residences, is one of the objects contemplated by the
establishment of the park.

Already a population of three hundred thousand demands
space for exercise and recreation. How much more, when the
population of the city has doubled, will a provision of this
nature be required, to furnish to all the constant means of
peaceful and healthful enjoyment, and to aid in the cultivation
of cheerful obedience to law, and the general promotion of
good order among its citizens.

The Commissioners need hardly cay that, in the prosecution
of their duties, their constant aim will be to meet the reasonable
wishes of the citizens of Brooklyn who projected this great
and beneficent enterprise. They will only add, that any delay
in appropriating the lands must necessarily result in an in-
creased expenditure to the city. The purchase of the entire
area may now be made at reasonable rates, and in view of the
rapidly increasing value of suburban property, the outlay may
be regarded as an advantageous investment. —

The Commissioners have incurred no other expenditures
during the year than such as resulted from the employment of
the Topographical Engineer.

22

A vacancy in the Board, occasioned by the resignation of
Thomas H. Rodman, was filled by the appointment of Thomas
McElrath,

All which is respectfully submitted,

JAS. S.. To StTRAN AEA
E. W. FISKE,

R. H. THOMPSON,
THOMAS G. TALMAGE,
STEPHEN HAYNES,
CORNELIUS J. SPRAGUE,
THOMAS McELRATH,

Commissioners.

PaO Se) PAR IK.

VIEW FROM THE RESERVOIR LOKING EAST~1860.

Paneer eC br ARK

REPORT

EGBERT L. VIELE, Esa.

BRooKiyn, January 15th, 1861.

To the Commissioners for the Improvement of Prospect Park:

GENTLEMEN—

I beg leave to submit herewith my Report upon the Topog-
raphy and Improvement of Prospect Park, together with the
accompanying Maps and Drawings.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

EGBER TE Ly VIELE.

REPORT.

TOPOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION.

Tue elevated ridge which is the distinguishing feature in
the topography of the western portion of Long Island, and
which, from the depressed character of the adjacent lands,
commands a very extensive tract of country, possesses in its
entire extent no other point from which the eye can embrace
so wide a field of marine and inland scenery, as that division
of it which has been selected for and devoted to the purposes
of public recreation, and known as the “ Prospect Park of
Brooklyn.”

The boundaries of the park, as defined by the Act of the
State Legislature, passed April 17th, 1860, are as follows: Be-
ginning at the intersection of Warren street and Washington
avenue; thence running southerly along Washington avenue,
to the city line at Montgomery street; thence southwesterly,
in a straight line to a point one thousand feet easterly in a
straight line from the intersection of Ninth street with the city
line; thence to the intersection of the city line and Ninth
street ; thence northwesterly along Ninth street to Tenth ave-
nue; thence northerly along Tenth avenue to the northerly
side of Third street; thence northwesterly along Third street
to Ninth avenue; thence northerly along Ninth avenue to
Flatbush avenue; thence along Flatbush avenue to Vanderbilt
avenue; thence along Vanderbilt avenue to Warren street;
thence easterly along Warren street to Washington avenue, at
the place of beginning. The space bounded by these lines is
as diversified in surface and vegetation as any spot, containing -
the same area, can possibly be. Nearly in the center lies the
new Distributing Reservoir, fom which a panoramic view is
obtained of the cities of New York and Brooklyn, the inner
and outer harbors, with their fleets of ships and steamers, a

a? ae

25

large portion of New Jersey, Staten Island and Long Island,
with the Atlantic ocean beyond, stretching far away in the dis-
tance. Within the park itself, a succession of beautifully-
wooded hills and broad green meadows, interrupted here and
there by a natural pond of water, offers features of attraction
which require but little aid from art to fit it for all the pur-
poses of health and recreation, to which it is to be devoted.
Nearly one half the area is wooded with trees of large growth,
many of them noble specimens of the oak, maple, hickory,
dog-wood, chestnut, and other varieties, securing the imme-
diate benefit of shaded drives. A fine level space of sufficient
extent and almost ready for a parade-ground, and sheltered
valleys where every description of plants and trees may be suc-
cessfully cultivated, complete the advantages of a site so
judiciously and providently selected. The most elevated point
within the enclosure is the crest of the escarpment which sur-
rounds the new Distributing Reservoir; this is two hundred
feet above the level of the sea, and not only overlooks the en-
tire area of the park, but commands the finest view which can
be obtained from the grounds. The ridge upon which it is
situated forms the axis of the park, extending through the en-
tire length, and terminating in a gradual slope at the northern
extremity. A valley on the east of this ridge extends to the
easterly side of the park, and a valley on the westerly side is
succeeded by a low range of wooded hills, which form the west-
ern boundary. Flatbush avenue, one hundred feet in width,
runs diagonally through the park, dividing it into two portions,
which might be regarded as a serious blemish to the beauty of the
finished park, were it not for the fact that the peculiarity of its
location obviates the necessity of any other transverse road to
accommodate the traftie between the city and the suburbs;
thus securing the uninterrupted possession of the remainder of
the grounds for park purposes. The northwesterly boundary
along Washington avenue, is perhaps defective, inasmuch as
that avenue does not cross the city blocks at a right angle, and
would thus prevent the lots on that portion of the park from
haying a square front. The extension of the park to Classon
or to Franklin avenue, or to a new avenue between those two,
would obviate this very serious objection, while at the same
time the topographical character of the ground in that direc-

26

tion is such as would add materially to the beauty of the in-
terior design, as well as to the exterior view. Any extension
of the area in that direction could readily be counterbalanced,
if desirable, by the retrocession of the northerly boundary from
Warren to Baltic street. As this matter has been laid before
the Commissioners by a Committee representing a large num-
ber of property owners, I have deemed it proper to exhibit
the proposed change on the accompanying plan of the park.

HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS.

In addition to its interesting topographical features, these
grounds are consecrated by historic associations, which should
be a strong argument for preserving them in their original
character. In the very heart of the park there is a quiet dell,
which no one can enter without a feeling of pleasure, called
forth by its sylvan beauty. Tranquil as it now appears, this
spot was once the scene of a desperate and bloody conflict,
which, in its intrepid valor, may well rank among the most gal-
lant deeds enacted by the American army, during the struggle
for independence. Four hundred men, composing the Mary-
land and Delaware battalions, under General Sullivan, and
forming the center of the little army which had been stationed
on the heights to prevent the passage of the British upon New
York, defended this pass, under a galling fire of artillery, from
sunrise to 12 o’clock on the memorable 27th of August, 1776;
and never would have yielded their ground, though it should
have become a new Thermopyle, had they not been sur-
rounded and attacked in the rear by the enemy, who had
turned the left wing of the American position.

“ Hemmed in and entrapped between the British and Hes-
sians, and driven from one to the other, the Americans fought
bravely and desperately ; some were cut down and trampled
by the cavalry, others bayoneted without mercy by the Hes-
sians; some rallied in groups, and made a brief stand with their
rifles, from rocks or behind trees. The whole pass was a scene
of carnage, resounding with the clash of arms, the tramp of
horses, the volleying of fire-arms, and the cries of the combat-
ants. We give the words of one who mingled in the fight, and
whom we have heard speak with horror of the sanguinary fury

27

with which the Hessians plied the bayonet. At length some of
the Americans, by a desperate effort, cut their way through the
host of foes, and effected their retreat, fighting as they went ;
others took refuge among the woods and fastnesses of the hills,
but a great part were either killed or taken prisoners.” *

Let then this spot, consecrated by the blood of patriots,
be preserved, if for no other reason than that in recalling the
memories of a glorious past, it may incite new hopes for a more
glorious future.

PLAN OF IMPROVEMENT.

In laying down a plan for the improvement and embellish-
ment of the area which has been described, it seems barely
necessary to say that the natural topographical features should
be the basis of that improvement. For, laying aside the ques-
tion of the greater expense which any other method would
incur, the infringement upon good taste, and upon that regard
for the beauties of nature possessed by every cultivated mind,
which would result from a display of artificial constructions,
would defeat the primary object of the park as a rural resort,
where the people of all classes, escaping from the glare, and
glitter, and turmoil of the city, might find relief for the mind,
and physical recreation—the park, under such circumstances,
becoming a mere place where the excitements of the town were
continued in another form, both alike destructive of that repose
of the mind so essential to the health of the body. Besides,
architectural constructions are too often matters of fashion, as
we see in the constant destruction of well-built edifices, to
make room for a later style of building; and, although our
artificial erections may be copies of the most approved designs,
pleasing to the eye in their freshness and novelty, they soon lose
these, their chief merits, and in a few years, probably, are
removed, to make way for the further conceits of some new
aspirant for notice.

While on the other hand nature in its beauty and variety
never palls upon the senses! never fails to elicit our admira-
tion; whether displaying its wild grandeur in the vast soli-
tudes of the forest, or throwing its peaceful, clustering shadows

® * Irving’s Life of Washington.

28

around the domestic altar; whether bursting the fast of winter,
it opens its buds in spring-time, or yielding to the chill-
ing blasts it scatters its autumn -leaves—it conveys in all its
phases and through all its changes no emotions which are not
in harmony with the highest refinement of the soul.

When, with the skillful hand of uNnpERcErveD art, its
blended beauties are made more harmonious by the cautious
pruning of trees, the nice distribution of flowers and plants of
tender growth, the introduction of the green slope of velvet
lawn, and the silver gleam of water, and then through public
munificence all this is spread out in the heart of the busy city
—at the feet of the weary toiler—it supplies a void in his exist-
ence and sets in operation the purest and most ennobling of
external influences, which gather strength for food as the mind
becomes more refined and more appreciative in the contact.

The substitution of art for nature in the improvement of
public grounds had its origin in an age, when the beauties of
nature were unknown and unfelt, and among a people whose
worship of art was a national characteristic, and who regarded
an artistic display as an essential accompaniment of imperial
grandeur.

A later and higher degree of civilization has developed that
love for the real beauties of nature which has stamped itself
upon the English character, which is modifying the old system
pursued in France, and which is gaining such rapid progress in
this country. The overthrow of the ancient ideas was not
accomplished without an effort, and not until some of the finest
minds of Great Britain had been enlisted in the cause, and had
shown the folly of one system and the beauties of the other.

To return to the old method now would be to abandon all
progress and to substitute the obsolete for the true. If the an-
cient style should become the orthodox, it will be the death
blow of rural improvement in this country on the score of ex-
pense alone, since the very nature of the system is to know no
limit in expenditure. One construction begets another, until
nature is obliterated and art becomes supreme—rural simplicity
gives place to extravagant pretensions, and we find too late that
we have destroyed the very thing we sought to create,

Since then the dictates of good taste and of economy pre-
scribe that the natural features of the surface should be the

29

basis of any plan of improvement; the next step is the adap-
tation of those features to the purposes of a pleasure ground
for the people. And here, again, I cannot resist the reflection
that true taste in any art consists more in adapting ted expe-
dients to peculiar cireumstances, than in that inordinate thirst
after novelty—the characteristic of uncultivated minds. ,

The rules which: govern the improvement and embellish-
ment of ground are as well defined as those which regulate the
duties of any other profession or occupation; and an innova-
tion upon these rules, instead of being an indication of genius,
shows rather the absence of it, and the want of a correct
knowledge of the subject. It is the way in which these rules
are applied to the varieties of surface, not the exhibition of ab-
surd novelties, which gives that variety in the landscape, which
we look for in a skillfully improved park.

Among these rules are the following: First, studiously to
conceal every appearance of art, however expensive, by which
the scenery is improved; secondly, carefully to disguise the
real boundary, however large or small the area; thirdly, to
hide the natural defects and to display the natural beauties
to the utmost advantage; fourthly, to obtain from the most
favorable points the greatest possible extent of view, and to
conceal all objects which limit or obstruct the view; fifthly,
by so blending all the parts, that while the beauties of each
are distinctly visible, there are no abrupt contrasts painful to
the eye, and destroying the symmetry of the whole; thus
securing that unity and harmony so essential to the perfection
of the design.

The boundary may be successfully disguised by an irregular
belt of trees along the exterior line, and the view as a general
thing being limited by this exterior line, it follows that its
extent is diminished as we approach the centre, since instead ot
having one broad view, with the necessary distance to complete
the landscape, we divide the view in two, and have an incomplete
one on each side. Hence, the avenue of communication which
is intended to develop the principal features of the park, should
be located as near to the exterior line as the character of the
ground and other circumstances will admit. An additional
reason for which is found in the greater extent of drive which
is thereby secured—an important consideration where the area

30

is limited, as in this case. These general principles, modified
by the character of the ground and the recognized necessity of
adapting the park to the wants and pleasures of all classes of
the community, have determined the outline of the plan which
accompanies this report.

The entrances have been selected at the corner of Flatbush
and Vanderbilt avenues, at the corner of Ninth avenue and
Third street, at the corner of Washington avenue and Warren
street, at the corner of Classon and Washington avenues, at the
south-eastern angle, and at the intersection of Flatbush avenue
with the easterly line, as being the most ready points of access
from the city. Should the park be extended as is proposed,
there would be no alteration of the design, excepting in the im-
proved location of the roads and walks in the north-easterly
portion of the grounds.

I have considered the main entrance to the park to be lo-
eated at the corner of Flatbush and Vanderbilt avenues, the
former being a broad, diagonal avenue, passing through the
densely populated portion of the city, and intersecting several
other principal avenues and many principal streets, would
naturally be the route selected by many citizens to reach the
park.

From the principal entrance, the main drive takes a north-
erly direction, penetrating at once into the seclusion of the
grounds. To the left is the excluding belt of trees, which it
alternately enters and skirts. On the right, a succession of
wooded hills, separated by picturesque valleys, rise, until they
culminate at Mount Prospect, the highest elevation in the park.
This last point is concealed by judicious planting, until by a
gradual and almost imperceptible ascent, the road reaches the
summit, when the extensive landscape bursts upon the view.
Here a broad esplanade affords room tor a reasonable number
of vehicles to remain, without interruption to those which are
passing. The road here divides to the east and west; the
latter crosses I'latbush avenue, by a simple but substantial via-
duct, and skirting the western boundary reaches ‘‘ The Parade”
at First street, disclosing in its route a fine interior view.

It may be objected that a military display destroys, in a
measure, the needed seclusion of a park; but, happily, the to-
pography of the site selected is such as to confine the spectacle

dl

to its immediate locality ; while to exclude so large a portion
of the public from the advantages to be derived from the park,
would be to defeat one of its leading objects. This same ground
may of course be used for all kinds of out of door sports, A
space sufficient for all these purposes is provided; and the
green, level lawn will, in itself, add much to the general beauty
of the landscape, At the same time, the gentle eminences by
which it is surrounded, will afford admirable positions for spee-
tators. In the finished plan, I have no doubt that this will
prove one of its most interesting and attractive features. At
the southerly extremity of “The Parade,” the road enters a
wooded valley, where it meets the westerly entrance; thence
sweeping around the re-entering angle at Third street, it con-
tinues its course through the beautifully wooded westerly bor-
der, until it debouches at ‘‘ The Lake ”—a fine sheet of water,
the sources of supply of which, from the interior of the grounds,
it is believed will prove unfailing.

Crossing the head of “ The Lake” by a rustic bridge, the
road descends into the easterly valley—a slightly undulating
plain, partly wooded and partly lawn—where it is proposed
to locate “The Botanical Garden.” Its position, sheltered
from the north and with a southern exposure, together with
its well drained alluvial soil, admirably adapt it for this pur-
pose. The beauty and utility of such a feature within the
park cannot be questioned. Whether the improved cultiva-
tion and careful development of indigenous and exotic trees
and plants shall be placed in the hands of an independent
association of citizens, like the Horticultural Society, the space
being set apart for this purpose, or whether this shall form one
of the duties of the Commissioners, is a question not germain
to this report to discuss. I earnestly hope, however, that in
one way or the other, this desideratum may be accomplished.
It cannot fail to prove of great value and importance to many,
while it will assuredly be a matter of interest to all.

Leaving “ The Botanical Garden,” the road enters “The
Forest,” and passing under Flatbush avenue into “ The Glen,”
where, if in the plantation the evergreen should be made to
prevail, there will be produced a variety and novelty, if not
a grandeur, especially in the winter season, exhibiting the
finest possible effect. From ‘The Glen” the road ascends to

32

the esplanade, or continues on the circuit to the main entrance.
An intersecting road from “The Lake” and “The Forest ”
passes through “The Battle Pass,” and meets the main drive
at “The Parade.” <A side road for equestrians, and a walk
for pedestrians, accompany the main drive. Certain minor
walks and other details are shown on the plan, but these of
course are incidental and subordinate to the leading features
of improvement. Rustic seats and arbors, where interior
views or shaded retreats shall indicate, winding paths through
wooded dells, of which there are a number, miniature lakes
where the topography and supply of water will permit—all
these follow in the progress of the improvement.

“ The Plan,” as sketched, is believed to be consistent with
the character and situation of the ground, to contain every
feature which it is desirable to provide within the area, and
to require for its execution a sum much below the value of the
results attained.

Flatbush Avenue.—This avenue, as has been stated, runs
diagonally through the park, and is excluded from its limits,
being reserved as a means of transit to the suburbs. It may
nevertheless be made to form a striking feature in the general
design of improvement. Its peculiar location is such that it
opens a view through Brooklyn, of a portion of the harbor—
and in the other direction, through Flatbush, of the ocean:
By planting a double row of trees on each side, it will form a
fine promenade, while the trees will soon hide from view the
disagreeable accompaniments of a traffic road. If the cobble-
stone pavement with which it is now paved could be exchanged
for a smoother material, it would have the effect to diminish
the noise, which, from the character of the travel over it, would
be inseparable from the use of this kind of pavement.

ENCLOSURE.

The necessity of preserving from mutilation the fine growth
of trees now existing, and of affording an opportunity for
developing the strength of the soil, requires that the park
should at once be enclosed with a substantial fence of some
kind. There are a large quantity of boulders which might be
prepared for a stone wall; but the time that would be required
to remove them from their beds in the earth, and the expense

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i ee eae a) 4 3 z 9] S
--_ THE PARADE. - - 31 |
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iz | PLAN )
a = oe
abi cabes aaats FOR THE impRoveMeNT Of
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BROOKLYN.
1861.

Egbeat L. Viele:
Topg. Engineer

33

attending their removal to the exterior line, would be such as
to render such an application of them objectionable. I think,
therefore, that a strong picket fence, well secured by battens,
would be the best under the circumstances. This would have
the further advantage, that at any point where the progress of
the work required it, a portion could be temporarily removed
and readily replaced. Such a fence would be the most eco-
nomical and if subsequently a more substantial enclosure should
be decided upon the material would always be of use.

DRAINAGE.

The necessity for the thorough drainage of the entire area
of the park is very apparent. The peculiar character of its
geological formation renders its successful drainage an interest-
ing and perhaps a difficult problem.

The deposits are composed of strata of sand, clay, gravel
and pebbles, in very irregular succession, and showing little
parallelism or uniformity; in many places the clay strata
being very much distorted. The result of all being a series
of rounded hills, some of pure sand, some of sand and clay,
and others of pebbles and boulders mixed with clay. In some
instances channels seem to have been formed by regular cur-
rents of water, while in others deep valleys occur without
any approximation to regularity, unless their tendency to a
bowl-shape be so construed. The valleys have no outlets, and
the water that falls into them either sinks through the soil or
collects so as to form pond holes.

All of the depressions have been connected by a series of
levels, which will enable me to lay down a system of drainage
which, while effective in removing the surplus water from the
soil, will, it is believed, afford a sufficient supply to enable its
introduction with marked effect in the general landscape.

Besides the removal of the water, which is palpably evident
in the form of deposits, thorough drainage, comprehends the
carrying off, as rapidly as possible after it has fallen, all the
water upon the surface which is not absolutely necessary to the
soil. A very small portion of the annual rain-fall is absorbed
by the soil or is requisite as a constituent of vegetable life.

All the moisture that remains beyond this required quan-
8

34

tity is not only useless, but it is absolutely injurious to fertility,
and must be removed to insure the proper growth of vegeta-
tion. Many interesting facts have been developed by experi-
ence even in this country, although a limited amount of atten-
tion has been given to the subject, going to show not only its
value in an economic sense, but also its importance in a sani-
tary point of view. In England, where thorough drainage has
been reduced to a science, it has elicited in its gradual progress
much lively discussion, and given birth to advocates of differ-
ent systems; but the great difference of climate, topography,
and geological formution between this country and England
precludes the blind adoption by us of any system, no matter
how successful it may have been proved to be there. For our
own guidance we must look first to the character, the quantity
and sources of supply of the water which we wish to remove—
knowing this, the topography of the ground and the character
of the soil will determine the best course to be adopted in
removing it.

Of the water on the park a portion flows from the adjoin-
ing lands, a quantity is developed in local springs, and some of
it is in stagnant deposits of rain water. From these sources a
large portion of the soil is saturated, cold and sour. The
immediate effect of this water in the soil upon vegetation is,
that the soil being stiffened to such an extent the roots of the
plants are unable to penetrate it, and are thus stifled in their
growth, or it is so cold that the roots are discouraged from
extending themselves sufficiently to obtain and afford the
proper nourishment to the plants, By the evaporation which
is constantly going on the heat of the surface is reduced, espe-
cially in spring and autumn, thus shortening materially the
period of vegetation. It sours the soil, producing a rank, un-
healthy vegetation. It occupies the soil to the exclusion of air,
thus depriving the roots of the most important accessory to
vegetation. It excludes the rain water, which contains the
elements of fertility. It causes surface wasting, and the conse-
quent formation of gullies and fissures. It causes the exhala-
tion from the soil of miasmatic odors, which taint the atmo-
sphere, and have a deleterious effect upon health.

On the other hand, the result of thorough drainage will be
to cause the pulverization of the soil by removing the source of

35

adhesion, and thus facilitating the mechanical extension of the
roots and their consequent development. It elevates the tem-
perature of the soil by allowing the tree passage of warm rain
water, which at the same time deposits the elements of fertility
extracted by it from the atmosphere, thus increasing the re-
sources of vegetation. It increases the power of absorption,
which enables the soil to support vegetation in the absence of
regular rains. It facilitates the passage of air to the roots,

supplying the proper amount of oxygen necessary to them. It.

deepens the soil, giving the roots of trees a firmer hold, and
removing them farther from the effects of the sun, and render-
ing them less liable to freeze in winter. It lengthens the season
of vegetation. It prevents surface washing, by allowing the
rain water to descend through the soil at once. It renders the
surface dry at all seasons, thus excluding the possibility of
miasma.

For these reasons, I do not hesitate to recommend as the
first step in the work of improvement, the THOROUGH DRAINAGE
of the entire area of the park.

We have now to determine the character of the artificial
drains which, in connection with the water courses, shall put
the ground in a condition to be used for the purposes for which
it is intended. Numerous methods have been resorted to with
stones, planks, brushwood and open drains, as temporary expe-
dients ; but experience has shown that the only effectual, and
in the end the most economical method, is that of using porous
tile drains. If properly laid, they thoroughly extract the
surplus water from the soil, and form no impediment to vege-
tation. There are three kinds of these tiles—the cylindrical,
the horse-shoe, and the sole-tile—the latter being the most
effective in its results, and most readily adapted to all circum-
stances of soil. They are made of different sizes, from two to
six inches in diameter, and about a foot in length.

The location, size, distance apart, and depth of drains, has
formed a most fruitful subject of discussion in agricultural
journals, and whenever the subject has been referred to at
agricultural conventions, and meetings of farmers’ clubs. As
a matter of course, much reliable information, as well as much
that is unimportant, has been made public in this way. But
the only eonclusion that can be arrived at, is, that as all soils

36

differ in their mineral constituents, so do they differ in their
retentive powers; and that while Elkington’s system of deep
drainage would apply best to one, and Smith’s or the Dean-
ston system of shallow drainage would apply better to another,
there are still innumerable cases where both would be re-
jected as inapplicable. Therefore, that course will prove to be
the most practical which is based upon a knowledge of the
character of the soil in each particular locality.

LOCATION OF DRAINS.

The circumstances which develop themselves as the work
progresses will go far to determine the precise location of the
drains. As a general rule, the principal drains should follow
the lowest depressions, the branches running directly down the
slopes. Where the ground is nearly leyel, they should oblique
towards the main drain ; and where the ground descends from
all points towards a common centre, it would be judicious to
run a drain around the edge of the slope to intercept the flow
connecting this through the branches with the main drain.

SIZE OF DRAINS.

The size of the drains is governed by the probable amount
of water which must be carried off. As the volume of water
increases by means of the lateral branches, the size of the drains
will require to be increased. Where it is found that the water
accumulating, or to accumulate from the different branches,
would be greater than could be discharged through the largest
sized tiles, a double or even triple row may be laid together in
the same trench.

DEPTH OF DRAINS.

The depth of the drains is the most important point con-
nected with the subject, and one which will require the exer-
cise of the most careful judgment. The first care should be
to secure a proper outlet, at whatever depth it may be neces-
sary to go to obtain it. To this point there must be a con-
tinuous descent of at least one foot in eight hundred, unin-
terrupted by any depressions, since these would cause an
accumulation of deposits, which would in time choke the drains.

37

The earth in the Prospect Park consists, first, of a few inches
of soil, then a layer of clay, varying in thickness, sometimes
alternate layers of clay and sand, beneath which is hardpan or
drift. In the larger depressions, there is sometimes quicksand
beneath this, and scattered through the drift an innumerable
quantity of boulders, which defy the precise location of drains,
except on the ground itself. As a general rule, the main drains
should be from three to four feet below the surface, and the
lateral drains from two feet six inches to three feet. An increase
of depth adds largely to the expense, especially in the hardpan,
where it will cost almost as much to keep the picks sharp as
the labor is worth, and in the end adding, perhaps, no benefit
to the ground. Still, no question of economy should prevent
the drainage being thoroughly accomplished.

The drain should be laid below the frost, and must be below
the reach of the sub-soil plow or trenching tools. The fact
that a large quantity of soil and fertilizing matter will be
added to the present soil, which is rather worthless in its
character, will govern somewhat the depth beneath the present
surface.

DISTANCE BETWEEN DRAINS.

There exists a positive relation between the depth of drains
and their distance apart—the tenacity of the soil being the
governing principle. The more retentive soils require the
drains to be nearer the surface and nearer together, say from
fifteen to thirty feet, while in porous soils the drains should be
deeper, and may be further apart, say trom twenty to sixty
feet. The thorough working or trenching of the ground will
obviate the necessity of placing the drains as near to each other
as would be required to remove immediately the water now
present in the soil. When this, which now occupies the ground
60 universally, is removed, that which falls afterward would find
in the soil, rendered porous by being worked, a ready outlet
through these drains, although they would have less immediate
effect upon the ground.

The leading principles which have been enumerated, have
been followed out in the construction of the plan of drainage.
It is not deemed essential to enter into the details of digging
the trenches. If not done by contract, the lines of drains

38

should be laid out, and the gangs so divided that each man
shall work with certain tools—one with a spade for the top
soil, another with a pick, and another with a shovel, to throw
out the loosened earth ; beginning at the lower end, and each
following the other, deepening the ditch layer by layer, until
it has the required depth; the relative expertness of the men
deciding which tools they shall use. Trial drains should be
run at each separate locality, to ascertain the depth at which
the water oozes from the ground into the ditches, thus deter-
mining the depth of the drains. It is probable that, in some
instances, there will be required small brick cylindrical drains,
to withstand the rush of water at certain seasons of the year—
the effect of which will be lessened as the portion of the city
adjoining the park is built upon.

Upon the plan which has been prepared has been traced
the principal streams, with the connections of artificial drains
deemed necessary to the thorough drainage of the ground.
The positions of these drains will be governed by circum-
stances; but the general system, as laid down, will remain
essentially the same. At some points the drains will be further
apart; at others, perhaps, nearer together. It is believed, how-
ever, that the scheme covers the maximum amount of expense
that will be required for this purpose.

Whether the work should be done by contract or day’s labor
could be very well decided by letting a small portion of the
ground by contract, as an experiment, while a similar portion
is undertaken by day’s work; the result will soon determine
the relative cost of each. Any attempt to arrive at a calcula-
tion in any other way would be absurd.

The number of tiles required, as estimated by the plan, will
be—

2 inch, 146,300, costing (delivered at the dock), $2,194 50
‘ 66 66

Bue) SBARO et “ 1,919 35
4 “ 30,450, “ «“ « « 1,431 15
Diese) 6,350... “ « « 444 50
6 “ 19400, « « « AGO 20

Totaly. sh ER as ae peti $7,179 90

It is possible that a contract can be made to make and lay

39

the tiles, and dig and re-fill the trenches, at the following
rates :

ME ORAR UALS Sel (it (08 [1 Sy OU ane A Rags $9,457 77
Re eT SROOD TN. Sts ahslcatece's act 'S eames a ve’ T5062 0t
wl NCE PSE ICS SASS ee a ea 3,813 94
Pacis eaten eh oF Pit e ated oy, ss. 1,087 87
gh SB RROR 07 ROL AO, ta aa area ES mE OAR 2,675 3
AGB N, iolSc steht acter aiwrepa'sic aie cwye Si 2 $24,587 74

To which, adding $2,500 for the brick drains which will be
required, and $1,250 for the construction of the proper outlets,
would make the probable total cost of the thorough drainage
of the park, $28,337 74. As this work should be commenced
at once, I would recommend that early steps be taken to place
the tile on the ground, when the work may be done by contract
or day’s work, as shall be deemed best.

MANURING.

To insure that fertility which is absolutely essential to the
proper development of vegetation, it is necessary that a sufli-
cient quantity of fertilizing matter be added to the soil.

The soil of the Prospect Park contains an excess of clay,
and this clay contains an excess of moisture, the consequence
of which is, that in damp weather it is formed into a tenacious
paste, from which the water will neither evaporate nor drain
off. In dry weather it bakes, becoming an almost solid sub-
stance, through which the roots cannot penetrate. In very hot,
or very cold weather, it cracks open, either breaking the roots
or exposing them. It attracts mechanically the nutritive juices
essential to vegetation, and does not part with them to the
plants.

This kind of soil forms, however, a superior basis for im-
provement, since, when once thoroughly manured and broken
up, it retains its fertility for a long time. Therefore, nothing
is required but correct management, to render this the best
possible soil for a park. It is of the utmost importance that
this branch of the improvements be clearly understood, and
properly attended to in the beginning, since it will be impos-
sible to improve its fertility from year to year, as is done with

40

the ground which is constantly undergoing the process of fruc-
tification for agricultural purposes. The greensward, which
will constitute the principal feature of the park, the chief ele-
ment of whose beauty and value consists in its being firm and
compact cannot be disturbed by the plow or the spade, to add
new fertilizing power to the soil, without destroying it altogether.
It is for this reason that we should closely study the constituent
qualities of the soil, to know precisely what is absent, that is
essential, and what should be added to increase its fertility.
In truth, we should aim to attain at once the highest degree of
fertility of which the soil is capable. Manure on some soils is
unnecessary ; on others, indispensable. Soils vary from great
fertility to absolute barrenness; and the process of manuring
is the artificial application of substances to soils, or their incor-
poration therewith, in order to increase their productiveness.
The application of manures must be regulated accordingly, by
a proper knowledge of the soil which is to be fertilized. Chem-
ical analysis has been the means of facilitating this inquiry.
Its success has been such that the most barren wilderness could
be rendered fertile. The only question necessary to be dis-
cussed, therefore, when such a restoration is required, is the
simple one of expense.

There are two theories of manures—the humus and the
atmospheric ; the first being that of Saussure, the last of Liebig.
The humus theory regards “ vegetable matter of soils and man-
ures as merely applying inorganic matter, in a fluid form, to the
roots of plants.” The atmospheric theory considers “ nutri-
ment to be furnished to plants, and manurial action maintained,
only by means of substances which either originally possess, or
have eventually assumed an inorganic form.”

Whichever theory we assume, the practice isthe same. We
must first discover the ingredients of a fertile soil; secondly,
we must analyze the soil we have to fertilize; thirdly, we must
supply, in the unfertile, the ingredients which it lacks, in order
to become the same as the fertile. A perfect soil is composed
of many ingredients, such as organic matter, silica, alumina,
magnesia, lime, oxide of iron, potash, carbonic acid, ete., ete.
Consequently, if potash is wanting, potash must be supplied ;
if magnesia is wanting, magnesia must be supplied, ete.

Organic matter is a sine qua non of fertility, but if more

41

than fifty per cent. be contained in a soil, it becomes sour, and
requires manuring. In a cold climate, color should not be for-
gotten, as a dark soil will absorb heat better than a light one.
Plowed fields lose their covering of snow sooner than meadows.
In manuring, therefore, care should be taken that the soil as-
sume a dark appearance. Organic matter administers food to
plants through their roots ; consequently, land which has been
long cultivated, and scantily manured, becomes poor, through

‘the absorption of organic matter. Organic matter disappears

in two ways:

First.—By sustaining plants, as aforesaid.

Second.—By decomposition through exposure to the at-
mosphere; therefore, it must be artificially supplied, or the
land grows poor.

The best way, when land runs down, is to cultivate crops to
be plowed under, such as clover, buckwheat, ete.

The different soils which appear on the earth’s surface may
be generally classified into three kinds, with their mixtures.
They are—

The sandstone; much of which composes poor soil, although
many sandstone soils are very good.

The limestone, as a general rule, very good.

Clay.—This soil is impervious to moisture, but usually of
good quality; and, by proper skill, may be made most valuable
for agricultural purposes.

The soil must be prepared when laboring under difficulties
of a local nature.

There are three kinds of manure, viz.: the vegetable, the
animal, the mineral.

The Vegetable—There are many of this kind, some few of
which are subjoined. These manures are very important, since,
although they are not so energetic, they are certainly cheaper
than others.

Clover, buckwheat, ete., etc., turned upside down, make a
cheap and effective manure.

Seaweed is also very serviceable, when easily got.

In England, rape dust is used as a manure. This is a
powerful manure, and one easily portable, that should claim
attention.

The Animal.—This comprises the blood, flesh, bones, hair,

42

horns, and excrement of animals. It is more powerful than
vegetable manure, containing more nitrogen.

Animals that have died from disease, made into a compost,
form a manure equal to guano. They are decidedly the best
manure, when attainable.

The brain of animals, woolen rags, the waste from wool
mills, are considered in England as very valuable for manuring
Bones are also excellent.

Of excrement, horse-dung is the best, containing most nitro-
gen; hog-dung is next; cow-dung is ase its B cuniching powers
being lost on the milk ao that animal.

in collecting excrements, care should be taken that the
liquid is gathered in a pit or tank. If left there long, it is apt
to ferment, and lose its nitrogen in the form of ammonia. In
such ease, a little sulphuric acid and a few pounds of plaster of
paris should be put in. Manure should be protected from the
sun and rain. Horse manure, especially, should be imme-
diately covered, and mixed with other manures, or some ab-
sorbent earth.

Bird manure (such as guano) is the best. Pigeon dung, and
that of ducks, geese, turkeys, ete., are very valuable.

Fish manures are good when they are to be had. Fish
manure decomposes so quickly that it ought immediately to be
plowed under, or made into a well-covered compost heap.

The Mineral.—Lime.—The best practice is to apply lime
in small quantities. Lime is applied in three states, quick lime,
slaked lime, mild lime, gypsum, or plaster of paris. This ma-
nure produces a must beneficial effect, when applied as a top-
dressing on pastures and meadows. During a drought, it seems
by its power of attracting moisture, to aid materially in sus-

taining the plant. It is best applied in damp weather, and the
- quantity per acre is usually not large. The composition formed
by the dissolution of common salt in the water, used for slaking
quick-lime, is a very powerful manure. All saline manures
are very energetic. They fail, however, to produce a benefi-
cial effect, if applied in a dry season. The best time is just
before or after rain. Wood or coal ashes, though hurtful to
trees, are useful as a top-dressing for grass. Soot is an excel-
Jent manure, giving a beautiful dark green color to grass.

Composts are also no small portion of manurial studies.

|

43

Mold is one of the principal ingredients of a compost. Its
carriage, however, is laborious, and the compost should be made,
consequently, if possible, on the spot where proper soil is to be
found.

Other ingredients, such as sawdust, spent tanner’s bark, lime,
refuse from the farm, ete., must be used in the compost. In
fact, there is not a single refuse article on a farm, but which
may be used as an ingredient.

There are various kinds of composts, viz. :

Peat, turf, and lime shells. The turf is wheeled to the side
of a bog, and left there for some weeks, until all the water drops
out. One cartload of lime to twenty-seven loads of turf is
mixed, and the mass then becomes greasy. Peat turf and farm-
yard dung, with a sprinkling of lime, lime and black mold;
rape cake and mold; broken cake sprinkled on while the earth
is turned. There ensues a brisk fermentation; after that has
nearly subsided, apply it. To these may be added privy-
tributes, pigeons’ and fowls’ dung, sawdust, and farm-yard
dung.

Manure composed of horse-dung is peculiarly beneficial to
moist, cold, sterile, clayey soils, the faults of which it corrects,
while, at the same time, the soil checks the too violent action
of the manure. If placed in the ground before decomposition
is completely effected, it produces a very rapid effect, greatly
accelerating the growth of plants, through the heat which is
developed. The only soils in which manure composed chiefly
of horse-dung is at all durable, are those of a moist and tenacious
nature. When the dung is to be used by itself, it must be car-
ried to soils of this nature as soon as its first stage of fermenta-
tion has commenced, and there buried.

It ameliorates the land by its mechanical action, rendering
the soil more loose and light by its continual fermentation and
the heat which it engenders.

Upon the whole, it would seem that the best fertilizer that
can be obtained for the park is fresh stable manure (excepting
that used for planting trees, which should be well rotted, as too
great fermentation or heat would injure the roots), which should
be spread while the process of trenching is going on, and thor-
oughly incorporated with the soil. It is very essential to divide
and scatter the dung well; there must, therefore, be no lack of

44

laborers for this purpose, and an intelligent man should be em-
ployed to follow the spreaders, and to separate any lumps of
manure which they may have neglected. While a too abundant
use of manure is sometimes as detrimental as beneficial, yet on
heavy clay land, like that of the Prospect Park, a larger portion
of manure must be used at a time, because it can bear it without
risk, while a smaller quantity, instead of producing an effect
upon it, will probably be retarded in its fermentation, and will
consequently remain in the state in which it was placed in the
ground,

Manure from the stables is estimated by the load, and can
be purchased at fifty cents per load. The quantity required on
the park cannot be less than twenty-five thousand loads, which,
at the above-named price, will make the total estimate of its
cost, delivered, $12,500, to which add mixing, carting and
spreading, $4,000—making total cost, $16,500.

TRENCHING.

Trenching, or the operation of opening the land to a greater
depth than usual, by means of trench plows, spades or other
proper instruments, is requisite under certain circumstances, in
order to prepare for manuring. Trenching must be carried on
in various ways according to circumstances. The simplest way
is by the spade. Three feet is the depth for trees, two for
ordinary purposes. Trenching is serviceable in dry weather, as
the heat rarely, if ever, affects the soil below a certain depth.
Care should be taken, however, in trenching not to throw a
poorer over a richer soil; as great damage has been occasioned
by such mistakes. Trenching costs much at first, but ultimately
pays. It has been known to repay the labor as much as a
thousand per cent. In trenching the site of an old plantation,
the ground should be marked out in sections of about thirty
feet in breadth. Under these circumstances, it is best that
three men should work together rather than singly, as one aids
the others if trees are to be extricated. In trenching very
strong ground, the foot-pick is found most efficient. Iron levers
may be used if needed, and the larger rocks in boulders blasted.
Ground should be trenched before drained, if the land to be
improved has been the site of a plantation. Trenching may be
done at any season. The dry, warm days of summer have been

45

found more preferable by some. The soil being prepared, the
next thing is to understand what manures are best and least
expensive,

The cost of trenching the ground in the manner prescribed
will be $100 per acre, but a great portion of the trenching can
be done with a subsoil plow; and a great portion of the park
being wooded, would still further diminish the cost.

There being about one hundred acres on the park which
will require trenching, the total cost of this work will be less
than $7,000.

PLANTING.

The planting of the grounds necessarily preceded by drain-
age and the fertilization of the soil, is also so dependent for
effect upon all the other improvements, that it should be almost
the last step in the progress of the work. The very large por-
tion already wooded will obviate in a great measure the
expense which would be otherwise incurred in supplying trees,
essential to the completion of the landscape. The trees already
in the grounds will require very judicious treatment, not only
to bring them to a normal degree of perfection, but to open
the necessary views through them. A very bad practice re-
sorted to by the neighbouring residents for a long time—that of
gathering the fallen leaves in autumn for making compost—
has deprived the soil of a large amount of the essential ingre-
dients of fertility, and the trees of the food necessary to their
very existence. This will have to be remedied immediately by
incorporating manure and vegetable mold with their soil and
around their roots. All of the planting which it is proposed
should be done at this time is around the border. This may
consist of every variety of trees and shrubs, forming of them a
nursery of young trees around the exterior line and along the
sides of Flatbush avenue, which, in the progress of their growth
and development, may be transplanted to the points where
effect is required. Upon the proper conduct of this portion of
the work depends the artistic character of the scheme. The
method pursued in planting may mar the beauty of an other-
wise perfect plan, and the closest study will be required to
maintain the unity and harmony of the design. By a judicious
selection of trees, and by their arrangement into groups with

46

regard to their size, shape and color, we shall be able not only
to preserve, but to heighten the character of the scenes which
the ever varying topography calls into existence. This must
be a work of time. No person can appreciate this fact more
than a true artist and close observer of nature. Trees have
their individuality as strongly marked as men or animals; and
to say that one tree would produce anything like the same effect
in a certain locality that another would, is to deny the exist-
ence of this individuality. It becomes necessary, then, not only
to know the lineaments, I may say, of every species, but to
know the precise outline of the landscape from all its points of
view. Where its effect is to be heightened by planting upon
this outline, the various species of trees in their maturity should
be sketched in turn, on paper, and in the mind on the ground,
before the grouping or planting is undertaken. In this way
alone can we achieve success or avoid error. I say the trees
in their maturity—I mean when they have arrived at that
point in their growth when their characteristics are fully de-
veloped ; and they must be planted for that development, no
matter what may be their effect upon the landscape when they
are first put into the ground. The desire for immediate effect
is the stumbling block of rural improvement, and every effort
should be made to avoid it. Trees are the first features in a
landscape, because the most necessary to it, and they are among
nature’s noblest objects. It is, therefore, important, when
planted singly or blended in masses, that their distinguishing
character should be preserved.

Those who wish to catch the eye by effect, generally avoid
trees, especially as principal features, choosing large objects,
such as bridges, terraces, etc., which, besides the advantage of
requiring less artistic knowledge and study, are also for the
same reasons more generally understood and noticed by others.
Trees, however excellent and beautiful, if they have not super-
added the beauty of effect, will attract no notice from observers
of this class, and with such it is no matter how execrable may
be the execution of the objects themselves !

A few large sized trees may be transplanted to produce im-
mediate effect, but the great bulk of the planting must neces-
sarily be from the nurseries on the ground; and in this con-
nection, it is proper to state, that the most judicious course

47

would be to import from Europe the seedling plants, which, by
careful cultivation in the grounds of the park, will soon outstrip
the larger, but much more expensive trees, which are purchased
from American nurseries. The greater portion of these trees
are imported from Europe, and there appears to be no reason
for paying the large increase in price over that of importation,
while we have the ground in which they may increase in size
while gradually adding to the beauty of the park. The same
trees may be imported from $10 to $12 per thousand, which,
after being here two or three years, our nurserymen charge
from $300 to $500 per thousand for. By preparing the
ground along the exterior line from fifty to one hundred
feet for a nursery, and stocking it with imported trees, they
would be large enough to transplant when the ground in the
progress of improvement is ready to receive them.

ROADS, WALKS AND DRIVES.

There is very great responsibility attendant upon the proper
construction of the roads and walks, and their judicious loca-
tion. An error in this respect cannot be discovered until the
work is completed, and any alteration of the route or of the
manner of construction is accompanied with great expense, not
to speak of the delay consequent upon such a course. There-
fore, the location, grade, shape and material to be used should
be carefully considered. The conditions to be fulfilled in the
construction of a perfect roadway are, an easy grade, a well
drained and smooth surface, a firm, dry road-bed, and durable
materials. The cost will be governed by the character of the
materials used, and in this connection it is proper to take into
consideration the fact that there is lving upon the surface and
distributed through the drift a very large quantity of boulders,
chiefly composed of Diorite—a species of trap or basaltic rock
transported from a distance during the drift period—the time
that a greater portion of the soil of Long Island was transported
where it now lies. It possesses both hardness and tenacity,
essential qualities for a durable road material ; but its excessive
hardness renders it difficult to break into small pieces, and
therefore perhaps too expensive to be used—much will depend
upon the cost of breaking it up. There is also found in the
drift a lafge quantity of other stone, which, though not equal

48

to the former in hardness or tenacity, yet possesses these quali-
ties to a sufficient degree not to warrant their being rejected as
road material. These stones have gone through the same pro-
cess of attrition which has rounded the edges and smoothed

the surfaces of the former, and they were submerged for the .

same period in that flood of water without disintegration. To
the eye, no more effect has been produced on one than on
the other. If they have been able thus to withstand the effects
of the elements and of attrition, they will answer to a certain
extent the purpose for which we require them ; in fact, if there
were no harder stone, we should consider this very good mate-
rial. The same quality of stone to which we have referred
may be obtained already broken into the suitable size, from the
quarries on the North River. The relative cost of each would
decide between them.

APPLYING THE MATERIAL TO THE ROAD-BED.

In referring to this subject, Professor Mauan states :

Broken-Stone Road-Covering.—The ordinary road-covering
for common roads, in use in this country and Europe, is
formed of a coating of stone broken into small fragments, which
is laid either upon the natural soil or upon a paved bottoming
of small irregular blocks of stone. In England these two sys-
tems have their respective partizans, the one claiming the
superiority for road-coverings of stone broken into small frag-
ments, a method brought into vogue some years since by
McAdam, from whom these roads have been termed J/acadam-
zed ; the other being the plan pursued by Mr. Telford in the
great national roads constructed in Great Britain within about
the same period.

“The subject of road-making has within the last few years
excited renewed interest and discussion among engineers in
France ; the conclusion drawn from experience, there generally
adopted is, that a covering alone of stone broken into small
fragments is sufficient under the heaviest trafic and most fre-
quented roads. Some of the French engineers recommend, in
very yrelding clayey soils, that either a paved bottoming, after
Telford’s method, be resorted to, or that the soil be well com-
pressed at the surface before placing the road covering.

ee

49

“The paved bottom road-covering on Telford’s plan is
formed by excavating the surface of the ground to a suitable
depth, and preparing the form for the pavement with the pre-
cautions as for.a common pavement. Blocks of stone of an
irregular pyramidal shape are selected for the pavement, which,
for a roadway thirty feet in width, should be seven inches
thick for the centre of the road, and three inches thick at the
sides. The base of each should not measure more than five
inches, and the top not less than four inches.

“The blocks are set by the hand, with great care, as closely
in contact at their bases as practicable ; and blocks of a suitable
size are selected to give the surface of the pavement a slightly
convex shape from the centre outwards. The spaces between
the blocks are filled with chippings of stone, compactly set with
a small hammer.

“A layer of broken stone, four inches thick, is laid over
this pavement, for a width of nine feet, on each side of the
centre, no fragment of this layer should measure over two and
a-half inches in any direction. A layer of broken stone of
smaller dimensions, or of clean, coarse gravel, is spread over
the wings to the same depth as the centre layer.

“The road-covering thus prepared is thrown open to
vehicles until the upper layer has become perfectly compact,
care having been taken to fill in the ruts with fresh stone, in
order to obtain a uniform surface. A second layer, about two
inches in depth, is then laid over the centre of the road-way ;
and the wings receive also a layer of new material laid on to a
sufficient thickness to make the outside of the road-way nine
inches lower than the centre, by giving a slight convexity to
the surface from the centre outwards. A coating of clean
coarse gravel, one inch and a half thick, termed a binding, is
spread over the surface, and the road-covering is then ready to
be thrown open to traveling.

“In forming a road-covering of broken stone alone, the bed
for the covering is arranged in the same manner as for the
paved bottoming ; a layer of thg stone, four inches in thickness,
is carefully spread over the bed, and the road is thrown open to
vehicles, care being taken to fill the ruts and preserve the sur-
face in a uniform state until the layer has become compact ;
successive ete are laid on and treated in the same manner

50

as the first, until the covering has received a thickness of about
twelve inches in the centre, with the ordinary convexity at the
surface.

‘Where good gravel can be procured, the road-covering
may be made of this material, which should be well screened,
and all pebbles found in it over two and a half inches in diam-
eter should be broken into fragments of not greater dimensions
than these. A firm, level form having been prepared, a layer
of gravel, four inches in thickness, is laid on, and when this
has become compact from the travel, successive layers of about
three inches in thickness are laid on and treated like the first,
until the covering has received a thickness of sixteen inches in
the centre and the ordinary convexity.

‘As has been already stated, the French Civil Engineers do
not regard a paved bottoming as essential for broken-stone
road-coverings, except in cases of a very heavy traffic, or where
the substratum of the road is of a very yrelding character.
They also give less thickness to the road-covering than the
English engineers of Telford’s school deem necessary ; allowing
not more than six to eight inches to road-coverings for light
traffic, and about ten inches only to the heaviest traffic.

“Tf the soil upon which the road-covering is to be placed is
not dry and firm, they compress it by rolling, which is done
by passing over it several times an iron cylinder about six feet
in diameter and four feet in length, the weight of which can
be increased, by additional weights, from six thousand to about
twenty thousand pounds. The road material is placed upon
the bed, when well compressed and leveled, in layers of about
four inches, each layer being compressed by passing the cylin-
der several times over it before a new one is laid on. If the
operation of rolling is performed in dry weather, the layer of
stone is watered, and some add a thin layer of clean sand, from
four to eight tenths of an inch in thickness, over each layer be-
fore it is rolled, for the purpose of consolidating the surface of
the layer, by filling the voids between the broken-stone frag-
ments. After the surface has been well consolidated by rolling,
the road is thrown open for travel, and all ruts and other dis-
placement of the stone on the surface are carefully repaired, by
adding fresh material, and leveling the ridges by ramming.

“Great importance is attached by the French engineers to

51

the use of the iron cyliner for compressing the materials of a
new road, and to minute attention to daily repairs. It is stated
that by the use of the cylinder the road is presented at once in
a good traveling condition; the wear of the materials is less
than by the old method of gradually consolidating them by the
travel; the cost of repairs during the first years is diminished ;
it gives to the road-covering a more uniform thickness, and ad-
mits of it being thinner than in the usual method.

“ Materials and Repairs.—The material for broken-stone
roads should be hard and durable. For the bottom layer a
soft.stone, or a mixture of hard and soft, may be used, but on
the surface none but the hardest stone will withstand the action
of the wheels. The stone should be carefully broken into frag-
ments of as nearly as cubical a form as possible, and be cleansed
from dirt und all very small fragments. The broken stone
should be kept in depots at convenient points along the line of
the road for repairs.

“Too great attention cannot be bestowed upon keeping the
road surface free from an accumulation of mud, and even otf
dust. It should be constantly cleaned by scraping and sweep-
ing. ‘The repairs should be daily made by adding fresh ma-
terial upon all points where hollows or ruts commence to form.
It is recommended by some that, when fresh material is added,
the surface on which it is spread should be broken with a
pick to the depth of half an inch to an inch, and the fresh ma-
terial be well settled by ramming, a small quantity of clean
. sand being added to make the stone pack better. When not
| daily repaired by persons whose sole business it is to keep the
road in. good order, general repairs should be made in the
months of October and April, by removing all accumulations
of mud, cleaning out the side channels and other drains, and
adding fresh material where requisite.

“The importance of keeping the road surface at all times
free from an accumulation of mud and dust, and of preserving
the surface in a uniform state of evenness, by the daily addition
of fresh material wherever the wear is sufficient to call for it,
cannot be too strongly insisted upon. Without this constant
supervision, the best constructed road will, in a short time, be
unfit for travel, and with it the weakest may at all times be
kept in a tolerable fair state.”

DETAILS OF CONSTRUCTING ROADWAYS.

1. All the surfacesoil should be removed to the depth of one
foot on the whole line and width of the road, and deposited
along the line.

2. All roots and other vegetable matter should be excavated,
and wholly removed from the roadway, and, together with logs,
brush and wood, be burned, or removed from the park.

3. All deposits of decomposed vegetable matter, or light
spongy soils, should be excavated to a proper depth, and depos-
ited on the line of the road.

4, That portion of all water courses or drainage streams, -
which crosses the line of the road, should be excavated to their
firm beds, and properly covered with dry stone culverts.

5, All earth and soil, other than surface soil, which may be
above the established grade, should be excavated to that grade.

6. The roadway should be properly shaped with a slope of
one inch to twenty feet both ways, from the axis of the road-
way.

7. The side-walks should be formed of dry subsoil, to be
elevated not more than nine inches from the bottom of the
side channels, and to have a pitch of three inches towards the
side channels.

8. The surface of the roadway and side-walks should be well
rolled with a heavy roller, until a smooth, compact surface, is
formed.

9. Upon the road-bed thus formed, a coating of broken
stone, from two to three inches in diameter, should be spread
to the depth of four inches, and rolled with a heavy roller, until -
the whole become a compact mass; after which another coat-
ing of the same stone, and of the same depth should be added,
and rolled as before. And afterwards, another layer four
inches in depth, of hard, tough stone, should be added, and
well rolled.

10. The side-walks shoulds be covered with a coating of
sharp, clean gravel, to a uniform depth of three inches, and then
rolled with a heavy roller; after which, a second coating of

53

three inches to be added, then rolled, until a firm, smooth sur-
face, is formed.

Where it is necessary to raise the roadway above the natu-
ral level of the ground, a firm embankment should be formed
to within two feet of the established grade, upon which the road-
bed should be formed of dry subsoil.’

In all side cuttings, a proper slope of earth should be given
to the exterior side of the road,

ESTIMATED COST OF IMPROVEMENTS.

Among the arguments used in opposition to an extensive
civic improvement of this character, are: The large original
cost of the ground, the cost of putting it into a suitable condi-
tion for use, and the cost of maintaining it after it is laid out.
And it is contended by some, that the total outlay under these
three heads is not warranted by any results which may be at-
tained.

Experience in England, France, and this country, thus far,
has proved that the increased value of the adjacent lands has
more than balanced the outlay by the increased amount derived

from regular taxation upon the property.

And in regard to the cost of improvement, it is a mistaken
idea—unhappily become too prevalent—that embellishment of
ground in the hands of public officers is necessarily a very ex-
pensive matter; while, on the contrary, if the rules Jaid down
in this report be followed—that of adhering closely to nature in
every step of improvement—there is no reason why this public
work cannot be completed at the same rate of expenditure
which would govern a private citizen in improving his own prop-
erty—due allowance, of course, being made for the thorough-
ness and stability of the work.

In regard to the preservation of the grounds after comple-
tion, a comparatively small sum will be sufficient, if judiciously
expended.

The following estimates of the’ cost of the entire improve-
ment is submitted as a maximum sum, which in various ways

54

may be reduced, if thought expedient, during the progress of
the work:

DD AEC erate cists IR wid ceysce cae eee PNR GLEE $22,000
IVI E che cass iis hie a's. 4 kd SRR 24,000
MEGOME MIM Le. (sien s(clnpeie musustols ae mueaean te 11,000
BOOB yes ih aoe. 4 aii sia wn te Shee Re 75,000
Walks ots caer a teehee ek SE 12,000
BQOTECS oar: h. 59S Sus td eine yc ae ey ne eee 5,000
Leveling and Wsplanades.:.. 2...) sees oe oe 38,000
Enclosure’: /. Semele ee See eae ie 18,000
Viladict: :.4 of ce ele ences periey ote 17,000
Sub-roadway under Flatbush Avenue....... 6,000
Planping sock ose ce eee ee nee 24,000
Gateways, Lodges, and Contingencies....... 48,000

Total nage ee Pio ie Plea $300,000

CONCLUSION.

The basis upon which the foregoing estimate has been
founded, and from which the general conclusions have been
drawn, are, Ist, A triangulation of the entire area of the park,
thus locating and defining its general topographical features ;
2d, The instrumental traversing of all defined lines; 3d, The
instrumental location of all water deposits, and connection of
the same by asystem of levels ; and 4th, A careful and thorough
examination and study for several months of all the natural
features in outline and detail.

In the conduct of the work, I have been assisted by the fol-
lowing gentlemen:

G. 8S. Bacuvus, Esq., C. £.

Mr. Stevenson Towts, C. £.

Mr. Tuomas Laurier, C. £., of Brooklyn.

Mr. W. C. Hawxeswortn, City Surveyor, of Brooklyn.
Mr. Hamitron Ewen, City Surveyor, of Brooklyn.
Mr. Joun Crumtiy, C. £.

Mr. Frepertck Rawotts, B. S.

To these gentlemen I am, considering the peculiar cireum-

55

stances through which the work has been prosecuted, under
much obligation.

In the daily prosecution of my labors, I have been more
and more convinced of the fitness and adaptability of the ground
to the purposes proposed. Of its necessity I have no doubt,
nor am I less certain that its economic execution can be se-
cured by strict adherence to well-established rules.

That the City of Brooklyn may secure, and its inhabitants
may long enjoy this great public blessing, is my most heart-
felt wish.

Respectfully submitted,

EGBERT L. VIELE.
Brooxtyyn, Jan. 15th, 1861.

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SECOND ANNUAL REPORT

COMMISSION ERS.

J. S. T. STRANAHAN, THOMAS G. TALMADGE,
THOS. McELRATH, STEPHEN HAYNES,
EDWARDS W. FISKE, THOMAS H. RODMAN,
C. J. SPRAGUE, ABM. B. BAYLIS,
CONKLIN BRUSH, RICHARD H. THOMPSON,

JOSEPH A. PERRY.

PRESIDENT.

J. S. T. STRANAHAN.

SECRETARY.

RICHARD H. THOMPSON.

SECOND ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

COMMISSIONERS OF PROSPECT PARK.

To THe Common Councit oF THE Crry or Brooktyn:

In conformity with the provisions of the law, the Board of
Commissioners of Prospect Park herewith submit their Second
Annual Report.

In the first report, which the Commissioners had the honor
to submit to your honorable body in the month of January,
1861, allusion was made to the probable necessity of some
additional legislation, especially in reference to the mode of
appointing Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment.

In presenting this matter to the Legislature, other altera-
tions in the law were found to be necessary, which resulted in
the passage of an amended act; which, while it was entirely
satisfactory to the Commissioners, rendered the law likewise
satisfactory to a portion of our fellow-citizens, who discovered
in the old law some objectionable features. A copy of the act
is appended.

An increase in the number of Commissioners from seven to
eleven, giving to the Board additional strength and efficiency,
was among the important amendments embraced in the act.
At the same time, the supposed constitutional objection of lay-
ing out a parade ground for the county by the same Commis-
sioners who were appointed to lay out a park for the city,
referred to in our former report, was obviated by leaving out
all that relates to the parade ground.

The 14th section of the Act of 1861 authorizes the Com-
missioners of Estimate and A®sessment to employ an attorney
and survéyor, and fixes the per diem compensation of the

60

Commissioners, but fails, in the opinion of the Commissioners
of Assessment, to point out or provide the manner of payment
of these officers. Unless it shall be deemed necessary to .
remedy this supposed accidental omission, no necessity now
appears to exist for any further legislation.

The expenses incurred for the preliminary surveys, for the
maps and reports of the engineer, for counsel fees, and for a
temporary watchman or superintendent of the park grounds,
amount in the whole to about the sum of three thousand dollars.
The whole of this amount remains unpaid. No other expenses
have been incurred, nor any other debt contracted.

While the Commissioners have been careful to comply with
all the requirements of the law—by the due organization of
their Board, by the observance of all necessary duties imposed
upon them as Commissioners, and by vigilantly guarding the ,
rights of the public in the grants contained in the acts relating
to the park—they do not consider themselves as having fal-
tered in their duty to the public in not making any perceptible
progress since their last report, in the actual development of
their plans.

The year 1861 was not propitious for carrying forward such
improvements as are contemplated in the establishment of
Prospect Park. The commerce of the country suspended; the
industry of the nation checked, and the hearts of the people
crushed by a wicked attempt to destroy the benign government
under which they lived and prospered, all public improvements
became necessarily paralyzed, ‘The Commissioners, therefore,
make no apology for not pushing forward this greatest and
noblest of Brooklyn enterprises during such a period. When
the gloom which now spreads over our land shall have been
dispersed, and when peace and prosperity shall awaken to new
life the now repressed energies of our beautiful city, the Com-
missioners will not be found tardy in the performance of their
duties, nor fail to meet the expectations of those who have con-
fided to them this important trust.

The Commissioners do not think it probable that the action
of the Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment will be sufli-
ciently advanced to require any further expenditure by this
Board during the present year, hess it should be found neces-

a
/

61

sary to employ a watchman to protect the trees and shrubbery
from depredation.

It is gratifying to observe that the public taste in reference
to city parks continues to force its claims upon public author-
ities elsewhere than in New York and Brooklyn. The city of
Baltimore has taken initiatory steps for a park, which will do
credit to the Monumental City. But while the great Central
Park of New York, costing its millions of dollars, will, perhaps,
in all time hold its superiority over any other which may be
conceived or executed as a mere work of art, and while other
cities may exhibit parks, ample in their extent and creditable
for the good taste of their plans, the Prospect Park of the city
of Brooklyn must always be conceded as the great natural
park of the country ; presenting the most majestic views of
land and ocean, with panoramic changes more varied and beau-
tiful than can be found within the boundries of any city on this
continent.

Dated January, 1862.

Respectfully submitted,

J. 8. T. STRANAHAN,
President Board of Com’rs of Prospect Park.

R. H. Txomeson,
Secretary.

62

CHAPTER 340,
Of the Laws of 1861.

Aw Act to amend an Act /passed April seventeenth, eighteen hun-
dred and sixty, entitled “An act to lay out a Public Park and
a Parade Ground for the city of Brooklyn, and to alter the Com-
missioner’s map of said city.”

Passed May 2, 1861; three fifths being present.

The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and
Assembly, do enact as follows :

Szction 1. The act entitled “An act to lay out a Public Park
and a Parade Ground for the city of Brooklyn, and to alter the Com-
missioner’s map of said city,’ passed April seventeenth, eighteen
hundred and sixty, is hereby amended so as to read as follows:

Section 1. The following tract, piece or parcel of land, having
been selected and located for a public park for the city of Brooklyn,
by Commissioners appointed for that purpose, by the act entitled
“An Act to authorize the selection and location of certain grounds
for Public Parks, and also for a Parade Ground for the city of
Brooklyn,” passed April eighteenth, eighteen hundred and fifty-nine
is hereby declared to be a public place, that is to say: All that
piece or parcel of land situate, lying or being in the city of Brook-
lyn and town of Flatbush, and bounded and described as follows:
Commencing at the intersection of the Tenth avenue and Ninth
street, and running thence southerly along the northeasterly side of
Ninth street, and on a line in continuation thereof, into the town of
Flatbush, to a point in said line which is one thousand feet distant
from the city of Brooklyn; thence northeasterly ona line drawn paral-
lel with Tenth avenue, until it intersects a line drawn southerly from
and in continuation of the westerly side of Washington avenue;
thence northerly along Washington avenue to its intersection with
Warren street; thence westerly along Warren street to Vanderbilt
avenue; thence southwesterly along Vanderbilt avenue to Flatbush
avenue; thence southerly along Flatbush avenue to the easterly side
or line of Ninth avenue; thence southerly along Ninth avenue to
Third street; thence southeasterly along Third street to the easterly
line or side of Tenth avenue, and thence southwesterly along Tenth
avenue to its intersection with Ninth street at the place of be-
ginning.

§ 2. The said piece of land shall, from and after the passage of
this act, be deemed to have been taken by said city of Brooklyn, for
public use, as and for a public park, and to have been declared open
as a public place with the same effect as if the whole of the same
had been within the city of Brooklyn, and as if it had been taken
and declared open under and in pursuance of the provisions of an

bai

63

act entitled “An act to revise and amend the several acts relating
to the city of Brooklyn,” passed April fourth, eighteen hundred and
fifty, and the acts amendatory thereof, except as herein otherwise
provided, and with the same effect as if the same had been originally
laid down upon the Commissioners’ map of the city of Brooklyn,
and from and after the passage of this act, it shall be and form a
part of said city of Brooklyn, and of said Commissioners’ map;
and the parts of all streets, avenues and highways (except’ Flatbush
avenue), laid out as running through said land, are hereby closed
and discontinued, and stricken from the said Commissioners’ map,
so far as the same would run through or intersect said land.

§ 3. Five discreet and competent persons, being citizens of the
State of New York, shall be appointed to act as Commissioners of
Estimate and Assessment, in relation to the taking and the value of
said land. Said Commissioners shall be appointed in the manner
provided by an act entitled “An act to provide for the opening of
Washington Park, on Fort Greene, in the city of Brooklyn,” passed
April twenty-seven, eighteen hundred and forty-seven, except that
they shall be appointed by the Supreme Court of the Second Judi-
cial District, at any special term thereof, and all other proceedings
in any court contemplated by this act, shall be had in said court;
and in case of the death, resignation, disqualification or refusal to
act, of either of said Commissioners, it shall be lawful for the said
court at any general or special term thereof, on application, as in
said act provided, and from time to time, as often as such event
shall happen, to appoint any other discreet and disinterested person,
being a citizen of the State of New York, in the place and stead of
such Commissioner so dying, resigning or refusing to act. And said
Commissioners shall proceed to discharge the duties of their appoint-
ment, and to complete their estimate and award, as soon as conven-
iently may be; and shall, if practicable, file their final report in the
office of the Clerk of the county of Kings, within twelve months
after the date of their appointment.

§ 4. It shall be competent and lawful for a majority of said
Commissioners to perform the trusts and duties of their appoint-
ments, and their acts shall be as valid and effectual as the acts of all
the Commissioners so to be appointed if they had acted therein,
would have been; and in every case the proceedings and decisions of
a majority in number of said Commissioners acting in the premises
shall be as valid and effectual as if the said Commissioners appointed
for such purpose had all concurred and joined therein.

§ 5. The said Commissioners shall make just and true estimate
of the value of the lands mentioned in the first section of this act,
and of the loss and damage to the respective owners, lessees, parties
and persons, respectively entitled unto, or interested in the same,
together with the tenements, hereditaments, and appurtenances, privi-
leges or advantages to the same belonging, or in any wise appertain-
ing, by and in consequence of relinquishing the same to the said city
of Brooklyn. And in making such estimate they shall not make
any deduction or allowance for or on account of any supposed ben-
efits or advantages to be derived from taking said lands as public

64

places, or in consequence thereof, and the amounts so estimated
when duly confirmed, shall be paid as hereinafter in this act provided.
But after the cost of the said lands shall have been determined by
the confirmation of the final report in relation thereto, it shall be
the duty of said Commissioners to apportion such part of said cost
as they may deem equitable, upon any lands outside of said park,
which they shall deem to be specially benefited thereby, in propor-
tion to such benefit. And whenever their report in relation to such
apportionment shall be completed, they shall file the same with the
Clerk of Kings County, and thereupon proceedings may be had to
correct and confirm the same, as in this act provided. And after the
confirmation of any final report of said Commissioners making such
apportionment, said assessment shall be a lien upon said lands. The
one-twentieth part of the amount thus apportioned, shall with inter-
est, be chargeable annually upon the lands so assessed for benefit,
and shall be included annually in the taxes to be levied thereon, and
shall be levied and collected like other taxes upon property ; and the
proceeds thereof shall be paid over to the Commissioners of the
Sinking Fund of said city, to be by them applied to the redemption
of the bonds of said city, to be issued by virtue of this act. But
any person interested in the land so assessed may at any time pay
the whole amount due thereon, with interest to the said Commis-
sioners of the Sinking Fund to be by them applied in the manner
hereinbefore mentioned; and from and after such payment the lien
hereinbefore created shall cease.

§ 6. Payment of the damages awarded by said Commissioners,
in any report made in pursuance hereof, shall become due and pay-
able, and shall be paid immediately upon the confirmation of said
report.

Pg 7. Before proceeding to discharge any of their duties, the Com-
missioners shall respectively take and subscribe an oath in writing,
before some officer authorized by law to administer oaths, honestly
and faithfully to discharge the duties which shall devolve upon them
in pursuance of this act, which oath shall be filed in the office of
the Clerk of the county of Kings. Said Commissioners shall pro-
ceed, as soon as may be after their appointment to discharge the
duties of their trust, and to make and complete their estimates, and
awards and reports as hereinafter provided; and every estimate,
award and report so made, shall be signed by at least a majority of
said Commissioners, and filed in the office of the Clerk of the county
of Kings, and notice thereof given to the Counsel of the Corpora-
tion of said city of Brooklyn. Within twenty days after receiving
such notice of the filing of such report, the Corporation Counsel
shall give notice, by publication for ten days in two daily papers of
said city, that he will at the next ensuing special term of the court
aforesaid, and at the time and place to be specified in such notice,
present such report for confirmation; and if said Corporation Coun-
sel shall not within the time above prescribed cause such report to
be presented for confirmation, then such notice may be given and
said report may be presented for confirmation, as hereinafter pre-
scribed.

65

§ 8. All such proceedings as are provided for in the fifth section
of an act entitled “An act to provide for the opening of W ashing-
ton Park, on Fort Greene, in the city of Brooklyn,” passed April
twenty-seventh, eighteen hundred and forty-seven, shall be had for
‘the confirmation of said report, and for the revision and correction
thereof, until a report shall be made or returned in the premises,
which the court shall confirm. And every such report, when con-
firmed by the said court, shall be filed in the office of the Clerk of
the county of Kings, and shall be final and conclusive upon the city
of Brooklyn, and upon the owners of and persons interested in the
lands and premises mentioned in said report, and upon all other per-
sons whomsoever. Upon the confirmation of any such report, the
title to the lands and premises therein described shall vest for ever
in the said city of Brooklyn.

§ 9. In case any party, officer or person who is by this act
directed or authorized to apply for the appointment of Commission-
ers, or for the confirmation of any report made by such Commission-
ers, shall neglect to make any such application in the manner and
within the times in this act limited, such application may be made
by any resident of the city of Brooklyn, being an owner of real
estate in the said city, and the court shall proceed thereon as if the
same had been made by the person or officer hereinbefore authorized
or directed to make the same.

§ 10. For the purpose of paying for the land mentioned in the
first section of this act, (and for the services of the said Commissioner
and expenses of the attorney and counsel, surveyors, appraiser and clerk
of said Commissioners, appointed by virtue of section 3 of this act, and
of stationery, and room hire as amended by chap. 409, laws of 1864),
and for the regulation and improvement of the same as in this act
provided, as well as for the payment of such interest as may accrue
upon any bonds to be issued by virtue of this act, prior to the collec-
tion of said interest on the annual tax of said city, in the year eighteen
hundred and sixty four, the bonds of the city of Brooklyn, to such
an amount as shall be necessary for that purpose, shall be issued by
the Mayor, Comptroller and Clerk of said city from time to time as
the same shall be required for the purposes aforesaid; which bonds
shall be issued in the manner, and shall be in the form of the bonds
issued by said city under the provisions of an act entitled, “ An Act
to provide for the supply of the city of Brooklyn with water,” passed
February eleventh, eighteen hundred and fifty-seven, except as herein
otherwise provided; and said bonds shall be payable in not less
than forty-five nor more than sixty years from the date thereof, and
shall bear interest at the rate ‘of six per cent. per annum, payable
half yearly, on the first day of January and July in each year, and
the said bonds, and the proceeds of the sale thereof, shall constitute
the fund for paying the cost of the lands in the first section of this
act mentioned, and for the improvement of the same; and as the
said bonds are from time to time issued, the Mayor, Comptroller
and Clerk shall each cause to be kept in his office, in a book to be
provided for that purpose, a true and correct statement and account
of each and every bond by him executed, showing the number of

5

66

each bond, and the date and amount thereof, and the time when due,
and such book shall be open for public inspection, and shall be
delivered by them to their successors in office.

§ 11. The bonds of the city of Brooklyn which shall be issued by
virtue of this act may be used by said city, or by the Treasurer
thereof, at their par value, in paying any amounts which said city
shall become liable to pay for compensation or damages awarded
under this act; or the same may be sold at public or private sale, or
by subscription, and on such terms as the Common Council of said
city may think proper; and the proceeds of all such sales shall be
paid over to the Treasurer of said city, or such Treasurer may, with
the concurrence of the Mayor and Comptroller of said city, pledge
any of said bonds for money borrowed temporarily at a higher rate
of interest, not exceeding seven per cent. per annum, if they shall
deem it expedient and necessary so to do.

§ 12. The property of the city of Brooklyn, and the lands author-
ized to be taken by the first section of this act as a public park and
place are hereby pledged for the payment of its bonds to be issued
by virtue hereof.

§ 13. In order to pay the interest upon the bonds hereby author-
ized to be issued by said city, there shall be added to the general
tax for the city of Brooklyn at large, in the year eighteen hundred
and sixty-four, and yearly thereafter, and levied and collected therein
as hereinafter specified, such sum of money in each of said years as
shall be sufficient to pay the interest upon the bonds issued by virtue
of this act; and from and after the year eighteen hundred and
eighty-five there shall be added to the general tax for the city of
Brooklyn at large, and levied and collected as aforesaid, in addition
to any amount so required to pay the interest upon said bonds, a sum
equal to one-half of one per cent upon the total amount of bonds which
shall have been issued in pursuance of this act; and from and after
the year eighteen hundred and ninety, there shall be in like manner
levied and collected in each year, and in addition to the amount
required to pay the interest aforesaid, a sum equal to one per cent.
upon the total amount of bonds which shall have been issued in pur-
suance of this act; and from and after the year eighteen hundred and
ninety-five there shall be in like manner annually levied and collected,
in addition to the interest aforesaid, a sum which, together with the
amounts above required to be levied and collected, and the accumu-
lations thereof, will, with its accumulations, be adequate to pay and
discharge the bonds to be issued under this act by the maturity
thereof; which said several sums shall be from time to time, and in
each year, paid over to the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund of
the city of Brooklyn, to be held and managed by them, and shall be
applied to the payment of the interest upon said bonds as it shall
become payable, and to the full and final redemption of said bonds,
and for no other purpose. And it shall be the duty of the Mayor
and Comptroller of the said city to estimate and ascertain the
amounts required to be so added to the general tax by virtue of this
section, and to transmit a statement of the same in each year to the
Board of Supervisors of the county of Kings in time to have such

67

amount included in the general tax of said city for that year; and it
shall be the duty of said Supervisors to cause such amount to be
included in such general tax. And in making the levy of taxes in
this section prescribed, the said supervisors shall so apportion and
levy the same as that all sums of money which shall be levied for
the purpose of paying principal and interest of the bonds which may
have been issued on account of the purchase, improvement and orna-
mentation of the lands comprising the said Prospect Park, shall be
levied and collected exclusively upon and from the taxable property
within that portion of said city now composing the first twelve wards
thereof.

§ 14. The Commissioners appointed by virtue of section three of
this act shall have authority to employ an attorney and surveyors,
and to use any map on file or belonging to said city, and to cause
such maps to be made as may be necessary ; and said Commissioners
shall be allowed a compensation of five dollars per day for their
time actually employed in discharging their duties as such Commis-
sioners. Before any award or compensation shall be paid for land
taken for the park, the Attorney and Counsel for the city of Brook-
lyn shall certify that the title thereof is free from encumbrances, and
that the city will acquire a perfect title thereto. He shall be allowed
such reasonable compensation as shall be proper, to be taxed by the
County Judge of Kings county, or one of the Justices of the Supreme
Court for the Second Judicial District, and the same, together with
the compensation of said Commissioners, shall form a part of the
general expense.

§ 15. The said Park shall be under the exclusive control and
management of a Board of Commissioners, to consist of not less than
seven nor more than twelve persons, who shall be named and styled
“The Commissioners of Prospect Park.” A majority of said Board
of Commissioners in office for the time being shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business. (As amended by chap. 409,
laws of 1865.) .

§ 16. James S. T. Stranahan, Thomas McElrath, Edwards W.
Fiske, R. H. Thompson, Thomas G. Talmadge, Stephen Haynes,
Cornelius J. Sprague, Joseph A. Perry, Abraham B. Baylis, Walter
S. Griffith, Seymour L. Husted, Teunis J. Bergen and Conklin Brush,
(as amended by chap. 409, laws, 1864), are hereby appointed,
and shall constitute the first Board of Commissioners of Prospect
Park; they shall hold office as such Commissioners for five years
from the passage of this act, and until their successors shall be
appointed and duly qualified. No member of said Board shall
receive any compensation for his services. In case of a vacancy, the
same may be filled by the remaining members of the Board for the
residue of the term then vacant; and all vacancies occasioned by ex-
piration of the terms of office shall be filled by the Mayor, by and
with the advice and consent of at least two-thirds of the Common
Council of said city.

§ 17. The said Board shall have the full and exclusive power to
govern, manage and direct the said Park, and the public use thereof;
to lay out and regulate the same ; to pass ordinances for the regula-

68

tion and government thereof; to appoint such engineers, surveyors,
clerks and other officers, and such police force as may be necessary ;
to prescribe and define their respective duties and authority; to fix
the amount of their compensation; and generally, in regard to said
Park, they shall possess all the power and authority now by law
conferred on or possessed by the Common Council of said city in
respect to the public squares and places in said city. They shall
also, in the name of the city or in the name of the Board, at their
option, bring any action they may deem proper to recover damages
for the breach of any agreement relating to the management or im-
provement of said Park, for penalties for the violation of any ordi- ~
nance, for injuries to personal or real property appertaining to said
Park, and also to recover possession of any such property. (As
amended by chap. 599, laws of 1865.)

§ 18. It shall be a misdemeanor for any Commissioner to be
directly or indirectly in any way pecuniarily interested in any con-
tract or work of any kind whatever connected with said Park, and it
shall be the duty of any Commissioner or other person who may
have any knowledge or information of the violation of this provision
forthwith to report the same to the Mayor of the city of Brooklyn,
who shall present the facts of the case to any Judge of the Supreme
Court of the Second Judicial District, such Judge shall hear in a
summary manner such Commissioner or other person in relation
thereto, and any evidence he may offer ; and if after such hearing he
shall be satisfied of the truth thereof, and shall so certify to the
Mayor, he shall immediately remove the Commissioner thus offend-
ing. Every Commissioner shall, before entering upon the duties of
his office, take and subscribe the oath prescribed by the constitution
of the State, which oath shall be filed in the office of the Clerk of the
city of Brooklyn.

§ 19. Said Board of Commissioners shall, in the month of Jan-
uary of every year, make to the Common Council of said city a full
report of their proceedings, and a detailed statement of their receipts
and expenditures.

§ 20. Whenever the city of Brooklyn shall have become vested
with the title to said Park, as in this act provided, it shall be lawful
for the Commissioners of said Park to let, from year to year, any
buildings, and the grounds attached thereto, belonging to said city,
which may be within the limits of said Park, until the same shall be
required for the laying out and regulation thereof, when the said
buildings shall be removed, except such as may be used for the pur-
poses of said Park.

§ 21. Whenever the said city shall have become vested with the
title to said Park as aforesaid, said Commissioners may sell any
buildings, improvements and other materials, being within the limits
of said Park, and belonging to said city, which in their judgment
shall not be required for the purposes of the said Park, or for public
use, the proceeds of which shall be deposited with the City Treasurer,
to the credit of the Commissioners, and devoted to the improvement
of the Park.

§ 22. No plan for the laying out, regulation and government of

69

said Prospect Park shall be adopted or undertaken by the Commis-
sioners thereof, of which the entire expense shall exceed the sum of
five hundred thousand dollars, nor shall they expend more than ten
thousand dollars during either of the years eighteen hundred and
sixty-one or eighteen hundred and sixty-two. But the Common
Council of the City of Brooklyn may, on the application of said
Commissioners, authorize said expenditures to be increased to
twenty thousand dollars in either or both of said years, by a vote
of not less than two-thirds of the members elected to said Common
Council. Bonds shall be issued, sold and disposed of as directed in
this act, for the purpose of providing such sums of money as shall
be from time to time required by said Board of Commissioners
having the government of said Park, subject to the limitation in
this section prescribed.

§ 28. The money to be raised from the bonds referred to in
the preceding section shall be deposited as fast as the same shall
be realized, with the Treasurer of the city of Brooklyn, who shall
keep a separate account of all moneys received by him for the
improvement of the said Park. He shall hold such moneys on
account of and for the purposes of the said improvement, and shall
pay them out as provided in this act, and not otherwise. The said
Board of Commissioners shall draw their drafts upon the Comp-
troller of the city, signed by their President and Secretary, for all
claims, charges, and expenses to be authorized or incurred by them
in the performance of their duties under this act, specifying in such
drafts the purpose for which they are drawn; and the Treasurer
shall pay the same out of the said improvement moneys, on the
draft of the Comptroller, countersigned by the Mayor and City
Clerk. (As amended by chap. 599, laws of 1865.)

§ 24. None of the said Commissioners, nor any person, whether
in the employ of said Commissioners or otherwise, shall have the
power to create any debt obligation, claim or liability for or on
account of said Board, or the moneys or property under his control,
except with the express authority of said Board, conferred at a
meeting thereof duly convened and held.

§ 25. The office of either of said Commissioners who shall not
attend the meetings of the Board for three successive months after
having been duly notified of said meetings, without reason therefor
satisfactory to said Board, may be, by said Board, declared va-
cant.

§ 26. Real and personal property may be granted, devised, be-
queathed or conveyed to the said city of Brooklyn for the purpose of
improvement or ornamentation of said Park, or for the establish-
ment or maintenance, within the limits of said Park, of museums,
zoological or other gardens, collections of natural history, observ-
atories or works of art, upon such trusts and conditions as may be
prescribed by the grantors or donors thereof, and agreed to by the
Mayor and Common Council of said city. And all property so
devised, granted, bequeathed or conveyed, and the rents, issues,
profits and income thereof, shall be subject to the exclusive manage-
ment, direction and control of these Commissioners.

70

§ 27. All ordinances which the said Board shall at any time
pass for the regulation, use or management of the said Park shall,
immediately after their passage, be published for at least ten days in
two daily newspapers printed in the city of Brooklyn. (As amended
by chap. 599, laws of 1865.)

§ 28. All persons offending against such ordinances shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be punished on convic-
tion before any court of competent jurisdiction in the county of
Kings, by a fine not exceeding fifty dollars; and in default of pay-
ment by imprisonment not exceeding thirty days.

§ 29. All acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this amended
act are hereby repealed.

§ 30. This act shall take effect immediately.

ro
f

THIRD ANNUAL REPORT *

OF THE

COMMISSIONERS OF PROSPECT PARK.

To THE Common Counci. or THE Crry or Brooxiyn:

The Board of Commissioners: of Prospect Park have the
honor, herewith, to submit to your honorable body their Third
Annual Report:

The Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment who were
appointed by the Court, under the act of last year, have made
considerable progress in their complicated and responsible du-
ties. They have brought to their work experience, skill and
ability, and there is every reason to believe that the result of
their labors will challenge the assent and confidence of all par-
ties interested.

The present appears to be a peculiarly favorable period
for making payment to the landowners, to whom awards may
be made by the Commissioners of Estimate. The bonds of the
city of Brooklyn are now selling at a premium, and in order
that the city may have the benefit of the existing advance in
these securities, it is desirable that the Commissioners bring
their labors to a close as speedily as may be consistent with the
nature of the business confided to them will admit. Careful
attention has been paid during the year to the preservation of
the valuable trees and shrubbery within the park boundaries,
and the Commissioners take pleasure in reporting that fewer
attempts have been made at depredations on the property than
during either of the previous years.

72

Since the last report, no expenses whatever have been in-
curred by these Commissioners, nor is it probable that any far-
ther expenditure will be made by thein until the Commissioners
of Estimate and Assessment shall have substantially closed
their estimates.

Dated January, 1863.

All which is respectfully submitted,
’ J. 8S. T. STRANAHAN,
President Board of Com’rs of Prospect Park.

R. H. Tuompson,
Secretary.

FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

COMMISSIONERS OF PROSPECT PARK.

To tHE Common Covncit oF THE Crry or Brooxktyn:

The Board of Commissioners of Prospect Park herewith
respectfully submit their Fourth Annual Report :

During the year 1863 they have performed no active duties
connected with the contemplated improvement of the Park
grounds, nor could they enter thereupon until after the report
of the Commissioners to estimate the value of the lands taken
had been finally completed and confirmed by the Supreme
Court.

This report was made in the month of December last, and
is now on file in the County Clerk’s Office, ready to be pre-
sented to the Court for confirmation. As soon as the report
shall have been confirmed, the Board will organize in such a
manner as to give it greater efficiency; and the work of laying
out and improving the Park will be prosecuted as rapidly as
may be consistent with economy, and with such prudent caution
as may be deemed safe in the adoption of measures and
plans.

No expenses have been incurred by the Commission during
the past year, except for services of Counsel.

Dated January, 1864.

J 8. T. STRANAHAN,

President Board of Com’rs of Prospect Park.

R. H. Tompson,
Secretary.

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FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT

_ OF THE

COMMISSIONERS or Prospsct Park.

alsieyain

COMMISSIONERS.

J. S. T. STRANAHAN, E. W. FISKE,

CONKLIN BRUSH, THOS. McELRATH,

C. J. SPRAGUE, TEUNIS J. BERGEN,

AG AS LOW; JOHN H. PRENTICE,

ABM. B. BAYLIS, STEPHEN HAYNES,

8S. L. HUSTED, WALTER S. GRIFFITH.
PRESIDENT.

J. 8.’ fT. STRANAHAN.

SECRETARY.

WALTER S. GRIFFITH.

COUNSEL.
JOHN N. TAYLOR.

FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

COMMISSIONERS OF PROSPECT PARK.

To tHE Common Covuncin oF THE Crry oF Brooktyn :

The Board of Commissioners of Prospect Park respectfully
submit to your honorable body their Fifth Annual Report, re-
gretting that circumstances beyond their control have interfered
with a more ample development of the important object of their
appointment, than they are now able to present.

A former report of the Board intimated to the Common
Council that it could not actively enter upon the discharge of
its duties until after the report of the Commissioners of Esti-
mate and Assessment had been completed. This report was
subsequently filed in the office of the county clerk, but before
any proceedings could be taken for its confirmation, it was
deemed necessary to suspend further action until an application
could be made to the Legislature to correct some informalities
in the act, relating particularly to the manner of compensating
the Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment for their services
and expenses, so that the final confirmation of their report did
not take place until October, 1864.

The lands embraced in the report extend overa space of
nearly three hundred and twenty acres, and the compensation
awarded therefor amounts to one million, three hundred and
fifty-seven thousand six hundred and six dollars.

Measures were promptly taken by his Honor the Mayor, and
by the Comptroller, to raise the money required for the payment
of these awards, and payments began to be made in the month
of December following.

78

More than three-fourths of the whole amount awarded to
the proprietors has already been paid, but the difticulty of rais-
ing money at this particular juncture of public affairs has
again delayed the period when the Board can take that entire
control of the land which is necessary for laying out and im-
proving the Park.

The Board hopes to obviate one cause of the delay by an
application to the Legislature, at its present session, to authorize
immediate action on the land, thus removing a restriction of no
real value to the owners, and which now only serves to protract

the commencement of operations, the importance of which can- ~

not be over-estimated.

For these reasons, the Board can scarcely yet be said to
have entered upon any of the more active duties contemplated
by its appointment, nor has it, consequently, been able to lay
out an entire plan of improvement. For although the property,
as the awards are being paid, is gradually coming into the pos-
session of the Board, it is only as a whole that any plan of
improvement can be judiciously carried out.

A considerable portion of the park property is found to be
encumbered with small—many of them dilapidated—buildings,
which the Board has concluded to sell. But there are several
good dwelling-houses, which may be advantageously rented
until the ground on which they stand shall be required for the
purposes of improvement. Among thesmall houses referred to,
quite a large number are occupied by mere trespassers on the
land, who are being quietly removed, and very soon the entire
premises will have been eleared of all objectionable features,
and fully prepared for the entrance of the landscape gardener.

But notwithstanding the action of the Board has been thus
limited, the subject of improvement has occupied much of its
attention, and the Board will be prepared to adopt a general
plan of improvement as soon as circumstances will permit. One
of the prominent features of any plan that may be adopted,
must necessarily be a suitable approach to the main entrance,
which the Board hope to render especially attractive. The
subject of approaches is of much more importance than has
been generally supposed, and if left unstudied now, might re-
quire to be settled at some future time at great expense. The
Board is studious to avoid difficulties that have occurred in

79

other cities, where costly structures have been frequently de-
stroyed in order to give place to improvements, when a more
prudent foresight might have easily prevented the loss. The
Board has deemed this matter of sufficient importance to make
application to the Legislature for permission to take in several
additional acres of land on the westerly side of Flatbush Ave-
nue, near its junction with the Ninth Avenue, for the purpose
of giving a more elegant and symmetrical approach to this
entrance than can now be procured from the present contracted
and angular arrangement of those avenues.

No expense has been incurred during the past year except
for legal advice, and for the employment of a park keeper
during a portion of the time.

In conclusion, the Board assures the Common Council, that
no effort shall be wanting on its part to make Prospect Park,
as speedily and as economically as possible, an honor to our
city, and a source of health and of pleasure to its inhabitants.

Dated January, 1865.

All of which is respectfully submitted.
J.’ 8. T. STRANAHAN,
President Board of Com’rs of Prospect Park.

Water §, Grirrira,
Secretary.

APPENDIX. TO; “THE. FIFTH: REPORT.

PRELIMINARY REPORT ON BOUNDARIES.

Hon. J. S. T. Strananan,
Pres’t Com’r Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

Dear Sir,—Since my last visit to the Brooklyn Park locality
with you, I have made a further examination of the site, and of the
property in its immediate vicinity, for the purpose of forming a defi-
nite opinion in regard to the subject of approaches, and with special
reference to questions of boundary. I now submit for the considera-
tion of the Commissioners such observations as have occurred to me,
together with an illustrative plan or diagram.

The ground at present set apart for the Park is cut into two
main divisions or separate sections by Flatbush avenue, a wide
and conspicuous thoroughfare that is much used for ordinary pub-
lic travel. This arrangement is a disadvantageous one for the
Park, considering it as a pleasure ground devoted to recreation
and enjoyment, because it seriously interferes with the impres-
sions of amplitude and continuous extent that the general dimen-
sions would otherwise convey. It also involves the necessity for
a considerable outlay in bridge construction which would not be
called for if the public highway skirted your ground instead of
traversing it. A thoroughfare crossing the Park might be a use-
ful and even necessary adjunct if it were so situated that it served
as a transverse road to connect two districts of the city that were
likely in future to be closely built up, and that would otherwise
be widely separated. But this does not happen to be the case in
the present instance, and a glance at the map of Brooklyn is
sufficient to show that the line of travel accommodated by the
Park section of Flatbush avenue could be diverted without
much inconvenience to Warren street and Washington avenue.
If cross roads for business purposes are required at all, they seem
to be needed in a direction nearly at right angles to Flatbush
avenue. The city, however, is so laid out that the Park Com-
missioners do not probably feel that a necessity exists for any
merely traffic roads across their property.

a?

Sl

If we now proceed to consider the two main divisions of the
Park separately, it will be found that the reservoir encroaches
seriously on the smaller section east of Flatbush avenue, and
really subdivides it again into two portions of somewhat insignif-
icant dimensions for park purposes. The Reservoir itself, although
very interesting as an engineering work, with its sloped bank and
formal lines, is not capable of being made a landscape attraction,
and it must therefore be treated as a separate matter altogether.
Its upper level, however, commands extensive views in every
direction, and for this reason, if for no other, it is desirable to
retain it as a promenade for the enjoyment of visitors to the
Park. The larger subdivision, west of Flatbush avenue, is in
many respects well suited for its purposes, but the formation of
the ground is such that the eye naturally looks in the direction
of B. almost immediately after entering the Park domain at A.;
and, as the boundary in this direction is soon reached, an appear-
ance of contraction and limitation is a necessary result. The
present outlines of this section include much that is interesting, but
they do not appear to contain any portion of ground that can be
readily converted into a skating pond of liberal dimensions, and this
is, I think, a serious disadvantage, for experience seems to show that
if sufficient skating facilities are provided, a park may in this latitude
be made as attractive to visitors in winter as in summer.

The principal entrance to the Park will unquestionably be near
the point where Flatbush avenue is intersected by Vanderbilt and
Ninth avenues; and it is evident that the approach in this direction
should be especially inviting and attractive. The present boundary
lines in this vicinity seem to me to be very awkward and irregular,
and I think it is hardly possible to retain them and at the same time
obtain a dignified general effect.

Having for some time entertained these general views in regard
to your Park, I was glad to learn, when invited to look over the
property with you some few weeks since, that the subject of increas-
ing the dimensions of the site to the south and West had of late been
occupying the attention of your Board, and that a proposition to dis-
card the north-easterly section altogether might perhaps be favorably
entertained. It is without doubt highly desirable that the high
ground south of the present boundaries, which I then visited for the
first time with you, should be added to the Park domain; for this
formation, known by the name of Vanderbilt Hill, is both interesting
in itself and it also commands a fine open view of the sea, which can
hardly be enjoyed so completely from any other spotin the vicinity.

6

82

1 will not, however, at this time take up in detail the various points
to which my attention has been directed, but will proceed to give
my general impression in regard to the modifications that appear to
be called for. In the first place, then, it seems highly desirable that
the limits of the Park property should be extended to the south and
west, as indicated on plan by the dark green color. <A larger oppor-
tunity for landscape effect will thus be obtained, and an open ample
appearance in a westerly direction will be ensured to every visitor
who enters the Park by the principal approach. A highly interest-
ing district will also be added to the south, and a site for a large lake
or skating pond will be secured in the comparatively cheap flat land
below Vanderbilt Hill.

If the last-mentioned suggestion is carried out, the lake will serve
as an appropriate foreground to the view from the top of the hill
overlooking it, and will add dignity to the prospect in this direction.
If the line of Franklin avenue is adopted, about half the space
between an observer standing on Vanderbilt Hill and the horizon
will seem to be occupied by the lake and the Park. This effect will,
of course, be merely an optical one, but a visit to the site will show
at once that it will be all-sufficient to divert the attention of the
visitor from the land occupied for agricultural purposes, and will
serve to render the sea view more attractive. A nearer boundary
than Franklin avenue would probably fail to realize the effect desired
in this particular, and a more remote one is hardly called for. As
matters now stand, the extensive meadows north of Franklin avenue,
fenced and unplanted as they are, force themselves rather too much
on the attention. The skating facilities in the Central Park, N. Y.,
are necessarily somewhat limited, because the ground is hilly and
varied, and the present dimensions of the pond have only been secured
by excavations made at considerable expense. In the Brooklyn
Park, on the other hand, there appears to be a good opportunity to
include within its boundaries the stretch of low flat land above
referred to, and to excavate a pond of 50 or 60, or even a larger
number of acres, and the soil to be taken out will doubtless be use-
ful in enriching adjoining lands that may require improvement: It
is not proposed to include the Friends’ cemetery (colored brown on
the plan) in the contemplated addition; but this ground is covered
with fine forest trees, and probably will always remain so. If, there-
fore, your boundary encloses it on three sides, it will, for the pur-
poses of general landscape effect, appear to belong to the Park; and
if after a lapse of years it should by any chance be diverted from its
present purpose, the city would then have an opportunity to pur-

83

chase it, if thought desirable. It will be seen by the plan that it is
proposed to run the boundary line clear of the more expensive por-
tions of the properties facing on Flatbush avenue, between the pres-
ent southern line of the Park and Franklin avenue, for it does not
seem to be important that the omitted lots should be included, if an
opportunity for a liberal entrance in this direction is secured as indi-
eated at D,

In regard to the section northeast of Flatbush avenue, I think it
would be better to abandon it for park purposes altogether, and to
appropriate the funds that will be raised by its sale to the purchase
of more desirable, although cheaper, lands to the south and west of
the present limits. The northeasterly section would be a very ex-
pensive plot of ground to improve, and however judiciously it might
be managed, it would, I think, always present a cramped, contracted
and unsatisfactory appearance. In regard to the reservoir site, which
belongs to the city inalienably, it might with propriety be connected
by means of a light foot bridge with one of the Park footpaths. The
formation of the ground is suitable for the purpose, and the fine view
to be obtained from the upper. level of the reservoir will thus be
included among the other attractions of the Park. If the north-
easterly section is abandoned, a favorable opportunity is at once
offered to enter the Park at the point of intersection made by Flat-
bush and Ninth avenues, and to make an arrangement in regard to
the principal approach such as is indicated on the accompanying
plan.

This question of approaches is a highly important one, and prob-
ably if left unstudied now, it will be settled at some future time at
great outlay, as is the case yearly in London, Paris and the Conti-
nental cities, costly improvements being destroyed to insure tardily
comprehended advantages, that, with proper foresight, could have
been easily and cheaply arranged for at the outset.

Several objects are expected to be gained by this suggestion. In
the first place, Flatbush, Ninth and Vanderbilt Avenues are brought
into apparently symmetrical relation, and on entering the proposed
open space from Flatbush or Vanderbilt Avenue, the Park entrance
will at once appear to be central and all-important, while the avenues
will be evidently subordinate. :

The two crescents of plantation will take away from the narrow
effect that a park entrance in such a position might otherwise have,
and they will materially help to carry out the general effect that is
aimed at.

Vanderbilt Avenue should, I think, be made one hundred feet

54

wide to Atlantic Avenue, and Ninth Avenue should be made one hun-
dred feet wide to Twenty-first Street. It is also desirable that the
line of Ninth Avenue should be slightly modified for a block as indi-
cated on the plan. .

If a monument of considerable importance should at some future
time be erected at C, in the centre of the large open space, it would
help to mark the Park entrance from a distance when approaching it
from Flatbush Avenue ; and, if well designed, would give much dig-
nity to this part of the Plan. The general intention is to secure in
season an appearance of breadth, proportion and symmetry, and a
somewhat special character in the vicinity of this very important
entrance to the Park.

I have now, I believe, explained the various suggestions indicated
on the Plan, and leave the matter in your hands. I feel assured that
the amount realized from the sale of the north-easterly section would
go far to defray the cost of the proposed addition, if it would not pay
for it entirely. The saving in bridges is also to be taken into con-
sideration, and it must be borne in mind that the section proposed to
be omitted would be far more costly to improve than the suggested
addition. In regard, however, to the relative valuation of the lots,
your judgment will, I think, be better than mine.

Yours,
CULVERT VAUX.

February, 1865.

CALVERT VAUX, ARCH!
FEBY 47 1865.

SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT

Commmssroners oF Prosrecr’ Park.

4866.

COMMISSIONERS.

JAMES §S. T. STRANAHAN, ABIEL A. LOW,

CONKLIN BRUSH, SEYMOUR L. HUSTED,

WALTER 8. GRIFFITH, ABRAHAM B. BAYLIS,

JOHN H. PRENTICE, THOMAS McELRATH,

EDWARDS W. FISKE, STEPHEN HAYNES,

TEUNIS J. BERGEN, CORNELIUS J. SPRAGUE.
PRESIDENT.

JAMES S. T. STRANAHAN.

SECRETARY.
WALTER S. GRIFFITH.

SUPERINTENDENT AND COUNSEL.

JOHN N. TAYLOR.

SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

COMMISSIONERS OF PROSPECT PARK.

To THe Common Councit or THE Crry or BROOKLYN :

The Board of Commissioners of Prospect Park, by their pre-
vious Reports, could do little more than present a dry detail of
the litigation which, in connection with the financial pressure of
the times, had prevented them from making any very definite
progress in the important work committed to their charge ; and
to advise the legislation which appeared to be necessary to en-
able them to proceed satisfactorily, and with a reasonable as-
surance that they would ultimately meet the obvious demands
of the city in regard thereto.

The views of the Board, in this respect, having been adopted
by the Legislature, at its last session, and the fearful strife which
desoiated the land and crippled its resources, being happily ter-
minated, the time for more active measures arrived, and the
Board proceeded to make the preliminary arrangements which
were necessary for entering upon the long delayed work of pro-
viding and opening a suitable place of recreation for our citi-
zens. or this purpose, a topographical survey of the ground
originally fixed upon, as a site for the park and its vicinity, was
made under the direction of Mr. Benjamin D. Frost and a com-
petent corps of assistants: with a preliminary report by Mr.
Vaux, suggesting a change of boundaries. A general plan of
laying out and improving the grounds has also been prepared
by Messrs. Olmsted & Vaux, landscape architects of acknowl-
edged taste and skill, and is now, together with an extended
report thereon, presented by those gentlemen, herewith submit-
ted for your consideration.

88

The plan has been prepared in its present measurably com-
plete form, because the Commissioners have found it impractica-
ble to arrive at a thoroughly intelligent understanding in regard
to the subject of boundaries, without such a development of the
whole scheme as is embodied in this design and report. With
the information now before them, they feel confident, not only
that an important modification of the outlines originally fixed
upon for the park is required, but that they are in a position to
satisfy their constituents that, although the proposed change
involves a considerable enlargement of the ground, yet the in-
creased amount of accommodation, and the highly picturesque
views, which are thus secured, will bein a much larger ratio
than the increase of area, and is therefore justifiable on eco-
nomical as well as upon esthetic principles.

The grand features of the plan are simple and easily com-
prehended ; but the Commissioners wish to direct attention
particularly to thrée regions of distinct character embodied
in it, in each of which, it will be observed, the suggestions of
the natural condition of the land are proposed to be developed.
They are, first, a region of open meadow, with large trees stand-
ing singly and in groups; second, a hilly district, with groves and
shrubbery ; and third, a lake district, containing a fine sheet of
water, with picturesque shores and islands. These being the
landscape characteristics, the first gives room for extensive play
grounds, the second offers shaded rambles and broad views,
and the third presents good opportunities for skating and
rowing.

Besides these, there are minor intermediate and exterior
portions of the grounds which are devoted to zoological gardens
and other special purposes. The different parts are connected
with each other, and are brought advantageously into use and
under observation by a carefully adjusted system of rides, drives
and rambles. The existing natural features of the charming
locality are everywhere accepted and made available, and the
artificial constructions necessary for the convenient accommo-
dation of the public, are as inconspicuous and inexpensive as
possible, consistently with permanency and good taste.

The Commissioners are satisfied that the plan now submit-
ted ought not to be changed in any manner which would ma-
terially affect the new boundaries, and that it cannot again be

89

altered without serious disadvantage. Nor do they believe
that the enlarged area, in view of the other changes suggested
by the Report, will essentially increase the cost of the park.
They propose, therefore, at an early day, to take such action in
the premises, as will effect the contemplated change of bound-
ary: and they confidently anticipate a speedy completion of
the entire improvement for the use of the public. The Com-
missioners have now no doubt that the park will soon become
a favorite resort for all classes of our community, enabling
thousands to enjoy pure air, with healthful exercise, at all
seasons of the year; while its magnificent bay and ocean views,
with the beautiful drives through its broad meadows and shady
groves, free from the dust and confusion inseparable trom
crowded thoroughfares, will hold out strong inducements to
the affluent to remain in our city, who are now too often in-
duced to change their residences by the seductive influences of
the New York park.

The Financial Statement of the Board for 1865 is herewith
also submitted, from which it will be observed that the total
expenditures of the board, for the present year, have been
$17,780 90.

J. 8S. T. STRANAHAN,
President of the Board.
W. S. Grirrirs,
Secretary.

90

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

COMMISSIONERS OF PROSPECT PARK,

To January Ist, 1866.

———

Received from the City Treasurer............... $24,700 00 |
He for sale of houses on the Park.......... 4,762 55
“s For Tents. 4 cys eee laa creas tetas 3,823 07
Total receipts: ithe een ie cee $33,285 62

Paid for sundry claims against the
Board for expenditures incurred in
1860 for surveying, printing, ser-
ACERS KOU Ce ie Shand Sacer tater ge $3,466 96
Paid Architects on account of plan.... 4,500 00
** Engineers and Surveyors for sur-
veys of ground preparatory to

a plan of improvement....... 5,982 55
“« Superintendent, Clerk, Park Keep-

ers,and*Laborers.2.0% Yas eke 4,150 00
“ Stationery, printing and office ex-

POMSES a\a%s iis lie tie ada apene sane 632 46

“ Fitting up and furnishing offices.. 2,039 28
“© Repairs of houses on the Park.... 476 60
Deposited with City Treasurer on ac-

count of sales of houses............ 4,700 00
Total payments......... $25,947 85

Amount to the credit of the Commission
OMA ATC 5 e415 '>.'s se, velco 6,675 74

Amount in hands of Superintendent. . .. 662 03

$33,285 62
Total amount expended by the present Board for

the improvement of the Park................ $17,780 90

JOHN N.- TAYLOR,
Superintendent.

yf

NN}

‘iii
j A | Yj (

man ay)
Ne

\\y

Se ORIGINAL

BOUNDARY.

SP BOL WARE
PRESENT AND PROPOSED BOUNDARIES.

YA

PRELIMINARY MAP

SHOWING LINEAL AND TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEYS OF

a

OVER AREAS INCLUDED BY

DRAWN BY J.M. BANCROFT & H.F. KRAUS E

BENJY D. FROST

Eng. im Charge.

1865.

REP ORL

OF THE

LAND SCAT ER. ARO PLEEC Ts.

To tHe Boarp or Commissioners OF Prospect Park, Brooxktyn :

Gentlemen: We have been instructed to lay before you at this
time such plans, accompanied by information and advice, as would aid
you in a final review of the boundaries of the park proposed to be
formed under your government. The study herewith submitted has
been prepared for this purpose, and though not designed to be full or
accurate in all details, is intended to be complete in those respects
which are essential to an understanding of the advantages to be gained
by such changes of the boundaries as we would recommend to be
secured, before a plan of construction is definitively settled upon.

We proceed to show what these changes are, and why they are
considered desirable.

In selecting a site for a park, it is evidently important that such
natural advantages should be secured as are found in well grown
woods, an agreeable variety of surface and fair prospects both of dis-
tant and local scope. It is true, that a site may be deficient in any
of these characteristics, and yet, with time enough and money enough,
be convertible, by well directed labor, into a park of varied and
attractive scenery. If, however, such conditions as are most desir-
able to be added, should have been already provided by nature in
the immediate vicinity of a site, it would be felt, on the one hand, to
be an extravagance to repeat them by artificial means upon it; while,
on the other, the disadvantage of its being without them would be
greater, because more obvious. Moreover, there are two possible
misfortunes of a site, which in no period of time, and by no expend-
iture of labor, can ever be remedied. These are, inadequate dimen-
sions and an inconvenient shape.

Our first. duty has been to examine the site to which you have

|

92

asked our attention, with reference to the several conditions we have
thus indicated ; that is to say, with reference to—

1. Convenience of its shape.

2. Amplitude of its dimensions.

3. Its topographical conditions, and the surrounding circumstances,
in relation to which the value of its topographical conditions must in
part be estimated.

The fact which first claims attention is the complete bisection of
the site by a broad and conspicuous thoroughfare, much used for
ordinary and indispensable public travel, between Brooklyn and an
important suburb, that connects it with a large district of agricultural
country. It is obvious that this division must seriously interfere
with the impressions of amplitude and continuous extent, that the
general dimensions of the ground assigned for a park would other-
wise convey. To establish convenient communication between the
two parts would involve a considerable outlay in bridge construc-
tion, which would not be called for if the public highway skirted the
ground instead of traversing it. A thoroughfare crossing the park
might be a useful and even necessary adjunct, if it were so situated
that it served to connect two districts of the city that were likely in
future to be closely built up, and that would otherwise be widely
separated. Such, however, is not the case in the present instance,
and a glance at the map of Brooklyn is sufficient to show that the
line of travel, accommodated by the park section of Flatbush avenue,
could be diverted, without much inconvenience, to Warren street and
Washington avenue. If cross-roads for business purposes are re-
quired at all, it is in a direction nearly at right angles to Flatbush
avenue. The city, however, is so laid out, that no real necessity is
apparent for any merely traffic-roads across the property.

Proceeding to consider the two main divisions of the site sepa-
rately, the Reservoir is found to encroach so seriously on the smaller
section east of Flatbush avenue, that it is in effect subdivided again
into two portions of very insignificant dimensions for park purposes.
The formation of the ground is, moreover, of a character that would
make its improvement very expensive, and when the best possible
had been done, it would always present a cramped, contracted and
unsatisfactory appearance. _ For these reasons, we think it our duty
to advise, that so much of the site as lies east of Flatbush avenue
should be abandoned for park purposes.

The great reduction which we have thus suggested in the dimen-
sions of the park site, as originally provided, would oblige you either
to be content with a much smaller park than has hitherto been con-

93

templated, or to determine on an extension of its original boundaries
in some other direction.

As the number and value of the health and pleasure-giving cir-
cumstances possible in any park must of course be limited by its
size, the question of size may be thought to depend on the restrictions
fixed in regard to the number of these circumstances; and it may
perhaps be thought, that a large park has advantages over a small
one only in the greater number and the greater variety of the pleas-
ures which it offers. But it would be a serious mistake to entertain
any such idea, as will be evident to any one who will, ask himself:
Is there any pleasure which all persons find at all times in every
park, and if so, what does that pleasure depend upon ?

The answer unquestionably must be—That there is such a pleas-
ure, common, constant and universal to all parks, and that it results
from the feeling of relief experienced by those entering them, on
escaping from the cramped, confined and controlling circumstances of
the streets of the town; in other words, a sense of enlarged freedom
is to all, at all times, the most certain and the most valuable gratifi-
cation afforded by a park. The scenery which favors this gratifica-
tion is, therefore, more desirable to be secured than any other, and
the various topographical conditions and circumstances of a site thus,
in reality, become important very much in the proportion by which
they give the means of increasing the general impression of undefined
limit. The degree of this impression, which will be found in any
particular park, must unquestionably depend very much upon the
manner in which it is laid out; that is to say, on the manner in
which the original topographical conditions are turned to account by
the designers; but as no degree of art can make the back yard of a
town house seem unlimited, and as no art at all is required to make
a prairie of some hundred square miles seem unlimited to a man set
down in the midst of it, it is obvious that a certain distance between
the points of resort within the park, and its exterior limits, is neces-
sary, in order to allow the fence or wall that would otherwise defi-
nitely establish the position of the boundary to be obscured by plant
ing, if nothing more; and that therefore, until all other necessary
requirements are provided for, it will not be entirely practicable to
determine where the boundary lines of the park may be established
with a true economy of space.

We have first, then, to determine what accommodations are desir-
able to be secured within the park, and next how these shall be situ-

_ated with reference to one another, and to exterior topographical

circumstances. Our conclusions will depend first upon our under-
.

94

standing of the purposes which any town park should be designed to
fulfil, that is to say, of the general principles to be observed, and
secondly upon our estimate of the number and the special character
of the people who are to use the particular park in question.

With regard to the latter point, we need only remark. that we
regard Brooklyn as an integral part of what to-day is the metropolis
of the nation, and in the future will be the centre of exchanges for
the world, and the park in Brooklyn, as part of a system of grounds,
of which the Central Park is a single feature, designed for the recrea-
tion of the whole people of the metropolis and their customers and
guests from all parts of the world for centuries to come. With
regard, however, to the purposes which town parks in general should
be intended and prepared to fulfil, this being a matter upon which
little has ever been said or written, and upon which very different
ideas prevail, and inasmuch as a clear understanding upon it must be
had before a fair judgment can be formed of any plan for a town
park, we propose to indicate the views which we have adopted, and
out of which our plan has grown.

PURPOSES OF A PARK.

The word park has different significations, but that in which we
are now interested has grown out of its application centuries ago,
simply to hunting grounds; the choicest lands for hunting grounds
being those in which the beasts of the chase were most happy, and
consequently most abundant, sites were chosen for them, in which it
was easy for animals to turn from rich herbage to clear water, from
warm sunlight to cool shade; that is to say, by preference, ranges of
well-watered dale-land, broken by open groves and dotted with
spreading trees, undulating in surface, but not rugged. Gay parties
of pleasure occasionally met in these parks, and when these meetings
occurred the enjoyment otherwise obtained in them was found to be
increased. Hence, instead of mere hunting lodges and hovels for
game-keepers, extensive buildings and other accommodations, having
frequently a festive character, were after a time provided within their
enclosures. Then it was found that people took pleasure in them
without regard to the attractions of the chase, or of conversation, and
this pleasure was perceived to be, in some degree, related to their
scenery, and in some degree to the peculiar manner of association
which occurred in them; and this was also found to be independent
of intellectual gifts, tranquilizing and restorative to the powers most
tasked in ordinary social duties, and stimulating only in a healthy
and recreative way to the imagination. Hence, after a time, parks

95

began to be regarded and to be maintained with reference, more than
any thing else, to the convenient accommodation of numbers of peo-
ple, desirous of moving for recreation among scenes that should be
gratifying to their taste or imagination.

In the present century, not only have the old parks been thus
maintained, but many new parks have been formed with these pur-
poses exclusively in view, especially within and adjoining consider-
able towns, and it is upon our knowledge of these latter that our
simplest conception of a town park is founded. It is from experience
in these that all our ideas of parks must spring.

This experience shows that the great advantage which a town
finds in a park, lies in the addition to the health, strength and moral-
ity which comes from it to its people, an advantage which is not only
in itself very great and positive, but which as certainly results in an
increase of material wealth as good harvests or active commerce.
And the reason is obvious: all wealth is the result of labor, and
every man’s individual wealth is, on the whole, increased by the labor
of every other in the community, supposing it to be wisely and
honestly applied; but as there cannot be the slightest use of the will,
of choice between two actions or two words, nor the slightest exer-
cise of skill of any kind, without the expenditure of force, it follows
that, without recuperation and recreation of force, the power of each
individual to labor wisely and honestly is soon lost, and that, with
out the recuperation of force, the power of each individual to add to
the wealth of the community is, as a necessary consequence, also
soon lost.

But to this process of recuperation a condition is necessary,
known since the days of sop, as the unbending of the faculties
which have been tasked, and this, wnbending of the faculties we find
is impossible, except by the occupation of the imagination with
objections and reflections of a quite different character from those
which are associated with their bent condition. To secure such a
diversion of the imagination, the best possible stimulus is found to
be the presentation of a class of objects to the perceptive organs,
which shall be as agreeable as possible to the taste, and at the same
time entirely different from the objects connected with those occupa-
tions by which the faculties have been tasked. And this is what is
found by townspeople in a park.

If now we ask further, what the qualities of a park are which fit
it to meet this requirement? we find two circumstances, common to
all parks, in distinction from other places in towns, namely, scenery
offering the most agreeable contrast to that of the rest of the town,

96

and opportunity for people to come together for the single purpose
of enjoyment, unembarrassed by the limitations with which they are
surrounded at home, or in the pursuit of their daily avocations, or of
such amusements as are elsewhere offered.

It may be observed, that these two purposes are not quite com-
patible one with the other; for that scenery which would afford the
most marked contrast with the streets of a town, would be of a kind
characterized in nature by the absence, or, at least, the marked sub-
ordination of human influences. Yet, in a park, the largest provision
is required for the human presence. Men must come together, and
must be seen coming together, in carriages, on horseback and on foot,
and the concourse of animated life which will thus be formed, must
in itself be made, if possible, an attractive and diverting spectacle.

How can these opposing requirements be harmonized ?

Perfectly harmonized they cannot be, and, because they cannot
be, success in realizing either must be limited. Yet, by a careful
adjustment of parts, and by accommodating the means necessary to
the effecting of one purpose to those necessary to the effecting of the
other, both may be accomplished in a degree which experience shows
is satisfactory.

In the endeavor to accommodate the requirements of the one pur-
pose to those of the other, a perfectly equal compromise, at all points,
is not essential. On the contrary, it is desirable that each should be
carried out at some point in high degree, and if the natural topog-
raphy is varied, it will not be difficult to select points suitable for
doing this. .

It is, however, necessary to a satisfactory result that what is
wholly incompatible with one purpose and at the same time not
absolutely necessary to the other should be everywhere rigidly
avoided and excluded. For instance, a railroad station, a manufac-
tory with chimneys and steam engines, advertising displays, wagons
for commercial traffic, fast driving, gambling booths, a market place,
though all of these may be seen in some town parks, are clearly
there by mistake and want of proper consideration. We may add
that whatever the numbers to be accommodated, it is incompatible
with the rural character required in a park, that anything like the
embarrassing turmoil, confusion and discordant din, common to the
crowded streets of the town should be necessarily encountered within
it, while it is equally evident that no regard for scenery should be
allowed to prevent the assemblage and movement of great crowds
within the park—of crowds much greater than occur anywhere else
in the town.

97

To admit of this, and at the same time maintain anything of a
rural, natural, tranquilizing and poetic character, in the scenery, the
driving room, riding room, walking room, sitting room, skating, sail-
ing and playing room, must be not only liberally deviecedi but must
be studied and adapted to all the natural circumstances of the site

with the greatest care.

HOW THE OBJECTS OF A PARK ARE TO BE ATTAINED.

To illustrate the practical application of these views, we will take
one of the many classes of arrangements for the accommodation of
the movements of the public through a park; the drive, or carriage
way, and consider what is required in it.

A drive must be so prepared that those using it shall be called
upon for the least possible exercise of judgment as to the course to
be pursued, the least possible anxiety or exercise of skill in regard
to collisions or interruptions with reference to objects animate or
inanimate, and that they shall, as far as possible, be free from the
disturbance of noise and jar.

To secure these negative qualities, the course of the road must be
simple; abrupt turns must be avoided, steep grades that would task
the horses or suggest that idea must not be encountered. The possi-
bility of the road becoming miry must be securely guarded against ;
its surface must also be smooth and be composed of compact material.

These being the first and essential engineering considerations, it
is necessary, secondly, that they should be secured in a manner

which shall be compatible with the presentation of that which is:

agreeable to the eye in the surrounding circumstances; that is to
say, the drive must either run through beautiful scenery already
existing or to be formed, and for this purpose it may be desirable at
any point to deviate from the line which an engineer would be
bound to choose as that which would best meet the first class of
requirements. It must also be remembered that although the drive
can hardly be expected in itself to add to the beauty of the scenery,
it must always be more or less in view as part of it, and it should
therefore be artistically designed so as to interfere as little as possi-
ble with the views, and to present at all points agreeable and har-
monious lines to the eye. Moreover, as it is desirable that at some
point in the course of a drive through every park, there should be
an opportunity for those in carriages to see others and be seen by
others, some portion of the ground, which by development of natural
suggestions cannot be readily made very attractive to the eye, should
be chosen for that purpose. And here it will be proper that the
- 7

98

application of art to inanimate nature, as in architectural objects, and
by festive decorations of the outlines of the drive itself, should dis-
tinctly invite attention, and aid to produce a general suggestion of
sympathy with human gaiety and playfulness.

It is unnecessary to show here how the same general principles
need to be regarded in the rides, the walks, the seats, the playing
grounds, the skating fields, the places of refreshment, and in whatever
other accommodations are proposed to be occupied by those who use
the park. We would only remind you that no park has yet been
made for the people of a large civilized town which has not been
much more used than its designers had anticipated; and that all
danger of damage, misuse and wasteful destruction of public property
practically amounts to nothing, except as it results from insufficient
extent of the means of communication and of rest within the park,
or from an appearance of slovenliness, or want of completeness and
finish in its arrangements for gratifying the eye, which adjoin these
accommodations.

THE ARTISTIC ELEMENTS IN THE DESIGN OF A PARK.

The general principles in regard to scenery, which have governed
us in our study, remain to be indicated; and inasmuch as some mis-
apprehension in our judgment generally prevails concerning the
province of art in the formation of scenery, and especially of scenery
in the natural style, we propose to briefly express our views upon
that subject.

A mere imitation of nature, however successful, is not art, and
the purpose to imitate nature, or to produce an effect which shall
seem to be natural and interesting, is not sufficient for the duty
before us. .

A scene in nature is made up of various parts; each part has its
individual character and its possible ideal. It is unlikely that acci-
dent should bring together the best possible ideals of each separate
part, merely considering them as isolated facts, and it is still more
unlikely that accident should group a number of these possible ideals
in such a way that not only one or two but that all should be harmo-
niously related one to the other. It is evident, however, that an
attempt to accomplish this artificially is not impossible, and that a
proper study of the circumstances relating to the perfect develop-
ment of each particular detail will at least enable the designer to
reckon surely on a certain success of a high character in that detail,
and a comprehensive bringing together of the results of his study
in regard to the harmonious relations of one, two or more details

99

may enable him to discover the law of harmonious relation between
multitudinous details; and if he can discover it, there is nothing to
prevent him from putting it into practice. The result would be a
work of art, and the combination of the art thus defined, with the
art of architecture in the production of landscape compositions, is
what we denominate landscape architecture.

The first process in the application of this art upon any given site,
is the formation of a judgment upon the capabilities and the limita-
tions of that site, with reference to the artistic purpose. It is obvi-
ously impossible, for instance, to produce in the vicinity of Brooklyn
such scenery as will affect the mind as it is affected by the Alps or
the Sierras, on the one hand, or by the luxuriant vegetation of a
tropical swamp on the other.

Moreover, there are certain kinds of scenery which experience
shows to be most satisfactory within a town park, which require an
extensive aggregation of their elements. It will be readily seen, for
instance, that if all the wood, water and turf, within a certain area of
ground, were distributed in patches, strips and pools, however ex-
tensive as a whole, and however varied in detail it might seem to
those who should thoroughly explore all its parts, there would be
no part which would not seem confined; there could be no large open
single scene, and no such impression or effect on the mind would be
produced as there would be if all the water were collected in one
lake, all the trees in one grove, all the strips of grass in one broad
meadow. Such aggregations, and consequently the degree of the
impression intended to be produced by them, must be limited by
consideration for two other purposes: the purpose of variety and
interest, and the purpose to make all the scenery available to the
satisfaction of the public by ways of communication. Other limita-
tions upon the artistic purpose, again, are imposed by conditions of
soil and exposure, by rock and springs. How far each of these can
be overcome, as by blasting, draining, grading, screening, manuring
and other processes, has to be studied with care, and the artistic
purposes of the plan must be affected in every part and particular
by the conclusions arrived at.

In the case before us, it is obvious that we should attempt
nothing which is incompatible with, or inappropriate to, compara-
tively slight variations of surface, and a climateof considerable rigor.
On the other hand, there are no protruding ledges of rock, no
swamps difficult of drainage, and there is no especial bleakness, or
danger to trees from violent winds, to be apprehended. It is under

similar conditions to these that we find in nature that class of scenery
e

100

already referred to, as the original and typical scenery of parks or
hunting grounds, and which is termed pastoral. It consists of com-
binations of trees, standing singly or in groups, and casting their
shadows over broad stretches of turf, or repeating their beauty by
reflection upon the calm surface of pools, and the predominant asso-
ciations are in the highest degree tranquilizing and grateful. As ex-
pressed by the Hebrew poet: “ He maketh me to lie down in green
pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters.” We know of no
other landscape effects that can be commanded, within the limitations
fixed by the conditions of this site, which experience shows to be
more desirable in a town park than these. This being the case, no
other should be sought for or retained, if, by discarding them, we
can the better secure these. Only so far, then, as we can, without
sacrificing any thing that will contribute to the highest practicable
ideal of pastoral scenery, should we endeavor to secure any degree
of those other ideals, of which the best types are found under widely
dissimilar circumstances.

Although we cannot have wild mountain defiles, for instance, on
the park, we may have stony ravines shaded with trees and made
picturesque with shrubs, the forms and arrangement of which remind
us of mountain scenery. We may perhaps even secure some slight
approach to the mystery, variety and richness of tropical scenery, by
an assemblage of certain forms of vegetation, gay with flowers, and
intricate and mazy with vines and creepers, ferns, rushes and broad-
leaved plants. But all we can do in these directions must be con-
fessedly imperfect, and suggestive rather than satisfying to the im-
agination. It must, therefore, be made incidental and strictly sub
ordinate to our first purpose.

Having formed these general plans, we find, in further studying
the site, its most important circumstance to be the fact, that a large
body of trees already exist upon it, not too old to be improved, yet
already old enough to be of considerable importance in a landscape.
These trees are in two principal divisions, between which a space of
two or three hundred feet in width is found, of undulating ground,
not wholly ungraceful, and now mainly covered with a ragged turf.
A few trees stand out singly upon this space. It is more nearly
level, and less occupied by trees, than any other portion of the site.
‘There is no rock in place upon it, nor would it be at all impracticable
to reduce its few abrupt and graceless hillocks, and fill up its gravel
pits and muck holes. If we imagine this to be done, and then look
at it in connection with the surrounding groves, it is obvious
that all that is required to form here a fair example of pastoral

101

scenery is, first, an improvement of the turf, and, secondly, greater

space, so that the observer may not see all the boundaries of free -

sunlight before him at a glance. The former requirement is certainly
within our power, all that is needed to secure it being the drainage,
deep tillage and enrichment of the soil, and the substitution of
finer grasses for the present coarse grasses and weeds. Something
may be done also with regard to the second, by cutting in upon the
borders of the woods, where the ground lies in gentle slopes, leaving
only the finer trees to stand out singly, or in small groups, upon the
turf to be formed upon the new ground thus obtained. Were this
done, however, the open space would still be comparatively an un-
important one in relation to the whole park. The, observer would
take it all in at a glance, and if this were all he felt that he could
look for, the result would be tantalizing rather than satisfactory.

As a very important suggestion springs from this observation,
we shall be pardoned for referring to a portion of the Central Park,
New York, where somewhat similar conditions formerly existed, and
where our views have been adopted and realized. Entering by the
turn to the right, at the Merchant’s Gate, in a few moments the
visitor’s eye falls upon the open space called the Cricket Ground,
where originally was a small swamp, enlarged at great expense in the
construction of the park, in order to meet a similar artistic purpose

to that above explained, by the removal of several large ledges of
rock, and now occupied by an unbroken meadow, which extends be-
fore the observer to a distance of nearly a thousand feet. Here is a
suggestion of freedom and repose which must in itself be refreshing
and tranquilizing to the visitor coming from the confinement and
bustle of crowded streets. But this is not all. The observer, rest-
ing for a moment to enjoy the scene, which he is induced to do by
the arrangement of the planting, cannot but hope for still greater
space than is obvious before him, and this hope is encouraged, first,
by the fact that, though bodies of rock and foliage to the right and
left obstruct his direct vision, no limit is seen to the extension of the
meadow in a lateral direction; while beyond the low shrubs, which
form an undefined border to it in front, there are no trees or other
impediments to vision for a distance of half a mile or more, and the
only distinct object is the wooded knoll of Vista Rock, nearly a mile
away, upon the summit of which it is an important point in the
design, not yet realized, to erect a slight artificial structure, for the
purpose of catching the eye, and the better holding it in this direc
tion. The imagination of the visitor is thus led instinctively to
form the ideaythat a broad expanse is opening before him, and the

4
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102

more surely to accomplish this, a glimpse of a slope of turf beyond
the border of shrubs in the middle distance has been-secured. As
the visitor proceeds, this idea is strengthened, and the hope which
springs from it in a considerable degree satisfied, if not actually
realized, first by a view of those parts of the Cricket Ground which
lie to the right and left of his previous field of vision, afterwards by
the broad expanse of turf on either side and before him, which comes
into view as he emerges from the plantations at or near the marble
archway.

The carrying out of this most important purpose in the scenery
of the Central Park, owing to the rocky and heterogeneous character
of the original surface, involved much more labor, and a larger ex-
penditure, than any other landscape feature of that undertaking.

For the same reason that induced us to recommend that expen-
diture to the Commissioners of the Central Park, we feel dissatisfied
with the limits of the space we are now regarding. It is evident at
a glance, however, that if we do not restrict ourselves to the arti-
ficial boundary formerly fixed upon for the park, this space may
readily be more than doubled in extent without encroaching upon
any considerable natural elevation, and at a very moderate expense.
Thus our second requirement would be met.

In addition to the special artistic advantage which the acquisition
of this ground would secure, there are two other very important con-
siderations in favor of obtaining it: First, such an addition is almost
indispensable to a propev provision of playing grounds, there being
no space of moderately level ground not occupied by groves of trees
of much value, sufficient for this purpose, upon the territory now

controlled by your Commission; second, its acquisition will enable —

us to make a very great improvement upon any general plan of
drives, rides and walks, which would otherwise be practicable, and
_ in these and other ways, to which we shall hereafter allude, it will
greatly lessen the danger of overcrowding the park.

Next to groves and greensward, a sheet of water is the most im-
portant element in the character of the scenery which we desire to
realize. We find no place suited to the formation of such a feature
of sufficient extent within the limits of the site now held by your
Commission. At a short distance beyond them, there is, however, a
broad plain, overlooked on the park side by the highest ground in
the vicinity, from the top of which there isa prospect to the south-
ward, which includes a large sweep of the ocean, the Highlands of
Navesink, Sandy Hook, and all the outer harbor of New York. The
formation of a lake on the low ground referred to, in such a manner

103

that this elevation would be reflected upon its surface, would add
such an unquestionable advantage to the landscape attractions of the
park, that we should feel obliged to take the same course with refer-
ence to it as we have done in regard to the previously proposed
extension of the limits of the site, even if no other considerations
favored it. The great value of a park lake in this climate, however,
for skating, and the attractiveness of the spectacle which crowds of
skaters afford to others, added to its value for the recreation of rowing,
afford additional inducements of no small consequence in favor of this
course. With the further addition, which we therefore advise, it will
be practicable to form a sheet of water having more than twice the
accommodation for skaters of that in the Central Park. The Central
Park Lake, though many objected to it originally as larger than
necessary for any artistic purpose, while it occupied space which
might be otherwise used to advantage, is already found much too
small for the comfortable accommodation of those who are prepared
to use it, and many turn from it, in consequence, to those small
ponds where the payment of an admission fee secures greater space
to individual skaters. If this is now the case, the need of very much
larger skating space will be a very pressing one in the future, as
population increases. We cannot doubt that a sheet of ice in
- Brooklyn, equally near to the present centre of population of the
_ metropolis, and more than twice as large as that in the Central Park,
would soon attract a larger number of persons than have ever yet
resorted to the latter. This number has on several occasions been
above one hundred thousand in a day and five hundred thousand in
a week. If we consider that the opportunity afforded for this recrea-
tion would be worth in the acquisition of health and vigor to the
whole body of citizens an amount equal to a dime for each visitor, it
will be evident that the whole cost of purchasing the land in view,
and of constructing the lake, might be defrayed by the use which
would be made of it in a single season.

Supposing the more hilly land to be covered by plantations, and
a greensward to be formed upon the open ground which we have
described, and the low plain to be mainly occupied by a lake, we
have the three grand elements of pastural landscape for which we
were seeking. What remains consists of limited strips of surface,
generally stony and somewhat rough, and may be left to be treated
incidentally, as before explained. To the important features of the
greensward, the wood, the lake, and the hill, the roads and walks
must be accommodated in such a way as to give the visitor the best
advantage, consistent with ease and comfort, for enjoying whatever

104

charm they may be made to possess. Before referring particularly —

to the system of communications, however, it will be best to speak
of certain other detached arrangements.

PLACES OF CONGREGATION AND REST.

Besides the green, our study provides three places, each -adapted
to the assemblage of large numbers of people, and for their remain-
ing together for some time at rest.

The first of these we designate the Lookout. The circumstances
which make a special arrangement for the accommodation of an
assemblage at this point desirable are—Ist, the view which is ob-
tained here, and nowhere else in the park, of the outer harbor, the
distant mountain ranges of New Jersey and the ocean offing; 2d, the
peculiar advantages which the elevation offers for the enjoyment in
hot weather of the sea breeze; 3d, the interest of the local scenery,
which it is our intention should be quite different from that of any
other part of the park; and*4th, the bird’s-eye view which will be
presented of. military evolutions, if the projected parade-ground
should be formed south of the park.

We propose to form here a terraced platform, one hundred feet
in length, with seats and awnings, connected by a broad terrace walk
and staircase with an oval court for carriages, three hundred feet
long and one hundred and fifty wide. On the west side of the plat-
form provision is made for a small low building, designed for the
special accommodation of women and children, and at which they
may obtain some simple refreshment. This building is also intended
to serve the purpose of shutting off the view westwardly from the
lookout platform, as this would otherwise detract from the effect
obtained in other directions.

All the principal walks of the park tend to lead the visitor from
whatever entrance he starts, to finally reach the Lookout, though he
may visit every other part of the park, and yet avoid this if he
prefers. From the Lookout, broad walks lead across the park to
the east end of the lake, where, at a part commanding the largest
water view, together with a rich open meadow landscape, backed by
the highest elevation of the park, pinnacled with evergreens, arrange-
ments for open-air concerts are proposed. The orchestra will be
situated upon an island in a bay of the lake, so that it can be seen
from three sides. On the main land, within a distance of two
hundred and twenty-five yards of this island—at which distance the
music of a well appointed band can be perfectly appreciated—stand-

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ing room is provided for horses and carriages in a circular space
about five hundred feet in diameter, and in an oval space at a higher
elevation, three hundred feet long and one hundred and seyenty-
five feet wide, while directly in front, at a distance varying from
one hundred to five hundred feet, a space is provided, to be oceu-
pied by shaded seats, sufficient for 6ver ten thousand people. Pro-
vision is made for the rapid dispersion of the audience, however
large it may be, on foot, in carriages, and on horseback ; also for
checking the movement of carriages within the circular space, during
the performance of the music.

Midway between the lookout concourse and the music concourse,
and with approaches for footmen and carriages from both, a series
of terraces and arcades is provided, within which there will be
room for a large restaurant. These look out upon the lake, and the
floor of the lower arcade will be nearly on a level with the surface
of the lake, so that it can be readily entered from the ice in winter
or from boats in summer. The upper terrace is five hundred feet
in length by sixty feet in width, and the remaining floor space of
the structure one hundred and seventy-five by two hundred feet.
The arcades are intended to be the principal architectural feature
of the park.

SYLVAN FEATURES.

There are four sylvan features of considerable importance in the
plan. First, upon the green, the meadow, and the slopes of the
upper lake, a display of the finest American forest trees, standing
singly and in open groups, so as to admit of the amplest develop-
ment of individuals, which will be further encouraged by the best
attainable conditions of soil and situation.

Second, in the central portions of the park, an open grove of »
forest trees, in which visitors may ramble in the shade without im-
pediment of underwood, and without danger of doing harm to any-
thing through carelessness or any ordinary selfish impulse.

Third, a collection, arranged in the natural way, of the more
delicate shrubs and trees, especially evergreens, both coniferous and
of the class denominated in England American plants, such as Rho-
dodendrons, Kalmias, Azalias and Andromedas: these would be
situated on the interior slopes of the Lookout and the Friend’s Hill,
and in the valley between them, where, from the peculiar circum-
stances of exposure and protection they will be likely to thrive.

Fourth, picturesque groups of evergreens and deciduous trees
and shrubs on the shore of the lake.

106

PLAY-GROUNDS AND GREENSWARD.

A portion of the Green, nearest the Flatbush railroad and the re-
fectory, and where the surrounding road and walks are at the
greatest distance from. the centre, is proposed to be fitted to be used
for a ball playing ground, by the children of the public schools and
others.

We should advise that the whole of the Green, upon special occa-
sions at least, if not at all times, should be open to all persons on
foot, as a common. If the ground is properly prepared, there is no
danger that the beauty of the turf would be seriously impaired, ex-
cept perhaps immediately after heavy rains, at which time it would
seldom occur that the park would be greatly crowded with visitors.
If this is done, and the interior groves also thrown open to pedes-
trians, through their whole extent between the bridle road and the
green, we consider that the danger that the walks and resting-places
would be overcrowded, so as to force or sorely tempt visitors to go
upon ground, where they would really injure the elements ofthe
scenery, or create disturbance, embarrassment and waste, would be
very small.

ZOOLOGICAL GROUND.

The tract of broken ground near the Ninth avenue, now partly
occupied by gardens and residences, the features of which are quite
varied, but rather diminutive for desirable park effects, we propose
should be held in reserve for zoological collections, and, as it may
properly be placed under the control of a special corporation for this
purpose, we refrain at this time from suggesting in what manner it
should be laid out. This subject will be recurred to.

GRAZING GROUND FOR DEER.

The narrow sheltered strip of meadow, on the opposite side of
the park, we propose to enclose with a sufficient iron paling and
make use of as a pasture ground for deer, antelopes, gazelles, and
such other grazing animals as can be satisfactorily herded together
in summer upon it.

WATER WORKS AND DRAINAGE,

In regard to the water needed for the Lake, we are informed that
sufficient may be spared from: the general supply already brought to
the city by the Nassau Water Works. We recommend, however,

107

that arrangements be had in view, not only for securing an independ-
ent supply, but also for keeping up a constant circulation, by pump-
ing the water from the Lake to the spring on the west side of the
Friends’ Hill, so that it may always be flowing from that point in a
natural stream. The pump for this purpose would be worked by
steam, in connection with the kitchen of the refectory. The stream
furnished by the spring is intended to take first the character of a
series of pools, overhung on the one side by the trees upon the
north side of the Friends’ Hill, and margined on the other by banks
of turf. It would then assume more of the usual character of a small
mountain stream, taking a very irregular course, with numerous
small rapids, shoots, and eddies, among rocks and ferns, until it
emerged from the shadow of the wood upon a grassy slope; thence
it would flow more quietly until, after falling over a body of rock,
in connection with a foot bridge on the side of the park opposite
that on which it started, it would assume the appearance of a small
river with high and shaded banks, and at length, passing the refectory
and music concourse in two reaches, empty into the eastern bay of
the Lake. Here, on the north shore, would be a low flat meadow,
with a few large trees and small thickets of bushes overhanging the
water. In the coves would be beds of pond lilies and other aquatic
plants, and, on the shores near them, flags, cat-tails, bulrushes, and
the like. This arrangement would give opportunity for every variety
of water scenery which is practicable within the space of the park,
with any moderate supply of water.

The natural outlet for the surplus water of the park would be in
a southerly direction, and a plan of drainage may be adopted, that
will be more simple and less expensive than would usually be prac-
ticable upon a site of this extent, having such a considerable variety

of surface.

RIDES, DRIVES AND WALKS.

The more important features of scenery and of local accom-
modations for various purposes, having been thus pointed out, we
now turn to the several_ways of communication by which they are
connected and related one to another.

The drive, commencing with a width of sixty (60) feet, at the
centre of the north or principal entrance to the park, is carried in a
southerly direction for some little distance, but diverges slightly to
the east, so as to accommodate itself to some high ground in the
neighborhood. It there branches to the southeast and southwest,
and becomes a part of the circuit drive, which is proposed to be of

108

an average width of forty (40) feet. The arrangement of the lines
and curves, at the junction, is such that carriages coming into the
park will continue to proceed for a few hundred feet in a southeast-
erly direction, after reaching the circuit drive, and will thus be
fairly started on the road that it is intended they should follow,
for, although the formation of the ground naturally suggests. this
treatment of the lines, we should, under any circumstances, have
made an effort to arrange the plan in some such way as is indicated
in the design, because the southeasterly branch leads more directly
into the heart of the park. It commands, moreover, from a point
very near the entrance, a view in the direction of the length of what
is now an unplanted stretch of ground, but which is treated in the
design as open lawn or meadow, dotted with trees, it being the in-
tention to reduce the height of a low, narrow ridge that crosses this
piece of ground, so that its real extent may be fairly seen from the
drive.

Continuing on the course already indicated, the road soon curves
to the right, and ascends to a point from which it is proposed to ob-
tain an extensive view, in a westerly direction, over the great green
of the park. From this point the road descends into the wooded
defile where an old wayside inn now stands, marking the ground held
by the Continental forces in an engagement during the battle of Long
Island, at which point it will be practicable, in perfecting the plan
of the park to provide for some architectural memento of that im-
‘portant struggle.

Passing through the defile, a view is obtained over a pretty glade
of turf to the left, intended to be used as a grazing ground for deer,

_and bounded on the opposite side by the thick coppice-wood which
already effectually conceals the Flatbush avenue. Keeping to the
right of the deer paddock, the drive continues to pass through the
woods, but presently divides into two somewhat narrower branches,
by which means full advantage is taken of the already existing
opportunities for shade, and the standing trees are less interfered
with than would otherwise be necessary, and then, reuniting,
continues to run in a southerly direction, till it approaches the
proposed Franklin avenue boundary line. At this point it divides
again, and one branch enlarges almost directly into the open space
previously described as the music concourse. The other branch or
main line of drive, after passing the two entrances to the concourse,
is carried round the head of the Lake, an@ along the shore ina
westerly direction, till it approaches the proposed Coney Island
road boundary. It then curves to the northward, still following the

109

shore of the Lake, until it reaches the west side of the Lookout Fill.
Although there is nothing interesting in the natural scenery of this
stretch, the bank of the Lake will be made so artificially, and there
will be very agreeable views across the water, the north shore being
the most picturesque part of the park. This is intended to be used
more particularly as the promenade or common course of the park.
The drive is consequently laid out of unusual width, and the bridle
road, together with a broad walk, is carried in close connection
with it.

The western foot of the Lookout Hill is one of the most important
points on the whole line of drive. It is very desirable that the road
should retain its circuit character, and continue on.in a northerly
direction when the hill is reached, as the whole Lake has by this
time been seen, the social or gregarious disposition is supposed to
have been satisfied, and a considerable change is therefore needed in
the landscape effect. The way in which we propose that this shall
be managed will be readily understood by an examination of the
plan, and, although the contour lines of the strip of ground pro-
posed to be added in this immediate neighborhood will need to be
somewhat modified, the object in view is really so essential to the
development of the whole design, that its successful accomplishment
will justify any reasonable expenditure that it may be necessary to
incur for the sake of securing it. The main drive continues, therefore,
in a westerly direction, leaving the Friends’ Hill to the northward,
and afterwards opening directly upon and keeping in view the most
purely rural, and at the same time the most expanded and extended
view within the park. On approaching the Ninth avenue boundary,
it curves to the east round the green, enters the western woods,
divides again into two branches, and, after reuniting, passes on for
some distance, still in the midst of groves, until, after passing along
the side of the meadow stretch that. was viewed in the direction of
its length, at the commencement of the drive, it reaches the starting
point near the main entrance.

In addition to the circuit drive thus described, a cross road is
introduced about the middle of the park, from which will be ob-
tained a fine open outlook towards the country beyond the southern
boundary. A loop from this interior road leads to the refectory
and across a bridge, over an arm of the Lake, to a carriage concourse
of smaller size than the one already described, which it is proposed
to construct on somewhat elevated ground, overlooking the Lake
and the music stand. A branch from this cross road is proposed to
lead up the slopes on the side of the Lookout Hill, to the open area

110

on the upper level, which will command a view of the ocean. The
connections with the various entrances are proposed to be made as
shown on the plan, and the whole length of drive thus provided for
is about five miles and a half.

The bridle road is so laid out on the plan, that by increasing the
size of some archways needed for other purposes, it may, if desired,
be kept distinct from the carriage road and the footpaths through
the whole length of its circuit. It follows generally the line of the ~
main road, sometimés in immediate connection with it, and some-
times passing along at a considerable distance from it. The whole
length of the bridle road laid out on the plan is about four miles.

The drive and the bridle road being thus arranged for, the sys-
tem of walks proposed by the plan will next require to be described.
It is very important to the comfort of pedestrians, that they should
be able to proceed into the park from the entrances that will be
chiefly used, without having to cross over the circuit drive or bridle
road, and that, when once fairly in among the trees and grass
stretches, they should be able to ramble over the whole extent of the
property with as much apparent freedom as if the whole park had
been intended solely for their enjoyment.

There are two points in the design which may be said to be cen-
tral points, so far as the walk system is concerned: the summit
level of the Lookout Hill overlooking the ocean, and the large open
air hall of reception shown on the plan, near the principal carriage
concourse already described. All the leading lines will be found to
tend in these directions, and the intermediate walks are designed to
give variety and intricacy, without interfering with this general in-
tention of the design. rom the main entrance two walks are pro-
posed to start. One passes near the north-eastern boundary, and
leads to the reservoir bridge over Flatbush avenue; it then con-
tinues in a southerly direction, skirting the deer paddock, and ter-
minates at the music concourse. A branch of this walk passes
under the carriage road, near the main entrance, and opens directly
on to the meadow stretch which forms the northern division of the
great green. The walk passes around this meadow, and crossing
the green, commands a full view of its whole extent; then'through
the woods into a ravine by the side of the brook and by an arched
passage under the carriage road to the lawn-like open ground north
of the Lookout Hill; then again through the woods till it meets the
line, already described, which leads to the music concourse.

The second walk that starts from the main entrance passes in a
rather more westerly direction. It has the same general tendency

111

as the walks above mentioned, and leads both to the Lookout and
to the music concourse.

A walk extends all around the lake and around the green, and a
system of walks is introduced to connect the music concourse and
the Lookout with the refectory ; but it is not necessary to describe
all these walks in detail.

From the principal entrance at the junction of Flatbush and Ninth
avenues, from the entrance at the corner of Fifteenth street and
Ninth avenue, from the foot entrance at‘the junction of Sixteenth
street and the Coney Island road, and from the entrance from Flat-
bush avenue, near the Willink property, it is proposed to have
walks, leading to the principal points of interest, that will not be
interfered with by the carriage road. From the other two en-
trances, surface cross-walks are proposed, as it would be difficult, on
account of the embankment that will be necessary to retain the
waters of the lake, to adopt the plan used elsewhere.

>

BOUNDARY ARRANGEMENTS.

Outside the exterior drives and walks, such extent of ground only
is needed as is necessary to enable us, by planting and otherwise, to
shut out of view that which would be inharmonious with and coun-
teractive to our design. This extent we find in all cases, without
carrying the boundary beyond the nearest street line, as laid down
on the city map, and except at the two points where the ground,
which might otherwise seem to be more than is required to enable
us to plant out the boundary, is occupied by the zoological grounds
and the deer paddock before described, it will be found that the
amount of ground taken into the park, beyond what is absolutely
necessary for this purpose, is nowhere equal to the depth of an ordi-
nary lot. Practically there will not be a foot of ground within the
boundary the use of which will not add to the interest of the park
and its value to the citizens. At one point, the boundary is kept a
long distance within the nearest street line. This is where the or-
chards and villa gardens, on the east of the drive, near the music
concourse, admit of a narrower margin than would otherwise answer.
The fronts of these valuable grounds near the park are not likely to
be built upon before its border trees will have become well grown,
nor until a street has been opened along the boundary line. Any
buildings then likely to be erected here will consequently be placed
at such a distance as not to be conspicuous from the park, while the

arrangement enables the city to avoid the purchase of any land
-

a

112

having special value from its association with highly improved resi-
dences.

By adopting the line of Franklin avenue for the boundary on the
south, about half the space between an observer standing on Look-
out Hill and the horizon will seem to be occupied by the lake and
the park. This effect will of course be merely an optical one, but
a visit to the site will show at once that it will be all-sufficient to
divert the attention of the visitor from the land occupied for agri-
cultural purposes, and will serve to render the sea view more at-
tractive. This advantage will be considerably increased, if the
ground immediately beyond Franklin avenue should be appropriated
for a parade ground, or any other public purpose which will prevent
it from being occupied by tall buildings. A nearer boundary than
Franklin avenue would probably fail to realize the effect desired in
this particular.

It is proposed to widen Vanderbilt avenue to one hundred feet,
as far as the Ifmits of the property at present owned by the Com-
missioners; also to widen Ninth avenue to one hundred feet, as far
as the limits of the park are proposed to extend; also to widen Fif-
teenth street, the Coney Island road and Franklin avenue, as shown

‘ on the plan, wherever they connect with the proposed boundary

lines. In all these cases, the additional width is proposed to be
- added on the side of the road next to the park, leaving the lines on
the opposite of the road as already laid down on the city map.

On the additional ground thus obtained, it is proposed to con-
struct a thirty feet side-walk, shaded by a double row of trees, so
‘that an ample gas-lighted and umbrageous promenade will be of-
fered to the public in the immediate vicinity of the park, after the
gates are closed at night. The comparatively close planting of these
avenue trees will moreover help to shut out the houses that will be
built on the opposite side of the street from the view of the visitors
who may be in the interior of the park.

ARRANGEMENT OF EXTERIOR STREETS.

In conclusion, we wish to offer a few suggestions with regard to
the management of some parts of the ground outside of the park
boundaries.

Although, for the reasons given at the beginning of this report,
we think it desirable that the section of the site, as originally es-
tablished, lying east of Flatbush avenue, should be abandoned as a
part of the park, it does not follow that the lines laid down on the

113

city map, before the project of a park in this vicinity had been sug-
gested, should be re-adopted, and considerable advantages may be ob-
tained, in our judgment, by adjusting them with reference to the park.

We have indicated on our study the manner in which this may
be done. It will be seen that while the streets north of the reser-
voir follow the old lines, those south of it are set out at right angles
to Flatbush avenue, instead of diagonally as formerly ; and as
Grand and Classon avenues cannot cross the park, they are stopped
at Washington avenue.

This district, if re-arranged in the manner suggested, will most
probably be occupied to a considerable extent by residences of a
first-class character, and as the blocks will be sixty feet more than
the usual width, it will be easy in execution, if thought desirable,
to subdivide the property in such a way that, while on one street
the lots will be of ordinary length, on the other they will be so
- tauch longer that ample room will be provided for stables that
will have a convenient lane access between the two.

An open place or square is suggested at the junction of Grand
and Washington avenues, and Washington avenue is proposed to
be widened ten feet along the whole length of the property now
owned by the Commissioners. <A design is also shown for a pos-
sible future improvement opposite the park gate, in the vicinity of
the present Willink property, so that Franklin avenue may be in-
cluded in our general scheme for the arrangement of the approaches
to this important entrance. As there is a fine distant view from
the top of the reservoir, and as this structure belongs inalienably
to the city, we also propose to reserve some of the ground about
it so as to be able to flank it with agreeable groups of trees, and to
connect it by means of a light foot-bridge over Flatbush avenue with
the walks of the park, as indicated on our study. The formation of
the ground is suitable for the purpose, and the fine view to be ob-
tained from the upper level of the reservoir can thus be associated
with the attractions of the park.

In addition to the principal entrance, provision is made for gates
to the park on Flatbush avenue, near the Willink property ; on
Franklin avenue, near the southeast corner of the proposed bound-
aries ; at the junction of Franklin avenue with the Coney Island road;
at the junction of Sixteenth street and the Coney Island road, and
from the junction of Ninth avenue and Fifteenth street. Another
entrance is indicated on the Ninth avenue, opposite Third street,
which can either lead into the park or connect simply with the
zoological garden, as may be ultimately determined.

8

114

Improvements are suggested, in connection with three of these
entrances, which seem to be necessary, for the purpose of securing
easy and agreeable approaches ; and the advantage proposed to be
gained in each case will be so readily understood, by reference to
the plan, that we deem further explanations in regard to this part of
the design unnecessary.

MUSEUMS AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL EDIFICES.

Although the ground now held by your Commission, east of
Flatbush avenue, does not appear to us desirable to be retained for
the purpose for which it has been assigned, it will nevertheless be
an advantage to the park, if a small section of it, abutting on Flat-
bush avenue and facing the park, remains in the possession of the
city. We therefore desire to offer a suggestion as to the use to
which it may be appropriated.

It is undesirable that any duties or responsibilities should be as-
sumed by legislative bodies that can be equally well undertaken by
citizens, either individually or associated in their private capacity.
The exact limit of judicious legislation in this way cannot, however,
be defined, and while there are many public responsibilities that
clearly cannot be assumed by individual citizens, and many more
that can, there are some few that are of an intermediate character,
and that require special consideration. It is, for instance, generally
conceded that a system of popular education is an essential part of a
republican government, but it is by no means determined what
means of education should be secured to all, and to what extent the
public can be taxed, with reasonable assurance of a saving to the tax
payers through a reduction of taxes for courts, police, prisons and
poor-houses, and the general cheapening of the necessaries of life by
the increased capacity for productive labor of the whole community
which may be obtained through the improvement of the educational
system.

It is very desirable, therefore, that plans should, if possible, be
adopted by our municipal bodies, which will admit of strict construc-
tion, and at the same time be no bar to the progressive improvement
of our methods of education. At present, book learning and educa-
tion are generally considered correlative terms, but the conviction is

evidently fast gaining ground in the public mind, which has long
been established with those who have given the most thorough con-
sideration to the subject, that, although the ordinary chances of ob-
servation may be sufficient to make many branches of knowledge
which are inculeated in books sufficiently intelligible, there are

———— ee ee ee

—Eo

115

others, progress in which is of special value with reference to the
enlargement of the mind and the development of healthy inclinations
and habits, which cannot be pursued with much advantage in this
second-hand way.

Hence, it may be anticipated that the common school system of
a large city will, sooner or later, be generally considered incomplete,
unless ample opportunity is found within it for the direct exercise by
every student of his perceptive faculties, in regard to a large class of
objects not likely to come under his ordinary observation. The idea
of education, it must be confessed by all, unquestionably culminates
in the development of the reflective faculties, but the reflective facul-
ties—which are secondary—can never, it is obvious, be healthily
exercised if the perceptive faculties, which are primary, are neglected
and starved.

The question therefore is pertinent, even at present, whether the
city, without absolutely assuming the whole expense and the whole
control of undertakings for this end, may not wisely offer some en-
couragement to associations voluntarily formed by citizens for the
purpose.

Having some such views in mind as these, when we were prepar-
ing the design of Central Park, we advocated the retention of the
building near the Fifth avenue and Fifty-ninth street entrance, form-
erly used as an arsenal, simply because it would probably, if re-
tained, be found to be of sufficient value to be converted into the
nucleus of a museum, and although it was very inconveniently
located for any such purpose, taking the proposed landscape effects
of the park into consideration, we felt that the opportunity was one
that ought not to be lost. Our suggestion was adopted by the Com-
missioners, and the Historical Society has since asked for and ob-
tained possession from them of this site and this building, with the
understanding that it is to be improved and converted into a public
museum at the expense of the society.

This illustration is presented with no purpose of favoring the in-
troduction of large structures of this character within the limits of a
public park, but rather to show that they ought in some way to be
provided for in season. The suggestion we have to make in this
case is that the stretch of ground abutting on Flatbush avenue,
marked R. R., and now in the possession of the Commissioners,
should be distinctly set apart for such purposes as we have indicated.
If this suggestion is accepted, the lots fronting towards the park on
this part of Flatbush avenue will probably, in course of time, be
occupied by handsome buildings, the objects of which will in some

116

way be connected with the educational system of the city, but which
will not be erected or owned by it, the terms on which the different
sites would be given being such as to secure a share of control in the
management of each institution, sufficient to ensure to the city an
adequate return for the value of the land it parts with.

SUBURBAN CONNECTIONS.

It will be observed that we have indicated the commencement of
a road leading out of the west side of the circle, in connection with
the southern entrance to the park. We have done so from a convic-
tion that a shaded pleasure drive, in extension of that of the park,
and free from the embarrassments which will inevitably be associated
with a road partially occupied by a line of railway, and which is
also used as a trotting course for fast horses, will soon be demanded .
by the frequenters of the park. Such a road, whatever may be the
character of the country through which it passes, should be in itself
of a picturesque character. It should, therefore, be neither very
straight nor very level, and should be bordered by a small belt of
trees and shrubbery.

We have made no special survey with reference to the course
which should be followed by such a road, but the first ‘objective
’ point in view would unquestionably be the ocean beach, and this
might very properly be its terminus. It has occurred to us, how-
ever, that either from some point a little further east on the beach,
thus made accessible by carriages from the park, or from a point
more directly in connection with the park drives, a similar road may
be demanded in the future which shall be carried through the rich
country lying back of Brooklyn, until it can be turned, without
striking through any densely occupied ground, so as to approach the
East River, and finally reach the shore at or near Ravenswood.
From this point, either by ferry or high bridges, it may be thrown
over the two narrow straits into which the East River is divided in
this neighborhood, and connection may thus be had with one of the
broad streets leading directly into the Central Park, and thus with
the system of somewhat similar sylvan roads leading northward,
now being planned by the Commissioners of the Central Park.
Such an arrangement would enable a carriage to be driven on the
half of a summer’s day through the most interesting parts both of
the cities of Brooklyn and New York, through their most attractive
and characteristic suburbs, and through both their great parks ; hav-
ing a long stretch of the noble Hudson, with the Palisades in the
middle distance, and the Shawangunk range of mountains in the

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back-ground, in view at one end, andthe broad Atlantic with its
foaming breakers rolling on the beach, at the other.

The whole might be taken in a circuit without twice crossing
the same ground, and would form a grand municipal promenade,
hardly surpassed in the world either for extent or continuity of
interest.

This suggestion forms no part of our plan, and may seem prema-
ture, but there can be but little danger of too extended a provision
with reference to future improvements which may grow out of so
important a work as that upon which your Commission is engaged,
and we have, therefore, in the preparation of the design herewith
submitted endeavored, as far as possible, to arrange for a proper
connection with any undertakings of the character indicated which
may hereafter be found to be required.

Respectfully,
A OLMSTED, VAUX & CO.,

Landscape Architects.
January 24th, 1866.

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Commissioners oF Prosrecr Park,

1867.

COMMISSIONERS.
JAMES 8. T. STRANAHAN, ABIEL A. LOW,
CONKLIN BRUSH, SEYMOUR L. HUSTED,
WALTER §. GRIFFITH, ABRAHAM B. BAYLIS,
JOHN H. PRENTICE, THOMAS McELRATH,
EDWARDS W. FISKE, STEPHEN HAYNES,
TEUNIS J. BERGEN, CORNELIUS J. SPRAGUE.

PRESIDENT.

JAMES §. T. STRANAHAN.

SECRETARY.

WALTER S. GRIFFITH.

COMPTROLLER AND COUNSEL.
JOHN N. TAYLOR.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS AND SUPERINTENDENTS.
OLMSTEAD, VAUX & CO.

ENGINEER IN CHARGE.
JOSEPH P. DAVIS.

ASSISTANT ENGINEERS IN CHARGE.
JOHN BOGART. JOHN Y. CULYER.

STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

JOHN H. PRENTICE, WALTER S. GRIFFITH,
SEYMOUR L. HUSTED, STEPHEN HAYNES,
ABIEL A. LOW, EDWARDS W. FISKE.

FINANCE COMMITTEE.

ABRAHAM B. BAYLIS, TEUNIS J. BERGEN,
CORNELIUS J. SPRAGUE, EDWARDS W. FISKE.

AUDITING COMMITTEE.

WALTER S.- GRIFFITH, JOHN H. PRENTICE,
THOMAS McELRATH.

SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

COMMISSIONERS OF PROSPECT PARK.

To rue HonorasLtE THE Mayor AND Boarp oF ALDERMEN OF
THE Crry oF Brooxtyn:

The Commissioners of Prospect Park respectfully submit to
the Common Council of the city, this report of their proceed-
ings for the year 1866. Their last report presented, for the
consideration of the Common Council and of the city at large,
an enlarged plan for laying out and improving the grounds
selected for the park, with an explanation of the design, pre-
pared by Messrs. Olmsted, Vaux & Co., the landscape archi-
tects employed by the Board. The plan also set forth the nor-
mal condition of the park district, diversified by its broad
meadows, its well wooded hills and its picturesque sheets of
water; and exhibited its remarkable adaptability to the useful
and beneficent purposes for which it is intended. It was accom-
panied by an exhibit of the manner in which it was proposed to
develope its landscape effects, and to open its rides, drives and
rambles ; and suggested the locations suitable for its zoological
and other gardens; its rivulets, lakes and plantations.

Without passing definitely upon the design thus presented,
and having in fact no other interest in the matter than such as
they hold in common with their fellow citizens, the Commis-
sioners caused it to be printed and extensively distributed
throughout the city, and waited a response from their constitu-
ents, whose taste and judgment they felt bound to respect.
The result fully realized the most sanguine anticipations of the

124

Commissioners, who had the, satisfaction of receiving through
an intelligent public press, as well as by the general voice of
the people, a hearty approval of the design which had been
thus offered for criticism. No material objection was made to
any of its prominent features, although valuable suggestions
were made, which the Commissioners have since gladly availed
themselves of; but the main question had been put, and the
public voice had decided in its favor by an overwhelming ma-
jority. The tired citizen had here evidently found his beau-
ideal of recreation and refreshment; the hopeful invalid, his
coveted supply of balmy air; the successful man of business,
his quiet afternoon drive; and the artist, the speedy pratifica-
tion of his taste for the picturesque. Even the landed pro-
prietor found in it an immense addition to the value of his sur-
rounding acres; the economist, an opportunity of increasing
the taxable property of the city, and the consequent reduction
of individual taxation ; while all classes saw clearly the honor
and the eclat which must inevitably result to our city from the
consummation of so noble an enterprise.

The popular judgment was so obviously in unison with
their own opinion, as well as with that of their professional ad-
visers, that the Commissioners felt assured that the scheme thus
adopted was just what the occasion required, and they at once
took measures to carry it forward to a full completion, with all
the powers entrusted to them. One portion of the plan, it will
be remembered, required an important change in the outlines
originally fixed upon for the boundaries of the park, involving
a considerable enlargement of the premises, both south and
west, beyond the original park limits. Application was ac-
cordingly made to the Legislature to authorize the proposed
change, and a grant of about two hundred and fifty acres of
very desirable land was obtained. Commissioners for valuing
the same, and for awarding damages to the owners, were ap-
pointed by the Supreme Court, and have now nearly completed
their proceedings. |

The Commissioners, however, failed to obtain a portion of
the land for which they applied, consisting of twelve blocks of
land between Ninth and Tenth avenues, extending from Third
to Fifteenth streets. A glance at the map will confirm the
suggestions made in the report of our landscape architects in

Vesa ey oa ar Vas Po
a 7 i is
+
. YY.

.

ul

WH
i iN

1776,

THESBAT TLE PASS alN

125

relation thereto, and will also show how essential this section of
land is to the integrity of the park plan. The failure referred
to, was owing mainly to a reluctance on the part of the Legis-
lature to involve the city in the expense of the purchase of this
piece of property, unless the necessity of its acquisition was
clearly apparent, at a time when the credit of city bonds had
not fully recovered from the shock temporarily sustained by
the pressure of an immense war debt. The consummation of
this purchase was consequently deterred to a more favorable
opportunity, being reserved for the action of a subsequent
Legislature.

Mature reflection has confirmed the deliberate judgment of
the Commissioners as to the eminent propriety, if not the actual
necessity, of making this addition to the park. Nor do they
perceive that the financial objection exists any longer. They
are satisfied in fact, that good economy requires that no further
time should be lost in its acquisition, and they therefore pro-
pose to renew at the present session of the Legislature the ap-
plication for permission to annex the land in question.

The Legislature, it is understood, has placed the parade
ground, which was recently provided for the military of Kings
County, at the expense of the county, under the care and man-
agement of the Commissioners of the Park, and Commissioners
appointed by the Supreme Court are now engaged in estimat-
ing the value of the property. The land selected for the pur-
pose consists of forty acres admirably adapted for military dis-
plays, and lies immediately adjoining the park, on the south.
A parade will show to great advantage from the adjacent hills
in the park, and will add much to its attraction; while the
land itself, by judicious management, can, not only be tastefully
laid out and planted, but will virtually add a new section to
park territory. mL

Several interesting relics have recently been developed upon
the Revolutionary battle-field, which constitutes a portion of
the park. Balls and bones are frequently turned up by the
workmen, in the progress of their excavations, marking the
spot where once the tide of battle surged. The little bluff on
the east, commanding the Flatbush and old Port roads at their
junction in the Valley Grove, was the site of a small two-gun
battery, whieh enfiladed the former road, up which the Hessians

126

marched to assault Sullivan’s lines on the memorable morning
of the 27th of August, 1776. A few rods in front of this bat-
tery, and almost in the center of the Flatbush road, stood the
Dongan Oak—a famous landmark—which was felled on that
morning to obstruct the passage of the enemy between the hills.
This location will be easily recognized as the roadway imme-
diately in front of the old Valley Grove Tavern, leading south-
erly into Flatbush. The battle pass, with the site of the
redoubt, will be carefully preserved and distinctly marked for
the veneration of future generations.

Soon after the organization of the present Board, the atten-
tion of the Commissioners was drawn to the extravagant expend-
itures that frequently attended proceedings to perfect the title
to land taken for public purposes. They found that the fees
and expenses of Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment
were entirely unchecked by any legislative enactment, and they
determined to correct the evil as far as possible. For this pur-
pose they caused a provision to be inserted in the Act of 1865,
which reserved to themselves the selection, and the consequent
adjustment of compensation, of the clerks, surveyors, and
attorney to examine titles, necessary for the use of such Com-
missioners; and also required them to have their fees and ex-
penses taxed by the Supreme Court. This taxation can now
be done only after giving ten days’ notice of the application
therefor in two of our public prints; thus giving every tax-
payer in the city an opportunity of appearing before the court
on the taxation, and stating his objections thereto. A provision
was also inserted in the act dispensing with the services of the
City Counsel, who had usually acted for Commissioners of Es-
timate and Assessment on the presentation of their report for
confirmation, and who finally certified to the City Comptroller
for payment, their awards for damages, after confirmation.
These duties were by the same act devolved upon the counsel
to this Board, who, being a salaried officer, now performs the
service without additional charge. A similar provision was
inserted in the Act of 1866, under which the Commissioners of
Estimate and Assessment, appointed to value the recent addi-
ticns to the park, are now acting, and the result has already
been the saving of many thousands. of dollars to the city.

Immediately after the adoption of the new plan of improve-

127

ment, arrangements were made for active operations upon the
park. The Board had previously distributed its general ad-
ministrative duties between three standing committees. To the
first, it entrusted the duty of supervising its finances, of pro-
viding from time to time the means required for the prosecution
of the work, and of reporting monthly to the Board the exact
condition of its finances. To the second, was committed the
general management of the work ordered by the Board, and
the purchase and disposition of all property pertaining to the
commission. While to the third, was allotted the task of audit-
ing all bills and claims for services and materials, with the
supervision of its books of account. The executive depart-
ments of the work were organized by appointing Mr. John N.
Taylor Comptroller, who also acts as counsel to the Board ;
and by selecting the landscape architects, above referred to, as
superintendents of the work, under the direction of the Execu-
tive Committee. The latter gentlemen were at the same time
instructed to prepare the details of the park plan which had
been adopted, and to organize a working force sufficient for its
execution. The Board also appointed Mr. Joseph P. Davis, of
the Nassau Water Works, Engineer in charge of operations on
the park, and Mr. John Bogart and Mr. John Y. Culyer, his
principal assistants.

After any given measure has been discussed and determined
upon by the Board, its execution is referred to the appropriate
committee, which personally supervises the performance of the
duty by the department charged with the work. Purchases of
tools and materials are made by agents selected with special
reference to their experience in obtaining the article required,
under the direction of the Executive Committee and the super-
intendents. The market is canvassed for the lowest cash price
—quality considered. The articles purchased are weighed,
counted or measured, and delivered at the park office, where a
full register is kept of everything received and given out for use
on the park; and the bills, after having been duly certified,
are forwarded to the office of the comptroller.

No bills are paid without: First, a certificate of the super-
intendents that they have been authorized by the Executive
Committee to make the purchase; second, a certificate of the
purchasing agent that he made the purchase under the direc-

128

tion of the superintendents, at the prices named in the bill;
third, a certificate of the officer charged with the safe keeping
of the property of the commission, that the articles in question
have been received in good condition, and that the bill has been
compared with the register of bills kept in his office, and the
extensions and footings examined and found correct; and,
lastly, a certificate of the comptroller that the expenditure has
been authorized by a resolution of the Board of a particular
date, specifying the same. The bills for the current month then
pass to the Auditing Committee, who examine the same, and
report thereon to the Board at its next meeting, when, if found
correct, payment is ordered. After payment is ordered by the
Board, checks are drawn by the president and secretary, speci-
fying the particular object for which they are drawn, payable
to the order of the comptroller, who endorses them over to the
persons respectively entitled to receive the same, taking proper
receipts therefor.

The routine for the payment of salaries and the pay-rolls
of engineers and laborers is quite similar to that for the pay-
ment of bills, except that the disbursement of the money is
made by or under the direction of the Comptroller. These for-
malities tend to establish a strict personal accountability for
every item of debt incurred on park account, while they guard
against useless or improvident expenditure.

As to the amount of work performed thus far, the Commis-
sioners beg to refer to the report of the Superintendents, which
accompanies this report, and to the map thereto annexed, de-
lineating its progress. In general, however, it may be stated
that their efforts have been directed mainly to the drainage of
the grounds; to the grading of the Plaza or principal entrance ;
to the opening of the principal drives from the Plaza towards
the Coney Island road, and to the collection of trees and shrub-
bery for future use. The actual progress made in these opera-
tions will be readily seen upon the map referred to, and by
reference to the detailed statements in the reports of the respec-
tive engineers in charge. .

An abstract of all the returns of labor made to the Comp-
trollers’ office by the Superintendents, will show the actual
amount of labor bestowed upon the park since the work began;
the number of men employed, varying from time to time, aver-

129

aging, however, about 642 numerically, but in actual force 451
men for the whole time.

Annexed to this report will be found a copy of an ordinance,
which the Board adopted soon after the organization of the
working force, for its better regulation and government. Its
penalty was made to conform to the existing law which estab-
lished the park, but does not interfere with additional or other
punishment, for offences committed on the park, in violation of
Municipal or State laws.

Late on the evening of the 4th of December, a fire broke
out in the engineer’s office, near the entrance to the park,
which, owing to the prevalence of a gale of wind blowing at
the time, and to the difficulty experienced by the fire depart-
ment of the city in procuring a sufficient supply of water in
that remote district, quickly destroyed the entire premises.
The cause of the fire was quite accidental, but the activity and
energy of the engineer in charge and his associates, preserved
all the working plans, field notes and valuable papers, includ-
ing the returns of time and accounts kept with the laborers,
which had been deposited in the iron sate. The pecuniary loss
amounted to about six thousand dollars; but no interruption to
the progress of the work was occasioned by the fire.

A financial statement of all the receipts and expenditures of
the Commission during the past year, will be found annexed to
this report, showing the whole outlay, during that time, to have
been one hundred and.ninety-five thousand seven hundred and
one dollars and ten cents.

The whole is respectfully submitted.
Dated January 26th, 1867.
JeS. T. STRANAHAN,
President.

‘ WALTER S. GRIFFITH,
Secretary.

JOHN N. TAYLOR,
Comptroller.

An Acr to extend the boundaries of Prospect Park in the City of
Brooklyn.

Passed April 30, 1866; three-fifths being present.

The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and
Assembly, do enact as follows:

Szotion 1. The Board of Commissioners of Prospect Park, in
the city of Brooklyn, are hereby authorized, for and in behalf of the
said city, to acquire title to all those certain pieces or parcel of
land, situated partly in the said city and partly in the town of Flat-
bush, beginning at the easterly corner of the Tenth avenue and Ninth
street, and running thence southwesterly along Tenth avenue to
Fifteenth street ; thence southeasterly along the northeasterly side
or line of Fifteenth street, to a point distant one hundred and sixty-
one feet and ten inches northwesterly from the intersection of the
said line with a line made by extending the easterly side of the
Coney Island road as now laid out between Franklin avenue,
in the town of Flatbush so called, and Braxton street, northward ;
thence southerly upon a curved line of three hundred and ninety
feet radius, to a point “on said curve at which it coincides with
and becomes tangent to the said easterly line of the Coney Island
road extended as aforesaid; thence southerly on said extended
line to a point in the circumference of a circle of one hundred
and ten feet radius, of which the center rests upon the middle
line of Sixteenth street at a point distant twenty-seven feet and six
inches westerly from and at right angles to said extended line ;
thence westerly and following the circumference,of said circle until
it again intersects the said extended line; thence southerly upon
said extended line and along the said easterly side of said Coney
Island road to a point distant two hundred and seventy feet and
three inches northerly from the present northeast corner of said road
and Franklin avenue; thence westerly upon the circumference of a
circle of two hundred and forty-five feet radius, having its center at
a point in said Coney Island road which is distant twenty-seven feet
and six inches westerly at right angles from the easterly side of said
road, and following said circumference to its intersection with the
northerly line of Franklin avenue ; thence easterly along said avenue
to the plank road in the village of Flatbush; thence northerly on
the westerly line of said plank road twenty feet; thence westerly
and parallel with Franklin avenue six hundred and fifty feet; thence
northerly in a direct line to a point which is distant twenty feet
westerly at right angles from the northwest corner of a workshop
standing on the boundary line of the lands of Cornelia A. Willink,
deceased, and Elizabeth Ludlow, and the lands of John Lott, de-

a

131

ceased; thence again northerly in continuation of said direct line
until it meets a line drawn westerly at right angles to Flatbush
avenue from a point on the westerly side of said avenue, which is
distant six hundred feet southerly from the intersection of said
avenue with the southerly Soom of said park; thence easterly
on said right angled line to Flatbush avenue; thence northerly along
said avenue to the southeasterly boundary of said park; thence
southwesterly along the southeasterly line of said park to the south-
westerly corner thereof; thence northwesterly along the southwest-
erly side of said park to the Tenth avenue, at the place of begin-
ning. Excepting and reserving out of the above described lands
and premises all those certain pieces or parcels of land now occupied
by the religious societies of Friends for a cemetery, bounded and
described as follows: Beginning at a point in the central line of the
Eleventh avenue which is distant one hundred and twenty-five feet
northeasterly from the intersection of said central line with the
northeasterly side or line of Fourteenth street, running thence north-
easterly along said central line of said avenue five hundred and six
feet and eleven inches; thence southeasterly to a point on the north-
westerly side of the Coney Island plank road which is distant two
feet and nine inches southwesterly from Eleventh street; thence
southwesterly and parallel to Eleventh avenue to a point which is
distant one hundred and twenty-five feet northeasterly from Four-
teenth street, and thence northerly parallel to Fourteenth street to
the place of beginning.

§ 2. The lands described in the last preceding section of this act
(omitting the reservation therein contained) are hereby declared to
be a public place, and shall be deemed to have been taken by the
said city of Brooklyn, and to have been opened for public use as an
additional part of Prospect Park; and from and after the passage
_ of this act the said lands shall be annexed to, and shall form a part
of the said city, and of the Commissioners’ map of the said city,
and shall be laid down upon said map as if the same had been taken
and declared open as a park, pursuant to the provisions of the act
entitled “An Act to revise and amend the several acts relating to
the city of Brooklyn,” passed April fourth, one thousand eight hun-
dred and fifty ; and all streets, avenues, and highways intersecting
the said lands, or any parts thereof, except Ninth avenue and Fif-
teenth street and the Coney Island road, are hereby closed and dis-
continued, and are stricken from the said Commissioners’ map, so
far as they run through or intersect the said lands; and Fifteenth
street is hereby extended at its present width southeasterly, parallel
with the southwesterly boundary of the said park, through the
hereinbefore described circle, having a radius of one hundred and
ten feet, until the said street meets the Coney Island road, and shall
be so laid down on the said map.

§ 3. Whenever the right of the said Board of Commissioners to
enter upon that portion of the property of the said society of Friends
hereby authorized to be taken, shall be perfected, the said Commis-
sioners shall provide and open a suitable and sufficiently commodious

132 :

passageway, at least twenty feet wide, from Fifteenth street to the
said cemetery, for the common use of all the societies of Friends
occupying the same, so long as they shall continue to use it asa
cemetery ; and no assessment for benefit, hereinafter directed to be
made, shall be levied or collected upon the residue of the property
now used as a cemetery, so long as the said ground shall continue to
be a cemetery or place of interment. The said Board of Commis-
sioners may at any time agree with the said societies of Friends for
the purchase of the said property, or any part thereof, and the val-
uation of the same, with the damages the said Friends may sustain
by reason of their removal therefrom; and upon such contract
being reported to the Comptroller by the said Board, with a proper
certificate of their counsel as to title, the Comptroller is hereby au-
thorized to pay the same, and may issue such additional bonds as
may be necessary to complete the purchase thereof, in the same way
and subject to the same redemption as other bonds directed to be
issued under this act. And whenever the said purchase shall be
completed and the property conveyed to the city, any assessment
that may have been laid thereon by Commissioners of Estimate and
Assessment under this act shall be canceled, and the said property
shall become a portion of Prospect Park, and be under the exclusive
control and management of the Board of Commissioners, in the
same way and to the same extent as other portions of the said park
now are or may at any time be.

§ 4. The Coney Island and Brooklyn Railroad Company is here-
by ap ected to remove its railway tracks from Fifteenth street, and
is authorized and directed to lay such tracks upon Sixteenth str eet,
or upon Braxton street, or upon both said streets, at its option, and
to continue said tracks through said streets to Ninth avenue; thence
through said avenue to Fifteenth street; thence through Fifteenth
street to Sixth avenue, and thence through said avenue to Ninth
street, and also through Ninth street, and also through Ninth avenue
from Ninth street to Braxton street, and to operate their road anu
run their cars over the same. Braxton street and Sixteenth street
and Sixth avenue and Ninth avenue shall be opened and graded so
far as may be necessary for the purposes of said railroad, whenever
the said railroad company shall make application therefor to the
proper authorities; and the grade of Braxton street is established
as follows, that is to say: One hundred and fifty feet above high
water mark at Ninth avenue; one hundred and thirty-two feet at
Tenth avenue ; one hundred and fifteen feet and six inches at Eleventh
avenue ; and ninety- -eight feet at the City Line, at its junction with
the Coney Island road.

§ 5. The said Board of Gomimistionant may apply to the Su-
preme Court in the Second Judicial District for the appointment of
five Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment, relating to the lands
and premises hereby authorized to be taken, and the court shall
thereupon proceed as directed by an act passed May second, eighteen
hundred and sixty-one, entitled “An act to amend an act entitled
‘An act to lay out a public park and parade ground for the city of

133

Brooklyn, and to alter the Commissioners’ map of the said city, passed
April seventeenth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty.’” The
Commissioners so to be appointed shall estimate the value of the
lands and premises required to be taken by this act, and the loss
and damage to be sustained by the owners and other persons inter-
ested therein in consequence of their relinquishing the same to the
city ; and after their report thereon shall have been confirmed by
the court, they shall apportion such part thereof, together with such
part of the amount of the several awards, with the expenses hereto-
fore reported to and confirmed by the said court for lands heretofore
taken for said park, as they may deem equitable, upon any lands in
said city specially benefitted thereby in proportion to such benefit.
The one-twentieth part of the amount thus apportioned for benefit
shall be annually assessed upon the particular lands chargeable
therewith, as designated in the report of the said Commissioners,
and shall be annually included in the taxes to be levied thereon, and
shall be levied and collected like other taxes upon property in the
said city. The proceeds of such collections shall be paid to the
Commissioners of the Sinking Fund of said city, to be applied to
the redemption of all bonds issued and to be issued for the pur-
chase and improvement of lands taken and to be taken for the said
ark.

3 § 6. The Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment appointed
under the act mentioned in the last preceeding section of this act, as
well as those appointed under an act entitled “An act to change the
boundaries of Prospect Park, in the city of Brooklyn,” passed April
twenty-eighth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, are hereby
discharged from the performance of all further duties under those
acts; and all services, acts, and duties which are thereby directed to
be done and performed by the said Commissioners, and which yet
remain unperformed in relation to assessing damages, or otherwise,
are hereby devolved upon and shall be performed by the Commis-
sioners who are to be appointed under this act. The expenses, fees,
and compensation which the said several Commissioners and their
employees may be entitled to receive in pursuance of the said
several acts, and not yet received by them, shall be added to and
be paid as a part of the general expenses incurred and to be incurred
for the opening of the said park; and the Comptroller of the said
city is hereby directed to pay the same out of the Prospect Park
fund in his hands, as soon as the same can be properly taxed as
hereinafter provided, and certified by the counsel of the Board of
Park Commissioners ; and for this purpose and to this extent he is
authorized to increase the issue of park bonds under the act last
above mentioned, if necessary.

§ 7. The Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment who are
to be appointed in pursuance of this act shall have all the powers,
and authority, and shall be entitled to the same compensation that
is conferred upon or allowed to the Commissioners referred to in
the several acts last above mentioned, and any act amendatory
thereof. And the Board of Commissioners of Prospect Park may

134

employ an attorney and surveyor for the purposes of this act, whose
compensation shall be included in the general expenses to be in-
curred under this act; and the awards for lands to be taken pur-
suant to this act shall be payable upon the certificate of the counsel
of the said Board. ;

§ 8. No expenses, fees or compensation shall be allowed under
this act, unless the same shall have been duly taxed as herein pro-
vided, and for the purpose of such taxation the said Commissioners
shall return to the said court the several items thereof, and the
amount incurred by them respectively, as well as by the said attor-

ney and counsel. They shall at the same time give notice in two of

the daily newspapers published in the city of Brooklyn, for ten days
successively, of their intention to present the same to the said court
for taxation at a special term thereof to be therein designated. And
any taxpayer of the said city may appear upon such taxation and
show cause why the said expenses, fees, or compensation, or any
portion thereof, shall not be allowed; and it shall be the duty of
the court to examine the several items thereof, and to tax and adjust
the same for such amount as in its judgment shall be just and
reasonable.

§ 9. The payment of all damages to be awarded by the said Com-
missioners of estimate and assessment, as well as the general
expenses authorized to be paid by this act, shall become due and
payable immediately after the confirmation of their report there-
upon. And the title of the lands mentioned or referred to in their
report upon valuation shall, immediately after the confirmation
thereof by the said court, vest for ever in fee simple absolute in the
city of Brooklyn, and the said lands shall thenceforth form a part of
Prospect Park, and be under the exclusive management and control
of the said Board of Commissioners, in the same manner and to the
same extent as the other portions of the said park now are or may
at any time be under the management or control of the said Board.

§ 10. For the payment of awards so to be made by the said
Commissioners, and for the payment of the said general expenses,
fees and compensation, as well as for the payment of the expenses of
managing and improving the said park, the bonds of the city shall
from time to time be issued in the manner directed by the act re-
ferred to in the fifth section of this act; and such bonds, and also
all other bonds which may hereafter be issued under the provisions
of the two several acts mentioned or referred. to in the fifth and sixth
sections of this act, may bear an interest hot exceeding seven per
cent. per annum, payable semi-annually. And for the redemption of
the said bonds, as well as for the redemption of the bonds issued and
to be issued under the provisions of the said acts, with interest, all
lands embraced within the boundaries of the said park, including
those taken under this act, are hereby specifically pledged.

§ 11. All the provisions of the act referred to in the fifth section
of this act, and of any act amendatory thereof relating to the issue,
use and sale of bonds, and the redemption thereof, with the interest
to accrue thereon, as well as in relation to the taking and paying for

SS

the lands and premises referred to in this act, and the duties, powers

and authority of the said Board of Commissioners, as well as of the said

Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment, and their appointment

A ‘i proceedings, including the confirmation of their reports by the

Supreme Court, which are not incompatible with the provisions of

ts this act, shall apply to all bonds and authority that may be taken or

exercised under this act.

«$12, This act shall take effect immediately.

PAAR AC O'R DaN AUN: CB. Nome

The Commissioners of Prospect Park, in the city of Brooklyn,
do ordain as follows :

Articie I.—All persons are forbidden,

1. To take or carry away any sod, clay, turf, stone, sand, gravel,
leaves, muck, peat, wood, or anything whatever belonging to the
park, from any part of the land embraced within the boundaries of
the park ;

2. To climb upon, or in any way cut, injure, or deface any tree,
shrub, building, fence, or other erection within the park ;

3. To turn cattle, horses, goats, swine, or poultry of any descrip-
tion upon the park ;

4. To carry firearms, or to throw stones or other missiles within
the park ;

5. To hinder or in any manner delay or interfere with men em-
ployed upon the park ;

6. To expose any article or thing for sale, or engage in any pic-
nic or game upon the park, except by permission derived from the
Board of Commissioners ;

7. To post or otherwise display any bill, notice, advertisement,
or other paper or device upon any tree, structure, or other erection
within the park, or upon any of its inclosures.

ArtroLE I].—Any person who shall violate or offend against any
of the provisions of the foregoing article, shall be deemed guilty of
a misdemeanor, and shall be punished on conviction, before any
court of competent jurisdiction in the county of Kings, by a fine
not exceeding fifty dollars, and in default of payment, by imprison-
ment not exceeding thirty days.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

OF THE

COMMISSIONERS OF PROSPEOT

To JaNnuARY 1st, 1867.

Balance on hand, December 31, 1865 .......... Piaveiehe
The total receipts of the year ending December

From

31, 1866, are as follows:

the Treasurer of the city of
Brooklyn, July 10, 1866... $100,000 00
es Oct. 8, 1866... 200,000 00
interest on deposits, Dec. 27, 1866. 2,064 63
sale of old material........... 10 00
(oa Shouses; onpank ss si5's.< +. 1,145 00
rents of “ agi ee ea ae , 3,884 81
sale of drainage pipe.......... 2,618 37

Supervisors of Kings county for
office fixtures....... ee aPe cit 500 00

The total expenditures for the year ending

December 31, 1866, are as follows:

Paid salaries and compensation of offi-

Gans ANE ClLeTks sos. gsie'e «lacs. ae.s $10,087 36
engineers, architects, draughtsmen,

RUChpe ses ents wel ctenerete rs ais aie 24,792 77
incidental expenses. . <6). 0.4)... 1,550 99
materials of construction and tools. 21,208 86
stationery, printing, advertising,

drawing materials, &c........ 1,832 70
fitting up offices, furniture, rent, Wc. 2,441 28
laborers, mechanics, cartmen, &c.. 132,660 65
surveyors’ instruments .......... 1,050 25
repairs of houses on park........ 43 74

auctioneer’s fees and charges on
Saleszopahousesn «css a celets Se i 32 50

Balance in bank .....

PARK,

$8,796 10

—_— $310,222 81

nd

$319,018 91

$195,701 10
123,317 81

$319,018 91

JOHN N. TAYLOR,

Comptroller.

BE Pe Ovid
OF THE

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS AND SUPERINTENDENTS.

To tHE Presipent oF THE Boarp or ComMIssIONERS OF PROSPECT
Parx, Brooxiyn:

Sir: On the 29th of May last we were appointed by your
Board Landscape Architects and Superintendents of the park, and
were requested to consider various portions of its design in detail
with reference to an early commencement of the work of con-
struction.

On the 16th of June we were instructed to organize, as soon as
possible, with the sanction of the Executive Committee, a prac-
tical system of operations under which the work might be
proceeded with at suitable points during the, remainder of the
season.

The necessary preliminaries having been settled, a small body
of laborers was set at work on the Ist of July, since which
time the force has been engaged in developing such leading
features of the plan as it was practicable from time to time to
take up.

Our preliminary study contemplated the addition to the park
domain of the track between Third and Fifteenth streets and Ninth
and Tenth avenues; but as this section was not included in the
enlargement provided for by legislative enactment last winter, the
satisfactory development of the plan on’ the ground has been some-
what interfered with. All the lines in the neighborhood of the
Litchfield property have’ had to be stopped short, or so arranged
that they would apply to the scheme of roads as originally designed,
in case that ground should be acquired within a reasonable time,
and also admit, without readjustment, of adaptation to the present

139

contracted boundary line, if this course should be found absolutely
necessary. In accordance with instructions received at the outset,
we studied the road lines that would have to be followed in the
event of the present boundaries being adhered to, but the result was
entirely unsatisfactory ; and we feel so well assured that it is to the
public interest that the ground under discussion should be included
in the park limits, that we think it our duty again, at this time, to
urge the proposition on your attention, so that before Spring, if
possible, the necessary legislation may be obtained, and all doubts
dispelled in reference to the ultimate engineering lines of the main
circuit drive.

The territory to the south and west, appropriated to the park by
the Legislature of last Winter, not being yet in the actual possession
of your Commission, operations have been necessarily restricted to
a limited section at the north end.

A portion of the carriage drive and of the bridle road has been
laid out and sub-graded, and the extent of the work thus done is set
forth in the annexed progress map. Although the lines originally
suggested in the preliminary study have been somewhat varied in
execution, no serious modifications have yet resulted from the prep-
aration of the plan in detail upon the working surveys. It has,
however, been found practicable to amplify the system of drives
passing through the woods south of the Old Battle Pass, and we have
thus been able to effect a reduction in width of the separate branches
without lessening the actual accommodation. By this means greater
advantage is obtained from the shade offered by existing trees than
would be possible if the full width of forty feet were everywhere
adhered to. , :

A central fountain basin, 160 feet in diameter, has been added
to the plan of the Plaza, which forms part of the principal
entrance.

The main outlines of this portion of the design have been accu-
rately adjusted, and the necessary changes of grade are now in pro-
cess of execution.

In the preliminary study, the northerly section of the Plaza was
left open, but further study has led us to recommend that it should
be enclosed and planted, to correspond with the arrangements
adopted on the east and west sides, and that a considerable stretch
of ground, which is suitable for the purpose, should be treated as
an extension of the sidewalks leading in the directions of Flatbush
and Vanderbilt avenues to the park. The space thus appropriated

140

will be in a very conspicuous and central position, and is sufficiently
extensive to admit of its being used for open-air public meetings,
that would be out of place if held either in the crowded thorough-
fares of the city, or within the limits of the park proper. The plan
of the Plaza, as now arranged, contemplates the erection, at some
future time, of important monumental designs on the right and left
of the principal entrance to the park. If one of these sites should
be selected for the proposed statue of President Lincoln, it is hoped
that the other would be reserved for a statue of Washington.

In the preliminary study, a small portion of ground attached to
the reservoir site, on the east side of Flatbush avenue, was proposed
to be improved, and a foot bridge was planned to connect the reser-
voir with the main park. This portion of the design, in accordance
with our instructions, has not been included in any operations that
have been commenced, but we have taken the opportunity to give
further study to the subject; and the modified plan, sometime since
submitted for your consideration, and now appended to this report,
embodies the latest suggestions that we have to offer in regard to
this district. It proposes that the area to be improved shall be
somewhat extended, so as to make provision for an agreeable prom-
enade to be entered directly from Washington avenue, the position
of the proposed foot bridge being changed, so that it now takes a
prominent place in the arrangement of the new approach.

In our preliminary study we proposed that Vanderbilt avenue
should be widened to 100 feet, so far as the property of the Com-
missioners extended, the object being to improve, as far as_ possible,
the approach from the city in this direction. It will be seen, how-
ever, by reference to the map of Brooklyn, that within a few blocks
of the park an awkward crook occurs in Vanderbilt avenue, and that
the avoidance of this, by an extension in a straight line to Clinton
avenue, would be very expensive. As, moreover, horse railroads
will probably be laid, sooner or later, on both Vanderbilt and Ninth
avenues, neither of these thoroughfares will, when the city is built
up, be entirely desirable routes for a large concourse of pleasure
vehicles.

Taking all these circumstances into consideration, we have been
desirous to lay before you some suggestion for an improvement in
this portion of the general design that would be acceptable in its
character, and not too costly for practical application.

Clinton avenue, which is eighty feet wide, would undoubtedly
form a very agreeable approach to the park, It is at present en-

141

tirely blocked up at its point of intersection with Atlantic avenue,
but an examination of the intervening district shows that it might,
by judicious arrangement, be extended in a nearly direct line to the
Warren street boundary of the park property, without passing
through any ground now occupied by valuable buildings.

We have, therefore, made a fresh study, which we herewith
lay before you, of an arrangement of street lines within the dis-
trict now under your control northeast of the plaza, so as to include
the suggested extension of Clinton avenue in our general scheme of
approaches to the principal gateway of the park.

It will be observed, on an examination of the modified plan, that
the whole design is now more symmetrical than it was as origi-
nally presented, the junction of Clinton avenue, with the plaza on
one side, as proposed, corresponding with the junction of Douglas
street, with the plaza on the other side—as now laid down on the
city map.

It will also be noticed that, after crossing Underhill avenue,
Butler, Douglas and Degraw streets are now arranged to approach
the park on lines more direct than those indicated on the prelim-
inary study submitted for consideration last year.

It would undoubtedly add much to the value of the park if it
could be reached, by citizens living at a distance, through liberally
conceived approaches which were, in all their extent, convenient
and pleasant to walk,ride or drive in. But the value of the prop-
erty which would have to be acquired by the city, and of that
which would necessarily be destroyed in forming an improvement
of this character through any part of the region west and north
of Prospect hill, is now so great that no scheme for the pur-
pose would be likely to meet with favor. It is, however, not too
late to consider whether routes approaching the park and connect-
ing its drives with other points, in which your constituents will
have special interest, may not be laid out beyond that part of the
city in which the value of land is already so great as to make such
undertakings formidable.

In our preliminary report we suggested routes leading from the
south-western part of the park toward Fort Hamilton and Coney
Island. We have since observed that an avenue likely to be, at no
distant *day, quite as useful as either of these, might be formed be-
tween the eastern gate of the park and the high land about the
Ridgewood reservoir, following the present city line. When the
streets now planned in this vicinity shall have been once opened, it

142

will be impossible to lay out a spacious and attractive roadway
leading in this direction without destroying very valuable property.
During the next two or three years, however, it would probably be
found practicable to make such local modifications in the general
street system as would leave it no less convenient than at present,
and yet would allow of the introduction of a broad boulevard,
shaded by agreeable plantations, and adapted for use as a pleasure
drive, ride and walk. The route suggested would make frequent
curves and considerable inequalities of surface desirable, and this
circumstance would operate to prevent its general use for any other
purpose than for pleasure travel and access to the buildings by which
it would be lined.

Even if it should not be thought expedient to undertake such an
improvement immediately, the ground might be secured and the
city map modified with reference to its’ construction in the future.
It would practically extend the park to the rear of Williamsburgh,
and, at a comparatively low price, would add much more to its real
utility than any equal area of land that could now-be secured on its
immediate border.

Up to this time, those who have built expensive houses in the dis-
tricts which lie much to the eastward, of the present centre of popu-
lation of the city, have evidently been led to do so, because the oppor-
tunity has here been offered, to lay out villa residences on a liberal
scale, which is not elsewhere practicable within the city limits, or on
New York island, within equal distance of Wall street.

It is, doubtless, for the interest of the city of Brooklyn that such
men should not be driven beyond its limits, and that others of simi-
lar tastes should be attracted to build within them, an object which
would be greatly aided by the opening of spacious and agreeable
suburban thoroughfares, especially if these were so designed as to
practically secure the advantages of proximity to the park to all
who should live near them.

The various duties of superintendence of work on the park are,
for the sake of convenience, divided into two classes, each supervised
by an assistant engineer, and both comprehended in the more general
responsibility of the engineer in charge.

The first includes the duties of the topographical survey, the
elaboration of the designs in working drawings and details of
measurement, in exact correspondence with the data furnished by
the topographical survey ; the transference of the designs in this
form to the ground in such ways as may be required to enable the

143

workmen to understand each his respective part in the constructive
labor; and such a supervision of the working force as is necessary
to secure the intended result in all particulars, together with the
measurements, calculations and records, upon which our knowledge
is assured, of the degree of economy with which the work is pro-
ceeding.

The second includes the adjustment of the force to the various
duties required to be performed by recruiting, by transfers, and by
discharges ; the discipline of the force "by cautions, reproofs, suspen-
sions and discharges; the detail of time-keeping, and the precautions
used to prevent fraud and disorder.

Mr. John Bogart, Civil Engineer, is in immediate charge of so
much of the organization as relates to the first of these depart-
ments; Mr. J. Y. Culyer, Civil Engineer, of so much as relates to
the other.

Mr. J. P. Davis, Civil Engineer, has a general executive charge
over all, and is also looked to for the solution of problems arising on
the work, which belong strictly to his special professional responsi-
bility. His report, with those of his assistants, is herewith ap-
pended.

We have every reason to be satisfied with the manner in which
we have hitherto been aided in the study of our task, and with
which our instructions have been carried out, and if thought desir-
able, are prepared to enlarge the scale of operations upon the ground
in the spring with entire confidence, based upon the experience we
have now had, in the ability and zeal with which we shall be sus-
tained, not only by the gentlemen whom we have named, but by all
who are engaged in the service of your board.

Respectfully,

OLMSTED, VAUX & CO.,
Landscape Architects and Superintendents.

OFFICE OF DESIGN AND SUPERINTENDENCE,
January 1st, 1867. .

RE P'Ork F
* | OF

ENGINEER IN CHARGE

ENGINEER’S OFFICE, PROSPECT PaRK,
January 1st, 1867.
Messrs. OtmstTED, Vaux & Co.,
Landscape Architects and Superintendents,

Gentlemen,—The accompanying reports of Mr. Bogart and Mr.
Culyer, together with the ahnexed maps, give full information rela-
tive to the progress that has been made in the surveys and construc-
tion of the park, the condition of the materials and tools on hand,
and the organization and discipline of the labor force.

It will be seen, by reference to the progress map, that the topo-
graphical survey of the original surface is not yet complete. This
work will be pushed forward as vigorously as the other duties of
the assistants, connected more immediately with actual construction,
will permit, and it is hoped that the necessary data will be collected
and recorded upon the map before the opening of work in the
spring.

The labor force has been chiefly employed in grading and in col-
lecting materials, such as soil, peat and stone, for future use.

The price of excavation has varied from 12 cents to $1 20 per
cubic yard, depending upon its character, its final distribution, and
the length of haul. .

The force employed exclusively upon earth excavation has cost
$106,600, of which 43 per cent. has been paid to cart gangs, and 57
per cent. to barrow gangs.

The average cost of excavating, moving, and disposing of material
of all kinds, since the commencement of work in June up to the
present date, has been nearly five cents less than the average up to
the Ist of September. ;

“145

The average haul has been greater since the Ist of September
than before, but there has been a less proportion of difficult excava-
tion, such as of clay, for deep sewer trenches, &c. The reduction of
the average cost is in part due to this last fact, but chiefly to the
better discipline of the labor force.

Such sewers have been laid as were required to conduct away
the water from the surfaces being graded. It is not advisable to
determine the details of the system of sewerage until the grades of
a larger surface are definitely established.

Owing to the peculiar conformation of the ground selected for
the park, giving, as it does, deep valleys or hollows with no natural
_ outlets, the cost of drainage will necessarily be large, both in
trenching for sewers and in shaping the ground for proper surface
drainage. :

Several thousand feet of roads and paths have been sub-graded,
but no portion has yet been surfaced with road metal. A force,
however, is now being organized for breaking and preparing the
stone for that purpose.

In the upper portion of the park, in order to lessen the amount
of excavation, the roads have been graded for short distances as
steep as one in twenty-five. Still, owing to the comparatively low
grade of Flatbush avenue, from which it was necessary to start, and
to the elevation of the park ground opposite the reservoir—owing
also to the very rough condition of the adjoining ground, caused in
part by the excavation made for clay used in the construction of the
reservoir—the expense for grading has necessarily been large. On
the west side the amount of excavation has been still further in-
creased by the existence of a peat bog over which the drive passes.
To secure a good foundation, this peat has been taken out, and its
place supplied by material taken from a broad, low hill that ob-
structed the view over a considerable portion of the park, from near
the entrance.

In the general management of the matters entrusted to my charge,
I have been very efficiently aided by Mr. Bogart and Mr. Culyer, in
their respective departments.

Respectfully submitted,
JOS. P. DAVIS,

Engineer in charge.

10

146

Parx Commissioners, City or Brooxtyn,
EnGIneEr’s Orrics, January Ist, 1867.

Jos. P. Davis, Esa.,

Engineer in charge:

Sir: The following is a statement of the progress and amount of
work done upon the park, from the beginning of operations, in June,
1866, up to January 1, 1867:

THE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY.

A careful topographical survey of the park grounds being com-
menced, several base lines were measured at suitable intervals, and
from these a rectangular system has been established, extending over
the whole area. With this as a base, levels have been taken, and
from the data thus obtained, topographical maps constructed, exhib-
iting accurately the variations of surface by means of contour lines,
drawn at intervals, to show each foot of elevation. This work is
complete for a large portion of the park. The area, the topography
of which has been finished, is shown upon the accompanying map,
where contour lines are drawn, representing variations of ten feet in
elevation.

The rectangular division of the surface of the park is also used
as the basis for the survey and location of the drives, bridle roads,
walks, and drainage systems, and is of great assistance to the engineers
in giving working grades for shaping ground, and in making up esti-
mates of work proposed or finished.

GRADING OF DRIVES, BRIDLE ROADS, WALKS, AND
MEADOWS.

The construction force has been mainly engaged in making the
necessary excavation and filling for grading the Plaza exterior to
the main entrance, at junction of Flatbush and Ninth avenues, the
drives, bridle roads, and walks running from the entrance into the
park and the meadow surfaces at the northern portion of the
grounds.

The whole area, which has been worked over, is about sixty-one
acres. Of this, about twenty-eight acres have been brought to sub-
grade, requiring only the addition of soil to bring that portion to
the proposed final surface. The location and extent of the area
worked over, are shown upon the progress map by line shading.

147

Seven thousand eight hundred lineal feet, or about one and a half
miles of drives have been laid out and worked, of which five thou-
sand seven hundred lineal feet have been brought to sub-grade, ready
for the road metal. The larger portion of this is the eastern branch
of the main circuit drive, extending from the entrance of the park to
the high land near Flatbush avenue; thence through the wooded de-
file, past the Deer Paddock, and by several branches through the
woods. <A small portion of the western branch of the circuit drive
has been also graded.

One thousand three hundred and seventy-five feet of bridle roads
and one thousand eight hundred and seventy-five feet of walks have
been graded. The respective lengths and widths of these drives,
bridle roads and walks, are shown in the annexed table. Their lines,
as far as worked, are also shown upon the progress map.

DRIVES BROUGHT TO SUB-GRADE.

Gob WIdGis s.6 och, sacajers hoi ek Gist Bieaaecter ote sista diaeiel ots 275 lineal feet.
1 COSTES TEU Oat Aen Se er Ske ee 1725 «
40 SVR Ste Ca tac Ss ut bet reWAW hep -i1 Ra AB 2,700 i
30 SL PER aL any eweh so a cll a0) <hesnhe eowaes) ahs ohio) 2) h8"s 450 ee
23 Sat am hathce tees tan vi der 2nd, Side, xyes bbe onan ceetater hs 550

Total length of drives brought to sub-grade. .. 5,700 a

BRIDLE ROADS BROUGHT TO SUB-GRADE.

BEC UR WUAILG choc Mia loa sis! S ainic¥aps im ials ince 'ctal sie avs frets . 750 lineal feet.
=) SRI GAR Sa Or i tay Ae ere eater rae sco aeed f
8 SES AVS) Rs Mee Sane SOM ean EO ee 400 ss
Total bridle roads brought to sub-grade ..... 1,375 z

WALKS BROUGHT TO SUB-GRADE.

16 feet wide....... SYetere Gir ate eae anagerers Ere tte < .. 1,400 lineal feet.
12 Bema Soon thera Nici sv Sent wee iia @hatemaat a wtar eS tsi eite 475

Total length of walks brought to sub-grade .. 1,875 ‘f

DRAINAGE LINES.

The main lines of pipes for the drainage of the district already
worked over have been laid, the dimensions and respective lengths
of which are shown in the following table. A quantity of stone
drain has also been laid at points where such drainage was considered
desirable and sufficient.

148

PIPE SEWER LAID.

AS linch witwited pipes ces sss eee ec cee a Maes ee . 1,851 lineal feet.
Len" Peay Unieeiy loss ae tah s ae aero Telarc eet ere 2,018 Ye
Qi « Bet ih Ae ig kN Le ea ATs sie bmi
Oe er Pe eUMCH MOLE es. ais a's cocin sep euetete aja) siete eal adels 142 iy
Votal* pipe laid... ss e4)*.,¢ Sears a a Ta ee 4,566 ff

MATERIAL MOVED.

The total amount of material moved from the commencement of
operations up to January Ist, 1867, is shown in the following sum-
mary statement :

Excavation for grading drives, bridle roads, walks,

and: MeAdOWSit.5'5'clolecis suc soe Siem se side eos as 85,181 cubic yds.

WORE aa Sg Lactate eal a Sia a Meo me sates ors enor a a 46,591 ie
Hor sewersand Grams)... see eed sees celts s eae So) is
Soil excavated and piled for future use......... 65,200 i
Peat s se Ch abi hh Deane ad br 24,143 ie
Clay oo x e JAGR SAA 5,906 f
Stone oy os SW eter ete wee 17,448 ri
Miscellaneous excavation for test pits, etc., etc... 494 -

Total material: moved i.) cc wise antares 258,857 be

SETTING OUT TREES AND SHRUBS.

There have been set out about 14,000 trees and shrubs in the
two nurseries, and several thousand young trees and shrubs have
been transplanted at points where work has been in progress.

THE ENGINEER CORPS.
The present organization of the Engineer Corps is as follows:

For Field Work.—Three assistant engineers, twe surveyors, two
levelers, four rodmen, and sixteen chainmen and axemen.
For Office Work.—One principal and two assistant draughtsmen,
and one office assistant in charge of estimates and accounts of cost.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN BOGART,

Assistant Engineer in charge.

149

Brooxtyn Park Commission,
Orrice or Design anp SUPERINTENDENCE,
January Ist, 1867.
J. P. Davis, Esq.,

Engineer in charge:

Dear Sir: In the following report you will find a statement and
summary of general facts and statistics compiled from the accounts
and records of the force kept at this office.

ORGANIZATION.

The force is arranged in gangs of from twenty to fifty men.
Over each gang is placed a foreman, and, when necessary, an assist-
ant foreman; the whole being under the management and active
supervision of a general foreman.

The method of keeping and returning the time of the men is as
follows :

- Each foreman is provided with two time-books, with the names
of his men written therein, and so ruled and headed that at roll-call
he has only to make a check mark opposite the name of each man
present; or, if the man comes or leaves at irregular hours, the
foreman marks the hour in the proper column, headed “ came” or
“left.”

There are three roll-calls each day. In calling the roll, the men
are required to form a line, and, as each man’s name is called by the
foreman, he steps out, and is identified by the assistant foreman; or,
if the gang has no assistant foreman, by a man selected for the pur-
pose, who responds “right ;” or, if the man called is not present, he
answers “ absent.”

At the last roll-call for the day, the foreman states aloud, as each
man’s name is called, the number of hours’ work with which he is
credited for the day.

The time-books are collected by messengers from this office, when
the computation of hours worked is made up, and the books re-dis-
tributed each day. The office is thus charged with the sole responsi-
bility of all required computations, the foreman’s record being a
mere tally mark.

The foremen, at the end of each pay term (of two weeks) are
required to make an affidavit to the correctness of their returns.

When the weather prevents work, and on holidays, foremen and
assistant foremen are required to report (unless specially excused)

150

to their general foreman, within thirty minutes after the usual time
for commencing work, and if their services are not required, they
then report at the office, where the time made by their men for the
previous day is taken. They are then dismissed for the day.

The time of foremen, assistants, and men in gangs is all returned
by the hour.

The whole laboring force is paid every two weeks.

DISCIPLINE.

It is the duty of all officers of the park and of foremen to report
daily all cases of neglect of duty, inefficiency, or insubordination, for
which, after investigation at the office of the Engineer in charge, the
offenders are reprimanded, suspended temporarily from duty, or dis-
charged. Minor offences, when a suspension of less than one day is
required, are generally acted upon by the foreman, without reference
to the office. The number of men discharged under discipline has
been one hundred and seventy-five.

Men who have been absent from work three days cannot resume
their places without a written restoration from the office, which is
only given when a sufficient cause is shown for absence, accompanied
by a certificate of previous good conduct from their foreman.

Owing to the standard of requirement established, many men
who have obtained employment, and who were, to all appearance,
possessed of fair qualifications as laborers, after a few days’ trial
have found the duty demanded of them too severe, and have volun-
tarily left. Consequently, although the largest number of men em-
ployed at any time has but little exceeded seven hundred, the names
of many more than that number appear on the rolls.

THE WATCH.

To prevent pilfering, and to guard against the injury of the Com-
mission’s property in all respects, watchmen have been employed,
the number on duty varying according to the conditions of the prop-
erty exposed, and other circumstances, from eight to sixteen. Eight
men are employed exclusively for watch duty, including the head
watchman; others are drawn temporarily, as required, from the
laboring force.

SUPPLIES.

When tools and materials arrive at the park, they are at once
inspected, compared with the accompanying invoice, and, if found to

161

correspond, and to be satisfactory in all respects, a receipt is given
for them, and they are added to the stock. Ordinarily, the inspec-
tion is made by the tool clerk ; but, in special cases, by the heads of
the branches of the work for which the material is particularly de-
signed, the head carpenter examining the lumber, etc.

Tools and materials required by foremen in the ordinary prose-
cution of the work, are supplied on their individual requisition.
Supplies so furnished are charged directly to the foreman. An in-
ventory of the stock held by each foreman is taken every two weeks,
and compared with the tool clerk’s account, and the foreman is charged
with the value of any deficiency, the amount being deducted from his
wages.

Lumber, timber, bricks, and other materials used in construction,
are issued on an order from a responsible officer of the park only,
and are charged directly to the branch of the work in which they are
to be used. An accurate account of their disposition is kept by one
of the assistant engineers.

Respectfully submitted,
JNO. Y. CULYER,

Assistant Engineer in charge.

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View from a point near the Carriage Concourse, north of the site for Music Stand, showing sites of Lake, Refectory and Lookout.

MK.

EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT:

7 OF THE

Conaasstoners or Prospect Park.

4868.

COMMISSIONERS.

JAMES S. T. STRANAHAN, ABIEL A. LOW,
WALTER 8. GRIFFITH, SEYMOUR L. HUSTED,
JOHN H. PRENTICE, ABRAHAM B. BAYLIS,
EDWARDS W. FISKE, THOMAS McELRATH,
TEUNIS J. BERGEN, STEPHEN HAYNES,

CORNELIUS J. SPRAGUE.

PRESIDENT.
JAMES 8. T. STRANAHAN.

SECRETARY.

WALTER S. GRIFFITH.

COMPTROLLER AND COUNSEL.
JOHN N. TAYLOR.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS AND SUPERINTENDENTS.
OLMSTED, VAUX & CO.

ENGINEER IN CHARGE.
CHARLES C. MARTIN.

ASSISTANT ENGINEERS IN CHARGE.
JOHN BOGART, ¥ JOHN Y. CULYER.

EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

COMMISSIONERS OF PROSPECT PARK.

To tan HonorasBLte THE Mayor Anp Common CouNnciL oF THE
Ciry or Brooxtyn:

The Commissioners of Prospect Park present this report of
their proceedings, for the year 1867, to the Honorable the
Mayor and Common Council of the city of Brooklyn, trusting
that the results of the operations which they are about to de-
tail will prove satisfactory to the Common Council, as well as
to our citizens in general, With a full appreciation of’ the
great responsibility of the trust committed to them, they are
cheered by the reflection that, while laboring to secure to their
fellow citizens the advantages of a beautiful and healthful
pleasure ground, which must soon prove as conspicuous for its
moral as for its material effects upon our city, they are, at the
same time, strengthening that great bond of social sympathy
which should always pervade a great commercial community,
while it guarantees its permanence and success.

Their last annual report informed the Common Council of
the intention of the Commissioners to apply to the Legislature
for authority to annex twelve blocks of ground, at the north-
westerly angle of the park, as being, in their judgment, indis-
pensably necessary to the completion of the plan in that direc-
tion. The reasons for this acquisition were then stated, and
need not be here repeated ; they are, in fact, sufficiently obvious
from a mere glance at the park map.

156

But it may now be said that the progress of construction on
the western drive is entirely arrested, and cannot be resumed
without encroaching, to a ruinous extent, upon the beautilul
meadow south of it, which forms one of the most attractive
features of the design. The Commissioners cannot believe that
the people of Brooklyn will ever consent to so serious a mutila-
tion of the plan as is implied by such a course of procedure,
and they therefore propose to suggest these considerations to
the Legislature, at its coming session, trusting that their re-
newed application will meet with a more favorable response
than has hitherto attended their efforts in this behalf. When
this addition shall have been made to the park area, it will,
in their judgment, be sufficiently extended on the western side
of Flatbush avenue for all useful or ornamental purposes, and
will contain over five hundred acres of land, or, if the parade
ground is to be included in the estimate, as it is already in the
general design, about five hundred and fifty acres, conveniently
located and easily maintained, and now rapidly approaching
completion, under the plastic hand of the landscape architects
employed by the board.

No plan for the improvement of that portion of the park
lying east of the avenue has yet been suggested, which is en-
tirely satisfactory to the board; but the subject has received,
and will continue to receive, their studious consideration. In
all adaptations of land to public use they have kept steadily in
view what they believed to be the requirements of a rapidly
growing city, of greatly diversified tastes, pursuits and habits ;
while they have not been unmindful of the expense of main-
taining a large pleasure ground, after its completion, in that
high degree of order and of neatness which are indispensably
necessary to the accomplishment of its best purposes. The lay-
ing out of this portion of the park, divided as it is by a large
public reservoir, and isolated from the rest of the park by a
broad thoroughfare, presents a serious difficulty in harmonizing
these discordant features with the general park design, which
have been adverted to in a former report, But the Commis-
sioners are now able to state that extensive plans of public im-
provement, bearing directly upon this section of the park,
and having for their object a system of more ample and
convenient approaches thereto; are in progress, and will

—

157

probably lead to anearly and satisfactory solution of this
problem.

No specifie duty, in regard to making provision for suitable
approaches to the park, was included in the direct responsibili-
ties of the commission; but as it was quite evident, from the
outset, that a necessity for some adequate discussion of the pub-
lic requirements in this respect would sooner or later arise, and
as it seemed equally clear that no other representative body
would take the initiative in making the requisite suggestions, it
was deemed best that the subject should receive the attention
of the board. In the arrangements made for professional aid,
it was accordingly understood that test surveys, having refer-
ence to this question of approaches should be prepared, from
time to time, in accordance with such suggestions as might be
given by the Commissioners. In the appended report of our
landscape architects will be found the latest results of this ex-
amination. So far as the project which is therein outlined
has been submitted to the parties more immediately interested
in the south-eastern approach, it has been received with gen-
eral approval; but the Commissioners do not propose to take
any decided action in the matter, until the public judgment
upon its merits shall have been sufficiently developed to enable
them to act with entire confidence therein.

In immediate connection with the subject of approaches to
the park, arises the question of laying out streets and avenues
over that extensive tract of land which lies southerly from and
beyond the limits of the park, and which must, at no distant
day, become the abode of a vast multitude of people. The
importance of attending to this matter at this time is the more
obvious from the fact that this tract will soon form a portion
of our city, and hence the necessity of projecting its streets
and avenues in such a manner as to connect them with our
own, consistently with public convenience, and with due re-
gard to the promotion of the public health.

It is of no less importance to our neighbors, that the mis-
takes and confusion should be avoided which are necessarily
incident to the laying out of the suburbs of a large town by
individuals, who do not usually act in concert, or with any
comprehensive consideration of their common interests. When
a plan shall have been prepared, with the advantages of a

158

thorough study of all the topographical conditions of the dis-
trict, and of its general relations to the city, on the one side,
and to the adjoining country on the other, and with a due con-
sideration of the various requirements which may be expected
to arise, as its population increases, and such plan shall have
made a public record, owners of property will of course con-
form their transfers of land, and the erection of houses, to the
line of streets and avenues there laid down, while the corporate
authorities will be thereby guided in the opening, working and
grading of streets and avenues, and the introduction of water
and sewerage thereon. The Commissioners cannot, therefore,
withhold the expression of their unqualified approval of the
project of a law which they are informed will engage the
attention of the Legislature at its coming session, to provide
for the laying out of streets, avenues and public places
throughout the county of Kings, outside of the city of
Brooklyn.

Since the last report of the Board operations on the park
have steadily progressed. Commencing the year with a mod-
erate force, it has been gradually increased as the season would
permit. Proceedings to acquire title to about two hundred
acres of land, which were authorized to be taken by the law of
1866, having been completed, the Commissioners entered upon
the land, and organized an additional force of laborers to
operate thereon. An abstract of all the returns of the labor-
ing force made to the Comptroller during the year 1867, will
be found appended to this report, showing the whole force
engaged, as well as its general distribution among the
different departments of labor, at the expiration of every two
weeks.

The extent of ground which has been under treatment, and
on which more or less progress towards completion has been
made, is a little over two hundred and fifty acres. For the
drainage and water supply of this ground over twelve miles of
pipe have been laid, at depths varying from three to twenty-
three feet. The improvement of fifty-seven acres of the surface,
besides that assigned for roads, walks, and waters, has been fully
completed. Nineteen thousand feet in length of carriage and
bridle road have been advanced in construction, of which over
six thousand feet have been finished.

159

The construction of over seventeen thousand feet in length
of walk has been advanced, and about five thousand feet of it
completed. Excavation has been commenced for the ponds
over a surface of more than fifty acres, and the work is com-
plete over about six acres. About twenty thousand cubic yards
of masonry, twenty-four thousand feet of curb stone, and
seventy-one thousand feet of Belgian pavement have been laid,
and seven hundred thousand cubic yards of materials cf all
kinds moved during the last year.

These few statements will, in some degree, suggest the ex-
tent and variety of the subjects which have occupied the atten-
tion of the Commissioners during the past year ; but for a more
detailed and exact explanation of these several operations, the
Common Council is respectfully referred to the accompanying
maps and reports of our employees. The prosecution of these
extensive operations has necessarily required the purchase of a
large and varied supply of material, the greater portion of
which has already been made use of, But the rollers, derricks,
trucks, and other tools and instruments of construction and of
engineering, are still on hand, and in good condition for any
work that may be required of them for years to come.

Large quantities of stable manure, night soil, lime, phos-
phates, and other fertilizers, have been collected and composted
with extensive beds of muck, found on the park, and now form
rich and valuable deposits, from which constant drafts are
made for planting trees and shrubs, and enriching the soil for
turf.

Many fine trees, found upon the ground, have been trans-
planted to more conspicuous positions, and more will follow.
Over seventy-three thousand trees and shrubs have been set
out upon the Plaza mounds and walks, and upon the finished
slopes and meadows; and the park nurseries now contain an
excellent stock of about fifty thousand carefully selected and
greatly varied trees and plants.

An abstract of the financial statement of the Board, which
is hereto also annexed, will show the expenditures of the Com-
mission for the year, amounting to nine hundred and seventy-
three thousand nine hundred and three dollars and sixty cents.
The largest item, it will be observed, is for actual labor bestowed
upon the ground; while the materials of construction, tools,

160

and other instruments necessary for the use of a large force,

come next in importance. The trees, manures, water, and
drainage pipe, with the Belgian and other pavements, seem to
be large items, but they are no part of the current expenses,
and as soon as the stock shall have been completed, need not
be repeated.

In the consideration of the expenditures of the year, it
should not be forgotten that the price of labor and material has
been very largely increased within a short time; that a consid-

erable portion of the outlay was for the tools and machinery

required to set large forces in motion, many of them of an ex-
pensive and permanent character; that long lines of drainage
and water pipe were to be buried out of sight, to secure the
removal of unwholesome moisture, and the proper distribution
of water; and that large supplies of trees for the nurseries of fer-
tilizers for the ground, of brick, stone, lime, and cement, for the
bridges and culverts, of iron and steel for the construction and
repair of tools and machinery, of timber and hardware, of hy-
drants and of castings, with an immense variety of other materials
and supplies, must be kept in store for future, as well as for
immediate use. The Commissioners believe that the large
preliminary outlay which has been made will prove to be good
economy, and will admit of the continued employment of as
large a force of men as heretofore, capable of producing much
larger results in the coming year, at a greatly diminished ex-
pense.

In October last carriages were admitted to a portion of the
main eastern drive, which had just then been finished, and
visitors have thronged the grounds since that time. From the
visitors’ register kept on the park, it appears that no less than
24,748 single horse carriages, 17,341 two horse vehicles, 9,766
equestrians, and 52,242 pedestrians have passed into the park
within the period of a little over two months last past. So
large a number of visitors at this early stage of our enterprise,
the genuine pleasure manifested in the appearance of all, and the
quiet and orderly behaviour exhibited by the miscellaneous mul-
titude who throng the park “from early dawn to dewy eve,”
show unmistakably, not only how welcome all such breath-
ing spots are to our pent-up population, but also their decidedly
educational tendency, as well eesthetically as by the suggestion

161

and inculeation of habits of good order and propriety among
the people at large. Who, after this, can doubt the utility of
our noble park, or question the duty incumbent on society, of
creating and maintaining such plans of public improvement as
minister to the amusement, the morals, and the health of the
masses? Or who shall deny the policy of developing and ex-
tending all such opportunities of innocent and intellectual
recreation as the most effective rivals of the ale-house and the
gambling table #

As the boundaries of the park were enlarged, and the num-
ber of persons employed upon it were increased, it became
more difficult to preserve order, and to protect the tools and
materials scattered over the grounds, many of which must
necessarily be left out at night. Other parks, also, were put
under the charge of the Commissioners, requiring protection,
and the main park was about to be thrown open to the publie.
For these reasons, police duty, as it had formerly been dis-
charged by ordinary watchmen, was found to be inadequate
to the requirements made and about to be made upon it. It
became necessary, therefore, to organize a new force of park-
keepers, for the protection of property and the preservation of
order.

An efficient body of men has accordingly been selected and
uniformed, and they are now being carefully drilled and in-
structed in their duties. They are reinforced by the gardeners
from time to time, as occasion may require; and the men who
are engaged in the details of gardening during the morning,
are required to serve, if necessary, as an auxilliary police in
the afternoon and evening, when the grounds are thronged
with visitors. In the discharge of duty, they are instructed to
assist visitors gvith such information, advice, and guidance as
may be required, to enable them to see and to use the park to
the best advantage ; to direct the course to be taken by car-
riages; to prevent the interruption of communication by
crowds in any part of the park; and to guard visitors against
such dangers as may occur, from blasts, runaways, pickpockets,
going upon weak ice, or the like.

The rules and regulations established by the board, and
which are directed to be observed by all persons who shall
visit the park, will be found appended to this report. They

11

162

have been carefully framed, with a view of imposing the least
possible restraint upon personal liberty which is consistent
with the safety and freedom of others. It has often been a
reproach to our country, that collections of works of art, and
exhibitions for instruction and amusement, cannot be thrown
open to the public without danger of injury. If any ground
for such reproach really exists, the Commissioners think it can
be removed only by greater liberality, in admitting the people
freely to such establishments. By thus’ teaching them that
they are themselves the parties most deeply interested in their
preservation, and that it must be the interest of the public to
protect that which is intended for the public advantage. If
we seek to win the regard of others, we must show a regard
for them ourselves ; and if we seek to wean them from debasing
pursuits and brutalizing pleasures, we can only hope to do so
by opening freely to them new sources of rational enjoyment.

There is also another consideration which has had its in-
fluence upon the minds of the Commissioners, but which is not
usually adverted to in estimating the motives of action of the
visitors at our American parks, and in the adjustment of the
degree of restraint which it is necessary to impose upon them.
It is the remembrance of that self gratulatory and independent
feeling of our tax-payers, that they hold their privileges as no
chary favor or deputed permission, but as a legal right, pur-
chased from their own resources, to be freely transmitted to
their posterity, subject only to the necessary and comparatively
trifling expense of culture and supervision.

The Commissioners would here direct the attention of the
Common Council to some statistics connected with the cost of
the park and of its improvements, which they think will at
this time be found both interesting and instructive. The land
originally taken cost the city, on the 15th day of June, 1864,
when the report of the Commissioners on valuation was con-
firmed by the Supreme Court,

ive carat tuba tices is ik Get a pape $1,357,606 27
The first addition thereto on 4th Feb., 1866 158,558 41
And the recent addition on 27th May, 1867 752,745 02

—_——

Whole cost of land taken for the park .... $2,268,909 70

163

Whole cost of land taken for the park.... $2,268,909 70
The cost of improvement, as appears from

the financial statements appended to

-this and to previous annual reports, is.. $1,169,604 70

Making the entire cost of the park to date, $3,488,514 40
exclusive of a small amount paid for
interest.

Payment of the first of these acquisitions was met by an
issue of city bonds, bearing an interest of six per cent., and
having ninety years to run. The residue of the amount was
raised by sales of seven per cent. bonds, payable in forty-five
years. None of these bonds have been disposed of by the city
at less than their par value, and some of the seven per cents.
have sold at a premium, The interest, payable semi-annually,
is raised by annual tax on‘ the first twelve and the twentieth
wards of the city. And for the payment of the entire debt,
both principal and interest, the whole park domain, with its
improvements, are specifically pledged.

A sinking fund is also provided by law, consisting partly of
an annual tax on said wards, running on to the maturity of the
bonds, and partly of an assessment for benefit on the property
adjacent to the park. This assessment has not yet been laid,
but will doubtless realize a large sum of money, and will begin
to be collected as soon as it shall have been properly appor-
tioned by the Commissioners appointed for the purpose, by
means of an annual tax, to be levied in installments for twenty
years successively in the locality specially benefited.

This equitable adjustment of the park debt between those
wards at whose instance the park was projected, and the owners
of property particularly benefited by the improvement, has not
only proved wise and practical, but bids fair to realize the most
sanguine expectations of its projectors. Soon after work com-
menced on the park, the price of lots rose rapidly in the neigh-
borhood, and recent sales continue to show an increasing value.
The assessed value of real estate in the eighth ward, exclusive of
the amount assessed for buildings, has increased over thirty
per cent. during the last year. While the increased value of
the real estate of the eighth and ninth wards, being the two
wards immediately contiguous to the park, has for the same

164

time amounted to nearly two-thirds of the increased value of
the entire city. A. similar increase from the same cause,
though not to the same extent, is perceptible in the twentieth
ward, which comes next in respect to its contiguity to the
park, and doubtless exists in several of the other wards, par-
ticularly in the tenth.

The records of the Board of City Assessors show that the
assessed value of real estate in the year 1864 was:

ncihe/Sth «Wards, sets show tess ees ciety $4,913,274
Sy Ota AWMia tds f:tocs ety book coe eee caere er 7,966,471
Sc Ot WW ardite: v4 re ttt ws ean) hee earn 7,069,650
hotain the three nwardshs 1c. ee eee $19,949,895

The same records for the year 1867 show the assessed value:

Ortho Sthi Ward tombeuis.c even eta. ct acs $7,983,200
pare) URL Ge tis Pe panne pepmaaebaaa wha Le teak Aa 10,743,797
Se QOD SW. andca eee Diet etree ae eee es 8,705,090
Motal imithe three wards... :.5...45% <. esid ce Pole tOnOBd

Making an increased valuation in the three wards since active
operations commenced on the park of $7,482,692.

The additional tax which was raised from this increased
valuation, for the year 1867, was $280,692, while the annual
interest on the whole park debt, as it now stands, is $229,219;
showing an increased annual revenue to the city from these
three wards alone, over and above the annual interest of the
park debt, of $51,385.

Our citizens will draw their own inferences from these facts,
but in view of the large improvement which has already taken
place, and of the additional considerations that these values
must soon be greatly increased, by costly buildings about to
be erected, and that other splendid improvements tending
directly to the development of the many advantages of a resi-
dence in the vicinity of the park, have been projected, and are
now in progress, under the auspices of gentlemen of taste and
wealth ; the Commissioners cannot doubt, that the city’s in-
creased revenue from the enhanced yalue given to its taxable

se

==

Bop eS SSeS

see ee

N MONUMENT.

COL

LIN

165

property, from park enterprise, will not only enable it to main-
tain the park with ease in a high degree of culture, but will
insure the payment of the debt incurred, and to be incurred,
for its construction, long before its maturity, and that, too, with
a continually diminished burthen upon its tax-payers.

The Board has the pleasure to announce, that the War
Fund Committee of Kings County, has presented the city with
a Bronze Statue of the late President Lincoln, to be erected in
the park, as soon as a suitable place can be prepared for its
reception. This beautiful work of art, designed and executed
by our late townsman, H. K. Brown, the distinguished sculptor,
is the result of a dollar subscription, set on foot among our
citizens, by the patriotic committee above mentioned, soon after
the decease of the subject of its commemoration, and may,
therefore, be truly called the People’s Monument.

The statue is nine feet high, and embodies the true ideal of
the late President, the head and shoulders being modelled from
a bust taken from life; a correct delineation of its other pecu-
liarities having been secured, by the vivid recollection, which a
personal intimacy with the deceased afforded to the artist. A
cloak, such as Mr. Lincoln frequently wore, is thrown loosely
over the shoulders, falling to the knees, giving dignity and
elegance to the figure; the left hand holds an open scroll, on
which is written the immortal Proclamation of Emancipation,
the finger of the right hand pointing to the words “ shall be
forever free.” It will be erected on a pedestal of granite fifteen
feet high, to be located on the public platform in the Plaza,
near the fountain, and will be ornamented on two sides with
the eagle, one of them bearing the coat of arms of the city, and
on the other two sides with wreathes to represent the army and
navy; all in bronze with suitable inscriptions.

Our city may feel a just pride in the accomplishment of this
beautiful tribute to the memory of Abraham Lincoln, for, of
all the multitudinous monuments and statues proposed to be
erected to his memory at the time of his death, this is believed
to be the first that has been executed.

The Legislature, at its last session, at the request of the
Common Council, placed four of the smaller parks of Brook-
lyn under the charge of this Board; but the season had ad-
vanced so rapidly before the Commissioners found themselves

%,
a.
* "

166 .

in possession, that no more could be done than to devise a plan of
improvement, which should render them more useful and credit-
able to the city, than they had heretofore been. Surveys were
accordingly made, and topographical maps constructed, prepar-
atory to the work of remodeling their designs; but as the law
under which the Commissioners are acting did not seem to
authorize such changes of plan as were desirable, they were
compelled to postpone the further prosecution of the work,
until a revision of the law could be procured. A detail from
the park force of keepers was, however assigned to them, which
has succeeded in preserving quiet and good order thereon.

At Carrol Park no proper provision had been made for the
escape of surface water, which consequently overflowed the
walks at every storm. An inlet basin was therefore constructed,
at the lowest point of the ground, and connected with the street
sewer, which will hereafter form part of the more complete
system of drainage which is required for this park. The
fence of this park has been thoroughly repaired and painted,
and its gas lamps renewed.

Some repairs have also been made in connection with the
City Park, but no sufficient examination has yet been given to the
subject of its general plan of improvement. It is quite evident,
however, that the study to be made in reference to its improve-
ment, will require to be of a somewhat special character. Its
near proximity to Washington Park, which, from its greater
size and central position, must always offer a more attractive
place of resort to the neighborhood, and to a great extent su-
persede the City Park as a pleasure ground, presents the ques-
tion, whether it is desirable or proper to devote that amount of
expense and labor to its improvement, which will be found -
necessary to render it suitable for the purposes of a public
park.

A variety of suggestions have been made to the Commis-
sioners, respecting this property, among others, that if turned
to good business account, it would greatly increase the value of
the taxable property of the city, and that its central position,
and its nearness to the water, render it a fit location for’a gen-
eral market. These suggestions are not without force, but the
Commissioners are not at liberty to take ‘any decided action
thereon, and therefore respectfully submit them to the consider-

167

ation of their fellow citizens, before making any recommenda-
tion in regard to the further improvement or final disposition
of this portion of the public lands entrusted to their care.

The peculiar location and unsatisfactory condition of Wash-
ington Park demanded, and have received, a more particular
consideration. A plan for its improvement has been prepared
by our landscape architects, which, with their report thereon,
will be found appended to this report. The Commissioners
think it will be perused with as much satisfaction by our citizens
generally, asit has been by the Board. The report will speak for
itself; but the Commissioners take this opportunity of directing
attention more particularly toa feature of the design which
was suggested by a resolution of the Common Council, request-
ing that a suitable vault should be prepared for the reception
of the remains of the Prison-ship Martyrs, preliminary to the
erection of a monument to their memory. They have, it will
be seen, accordingly provided for the construction of a suitable
vault, which shall furnish a permanent resting place for the
remains of those martyrs to civil liberty, whose memories are
enshrined in the hearts of their countrymen; and they trust
that the ultimate object of the resolution will, in due time be
accomplished by the erection of a monumental structure which,
while it pays just tribute to the honored dead, cannot fail to be
creditable to our city, as well as ornamental to the beautiful
park in which it is proposed to be erected. The cherished
remains, having then found their long-sought asylum, will, un-
der the protection of a grateful country, at length rest in
peace.

Dated January 14th, 1868.

JAMES 8. T. STRANAHAN,
President.

WALTER 8. GRIFFITH,
Secretary.
JOHN N. TAYLOR,
Comptroller.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

OF THE

COMMISSIONERS OF PROSPECT

For THE YEAR 1867.

The total receipts on account of Pros-
pect Park during the year 1867,
were:

Balance of cash in bank, 1st of Jan-

TOL (ieee Gos BUA ar oeicretcr, aie
From the Treasurer of the city......
“Rents of houses on the park...

° ywales, of, old houses: cy hc sine

“ Sales of wood, grass and old
HUULUCT IAL tra tetera ei atoie es) esa oes

“¢ Interest on bank balances.....
Dota’: sain ssc :a0'shijets ‘

The total expenditures for the same

were: :

Paid salaries; comptroller, superin-
tendent, landscape architects
and eMgINEeTS Angi. co. ccs = :

Surveyors, draftsmen and assist-
DINGS eeickolicrstioloks) aie) ois) ere fells footie ce

Laborers, keepers, mechanics,
horses and carts...........

Materials of construction, tools
and imstruments....... 0.2...

Stationery, printing, drawing
maperials. “CoG. ) “ob ocunietet ee

Fitting up offices, furniture, rent
NIG TEDGIES ...)</2 = «chet eyeiares

Trees, plants and shrubs ......

Manure and other fertilizers....

Water pipe and hydrant ......

Wraimaseipiph:. so 2 esse pie ee

Belgian and other pavements...

“cc

Balance to the credit of Prospect Park
account, Dec. 31st, 1867.........;

$1,100,000 00
6,002 92
650 00

1,703 51
6,431 64

24,958 28
46,715 83
683,810 93
141,317 93
5,579 18
3.131 37
12.838 37
10,273 34
12,764 36
16,752 52

15,761 49

PARK,

$123,317 81

1,114,788 07

$1,238,105 88

973,903 60
264,202 28

$1,238,105 88

it

169

The total receipts on account of Wash-
ington, Carrol, City and City Hall
Parks, were:

From the Treasurer of the city ..... 70,000 00
*« Interest on bank balances..... 657 41

$70,657 41

The total expenditures on the same
parks were:

Wor Washington Park.......0...2. 1,851 86
ALAC Ta ge] al e279 ae am Tr Pag 1,810 56
Belay LAEK:’, atece ei eiwie is i«joversats oheey- 558 44 4,220 86

* Balance to the credit of the said

[ioe Se ehoicio meee egg Chae 66,456 55

$70,657 41

RECAPITULATION.

Balance of cash on Ist January, 1867, $123,317 81
Received on account of Prospect Park, 1,114,788 07

#5 other city parks, 70,657 41 1,508,763 29
Expended on account of Prospect -
fig than soe ch cta ese Staab fo3-)210n0%< Se onbe $975,903 60
Expended on account of other city
PRESB aiotacetcrat esliaiofe’ fata nee aisha aie 4,220 86 978,124 46
Balance of cash, 31st Dec., 1867 .... 330,638 83

$1,308,763 29

JOHN N. TAYLOR,
Comptroller.

PAR KOR DIN ANCE,

No. 2.

An Ordinance for the better Government of the Public Parks now
under the control of the Commissioners of Prospect Park. Passed
August 1st, 1867.

The Commissioners of Prospect Park, in the city of Brooklyn,
by virtue of the authority conferred upon them by the Act of the
Legislature under which they were appointed, and the several acts”
amendatory thereof, do order and direct as follows:

1. The superintendents, under the direction of the executive com-
mittee of the board, are hereby authorized and directed to assign to
police service so many and such men as shall, from time to time, be
found necessary for the proper management and good government
of the several parks now under charge of the said Commissioners.

2. The station houses of the said force, wherever they shall be
located, may be used as places of temporary detention for persons
who may be arrested upon either of the said parks.

3. A suitable badge and uniform shall be provided for each per-
son so to be employed or appointed, and shall be displayed by him
at all times when engaged in the discharge of police duty.

4. Whenever any person so employed or appointed shall display
his badge upon either of the said parks, in the discharge of his duty,
he shall, for all purposes of maintaining order and enforcing the
rules, regulations and ordinances of the Park Commissioners, be in-
vested with all the powers and authority conferred upon members of
the police force of the Metropolitan Police District, by an act en-
titled “ An act to establish a metropolitan police district, and to pro-
vide for the management thereof, passed April 15th, 1857,” and the
several acts amendatory thereof.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

J
' FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PUBLIC PARKS OF
BROOKLYN.

The Commissioners of Prospect Park, in the city of Brooklyn,
do make and publish the following rules and regulations to be ob-
served by all persons who visit the public parks in said city :

1. The parks will be open to the public daily, except when special
occasion may require either of them to be closed; and will continue
open from sunrise to ten o’clock in the evening during the months of
June, July, August and September, and from sunrise to nine o’clock
in the evening during the other months of the year. The City Hall
Park will remain open at all times.

2. No person, unless he is employed by the Board of Commis-
sioners, will be permitted to enter or remain in or upon any of the
parks except when they are open, as above provided. Nor shall
any person enter or leave any of said parks except by the usual
gateways, nor climb upon, or in any manner cut, injure or deface
any tree, shrub, plant, grass, or tuif, or any fence or other erection
thereon.

3. No person shall make use of any loud, threatening, abusive
or indecent language; nor throw stones or other missiles; nor play
upon any musical instrument; nor post any bill, notice or other de-
vice upon any tree or structure; nor do any obscene or indecent
act whatever upon or within any of said parks.

4. No cattle, horses, goats, swine or poultry of any description
will be allowed within said parks; nor any dog, unless led by a
suitable chain or cord, not exceeding six feet in length; nor shall
any person expose any thing for sale thereon, unless by special per-
mission of the Commissioners.

5. No person shall fire or discharge any gun, pistol, squib, tor-
pedo, rocket, or other fireworks whatever, in, or upon any of said
parks; nor shall any military or target company, or any Civic,
funeral or other procession, or detachment of a procession, enter,
move or parade thereon, unless by special permission from said
Commissioners.

6. The above rules and regulations apply to all Parks under the
control of the Commissioners, and extend to the side walks adjacent
to said parks.

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172

7. The drives of Prospect Park will be open to the use of the
public, solely for pleasure riding or driving. Animals to be used
upon them must be well broken, and constantly held in such control
that they may be easily and quickly turned or stopped. They will
not be allowed to move at a rate of speed which shall cause danger
or reasonable anxiety to others; nor under any circumstances at
more than eight miles an hour. The park keepers will be held
responsible for such regulation of the speed of animals passing under
their observation as the general safety and convenience of those
using the drives may require. And when, in the judgment of a
keeper, any animal is moving too rapidly, and the keeper shall inti-
mate this by a gesture, it shall be the duty of the rider or driver of
such animal immediately to moderate its speed. No animal or
vehicle will at any time be allowed to stand upon the rides or drives
to the inconvenience of travel thereon. And when any keeper on
duty may deem it necessary or proper so to do, he may, in order to
prevent the crowding of carriages, or the appearance of a procession,
temporarily detain, or otherwise direct, the movements of carriages
or animals entering or being upon the said park.

8. No horse or Vehicle of any description will be allowed upon
any part of said park except upon the rides, drives, concourses or
other places appropriated for horses and carriages; nor will any
vehicle drawn by any animal, be allowed upon any foot-walk or ride
in said park.

9. No hackney coach, carriage, or other vehicle for hire, shall
stand anywhere within said park for the purpose of taking up pas-
sengers other than those which shall have been carried by it to said
park; nor shall any person upon said park solicit.or invite pas-
sengers.

10. No omnibus or express-wagon, either with or without pas-
sengers, nor any cart, dray, wagon, or other vehicle carrying goods,
merchandise, manure or other articles, or which shall be ordinarily
used for such purposes, shall be allowed upon any part of said park,
except upon such roads as may be specially provided for the purpose.

11. No person shall, bathe, or take fish, or send or throw any
animal or thing in or upon any of the waters of said park, or in any
manner disturb or annoy any water-fowl, singing or other bird, deer
or other animal appertaining to said park; nor shall any boat or
vessel be placed on said waters except by special permission from
the said Commissioners. And no skating or sledding will be
allowed thereon, unless the officer in charge shall consider the ice to
be in a suitable condition for that purpose.

12. For any violation of these rules and regulations, the offender
will be liable to be summarily ejected from the premises, and to
such punishment as the law directs.

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LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS AND SUPERINTENDENTS.
2ARY

’ YORK

1 ANICAL

GARDEN
To THE PRESIDENT oF THE BoaRD OF COMMISSIONERS OF ROSPECT

Park, Brooktyn:

Sir: In our annual report of last year we described the organ-
ization which had been made under instructions from your Board
for carrying out the design of the park upon the ground. This
organization remains to the present time essentially unchanged.

In June last, Mr. J. P. Davis having resigned the position,
Mr. C. C. Martin was appointed to the office of Engineer in
charge.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE DESIGN.

During the year it has been found practicable to carry forward
the design for the park without intermission, although at many
points the works, which it would have been most desirable to press
to completion, have been suspended in consequence of the uncer-
tainty in regard to boundary lines that still continue to embarrass
operations.

So much of the land required for the park as lies to the south of
that upon which work was last year commenced, came into the actual
possession of the Commissioners during the month of June last, and
active operations were at once extended over a large part of the new
territory.

A portion of the road system in this section of the ground has
been developed, the carriage concourse proposed in our original de-
sign to be constructed on Briar Hill has been sub-graded, and the
ground in the vicinity of this concourse has been partially shaped.
It was found practicable in execution to enlarge the area of this
feature of the design, and the dimensions have been somewhat in-

174

creased, it being evident that the position was one that would offer
special attractions to visitors in carriages.

On the east side of the park, north of the Deer Paddock, the de-
sign as it stood last year has been so far modified in execution as to
admit of the introduction of a series of arrangements adapted espe-
cially to meet the wants of children. The plan as approved, and
now well advanced in execution, contemplates suitable accommoda-
tions in running sports and for playing various games, it also
includes croquet grounds, a pond for the sailing of toy boats, and a
maze.

In other respects but little variation has been made. in the outline
of the design from our first study.

CONSTRUCTION.

You will find appended a full account of the progress of. the
methods used, and of the means and materials employed, which has
been prepared by Mr. Martin and his principal aids, Mr. Bogart and
Mr. Culyer.

Two archways have been partially constructed during the year,

and work has been commenced upon several other architectural
features, our studies for which have been approyed by the Board.
The development in detail of this department of the work is under

the more immediate charge of Mr. E. C. Miller, who has ful- »

filled the duties of Assistant Architect since the beginning of July
last.
: PUBLIC USE OF THE PARK.

It was found necessary in the Spring to close the country roads
by which the public had previously crossed the park territory, but
on the 20th of October, a portion of the drive at the east side was
so far completed that by making temporary connections with old
roads, a thoroughfare for carriages across the park was again opened.
At the same time regulations for the conduct of visitors and for the
management of the work with reference to the convenience of the
public were promulgated, and a beginning was made in the organ-
ization of a-permanent body of park-keepers, conjointly with a body
of gardeners, according to a plan which had some time before been
adopted by the Board. Although the short piece of good road
opened at this time was accessible with difficulty, and the grounds
through which it passed were in a quite unfinished condition, it was
immediately resorted to by visitors in large numbers. Besides
those in carriages, many came on horseback, and, although no walks
had been opened, many more on foot. A tabular statement of the

—

175

number of each class, prepared from the returns of the gate-keepers,
is given by Mr. Culyer. The fact is noted that a considerable por-
tion of the visitors evidently did not come merely from motives of
curiosity, but, after their first visit, repeatedly returned. During
all the remainder of the season, indeed, not a few resorted to the
park as a daily habit, of whom some came from the more distant
parts of the town. Considering the extreme inconvenience with |
which the park is at present reached, and the very limited attractions
which as yet it offers, this circumstance is a gratifying indication of
the value which it will hereafter possess.

THE PARKWAY—APPROACHES AND CONNECTIONS.

The unsatisfactory character of the approaches to the park has
been recognized by your Board, from the outset of its undertaking,
as calculated to seriously detract from the value of the service which
it would otherwise be able to render the city, and it has accordingly
been an incidental part of our duty to devise means of improvement.
To do so it has been necessary that we should extend our field of
study beyond the territory under your jurisdiction. Our first sug-
gestion led, through the subsequent action of your Board, to the
special appropriation of the ground necessary for the formation of
the Plaza, and to the establishment of the several circular spaces by
which amplitude, symmetry, and dignity of character was sought to
be secured on the street side of each of the park gates. Through
the promptness of the necessary legislative action, and of the subse-
quent proceedings in regard to the Plaza, a very great advantage
was gained at a comparatively small cost for the necessary land, much
of the adjoining ground having since been sold in the open market at
rates indicating an advance of several hundred per cent. upon the
prices paid by the city.

In our preliminary report accompanying the first study of the
plan of the park, without making any definite recommendations, we
suggested the leading features of a general scheme of routes of ap-
proach to and extension from the park, through the suburbs, in which
the sanitary, recreative, and domestic requirements of that portion of
the people of the city living at the greatest distance from the park
should be especially provided for. In our annual report of last year
portions of this project were somewhat more distinctly outlined, and
the economical advantages were pointed out, of preparing and adopt-
ing plans for the purpose well in advance of the public demand,
which it was intended to anticipate, and while land properly situated
might yet be selected in the suburbs of such moderate value that no

176

private interests of much importance would be found to stand in
antagonism in this respect to those of the public.

RELATIONS OF THE PARK TO THE STREET ARRANGEMENTS
OFTHE CEN

Your Board having brought these suggestions before the public,
they have during the last year attracted considerable attention. One
of the minor recommendations has been already taken up by a body
of citizens, and an organized effort to carry it out is understood to
be in progress. Under your instructions a topographical survey has
also been made of a section of the ground to which the larger scheme
applies, being that lying immediately east of the park, and extending
from it to the City Line; and a study has been prepared, also under
your instructions, and which is herewith presented, for a revision of
a part of the present city map of this ground, with a view to the
introduction of the suggested improvement.

The period seems to have arrived, therefore, for a full and com-
prehensive inquiry as to the manner in which the scheme would, if
carried out, affect the substantial and permanent interests of the
citizens of Brooklyn, and of the metropolis at large.

The project in its full conception is a large one, and it is at once
conceded that it does not follow, but anticipates, the demand of the
public; that it assumes an extension of the city of Brooklyn, and a
degree of wealth, taste, and refinement to be likely to exist among its
citizens which has not hitherto been definitely had in view; and that
it is even based upon the presumption that the present street system,
not only of Brooklyn, but of other large towns, has serious defects,
for which, sooner or later, if these towns should continue to advance
in wealth, remedies must be devised, the cost of which will be ex-
travagantly increased by along delay in the determination of their
outlines.

ELEMENTS OF ORDINARY STREET ARRANGEMENTS.

What is here referred to under the designation of our present
street system, is essentially comprised in the two series of thorough-
fares extending in straight lines to as great a distance within a town
as is found practicable, one series crossing the other at right angles,
or as nearly so as can be conveniently arranged. Each of the
thoroughfares of this system consists of a way in the center, which
is paved with reference solely to sustaining the transportation upon
wheels of the heaviest merchandise, of a gutter on each side of this

uA

wheel-way, having occasional communication with underground
channels for carrying off water, and a curb which restricts the pas-
sage of wheels from a raised way for the travel of persons on foot,
the surface of which, to avoid their sinking in the mud, is commonly
covered with flags or brick.

This is the system which is almost universally kept in view, not
only in the enlargement of our older towns, but in the setting out of
new; such, for instance, as are just being projected along the line of
the Pacific Railroad. If modifications are admitted, it is because
they are enforced by some special local conditions which are
deemed, by those responsible for the arrangement, to be unfor-
tunate. The reason for this is probably found chiefly in the fact,
that it is a plan which is readily put on paper, easily comprehended,
and easily staked out; it makes the office of an engineer or sur-
veyor at the outset almost a sinecure, as far as the exercise of pro-
fessional ability is concerned, and facilitates the operations of land
speculators.

Its apparent simplicity on paper is often fallacious, and lead
either to unnecessary taxation or to great permanent inconvenience.
It is obviously incomplete, and wholly unsuited to the loading and
unloading of goods which require storage, but, where it can be well
carried out, offers very great advantages for the transportation of
merchandise between distant points. It is also well adapted to
equalize the advantages of different parts of a town, and thus avoid
obstructions to improvement which mercenary jealousies might
otherwise interpose.

In our judgment, advantages such as these have hitherto been
pursued far too exclusively, but, as the presumption is always strong
against any considerable innovation upon arrangements which have
been long associated with the general conditions of prosperity and
progress of all civilized communities, we desire, before giving rea-
sons for this conviction, first, to remove any reasonable prejudice
against the introduction of the entirely new elements into the street
plan of Brooklyn, which we shall have to propose, by showing under
what conditions of society, and with reference to what very crude
public requirements, compared with those which now exist, our pres-
ent street arrangements have been devised.

WHY ORDINARY ARRANGEMENTS ARE INADEQUATE TO
PUBLIC REQUIREMENTS.

At present, large towns grow up because of the facilities they
offer mankind for a voluntary exchange of service, in the form of
12

1%8

merchandise ; but nearly all the older European towns of impor-
tance, from which we have received the fashion of our present street
arrangements, were formed either to strengthen or to resist a pur-
pose involving the destruction of life and the plunder of merchandise.
They were thus planned originally for objects wholly different from
those now reckoned important by the towns which occupy the
same sites, and an examination of the slow, struggling process by
which they have been adapted to the present requirements of
their people, may help us to account for some of the evils un-
der which even here, in our large American towns, we are now
suffering.

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF EXISTING STREET
ARRANGEMENTS, FIRST STAGE.

They were at the outset, in most cases, entrenched camps, in
which a few huts were first built, with no thought of permanence,
and still less with thought for the common convenience of their
future citizens. The wealth of their founders consisted chiefly in
cattle, and in the servants who were employed in herding and
guarding these cattle, and the trails carelessly formed among the
scattered huts within the entrenchments often became permanent
foot-ways which, in some cases, were subsequently improved in
essentially the same manner as the sidewalks of our streets now are,
by the laying upon them of a series of flat stones, so that walkers
need not sink in the mud. Ifthe ground was hilly, and the grades
of the paths steep, stairs were sometimes made by laying thicker
slabs of stone across them. Convenience of communication on foot
was, of course, the sole object of such improvements.

If, in these early times, any highways were more regularly laid
out, it was simply with reference to defence. For example, although
two nearly straight and comparatively broad-ways were early formed
in Paris, so that reinforcements could be rapidly transferred from
one gate to another when either should be suddenly attacked, no
other passages were left among the houses which would admit of the
introduction of wheeled traffic; nor in all the improvements which
afterwards occurred, as the city advanced in population and wealth,
were any of the original pathways widened and graded sufficiently
for this purpose until long after America had been discovered, and
the invention of printing and of fire-arms had introduced a new era,
of social progress.

The labor required for the construction of permanent town walls,
and the advantage of being able to keep every part of them closely

179

manned during an attack, made it desirable that they should not be
unnecessarily extended. To admit of a separate domiciliation of
families within them, therefore, the greatest practicable compactness
in the arrangement of dwelling-houses soon became imperative. As
families increased, the demand for additional house-room was first
met by encroachments upon the passages which had been left be-
tween the original structures, and by adding upper stories, and ex-
tending these outward so as to overhang the street. Before this
process had reached an extreme point, however, the town would be-
gin to outgrow its walls, and habitations in the suburbs would occur,
of two.classes: first, those formed by poor herdsmen and others,
who, when no enemy was known to be near at hand, could safely
sleep in a temporary shelter, calculating to take their chance in the
town when danger came ; and, second, those formed by princes and
other men of wealth and power, who could afford to build strong-
holds for the protection of their families and personal retainers, but
who, in times of war, yet needed to be in close vicinity to the larger
fighting forces of the town. Neither the castle nor the hovel being
placed with any reference to the enlargement of the town, or to
public convenience in any way, streets were formed through the
suburbs, as they became denser, in much the same way as they had
been in the original settlement; then, as the walls were extended,
the military consideration again operated to enforce the idea of com-
pactness in every possible way.

The government of these towns also, however its forms varied,
was always essentially a military despotism of the most direct and
stringent character, under which the life, property, health and com-
fort of the great body of their people were matters, at best, of very
subordinate consideration.

Thus the policy, the custom and the fashion was established in
the roots of our present form of society of regarding the wants of a
town, and planning to meet them, as if its population ‘were a garri-
son, to be housed in a barrack, with only such halls and passages in
it, from door to door, as would be necessary to turn it in, to sleep
and feed, and turn it out, to get its rations.

It naturally fell out that when at length the general advance of
society, in other respects, made it no longer necessary that a man
should build a castle, and control, as personal property, the services
of a numerous body of fighting men, in order to live with some de-
gree of safety in a house of his own, apart from others, all the prin-
cipal towns declined for a time in wealth and population, because of
the number of opulent citizens who abandoned their old residences,

180

and moved, with servants and tenants, to make new settlements in
the country.

The excessive suppression of personal independence and _ indi-
vidual inclinations which had before been required in town life
caused a strong reactionary ambition to possess each prosperous
citizen to relieve himself as much as possible from dependence upon
and duties to society in general, and it became his aim to separate
himself from all the human race except such part as would treat him
with deference. To secure greater seclusion, and at the same time
opportunity for the only forms of out-door recreation which the rich,
after the days of jousts and tournaments, were accustomed to en-
gage in, all those who could command favor at court sought grants
of land abounding in the larger game, and planted their houses in
the midst of enclosures called parks, which not only kept neighbors
at a distance, but served as nurseries for objects of the chase.

The habits of the wealthy, under these circumstances, though
often gross and arrogant, and sometimes recklessly extravagant,
were far from luxurious, according to modern notions, and as, in
order to realize as fully as possible the dream of independence, every
country gentleman had his private chaplain, surgeon, farrier, tailor,
weaver and spinner, raised his own wool, malt, barley and bread-
stuffs, killed his own beef, mutton and venison, and brewed his own
ale, he was able to despise commerce and to avoid towns. The little
finery his household coveted was accordingly brought to his door on
pack-mules by travelling merchants. The vocation of a merchant, in
its large, modern sense, was hardly known, and the trade of even the
most considerable towns was, in all respects, very restricted. Thus the
old foot-way streets still served all necessary requirements tolerably
well.

As the advance of civilization continued, however, this disinclina-
tion to the exchange of service, of course, gave way; demands be-
came more varied, and men of all classes were forced to take their
place in the general organization of society in communities. In pro-
cess of time the enlargement of popular freedom, the spread of
knowledge by books, the abatement of religious persecutions, the
voyages of circumnavigators, and finally the opening of America,
India and the gold coast of Africa to European commerce, so fed the
mercantile inclinations, that an entirely new class of towns, centres
of manufacturing, and of trade, grew upon the sites of the old ones.
To these the wealthy and powerful were drawn, no longer for pro-
tection, but for the enjoyment of the luxuries which they found in
them, while the more enterprising of the lower classes crowded into
them to “seek their fortune.”

181

SECOND STAGE OF STREET ARRANGEMENTS.

Wagons gradually took the place of pack-trains in the distribu-
tion of goods through the country, and, as one man could manage a
heavy load, when it was once stowed, as well as a light one, the
wagons were made very large and strong, and required the employ-
ment of many horses.

In comparatively few town streets could two of these wheeled
merchantmen, with the enormous hamper they carried on each side,
pass each other. The seats and hucksteries of slight wood-work,
with which the streets had been lined, were swept away ; but, as the
population rapidly increased, while the house accommodation was so
limited that its density, in the city of London, for instance, was
probably three times as great as at present, any attempt to further
widen the streets for the convenience of the wagoners had to en-
counter the strongest resistance from the householders.

Thus, without any material enlargement, the character of the
streets was much changed. They frequently became quite unfit to
walk in, the more so because they were used as the common place of
deposit for all manner of rubbish and filth thrown out of the houses
which was not systematically removed from them.

Although London then occupied not a fiftieth part of the ground
which it does now, and green fields remained which had been care-
fully preserved for the practice of archery within a comparatively
short distance of its central parts, to which the inhabitants much re-
sorted for fresh air on summer evenings; although the river still
ran clear, and there was much pleasure boating upon it, the greater
part of the inhabitants were so much confined in dark, ill-ventilated,
and noisome quarters, that they were literally decimated by disease
as often as once in every two years, while at intervals fearful epi-
demics raged, at which times the mortality was much greater.
During one of these, four thousand deaths occurred in a single night,
and many streets were completely depopulated. All who could
by any means do so fled from the town, so that in a short time its
population was reduced more than fifty per cent. It had not yet
filled up after this calamity, when a fire occurred which raged un-
checked during four days, and destroyed the houses and places of
business of two hundred thousand of the citizens. Its progress was
at length stayed by the widening of the streets across which it would
have advanced if the buildings which lined them had not been re-
moved by the military.

Five-sixths of the area occupied by the old city was still covered

182

with smoking embers when the most distinguished architect of the
age seized the opportunity to urge a project for laying out the street
system of a new town upon the same site. The most novel feature
of this plan was the introduction of certain main channel streets,
ninety feet wide, in which several wagons could be driven abreast
upon straight courses from one end of the city to the other. It was
also proposed: that there should be a series of parallel and intersect-
ing streets sixty feet wide, with intermediate lanes of thirty feet.
. The enormous advantages of such a system of streets over any
others then in use in the large towns of Europe were readily demon-
strated; it obtained the approval of the king himself, and would
have been adopted but for the incredible short-sightedness of the
merchants and real estate owners. These obstinately refused to
give themselves any concern about the sacrifice of general incon-
venience or the future advantages to their city, which it was shown
that a disregard of Wren’s suggestions would involve, but proceeded
at once, as fast as possible, without any concert of action, to build
anew, each man for himself, upon the ruins of his old warehouse.
There can be little question that, had the property owner’s at this
time been wise enough to act as a body in reference to their com-
mon interests, and to have allowed Wren to devise and carry out a
complete street system, intelligently adapted to the requirements
which he would have been certain to anticipate; as well as those
which were already pressing, it would have relieved the city of
London of an incalculable expenditure which has since been required
to mend its street arrangements; would have greatly lessened the
weight of taxation, which soon afterwards rose to be higher than in
any other town of the kingdom, and would have saved millions of
people from the misery of poverty and disease.

Although in a very few years after the rebuilding of the city, its
commerce advanced so much as to greatly aggravate the incon-
veniences under which street communication had been previously
carried on, the difficulties were allowed to grow greater and greater
for fully a century more, before anything was done calculated to
essentially alleviate them, They seem to have been fully realized,
and to have been constantly deplored, nor were efforts of a certain
kind wanting to remedy them; the direction of these efforts, how-
ever, shows how strongly a traditional standard of street convenience
yet confused the judgment even of the most advanced. A town being
still thought of as a collection of buildings all placed as closely as
possible to one centre, was also regarded as a place of necessarily
inconvenient confinement, and, therefore, of crowding, hustling, and

183

turbulence. An enlargement of the population of a town could
only aggravate all the special troubles and dangers to which those
living in it were subject, add to the number of its idle, thriftless,
criminal, and dangerous classes, and invite disease, disorder, and
treasonable tumults. As, therefore, to amplify the street arrange-
ments, or otherwise enlarge the public accommodations for trade or
residence, would be to increase its attractions, the true policy was
generally assumed to be in the other direction. In London, not only
its own corporation followed this policy, but parl iament and sovereign
systematically did the same.

Once, for instance, a proclamation was issued to forbid, under
heavy penalties, the erection of any houses, except such as should
be suitable for the residence of the gentry, within three miles of the
town; another followed which interdicted householders from en-
larging the accommodations for strangers within the town; another
enjoined all persons who had houses in the country to quit the town
within three weeks, while constant efforts were made to ship off those
who had none to Ireland, Virginia, or Jamaica.

In spite of all, new houses were built on the sides of the old
country roads, the suburban villages grew larger and larger, till at
length they were all one town with London, and the population
became twice as great, and the commerce much more than twice as
great as at the time of the great fire. Even when at last plans of
real improvement began to be entertained, it was no thought of
resisting the increase of disease, pauperism, and crime, by other
means than fencing it out, that produced the change, but mainly the
intolerable hindrance to commerce of the old-fashioned arrangements.
Though some refused to see it, and still protested against the plans
of improvement as wholly unnecessary, hazardous, reckless, and
extravagant, and denounced those who urged them as unprincipled
speculators or visionary enthusiasts, the merchants generally could
no longer avoid the conviction that their prosperity was seriously
checked by the inadequacy of the thoroughfares of the town for the
duty required of them. Parliament was therefore induced, in the
latter part of the last century, to authorize a series of measures
which gradually brought about, in the course of fifty years, larger
and more important changes than had occurred before during many
centuries.

As the definite aim of these changes was to get rid of certain
inconveniences which had previously been classed among the neces-
sary evils of large towns, and as the measure with reference to
which the purpose of their design was limited is thus clearly estab-

154

lished, it is evident that, before we can realize the degree in which
they were likely to approach the ultimatum of civilized requirement,
we need to know more exactly what the inconveniences in question
amounted to.

It appears, then, that the imperfect pavements, never having been
adequately revised since the days of hand-barrow and pack-horse
transportation, were constantly being misplaced, and the ground
worn into deep ruts, by the crushing weight of the wheels; the slops
and offal matters thrown out of the houses, were combined with the
dung of the horses and the mud, to make a tenacious puddle, through
which the people on foot had to drag their way, in constant appre-
hension of being run down or crushed against the wall. In the prin-
cipal streets strong posts were planted at intervals, behind which
active men were accustomed to dodge for safety as the wagons came
upon them. Coaches had been introduced in the time of Elizabeth,
but though simple, strong, and rudely-hung vehicles, they were con-
sidered to be very dangerous in the streets, and their use within the
town was for some time forbidden. Sedan chairs for all ordinary
purposes superseded them, and for a long time had been in common
use by all except the poorer classes, upon every occasion of going
into the streets. When George the Third went in the state coach to
open parliament, the streets through which he passed were previously
prepared by laying faggots in the ruts to make the motion easier.
There was little or no sewerage or covered drainage, and heavy storms
formed gullies of the ruts, and often flooded the cellars, destroying
a great deal of merchandise.

This was the condition in which, after several hundred years, the
town had been left by the transformation of the passages, first
occurring between the huts of the entrenched camp of a tribe of
barbarians, from the serviceable foot-ways of the early middle ages,
to the unserviceable wagon-ways of the generation but one before
the last.

THIRD STAGE OF STREET ARRANGEMENTS.

To remedy its evils, in the construction of new streets and the
reconstruction of old, the original passage for people on foot was
restored, but it was now split through the middle and set back, with
the house fronts on each side, so as to admit of the introduction of a
special road-way for horses and wheels at a lower level. A curb
was placed to guard the foot-way from the wheels; gutters were
used to collect the liquid and floating filth, and sewers were con-
structed which enabled the streams thus formed to be taken out of

135

the streets before they became so large as to flood the sidewalks.
At the same time an effort was made to so straighten and connect
some of the streets, that goods could be taken from one quarter of
the town to another by direct courses, and without the necessity of
doubling the horse-power at certain points, in order to overcome the
natural elevations of the ground.

Thus, just one hundred years after Wren’s suggestions were re-
jected by the merchants, their grandsons began to make lame efforts
to secure some small measure of the convenience which his plan had
offered them.

A few of the latter improvements had been adopted in other
towns, at a somewhat earlier period than in London. In the plans of
St. Petersburg and of Philadelphia, for instance, directness and un-
usual amplitude of road-way had been studied; and some of the free
cities of Germany had, at an earlier date, possessed moderately broad
and well-paved streets, but the exceptions do not affect the conclusion
which we desire to enforce.

To fully understand the reason of this long neglect to make any
wise preparation for the enlargement of population which it would
seem must surely have been anticipated, we need to consider that
while a rapid advance was all the time occurring from the state of
things when a town was intended to be governed with little direct
regard for the interests of any but a very few of its occupants, at
the same time direct responsibility for the care of its interests was
being diffused and held for shorter intervals, and was, consequently,
less and less felt, as a motive to ingenuity and energy, by any one
of the several individuals who partook in it. The theory and form
of town government changed more slowly than the character and
modes of life of those who were called upon to administer it, but an
adherence to the antiquated forms was only calculated to make a
personal duty, with reference to the actual new conditions of the
people, less easily realized and less effectively operative. What is
every body’s business is nobody’s; and although, of late years, ex-
perts, with professional training in special branches, are not unfre-
quently engaged by municipal bodies to study particular require-
ments of the people, and invent means to satisfy them, still, as
a general rule, improvements have come in most cities, when
they have come at all, chiefly through the influence of individual
energy, interested in behalf of special mercantile or speculative
enterprises, by which the supineness of the elected and paid
representatives of the common interests of the citizens has been
overborne. ,

186

ERRONEOUS VIEW OF THE NECESSARY DISADVANTAGES
OF TOWN LIFE.

What is of more consequence, however, not merely that we may
avoid injustice to our ancestors, but that we may realize the changes
which have occurred in the standard of requirement, with reference
to which the merits of a street system are now to be judged, is the
fact that when these improvements were devised, it was still pardon-
able to take for granted that the larger the population of a town
should be allowed to become, the greater would be the inconvenience
and danger to which all who ventured to live in it would necessarily
be subject, the more they would be exposed to epidemic diseases,
the feebler, more sickly, and shorter their lives would be; the
greater would be the danger of sweeping conflagrations; the larger
the proportion of mendicants and criminals, and the more formidable,
desperate and dangerous the mobs.

EVILS OF TOWN-LIFE HAVE DIMINISHED AS TOWNS HAVE
GROWN LARGER.

We now know that these assumptions were entirely fallacious,
for, as a matter of fact, towns have gone on increasing until there are
many in Europe which are several times larger than the largest of
of the middle ages, and in the largest the amount of disease is not
more than half as great as it formerly was; the chance of living to
old age is much more than twice as great; epidemics are less fre-
quent, less malignant and more controllable; sweeping fires are less
common, less devastating and are much sooner got under; ruffans
are much better held in check ; mobs are less frequently formed, are
less dangerous, and, when they arise, are suppressed more quickly
and with less bloodshed ; there is a smaller proportion of the popu-
lation given over to vice and crime and a vastly larger proportion of
well-educated, orderly, industrious and well-to-do citizens. These
things are true, in the main, not of one town alone, but of every con-
siderable town, from Turkey on the one side to China on the other,
and the larger each town has grown, the greater, on an average, has
been the gain. Even in Mahomedan Cairo, chiefly through the
action of French engineers, the length of life of each inhabitant has,
on an average, been doubled. The question, then, very naturally
occurs: ‘‘ What are the causes and conditions of this amelioration,
and can it be expected to continue ?

REASON FOR ANTICIPATING AN ACCELERATED ENLARGE-
MENT OF METROPOLITAN TOWNS.

If the enormous advance in the population of great towns which

187

has been characteristic of our period of civilization, is due mainly to
the increase of facilities for communication, transportation and ex-
change throughout the world, as there is every reason to believe that
it is, we can but anticipate, in the immediate future, a still more
rapid movement in the same direction.

We are now extending railroads over this continent at the rate
of more that fifteen hundred miles a year, and before our next Presi-
dent takes his seat, we shall have applied an amount of labor which
is represented by the enormous sum of two thousand millions of
dollars, to this work, most of it preparatory, and more than half of
it directed to the opening up of new lands to profitable cultivation.
The productive capacity of the country thus laid open, and the de-
mand upon commerce of its people, has scarcely yet begun to be
manifested. We have but half made our first road to the Pacific,
and we have only within a year begun to extend our steam naviga-
tion to Japan and China, where the demands upon civilized com-
merce of a frugal and industrious population, much larger than that
of all Christendom, yet remain to be developed. We are ourselves
but just awake to the value of the electric telegraph in lessening the
risks of trade on a large scale, and giving it order and system.
Thus, we seem to be just preparing to enter upon a new chapter of
commercial and social progress, in which a comprehension of the
advantages that arise from combination and co-operation will be the
rule among merchants, and not, as heretofore, the exception.

CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH THE EVILS OF LARGE TOWNS
HAVE DIMINISHED.

The rapid enlargement of great towns which has hitherto occur-
red, must then be regarded as merely a premonition of the vastly
greater enlargement that is to come. We see, therefore, how im-
perative, with reference to the interests of our race, is this question,
whether as the enlargement of towns goes on the law of improve-
ment is such that we may reasonably hope that life in them will con-
tinue to grow better, more orderly, more healthy? One thing seems
to be certain, that the gain hitherto can be justly ascribed in very
small part to direct action on the part of those responsible for the
good management of the common interests of their several popula-
tions. Neither humanity nor the progress of invention and dis-
covery, nor the advancement of science has had much to do with it.
It can not even, in any great degree, be ascribed to the direct action
of the law of supply and demand.

Shall we say, then, that it has depended on causes wholly beyond

188

the exercise of human judgment, and that we may leave the future
to take care of itself, as our fathers did? We are by no means jus-
tified in adopting such a conclusion, for, if we can not yet trace
wholly to their causes, all the advantages we possess over our pre-
decessors, we are able to reach the conviction, beyond all reasonable
doubt, that at least, the larger share of the immunity from the visits
of the plague and other forms of pestilence, and from sweeping fires,
and the larger part of the improved general health and increased
length of life which civilized towns have lately enjoyed is due to the
abandonment of the old-fashioned compact way of building towns,
and the gradual adoption of a custom of laying them out with much
larger spaces open to the sun-light and fresh air; a custom the
introduction of which was due to no intelligent anticipation of such
results.

Evidence of this is found in the fact that the differing propor-
tions between the dying and the living, the sick and the well, which
are found to exist between towns where most of the people still live
on narrow streets, and those in which the later fashions have been
generally adopted; and between parts of the same town which are
most crowded and those which are more open, are to this day nearly
as great as between modern and ancient towns. Tor instance, in
Liverpool, the constant influx of new-comers of a very poor and
ignorant class from the other side of the Irish Channel, and the con-
sequent demand for house-room, and the resulting value of the poor,
old buildings which line the narrow streets, has, till recently, caused
the progress of improvement to be much slower than in the much
larger town of London, so that, while the average population of
Liverpool is about 140,000 to the square mile, that of London is but
50,000; the average age at death in Liverpool is seventeen, and that
in London twenty-six. In the city of Brooklyn the number of deaths
for each thousand of population that occurred this last year in the
closer built parts, was twice as large as in those where the streets
are wider and there are many gardens.

Comparisons of this kind have been made in such number, and
the data for them have been drawn from such a large variety of
localities in which the conditions of health in all other respects have
been different, that no man charged, however temporarily and under
whatever limitations, with municipal responsibilities, can be par-
doned for ignoring the fact that the most serious drawback to the
prosperity of town communities has always been dependent on con-

ditions (quite unnecessary to exist in the present day) which have .

led to stagnation of air and excessive deprivation of sun-light.

189

Again, the fact that with every respiration of every living being
a quantity is formed of a certain gas, which, if not dissipated, ren-
ders the air of any locality at first debilitating, after a time sicken-
ing, and at last deadly ; and the fact that this gas is rapidly absorbed,
and the atmosphere relieved of it by the action of leaves of trees,
grass and herbs, was quite unknown to those who established the
models which have been more or less distinctly followed in the pres-
ent street arrangements of our great towns. It is most of all im-
portant, however, that we should remember that they were not as
yet awake to the fact that large towns are a necessary result of ‘an
extensive intercourse between people possessing one class of the
resources of wealth and prosperity and those possessing other classes,
and that with each increase of the field of commerce certain large
towns must grow larger, and consequently, that it is the duty of each
generation living in these towns to give some consideration, in its
plans, to the requirements of a larger body of people than it has
itself to deal with directly.

CHANGE IN THE HABITS OF CITIZENS AFFECTING THE
STRUCTURAL REQUIREMENTS OF TOWNS.

If, again, we consider the changes in the structure of towns which
have occurred through the private action of individual citizens we
shall find that they indicate the rise of a strong tide of requirements,
the drift of which will either have to be fairly recognized in the pub-
lie work of the present generation, or it will, at no distant day, surely
compel a revision of what is now done that will involve a large sac-
rifice of property.

SEPARATION OF BUSINESS AND DOMESTIC LIFE.

In the last century comparative few towns-people occupied dwel-
lings distinctly separate from their place of business. A large ma-
jority of the citizens of Paris, London and of New York do so
to-day, and the tendency to divisions of the town corresponding to
this change of habits must rapidly increase with their further en-
largement, because of the greater distance which will exist between
their different parts. The reason is obvious: a business man, during
his working hours, has no occasion for domestic luxuries, but needs
to have access to certain of his co-workers in the shortest practicable
time, and with the smallest practicable expenditure of effort. He
wants to be near a bank, for instance, or near the Corn Exchange, or
near the Stock Exchange, or to shipping, or to a certain class of
shops or manufactories. On the other hand, when not engaged in

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190

business, he has no occasion to be near his working place, but de-
mands arrangements of a wholly different character. Families re-
quire to settle in certain localities in sufficient numbers to support
those establishments which minister to their social and other wants,
and yet are not willing to accept the conditions of town-life which
were formerly deemed imperative, and which, in the business quar-
ters, are yet, perhaps, in some degree, imperative, but demand as
much of the luxuries of free air, space and abundant vegetation as,
without loss of town privileges, they can be enabled to secure.

Those parts of a town which are to any considerable extent occu-
pied by the great agencies of commerce, or which, for any reason,
are especially fitted for their occupation, are therefore sure to be more
and more exclusively given up to them, and, although we cannot an-
ticipate all the subdivisions of a rapidly increasing town with confi-
dence, we may safely assume that the general division of all the
parts of every considerable town, under the two great classifications
of commercial and domestic, which began in the great European
towns in the last century, will not only continue, but will become
more and more distinct.

It can hardly be thought probable that street arrangements per-
fectly well adapted in all respects to the purposes to be served in
one of these divisions are the very best in every particular that it
would be possible to devise for those of the other.

RECREATIVE REQUIREMENTS AND DISTANCE OF
SUBURBS.

Another change in the habits of towns-people which also grows
out of the greatly enlarged area already occupied by large towns, re-
sults from the fact that, owing to the great distances of the suburbs
- from the central parts, the great body of the inhabitants cannot so
easily as formerly stroll out into the country in search of fresh air,
quietness, and recreation. At the same time, there is no doubt that
the more intense intellectual activity, which prevails equally in the
library, the work shop and the counting room, makes tranquilizing
recreation more essential to continued health and strength than until
lately it generally has been. Civilized men, while they are gaining
ground against certain acute forms of disease, are growing more and
more subject to other and more insidious enemies to their health and
happiness, and against these the remedy and preventive can not be
found in medicine or in athletic recreations, but only in sunlight and
such forms of gentle exercise as are calculated to equalize the circu-
lation and relieve the brain.

191

CHANGE IN THE CHARACTER OF VEHICLES.

Still another important change or class of changes in the habits of
the people of towns may be referred to the much greater elaboration
which has recently occurred in the division of labor, and the conse-
quent more perfect adaptation to the various purposes of life of many
instruments in general use. A more striking illustration of this will
not readily be found than is afforded by the light, elegant, easy car-
riages which have lately been seen in such numbers in your park.
When our present fashions of streets was introduced, sedan chairs
were yet, as we have shown, in general use for taking the air, or
making visits to neighbors. The few wheeled vehicles employed by
the wealthy were exceedingly heavy and clumsy, and adapted only
to slow travel on rough roads, a speed of five miles an hour, by what
was called the “flying coach,” being a matter for boasting. Now
we have multifarious styles of vehicles, in each of which a large
number of different hands have been ingeniously directed to provide,
in all their several parts, for the comfort, pleasure, and health with
which they may be used. For the sake of elegance, as well as com-
fort and ease of draft, they are made extremely light, and are sup-
plied with pliant springs. They are consequently quite unfit to be
used in streets adapted to the heavy wagons employed in commer-
cial traffic, and can only be fully enjoyed in roads expressly prepared
for them. In parks, such roads are provided in connection with
other arrangements for the health of the people.

INADEQUATE DOMESTIC ACCESS TO SUBURBS AND
PARKS.

The parks are no more accessible than the suburbs, however,
from those quarters of the town occupied domestically, except by
means of streets formed in precisely the same manner as those which
pass through the quarters devoted to the heaviest commercial traffic.
During the periods of transit, therefore, from house to house, and
between the houses and the park, there is little pleasure to be had in
driving. Riding also, through the ordinary streets, is often not only
far from pleasant, but, unless it is very slowly and carefully done, is
hazardous to life and limb. Consequently much less enjoyment of
the park is possible to those who live at a distance than to those who
live near it, and its value to the population at large is correspond-
ingly restricted. The difficulties of reaching the park on foot, for
those who might enjoy and be benefited by the walk, are, at the sea-
son of the year when it would otherwise be most attractive, even

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192

greater, for they must follow the heated flags, and bear the reflected
as well as the direct rays of the sun.

But we cannot expect, even if this objection were overcome, that
all the inhabitants of a large town would go so far as the park every
day, or so often as it is desirable that they should take an agreeable
stroll in the fresh air. On the other hand, we cannot say that the
transportation of merchandise should be altogether interdicted in the
domestic quarters of a town, as it is in a park, and as it now is
through certain streets of London and Paris during most hours of the
day. On the contrary, it is evidently desirable that every dwelling
house should be accessible by means of suitable paved streets to
heavy-wheeled vehicles.

NEW ARRANGEMENTS DEMANDED BY EXISTING
REQUIREMENTS.

It will be observed that each of the changes which we have ex-
amined points clearly towards the conclusion that the present street
arrangements of every large town will, at no very distant day, re-
quire, not to be set aside, but to be supplemented, by a series of
ways designed with express reference to the pleasure with which
they may be used for walking, riding, and the driving of carriages ;
for rest, recreation, refreshment, and social intercourse, and that these
ways must be so’arranged that they will be conveniently accessible
from every dwelling house, and allow its occupants to pass from it
to distant parts of the town, as, for instance, when they want to go
to a park, without the necessity of traveling for any considerable
_ distance through streets no more convenient for the purpose than
our streets of the better class now are..

We may refuse to make ‘timely provisions for such purposes in
our suburbs, and we may by our refusal add prodigiously to the
difficulty and the cost of their final introduction; but it is no more
probable, if great towns continue to grow greater, that such require-
ments as we have pointed out will not eventually be provided than
it was two hundred years ago that the obvious defects of the then
existing street arrangements would continue to be permanently en-
dured rather than that property should be destroyed which existed
in the buildings by their sides.

THE POSITION OF BROOKLYN.

If we now take the case of Brooklyn we shall find that all the
reasons for an advance upon the standards of the street arrange-

193

ments of the last century which apply to great towns in general,
are applicable to her special situation with particular emphasis.

With reference to general commerce, Brooklyn must be con-
sidered as a division merely of the port of New York. The city
of New York is, in regard to building space, in the condition of a
walled town; Brooklyn is New York outside the walls.

The length of suitable shore for shipping purposes which the
city of New York possesses is limited. Many operations of com-
merce cannot be carried on in the northern parts of the island. It
may be reckoned upon as certain, that the centre of the commer-
cial arrangements of the port will be in the lower part of New
York island.

It may be also reckoned upon as certain that everywhere, within
a limited distance back from its shores, all the ground will be re-
quired for commercial purposes. The amount of land enclosed by
this commercial border remaining to be devoted to purposes of
habitation will then be comparatively small, and will be at a con-
siderable distance north of the commercial centre, probably not
nearer, on an average, than the upper part of the Central Park,
which is more than seven miles from the present Custom House.
On each side of it, north, south, east and west, will be warehouses
and manufacturing and trading establishments, and, at a little greater
distance, wharves and shipping.

The habitable part of New York island will then necessarily be
built up with great compactness, and will in every part be intersected
with streets offering direct communication for the transportation
of merchandise between one part of its commercial quarter and
another.

If now, again, we look on the Long Island side of the port we
find a line of shore ten miles in length, which is also adapted to the
requirements of shipping. It may be assumed that the land along
this shore will be wanted, as well as that along the shore of New
York island, and for an equal distance back from the water, for mer-
cantile 4nd manufacturing purposes. Supposing that the district
thus occupied shall, after a time, reach as far back as the correspond-
ing district on New York island; in the rear of it, (and still at a
distance from the commercial centre of the port, not half as great on
an average as the Central Park), we find a stretch of ground gener-
ally elevated, the higher parts being at an average distance of more
than a mile from any point to which.merchandise can be brought by
water. Last of this elevation the ground slopes to the shore, not of
a harbor or navigable river, but of the ocean itself—a shore in the

13

194

highest degree attractive to those seeking recreation or health, but
offering no advantages for shipping, manufacturing or mercantile
purposes. At present this slope is occupied chiefly by country seats,
and the habitations of gardeners and farmers, and only through the
most perverse neglect of the landowners of their own interests is it
likely to be built upon for other purposes.

THE OPPORTUNITY OF BROOKLYN.

Here, then, there is ample room for an extension of the habita-
tion part of the metropolis upon a plan fully adapted to the most in-
telligent requirements of modern town life. A large part of the
elevated land which has been referred to lies not more than half as
far from the commercial centre as the habitation district of New
York island; the ground is better formed with reference to sanitary
considerations ; it is open to the sea breezes, and lies in full view of
the ocean ; it can never be enclosed on all sides by commerce, as the
habitable part of New York island soon will be; and, its immediate
back country being bounded by the sea, the commercial traffic
through it is always likely to be light, and will be easily provided
for in a few special channels. Thus it seems set apart and guarded
by nature as a place for the tranquil habitation of those whom the
business of the world requires should reside within convenient access
of the waters of New York harbor.

It does not follow, however, that it will be so occupied. In the
drift of the population of towns it is generally found that natural ad-
vantages alone go for but little, and except in the part controlled by
your Commission no other arrangements as yet exist with reference
to the convenience, health and pleasure of residents upon this land
than such as would have been formed if it were desired to invite to
it nothing but factories, ship-yards, or the warehouses and offices of
merchants. One or two streets were laid out through it some years
ago with an avowed intention of being especially adapted to resi-
dences ; they were so designed, however, as to offer every advantage
to commercial transportation, and consequently, for. shops and fac-
tories, but, except in mere width, without intelligent regard to the
alleged purpose in view. ‘They are nevertheless adapted to serve an
important purpose in concentrating such commercial traffic as must
pass through their neighborhoods and in furnishing sites for shops and
public buildings which will in any case be needed to meet local
requirements.

Upon the manner in which there are good grounds for confidence
that the elevated district which has been indicated will be occupied

195

in the future, depends the valuation which can justly and sagaciously
be now placed upon it, and upon this valuation mainly depends the
financial prosperity of the city of Brooklyn.

HOW THE OPPORTUNITY MAY BE MISUSED AND HOW
AVAILED OF.

It would be a perfectly simple problem to cause this land to be
given up in a few years almost exclusively to shanties, stables, brew-
eries, distilleries, and swine-yards, and eventually to make the greater
part of it a district corresponding, in the larger metropolis which is
hereafter to exist on the shores of New York harbor, to that which

. the Five Points has been in the comparatively small town we have

known.

The means by which it may be made a more suitable and attrac-
tive place of domestic residence than it is possible that any other
point of the metropolis ever will be, are equally within command.

INFLUENCE OF THE PARK ON THE VALUE OF PROPERTY.

The effect of what has already been done, under the direction of
your Commission, has been to more than quadruple the value of a
certain portion of this land, and we have thus an expression of the
most simple character, in regard to the commercial estimate which,
at this period in the history of towns, is placed upon the cireum-
stance of convenient access from a residence to a public pleasure-
ground, and upon the sanitary and social advantages of a habitation
thus situated. The advance in value, in this case, is quite marked at
a distance of a mile, and this local advantage has certainly not been
attended by any falling back in the value of other land in Brooklyn.

If we analyze the conditions of this change in value, we shall find
that it is not altogether, or even in any large degree, dependent upon
mere vicinity to the sylvan and rural attractions of the pazk, but in
very large part, in the first place, upon the degree in which these at-
tractions can be approached with security from the common annoy-
ances of the streets, and with pleasure in the approach itself. If, for
instance, the greater part of the park were long and narrow in form,
other things being equal, the demand for building sites, fronting on
this portion of it, would not, probably, be appreciably less than for
those fronting on the broader part. Secondly, the advance in value
will be found to be largely dependent on the advantages of having
near a residence, a place where, without reference to the sylvan
attractions found in a large park, driving, riding, and walking can

196

be conveniently pursued in association with pleasant people, and
without the liability of encountering the unpleasant sights and
sounds which must generally accompany those who seek rest, recre-
ation or pleasure in the common streets.

There are other things to be valued in a park besides these, but
these are the main positive advantages which would make the value
of a residence, if upon the park, much greater than if at a distance
from it.

HOW THE ADVANTAGES OF VICINITY TO A PARK MAY BE
EXTENDED.

So far, then, as it is practicable, without an enlargement of the
park in its full breadth and compass, to extend it attractions in these
especial respects, so far is it also practicable to enlarge the district
within which land will have a correspondingly increased attraction for
domestic residences. The further the process can be carried, the more
will Brooklyn, as a whole, become desirable as a place of residence,
the higher will be the valuation of land, on an average, within the
city, and the lighter will be the financial burden of the Corpor-
ation.

EXAMPLE OF A FOURTH STAGE OF STREET ARRANGE-
MENTS.

We come, then, to the question of the means by which such an
extension can be accomplished. Although no perfect example can
be referred to, there have been in Europe a few works by which a
‘similar end, to a certain extent, has been reached. Of these, the
most notable is the Avenue of the Empress, in Paris, which connects
a palace and a pleasure-ground within the town, with a large park
situated far out in the suburbs. This avenue, with its planted bor-
der, occupies so much ground (it is 429 feet in width) that it may
be considered to constitute rather an intermediate pleasure ground
than a part of the general street system. It is lined with a series of
detached villa residences, and building lots facing upon it are much
more valuable than those facing upon the park.

The celebrated Linden Avenue, at Berlin, leads likewise from a
palace and palace grounds, to a great rural park on the opposite
side of the town, through the very midst of which it passes. The
finest private residences and hotels of the town, as well as many
public buildings, such as art galleries and museums, front upon it,
and it is equally convenient for all the ordinary purposes of a street
with any other. It, nevertheless, differs essentially from an ordinary

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197

business street, in that the process which we have described, by which
wagon-ways were introduced into the old streets, has been carried
one step further, the wagon-way having itself been divided as the
foot-way formerly was, and a space of ground having been introduced,
within which there is a shaded walk or mall, and a bridle-road, with
strips of turf and trees,

THE PARKWAY.—A FIFTH STAGE.

The “ Parkway ” plan which we now propose advances still an-
other step, the mall being again divided into two parts to make room
for a central road-way, prepared with express reference to pleasure
riding and driving, the ordinary paved traffic road-ways, with their
flagged sidewalks, remaining still on the outside of the public mall
for pedestrians, as in the Berlin example. The plan in this way
provides for each of the several requirements which we have thus far
examined, giving access for the purposes of ordinary traffic to all the
houses that front upon it, offering a special road for driving and rid-
ing without turning commercial vehicles from the right of way, and
furnishing ample public walks, with room for seats, and with borders
of turf in which trees may grow of the most stately character. It
would contain six rows of trees, and the space from house to house
being two hundred and sixty feet, would constitute a perfect barrier
to the progress of fire.

PRACTICABLE FUTURE EXTENSIONS OF THE PARKWAY.

With modifications to adapt it to variations of the topography
and the connecting street arrangements, the plan should eventually
be extended from the park, in one direction, to Fort Hamilton, where
ground for a small marine promenade should be secured, overlooking
the Narrows and the Bay ; and, in the other, to Ravenswood, where
it should be connected by a bridge with one of the broad streets
leading, on the New York side, to the Central Park. A branch
should extend from it to the ocean beach at Coney Island, and other
branches might lead out from it to any points at which it should
appear that large dwelling quarters were likely to be formed, at such
a distance from the main stem that access to it from them would
otherwise be inconvenient.

There are scarcely any houses at present standing on the general
line indicated, and it would pass nearly parallel to, and be every-
where within from fifteen to thirty minutes’ walk of the wharves of
the East River. The distance between its extreme points would
be about ten miles, and the average distance of residences upon

198

it from Wall street would be about half the distance to the Cen-
tral Park. Spacious and healthful accommodations for a popu-
lation of 500,000 could be made within ten minutes’ walk of this
Parkway.

PLAN OF THE PARKWAY NEIGHBORHOOD.

Our plan, it will be observed, covers more ground than is neces-
sarily required to be taken for the purposes which have been indi-
cated. The object of this is, that, in addition to providing for an en-
largement of the park advantages, throughout its whole extent, the
parkway may also constitute the centre of a continuous neighborhood
of residences of a more than usually open, elegant and healthy char-
acter. It is believed that such a neighborhood would not merely be
more attractive, to the prosperous class generally, of the metropolis,
than any which can be elsewhere formed within a much greater dis-
tance from the commercial centre, but that it will especially meet
the requirements of an element in the community that is constantly
growing larger, and that is influenced by associations and natural
taste that unquestionably deserve to be fostered and encouraged. A
typical case, for the sake of illustrating the class in view, may be
thus presented. A country boy receives a common school educa-
tion, exhibits ability, and at a comparatively early age finds himself
engaged in business in a provincial town; as his experience and
capacity increase, he seeks enlarged opportunities for the exercise of
his powers, and, being of superior calibre, ultimately finds himself
drawn by an irresistible magnetic force to the commercial cities ;
here he succeeds in becoming wealthy by close attention to his
specialty, and the sharp country boy becomes the keen city man.
Trees and grass are, however, wrought into the very texture and
fibre of his constitution, and, without being aware of it, he feels day
by day that his life needs a suggestion of the old country flavor to
make it palatable as well as profitable. This is one aspect of the
natural phenomena with which we are now attempting to deal; no
_ broad question of country life in comparison with city life is in-
volved; it is confessedly a question of delicate adjustment, but we
feel confident that whenever and wherever, in the vicinity of New
York, this delicate adjustment is best attended to, and the real needs
of these city-bred country boys are most judiciously considered,
there they will certainly throng. We do not, of course, mean to
argue that the tastes to which we have referred are limited solely to
citizens whose early life has been passed in the country, but only

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199

that the existence of the special social element thus typified gives one
of the many assurances that such a scheme as the proposed parkway
neighborhood would be successful, if judiciously carried out within
the lines suggested, before the demand is more or less perfectly met
in some other locality.

It is clear that the house lots facing on the proposed parkway
would be desirable, and we assume that the most profitable arrange-
ment would be to make them, say 100 feet wide, and of the full
depth between two streets, convenient sites for stables being thus
provided. The usual effect of such a plan of operations would be an
occupation of the rear street by houses of inferior class, and it is
with a view of avoiding any such unsatisfactory result that the design
is extended over four blocks of ground. If the two outermost streets
are widened to 100 feet, and side-walks, shaded by double rows of
trees, introduced in connection with them, the house lots on these
streets will be but little inferior to those immediately facing the
parkway, for they also will be of unusual depth, and will be supplied
with stable lots that can be entered from the street already men-
tioned, which should be made suitable for its special purpose, and
with the idea that it is only to be occupied by such buildings as may
be required in connection with the large lots which are intended to
be arranged throughout back to back, with the stable street between
them.

Thus, so far as this arrangement should be extended, there would
be a series of lots adapted to be occupied by detached villas, each in
the midst of a small private garden. This arrangement would offer
the largest advantages possible to be secured in a town residence,
and there is no good reason why they should not be of a permanent
character. With the modern advantages for locomotion which
would be available,*the departure from the old-fashioned compact-
ness of towns might be carried to this extent, in that part of them
devoted to residences, without any serious inconvenience. The un-
wholesome fashion of packing dwelling-houses closely in blocks
grew, as we have shown, out of the defensive requirements of old
towns; it may possibly be necessary to continue it under certain
circumstances, as, for the reasons already indicated, on the island of
New York, but where there is no necessary boundary, either natural
or artificial, to the space which is to be occupied by buildings, as is
the case with Brooklyn, it is, to say the least, unwise to persist in
arrangements which will permanently prevent any indulgence of
this kind. |

Those who availed themselves of the opportunity here proposed to

200

be offered would not benefit themselves alone, but the whole com-
munity. The Romans seem to have been wiser than we have been
in this particular. Rich people were offered every facility for sur-
rounding their houses with open garden spaces, and the larger part
of the Eternal City was composed of what we should now term de-
tached villas, while in no part was it permitted that a new house,
even though intended for the residence of slaves, should be built
within five feet of walls previously erected.

How far it might be desirable for property-owners to extend the
plan in the peculiar form suggested is, of course, an open question,
depending on the anticipated demand for lots of the size indicated,
but it will be readily seen that as the proposed subdivisions are
not of the ordinary contracted character, a comparatively small
number of residents will suffice to fill up a considerable stretch of
ground laid out in this way, and it is also evident that if, within a
reasonable time, it should become certain that a specific number of
blocks would be carried out on this plan, the lots included within
the boundaries determined on would not require to be improved
in regular succession, but would be selected with reference to
slight, fancied advantages anywhere along the line, every purchaser
feeling satisfied that the main question of good neighborhood had
been settled on a satisfactory basis at the outset.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PARKWAY LIKELY TO BE SECURED
TO BROOKLYN EXCLUSIVELY.

Having so fully described, in its principal aspects, the question
of the desirability of developing, in Brooklyn, a plan of public
improvement of the general character indicated, it may be proper
for us to enquire whether the broad streets which are proposed to
be opened on New York Island, under the name of Boulevards,
during the next few years, are calculated to interfere with the
probable success of such a scheme.

While the Central Park was in its earlier stages of progress, a
commission was.appointed to prepare a plan for laying out the upper
end of New York island, and some years later this responsibility
was transferred to the Central Park Commission, whose plan is pub-
lished in their last annual report.

The same document contains an elaborate discussion of the sub-
ject by Mr. A. H. Green, on the part of the board, and as our pro-
fessional relations with the Commissioners have not been extended
over this department of their work, and we are not aware of their
intention in regard to this improvement, except so far as it is set

201

forth in the plan and public statement above mentioned, we make,
for the purposes of this report, the subjoined quotation, which sets
forth clearly the limitations that are to be recognized in New York
as controlling the designs of the Commissioners :

“We occasionally, in some country city, see a wide street orna-
mented with umbrageous trees, having spaces of green interposed in
its area, the portion used for travel being very limited. This
arrangement is only possible where thronging population and crowd-
ing commerce are not at liberty to overlay and smother the laws
that are made to secure the legitimate use of the public streets. It
would seem inexpedient, at any rate, until some better permanent
administration of our streets is secured, to attempt these fanciful
arrangements to any great extent in a commercial city, under our
form of government.”

It is clear, therefore, that the Central Park Commissioners have
no intention of carrying out, in New York, any such scheme as the
“ Parkway,” and consequently if, as we believe, the requirements
that such a plan is designed to meet are already felt to exist in this
community, Brooklyn can soon be made to offer some special advan-
tages as a place of residence to that portion of our more wealthy and
influential citizens whose temperament, taste or education leads them
to seek for a certain amount of rural satisfaction in connection with
their city homes.

Although the plots of ground appropriated to the Brooklyn and
Central Parks are entirely different in shape, while their landscape
opportunities and general possibilities of design are equally dis-
similar, a generic family resemblance will yet be found between the
two pleasure-grounds, simple because they are both called into ex-
istence to meet the same class of wants, in the same class of people,
at the same metropolitan centre.

The Brooklyn parkway, on the other hand, will, if executed, be a
practical development of the ideas set forth in this report, which
seem to be particularly applicable to the city of Brooklyn, and
which, as we have shown, are considered by those in authority to be
unsuitable for development in the city of New York; it will conse-
quently have no such family resemblance to the New York boule-
vards as exists between the two parks, and its attractions will,
for a time at any rate, be of a special and somewhat individual
character.

In pursuing the general question of approaches to the park, in
accordance with your instructions, we have thus been led to the ex-
amination of some other scarcely less important topics, and although

202

the consideration of such problems as those we have adverted to
can only come before your commission in an indirect and incidental
way, we have thought it best to lay the results of our study thus
fully before you, because during the investigations and consultations
of the past year it has become more and more evident that the early
adoption of some such scheme as the “ Parkway would have the
effect of adding very greatly to the advantages which your commis-
sion is endeavoring to secure to the citizens of Brooklyn in the con-
struction of the park.

Respectfully,
OLMSTED, VAUX & CO.,
Landscape Architects and Superintendents.

Brooxtyn, January 1st, 1868.

MHOeH VY 2TVaQNA

Opponent
Vi

REPORT OF ©. CG MARTIN,

ENGINEER IN CHARGE.

Park Commission, City or Brooxtyn,
Enaineer’s Orrice, January Ist, 1868.

Messrs. Otmstep, Vaux & Co.,
Landscape Architects and Superintendents.

Gentlemen : In the following report will be found a general de-
scription of the work executed on the park during the year 1867.

Previous to the date of my appointment as engineer in charge
in May last, the position was held by Mr. J. P. Davis, with whom,
before assuming its duties, I had such opportunity for consultation,
as was necessary to enable me to comprehend the nature and ex-
tent of the work that had been carried on in the early part of the
year.

PLAZA.

During the season the Plaza mounds have been completed,
planted, and enclosed with a temporary fence, nearly all of the curb
has been set around the interior of the Plaza, and the grading has
been done, and a portion of the pavement laid.

ROADS.

During the season two distinct kinds of roads have been con-
structed, viz.: the Telford road and the rubble road. The prepara-
tion of the road bed, the drainage, and the surfacing are the same
for both. |

The road bed is prepared by bringing it to a sub-grade, twenty-
seven inches below the finished grade. This is carefully shaped to
correspond with the finished road, and thoroughly rolled.

204

Upon this road bed is placed a layer of the coarse sand found
on the park, twelve inches in thickness, which is properly formed
and rolled. Upon this is laid with care a course of Telford blocks,
seven inches in depth; next is a layer of four inches of McAdam
stone, and this is followed by three inches of Roa Hook gravel.

The rubble road differs from the Telford mainly in the substitu-
tion of sound rubble stone in the place of the Telford blocks.

As water and stone are the great destroyers of roads, one of the
first requisites in the construction of a good road is to provide
ample and effective drainage, both of the surface and the sub-
structure.

To secure the proper sub-drainage, tiles are laid on the line of
each gutter, at a depth of three feet and six inches below the surface,
and are connected directly with the silt basins.

To ensure the speedy removal of surface water, a crown of from
six to nine inches, depending upon its width, is given to the road-
way.

The gutters were constructed two feet in width, three inches in
depth, and made of the very best quality of paving brick, laid on
edge and well bedded in cement mortar.

At suitable intervals along the gutters, silt basins were placed,
having grated inlets, through which the surface water enters, and
thence passes into the general drainage system.

The Telford blocks were obtained from the boulders which abound
on the park, and furnish a very superior material.

The blocks are somewhat regular in form, being from four to
seven inches in width, from five to nine inches in length, and about
seven inches in depth. They are generally broken slightly, wedge-
shaped; and are laid with the broadest base downward.

Wedge-shaped cavities are thus formed in the upper surfaces ;
these are filled with spalls which are well rammed, forming a
close and comparatively smooth surface to receive the McAdam
stone.

Suitable McAdam stone is found in great abundance on the
park. The stones were broken by a Blake’s patent stone breaker,
which readily breaks to any required size, from forty to sixty cubic
yards per day.

The broken stone, in falling from the machine, passes over
screens which remove the dust and finely-broken stone, leaving
the balance quite clean and of uniform size. The size generally
used is from one and a half to two and a half inches in the largest
diameter.

n

205

The gravel used for the final surfacing of the road is obtained
from Roa Hook, on the Hudson River, and is of a very superior
quality, being of uniform hardness and free from dirt.

The sand and gravel for the sub-structure of the roads, gutters,
&c., is obtained in great quantities on the park.

ARCHWAYS.

But two archways have been commenced this season. One near
the main entrance, and the other in the East Wood.

In making the excavation for the foundation of the first-mentioned
structure, a tenacious clay saturated with water was found, which was
entirely unsuited for a stable foundation.

The excavation was carried below the line of permanent satura-
tion, and foundation piles driven from eight to sixteen feet before
reaching a firm substratum. The piles were sawed off about fifteen
inches above the bottom of the excavation and the spaces between,
and for one foot outside of them, was filled with cement concrete
and well rammed. Longitudinal timbers, twelve inches square, were
placed on the tops of the piles, and were secured to them by iron
bolts seven-eighths of an inch square, and seventeen inches long.
Upon these, at right angles to them, were placed other timbers of
the same size, which were notched down so as to interlock with those
first laid. These timbers were all completely imbedded in cement
concrete. Upon these timbers, planks six inches thick were laid, so
as to leave alternate spaces equal in width to the plank. These spaces
were filled with concrete.

The timber work is all placed at such depth as to ensure its dura-
bility ; being below the line of permanent saturation.

Upon this sub-structure the large stones of the foundation masonry
were laid. The balance of the foundation to within one foot of the
grade of the walk is constructed with large blocks of gneiss rock
laid in cement.

The face stones above the walk to the springing line of the arch
are of Hudson River “mountain graywacke.” Work was suspended
at this point for the season.

The archway in the East Wood is designed to carry a carriage
and bridle-road over a walk.

The facings are of Ohio and Belleville sandstone alternating, and
the interior arch is of common hard brick. This is to be lined with
panel work in wood.

In excavating for the foundation of this archway, a coarse com-
pact gravel was found, and the excavation was carried only three feet

.
|
.

206

below the grade of the walk. A layer of concrete one foot in thick-
ness was laid, and upon this the masonry commenced. The masonry
of this structure was completed late in the season. The wood work
is not yet complete.

To render this archway impervious to moisture, great care was
taken to fill all the joints well with mortar, then a coating of cement
mortar was smoothly and evenly laid over the entire outside of the
arch and walls. When this had become hard, two coats of asphalt
were applied; next to this, on the vertical walls, a layer of clay
puddle, one foot in thickness, was placed. This extended upon the
inclined backing of the arch, and was reduced in thickness to a thin
edge at the top. Outside of the layer of clay was carried up a dry
rubble stone wall, about one foot thick, and outside of this the earth
filling.

At the base of this rubble wall, which extends one foot below the
grade of the walk, there was laid a tile drain connecting with silt
basins at either end of the bridge.

The last layer of asphalt on the crown of the arch overlaps the
thin edge of the puddle wall, and thus carries all water which

reaches it outside of the puddle, and directly into the dry wall,
whence it finds its way into the drain without coming in contact with
the masonry.

CULVERT ARCH.

In addition to the above masonry, a culvert arch has been con-
structed in connection with the Deer Paddock pool, and is located
between it and the Battle Pass pool. The foundation is of cement
concrete, one foot in thickness. The interior work is constructed of
gneiss rock, and is coursed rubble masonry. The facing is of Ohio
and Belleville sandstone.

WALKS.

For gravel walks, the sub-grade was fixed at twelve inches below
the finished grade; the surface at sub-grade was made to conform
accurately to the finished cross-section and grade of the walk, and
thoroughly rolled. Upon this sub-grade seven inches of rubble
stone were laid, upon this two and a half inches of coarse park gravel,
and this was followed by one and a half inches of finer park gravel.
The depth of stone and gravel at this stage of the construction was
ten and one-half inches. The remaining one and a half inches has
been, on the walks already constructed, formed of screenings from
the McAdam stone.

207

A large portion of the walks finished this season have been sur-
faced to a depth of three inches with tar concrete; the sub-structure
being the same as for gravel walks.

Two kinds of conerete have been used, one known as the Burlew
patent, in which boiled pine tar is used, and the other the Scrimshaw
patent, in which raw coal tar is used. The concrete is prepared by
mixing these tars with gravel or fine broken stone, coal ashes, &c.

In laying this material any required form is readily given to the
walks and gutters. :

Drain tiles of two inches internal diameter were laid under all
walks requiring it, at a depth of three feet six inches, and were con-
nected with the walk silt-basins.

Also, along the center line of the walks and generally in the same
trench with the tile, were laid glazed vitrified pipe which form a part
of the general drainage system of the park. *

At proper intervals under the walk gutters, silt-basins were
located to receive the surface drainage and conduct it through branch
pipes into the general drainage system.

POOLS.

Two pools have been completed each with a depth of three feet
of water.

The play-ground pool is situated in a natural depression, and is
approached by winding walks with rustic steps.

The Battle Pass pool lies at the foot of a steep declivity and is
shaded by natural forest trees.

The soil has been removed from the greater part of the site of
the proposed lake and reserved for future use, and several thousand
yards of excavation have been made.

The northern part of the lake has been nearly completed and
about five acres prepared temporarily for a skating pond.

The supply of water for the pools and lake is at present obtained
from the park drainage, and the Nassau Water Department.

AGRICULTURAL DRAINAGE.

For all clayey or retentive soils a thorough system of tile drain-
age has been adopted, and as far as the grounds have been finished,
has been carried out.

The sizes of tile have been carefully adapted to the work required
of them.

The quantity of water that will reach these drains, has been com-

ee

208

puted with an assumed maximum rainfall of two inches in an hour,
and under the supposition that one half of that amount will reach the
drains within twenty-four hours.

Steps have been taked to inaugurate a series of observations upon
the rainfall in connection with this system of tile drainage, from
which it is expected that valuable information will be obtained in
regard to the proportion of rainfall which reaches the tile in a given
time.

None but round pipe tile have been laid, and closely fitting col-
lars have been used throughout for the smaller diameter, and even
upon the three inch mains whenever they could be obtained.

The systems were arranged with mains, secondary mains and
laterals. The mains were generally three inches in diameter, the
secondary mains two inches, and the laterals one and a half inches.

Generally the mains followed the principal depressions in the
surface, the secondary mains, the minor depressions, and the laterals,
were laid out at intervals varying from twenty-five to forty-five feet,
depending upon the character of the soil, and were nearly at right
angles to the secondaries.

WATER SUPPLY.

The water supply for the park water-pipe system is at present
obtained from the Nassau Water Department.

A sixteen inch main of this system connects with a twenty inch
main of the city distribution at a point near Prospect Hill reservoir.

This main has branches of various diameters, diverging to differ-
ent parts of the park.

Hydrants are placed at convenient points along the drives for
obtaining water for sprinkling the roads, walks and for other pur-
poses.

The patent cement pipe, manufactured by the Patent Water and
Gas Pipe Company, of Jersey City, has been adopted.

It affords me great pleasure to acknowledge the very efficient
assistance I have received from Mr. John Bogart and Mr. John Y.
Culyer in their respective departments.

The rapid and uninterrupted progress of the work this season has
been facilitated alike by the promptness with which all necessary
supplies and material have been furnished by Mr. Culyer, and by
the intelligent energy displayed by Mr. Bogart, aided by his efficient
corps of assistants, in laying out the work to be executed.

A degree of interest in the work and a harmony of action has
been exhibited throughout the whole park organization which has
been especially beneficial to the work and gratifying to myself.

_ In the labor department, Mr. John Maguire, the general fore-
man, has manifested an ability and energy fully equal to the arduous
_ duties of his responsible position, and has performed them in a highly
_ creditable and satisfactory manner.

C. C. MARTIN,
Engineer in Charge.

REPORT OF JOHN BOGART,

ASSISTANT ENGINEER IN CHARGE,

Park ComMISsION, City OF BROOKLYN,
ENGINEER’S OFFICE, January 1st, 1868.
C. C. Martin, Esq.,
‘Engineer in Charge.
Sir: I submit herewith a report of the progress of construction
and the amount of work done upon the park during the past year.

THE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY.

This survey has been extended over the whole area of the park
west of Flatbush avenue, and is now in progress upon the ground
east of that avenue. The topographical maps have been completed
for the area surveyed, being 468 acres. The most elevated point
upon the park is at the summit of Lookout Hill, and has a height of
185,%, feet above mean high water. The lowest point is at the junc-
tion of Franklin avenue and the Coney Island road, and is 53,5 feet
above mean high water. This shows the extreme difference of ele-
vation of surface within the park to be 131%, feet.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PLAN.

Very careful study has been, and is constantly, given to the prob-
lem of developing the adopted design in a way which will produce
the artistic effect required by the most economical arrangement and
distribution of material. The grades and lines of the drives, bridle-
roads and walks, the surfaces and inclinations of the slopes, meadows
and concourses, the heights of the fillings and the depths of the exca-
vations have been determined in accordance with this principle. Of
course, this study is made in advance of the operations of the con-
struction force. Working maps and profiles are prepared and esti-
mates of quantities made, and every means practicable, under the
peculiar conditions of landscape work, are taken to give to the work
on the park the benefit of the rules and experience of engineering
science.

ry

211

Tabular statements of the work already done, accompanying this
report, will, to a certain extent, suggest the breadth and variety of
the subjects necessarily occupying the constant attention of the en-
gineers; and these subjects will, on examination, be found to be of
an extent and diversity seldom combined in one undertaking.

PROGRESS OF CONSTRUCTION.

During the year the whole area of the Plaza has been brought
to the established sub-grade, and nearly one half has been paved
with stone block pavement. The Plaza walks have been constructed,
but are not yet paved. Trees have been set out along the line of
the interior walks. The mounds have been finished, seeded and
planted.

The exterior slopes of the park have been formed along Flat-
bush avenue, from the Plaza to the end of the Deer Paddock, and
along Ninth avenue, from the Plaza to the vicinity of First street—
in all, a length of about 4,200 feet.

The north open ground has been completed and seeded as far as
the line of First street, and the ground has been worked considerably
farther into the park, but is not yet finished.

The ground in the woodland, in the vicinity of the East Wood
lanes, have been worked over and seeded. About 1+ miles of the
eastern branch of the main circuit drive have been paved. The
finished drive commences near the main entrance, and passing be-
tween the North-open and the childrens’ play grounds, continues
through the Battle Pass, and along the Deer-Paddock. Branching
at the East Wood lanes, it extends, on the left, to the upper arm: of
the lake, now prepared for skating, and on the right to a temporary
junction with the Coney Island road. :

The lines and grades have been established, and considerable
work done upon the Brier Hill extension of this drive, through and
beyond the carriage concourse, to the point where it will cross the
proposed bridge over the arm of the lake. Some work has also
been done upon this drive beyond the location of the bridge. The
Brier Hill concourse, as enlarged, has been finished, and is ready for
paving. The drive connecting the main circuit with Flatbush avenue
at the Willink entrance, has been graded, but has not yet received
the road metal.

A portion of the lower carriage concourse, and the whole of the

great pedestrian concourse have been graded, the material obtained

from the lake excavations being used for this purpose. These graded

212

surfaces have been made serviceable as places of deposit for stone,
top soil, and other material, hereafter to be used in that vicinity.

The grading of the eastern Bridle Road has been extended
through the woodland and ravine, to the point where, with the
stream and footpath it is to pass under the central drive, and thence
to where it meets the eastern drive opposite the Willink Entrance.
None of the bridle road has yet been paved.

A number of the walks in the childrens’ district have been
finished, as has also most of the walk which leads to this district
from the main entrance. The walk along the east side of the North-
open has been finished for a length of 1,850 feet, and the line has
been extended, and is ready for paving as far as the ravine. The
walk has been graded from the childrens’ district, along the Deer
Paddock, and through the archway under the drive to the lake;
also the walk connecting the Willink gate with that last men-
tioned.

The soil has been stripped from a large portion of the lake
district, and piled for future use. The arm of the lake lying on
the west side of Brier Hill has been excavated and puddled, and an
area of about five acres has been made ready for skating this season.
Considerable excavation has been made for the main lake at points
where the force could be worked to the best advantage. It is pro-
posed to establish the Summer level of water in the lake at an
elevation of 63 feet above mean high water, and to make the depth
in Summer seven feet. The pools in the childrens’ district, and
near Battle Pass, have been finished, and considerable work has been
done for the Deer Paddock stream.

. Two archways have been commenced. That for the passage of
the main eastern walk under the circuit drive, near the main en-
trance, has been carried up to the level of the springing line of the
arch.

The masonry of the archway under the drive, near the present
skating lake, has been completed, and the drive graded over the
arch. <A culvert arch, with one facade of rock-faced masonry, has
been built at the outlet into the. Deer Paddock of the stream co
the small pool near Battle Pass.

Excavations have been made, and foundation stone delivered, so
that masonry can be commenced early in the coming Spring for two
other archways.

11,'; miles of vitrified pipes and tiles for drainage of roads and
walks, for collecting surface water, and for the agricultural tile
drainage of meadow-lands, have been laid, with proper inlets and

213

basins. The details of this work are shown by the Drainage Map
and tabular statement accompanying this report.

7,121 lineal feet of wrought iron and cement pipe, for the water
distribution, have been laid by contract. The location of the pipes,
hydrants, and stop-cocks, and the details of this work, are shown by
the tabular statement and the accompanying Water Distribution
Map.

A large amount of peat at the proposed location of the pools has
been excavated. This peat, treated with proper chemical re-agents,
and composted with different manures, will be of great value in the
improvement of the park soil. Manures of different kinds have been
procured during the year, the particulars in regard to which are given
by Mr. Culyer in his report, and preparations have been made for
having on hand, for future use, the fertilizing materials especially
suitable to the requirements of the work.

7,374 trees and shrubs have been set out upon the Plaza mounds
and walks, and upon the finished slopes and meadows.

The following tables will exhibit a condensed statement of work
done during the year:

DRIVES.
Drives finished, 125 feet wide..... ereibi si édiaire -.--.- 900 lineal feet.
46 G Rise eee wie oa aac e coe te o:
- 40 ¢ Mazaraiteys vane axes janes . 2,550 ie
ee 30 E ataie ietateheherahe sates ... 1,500 ss
bs 23 i Marat svatctn haiti wOUU as

Total length of drive finished ...... 6,025 ¥

or, 1 1-7 miles.

Drives in progress, 150 feet wide........ »++eeee 1,300 lineal feet.

x 60 Sh a rear tae se 200 nN
. se 50 a Sohayavapais ol oxedals fetes 250 S
ss - 46 “ BEE AC nied en 100 eh
«“ «“ HOMER (eR es oat 3,200 «
. ar Wane ook ae, 1360 «
8 Eppimaur unis Vos ge Mt aida 1225 «

Otay. veh Se rej btadeabal ate w.eiaie Gio! noite 8,285 oL

or, 13-5 miles.

A

eee

214

BRIDLE ROADS.
Bridle roads in progress, 20 feet wide.........+++ 2,800 lineal feet.

a $ BRN ES) Tas rk NE Ora 1,400 nf
ij e S pms Pinte eerie 600
POLIS us e's hice wielsaor ays sisiaies Sale - +e. 4,800 $
WALKS
Walks finished, 16 feet wide.........4. Beaks 3,400 lineal feet.
3 12 RRO ee ticker ictus & 725 ff
ce 10 FE esate rarate tae wate et ni 550 §
fe 9 ‘s aaetaeiets anes welateiatar 2200 ‘
Total ns <<sate dake’ ota» Sis ate oe mieperes woe 4,875 3
Walks in progress, 30 feet wide....... Peis ie talverr 1,367 lineal feet.
- 4! Aas Be it Aerie Pa storric 4,280 e
5 ‘3 TGs: TP Mae e cele eae raretal el ote 8,900 i"
rs 7 sae ae Reeser ks mes wkheite 3500 “
a “ LO il Oe Siete cremetines cv NateKe ate 2 800 ¢
LOAN ots ates ovouentenntvece ae esteta ane 16,547 ie
DRAINAGE.
' Total to
During 1867. Jan. 1st, 1868.
18-inch Vitrified pipe laid—lineal feet PHO Peclesereieys 589
Tous? fs éf 3,205 “si.0... 9,006
LPO ss ‘6 Sill eats le sve OOO
10° -* oe ef ASO rE Actes: 489
SF ae c Dae a. oe lahoeeler ate 3,338
ig: eé « Ole cers eeatentars 220
Grats fe sea eas 7 1S beg EO 5,409
Die s is aot cate eehsiens 752
4 “ ‘é ES PEGM eis satel ore 767
24 “ e fs LP. ae RGR ain 675
6 “ Cement pipe laid Pat, Me Fem Shear ayerens 142
Total sso. iS AS GG ea aie aie tererets 23,227
itemmipe: larder nels oy..<'0s.s:s'%e, 4 ereteeepereye @igees 14,688 lineal feet.
e en has ds \s.a0'S gisele eminislee eee 25 if
4 fe Wain aa wes s/seqie sings Wats eevee» 14,498 i.
a a UE apaciie ss ecdne ae aetele aeere 5,880 a
dha UR Ate so ansemcs sco yocnis Ode 35,091 SS

215

WATER DISTRIBUTION,

Wrought iron and cement pipe

for water distribution...... 16 inch .... 8,023 lineal feet.
$ a EM 696 Be
«“ «“ Gv ts MQ BRTE |
«“ « PUSCUE ES W 110 Ma
PORES cacao, siershs/eirsteee ene. =: cists rnctceeion 7,121 ae
Blow-offs and branches ..... aicsiayaies Vern. 0) nidketesalexete 31
ROD COO Sa cic st cig into: vis ielale © eis ieisiisieleisiei\eubyerere @s 8
Lae eo Beans pO On OOUonNOre Rocio papi 13
AREA OF OPERATIONS UP TO JANUARY 1st, 1868.
Area worked over up to January Ist, 1867............ 61 acres
ey r USGS sereieyais! sialon 254 “
SS during year ,.<« 1867... .......... 193)
Area of surface finished—meadows and slopes......... 42 acres.
< s woodland......... Riateasts sie sxs 15 v6
LG URES RES Bo Gn econ asta telels) otatetetaie. ole One
PPA SUElaco Seeds wisiajas cjecrele,s:abe a =/n lec e viele gis oisieie 45 acres
MASONRY.
Amipantiof brick masonry...) ii iecces nce 743 cubic yards.
* concrete for masonry ...... AB ELCHE 52
“ stone MasONTY..4....0.0. sie iohepey ile 1,122 ¢
‘f concrete for masonry ....... ose 256 “
se stone dressed for bridges......... 144 -
‘ ee BUCP BS crteyel o(e)cleuerre 770 lineal feet.
curb-stone dressed .........se0-. - 9,448 &6
cs S ENOL BAER cle ieee 23,825 *
- Belgian pavement...........000. 71,289 sup. feet.
fe cobble pavement .. 6.1)... gates 2,545 #

AMOUNT OF STONE BROKEN.

McAdam stone by stone-breaker............. 3,234 cubic yards.

Weltord. stone, Dy hands. a. css se tees cen + 5,404 es

Se SGONG PY LANG: ca une so oss cos tegevars 4,781 y
POLL etter aiais taints sist dieterk's 2 & . 13,419 2

216

MATERIAL MOVED.

' Total to
During 1867, Jan. 1st, 1868.
For grading and shaping drives, bridle-

roads, walks, meadows, and slopes..Cub. yds. 134,098 219,279
6

For lakes, pools, and streams .......... F 136,613 136,613
Mor-Plazancs 25. << SEALE RS es A SO a nf 123,764 170,355
Hor sewers aDG Grains. .’)'.'. c..'s vsis o 600 25,191 39,090
DOME eters Pee bith etek Gate ne Sie wc eialahe ce 184,277 249,477
GSEs te cteyare oie Oke cists ier=(ol<inin eels ev ohoin toe sé 20,596 44,739
ROEM RT ee eVahoee feiats SORE Sp lala smlaie ee eters * 18,932 24,838
Manures and compost ...-.....2.....5- 10,787 10,787
"SUDIT ad aa te oe pe AEN Wa MS Aca Ss ef 34,769 52,212
STAVeL AMG SAM 102 cies tere Stile stone 6,933 6,933
MRIS CElATCOUSS <br n1s\<istere icsatchaeio ie ephe eres cg 13,237 13,731

Total cubie-yards .(.7:\jc6s 0 sas s'eer 709,197 968,054

THE SMALLER CITY PARKS.

The smaller parks in the city of Brooklyn having been placed
under the care of the Commission during the year, surveys were
made, and topographical maps constructed, as a basis for designs for
their improvement. At Carroll Park no proper provision had been
made for the escape of surface water, which overflowed the walks at
every storm. An inlet basin has, therefore, been built at the lowest
point of the ground, and connected with the Smith-street sewer.
This has been located with reference to a future more complete
system of drainage.

The fence of this park has been painted, and the gas-lamps which
were unserviceable have been renewed. The fence of the City Park
has been repaired. Nothing in the way of construction has been
done at the Washington or City Hall Parks. °*

EXTERIOR WORK.

A survey of the Kings county parade ground and the adjacent
roads and streets has been made, and a topographical map con-
structed. A careful test survey has been made of the lines for the
proposed extension of Clinton avenue, from Atlantic avenue to the
Plaza.

A topographical examination and preliminary survey have been
made along the location of the proposed parkway, from the Plaza to
the City Line.

217

THE ENGINEER CORPS.

The general organization of the Engineer Corps remains as at
the time of the last annual report. The assistant engineers—Mr.
Wilson Crosby, Mr. James C. Aldrich, and Mr. L. Y. Schermer-
horn—have rendered careful and appreciative service upon the
divisions of the work entrusted to them; and the other members of
the corps have been constant and faithful in the discharge of their
respective duties.

Accompanying this report will be found a map showing the
general progress of the work; a map showing the drainage system,
as far as executed; and a map showing the water distribution now
laid down.

Respectfully submitted,

JOHN BOGART,
Assistant Engineer in Charge.

REPORT-OF J. Yo CULYER,

ASSISTANT ENGINEER IN CHARGE.

Park Commission, City oF BROOKLYN,
ENGINEER’S OFFICE, January 1st, 1868.

Mr. C. C. Martin,
Engineer in Charge.

Dear Sir: The following is a report of means and materials
employed in the construction and maintenance of the park, during
the year 1867:

FORCE EMPLOYED.

The earlier part of the year 1867 was marked by an unusual
prolongation of severe weather and continued frost, which was so far
favorable to the advancement of the work as it secured good roads
and runs.

This work mainly consisted in heavy earth excavation in the
Plaza district, mucking and composting in the pigeon ground, and
the general collection, assorting and preparing of stone, for roads,
walks, &e.

These operations gave employment to an average force, com-
prised of horses and carts, teams, stonebreakers and laborers, of
about five hundred men, through the months of January, February
and March.

Active spring operations were resumed early in April, with a
force of six hundred men, increased to one thousand at the close of
the month.

In the early part of the summer, a large area of new ground
coming under the jurisdiction of the Commission, the force was grad-
ually and continuously increased, to meet the necessities of the
developing work, in this newly acquired district.

219

The following statement will show the average number of em-
ployed force during the several months of the year, together with
a comparative table of force for a partial corresponding season of
1866:

STATEMENT SHOWING THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF EMPLOYED
FORCE FOR THE MONTHS AND YEARS NOTED.

Work Commenced on the Park, July, 1866.

Year. | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | April. May. | June, July. } Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec.

UWS Sigg] GgresellaaaLiod |adsood| Bee 4 lanberc 325 | 450] 550} 620 |) 700) 725

1867. | 700 | 630) 410} 800 |,1,000 | 1,150 | 1,200 | 1,525 | 1,750 | 1,825 | 1,800 | 1,100

There were 289 working days for the year, giving an average of
24 days per month.

From the foregoing statement it will be seen that the largest
force employed, collectively, at any time during the season, was be-
tween eighteen and nineteen hundred men, although, owing to
changes continually occurring, employment, for a period of from half
a day to three days, was given to at least three thousand different
individuals during the year.

The scheme of organization remains substantially the same as
last year, consisting in the division of the labor force into gangs of
convenient size, each with a competent foreman and assistant, the
whole being under the direct charge and supervision of a general
foreman, who is responsible for the efficiency of the force. He
suggests all details, and transfers, and recommends promotions,
removals, &c.

The foremen are responsible for the exact execution of the
orders they receive from the general foreman, and are required to
make their men work industriously and effectively during all the
time for which they give them credit in their time-books. When,
therefore, from any cause, they cannot secure profitable labor, with
good order, from any man, cart, or team, they must. immediately
withdraw him or it from the work, and so of the whole gang, or any
part of it.

To enable them to carry out these requirements, foremen are
given the power of suspending any one, or any number, or all, of
their men, teams and carts, at any moment, and are required to
report every day in writing (a convenient printed form being pro-

220

vided for the purpose), the amount of labor performed by all their
men, together with the names of any for whose work they are
responsible, who fail to do the service required of them,

This places the laborer in direct responsibility to the foreman
under whose eye his work must be performed; and it is the fore-
man’s fault if he cannot control his men, and secure an efficient and
industrious gang.

Abuse of authority,‘on the foreman’s part, is held in wholesome
check by the fact, known to all the employes (by a printed notice
conspicuously posted on each tool-cart on the park), that redress for’
wrongs may be had by application at the Superintendent’s Office on
the park. Calls for this purpose are made almost daily, when the
work is in progress. ,

In addition to the ordinary labor force, a large number of me-
chanics have been employed this year, consisting of stone-cutters,
stone and brick masons, blacksmiths and carpenters.

These were classified in gangs, and placed under the charge of a
general foreman, having special qualifications for their supervision
and the management of mechanical works.

DISCIPLINE.

The following statement, being an abstract of the office record,
will show the number of suspensions and discharges which have been
made during the year :

DISCHARGES.

Number of Foremen discharged for insubordination........... 1
Foremen discharged for inefliciency............-0: 1
of Assistant Foremen discharged for inefficiency ...... 8
v7 discharged for other offiences.... 2
face Laborers discharged for neglect of duty........ sy 1
Laborers and others discharged for inefficiency..........+2++-- 300

SUSPENSIONS. -
Number of Foremen suspended for breach of discipline........ 6
a Assistant Foremen suspended for breach of discipline 2

$ Laborers, &c., suspended for breach of discipline ... 85

Discharges of foremen, assistants, laborers, &c., result mainly
through their failing to meet the requirements demanded of them in
their several capacities.

The suspensions were of a disciplinary nature for minor offences.

During the year one laborer has been promoted to the office of
an Assistant Foreman.

Seven Assistant Foremen have been promoted to the office of
Foremen, and two Foremen have been advanced to the rank of
Assistant General Foreman.

KEEPERS AND THE PUBLIC USE OF THE PARK.

During the year the temporary watch force referred to in the
report of 1866, has been enlarged and reorganized with reference to
the use of the park by the public.

In addition to the ordinary patrol of the park, with a view to the
enforcement of the ordinances of the Commission, guiding and
instructing visitors, checking slight misconduct, and reporting acci-
dents, disorder and irregularities occurring in any part of the park,
at any hour of the day or night, the force has also had the duty of
guarding the large number of tools and supplies which are neces-
sarily much exposed, especially during the intervals when the labor
force is not at work.

This duty, though performed with commendable zeal, has not
entirely prevented pilfering.

The following is a list of arrests made:

Hor stealing, shrubbery) .!.)..ct. cio ss s-estais, ajo) “le she ores Sh
5 " hum berrand) COOLS? ie 2. bnibaiv'e ee saat 4

“obstructing a keeper in performance of duty...

The organization of the force during the latter part of the year
has been as follows:

2 Head Keepers; 4 Ward Keepers; 8 Keepers.

An auxiliary body of forty-eight men have also been employed,
who have served a part of the time as garden workmen; five of the
latter have been detailed to answer the inquiries of visitors at the
park gates, keep a record of visitors coming in, prevent the entrance
of forbidden articles, to guard property in their immediate vicinity,
and to give instructions to those bringing materials for use on the
park ; six men have been employed in the care of smaller parks.

The following statement shows the number of visitors from Sat-

222

urday, October 20th, on which day carriages were first admitted to
a portion of the park drive:

SUMMARY OF VISITORS ON BROOKLYN PARK FROM OCT.
20 TO DECEMBER 31, 1867.

DATE. Oanieee Opeiees Equestrians.| Pedestrians.
Week ending Oct. 26....... 3,341 2,133 1,163 | 10,569
ce Nov. 2.0. .- 4,047 | 2,269 | 1,247 | 14,185
« SNe Het 3,259 | 2,188 | 1,169 | 8576
« ra GCap oe 2895 | 2274 | 1,188 | 3386
« Ce ee 3,225 | 2,577 | 1,558 | 6322
« 6 aN ae 2,242 | 1,606 | 1,072 | 4,465
«“ Dee. Wee 1,705 | 1,128 982 | 1,673
ve aia: eae 818 573 305 1,270
ee SOL EY kes 1,008 836 85 474
« C6 OG sic 1,411 | 1,166 645 | 1,724
Three days, Dec. 29, 30, 31. 802 596 357 1,598

MO AU SE conc one Se 22 la | 24,748 | 17,341 9,766 | 54,242

The weather, during the month of December was very unfavor-
able for out-door exercise.

Estimating that four persons accompanied each two-horse vehicle,
and two persons each one-horse vehicle, the total number of visitors
for the period above noted was 180,868.

The largest number of visitors on any one day, entered on Sun-

day, October 27th, viz., 14,906.

SUPPLIES.

Herewith please find a table, showing, under six hundred
heads, the various tools, materials and supplies of all kinds, for the
general care and proper disposition of which I have been responsible,
comprising all that have been purchased for the park from the out-
set of the work. The table also shows, under each head, the quan-
tities received, issued and on hand, at this date; the deficiency under
each head is likewise shown, most of which is due to the loss by fire,
reported last year.

While active operations are in progress, an amount of tools con-
siderably in excess of the number of men employed is required to
supply temporary deficiencies, occasioned by repairs and exchanges.

The supply of rollers, derricks, derrick-gearing, trucks, wagons,
arts, &e., belonging to the Commission, are generally in good con-

223

dition, and all tools susceptible of repair are now being overhauled
and made serviceable for work in the spring.

The following quantities of manure, night soil and fertilizing
materials have been received: 1,195 two-horse loads of selected
horse manure, equivalent to about 3,346 cubic yards. About 3,654
cubic yards, or 1,305 two-horse loads have been received, under con-
tract, from the several city railroad stables.

There have also been received :

2,462 loads of night soil (used in composting).
136 loads disintegrated bamboo fibre.
3284 barrels of fish offal.
20,000 pounds of fish guano.
35,114 “of super-phosphate of lime.
16,011 bushels of shell lime.
1,755 ‘a, Of anenl:

The park nurseries now contain the following stock :

Deciduous treesiiss «seas jow ones sigh sin feesetolad, Ale
IB MERE OO iy tty ots Bieu's Sos oP aeniee emis 11,671
STDs Ben, Se eee peer Sie todas eta: Syst alone soo 020,911

Besides which the Commission possesses a large quantity of
rooted cuttings of shrubs.

The employees co-operating with me in the several departments
under my charge, have efficiently discharged the duties assigned

them.
Respectfully submitted,

JOHN Y. CULYER,
Assistant Engineer in Charge.

REPORT ACCOMPANYING
A

DESIGN FOR WASHINGTON PARK.

To tHE PRESIDENT OF THE BoArRD oF COMMISSIONERS OF PROSPECT
Parx, Brooxiyn:

Sir :—In accordance with your instructions, we have prepared,
and herewith submit, a design for laying out the ype square known
as Fort Greene, or Washington Park.

The ground to be improved—over thirty acres in extent—is in
the heart of the city, and is mainly elevated above the adjoining
land. The rise in parts is so considerable that the surrounding
buildings are overlooked, and interesting views are commanded,
extending far up the East River, and down the Lower Bay. We
also find that even in the hottest weather of summer, and when the
air in the adjoining streets is disagreeably close, a refreshing
sea-breeze can often be enjoyed on the higher levels of Fort
Greene.

Owing to the advantages it thus offers of fine prospect and pure
air, combined with extended and varied character of surface, the
ground suggests a more complete and interesting arrangement of
accommodation for popular recreation than can often be attempted
in the public squares of large towns; and yet it is altogether too
restricted to be properly laid out as a park.

The general treatment which will be likely to give those who
frequent the grounds, during the day, the greatest enjoyment, must
be of a somewhat rural character; but it is undesirable, with refer-
ence to public morals and the general police of the city, that grounds
laid out in this way should be left open after dark, or that they
should be used for the assemblage of public meetings, the display
of fireworks, or for other incidental purposes which bring together
large crowds.

Such public needs may be considered in the preparation of the
general design, but they must not be confused with the objects

See ee ee

225

which are to be had in view in the laying out of such portions of the
ground as are to possess the character of a garden; for the require-
ments involved, being essentially dissimilar, can with no greater
propriety be incorporated together in a ground intended for popular
resort, than can the requirements of a lecture-room and a dormitory
be incorporated together in a building which is to be used for edu-
cational purposes.

Assuming that there is adequate space for the development of
both ideas in this case, our first study has been to establish a
division which shall give to each class the site which will be most
convenient for it.

For refreshing purity of air and beauty of prospect, the central
part of the square is, beyond question, to be preferred. As a place
for public assemblages, the lowest ground, in the angle between
Myrtle avenue and Canton street, has the advantage of being readily
accessible from the more densely populated parts of the city, and
offers a sufficiently large area of service that will require but little
alteration to make it available. .

We accordingly set off, in this quarter, a space of 370 feet in
diameter, which will give easy standing room for a mass meeting
of thirty thousand persons. The whole of this ground will have
a regular slope towards the north end, which furnishes a suitable
location for the display of fireworks, and is provided in the center
with a “rostrum” for public speakers, to which may be attached, if
thought desirable, convenient accommodations for the seating of
guests of the city, for bands of music, or for committees.

Although the space is not large enough for the practice of mili-
tary manceuvres, it will serve for the parade and drill of a regiment,
and for a marching review of a division or larger body. It would,
on any occasion of necessity, be a convenient and suitable posi-
tion to place and hold in readiness for service a large or small
body of troops. .

It has the advantage, for this purpose, of being in the immediate
vicinity of the State “Arsenal, and between it and the Jail and the
City Hall; and as there is no other position in the city which could
be thus occupied without interrupting the common use of the streets,
such a reservation may eventually prove to be one of importance.
The whole space may be brilliantly lighted. There will be no
fence or barrier of any kind between it and the streets on either
side, and when occupied by public meetings, thousands of persons
may pass in and out without confusion or serious disturbance to the
main body.

15

226

The high ground in the interior of the park, immediately oppo-
site the rostrum, has been the scene of great historical events, and
for many years has been used by the citizens of Brooklyn as a place
for patriotic demonstrations. The sentiments and purposes which
are thus associated with the site should, we think, be respected. We
therefore jfropose to re-establish, in a more fitting manner, at this
point, the feature of the “ SaLturine Grounp,” and have laid out, in
connection with it, a road for artillery, 20 feet in width, which will
be entered from the gate nearest the arsenal.

Through the liberal action of the Mayor and Common Council,
with whom the idea originated, a tomb for the reception of the re-
mains of the “ Prison-Ship Martyrs” is included in the design, and
we have been very desirous to give full emphasis to this important
feature in the arrangement of the general scheme of improvement.

The hill-side between the Saluting Ground and the exterior of the
Meeting Ground seems to be the most appropriate position for the
erection of the contemplated memorial, and. we have, therefore, re-
served at this central point a site amply adequate, not only for the |
structure itself, but for the approaches and other accessories that will |
require to be connected with a work of this character. |

The monument proposed to be placed over the tomb would thus .
be at a short distance from the Meeting Ground below, and would be |
inaccessible to those occupying it whenever the park gates were
closed ; but it would be at all times a conspicuous object, and would
be well calculated, in connection with the other circumstances to
which we have alluded, to aid in establishing the real solemnity of
the duty which meetings ostensibly held for political and patriotic
purposes should always have in view.

With the intention of securing to visitors an agreeable walk
in the immediate vicinity of the square, when the gates of the en-
closure are shut for the night, the adjoining side-walks are proposed
to be increased in width ta 30 feet, and to be planted with a double
row of trees.

Gates are provided at the various angles, and in the center of
each side.

Special prominence is given to the angular-approaches, and they
are enlarged and symmetrically planted with trees, so that they may
present a more agreeable effect to visitors entering the park, and
also offer facilities for an easy turn in connection with the exterior
side-walks.

The closure of Canton street, between Willoughly street and
DeKalb avenue, being now made permanent by a special Act of the

=

227

Legislature, one-half of the land that would have been taken up by
the street is included within the present boundaries of Washington
Park, while the other half belongs to the adjoining owners. The
fence, as at present constructed, is carried on a line with the center
of Canton street; but this is a very undesirable arrangement, as it
entirely spoils the two park entrances that should properly occur at
.the points where the public thoroughfare is interrupted. Under
these circumstances, we have suggested, in our design, a modification
of this boundary line which will allow of the introduction of symmet-
rically planned park gateways where they are needed, and at the
same time offer such advantages to the adjoining owners that no ob-
jection to the change is likely to be made by them.

A large portion of the boundary fence would require, for con-
structive reasons, to be in the form of a retaining wall, and it would
probably, therefore, be better to use a wall in preference to an iron
fence, for the other portion of the work; but this point is not one
that requires immediate settlement.

In the enclosed pleasure-ground, broad walks are, in the first
place, so laid out that the whole space is thoroughly ‘traversed and
turned to account. Lines of communication, tolerably direct, and of
easy grade, are at the same time secured for those who may have
oceasion to cross the park during the day.

The general surface of the ground is very irregular, but it has
been thought desirable to arrange for a nearly level lawn, of con-
siderable extent, for boys; and for another lawn, of about the same
dimensions, for the use of girls and children.

The undulating ground is intended to be somewhat closely
planted, and is proposed to be so laid out that it will offer a series of
shady walks that will have an outlook over open grassy spaces at in-
tervals.

On the upper plateau, a site is arranged for a “ Vine-covered
Walk,” of considerable extent, which would offer, in hot weather, a
sufficient protection from the rays of the sun, even at noonday. The
ground plan of this shelter is in the form of a cross, one arm of which
connects with the Saluting Ground, another with a building to be set
apart for the sale of refreshments; a third with an “ Observatory,”
of moderate elevation, to be erected on the site indicated on the plan;
while the fourth commands the most interesting view over the city
that can be obtained within the limits of the property.

The present surface is intended to be so modified that the grades
of the walks will be easy and natural over the whole territory.

228

In the execution of the design, it will probably be found desirable
to dispose of some surplus material outside the limits of the square ;
but the plan is so conceived that all the earth to be moved may be
distributed over the surface of the property itself, if this should turn
out in practice to be the more economical arrangement. ~

Respectfully,
OLMSTED, VAUX & CO.,

Landscape Architects.
Brooxtyn, September 9th, 1867.

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At a meeting of the Commissioners on the 25th day of January,
1868, Mr. A. A. Low submitted the following report on the subject
of a sale of Washington Park, which, on his motion, seconded by
Mr. Bergen, was ordered to be published in connection with the
annual report, as an appendix, expressive of the views of such
members of the Board as should sign it.

SPECIAL REPORT.

In the judgment of the undersigned, were the Park Commis-
sioners free to deal with Washington Park according to their own
judgment of what the best interest of the city demands, they
would return the money raised for the improvement of the park to
the City Treasury, stop all expenditures thereon, and initiate measures
for a sale of the property by converting it into building lots.

From the maps on file in the office of the Street Commissioner,
it appears that within the limits of this park, as at present laid out,
there were 435 lots and parts of lots facing upon the streets and
avenues that intersected the park, which streets and avenues were
ordered to be closed.

It is computed that if the whole plot were judiciously laid out
and sold with suitable building covenants, and a satisfactory title
given, this property would realize more than a million dollars. If
judiciously improved it is safe to assume, at the present cost of
building, an expenditure, when the whole track is covered with the
average number of buildings, of at least three millions of dollars.

The probable saving to the city may be reckoned thus:

Value of Washington Park if divided into lots and

SOld wsismie ss bmp Sy Peach EIA OOOU . $1,000,000
Cost of contemplated improvement if retained as a
pabliopanle: 2. sii. Ss. Beh nia nietere ete lapavne © 200,000

LDS Sa ee, ee ie ee ..-. $1,200,000

230

The interest on this sum would be per annum.... $84,000
Tax on value of lots and improvements estimated

together at........ Sie iaie’ c jie eee tat a Wott Pancreat . 3,000,000
At three and a half per cent. per annum......... 105,000

If this calculation is correct, there will be a direct gain to the
city of one million two hundred thousand dollars, and the public
debt for the cost of Prospect Park will be diminished to this extent ;
while the taxes on property to be improved will in a few years be
sufficient to pay the interest on one and a half millions more.

The undersigned believe that in stopping any further outlay,
realizing by sale the full value of the grounds for building purposes ;
and by the taxes on improvements that would speedily follow, the
city would be benefited to the extent of nearly three millions of
dollars. And the question: may very naturally be asked why the
city should not thus be benefited, or why the first twelve wards of the
city should not be relieved to this extent of the burden which Prospect
Park is bringing on a part of the city for the good of the whole ?

Three millions and a half of dollars have been already expended
for land and improvements, and from present appearances several
millions more will be required to carry out the projected plan of
improvement.

When Washington Park was laid out in 1848, no part of the
cost was assessed for benefit on the surrounding territory, because
the improvement was considered a public and not a local one.

The cost apportioned to certain wards, according to a supposed
interest in the improvement, has since been liquidated by a general
tax on the first twelve and the twentieth wards of the city. In the
event of a sale, a like distribution of a sum equal to the principal
of the whole cost might be deemed equitable.

Washington Park has ceased to be a public necessity, being
wholly superseded as a place of general resort by Prospect Park ;
and it can never regain its importance, or be of any special value to
the community at large. Nor will it be long needed for military
exercises, special provision having been made for a parade ground
adjoining Prospect Park.

If public money is spent to adorn it, the public treasury will be
used for the private advantage, or mainly so, of those who live
immediately around it, and who have never been assessed for benefit.
But it is asserted by those who live in the neighborhood that the
park is not a benefit, but an injury ; being the resort of the idle, the
dissolute, and the depraved, to the exclusion of respectable citizens.

231

If further expenditures are incurred and the grounds made more

attractive, they will not be sacred to any better uses than hitherto,
unless maintained at increased expense by a strong force of police,

and thus kept free of vagabonds by day and by night.
The bones of the martyrs of the Revolution may, with much pro-
priety, be transferred to a portion of Prospect Park, which lies near

‘to the Greenwood Cemetery, to some spot within sight of the statue

to be erected in honor of the great martyr of our late civil war.

For months past the Park Commissioners have had before them
a plan for the improvement of Washington Park, the probable cost
of which has been estimated at $200,000. If an iron fence is put
around the ground according to the requirements of a recent law of
the Legislature, the outlay will much exceed this sum; and the exe-
cution of the work has been kept in abeyance, because of a desire of
some members of the Board that the sentiments of their fellow-
citizens should first be known on the subject. A statement of the
foregoing facts and calculations is therefore briefly presented in this
report for their consideration.

Brooxtyn, January 28, 1868.
A. A. LOW.
T. J. BERGEN.
A. B. BAYLIS.
W.S. GRIFFITH.

RESP OVER

ACCOMPANYING A DESIGN FOR THE PARADE GROUND.

To tue Presipent oF THE Boarp oF COMMISSIONERS OF PROSPECT

Park, Brooxiyn:

Sir: We herewith present a plan of improvement for the tract
of land required to be prepared by your Commission for a parade
ground.

The plot contains forty acres ; and is situated outside the limits
of the park, on the south side of Franklin avenue, and east of the
Coney Island plank road. It is quadrangular in general form and is
comparatively level, but is sufficiently inclined from the northeast to
the southwest for good drainage fall. In respect to general lines of
surface, it is therefore well suited for the purpose to which it has
been appropriated, and will require comparatively little grading.

On occasions of ceremony it will be generally desirable that the
reviewing officer and staff, or personages to be honored, should pass
through the park and enter the parade ground from the circular ves-
tibule or ante-park already laid out at its northwest angle. It will
be convenient, therefore, that the reviewing point should be directly
accessible and in full view from this entrance, and we have arranged
the design accordingly. It will then be desirable that the column of
troops to be reviewed should enter the parade ground at the side
opposite the reviewing point; and an entrance is prepared for this
purpose in the design. A column entering from the street by com-
panies, would then form at once into regimental lines, and remain
massed on the east side until required to march in review, when it
would move in the usual manner along the north side, and return on
the south side.

233

Between the north and south sides there is a space sufficient for
these movements, but none to spare; we therefore assume that
whenever a street is opened on the south of the parade ground, it
will be laid out entirely clear of the property now under control of
your Commission.

The reviewing officer would face east and occupy a position from
which the whole field could be commanded at a glance, except the
comparatively small space in his rear, which is proposed to be re-
served for spectators. The boundary of the ground is here irregular ;
and we have taken advantage of this peculiarity to set apart a site
for such outbuildings as will, in all probability, be hereafter needed.
As these buildings, marked B on the plan, should not come prom-
inently into notice; and as it is undesirable to retain the present
oblique line of the property as the western boundary of an otherwise
rectangular field, we have arranged the space required for miscel-
laneous purposes in such a way that, when viewed from any interior
point, the whole will appear a symmetrical quadrangle.

A site for a building of moderate extent is indicated on the ex-
treme west, and marked A on the plan; the first story of which
might be partly open, and furnish shelter from sun and rain for a
large number of persons; in the second story accommodations could
be arranged for the use of officers and invited guests.

As a military parade always has interest for the public, and it is
desirable for the sake of the military itself that it should receive
attention; it is proper and just that some special provision should be
made for the convenience of spectators, so that without pushing or
crowding for front places, or any disorder which would destroy their
pleasure, a large concourse of persons may overlook the field. We
therefore propose to appropriate a stretch of ground immediately in
the rear of the position indicated for the reviewing officer, and
marked CC on the plan, for the use of visitors; and to give its
eastern face a gradual upward slope, so that it may offer to all who
occupy it a good chance to see whatever may be going on; and as
the parade ground itself will fall slightly towards this artificial bank,
the advantages to be gained by this arrangement will be correspond-
ingly increased.

A large graveled area is shown on the plan at the west side, con-
nected by roads on the north and south sides with a smaller graveled
space on the east; the greater portion of the parade ground being
included in one rectangular central plot of greensward.

It is not proposed to reduce the ground available for military
exercises by planting; but a belt of trees is indicated on the west

234

and southwest border of the space to be occupied by visitors, for
the purpose of offering protection from the afternoon sun. A con-
tinuous line of the American elm is also proposed to be set out
inside the boundary fence that encloses the property—this tree being
preferred because the natural angle of its branches adapts it to a
situation where abundant clear space is wanted below the foliage.

The plan we have thus presented is intended to be sufficiently
comprehensive in its character to include all the more important re-
quirements that naturally appertain to a parade ground; but in
accordance with our instructions, the design is so arranged that it
can be carried out in several successive stages.

Respectfully,

OLMSTED, VAUX & CO.,
Landscape Architects.

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ANS ACT

To PROVIDE FOR THE IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE
Pusuic Parxs oF THE Ciry oF Brooxtyn. Passep May Ist,
1868.

The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and
Assembly, do enact as follows:

Section 1. The Commissioners of Prospect Park, in the city of
Brooklyn, shall have full and exclusive power to lay out, regulate,
improve and maintain, the Public Parks of the city of Brooklyn, and
to govern, manage and direct the same, and the public use thereof;
to make ordinances, rules, and regulations for their proper manage-
ment and government; to appoint such engineers, surveyors, clerks
and other officers, and such police force as they may deem expedient,
and to prescribe and define their respective duties and authority ; to
fix and regulate the compensation to be paid to the several persons
so to be employed by them ; to open, widen, and grade the northerly
side of Ninth avenue, between Montgomery and Union street, and so
much of Fifteenth street as was extended to meet the Coney Island
road, and laid down on the city map, by an act entitled “ An act to
extend the boundaries of Prospect Park, in the city of Brooklyn,”
passed April 30th, 1866; to locate, erect and maintain fountains on
the said parks, or either of them, as well as upon the streets and
avenues, which form the boundaries thereof, or intersect the same;
to erect and maintain iron and other fences, around the said parks;
to flag and reflag the side-walks of said streets, roads or avenues, on
the side which is adjacent to the said parks, to increase the width
thereof, and to set and reset curb and gutter stones, shade trees and
lamp posts thereon ; and to determine the particular location of any
railroad track which is now or may be hereafter placed upon such
road, street or avenue.

They may also, in the name of the city, or of the said Board of
Commissioners, at their option, bring any action which they may deem
proper, to recover damages for the breach of any agreement, express
or implied, relating to or growing out of the management or im-
provement of the said parks; for penalties for the violation of any
ordinance ; or for injuries to personal or real property appertaining
to the said parks; or to recover the possession of any such prop-
erty.

236

The land taken (and set apart for a Parade Ground for the county
of Kings), shall be the property of said county, as and for a parade:
ground ; and shall be under the exclusive charge and management of
the Commissioners of Prospect Park, in the city of Brooklyn, for the
purposes of police and improvement as such parade ground.—An
Act to provide a Parade Ground for the county of Kings, passed
April 27, 1868. Sec. 7.

The several pieces and parcels of ground, parks and squares in
the city of Brooklyn, and the sidewalks, fences and trees adjacent
thereto and being between any part of the same, and any public
street or avenue hereinafter mentioned, shall hereafter be under the
care, management and control of the Commissioners of Prospect
Park, as fully and completely as Prospect Park is or may hereafter
be under their control, care and management.—An Act in relation to
Parks in the City of Brooklyn, passed May 9th, 1867. Sec. 1.

The parks and squares aforesaid are Washington Park, City
Park, City Hall Park and Carrol Park.—Same Act. Sect. 2. Tomp-
kins’ Park was included by Act of May 2d, 1870.

The joint board of Aldermen and Supervisors of the City of
Brooklyn shall annually cause to be levied and raised the requisite
amount of moneys for carrying this act into effect, and for the pur-
poses thereof; and such money shall be promptly and regularly
paid over to the said Park Commissioners for said purposes.— Act of
1868. See. 5.

The Brooklyn Park Commissioners are hereby authorized to
seize and impound any cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, geese, or
other animals found running at large upon any of the public parks in
the city of Brooklyn; to impose a penalty of not exceeding five dol-
lars, with reasonable expenses, upon each animal so seized; and to
enforce payment thereof in such manner as they shall by ordinance
direct.—Act of May 6th, 1868.

§ 2. Whenever the Boned of Commissioners shall by resolution
direct the streets or avenues specified in the preceding section of this
act to be opened or widened, they shall fix a district assessment be-
yond which the assessment for such opening or widening shall not
extend. They shall then apply to the Supreme Court, at a special
term thereof, to be held in the second judicial district, upon a notice
to be published for ten days successively in the corporation news-
papers, for the appointment of three Commissioners to estimate the
expense thereof, and the amount of damages to be sustained by the
owners of property, or other persons to be affected thereby, and to
apportion and assess the same as hereinafter described, and the court
shall thereupon proceed to make such appointment.

§ 3. The Commissioners so to be appointed shall, after having
been duly sworn, proceed to estimate such expenses and damages ;
and after their report thereon shall have been confirmed by the said
court, they shall apportion and assess the same, upon the lands and
premises benefited by the said improvements within the district of
assessment, to be fixed by the Park Commissioners, in the same
manner as the Board of Assessors of the said city are by law directed
to make similar assessments. And all laws now in force relative to

—

the opening and widening of streets or avenues in the city of Brook-
lyn, subsequent to the appointment of Commissioners of Estimate,
and the proceedings thereon, and the duties of the several persons to
be employed therein, substituting the said Park Commissioners in
place of the Common Council and Street Commissioner of said City,
and substituting also the Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment
in place of the Board of Assessors of the said city, and including the
levy and collection of the assessments for such improvements and
the lien thereof, so far as they are not inconsistent with the pro-
visions of this act, shall apply to and regulate all duties arising out
of, or proceedings ‘that may be had or taken under this act. But such
proceedings shall continue to be under the direction of the said Park
Commissioners, who shall act when required as the Common Council
and Street Commissioner of said city would be required to act in re-
lation thereto, and who shall employ an attorney and counsel, and
all such surveyors, clerk, appraisers, and other agents as may be re-
quired for the purpose of the said proceedings.

§ 4. The Commissioners of Prospect Park now in office shall
continue to hold office for four years after the expiration of their
present term of office, and until others are appointed in their places,
and from and after the passage of this act, the Mayor of Brooklyn shall
be ex-officio a Commissioner of Prospect Park. They shall together
constitute a Board of Commissioners to be hereafter known as “ The
Brooklyn Park Commissioners,” a majority of whom, for the time

being, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If

any of the said Commissioners shall not reside in the city of Brook-
lyn, or shall neglect to attend the meetings of the board, for three

monthly meetings, consecutively, after having been duly notified of

the time and place of meeting, his office shall be deemed to have
been vacated ; and after the present number of Commissioners shall,
for any reason, have been reduced to eight, each succeeding vacancy
shall be filled for the residue of the term then vacant, by a majority
of the ballots of the remaining members of the board ; and upon such
ballotings it shall be no objection to a candidate that he has once
been a member of the board.

§ 5. The said board shall, in the month of January, of every
year, make and render to the Common Council of said city a full re-
port of their proceedings during the preceding year, with a detailed
statement of their receipts and expenditures. And all ordinances or
rules which they shall at any time adopt for the regulation, use and
management of the said parks, shall immediately thereafter be pub-
lished for at least ten days, in two daily newspapers printed in said
city. No member of the said board shall receive any compensation
for his services; and it shall be a misdemeanor, punishable by fine
and imprisonment, for any Commissioner to be in any way, directly
or indirectly, interested in any contract for services to be rendered,
or materials to be furnished for or on account of the said parks, or
either of them.

§ 6. For the purpose of providing the means of laying out, con-
structing and improving Prospect Park, the Mayor, Comptroller,
and City Clerk’of the said city are hereby authorized and required to

Pre ieee cenneam a

238

create and issue, at such times and in such amounts as the said Com-
missioners shall, by resolution, direct, the bonds of the said city,
payable within fifty years from the date thereof, and bearing an in-
terest not exceeding seven per cent. per annum, payable semi-an-
nually. The bonds so to be issued shall not exceed three millions of
dollars in amount, including the bonds already issued for such pur-
poses; and shall be sold by or under the direction of the said Comp-
troller, at not less than par, either at public or private sale; and the
moneys to arise therefrom shall be called the Brooklyn Park Im-
provement Fund. All bonds heretofore issued for the improvement
of Prospect Park shall constitute a portion of the same fund ; and all
the provisions of the act passed May second, eighteen hundred and
sixty-one, entitled “An act to lay out a public park and parade
ground for the city of Brooklyn, and to alter the Commissioners’
map of the city, passed April seventeenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-
one,” which relate to the redemption and payment of bonds issued
and to be issued for the payment of awards, and improvements, and
the creation and management of a sinking fund applicable thereto,
shall apply to and regulate all bonds that may be issued for the pur-
poses of the said Improvement Fund; and for the payment of all
such bonds, issued and to be issued, with the interest to accrue
thereon, all lands within the boundaries of the said park are hereby
specifically pledged.

§ 7. In case the said Commissioners shall at any time require
money for immediate use before it can be realized by asale of bonds,
the said Comptroller, on the request of the said Commissioners, may
pledge such bonds for a temporary loan of money thereon. All
money to be realized from sales or pledges of bonds shall be imme-
diately deposited with the Treasurer of the said city, to the credit
of the said improvement fund; and shall be held and used for the
construction, improvement and maintenance of the said park, and
the adornment thereof. The said Board of Commissioners, through
their President and Secretary, shall from time to time make drafts
upon the said Comptroller for such amounts as may be required for
the prosecution of the park business, after the same shall have been
authorized by the Board; each of such drafts shall specify the ob-
ject for which it is drawn, and the Treasurer shall pay the same on
the order of the Comptroller, countersigned by the Mayor and City
Clerk.

§ 8. In order to provide for the maintenance and general im-
provement of said parks there shall be added to the general tax to
be levied in said city, in each and every year, such sum of money,
not exceeding one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars (as
amended by Act of 14th of May, 1872) in any one year, as the
said Board of Commissioners shall from time to time, by resolution,
determine to be necessary for the proper maintenance, improvement
and ornamentation of the said parks. The joint Board of Super-
visors and Common Council of the city of Brooklyn shall annually
cause the amount so determined by the said Commissioners to be
raised and levied in like manner as other taxes are raised and levied
in said city, and the same shall be promptly paid over to the said
Park Commissioners for the purposes aforesaid.

239
*

§ 9. Real or personal property may be granted, conveyed, de-
vised or bequeathed to the said city, for the improvement or
ornamentation of the said parks, or either of them; or for the estab-
lishment or maintenance within their limits of museums, zoological
or other gardens, collections of natural history, observatories or
works of art, upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon
by and between the grantors or donors thereof and the said Board
of Commissioners. But all property so to be granted, conveyed,
devised or bequeathed, and the rents, issues and profits thereof, must
be subject to the management and control of the said Board; and
may be improved and added to in its discretion; and shall be pro-
tected, preserved and arranged by the said Board for public use and
enjoyment, under such rules and regulations as the said Board shall
from time to time prescribe. Admissions to said gardens and mu-
seums may be either free to the public, or upon the payment of such
sums of money as the Board may determine; and all income to be
derived from such admissions shall be applied to the improvement
and maintenance of such gardens and museums, or of the said parks.
The Board may also agree for the management or maintenance of
any of the said gardens or other institutions with any society, incor-
porated or to be incorporated under any law of this State ;- but such
gardens or other institutions shall always remain subject to the con-
trol of the said Park Commissioners.

§ 10. This act shall take effect immediately.

AON], ArGct

For THE FURTHER ExTENSION oF Prospect Park In THE City oF
Brookxtyn. Passep Apri, 247TH, 1868.

The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and
Assembly, do enact as follows :

Section 1. The Commissioners of Prospect Park in the city of
Brooklyn are hereby authorized, for and in behalf of the said city,
to acquire title to all those certain lots, pieces or parcels of land in
said city, which taken together are described as follows: Beginning
at the easterly corner of Ninth avenue and Third street, and running
thence southwesterly along Ninth avenue to a point between Four-
teenth and Fifteenth street, which is upon the circumference of a
circle of one hundred and fifty-four feet radius, of which the center
is at the intersection of the middle line of Ninth avenue with the
middle line of Fifteenth street; thence westerly and again easterly
following said circumference for more than three-fourths of said
circle, to its insersection with the northeasterly side of Fifteenth
street, thence southeasterly along said northeasterly side of Fif-
teenth street to the easterly corner of Tenth avenue and Fifteenth
street ; thence northeasterly along Tenth avenue and also along said
park to the northeasterly side of Third street; and thence north-
westerly along said street to Ninth avenue at the place of be-
ginning.

§ 2. The lands described in the last preceding section of this act
are hereby declared to be a public place, and shall be deemed to
have been taken by the city of Brooklyn, and to have been opened
for public use as an additional part of Prospect Park ; and from and
after the passage of this act the said lands shall be laid down on the
Commissioners’ map of the said city, as if the same had been orig-
inally laid down upon said map, and had been taken and declared
open as a park pursuant to the provisions of an act entitled “ An act
to revise and amend the several acts relating to the city of Brook-
lyn,” passed April fourth, eighteen hundred and fifty. And all
streets, avenues and highways intersecting the said lands or any part
thereof, except Ninth avenue and Fifteenth street, are hereby closed
and discontinued, and are stricken from the said city map so far as
they run through or intersect the said lands.

ee

241

§ 3. The said Commissioners may apply to the Supreme Court
in the second judicial district at any special term thereof, upon a
notice to be published ten days successively in two newspapers
printed in the city of Brooklyn, for the appointment of five Com-
missioners of Estimate and Assessment for the purposes of this act ;
and the court shall thereupon proceed to their appointment as
directed by an act passed May second, eighteen hundred and sixty-
one, entitled “ An act to amend an act to lay out a public park and
parade ground for the city of Brooklyn, and to alter the Commis-
sioners’ map of said city,’ passed April seventeenth, eighteen hun-
dred and sixty.

§$ 4. The Commissioners so to be appointed shall estimate the
value of the lands and premises taken by this act, and the loss and
damage to be sustained by the owners or other persons interested
therein in consequence of their relinquishing the same to the city.
And after their report thereon shall have been confirmed by the said
court, they shall apportion and assess not exceeding fifty per cent. _
thereof, together with not exceeding fifty per cent. of the whole
amount of the awards and expenses heretofore reported to and con-
firmed by the said court, for all lands heretofore taken and now con-
stituting Prospect Park, upon any lands outside of the said park
which they shall deem to be benefited by the opening of the said
park, in proportion to such benefit. But the land so to be assessed
shall include all lands on the east side of Flatbush avenue taken
for the said park. And the several amounts awarded or to be
awarded to the city upon the widening of streets and avenues adja-
cent to said park, for lands taken from said park before making
such apportionment, together with the cost of the land so taken east
of Flatbush avenue, shall be deducted from the whole amount of
awards and expenses above referred to before making the said ap-
portionment. No error, irregularity or want of power in regard to
any portion of said apportionment and assessment shall invalidate
the residue thereof. Of the amount thus to be apportioned only
the one-twentieth part shall be annually assessed in each and every
year, commencing with the year 1875, for twenty successive years,
and be alien from the time of such annual assessments upon the
lands respectively charged therewith, together with interest from
the time of the confirmation of the report on assessment, to be com-
puted from year to year, upon the respective amounts remaining
unpaid at the time of making such annual assessment ; which interest
shall be added to said assessment and form part thereof. And the
said assessment and interest shall be annually included in the taxes to
be levied upon the lands so to be assessed, and shall be levied and
collected in the same manner as other taxes upon real estate annually
for twenty successive years. The proceeds of such collections shall,
immediately after their receipt, be paid over to the Commissioners
of the Sinking Fund in. the city of Brooklyn, to be applied to the
redemption of all city bonds issued or to be issued for the payment
of the purchase and improvement of lands taken for said park. But
any person interested in the said lands, or any of them, may at any

167

242

time pay to the said Commissioners of the Sinking Fund the amount
so to be assessed thereon, with interest to the time of payment; and
thereupon his said lands shall be discharged from the said assess-
ment.—As amended by Act of May 14th, 1872.

§ 5. The Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment heretofore
appointed in pursuance of an act entitled “An act to extend the
boundaries of Prospect Park in the city of Brooklyn,” passed April
thirtieth, eighteen hundred and sixty-six, are hereby discharged from
the performance of all further duties under that act; and all serv-
ices, acts and duties which are thereby directed to be done and per-
formed by the said Commissioners, and which remain unperformed
by them in relation to assessments for benefit or otherwise, are here-
by devolved upon, and shall be performed (reference being had to
the principles of assessment indicated in the last preceding section
of this act) by the Commissioners who are to be appointed under
this act. The expenses, fees and compensation which the said Com-
missioners, and other persons employed under that act, may be en-
titled to receive thereupon shall be added to and paid as part of the
general expenses incurred and to be incurred for the opening of the
said park; and the Comptroller and Treasurer of the said city are
hereby directed to pay the same, after they shall have been adjusted
and taxed, in the manner directed by the said last mentioned act, and
after the same shall have been duly certified by the counsel of the
Park Commissioners. And for the purpose of making such pay-
ments, so many and such an amount of additional park bonds as
may be necessary may be issued and sold by the said city au-
thorities.

§ 6. The Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment who are to
be appointed under this act shall, except so far as otherwise directed
by this act, have the same powers, discharge the same duties, and be
entitled to the same compensation, that are conferred by, or imposed
upon, or allowed to, the Commissioners referred to in the act speci-
fied in the last preceding section of this act. But the Board of Com-
missioners of Prospect Park shall employ an attorney, clerk, ap-
praisers and surveyor for the purposes of this act, whose compensa-
tion shall be included in the general expenses to be incurred under
this act. And the awards for lands taken under this act shall be
payable upon the certificate of the counsel of the said board.

§ 7. The payment of all damages to be awarded, as well as the
general expenses to be incurred in pursuance of this act, shall become
due and payable immediately after the confirmation of the said Com-
missioners’ reports thereon; but no expenses or compensation to
persons who are to be employed under this act shall be allowed or
paid, unless the same shall have been first duly taxed and certified
as directed in the fifth section of this act. For the payment of the
said awards and expenses, the bonds of the city shall, from time to
time, be issued and sold in the manner directed by the act entitled
“ An act to extend the boundaries of Prospect Park, in the city of
Brooklyn,” passed April 30th, 1866. Such bonds shall bear a simi-
lar interest, and be paid in the same manner, and within a like
period, as the bonds referred to in that act; and for the redemption

—

a”

245

thereof, the lands described in the first section of this act are hereby
specifically pledged.

§ 8. The title to the lands described in the first section of this act®
shall, immediately after the confirmation of the said Commissioners’
report upon valuation, vest forever, in fee simple, absolute, in the
city of Brooklyn. And the said lands shall thenceforth form a part
of Prospect Park, and be under the exclusive management and con-
trol of the Board of Commissioners of Prospect Park, in the same
manner and to the same extent as the other portions of the said park
now are, or may at any time be, under the management and control
of the said board.

§ 9. All the provisions of the several acts referred to in the third
and fifth sections of this act, and of any act amendatory thereof, re-
lating to the issue, use and sale of bonds, and the redemption and
payment thereof, with the interest to accrue thereon, as well as in
relation to the taking and paying for the lands and premises referred
to in this act; and the duties, powers and authority of the Board of
Commissioners of Prospect Park, as well as of the said Commission-
ers of Estimate and Assessment, and their appointment and pro-
ceedings, including the confirmation of their reports by the Supreme
Court, which are not incompatible with the provisions of this act,
shall apply to and regulate all bonds that may be issued, and all
acts, proceedings, powers and authority that may be had, taken or
exercised under or by virtue of this act.

§$ 10. This act shall take effect immediately.

. AN ACT

To OPEN AND WIDEN PoRTIONS oF Sackett, Dovatass anp Prest-
DENT STREETS, AND OTHERWISE ALTER THE Commissioners’ Map
oF THE City oF Brooxtyy. Passep May 6rn, 1868.

The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and
Assembly, do enact as follows:

Section 1. Sackett street, in the city of Brooklyn, is hereby
widened from Washington avenue easterly to the southerly limit or
boundary line of the said city, to the width of two hundred and ten
feet, and shall be opened to that width by adding seventy feet in
width to each side of the said street, as now laid down on the Com-
missioners’ map of the said city. And President street and Douglass
street are hereby also widened from New York avenue easterly to

the said city line, to the width of one hundred feet; and shall be -

opened to that width by adding fifteen feet in width to each side of
the said several streets, as now laid down on the said map.

§ 2. So much of Degraw street as lies easterly from New York
avenue, and extends to the said city limits, is hereby narrowed to
the width of thirty-five feet, by taking away thirty-five feet in width
on the southerly side thereof; and so much of Union street as lies
easterly from the said avenue, and extends to said city limits, is
hereby also narrowed to the width of thirty-five feet by taking away
thirty-five feet in width from the northerly side thereof; which said
southerly side of Degraw street, and northerly side of Union street,
are hereby abandoned for street purposes, and shall be stricken from
the said city map.

§ 3. No buildings or other erections, except porches, piazzas,
fences, fountains, and statuary, shall remain or be at any time
placed upon any of the lots, fronting upon either of the said streets
so to be widened, within thirty feet from the line or sides of the
said several streets respectively. The intervening spaces of land
on each side of the said several streets shall be used for court yards
only, and may be planted with trees and shrubbery, and otherwise
ornamented, at the discretion of the respective owners or occupants
thereof. And no building now standing, or that may be hereafter
erected, on any lot fronting or to front, on either Union or Degraw
streets so narrowed, shall ever be used for any purpose other than
a stable, carriage house, conservatory for plants, or green house ;
but no livery or railway stable, or car house, shall at any time
be erected, or maintained, upon any of the said lots. And at no
time shall there be erected, established or carried on, in any man-
ner whatever, upon any land to be affected by the said widenings,
or either of them, any slaughter house, tallow chandlery, furnace,
foundry, nail or other factory, or any manufactory for making
starch, glue, varnish, vitriol, oil, or gas, or for tanning, dressing,
repairing or keeping skins, hides or leather, or any distillery,

245

brewery, or sugar bakery, lime kiln, railway or other stable, or
depot, or any other manufactory, trade, business or calling, which
may be in any wise dangerous, noxious or offensive to the neigh-
boring inhabitants.

§ 4. The Commissioners of Prospect Park are hereby directed
to take proceedings, within sixty days after the passage of this act,
to open, grade, and otherwise improve the said several streets,
described in the first and second sections of this act. And for the
purpose of determining the amount to be paid to the owners of the
lands and tenements required to be taken for the purposes of the
several changes and improvements contemplated by this act, the
said Park Commissioners shall cause application to be made to the
Supreme Court, in the Second Judicial District, at a-special term
thereof, upon a notice to be personally served upon the counsel of
the said city, and to be also published ten days, successively, in the
corporation newspapers, for the appointment of three Commissioners
to estimate the expense. of such widenings and openings, and the
amount of damages to be sustained by the owners of land, and all
other persons to be affected thereby, and to apportion and assess the
same, as hereinafter directed, and the court shall thereupon proceed
to make such appointment.

§ 5. Before any assessment for such widening or opening is
made, the Commissioners of Prospect Park shall, by resolution, fix
a district of assessment, beyond which the assessment therefor shall
not extend.

§ 6. The Commissioners so to be appointed by the court shall,
after having been duly sworn, proceed to estimate such expenses and
damages; and in making the estimate, they shall include the dam-
ages, if any, to be sustained by any person or persons, for being so
obliged to build back from the line or sides of any of the said several
streets, or for being restricted in the use of the lots fronting on said
streets, as specified in the third section of this act; and after their
report thereon shall have been confirmed by the said court, they
shall apportion and assess the amount thereof in such manner as they
shall deem just and equitable, upon the lands and premises in their
judgment benefited by the improvement, within the district of assess-
ment so to be limited by the said Park Commissioners.

§ 7. All laws now in force relative to widening, opening and im-
proving streets and avenues in the city of Brooklyn, subsequent to
the appointment of Commissioners of Estimate, and the proceedings
thereon, and the duties of the several persons to be employed therein,
substituting the Commissioners of Prospect Park in the place of
the Common Council, and also in the place of the Street Commis-
sioner of said city, and substituting the said Commissioners of Esti-
mate and Assessment in place of the Board of Assessors of said city,
so far as relates to the opening of streets and avenues, including also
payment for the work, and the levy and collection of the assessments
for such improvements, and the lien thereof, so far as they are not
inconsistent with the provisions of this act, shall apply to and regu-
late all proceedings that may be had or taken under this act. But
such proceedings shall continue to be under the direction of the

246

Commissioners of Prospect Park, who shall stand in the place of,
and act when required as, the Common Council of the city or the
Street Commissioner thereof, would be required to act in the prem-
ises; and they shall employ an attorney and counsel, and all such
clerks, surveyors, and other agents as may be required for the pur-
poses of this act.

§ 8. The said Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment shall
be allowed to make use of any maps on file in any of the public
offices of the said city, and shall each receive five dollars a day for
every day actually spent in the discharge of his duty. Which ex-
penses and compensation, together with the room hire, stationery,
and other necessary expenses of the said Commissioners, as well as the
expenses and compensation of all other persons necessarily employed
under the foregoing provisions of this act, shall be included in the
general expenses to be incurred herein.

§ 9. Sackett, Douglass and Degraw streets shall be laid out
according to a plan to be devised or adopted by the said Park Com-
missioners, and shall also be graded, paved, curbed and guttered in
such manner as they shall direct ; and may be re-named, and planted
with suitable shade trees, or otherwise improved in their discretion.
And the said Commissioners may construct such roads and walks
thereon, and make use of such pavements and materials of construc-
tion therefor as they shall deem best.—As amended by act of 14th
May, 1872.

§ 10. All expenses incident to the improvements specified in the
last preceding section of this act, after having been duly certified by
the said Park Commissioners to the said Commissioners of Estimate
and Assessment, shall be by the said last mentioned Commissioners
apportioned and assessed, in such manner as they shall deem just
and equitable, upon property to be, in their judgment, benefited
thereby ; but such assessment shall be laid within a district of assess-
ment to be fixed by a resolution of the said Park Commissioners.
Such assessments shall constitute liens upon the several parcels of
property to be charged therewith, and shall be assessed, levied, and
collected, with interest, from the confirmation of the report of the
said Commissioners, of Assessment thereupon, in the same manner
as other local assessments are levied and collected in said city ; pro-
vided, however, and it is hereby directed, that one tenth part of said
assessments shall be levied and collected annually for ten successive
years after the confirmation of the said report.—As amended by act
of 14th May, 1872.

§ 11. After Sackett street shall have been opened, so much thereof
as lies eastward of Prospect Park shall be under the exclusive con-
trol and management of the said Park Commissioners, and they shall
make and enforce proper rules and regulations for the public use
thereof. And after it shall have been improved as hereinbefore
directed, its subsequent maintenance shall be provided for in the
same manner as the public parks now under the charge of the
Park Commissioners are provided for.

§ 12. This act shall take effect immediately.

CFEC LE

ed esitentntne oe seen
= -

SES.

“SSH0aV GVaAWNe a haan

iia RA UE,

2 tes NINTH ANNUAL REPORT | a
Commissioners or Prosrecr Park,

f

JANUARY, 4869.

COMMISSIONERS.

JAMES S. T. STRANAHAN, . ABIEL A. LOW,
WALTER 8S. GRIFFITH, SEYMOUR L. HUSTED
JOHN H. PRENTICE, ABRAHAM B. BAYLIS,
EDWARDS W. FISKE, , STEPHEN HAYNES,
WILLIAM MARSHALL, ISAAC VAN ANDEN,

MARTIN KALBFLEISCH.

PRESIDENT.

JAMES $8. T. STRANAHAN.

SECRETARY.

WALTER S§8. GRIFFITH.

COMPTROLLER AND COUNSEL.

JOHN N. TAYLOR.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS AND SUPERINTENDENTS.
OLMSTED, VAUX & CO.

ASSISTANT ARCHITECT,

EDWARD C. MILLER.

ENGINEER IN CHARGE.

CHARLES C. MARTIN.

ASSISTANT ENGINEERS IN CHARGE.

JOHN BOGART, JOHN Y. CULYER.

NINTH ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

COMMISSIONERS OF PROSPECT PARK.

To tHe HonorasLte THE Mayor anp Common Councit OF THE
Crry oF Brooktyn:

The Brooklyn Park Commissioners, in conformity to the
requirements of the law which appointed them to office, and
which prescribes and regulates their duties, herewith present to
the honorable the Mayor and Common Council of the city a_
report of their proceedings for the year 1868, together with a
statement of their receipts and expenditures during the same
period.

Since the last annual report, the Commission, with its official
staff, has remained essentially unchanged, except that Messrs.
William Marshall and Isaac Van Anden have been appointed
Commissioners, to supply vacancies which have occurred in the
Board—the latter to occupy the place made vacant by the death
of our late associate, Cornelius J. Sprague, Esq. By the de-
cease of this gentleman, park enterprise has lost one of its
earliest and firmest advocates, and the city a faithful guardian
of its interests. A wise Providence had previously deprived
us of the valuable services of Dr. Richard L. Thompson, a
former secretary of the Board, and of Ex-Mayor Thomas G.
Talmadge, a zealous coadjutor in many a plan of city improve-
ment; so that there now remain but three members of the
Board of Commissioners who were originally selected to or-
ganize and carry forward the important work in which we are
engaged. By a recent act of the Legislature, also, the Mayor
of the city, as a suitable representative of the city’s interest in

250

the operations of the Board, was made ex-officio a Park Commis-
sioner, and we have now, therefore, the honor of inscribing his
name upon the roll of ‘our members.

A copy of the act referred to is annexed to this report, and
will be found to contain some provisions of interest to our tax-
payers, particularly that portion of it which distributes the
current expenses of maintaining the parks, after construction,
over the whole city, without confining the burden, as was orig-
inally intended, to the western district. The substantial justice
of this provision was apparent after the passage of the law
which put all the parks of the city under one general manage-
ment ; and was the more obvious, when it came to be seen that

the interest taken in our parks, and the benefits to be derived

from them, are not confined to any particular locality, but
that all participate in their advantages, and feel an equal
pride in the successful development of their several plans of
improvement.

The Commissioners were authorized by this law to call upon
the joint Board of Common Council and Supervisors for such an
amount, not exceeding one hundred thousand dollars in any one
year, as they should, by resolution, determine to be necessary
for the support and proper maintenance of the parks : and that
amount, so determined, is directed to be levied in the same
manner as other taxes are levied in our city. We have not
deemed it necessary to require more than sixty-eight thousand
four hundred dollars to be raised for the coming year ; but it
is probable that, as the work draws to completion, the amount
required for this purpose will at no time be much less than the
full sum authorized to be expended. The subject of defraying
these expenses will necessarily engage the attention of the Com-
missioners as the work passes on from construction to mainte-
nance; and they will endeavor, from time to time, to develop
such sources of revenue as may be found incidental to the
parks themselves. Licenses for the sale of mineral waters and
other refreshments ; for light and convenient carriages to run
upon the drives for hire; for invalid chairs on the walks, boats
on the lakes, and the like, may all be made conducive to the
interest of the city, by relieving it of a portion of the cost of
maintenance, without infringing to any extent upon the privi-
leges of the public in the use of the parks. '

251

The same act embraces a revision of the powers and duties
of the Commission, which are extended, in some respects, be-
yond the scope of the original law under which they have
heretofore acted, and, in connection with the other act just re-
ferred to, has much increased their duties and responsibilities.
Among other things, it confers upon the Board authority to
perfect the boundaries of Prospect Park along the Ninth avenue,
which had an unsightly extension jutting out into the avenue
opposite the park, near the main entrance; and also along Fif-
teenth street, which was laid down in a curve line, to correspond
with the park boundary, until it reached the Coney Island road,
and which required adjustment. These two operations seemed
necessarily connected with the improvement of this park ; and
the Board was, therefore, directed to institute the legal proceed-
ings required for their accomplishment. The Commissioners of
Estimate and Assessment, who were appointed by the court
for the purpose, have completed their task to the satisfaction
of the Board, at a very moderate cost to the parties in-
terested.

The Commissioners regret to say that the bill which was
introduced into the Legislature last Spring, for the laying out
of streets and avenues throughout the county of Kings, beyond
the city of Brooklyn, failed to become a law. Their views on
this important subject,—the advantages municipal, financial,
and sanitary of properly adjusting and connecting the streets
and avenues of this rapidly growing suburb of the city with
our own thoroughfares, and the great inconvenience, loss, and
confusion which must arise from a neglect of this work,—were
stated in a former report, and need not here be repeated. They
take this oceasion, however, to add, that the evils of delay are
becoming every day more apparent, in consequence of the large
amount of property in the country towns which is being mapped
out into city lots, and sold for purposes of improvement. Every
proprietor who brings his lots into market, and cuts up his farm
for sale, seems to lay out his streets and avenues, and arrange
his property according to his own fancy or supposed advantage,
without reference to the public convenience, and without know-
ing, in fact, what the public requirements really are. The
Board has always, even at the risk of sometimes appearing to
step beyond the exact line of its duty, been solicitous to point

252

out difficulties arising from the loss of valuable improvements,.
which are too frequently destroyed in the progress of subse-
quent advances of the city, and which a more prudent fore-
sight might easily have prevented. The Board can do nothing
further at this time than to call the attention of the parties
more immediately interested to the subject, and to express the
hope that it will receive from the Legislature that decided
action which its importance manifestly demands.

The propriety, if not the absolute necessity, of an extension

of Prospect Park at its western angle, so as to allow the princi-

pal drive in that direction to be carried out according to the
original design, has been repeatedly urged in former reports of
the board, and the Legislature was, on more than one occasion,
applied to for permission to make the desired acquisition; but
without success. The Commissioners have now, however, the
pleasure of stating that an act was passed at the last session
authorizing this extension, and directing the board to apply to
the Supreme Court for the appointment of Commissioners to
estimate the value of the land so taken. Messrs. Teunis G.
Bergen, Henry W. Slocum, Crawford C. Smith, Henry C.

Murphy, Jr., and Edwin K. Scranton, well known citizens of

Brooklyn, were selected by the court to perform this duty ; and
it is understood that their report is nearly ready for publica-
tion. The land in question consists of twelve blocks of ground,
lying between Ninth and Tenth avenues, and Third and Fif-
teenth streets, and might, when its annexation was first sug-
gested by the board, have been obtained for a comparatively
small price. Its present value, however, has been much
increased during the last two years from various causes,
especially by its vicinity to the park, and its acquisition must
now necessarily be somewhat costly to the city, but the board
indulge the hope that the forthcoming report of the Commis-
sioners will be of such a character as to justify the board in
asking the court to ratify and confirm the same. When these
proceedings shall have been completed, Prospect Park will ex-
tend over the whole area embraced within its original design,
and any further extension of its boundaries would, in the judg-
ment of the Commissioners, not only tend to: mar the symmetry
of its present fine proportions, but would entail an unnecessary
expense upon our already heavily-burdened city. When the

253

future wants of our teeming population shall require more
extended park accommodations, as no doubt they will, the
Commissioners believe the public convenience will be better
served by opening other parks in different and more remote
sections of the city, than by adding to the present ample
dimensions of Prospect Park.

In this connection, the Commissioners would add, that the
question of the best disposition to be made of the land lying
east of Flatbush avenue still remains undetermined. Subse-
quent reflection, aided by suggestions contained in the more
recent study which has been given to the subject by our land-
scape architects (their report thereon being hereto appended)
has confirmed the opinion expressed by them three years since,
when the present board first took up the consideration of the
subject, that the division of the park by the broad thoroughfare
which connects the city with the large agricultural country
beyond it would seriously interfere with those impressions
of amplitude and continuous extent which are necessary to
landseape effect ; and that this objection cannot be obviated by
any reasonable amount of bridging which could be introduced
for the purpose of connecting the two portions together. The
reservoir grounds also encroach so largely upon the eastern
section, that they, in effect, subdivide its two parts into very
insignificant dimensions for park purposes. The formation of
the ground, moreover, as was suggested in a former report of
our landscape architects on the subject, is of a character that
renders its improvement very expensive ; and when the best
thing possible shall haye been done, it must always present a
cramped, confined and unsatisfactory appearance. In addition
to this, the full development of the great Southeastern parkway
through the heart of the Ninth Ward, which is now in the
hands of Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment, and about
to be opened up to the public, will require this splendid im-
provement to be carried through to the plaza east of the reser-
voir, and will still further lessen the capabilities of this portion
of the park.

The reservoir hill, with its magnificent prospect, will always
form one of the most attractive features of this charming
locality, and should, in connection with general park improve-
ment, aided by a light foot bridge thrown across the avenue, be

254

embellished in the highest style of art. The land north and
south of this hill, ranning along the avenue to the depth of
perhaps two hundred and sixty feet, embracing in the whole an
extent of about twenty-five acres, can be retained by the city,
and used to good advantage for various municipal purposes ;
but we believe the time is not far distant when a generous
public sentiment will require that considerable portions of this
land shall be devoted to still more liberal uses.

Upon the basis of carefully collected statistics, showing the
actual progress of the last forty years, the steady advance of
Brooklyn will, within the next fifteen years, carry the aggregate
of its population beyond a million of inhabitants. A com-
munity of this magnitude, second to none in wealth, intelligence
or enterprise, must not only occupy a large territorial extent,
but will, in its expansion, require great educational, social
and artistic facilities. Our young and aspiring historical,
botanical and other kindred societies already demand ampler
space for their development, while our men of letters and of
science are preparing to seize the splendid opportunity here
presented of establishing a university which shall be metropoli-
tan in character as well as in position. The location we refer
to will soon become the geographical centre of a great religious
and intellectual people, which, with its park surroundings, will
afford opportunities for mental culture, as well as for artistic
and athletic training, such as can probably be nowhere else
found, in equal measure, upon our continent. A wise forecast,
therefore, seems to demand that these advantages shall be
secured for the generations who are to follow us, and who are
to advance the moral and mental progress of cur race.

After making this reservation, there will still remain east of
the avenue a high plateau of land of about one hundred acres,
remarkably well adapted for building purposes, whose value
has been recently much increased by surrounding improve-
ments. And the Commissioners respectfully submit for the
consideration of their constituents whether, in view of what has
been suggested, as well as of the financial considerations about
to be presented, it may not be judicious to adopt the proposal
of some of our wisest and most practical citizens, to allow this
land to return to its former domestic uses, and thereby diminish
the city debt and increase one of its great sources of revenue.

255

The plot in question contains about twelve hundred ordinary
sized city lots of land, and would probably realize, if properly
laid out and sold, with suitable building covenants, at least two
thousand dollars a lot, or a total of say two and a half millions
of dollars, to be applied in liquidation of the park debt. And
if we increase this valuation by the probable value of the
buildings which we may reasonably expect to see erected
thereon, say five and a half millions of dollars, we shall add,
independently of the immense stimulus thereby given to the
surrounding property, eight millions of dollars to the taxable
property of the city, and enlarge her revenue two hundred and
fifty thousand dollars per annum. At the same time, we make
a direct saving to the city of at least a million and a half of
dollars, which is the probable cost of improving this property,
if retained as a park, and of about twenty-five thousand dollars
a year for the cost of its maintenance, with interest on both
sums,

The Commissioners also, in a former report, submitted for
public consideration the subject of putting the City Park
(which it will be remembered is opposite the the Navy Yard
wall) to some other use than that to which it is now subjected.
Without reference to its natural defects as a pleasure ground,
which were stated in that report,.the immediate vieinity of
Washington Park, with its superior attractions of air, prospect,
and salubrity, rendering it a much more agreeable place of
resort than the City Park, the question is unavoidably pre-
sented, whether, under these circumstances, it is at all desirable,
or even proper, to devote that very considerable amount of ex-
pense and labor to its improvement, which would be necessary
to make it suitable for the purposes for which it was originally
designed; while its central position, its capacious and con-
venient sewerage, its nearness to the East River, and its conse-
quent easy communication with all parts of the surrounding
country, point to this spot as possessing peculiar advantages
for a general market. The suggestions have since received
further consideration from the board, and have also obtained,
as they are pleased to find, the assent of many of our more
experienced and sagacious citizens; and the board think they
are fully warranted in the statement, that public opinion is
now decidedly in favor of the change which they have suggested.

256

Brooklyn has long felt the want of a public market, where
its retail trade can be furnished with those supplies of provisions
for which it is now largely dependent upon the city of New
York. The statistics of 1865 show that, in addition to the
large amount of cereals raised upon our island during that
year, there was sent to market from the same source of supply
over three millions of dollars’ worth of the various products of
the garden, together with large quantities of milk, eggs,
poultry, and other articles equally necessary for our daily sus-
tenance, valued in the whole at something over six millions of
dollars. The amount has since been largely increased by the
greater facilities for transportation afforded by the two addi-
tional railroads which have since been opened on the north and
south sides of the island, leading directly to the city. And the
great bulk of this produce may be said to be daily passing over
our ferries to New York, mainly because it finds no suitable
place in our city, on this side of the East River, where it can
be received and held for distribution among our people.

Our city seems to be the natural depot for the sale of this
large and valuable product of the island ; and its already large
population could probably dispose of it all with proper man-
agement, and yet it goes over to our sister city, passing by the
very dogrs of those for whom it is really designed, and who
are obliged to follow and there purchase it at a largely increased
price, and in a very deteriorated condition. Our citizens at
the same time lose the benefits of the trade which would nat-
urally result, if the farmers had an opportunity of spending
the money received from the sales of this produce among them ;
while the value of property in the neighborhood continues in a
very depressed condition, and the city is deprived of the ad-
vantages which would necessarily follow upon the large increase
of taxable property resulting from the proposed improvement.
For these reasons we hope soon to see our corporate authorities
resume their control of the City Park, and, after properly regulat-
ing the ground, proceed to the erection of a substantial general
market, upon so liberal and enlarged a scale as shall secure to
our citizens a cheap and full supply of all the prime necessaries
of lite; while, at the same time, our city will establish a credit
for corporate enterprise, and open to itself new and abundantly
fertile sources of revenue.

—
————

e
Pas

257

The financial statement of the Board for the current year
will be found appended to this report, showing the receipts and
expenditures on account of each of the parks under their charge,
as well as on account of the parade ground. The amount re-
ceived from the city for the improvement of Prospect Park
was eight hundred and forty thousand dollars, being the pro-
ceeds of sales of seven per cent. city bonds. From the rents
of houses still standing on the park, with sales of old material,
grass, and firewood, together with pound receipts and interest
on bank balances, there has also been realized the sum of four-
teen thousand six hundred and sixty-six dollars.

The statement further exhibits the entire expenditure of the
Commission since its organization upon each of the parks, and
the particular fund chargeable therewith. The total expendi-
ture on account of Prospect Park for the year was one million
and seventy-eight thousand six hundred and forty-five dollars ;
and on account of the other city parks, ninety-two thousand two
hundred and sixty-two dollars. The largest disbursement was
of course for labor, amounting to six hundred and seventy-five
thousand eight hundred and eighty-nine dollars; a sum which,
when compared with the number of men employed, shows that
there has as yet been no reduction in the price of labor. The
materials of construction have required an outlay of one hun-
dred and ninety-two thousand one hundred and nineteen dollars,
a large proportion of which was for stone, brick, lime, and cement
used in the construction of bridges, and the laying of drainage
and water pipe. An expenditure of nineteen thousand nine
hundred and eighty-seven dollars for trees and shrubs has much
increased the very fine and varied stock of our already ex-
tensive nursery. Fifteen thousand and fifty-five dollars were
spent for drain pipe; and the Belgian and other pavements
have cost seventy-one thousand three hundred and eighteen
dollars.

The Commissioners respectfully refer to the reports of the
engineer in charge of the work, and his assistants, for a further
and more detailed statement of the several objects of these ex-
penditures than can well be presented in the limited pages of
this report. The vouchers applicable to each item of the
account will be found at the office of the board, regularly filed
and numbered for greater convenience.

17

258

Operations on the park have steadily progressed since the
opening of the spring, and as many men as could be employed
to advantage have been kept at work. In addition to the en-
gineering corps in the service of the Commission, a statement
of the laboring force employed will be found in the annexed
report of an assistant engineer, from which it will appear that
the main part of the force has been employed two hundred and
ninety-seven days during this year. The largest’ number of
men working at any one time was in the month of April, and
consisted of thirteen hundred and ninety-two men, while the
greatest number during the preceding year was eighteen hun-
dred and forty.

The results accomplished by this force will better appear
from the reports of our engineers, to which reference has
already been made; but in general it may be stated that much
of the easterly portion of Prospect Park is now complete, and
has, during the latter part of the year, been in constant use by
the public; and that the improvement of the residue of this
park, except in the extreme western district, where, for reasons
before referred to, nothing has been done, is in a very satisfac-
tory state of progress.

The extent of ground which has been under treatment dur-
sng the year is over two hundred acres; the whole area finished
being one hundred and forty acres, exclusive of roads, walks
and waters, of which area one hundred and nine are slopes and
meadows, and thirty-one woodland. The finished drives now
amount to nearly three miles and a quarter, being a little more
than two miles in excess of that which we were able to report
last year. Of bridle paths, we have nearly a mile and a-half
finished or well progressed ; and of walks three miles and three
quarters are completed, and nearly five additional miles in pro-
gress. The very large and continually increasing number of
delighted visitors show how thoroughly these walks and drives
are appreciated by them. A fine specimen of rustic work has
been erected near the main entrance to the park for a summer
house ; and a vine-covered trellis work, with seats overlooking
the children’s playground, commands a beautiful sea and island
view, and when covered with the foliage and flowers of climb-
ing plants, will afford grateful shelter to all such as may be
disposed to linger in its shade.

259

The somewhat comprehensive system of drainage and water
works required for use in this park has been well advaneed, and
nearly four and a half miles of drain pipe, with two anda
quarter miles of iron and cement pipe for water distribution,
have been laid.

The grading, paving and planting of the interior of the Plaza
is mainly complete, and in the course of the ensuing year it is
intended to construct the large fountain basin which is to
occupy the center of this important feature of the park design.

» Two archways, which were in progress at the date of the last
report, have been finished, one of them for the passage of the
walk under the main circuit drive near the entrance, and the
other, the east road arch near the head of the lake. Two
others are in progress, large quantities of stone having been
dressed and prepared for the purpose of carrying on the work
early in the spring. About twelve acres of the lake have been
completed, and the Assistant Engineer’s report will show to
what extent the ice formed thereon during the season has been
enjoyed by throngs of merry skaters, male and female. Early
in the coming season the lake will have been increased in its
dimensions to the extent of about twenty acres, and filled with
water, adding a new and beautiful feature to the interesting
scenery of this neighborhood.

In their last report, the Commissioners directed the atten-
tion of the Common Council to the fact that a large amount of
taxable property had been added to the city since the com-
mencement of active operations on this park, and showed from
the records of the Board of Assessors that the increase in the
three wards immediately contiguous thereto, to wit: the Eighth,
Ninth and Twentieth Wards, amounted to seven million, four
hundred and eighty-two thousand six hundred and ninety-two
dollars. They observe, from a recent examination of the same
records, that the increased valuation of real estate within the
same territorial limits, for the year 1868, is three millions four
hundred and ninety-three thousand one hundred and fourteen
dollars, and has amounted in the whole to ten millions nine
Handed and seventy-four ‘thousand eight hundred and six
dollars ‘since work commenced on this park. An increase
which, during the same year, has added to the revenue of the
city, from these three wards alone, full ninety thousand dollars
more than the annual interest on the whole park debt.

260

The Commissioners are pleased to find also that the advan-
tages of the park to surrounding property have not been con-
fined to the three wards we have specified, but have been pro-
ductive of still greater benefit to our neighbours of Flatbush,
where the value of real estate has more than doubled during
the year; the assessed value of that town in 1867 being two
millions five hundred and nineteen thousand nine hundred and
fifteen dollars, while in 1868, at a period of the year when
property had not yet realized the great advance it has since
attained, it amounted to five millions and thirty thousand nine
hundred and seventy dollars.

The proposed modification of Carrol Park is nearly com-
plete. After an entire revision of its drainage and of its grassy
slopes, the walks were laid with pine tar concrete, and finished
with fine gravel well rolled in, producing a perfectly firm and
smooth surface for the ease and comfort of visitors. Some addi-
tional trees and plants, with an ornamental flag staff, and a
playground for children, were also introduced, and the im-
provements made seem to be fully appreciated by our citizens.

The revision of the ground at Wasbington Park—or old
Fort Greene, as the older residents of our city still delight to
call it—in pursuance of the plan which was laid down in the
special report of our landscape architects, and appended to the
last annual report of the board, is now so far advanced that it
is expected to be opened for public use early next summer.

In concluding this statement of their operations for the year
eighteen hundred and sixty-eight, the Park Commissioners take
occasion to congratulate their fellow citizens upon the fact that
we may at length be said to have a park in some degree com-
mensurate with the magnitude and the requirements of a great
city—a park where our eyes may be refreshed by resting upon
something else than mere interminable rows of brick and mor-
tar, and whose refining meditative influences will be ever teach-
ing us that trade is not the whole end and aim of lite; that we
have a park richly garnished with natural beauty, whose quiet
repose, luxurious foliage and fragrant ocean breeze will continu-
ally withdraw us from those engrossing mercenary pursuits by
which we are too apt to be absorbed, and lead us up to better
things. A broad precinct—free of access, permanent mm dura-
tion, guarded well from rude intrusion—where genius may

ee

ii

261

bring its offerings, and nature and art blend together to work
out images of serene and piacid beauty, open equally to rich
and to poor, and contributing alike to the pleasure and im-

provement of the sick and the well, the man of business and
the man of work.

Dated January 28, 1869.
Jbl SLRANAELAN,
President.

W. S. GRIFFITH,

Secretary.

JOHN N. TAYLOR,
Comptroller.

AN ABSTRACT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT

OF THE

BROOKLYN ‘PARK (COsPMearS sr Ouy

For THE YEAR 1868.

The total receipts on account of Prospect Park
during the year 1868, were:

Balance of cash in bank, January Ist..............

From Treasurer of the ‘city gushayes lhe tstesee His eret 00

Rents of houses on the park.. 4,965 97

i" Sales of old houses. cscy on ids 1,175 00
“Sales of wood, grass and old

MMACOPIAL: cs he ssh 2 evs Nee 732 09

** Interest on bank balances ...... 6,779 43

«4 Lost tools..... Nad ee meaner 99 73

PEON ALOS Oba StOMO cel eller s airs Coe yeie 133 50

Pee ERALIC DOWN Ghee fate cts aystssarel Rialele 780 90

The total expenditures for the same time were:

Paid Salaries—Comptroller, Superin-
tendent, Landscape Architect

and, Engineers )27f% Wenn see $26,833 35

“ Surveyors, draftsmen and assist-
BMUSS orate ct ei aioe se ene e Tee 55,350 73

‘Laborers, keepers, mechanics,
HOrses ANGMCATUS'/.)<\e c1e5 6 e's oie 675,889 49

“ Materials of construction, tools
ANGVINStPUMCHILES:% ee isie selene 192,129 30

“ Stationery, printing and drawing
TAAteRtals) <2.) sic et) eles ele te 5,192 38
“Fitting up offices, rent and repairs. 2,850 60
. “ Trees, plants and shrubs ....... 19,987 89
“¢ Manure and other fertilizers.... 4,987 60
“« Water pipe and hydrants ...... 9,049 98
if MU PAINAG CHAPEL sla teyst aatlas isi lwtate 15,055 17
“ Belgian and other pavements... 71,318 63

Balance to the credit of Prospect Park,
Decem berisli ASG. 2c. 6ct se ante aoe cea

$264,202 28

854,666 62

$1,118,868 90

1,078,645 12
40,223 78

$1,118,868 90

263

The total receipts on account of Wasurneron,
‘Carron, Crry Hatt and Crry Parks were:

Balance of cash in bank, Jan. 1st, 1868.

From City Treasurer

“

$72,000 00
800 00

@ @. 0). G'e.e) 60) |e) 66, 6, © «6

Interest on bank balances

eee ee

The total expenditures for the same period

WESC, On——

PVasmimoton Parks... cis'cals ls Ste ws scte 8 $73,835 09
(CEETS A OILRU 2471 9 Se SR ara 16,716 98
Rai eE A ME ATC. Fo ofS 5, cel hos was usb ehh ar 1,543 03
RO TIPERMD IGE 2 cum aca tress sists ad ill iret aiatats 567 98

Balance to the credit of the same parks,

December 31, 1868

BiG) (a (@: 6,0 (6) (4) @ '« © ae

On WasuinatTon Park.

The expenditures on Wasutneron Park were:

Paid Surveyors and assistants

ooo eee eee teense ee seee

Materials of construction and tools
Office furniture
ENE EERO caaietcsicronal vicssr sane rot ana OCa erence chet ante diem oe lovers
Drainage pipe......... Srulslarshcroer tory thst mtaree oeiere
Laborers, mechanics, horses and carts ......,...
Stationary, printing and drawing materials
Trees, plants and shrubs
Patent pavements ....

,-eeeee
|

cee eee ee eee eee eee eres

C's 1e 6,0) © « 6 dee C & 6 0 0 wie ce a 6 ce 0 0 6 6 cles

On Carrot Park.

Paid ‘SUrVeY OFS ANCNASSISUANES 4. sie 6 sscagis ce ac ass oe e's
7 aeMaterials Gf CONStruchON. s/siste hi) N velo ae
SMU NEGIET Gaier otetarcla! is crea ofa tts We o'cl d's mS aid lote aide dle
“< Mechanics, laborers, horses and carts...........
Spmbrees, Plants and SHTUNS: So ce. ewes ene oa oe Ye
“‘ ‘Water pipe and drainage pipe.............00::
soe cle WCHL CULE ote vcpsic's 4, «jas ta-0 «isin bm 482.0 \ce

$66,435 55

72,800 00

$139,236 55

92,263 08

46,973 47

$139,236 55

$2,906 82
12,335 10
50 58
401 12
1,298 15
46,223 40
313 98
207 37
10,103 57

$73,835 09

$598 89
1,162 31
45 00
12,444 26
250 50
274 28
1,941 74

$16,716 98

264

On THE Crty Haru Park.

Paid laborers, horses and carts ......-sseeceeeees $1,343 03

On THe City Park.

Paid laborers and repairs ...........- sake nintaleiaysies $367 98

PARADE GROUND.

The total receipts on account of the Paraps
Grounp during the year 1868 were:

From the County Treasurer ......... $13,000 00
“Sales of old material. ........: 139 00
“¢ Interest on bank balances...... 310 00
——— $13,449 00
The total expenditures for the same time were :
Paid Surveyors and assistants ....... $182 83
“« Materials of construction ..... : 2,456 37
“« Mechanics, laborers and teams. . 6,078 01
BOM CUR tial eta icici tore ners eenore aie 55 68
Byspended tn TSC 6s ace sie avele eles one 250 68
— 9,023 57
Balance to the credit of the Parade
Ground, December 31, 1868 ..... 4,425 43
$13,449 00
RECAPITULATION.
Balance of cash Ist January, 1868 . $330,638 83
Received on account of Prospect Park. $854,666 62
q ag other city parks. 72,800 00
a <6 Parade Ground. 13,449 00
— 940,915 62

—

$1,271,554 45

rae on account of Prospect Park. $1,078,645 12
F other city parks. 92,263 08

eS ae Parade Ground. 9,023 57
—_————— 1,179,931 77
Balance of cash, Dec. 31, 1861....... 91,622 68

$1,271,554 45

265

TOTAL EXPENDITURES OF THE BROOKLYN PARK COM-

MISSION.
1865. 1866. 1867. 1868. Tora.
Prospect Park ..... $17,780 90 | $195,701 10 | $973,908 60 | $1,078,645 12 | $2,266,080 72
yantinottat Marky |i sucics) ci6aadolacies ecthne nes 1,851 86 73,835 09 75,686 95
WBXLOME ANP cersisctets)| siroe Geaccras stm elise chodavetaaeute te 1,810 56 16,716 98 18,527 54
ORGY ELLIE PE TEs eisiors || crevejots(eccrevels. ateieicl|lawtsovs cath wore isis ileejeistarevciey stetateiere 1,343 03 1,348 08
CEVA AL Kel stereicretee cl | corcwins sicle norte tiwerstie aon 558 44 867 98 926 42
PALACE GYOUN Sees Iiasro:sretiogeto ciclus'l ioc ies etacciocee 250 68 8,772 89 9,028 57

$17,780 90 | $195,701 10 | $978,375 14 | $1,179,681 09 | $2,371,588 28

*
JOHN N. TAYLOR,

Comptroller.

ACN AsOe

To PROVIDE FOR THE IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE
Pusiic Parks oF THE City or Brooxtyn. Passep May Ist,
1868.

The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and
Assembly, do enact as follows :

Section 1. The Commissioners of Progpect Park, in the city of
Brooklyn, shall have full and exclusive power to lay out, regulate,
improve and maintain the public parks of the city of Brooklyn, and to
govern, manage and direct the same, and the public use thereof; to
make ordinances, rules and regulations for their proper management
and government; to appoint such engineers, surveyors, clerks and
other officers, and such police force as they may deem expedient,
and to prescribe and define their respective duties and authority ; to
fix and regulate the compensation to be paid to the several persons
so to be employed by them; to open, widen and grade the northerly
side of Ninth avenue, between Montgomery and Union street, and so
much of Fifteenth street as was extended to meet the Coney Island
road, and laid down on the city map, by an act entitled “ An act to
extend the boundaries of Prospect Park, in the city of Brooklyn,”
passed April 30th, 1866; to locate, erect and maintain fountains on
the said parks, or either of them, as well as upon the streets and
avenues which form the boundaries thereof, or intersect the same ;
to erect and maintain iron and other fences around the said parks;
to flag and reflag the sidewalks of said streets, roads or avenues on
the side which is adjacent to the said parks; to increase the width
thereof, and to set and reset curb and gutter stones, shade trees and
lamp posts thereon; and to determine the particular location of any
railroad track which is now or may be hereafter placed upon such
road, street or avenue.

They may also in the name of the city, or of the said Board of
Commissioners, at their option, bring any action which they may
deem proper, to recover damages for the breach of any agreement,
express or implied, relating to or growing out of the management or
improvement of the said parks; for penalties for the violation of any
ordinance; or for injuries to personal or real property appertaining
to the said parks; or to recover the possession of any such property.

The land taken (and set apart for a Parade Ground for the county

267

of Kings), shall be the property of said county, as and for a parade
ground; and shall be under the exclusive charge and management of
the Commissioners of Prospect Park, in the city of Brooklyn, for the
purposes of police and improvement as such parade ground.—An
Act to provide a Parade Ground for the county of Kings, passed
April 27, 1868. Sec. 7.

The several pieces and parcels of ground, parks and squares in
the city of Brooklyn, and the sidewalks, fences and trees adjacent
thereto and being between any part of the same and any public
street or avenue, or the part thereof devoted to carriages hereinafter
mentioned, shall hereafter be under the care, management and con-
trol of the Commissioners of Prospect Park, as fully and completely
as Prospect Park is or may hereafter be under their control, care and
management.—An Act in relation to Parks in the City of Brooklyn,
passed May 9th, 1867. See. 1.

The parks and squares aforesaid are Washington Park, City
Park, City Hall Park and Carrol Park.—Same Act. Sect.2. Tomp-
kins Park included by Act of 1870, chap. 566.

The joint board of Aldermen and Supervisors of the City of
Brooklyn shall annually cause to be levied and raised the requisite
amount of moneys for carrying this act into effect, and for the pur-
poses thereof; and such money shall be promptly and regularly
paid over to the said Park Commissioners for said purposes.—Act
of 1867. See. 5.

The Brooklyn Park Commissioners are hereby authorized to
seize and impound any cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, geese, or
other animals found running at large upon any of the public parks in
the city of Brooklyn ; to impose a penalty of not exceeding five dol-
lars, with reasonable expenses, upon each animal so seized; and to
enforce payment thereof in such manner as they shall by ordinance
direct.—Act of May 6th, 1868.

§ 2. Whenever the Board of Commissioners shall by resolution
direct the streets or avenues specified in the preceding section of this
act to be opened or widened, they shall fix a district of assessment be-
yond which the assessment for such opening or widening shall not
extend. They shall then apply to the Supreme Court, at a special
term thereof, to be held in the second judicial district, upon a notice
to be published for ten days successively in the corporation news-
papers, for the appointment of three Commissioners to estimate the
expense thereof, and the amount of damages to be sustained by the
owners of property, or other persons to be affected thereby, and to
apportion and assess the same as hereinafter described, and the court
shall thereupon proceed to make such appointment.

§ 3. The Commissioners so to be appointed shall, after having
been duly sworn, proceed to estimate such expenses and damages ;
and after their report thereon shall have been confirmed by the said
court, they shall apportion and assess the same, upon the lands and
premises benefited by the said improvements within the district of
assessment, to be fixed by the Park Commissioners, in the same
manner as the Board of Assessors of the said city are by law directed
to make similar assessments. And all laws now in force relative to

268

the opening and widening of streets or avenues in the city of Brook-
lyn, subsequent to the appointment of Commissioners of Estimate,
and the proceedings thereon, and the duties of the several persons to
be employed therein, substituting the said Park Commissioners in
place of the Common Council and Street Commissioner of said city,
and substituting also the Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment
in place of the Board of Assessors of the said city, and including the
levy and collection of the assessments for such improvements and
the lien thereof, so far as they are not inconsistent with the pro-
visions of this act, shall apply to and regulate all duties arising out
of, or proceedings ‘that may be had or taken under this act. But such
proceedings shall continue to be under the direction of the said Park
Commissioners, who shall act when required as the Common Council
and Street Commissioner of said city would be required to act in re-
lation thereto, and who shall employ an attorney and counsel, and
all such surveyors, clerk, appraisers, and other agents as may be re-
quired for the purpose of the said proceedings.

§ 4. The Commissioners of Prospect Park now in office shall
continue to hold office for four years after the expiration of their
present term of office, and until others are appointed in their places,
and from and after the passage of this act, the Mayor of Brooklyn shall
be ex-officio a Commissioner of Prospect Park. They shall together
constitute a Board of Commissioners to be hereafter known as “ The
Brooklyn Park Commissioners,” a majority of whom, for the time
being, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If
any of the said Commissioners shall not reside in the city of Brook-
lyn, or shall neglect to attend the meetings of the board, for three
monthly meetings, consecutively, after having been duly notified of
the time and place of meeting, his office shall be deemed to have
been vacated ; and after the present number of Commissioners shall,
for any reason, have been reduced to eight, each succeeding vacancy
shall be filled for the residue of the term then vacant, by a majority
of the ballots of the remaining members of the board ; and upon such
ballotings it shall be no objection to a candidate that he has once
been a member of the board.

§ 5. The said board shall, in the month of January, of every
year, make and render to the Common Council of said city a full re-
port of their proceedings during the preceding year, with a detailed
statement of their receipts and expenditures. And all ordinances or
rules which they shall at any time adopt for the regulation, use and
management of the said parks, shall immediately thereafter be pub-
lished for at least ten days, in two daily newspapers printed in said
city. No member of the said board shall receive any compensation
for his services; and it shall be a misdemeanor, punishable by fine
and imprisonment, for any Commissioner to be in any way, directly
or indirectly, interested in any contract for services to be rendered,
or materials to be furnished for or on account of the said parks, or
either of them.

§ 6. For the purpose of providing the means of laying out, con-
structing and improving Prospect Park, the Mayor, Comptroller,

269

and City Clerk of the said city are hereby authorized and required to
create and issue, at such times and in such amounts as the said Com-
missioners shall, by resolution, direct, the bonds of the said city,
payable within fifty years from the date thereof, and bearing an in-
terest not exceeding seven per cent. per annum, payable semi-an-
nually. The bonds so to be issued shall not exceed three millions of
dollars in amount, including the bonds already issued for such pur-
poses; and shall be sold by or under the direction of the said Comp-
troller, at not less than par, either at public or private sale; and the
moneys to arise therefrom shall be called the Brooklyn Park Im-
provement Fund. All bonds heretofore issued for the improvement
of Prospect Park shall constitute a portion of the same fund; and all
the provisions of the act passed May second, eighteen hundred and
sixty-one, entitled “An act to lay out a public park and parade
ground for the city of Brooklyn, and to alter the Commissioners’
map of said city, passed April seventeenth, eighteen hundred and
sixty-one,” which relate to the redemption of bonds and payment of
awards, and improvements, and the creation and management of a
sinking fund applicable thereto, shall apply to and regulate all
bonds that may be issued for the purposes of the said Improve-
ment Fund; and for the payment of all such bonds, issued and to
be issued, with the interest to accrue thereon, all lands within the
boundaries of the said park are hereby specifically pledged.

§ 7. In case the said Commissioners shall at any time require
money for immediate use before it can be realized by asale of bonds,
the said Comptroller, on the request of the said Commissioners, may
pledge such bonds for a temporary loan of money thereon. All
money to be realized from sales or pledges of bonds shall be imme-
diately deposited with the Treasurer of the said city, to the credit
of the said improvement fund; and shall be held and used for the
construction, improvement and maintenance of the said park, and
the adornment thereof. The said Board of Commissioners, through
their President and Secretary, shall from time to time make drafts
upon the said Comptroller for such amounts as may be required for
the prosecution of the park business, after the same shall have been
authorized by the Board; each of such drafts shall specify the ob-
ject for which it is drawn, and the Treasurer shall pay the same on
the order of the Comptroller, countersigned by the Mayor and City
Clerk.

§ 8. In order to provide for the maintenance and general
improvement of the said parks, there shall be added to the gen-
eral tax. to be levied in said city, in each and every year, such
sum of money, not exceeding one hundred and twenty-five thousand
dollars, (as authorized by laws of 1872, chap. 711,) in any one year,
as the said Board of Commissioners shall from time to time, by
resolution, determine to be necessary for the proper maintenance,
improvement and ornamentation of the said parks. The joint Board
of Supervisors and Common Council of the city of Brooklyn shall
annually cause the amount so determined by the said Commissioners
to be raised and levied in like manner as other taxes are raised and

270

levied in said city, and the same shall be promptly paid over to
the said Park Commissioners for the purposes aforesaid.

§ 9. Real or personal property may be granted, conveyed, de-
vised or bequeathed to the said city, for the improvement or
ornamentation of the said parks, or either of them; or for the estab-
lishment or maintenance within their limits of museums, zoological
or other gardens, collections of natural history, observatories or
works of art, upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon
by and between the grantors or donors thereof and the said Board
of Commissioners. But all property so to be granted, conveyed,
devised or bequeathed, and the rents, issues and profits thereof, must
be subject to the management and control of the said Board; and
may be improved and added to in its discretion; and shall be pro-
tected, preserved and arranged by the said Board for public use and
enjoyment, under such rules and regulations as the said Board shall
from time to time prescribe. Admissions to said gardens and mu-
seums may be either free to the public, or upon the payment of such
sums of money as the Board may determine; and all income to be
derived from such admissions shall be applied to the improvement
and maintenance of such gardens and museums, or of the said parks.
The Board may also agree for the management or maintenance of
any of the said gardens or other institutions with any society, incor-
porated or to be incorporated under any law of this State ; but such
gardens or other institutions shall always remain subject to the con-
trol of the said Park Commissioners.

§ 10. This act shall take effect immediately.

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LANDSCAPE. ARCHITECTS AND . SUPERINTENDENTS.

To tHe Brooxtyn Park CoMMISSIONERS.

Gentlemen :—We lay before you our customary annual report
upon matters of design, construction and superintendence.

DESIGN.

No material modifications have been made in the primary study
of the plan of the park during the past year, but in the elaboration
of that part covering the district between Franklin avenue and the
water adjoining, the original lines have been somewhat changed, the
drive and ride widened, and a return branch of the drive has been
introduced on the west shore, the object of the whole variation being
to give a more decided promenade character to this long southerly
stretch of shore road, and to bring it into more close connection with
the principal carriage concourse at the east end of the lake.

The removal of a large deposit of sand, needed in road construc-
tion, which was found just below the original surface near the middle
of the park, south of the old line of Third Street has made it prac-
ticable to broaden the dale effects originally designed to be secured
in the vicinity, and to carry the east dale walk in a more direct
course than was originally proposed—both results being very de-
-sirable.

As the city can not expect to secure due returns for its expendi-
tures without employing every economical means of extending the
influence of the park by increasing its general accessibility, we feel
compelled again to call attention to the importance of an early
review of certain parts of the present street plan, and to the adop-
tion of at least a few elementary lines by which the inconvenience
arising from gts complexity may be avoided in its necessary future
extensions.

272

Expensive undertakings are constantly being, projected and ad-
vanced, which are sure either to result in great waste of private
property or to force street arrangements to be hereafter adopted
which will be a permanent source of unnecessary expense, and of
extreme public inconvenience. The uncertainty of what may be
determined upon hinders wholesome enterprise, favors speculation,
and prevents the application of capital to improvements which would
be of real use to the city.

The jealousies grounded on convictions of antagonistic interests,
which alone prevent a general movement to the proposed end, are
every year increasing, and, in the nature of the case, are likely to
constantly grow more complicated and difficult to harmonize.

Some new elements have been developed during the year that
have a bearing on the suggestions made in our several previous
reports on this subject, the most important being the approximate
location of two bridges over the East River, one within two milés
of the plaza, the value of which, as a point of radiation to other parts
of the city, is thus enhanced, and the other in a very convenient
position for an initial point in a northerly direction of the plan to
which public attention was invited in your report of 1866. It may
be advisable, therefore, to restate succinctly the essential features
of this plan.

Certain central or focal points of improvement are proposed to
be fixed upon without delay. These would be selected with refer-
ence to the probable future demand for places of residence which
would be conveniently reached by people engaged in business on
Manhattan Island, the shores of the East River, and other places
offering special natural advantages for commerce. These focal
points would be connected by direct lines of broad streets which, it
is presumed, would become the trunk lines of all future improve-
ments in the suburbs, so that afterwards these would all progress in
some degree of harmonious relation one with another, as well as
with the completed portions of the city.

The park should form one of the proposed focal points, and being
the most important of all, as it will be nearer the center of the busi-
ness of the port than any other center of residence either on Long
Island or Manhattan Island, the several trunk lines should be so
directed as to cause each of the other focal points to be placed in
the most direct practicable communication with it. Oneis proposed
to be established at Fort Hamilton, another at Bay Ridge, another
at some central point in the Eastern District, another at or near
East New York or Ridgewood, and another in close c@nnection with

273

the head of the bridge proposed to be carried across the East River
where it is divided by Blackwell’s Island, by which the whole system
would be brought into direct relation with the Central Park and the
- new trunk lines of residence quarters now being laid out in connec-
tion therewith.

One other question of design remains to be referred to, having
relation to the proposition lately urged upon your attention, and
which is now before the Legislature, for an appropriation to pleasure
ground purposes, of a tract of land situated at the junction of Atlantic,
Washington and Underhill avenues.

So far as this proposition is designed to give more importance
to the approach to the park from Washington avenue and Williams-
burg, we think its object would be more satisfactorily accomplished
by widening Underhill avenue, as shown on the accompanying plan.
There would be a clear advantage to the city in this modification,
whereas the interruption of communication with the principal en-
trance to the park, of the streets that would be closed if the proposi-
tion referred to were carried out, would be a positive detriment to
public convenience of a serious character. . .

In other respects the scheme is one of the same class with others
that have from time to time been urged on your Commission with a
view to secure the improvement as a public pleasure ground of the
whole of the city property lying east of Flatbush avenue, contrary
to our general design and to the recommendations set forth in our
reports of 1865 and 1866.

In all propositions for dealing with this property, there are two
distinct questions involved, one of the legal obligations of the city,
the other of its interests. It is with the latter only that we have to
do ina study of plans. A fair judgment in this respect can, how-
ever, hardly be exercised without a consideration of the fact, that
although the land in question was originally taken by the city in
good faith for a public ground, and although the city has since
acquired land by the side of it, also for a public gr ound, it is never-
theless demonstrable that the views which governed the selection of
the one, and those which led to the selection of the other, were so
different, that the first taken can not now be realized without a sacri-
fice of the advantages secured with the last.

We consider, therefore, that all plans for using the grounds north
and south of the reservoir as a garden or parkemust involve a weak
and wasteful compromise, and should be persistently resisted. That
our meaning may be fully understood, it may be desirable to recall

18

274

the circumstances which have led to the acquisition by the city of
the two bodies of land in question.

In the year 1858, a project was bruited about for establishing a
series of public pleasure grounds in and about the city, each of which
was intended to be located and laid out with reference to the accom-
modation, not of the population at large, but for the special benefit
of that portion of the population which should live nearer to it than
to either of the others.

To advance this project, a Commission was formed by an act of
the Legislature of 1859, which the following year reported a plan
whereby the city would have had to maintain eight considerable
public grounds. Three of these were to be of large size, and were

intended for the benefit respectively of the Eastern, Central, and —

Southern districts of the city, while five others, more nearly of the
class of Fort Greene, were designed still more especially for local
resort. Of the larger grounds, one was to be connected with each of
the great city reservoirs, the third was to be at Bay Ridge.

Although the land recommended to be taken at one of these
points was soon afterwards acquired by the city, no measures look-
ing to construction were adopted, and the eight-park scheme, as it
stood at the time this ground was selected, soon came to be con-
sidered an unwieldy and impracticable one, and in effect was aban-
doned.

Nothing more was done toward supplying the city with pleasure
grounds until after a period of eight years from the origin of the
first project.

In the meantime, an experiment of the sort of local pleasure
grounds which, on account of the expense involved, were alone prac-
ticable under this eight-park scheme had been tried at Fort Greene
and found to result in an injury rather than a benefit to property in
the neighborhood, while New York. had fairly established the su-
perior advantages of a concentration of capital in the production of
a comprehensive, well equipped and well kept park, adapted to draw
together all classes of the community from every part of a great
city. It had also begun to be realized, that so long as Brooklyn
offered nothing of the character of the New York park, it must
expect to fall rapidly into the background as a competitor in pro-
viding attractive sites for the residence of a large tax-paying class
of citizens. .

In the light of this experience, it had become generally evident in
1865, when our relations with your Commission commenced, that
effective discussion centered upon a very different idea from that

Si

275

which had led to the acquisition of the two pieces of ground on Flat-
bush avenue.

Instead of a scheme for establishing several publie grounds, each
designed for the special benefit of a district, ward or locality, the
pressing demand now was for one strikingly fine park, adapted to
be resorted to from all quarters, which would retrieve the prestige
which had been lost to the city by the construction of the Central Park.

The duty of developing a practicable scheme for this purpose
having fallen naturally, though not perhaps by distinct previous
legal enactment, upon your Commission, an examination of the
neighborhood within which lay the property under your control,
showed that it occupied a position with reference to the distant parts
of the city highly important to be considered in the solution of the
new problem, although no weight had been attached to it in the
original selection of the ground asa site for one of eight district
pleasure grounds.

To understand its consequence, it needs to be remembered that
the present city of Brooklyn has been mainly formed by the gradual
filling up of the space between several original centers of settlement,
and that within the last thirty-five years there have been several
eras of speculation, during which large isolated estates have been
divided for sale in lots, by which additional local street systems
have been inaugurated. The present city therefore includes many
quite distinct systems, laid out independently, and having no con-
venient relation one with another. In consequence of this fact, few
points in the city, and especially in the suburbs, are accessible from
more than two sides by direct lines of communication over a mile in
length. A certain locality, however, which adjoined, though it was
not included within the property of the city in the eighth and Ninth
Wards, constituted what was practically a converging point on the
city map of several systems of communication, as will appear by the
accompanying diagram,*and the following table showing the dis-
tance from the several points named, to the locality in question
respectively, by a straight line, and by streets already laid out:

By straight line. By streets,
From South Seventh street, Eastern
MP SreLG bie, Gina ca args a cnet atthe: 8 eee 2 40-100 miles. 2 50-100

From Hudson avenue, East River... 210-100 “ 212-100
From Hamilton avenue, East Rivér 2 2-100 “ 2 3-100

From Greenwood Cemetery....... 131-100 “ 131-100
From the Hunter Fly Road, City

USCS ae AHS Sass 248-100 “ 248-100
from, Watbush Church............ 171-100. “ 1 78-100

276

The locality in question is an average distance of two miles in a
straight line from the several points named ; and it will be seen that
by existing streets the deviation is so slight that it would make no
appreciable difference in an ordinary carriage drive.

Under these circumstances it was thought advisable first of all to
take measures to secure possession to the city of so much ground as
was necessary to be controlled in order to turn this advantage of the
locality to proper account. This having been done by the acquisi-
tion of the site of what is now called the Plaza, there could be no
question that any park intended to be formed in the vicinity for the
use of the people of all parts of the city should, if possible, be so
located as not in the least to neutralize this advantage. If placed
entirely within the two converging lines of Flatbush and Ninth
avenues, no street leading towards the locality would be in the least
interfered with, while, with hardly any change of the lines as they
then stood on the city map, twelve streets and avenues would open
on a spacious public place laid out in front of the natural entrance
to the park on the city side.

It happened also that by pushing out a little into the country
within these two converging lines, there was found what was most
wanted in order to secure a suitable proportion and good general
relation one to another of the several chief topographical elements of
park scenery, in hill and dale, meadow, wood and water. It more-
over became evident that even if it had been found really desirable,
on account of greater convenience of access, these topographical
desiderata could not have been nearly as well secured in any other
direction. Accordingly, in forming the new plan for a park, it was
assumed that a certain piece of land on Ninth avenue, and another on
Franklin avenue, both within the before-mentioned converging lines,
would be added to that already in possession, and that a certain
other piece of land which had been secured entirely with reference
to the abandoned local pleasure-ground scheme, and which was
wholly undesirable to be regarded in the new plan, would be dis-
posed of in such a way as would most benefit the city.

The object in view in the whole arrangement being simply to »
secure the best park possible under the circumstances, and, at the
same time, to guard in every way against the unnecessary obstruc-
tion of important lines of communication through the city, it was
evident that the acquisition of the ground on Ninth and Franklin
avenues, and the abandonment of a large part of the ground on the
east side of Flatbush avenue, were alike logical and essential measures
for the accomplishment of this end.

oie

It was, however, thought necessary to reserve so much of the
ground on the east side of Flatbush avenue as was required to
prevent the erection of private dwellings within two hundred and
fifty feet of the basin of the reservoir, together with ample sites for
any public institutions which it might be desirable in the future to
place in the vicinity of the park, care being taken that the latter
should not stand in the way of the most convenient possible street
arrangements. The ground around the reservoir was designed to
be laid out as a public garden; not because it was wanted as an
appendage to the park, but because it was a convenient way to pro-
teet the reservoir from a too close apparent proximity to possible
private constructions which might suggest to visitors the possibility
of a pollution of its contents. By a foot bridge over Flatbush
avenue, however, the garden was planned to serve the purpose of a
pleasant approach to the park from Washington avenue. All this
could be done without encroaching upon any desirable lines of street
communication,

It will be observed that the advantages of the plan, as thus set
forth, are mainly found in conditions, the value of which will be pal-
pable to all upon an examination of maps. The superior landscape
capabilities which we have claimed for the ground west of Flatbush
avenue may, however, be considered a matter of opinion. We shall,
therefore, attempt to briefly indicate a few of the main particulars in
which the park, as now designed, appears to us to possess advan-
tages in the promise of scenery appropriate to its purpose, over any
that would be available in a park planned to be situated either wholly
or in part on the east side of the avenue.

From many points of the drives, rides and walks, the eye will
range over a meadow-like expanse, wherein the first definite obstruc-
tion or break in the turfy surface will be at least half a mile away,
sometimes considerably more than that, and in which tree tops will
be seen in rising perspective fully a mile away. These views will
not offer merely peeps, but will comprehend quite broad and well-
balanced pastoral landscapes, free from any object which will suggest
the vicinity of the city, from which it is the primary purpose of the
park to give the means of aready escape. Views will be had over
water surface of equal breadth and distance. The visitor will feel
the sense of freedom and repose suggested by scenes of this charac.
ter, and be impressed by their breadth of light and shadow, all the
more because they will be enjoyed in alternation and contrast with
the obscurity of the thick woods already established, through the
seclusionywhich he will be occasionally led. There is hardly a rood
of ground in the park which, besides serving its own local purpose,

278

will not contribute to general landscape effects, so that every part,
whatever its special value, will be associated in such manner with
other parts as from some points of view to seem designed to be
auxilliary to them, and from others to be supported by them.

We are unable to see how the ground on the east side of Flat-
bush avenue could be laid out in such a way as to obtain these almost
invaluable conditions for a great town park, in anything like a simi-
lar degree. Nor do we see how it would be possible to secure any
distinct unity or valuable landscape relationship between the park
and the land in question. ‘The sunken traffic roads in the Central
Park are sometimes referred to as offering a parallel to the division
formed by Flatbush avenue, but for the greater portion of its length
along the line in question Flatbush avenue is a causeway, and con-
stitutes a barrier thirty feet-high to all views between one piece of
ground and the other. Elsewhere, for a short distance, it is true
that it lies below the level of the adjoining ground, but it occupies a
space one hundred feet wide, and divides a hill. The sunken roads
in the Central Park, where the eye ranges over them, are little more
than a third of the width, and were laid out with the utmost care to
avoid any perceptible break of the surface of the ground where it
would be visible to visitors. Where they cross a line of view, it is
usually at a distance of more than a quarter of a mile from the ob-
server. There is, on the other hand, no point more than a hundred
yards distant from Flatbush avenue where the eye could range across
both the sites in question.

The pieces of ground on the north and south side of the reservoir
must be regarded as practically distinct from one another, as well as
from the ground on the opposite side of the avenue; and if it be im-
proved as proposed, could hardly be treated in any other than in a
comparatively small house-garden-like way.

It has been thought that the distant prospect over the city to the
harbor from the grounds on the east side of Ilatbush avenue, was a
point of superiority ; that part of it, however, which is proposed to
be retained within the reservoir garden, commands this view much
better than any other, so that this advantage is, under any circum-
stances, intended to be secured to the city. In no other part of the
ground, in fact, is the distant view a consideration of any consequence,
because from no other part of the ground can the control of it be
long retained. As soon as the ground east of Flatbush avenue, now
being graded for building, shall have been occupied, the present view

will be quite cut off. The distant outlooks from points now included .

in the park by the extension of the boundaries on the west side of

279

Flatbush avenue, are not only in our estimation far more valuable
and suggestive as accessories of the park, but they are not in a posi-
tion ever to be cut off, or even seriously injured by the inevitable
march of city improvement.

It has been proposed that the ground east of the Plaza, if not
thought desirable to be incorporated in the park, should be laid out
as a parade ground, or as an arboretum, or as a botanic garden, or
as a zoological garden, but the site possesses no evident natural fitness
for either one of these purposes. Even if it so happened that it
offered some advantages for either, and it should be thought best to
associate such a ground with the park, a site should clearly be pre-
ferred which promised incidental benefit to the park scenery, which
this would not. To show how such sites might be selected, we may
refer to any of the special districts which are not, strictly speaking,
territorially a part of the public park as now planned, but which,
nevertheless, besides serving a special purpose, constitute a real ad-
dition to its attractions.

The ground assigned for a children’s garden is, for instance, so
placed that no visitor will enter it except by special intention. Yet,
following the main park drive or walk on the east side, every visitor
in approaching its border will, almost immediately after passing the
entrance, be made to feel that he has plenty of room, all at once, on
‘both sides of him. The trees on the opposite border of the children’s
ground being so placed as to shut out all inharmonious exterior ob-
jects, and yet so that no distinct limit to the rural country on the left
will be discernable.

Again, the enclosure set off for the pasturage of deer is so ar-
ranged that, while the visitor cannot enter it, he will not notice any
artificial obstruction. It will appear a bright, sunny little meadow,
with sparkling water, lost in the distance under trees, and this will .
come at a turn of the road, between two stretches which will be all
in shadow, and where the view will have been for a time closely con-
fined by dense underwood.

Again, the Kings county parade ground, while entirely outside
the park boundary, is so placed that it serves a very important and,
indeed, almost invaluable landscape purpose, when seen from the
high grounds within the park; and so of every other special ground
which is now intended to be connected with it.

There is no object to be accomplished by appropriating the ground
in question to any form of garden, which would not be much better
served by establishing it in some other part of the city, where it
would incidentally give the advantage of an airing ground to persons ©

280

living at too great a distance from the park, to habitually resort to-
it with ease and frequency. The residents of the Ninth and Twen-
tieth Wards can hardly claim to be in this condition, and the sup-
position is a mistaken one that they would éxperience any serious
additional difficulty in reaching a pleasure ground, if the site which
the Commission proposes to discard is laid out with a view to an im-
provement of the general approaches to the park, instead of to any
purpose which would involve its enclosure. The additional distance
to be traveled over from all the house lots in the Ninth Ward to the
entrances of the present park, and to those which were planned under
the old scheme, east of Flatbush avenue, will be crossed by a car-
riage driven at the rate of six miles an hour, in seventy-five seconds.
The difference to those approaching on foot, considering the reservoir
grounds asa part of the park, will be less than that. From all the
house lots of the Twentieth Ward the present park will, on an aver-
age, be entered sooner than the park as formerly planned, east of
Flatbush avenue, could have been.

The principal reasons which have led to the preference of other
ground for the park over that east of the Plaza have now been given,
and we may add, in a few words, the reason for the arrangement
recommended for the laying out of thé discarded ground. As the
street lines had been originally established, those on the east side ap- .
peared to approach the park less advantageously than those on the
west. In the plans which we have from time to time submitted for
your consideration, our main object has been to counteract this ap-
parent misfortune of the east side.

No one who has examined the plan before the Board can have
failed to recognize, we think, that under it an approach to the park
through either of the confluents of the Plaza ‘is calculated to pro-
duce a decided effect of dignity, stateliness and fitness of position.
An expenditure of millions could not be made to give the same
especial advantage to the New York park. According to our plans
there are six approaches of this character opening upon the Plaza
from the west, and six from the east, which is a fair and equitable
arrangement, as well as an artistically complete and well-balanced
one; but if the ground north of the reservoir should be appropriated
to a garden, it is evident that while the six approaches on the west
side would remain in tact there would be but two on the east side,
neither of which would lead fairly toward the eastern part of the
city.

We have considered it an object to secure not only fine ap-.
proaches, but to so arrange the vacant ground in the immediate

281 .

vicinity of this principal entrance that, after a few years, strangers
visiting the park would be sure to receive a vivid impression of the
metropolitan advantages offered by Brooklyn as a place of residence.
For this purpose the ground belonging to the city, and undesirable
to be included in the park, is proposed to be laid out in such a way
that it can be disposed of in lots of unusual size, and otherwise well
adapted for urban residences of the very finest character. Such an
impression produced at one point, would undoubtedly have a favor-
able influence upon all the neighborhood, and upon the reputation of
the whole city.

We argued the advantages of this general element, in the motive
of our design at length, in our Annual Report of last year, and only
refer to the subject now that it may be better seen why we attach
importance to an arrangement which tends to bring all strangers to
the park in such a way as to establish the strongest favorable im-
pression upon their minds, rather than by such indirect or sub-
ordinate and comparatively insignificant approaches as would be
necessary on the east side, if our plans in this respect should be
overruled.

From all that we have said, we trust it will be seen that the de-
sign, as it now stands, is intended to develop the previous natural
and accidental advantages of the site of the Plaza, as a center, or
radiating and converging point, of a great residence quarter of the
metropolis, and that this design, to which a large expenditure has
already been directed, is impossible to be reconciled with the clos-
ing of the streets on the east side of it by a public garden.

‘ CONSTRUCTION AND SUPERINTENDENCE.

Statements in detail are appended, made up from their respective
records by the engineer in charge and his principal assistants, which
show the constructive character and extent of the works which
have been carried on during the year, together with statistics of
the force employed, organization, discipline, supplies and public resort.

We shall briefly call your attention to the more significant facts
in these respects of the year’s history of the park.

A winter of extraordinary, if not of unprecedented severity, was
followed by a season equally remarkable for the frequency with
which storms occurred, and the amount of rain which fell. During
several months, work was almost daily interrupted, or prosecuted

under difficulties, and a great deal of labor was expended in opening
.

282

channels and repairing damages upon ground under construction.
These conditions were also unfavorable to the public use of the
park.

The park has nevertheless served the ends for which it was de-
signed to an extent which could hardly have been expected in the
existing stage of its conStruction, and upon which the Commission is
to be congratulated, those resorting to it for health and pleasure
often numbering, on fine days, twenty to thirty thousand, and some-
times forty to fifty thousand. The influence of the park is percep-
tible in the rapidly increasing number of horses and carriages kept
for pleasure driving and riding in the city, and in the number of
men who have adopted the practice of taking a daily drive or ride
with their families. It is observed that these often bring guests with
them, and it is evident that the park is already regarded with some
degree of pride, though this must be for the most part rather in what
it promises than in what it is.

The real economy of the large expenditure which the city is
making on the park will eventually be tested chiefly by the degree
in which it shall have come to be regarded as a convenient adjunct
of the household property of all the citizens, and in which its advan-
tages for the preservation and restoration of health shall be famil-
iarly recognized and set down on the credit of family accounts. A
satisfactory indication of what may be expected in the future, was
therefore afforded by the frequency with which in the latter part of
the summer it was to be observed that families had come to the
park, not merely for a drive or stroll, but to pass some hours, or a
full holiday, or half holiday, refreshments, and sometimes musical in-
struments being brought with them. Women often came alone, or
with their little ones, to stay for some hours, bringing their needle-
work; anda number of invalids, aged people and convalescents were
to be seen every fine day enjoying the air and the quiet which they
found in the groves of the park.

Numerous schools and bodies of children connected with chari-
table establishments, also spent a day or half day on the park during
the summer, some returning several times, teachers, parents and
friends coming with them. When these parties were large, special
ground was assigned them, and they were protected from disagree-
able intrusion. Swings, scups, seats, tables and fresh water were
supplied to all without charge, as was the use of dressing and retir-
ing rooms, with proper attendance. An arrangement was also made
by which ice, ice-cream, biscuit, and lemonade could be provided on
the ground, at fixed moderate charges. Seventy-five considerable

283

excursion or pic-nic parties were reported by the keepers to have
received their special attention.

As the part of the park best adapted to this class of visits has
not yet been improved, and its advantages are known to compara-
tively few, and as a much larger number of suitable places will
eventually be available for the purpose, it may be expected that the
number of holiday parties will increase, and ultimately form a very
agreeable and interesting feature of the park. No artist could
imagine prettier or happier groups than were to be frequently seen
among the trunks of the east and west woods on nearly every fine
day last summer.

The complete absence of a disposition to disorderly or unbecom-
ing conduct, and the general good nature, civility, and decorum
which prevailed, was also most encouraging.

Although the acquisition of the western district of the ground
required for the park was last winter authorized by the Legislature,
it has not yet come into the possession of the Commission; the lack
of this territory has therefore continued to embarrass operations
throughout the year, and active work has of necessity been confined
mainly to the eastern side of the park. A full statement of the
progress made will be found in the reports subjoined.

It will be observed that the east drive has been completed ; also,
most of the bridle road on the east side, and three miles of walk.
The northern arm of the lake is complete, including about twelve
acres of water surface, and a large part of the remainder has been
excavated. Breeze Hill concourse is finished. So much of the
parade ground as will be used for parades, has been finished and
inclosed by a strong paling. The turf i8 well established, and was
used with satisfaction in several regimental and brigade parades
during the summer. A number of structures of masonry and sub-
stantial rustic work have been completed, and others are well ad-
vanced. The development in detail of this department of the work,
has been for the most part under the charge of Mr. E. C. Miller,
who was fulfilling the duties of assistant architect at the date of our
last report, and whose appointment to the position was subsequently
confirmed by your Board. Seventy acres of open ground have been
laid down to turf, and thirty acres of wood and coppice land finished.
The great well has been sunk nearly to the depth of permanent
water flow, and an account of this work is furnished by Mr. Martin,
who prepared the plans in accordance with which it was executed.
Fair progress has been made in planting and improving the original
growth of the park. The Commission has been fortunate in obtain-

284

ing a considerable number of trees originally planted in private
grounds, of much larger size than can be had from nurseries. Of
these, several of fine character were presented by Mr. 8S. R. Trow-
bridge. For the removal of trees of this class, two machines have
been invented and constructed on the park, and it is desirable that it
should be generally known that the Commission is prepared to trans-
plant to the park any thrifty low-branched tree, the weight of which,
with its ball of roots, will not exceed fifteen tons. There are many
such in private grounds, which, as they stand, serve no good purpose,
and others which must necessarily fall if not soon removed, to make
way for new streets or buildings. The public is indebted to Mr. M.
S. Beach for a present of six hundred shrubs taken from his country
place on the Hudson, and to Commissioner Husted for some fine
trees for the replanting of Fort Greene.

The plan of managing the keeper’s force and the gardening work-
men in such a way that each would at times help the other, has been
gradually coming under trial, and with the advantage of a most dis-
creet and assiduous oversight on the part of the Park Inspector and
his assistants, seems to be working well. All the regular daily work
required to keep in tidy order the walks, steps, seats, shelters, arches,
bridges and other constructions with which visitors have to come
directly in contact, is now done by the keeper’s force early in the
morning, before visitors ordinarily require their attention, while any
insufficiency in the number of keepers arising from illness, or from
unexpected demands upon them, is at once made good by drafts
from the gardening hands. Both wings of this organization are ad-
vancing satisfactorily in a proper understanding of the duties that
will be required of them, ahd in efficiency.

In pruning the old forest trees an extension ladder, invented for
the purpose by our general foreman of gardening work, has been
found of much value.

We have to lament the death of Mr. G. D. McMillan, who until
the middle of the last planting season had been charged especially
with the detail of arrangement and the planting of the greater part
of the shrubbery of the park. He was a faithful and zealous public
servant, an intelligent and tasteful gardener, and a man of estimable
character.

The re-grading of Fort Greene is essentially complete, and about
two-thirds of the new ground has been finished and planted, in ac-
cordance with the design approved by the board. The portion of
the ground intended as a place for public meeting was some time
since completely graded, and the greater part of it paved. It has

been in use for several months as a drill ground, and will be avail-
able for all its designed purposes early next summer. One mile of
the walks of the interior pleasure ground has been graded, one half
of which has been completely laid with the Scrimshaw patent pave-
ment, with gratings and other suitable arrangements for efficient
drainage. :

The plan of Carrol Park, as it originally existed, has been revised,
the length of walk being considerably reduced, the width increased,
and other changes made. The walks have been laid with the Fiske
patent pavement, on a new plan, slightly dishing to the center, so as
to avoid the necessity of side gutters. The plan is found to work
well, giving practically an increased accommodation, and causing
apparently no perceptible greater inconvenience. An open area in
which children can play without interrupting communication on the
walks, has been formed at one end, and in this paved space fixed
swings and see-saws were set up just before the close of the season.
Two small houses for the accommodation of visitors, with refresh-
ment stands, tool closets and water closets, have been erected. A
decorated flagstaff has also been lately set up.

None of these improvements were completed until the end of the
season, but the effect in increasing the value of the park to the
public was evident during all the latter part of the summer and
autumn in an attendance fully twice as large as was observed the
previous year.

Respectfully,

OLMSTED, VAUX & CO.,
Landscape Architects and Superintendents.

Broogtyn, January Ist, 1869.

RHEE ORAC OFC. C.2 MA RENE

ENGINEER IN CHARGE.

PARK ComMIssion, City oF BROOKLYN,
ENGINEER’S OFFICE, January 1st, 1869.

Messrs. Oimstep, Vaux & Co.,

Landscape Architects and Superintendents.

Gentlemen :—During the past year the paving of the interior por-
tion of the Plaza with Belgian blocks has been completed. The in-
terior curbing has all been set, and the corners properly placed.
The foundations, steps, and brick paving for the flagstaff areas have
been completed. The sewer, water and gas pipe were laid before
the paving was done. The railroad track of the Flatbush avenue
line has been laid around the side of the fountain with curves of two
hundred feet radius as designed, but it was found impossible, with
the ordinary construction of road, to keep the cars upon the track
without elevating the outer rails on the curves, and this having been
done, seriously interferes with the symmetry and harmony of the
general grade of the Plaza. This can only be rectified when the
increase of traffic becomes sufficient to warrant the railroad company
in making some improvement in the construction of the cars to meet
the serious difficulties that unavoidably occur at this important
point. At Manchester, a central guide wheel has been successfully
used for several years, and this or some similar arrangement should,
as soon as practicable, be experimented with on the Plaza cars.

ROADS.

The park roads made during the season do not differ materially
in construction from those described in my last report ; the principal
portion, however, having the Rubble foundation. The Rubble foun-
dation is much cheaper than the Telford; and so far as observations
have been made upon the park roads during the year, there are no
indications in favor of the Telford. This result might not hold for
traffic roads, but for light driving on a park it is undoubtedly true.

287

That portion of Franklin avenue which bounds the park on the
south, and divides it from the Kings County Parade Ground has been
remodeled and improved. Special effort has been made to secure
economy of construction, with the expectation of a reasonably good
and durable roadway. The width of the avenue is now one hundred
feet, fifty feet of which is devoted to sidewalk—(thirty feet-on the
park side and twenty feet on the parade ground side)—-and fifty feet
to roadway.

The excavation was made to a depth of fifteen inches below the
finished grade, over the entire roadway, and this depth was filled
with a coarse material, from our lake excavation, which was com-
posed entirely of sand, gravel and stones, varying in size from the
finest sand to stone of from six to eight inches in diameter. In
making the fill, care was taken to rake forward the stones and coarse
gravel into the bottom, thus leaving a surface of a firmer, although
porous, material. Upon the surface thus prepared, a layer of about
one-fourth of an inch of loom was placed, and the whole thoroughly
rolled with rollers varying from three to seven tons in weight. The
result is a drive not equal to the park drives in many respects, but
still a very great improvement upon the ordinary roads of the coun-
try. The curb and gutter is like that generally used in the city, and
is carefully laid, and the road, for a distance of five feet from either
gutter, is paved with cobble stones.

» No experiments with new kind of roads have been made during
the season. The sample laid by the Scrimshaw Patent Concrete
Company in October, 1867, has been in constant use since, and in
addition to the ordinary park driving, it has been subjected to the
wear incident to the transportation over it of several thousand yards
of material, in carts and wagons. It has constantly improved under
this treatment, and is at the present time in good condition. The
sample laid by the Fiske Pavement and Flagging Company has not
answered so good a purpose, the surface having to some extent dis-
integrated and worn away. The circumstances under which this was
tried were, however, very unfavorable to the pavement, as it was
put into use within an hour after it was laid, (at the time of opening
the first park drives), and it should have had time to become hard
before being used. I think it would be well to try experiments with
any style of roads that promises to be an improvement upon gravel
roads. Perhaps nothing better than a gravel road, when in good
condition, could be desired; but a kind of road surface which will
reduce the cost of maintenance certainly is desirable. The expense
of maintaining gravel roads is very great. The gravel disintegrates

288

under the action of horses’ feet and carriage wheels, and if the roads
are not constantly and thoroughly watered, this disintegrated ma-
terial is blown away as dust during the summer. If not blown away,
at every heavy rain a large proportion of it is washed from the road
into the silt basins. This not only entails the loss of that amount
of valuable material, but necessitates the renewal of the road surface,
and this in turn requires excessive watering and expensive rolling,
and incidentally the expensive cleaning of silt basins and sewers,
follow from the use of destructible road surface.

Two improvements in the case of roads have been tried else-
where with marked success. One is the use of chloride of lime and
the chloride of sodium, neither of which are expensive, in the water
used for sprinkling the roads. These unite with the fine material of
the road surface, and by cementing them together, prevent both dust
and the wash before mentioned. The other is in the use of steam
rollers, in place of those drawn by horses. A steam roller can be
made much heavier, can travel much more rapidly, and will doa
much greater amount of work, at a greatly reduced cost. The roll-
ing upon drives in use could be done at night, when there was no
driving, and upon new roads at any time.

ARCHWAYS AND BRIDGES.

Both of the arches mentioned in the last report have been com-
pleted, with the exception of the wooden lining of that arch near the
main entrance to the park, and this is nearly finished.

The foundations for the Meadowport arch have been laid during
the season, and the abutment walls carried up to the springing line.
The excavations for the foundations developed a stiff clay soil. The
foundation was prepared by laying oak timber, twelve inches thick,
about twelve inches apart, and filling the spaces between them with
concrete; upon this foundation the heavy stones of the abutments
were laid. The superstructure of this archway is to be of Ohio stone
and of brick.

About the same progress has been made with the Nethermead
arches. The material upon which the piers rest is a sharp, clean
sand. Concrete one foot in depth was laid, upon which the walls ,
were built; when these had been carried up about three feet,
a heavy storm filled the pit in which the foundations were, with
water to a depth of eleven feet. There being no outlet, the water
filtered away between and around the piers and abutments in a few
hours, but the stability of the masonry was not in the least dis-
turbed thereby.

SLOILIHONY GdVOSGNY] 09 7% XNVA O3LSW10

ao: (Gil a a

GOO aan

289
The waterway under this bridge is paved with flagging covered
with one foot of concrete, to protect the foundations from any
possibility of being undermined in times of excessive storms, or of
accidents to the pools, which will be located above it. The super-
structure is to be of granite, and Ohio stone facings, with a brick
arch.

RETAINING WALLS.

The retaining walls at the south end of Breeze Hill, which sustain
the walks passing between the abutments of the bridge and the lake,
have been built. They are of uncoursed rubble masonry. The
width of waterway between these walls is forty feet, and the
water alongside the walls is to be one foot in depth, when the
water in the lake is at Winter level, and four when at Summer
level. The top of the wall is to be three feet above the Summer
level of the lake.

LULLWOOD BRIDGE.

This bridge carries the main walk over the Lullwater, and is to
have a clear span of about thirty feet, with two side spans of thirteen
feet each. The height from the surface of the water at Summer
level to the under side of the bridge will be seven feet, to permit the
free passage of boats in Summer, and skaters in Winter. The foun-
dation for the piers and abutments have been laid, and the walls
completed with the exception of the capstones.

DAIRY HOUSE.

A stone dairy house has been commenced, and the walls carried
up ready for the plates and roof. The outer walls are of broken
Ashlar masonry, formed of small sized stones, obtained by break-
ing boulders found on the park. The trimmings are of mountain
Graywacke and Ohio stone. The interior walls are of brick, and
are finished.

WALKS.

The greater portion of the walks made during the year have been
surfaced of pine tar concrete, laid under a contract with the Fiske
Patent Pavement Flagging Company. The cost for preparing the
substructure for the tar walks has been materially reduced this season,
as the concrete was laid upon the natural soil, wherever it was of
tolerably porous material. In, sections where a clayey or retentive

19
:

290

material was found, this was removed to a depth of six inches, and
replaced with gravel or sand. All of the tar walks laid last year
have proved satisfactory in all respects. They have not been injuri-
ously affected either by heat or cold, and the expense of maintenance
has been very slight, for the surfaces have not required renewal, roll-
ing or sprinkling. The heaviest zains have not damaged them in the
slightest degree.

The surface water as it flows from these walks into the silt basins,
carries no sediment with it, and this incidentally produces a great
saving of expense in the care of silt basins and sewerage systems, as
so much less material has to be removed from them. The walks
made last year which were surfaced with fine screenings from the
McAdam stone, did not prove satisfactory, as the smaller particles
washed away, leaving the larger and angular fragments on the sur-
face, and these were unpleasant to walk upon. The gravel walks laid
this season were surfaced with Roa Hook gravel, in all other respects
they were made like the stone-dust walks of last year.

THE LAKE.

Work upon the lake has been vigorously prosecuted during the

season, and all of the portion above the great concourse, comprising -

more than twelve acres of water surface, has been completed. The
bottom of the lake, over almost the entire area excavated, is com-
posed of coarse sand or gravel, than which nothing can be more un-
suitable for retaining water. The drainings from the park surface
nearly all tend towards the lake, and at times, during the progress
of the excavation, the water from heavy storms accumulated to a
depth of from one to two feet, but owing to the exceeding porous
nature of the. bottom, the entire quantity filtered away in a few
hours. There being no natural supply of water on the park except
surface drainage, it became a matter of vital importance to make an
artificial bottom to the lake, which should be as nearly impervious
to water as possible. This was done as follows: the excavation was
carried to a depth of one foot below the final bottom of the lake, and
a layer six inches in thickness of stiff clayey loam was laid on evenly,
and carted over and otherwise worked, without special care ; upon
this was laid six inches of blue clay of very fair quality, as it was
found in the pit, without other mixture with sand and gravel. This
layer of clay was thoroughly wet, and carefully cut and worked over
with shovels, care being taken to have the water and working reach
the lower layer of clayey loam. The puddling on the slopes of the

o*%
‘
t f o
oY

291

lake was protected from the action of the sun during the progress of
the work, by a layer of gravel and stone three inches thick. These
will also protect the slopes from the action of the waves in Summer.
The slopes of the main lake are made with an inclination of one foot
vertical to five feet horizontal. The puddling on the bottom of the
lake was covered with water as it was laid, and thus protected from
injury by the sun.

The clayey loam which was used for the lower layer of the
puddle was found in great abundance over nearly the entire area to
be occupied by the lake, just beneath the surface soil. The blue
clay used was found in the Hart range, and is a remarkable deposit.
A search was made by borings on all portions of the park where
clay was likely to be found, and at this point it was discovered about
three feet below the surface. This covering was removed, and the
excavation of the clay carried to a depth of twenty-three feet before
the bottom of the deposit was reached. Immediately below the clay
is a mass of boulders, which rest upon a bed of sand. Over seven
thousand yards of clay have been taken from this deposit, and the
indications are that a large quantity still remains.

A temporary dam, with proper weirs, was constructed at the
lower end of the completed lake, and the drainage waters of the park,
‘from the fall rains, soon filled the lake to a depth of three feet. From
eareful daily observations of the water level it has been ascertained
that the leakage is so slight as to indicate that the method of pud-
dling adopted is entirely successful.

Two of the Hart Beck pools have been completed, with proper
masonry dams, which are covered with rock work. The puddling of
these pools consists of but six inches of clay, as the bottoms were
of a clayey character. The slopes of the pools are generally three
feet horizontal to one foot vertical.

AGRICULTURAL DRAINAGE.

But little agricultural drainage has been laid during the season.
That laid last year has, almost without exception, proved very effica-
cious, and is generally in good working order.

WATER SUPPLIES.

The water distribution system has been extended by continuing
the six inch main around the lake toward Franklin avenue, and the
twelve inch main in the direction of Fifteenth street. The patent
cement pipe is still used, and that which was laid last year is in
good condition, and requires no repairs.

:

292

It is proposed to obtain a supply of water for the park use, or at
least a partial supply, from a well. This well has been located on
the south side of Lookout Hill, near the lake, and work was com-
menced upon it late in the season. It is to be fifty feet inside
diameter at the bottom, and forty-five at the top. The walls are to
be of brick, two feet thick, and bound together vertically by bolts
extending from the bottom to the top, at distances of about four feet
apart, measured on the circumference of the circle. After a careful
consideration of various methods for sinking the well, it was decided
to build the wall, and then to excavate the material from within,
trusting to the weight of the wall to force it down. Sixteen feet in
height of the wall was laid securely bolted together, before the exca-
vation was commenced. A derrick with a boom fifty-five in length
was set up near the well, so that the sweep of the boom commanded
the interior of it. Iron buckets containing fourteen cubic feet each
were obtained, and a six-horse power hoisting engine purchased.
With these appliances the excavation was commenced, and carried
on with slight interruption until the work was suspended on account
of the frost.

No difficulty was experienced in the lowering of the wall. All
that was necessary was to excavate the material from beneath it, and
it was carried down by its own weight. Great care was necessary
in lowering to keep the excavation under the walls at the same level,
so that the wall should settle uniformly. The wall: was lowered
forty-one feet before the work was suspended, and upon excavating
in the center ten feet deeper, water was reached, at an elevation of
fourteen feet above tide level, and fifty-one feet from the surface of
the ground. Mr. L. Y. Schermerhorn, division engineer, gave the
work his careful attention, and to his good judgment and intelligent
supervision the success of the work, thus far, is in a great measure
due.

SKATING.

As before stated, the lake was partially filled with water in No-
vember. Early in December, much earlier than usual, ice formed,
and up to the present time has been in good condition for skating.
The Union Pond Patent Ice Planers have been used for planing the
ice, and, so far as my observation extends, these planers, with the
accompanying snow cleaners, are the most efficient implements for
the care of ice that have as yet been invented. Cuttings of any
required depth can be taken, limited only by the propelling power,
and the surface is left nearly as smooth as new frozen ice.

293

A temporary skating house has been erected one hundred and
sixty-eight feet long, and twenty-eight feet wide, with a platform in
front sixteen feet wide. This was placed over the water, and is sup-
ported by stone piers.

WASHINGTON PARK.

The improvement of this park having been authorized, work was
commenced in June, and was prosecuted with considerable energy
until it was suspended on account of frost. The following items are
the most important so far executed. The Gant has been graded and
paved with coal tar concrete. The Artillery road has been graded
and paved nearly its entire length, and since both of these are liable
to be used for horses, the paving was made four inches in thick-
ness. The walks were paved with the same material, but like those
on Prospect Park, the material was laid only three inches thick,
These walks are made without side gutters. The depression is in the
middle, and the silt basins and gratings are also in the middle. The
shaping of the grounds and the re-arrangement of the trees has pro-
gressed as rapidly as possible with the foree employed. The work
has been under the immediate charge of Mr. T. P. Kinsley, division
engineer, who, with his corps of able assistants, have performed their
duties in a very creditable manner.

Mr. F. Mollard has been general superintendent of labor, and
has evinced good executive qualities.

I am happy to be able to state that the same interest in the work
which existed last year, still continues undiminished, and the same
harmony of action throughout the park organization remains un-
broken.

Messrs. Culyer and Bogart still continue to be the same compe-
tent and efficient aids as heretofore, and leave nothing to be desired
in the management of their respective departments.

Mr. John McGuire, as General Foreman of the Labor Depart-
ment, has discharged the duties of his responsible position with great
credit to himself, and to my entire satisfaction.

C. C. MARTIN,
Engineer in Charge.

REPORT OF JOHN: BOGART:

ASSISTANT ENGINEER IN CHARGE.

Park Commission, City oF BROOKLYN,
ENGINEER’S OFFICE, January 1st, 1869.
C. C. Martin, Esq,.,
Engineer in Charge.
Sir:—I submit herewith the following tables, showing the
amount of work done upon the park during the past year, and also
the total amount done up to January Ist, 1869.

DRIVES.
Drives finished, 125 feet wide, (Plaza)........... 2,167 lin. ft.
43 it GOS (Park) Weiss siete-cvters 379“
a e 50 Tit Note, apionserebe ule? VARGO METS
3 $s 46 zg ey ictdetateleiebeteres L100,"
e 4 40 i Siw eteranoicrstend toro 6,425 “
vs sf 30 . FE vt RetBi east soaks 1,500 “
: d 23 re ee ES AO vetpe 1,550 “
HS a“ 50 «(franklin avenue)... 1,860. “
Total length of drives finished. ............-- 16,638 “
or 3,15, miles.
Drives in progress 60 feet wide................. 75 lin. ft.
a 23 50 city t pam eeinaie nies ceteris 200 “
“ e 46 SE Gnehele be sae ei eet ta ictea een 1,400 “
t 40 Sali. Manele exetee erie aT evens 2,535 “
ee 20 Wis!) SERS Eee slaseeno hte eyecare Lid: ¥
Motil ote sete teeters eel iste oan 4,325 “

or 02% miles.

RIDES
Rides finished 20 feet wide....c...csssececcvess 1,575 lin. ft.
= oh 16 See MMs ey Sime oy arate Ges «0: 0M: oc evay 625 “
a . 15 SHUM ee Sain cg he. Slate c Seneed see) she 950 “
s es 8 pia Opler Teas ec een ee ere 600
Total...... ACRE ORT ERCEN SUA Meat 3,750 «
or 0,/;4, miles.
Rides in progress 20 feet wide.......ceescccoes . 8,800 lin. ft.
prog
or Oyo miles.
WALKS.
Walks finished, 129 feet wide..........-00. aakstene 181 lin. ft.
ce ss 20 SOU AS rtetroverahs tyoreelaie.e sivsiers 4085p eS
° 16 Bah, See Clobocherel pela devel ene oeicin 8,945: 8ocF
se < 14 Ses Se ae aye Wa eeu selena say Scarce 400 “
cc « 12 a ca BR te charayereun vara ty ckdes Mahara 4,803 “
ch es 10 FF! GREY. Rayalske seit tet aar eis aMeehs Ve 580"
of 3 8 BUA csaen eee siete isis kailiis he ae Dia a6
ae 500 My (Fort Greene) Soke she 20 a
ee wy 16 Sle at dicta the CRN LAN cg ceeebces FIO. CS
“ cc 14 “ “cs 1 700 ce
aisieepere .
4 ae 12 or Chin Wh sts cares Pb ates
re s 8 a (Carroll Park:)sc.c0- 2.200, oF
20,021 «
or 3,72; miles.
Walks in progress 129 feet wide........ Sieieteier tetas 38 lin. ft.
74 “cc 80 ce 3 726 “ee
a Riepanrelayareiate onajer cele 5
“ RSet SN 1) Oh Sve pleas dan oe 1,055 “
“ “ce 20 “cc 5 812 “ee
J eeeeeeeeanene ]
oh de 16 SEP UE yee aise etal ore arenes, oe 7,625 <<
4 - 12 (LIB 2G See peer ota che er cieree 4170 *
- cs 10 Sriwh & |X Atoees gate Os a abet es Sco 976 x
re «360 = (Fort Greene).... B75. Ge
“ce i 16 “ce “ec 2 1 50 “
“ ee 14 ce ‘e es 1,400 “e
“ee “ce 12 cc “ec 933 “ce
Latalsi.l%. Wells areis Spee erate GeMaee cP OO ted ere
or 49°. miles.

100

296

DRAINAGE.
Total to
During 1868. Jan. 1, 1869.
18 inch Vitrified pipe laid, lin. ft........... 983 1,572
15 pr aa vee « Sag Seen 1,223 6,279
BRE es e Revi es aN ues Seuebetals 676 6,466
LO ry + BALE aE aha Ses 436 925
Siok ce mn ee Sy A 2,830 6,168
[ee ‘ ss ss Roce 85 305
6 € sf obi saMaleeeyehe ovens 4,826 10,235
Dre. * - Teinigts - 360 1,112
Ae et «“ DA, Ree reat oie 1,448 2,215
a se = er an Neeru Fe ligiowias 675
10 « e os «(Fort Green) 83 83
8 (74 “ce 6c ce 66 448 448
6 « 3 rT “ “ 1,632 1,632
5 (74 6c (14 (74 oe 157 W57
4 ce ii4 (73 ‘74 cc 1,066 1,066
gs ie tf «(Carroll Pk.) 97 97
4. (T4 (73 <4 6é (74 810 310
6 “ Cement “ 4 142
TOG secu ieee wernt hae ers ..17,260 40,487
or 327, m’ls. 7,87, miles.
ile pipedaid: (3 imel,. lin. ibys soe od taste 2,181 16,869
* peta lies Se dee aG Gel oneneracgenio 25
a oe So Ubante soel saue aves meaene 8,153 22,651
eS are fe a Cl i aeear ara ss 840 6,720
Potals'.%: wica each ierceels one 11,174 46,265
or 2,3, m’ls. 8,55, miles.
WATER DISTRIBUTION.
Wrought iron and cement pipe 16 inch........... 3,025 lin. ft.
a & £3 MSRP ols dheiccae ys 21835
ss e os OTIS s wae ee 4,586 “
c ae ‘ Gaede 2,010 «
Totaly. <. Saas SSee eRe ee wT ais Cates SAR BO? ans
or 224 miles.

“100

eEIMITOn PIP VO ANCD. «oe ea. se es owe NO eeesee 347 lin. ft.
é SOMA URNS CE Rs nies ihe 2 ith, Kata dete clot 99% °%
Ks eT hath Seu ea ehe alse AOS o's 180 *
ae ae Ree Menor sother sleracete oy siete aoe ere Ait
se os | ee aN ei ae Sto tarcye es oxeielaPs ero ver 3 1427 *
Data Marto udors se Nae 2026 «
or 3,54, miles.
low-eots and’ branches’, 2s... 0 ccc eee oo bah alcrsietorant Siete ae 41
PNR ORGS co cvapeotodete: Vhs ale. wie ews ols tii everei'f.o\s ole sialby'ars, creme seibls sie ¢ 24
PUMP EMPATHE SN co MOE rn Pye ecu: Set ben so louelS ls" sr0\e ae ie sic cs siaNeracs on taleiel'sve uvets 20
RM SMMEESS Is “1S A Tel wee Shces) Ghoto. Suoc te niids, are esordrw Sawa wie Rieke aenele 3
UMMM aye Soo ORAM Ci os MS Be ecko lk wi o dhetes oe eM ee ates 2

AREA OF OPERATIONS UP TO JANUARY ist, 1869.

Area worked over up to January Ist, 1869........ 302 acres.
* ie i Ist; 1868. .:2,.0 > Sod NS
Area of surface finished, meadows and slopes...... 109) 60%
id ei GO CLL as, sal. youeictece serous al <
ra s water surfaces .......... 121 “
rs re roads and walks......... 261 “
DOERR sacs 6 Rigas oaiem so ammteryte hie aaa te sr et
PEGG SUPIACS HCCCCU.0:5.<a/s ob%)0.v'aiu's 5 aie sire ce'aelb 128 acres.
MASONRY.
EGON. OL DTIC, THASODTY \. <1s)s'0'e. 6/0 ow ieisese.e males oir 1,766 cu. yds.
bh RONEr Eves tOl O's ye ses Me sietoydisrelesas sors Bige ve
= SUGH GC gITMASONIY, sicjsiuleicieiw:s. © 010) <\eia'e sis sae 2,000.
COMETALO LOL OO ays, at artereiere aloes coeweie 3) © 58 ee
3 stone dressed for arches and buildings... Ce Sea
os es SRO abel hey woe ares sre 952 lin. ft.
ve curb stone dressed....... Boe tact netoueitc- 21,269) |S
os 3 MUI ava tona sanch ciaielar Sai etam ei Coes 45,556 “
cu Belgian pavement laid..............- 293,562
. cobble 44 Lime aetere Sianet atabatis tees 47,516 “

298

AMOUNT OF STONE BROKEN.

McAdam stone by stone breaker....... eececcees 8,848 cu. yds.
Telford ie ANG Reh se sol Sngoree oon een 6,627)
Spall 5 ERAS 2 tere epathet sede, LL ASY 9.

(Up teadle soya joes » puss tea: asats dene eee eae 26,912 “

MATERIAL MOVED.

Total to
‘ : : During 1868. Jan. 1st, 1869.
For grading and shaping drives, bridle- ‘

roads, walks, meadows, and slopes..Cub. yds. 52,247 271,526

For lakes, pools, and streams .......... Ee 218,309 354,922
Mor Plaza so br cat Cate ahs oka eter auenaees . 2,000 172,355
Por sewers and draimaines Coe ow ea ee 7 14,074 53,164
[S/o 9 (ER eur a ge ALAC SPS a ea 80,535 330,012
BPD ss tee ws el iaycnae en Maes etaan Rr oe ath at Beet 4: 1,281 46,020
COUN AS ice Ras ue, Gle guint anaes reece ee re ae re 3,038 27,876
Manures and composts... .i600 nen. ass ay 14,613 25,400
SLOG Go ckesaa catere is Bowie Wusinbeee wae cet i 11,749 63,961
TRV EL ATCC BAEC sige inn th ule baie eea s 53,287 - 60,220
MISC CMAN COUS ci. See oes cibiele ss Pepeem rs 893 14,624

Motalicabiesyards. 5! Ao¥ . e's «ns's aes 452,026 1,420,080

“ENGINEER CORPS.

The general organization of the Engineer Corps remains as dur-
ing previous years. The Assistant Engineers, Mr. Wilson Crosby,
Mr. James C. Aldrich, and Mr. L. Y. Schermerhorn, with Mr. T. P.
Kinsley at Fort Greene, during the progress of that work, have been
constantly and actively employed, and have given careful and valu-
able service, and the corps generally has performed its duties with
energy and ability.

Accompanying this report will be found a map showing the
general progress of the work ; a map showing the drainage system
as executed, and a map showing the water distribution, as far as
completed.

Respectfully submitted,
JOHN BOGART,

Assistant Engineer in Charge.

ee S

PRUNING LADDER

*

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t

ee ee

we

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2 TY ~~ £1» | ee a

REbORD ORM J OFN a Y.: (OU Y LER,

ASSISTANT ENGINEER IN CHARGE,

Park Commission, City or Brooxtyn,

Enainerr’s Orrice, January Ist, 1869.

C. C. Mart, Esq.,
Engineer in Charge.

Sir: The following is a report of means and materials employed
in the construction of the park during the year ending Decem-
ber 31st, 1868, together with the usual statistics for the same
period.

FORCE.

During the early part of the year, the main body of the force
‘was employed in the lake district, a part was engaged in stone-
breaking, and one gang in taking out peat in the pigeon ground.
This work having been prepared with special reference to providing
employment for the Winter, was carried on economically, and con-
tinued to the opening of Spring, keeping at work during the severe
months of January, February and March, an average of 755 men.
On the disappearance of frost, the area of operations being con-
siderably enlarged, the force was increased to 1,215 men during the
month of April.

The following statement will show the average number of em-
ployed force during the several months of the year, together with a
comparative table for preceding corresponding years:

300

Statement showing the average number of employed force for the
months and years noted.

Active operations commenced on the park in the latter part of the month of June, 1866.

ealge a Bet Ne

YEAR. a 5 a ps ra g g | =|

3 im ° c= 5 o ns 5 2 ° 2 ®

Si cee | hee: BAS | ne le er eg ecenaaties

5 re = < =| 5 45 < n ro) Z a
BOG cevelarc savor | crsieie vere] sis avease'l ofeieie arell felaterecciel llersiaisiers 300 325 450 550 620 700 725
IC) aneease 700 630 | 410 | 800 | 1000 | 1150 | 1200 | 1525 | 1750 | 1825 | 1800 | 1100
TS8E6S8R25 coe s 944 | 812] 508 | 1215 | 1047 | 1189 | 1095 } 1090 | 1116 | 1118 | 1167 | 912

There were two hundred and ninety-seven days, during which the
main part of the force was employed. The largest number of men
employed at any one time was in the month of April, viz.: 1,392 as
against 1,840 for the preceding year.

The statements of force are made up from observations of the
actual number of men at work daily, throughout the year on the
park.

The improvement of Washington Park was begun June Ist,
1868, with a force consisting of two gangs. About the Ist of
August another gang was added, and work continued thus till the
close of the season, giving employment to an average of 120 men.
There were 175 working days from June Ist to December 31st.

ORGANIZATION.

The form of organization remains as previously roported.
Changes are of frequent occurence, consequent upon the develop-
ment of incapacity to discharge the duties required, on the part of
men who have sought employment either as foremen, assistants or
laborers. It has been made the duty of Engineers of Division and
the general foremen to establish, wherever classes of work admit of
it, standards for comparing day’s works, with the view to derive the
largest amount of labor from men receiving a given amount of
wages, and the standards thus established have resulted profitably.
The force of stone-cutters, masons, bricklayers, carpenters and black-
smiths was largely augmented, in consequence of the development
and progress of archways, and other constructions requiring me-
chanics’ labor.

cS

\

301

DISCIPLINE. _

The following abstract shows the promotions, suspensions and
discharges which have occurred during the year:
- PROMOTIONS.

Promotions from laborers to assistant foremen . .
Promotions from assistant foremen to foremen.......

eee ewe eer wees

Promotions from foremen to assistant general foremen .......

]
1
Promotions from assistant general foremen to general foremen.. 1

There were five resignations of foremen and assistants, and three
deaths.

SUSPENSIONS.

Number of foremen suspended for breach of discipline mielaves cara OLED
Number of assistant foremen suspended for breach of discipline. 10
Number of laborers suspended for breach of discipline ........145

DISCHARGES,

Number of foremen discharged for disobedience of orders and
neglect of duty... 23s. Heid RRs Ce CEN GE ODD OC once
Number of foremen discharged for inefficiency .............
Number of assistant foremen discharged for inefficiency .......
Number of assistant foremen discharged for other offences ....
Number of laborers, &c., discharged for neglect of duty and
MIRC LOUGY ins crenata, oieiet Gre 0) ele ops ans ayes aia)os abePa\s (ole) <iahs’ aici) 2\4sinireie oiuere il,
Number of men discharged for intoxication...........-...... 10

© © W CO

ACCIDENTS, &c.

During the year five men were injured by falling of banks of
earth, and in the severe heat of the Summer season several sun-
strokes occurred, resulting fatally only in one case, owing to the
fact that remedies and proper attention were promptly provided

by the foremen and keepers, in accordance with printed instruc-
tions.

KEEPERS AND THE PUBLIC USE OF THE PARKS.

This branch of the force has remained substantially the same as
noted in the report for 1867. Several minor modifications in rank
have occurred, and the scope of duties has in some instances been

:

302

enlarged in accordance with the intentions of the scheme of organiza-
tion, and to meet the requirements incident to the growing use of the
park by the public.

An extended stretch of drive has come into use during the past
season, together with walks, bridle-roads, and woodland, the latter
having been particularly attractive to out-door gatherings, and these
have added much to the demand made upon the keepers’ force.

The several minor parks throughout the city, under the charge
of the Commission, have each required a certain amount of sur-
veillance. In addition to what might be ordinarily considered the
proper duties of an organization of this nature, it must be remem-
bered that a considerable ‘amount of labor is involved in the neces-
sity existing of constant vigilance and close observation over the
property of the Commission, scattered as it is over all points on the
work.

The force consists of—
Two head keepers, One station officer,
Six wardens, Sixteen rangers,
And twenty-four post keepers.

As heretofore, in cases of absence of regular members, or in
cases of emergency requiring increased numbers, the force has been
augmented by detailed men from the gardening force, selected with
special reference to their fitness to do the required duty.

Thirty-seven arrests were made during the year, of which the
following is a summary account :

PROSPECT PARK.

Hor fastrdiivang sir. i.. saree ces sis letalls etal settee OD
HOF SteAlING Ves ek cistenslels cispestar anne er eerne 2
or insulting visitors), 12°. be wes ase cise cane
For interfering with keepers............+%. 4

Hor disorderly, conduct Wascca ve seen cee lS
InSaneypersOns 5.2. \s sires sie cee eines ee ee

WASHINGTON PARK,

or assault iiss... )ce: capes meter eet it eal
For disorderly condict ss 2500 .i0i). dice. taile ve le) Oe

bl Do's Beg, ae RMT CEP ER RT NE Ys sy

These cases have been in most instances promptly acted upon by
the several magistrates before whom they have been taken,

303

The trouble and annoyance heretofore attending the running at
large of animals of all kinds, belonging to persons living in the
neighborhood of the park, has been almost entirely abated since the
establishment of a pound under the jurisdiction of the Commission.
Two hundred and fifty animals, including horses, cows, goats, calves,
and hogs, have been impounded and redeemed by their owners, or
sold to pay expenses, during the year.

The number of visitors to the park has been very largely in-
creased. The following tables of persons entering the park have
been made up from daily records at the several entrances. The
visitors generally recognize the necessity for a close observance of
. the rules, and show a desire to cooperate with the keepers in main-
taining order.

STATEMENT SHOWING THE NUMBER OF VISITORS TO PROSPECT PARK
DURING THE YEAR 1868.

1S6S8. Vehicles. Equestrians. Pedestrians. Total Visitors,

DAMUALY? steclslcc cieiseis'e oo) 11,440 1,301 62,012 *94,443
REDEUATY? wecle vice is cisiceies 16,476 510 42,504 90,982
WIR eS gene quacanacae 16,085 3,304 27,281 75,933
BA DIL were fersinferee seiewisisiefeis 19,089 5,287 25,942 88,502
LGN eeopdaeedsoguosea. 88,871 7,623 69,478 194,457
: UNE Mysisisiciecs'c aiciciesisivicteiwis 65,485 8,825 102,544 308.988
dite ooh sneeoonvocdodee 52,87T 5,214 98,967 266,821
PUES Gpetes cejeiciaicicms talcietel> 51,133 6,369 11 7,425 277,198
September's. /os/)o. caesierce 37,349 4,863 60,222 177.242
Octohensaccscsiccicee rece 49,684 8,829 42,325 229,942
November)... ..s0.2000- 44,909 10,113 44,027 188,247
DeCcOMPEL. oi. cecem ce ocinie 18,200 3,180 86,056 144,042
MOLALS ycraie'e vicicre wisteaere 421,598 64,918 808,893 2,136,342

The largest number of visitors entering the park in any one day
was 51,201, on May 31st, 1868. 690,106 persons visited the park
on Sundays. It is also noticeable that 64,918 equestrians have made
use of the park during the year.

* Tt is estimated that each vehicle will average three persons.

_ 804

In the month of May of this year, the West Woods were thrown
open to the public as a picnic ground, subject to established regula-
tions for their use. Scups and swings were placed about the woods,
together with tables and seats, for the pleasure and convenience of
these gatherings. A temporary waiting-room was put up on the
grounds for the convenience of women and children.

During the ensuing season, over 75 picnic parties, numbering
from 100 to 500 persons, under the auspices of churches, Sunday-
schools, and other societies, made use of these grounds.

SKATING.

The first skating season was inaugurated on Saturday, January
11th, and, with the exception of five days (January 21st, 22d, 23d,
24th, and 27th), was uninterrupted until its close, on Saturday,
March 11th—forty-four days. The pond covered an area of be-
tween four and five acres, with suitable accommodations for the
public.

The second season commenced on Saturday, December 12th, and
and, with the exception of two days (December 17th and 21st),
continued until the 31st of December, as late a day as this report
is intended to cover, giving a total of sixty-two skating days for the
year.

The skating area has been enlarged from four and a half to
twelve acres, with increased accommodations for the public use,
During the skating season of 1868, over 200,000 persons visited the
pond. The number of visitors to the pond on Christmas day was
21,000.

MISCELLANEOUS STATISTICS.

During the summer season two temporary places for refreshment
were provided on the park. One of these was located in the East
Woods, and the other and larger one in the West Woods or pic-nic
grounds.

Twenty-four drinking stations were provided during the warm
weather, to which cool water was constantly supplied by water carts.
Temporary water closets were established in three localities. Nine
large swings and twenty-one small scups were placed about the East
and West Woods, at convenient points for the use of the public.

=

305

During the year, 103 park seats of iron and wood, 7 feet long ; 45
park seats of iron and wood, 5 feet long, and 60 park seats of iron
and wood, 4 feet long, have been placed about the park; also 18
tables, 12 feet long by 3 feet wide, each, and 24 camp stools, for the
use of pic-nie gatherings. One rustic thatched roof summer house
and one vinery, 82 settees and 46 bird-houses have been made during
the year.

CARROLL PARK.

Two lodges have been erected. One ornamental flag-staff, a fixed
frame swing, fifty-two park seats aof iron and wood were placed at
convenient points about the park. One hundred and fifty bird-houses
for the use of the sparrows were put up in the trees.

SUPPLIES.

The usual annual statement herewith annexed comprehends under
its different divisions the receipts and issues of supplies, together
with the stock on hand. This statement shows the material, &c., re-
ceived each year, and the aggregate of each article to January Ist,
1869.

TOOLS, IMPLEMENTS AND MACHINERY,

At this season of the year, all tools, implements, &e., not needed
for use are collected and stored under cover, and are overhauled and
put into serviceable condition for spring work. Derricks, gearing,
trucks, &c., are painted, impaired iron and wood work replaced and
stored under cover until needed.

TREES AND SHRUBS.

The following statement shows the number of deciduous trees,
shrubs, evergreens, &c., purchased during the year; also the stock
of the same in the nursery, together with quantities planted dur-
ing the year:

STATEMENT SHOWING THE NUMBER OF TREES, SHRUBS, ETC., RECEIVED
DURING THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 81st, 1861.

|
Herbaceous Wild
Trees. Shrubs. Evergreens. Vines. Ferns. Plants. Shrubs.
9,637 56,335 20,718 2,256 1,900 291 15,252

3,500 to 4,000 creeping vines (Periwinkle); about 5,000 wild
trees and shrubs were selected and removed from the commons

west of the office.
20

306

STOCK IN NURSERY, DECEMBER 31st, 1868.

Deciduous

Deciduous Evergreens. Shrubs Vines. Aggregate.

Trees.

17,546 29,720 63,850 4,958 116,069

STATEMENT SHOWING THE NUMBER®OF TREES, SHRUBS, ETC., PLANTED
DURING THE YEAR.

Herbaceous
Plants.

Deciduous | Hvergreens, ae Vines,

Trees. Ferns, Total.

2,881 2,184 16,558 3,498 3,264 1,530 29,9138

FERTILIZING MATERIALS.

The following quantities of manure, night soil and fertilizing
materials have been received and are on hand:

2,021 two horse loads of horse manure, (1,454 loads of this have
been received under contract, from the several City R. R.
stables.)

753 loads of night soil, (used in composting.)
661 bbls. of fish offal.
21,427 lbs. of super phosphate of lime.
700 bushels of shell lime.
275 loads of lime, (mixed with peat.)

Quantities of compost on hand:

PROSPECT PARK,

Stable manure, compost.............2.- ..-. 4,480 cubic yards.
Night soil RON hr aia Ghar tolera Save bus oe ratete fare Parente se
Fish gE dik, sr acaiabeto tr nieie leiass etetorete 835 .

Peat and lime Ee sae vate Te aticuw Ove jataee late ete era ‘

WASHINGTON PARK.

Stable manure, composts’. ewe, ccm so ssi cs slot ols 875 cubic yards.

Of the large quantity of dimension stone ordered during the year,
the greater part is for bridge A and F, (incomplete at this time),
and is now on hand. Bridge A is to be built of Ohio sandstone, all
of which is on hand and in process of cutting. Bridge F is of
Ohio stone and Quincey granite. The Ohio stone is on hand, and
cutting nearly complete. The granite is mainly delivered and in
process of cutting. Suitable quantities of brick and cement were
purchased before the close of the year, ready for early spring work
on these structures.

JOHN Y. CULYER,
Assistant Engineer in Charge.

AGVd LtIUsaSUda

‘SSHNOONOD JOVINYVO 3HL NO G3L03uN9 AA OL GISOdOUd YALTAHS

TENTH ANNUAL REPORT

Commussroners or Prospect Park.

t pete |
JANUARY, 1870:

COMMISSION ERS.
JAMES S, T. STRANAHAN, ABIEL A. LOW,
WALTER S. GRIFFITH, SEYMOUR L. HUSTED,
JOHN H. PRENTICE, ABRAHAM B. BAYLIS,
EDWARDS W. FISKE, STEPHEN HAYNES,
WILLIAM MARSHALL, ISAAC VAN ANDEN,

MARTIN KALBFLEISCH, £x off.

PRESIDENT.

JAMES 8. T. STRANAHAN.

SECRETARY.

JOHN H. PRENTICE.

COMPTROLLER AND COUNSEL.
JOHN N. TAYLOR.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS AND SUPERINTENDENTS.

OLMSTED, VAUX & CO.

ENGINEER IN CHARGE.
CHARLES C. MARTIN.

ASSISTANT ENGINEERS IN CHARGE.
JOHN BOGART, JOHN Y. CULYER.

TENTH ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

COMMISSIONERS OF PROSPECT PARK.

To THz Honoraste tHE Mayor anp (Common Covncin oF THE
Crry or Brooxiyn:

The Brooklyn Park Commissioners respectfully submit to
the Common Council of the city this report of their proceed-
ings for the year 1869, with a statement of their receipts and
expenditures for the same period.

Their last report referred to the proceedings of Commission-
ers who had recently been appointed by the Supreme Court to
estimate the value of land added to Prospect Park at its west-
ern angle, and suggested the hope that their forthcoming report
on damages, would be of such a character as to justify the
board in asking the Supreme Court to ratify and confirm the
same. The report was soon afterwards presented to the board,
and awarded to the owners of land the damages sustained by
them, amounting in the whole to one million seven hundred
and five thousand two hundred and forty-eight dollars and
thirty-two cents. This amount, however, included the expense
of the proceedings, together with the expense of the subsequent
proceedings to assess property adjacent to the park for special
benefit, which yet remains to be done. Although the estimate
seemed large when compared with former prices, it was the
result of a fair and impartial examination of the claims of the
parties in interest, made by five of our most judicious and reli-
able citizens; and there was no question that the property had
been greatly increased in value by its immediate contiguity to
the park, during the time that its acquisition had been unfor-

312

tunately delayed by legislative inaction.. The board also con-
sidered the great importance, if not the absolute necessity, of
this addition to the park, and did not therefore hesitate to
accept the report of the Commissioners, and apply to the court
for its confirmation. The bonds authorized by law were at
once issued by the city authorities, and met with a ready sale.
The awards for land taken were promptly paid, and the board
forthwith entered into possession of the premises. In an
artistic point of view this acquisition fully justifies the high
expectations of its value originally entertained by the board.
And if we are to judge from the unqualified expressions of ad-
miration with which the subsequent opening of the drive
through these beautifully wooded and picturesque grounds has
been greeted, the board are well assured that public sentiment
entirely approves of their action in this behalf.

The same Commissioners are now rapidly proceeding with
the assessment which the law directs them to make upon prop-
erty specially benefited by the opening of the park. And the
board have reason to expect that when that Commission shall
have finished their work, and their assessment collected, park
indebtedness will.have been very largely diminished. It is but
justice to the Assessment Commissioners to add that they are
engaged in an arduous and important work; that their opera-
tions extend over a large district of country, and that, they
have been prevented by the terms of the law from commencing
their labors until after the confirmation of the last report on
land taken for park extension.

The Commissioners were much pleased to find that the sub-
ject of laying out streets and avenues through the County of
Kings, so as to conform, as nearly as may be practicable and
judicious, to the streets and avenues of our city, to which sub-
ject they have repeatedly called the attention of the Common
Council, was acted upon by the Legislature at its last session.
The present supervisors of the county towns, in conjunction
with the President of the Board of Supervisors, were appointed
a Board of Commissioners for the purpose of maturing a per-
manent plan of improvement. That board have since appointed
an experienced surveyor to make the requisite examinations,
and to prepare a map of the streets and avenues upon a plan

—

315

suggested by them; and it is understood that the result of their
labors will soon be submitted to public inspection.

One of the most striking features of the new plan, bearing
directly upon the interests of the park, and of our city, will be
found to be a noble avenue, two hundred and ten feet wide,
stretching southerly from Prospect Park towards Coney Island,
but terminating for the present at the newly established Fair
Grounds. This avenue will form another grand approach to
the park, and is to be laid out under the liberal auspices of the
owners of the land through which it passes, at their own ex-
pense, and has been placed under the control and management
of the Park Commissioners.

This splendid improvement is similar to that which was
formerly suggested by the board on the line of Sackett street,
as a suitable approach to the park from the east, and will soon
be thrown open to public use; and when properly regulated,
planted with shade trees, and extended to the ocean, termina-
ting in a broad terrace upon the beach as it must eventually do,
will form a most attractive sea-side promenade and drive.

The enterprise of our neighbors has also placed another fine
improvement in the hands of the Park Commissioners, which
consists in the widening of the Coney Island road to the width
of one hundred feet, thereby opening up a direct avenue to the
sea, and at the same time throwing open to the public¢ another
opportunity of selecting sites for suburban residence unequaled
for beauty of situation, for salubrity of air, and for convenient
access to business centers by any locality on the island.

By means of these and of other kindred improvements con-
nected with park extension, in which the board have been en-
gaged, land throughout the County of Kings has greatly
increased in value, the taxable property in the rural districts
having been nearly doubled during the last four years. While
we rejoice with our friends in the country towns that they are
the fortunate possessors of such valuable property, we heartily
congratulate our citizens at large upon the splendid opportuni-
ties of improvement which are about to be thrown open to
them. It is thus, in connection with those magnificent enter-
prises of bridging and tunneling the East River, which have
already engaged the attention of the Common Council, that
the board expect to realize those broad plans of public improve-

314

ment which they have from time to time suggested, by their
annual reports and otherwise, as opportunity presented ; and it
is thus that they hope to establish for Brooklyn that reputation
which she justly merits, of a highly favored quarter of the
great metropolis of this Western world, possessing superior
natural advantages in many respects over her more wealthy
neighbor, but particularly as a healthful and desirable place of
residence for her men of business.

The success of our’ park enterprise, now so generally ad-
mitted, is believed to have contributed largely to the produc-
tion of the increased values to which the Commissioners have
referred. On reference to the assessment rolls of the city’s
property, they find that since the commencement of active
operations on the park, there has been added to her tax list the
large amount of $77,282,410, the Board of Assessors having
felt themselves justified by its very obvious increase in adding
25 per cent. to the list of her taxable property for the year 1869.
The amount of such property is now $196,624,110, while in
the rural districts it is $11,808,933, making the total amount
now standing on the assessor’s books, $208,433,043, nearly two-
fifths thereof having been added since the period above referred
to. It should be observed, also, in order to a proper apprecia-
tion of these facts, that a large portion of this increase, to wit:
the sum of $32,820,059, has arisen in the wards immediately
surrounding the park, including the town of Flatbush, thereby
increasing the city’s annual income nearly a million of dollars.

The rapid increase of our population, as well as the number
of houses built for their accommodation, fully sustains the
action of the assessors. ‘During the time referred to, our city
has trebled its former annual rate of house building, and she
has actually erected nearly one-half more houses within the last
three years than were built in the aty of New York. That
our territorial expansion corresponds therewith appears from
the many miles of new streets opened, graded and paved within
the past year, while more than eight additional miles of re-
pavement, having an improved surface which supersedes the
old fashioned cobble stone pavement, has opened up several
direct and easy approaches to the park. The population of
our city, also, according to the statistics of the past forty years,
has been found to double in rather less than twelve years, the

515

increase of New York being at about one-half that rate; so
that, unless New York shall speedily absorb all the southern
towns of Westchester, or unless some unforeseen check shall be
given to our progress, we must expect to gain yearly upon her
until we shall become the larger of the two cities, an event
which, in the ordinary course of things, must occur before the
close of the present century. Such a demand upon the respir-
atory and sanitary resources of our city has never yet occurred
in the history of any people, and should convince us of the
immense importance of securing parks and open planted spaces
of every description in advance, and wherever it may be prac-
ticable, as lungs for this great population.

But the question with which our city, as a municipality,
is more immediately concerned, at this time, is not so much
the numerical increase of her population as its character, chiefly
in reference to its ability to pay taxes and make the improve-
ments we require. One of the chief difficulties under which
we have labored, and still do labor, consists in the comparatively
low valuation of our property. A house on 2,500 square feet
of ground, worth perhaps only a thousand dollars, costs as much
for the repair of streets, for lamps, police, and the other ma-
chinery of city government, as the house paying taxes on
$20,000. Our constant aim, therefore, should be to increase
these valuations, by holding out such inducements to men of
wealth and taste, in the way of improved streets, increased park
accommodations and other social advantages, as will make
Brooklyn a more desirable place of residence for them than any
other city.

It will be remembered that the present Park Commissioners,
with two or three exceptions, were appointed in 1864. Upon
their accession to office, they found that a fresh impetus had
been everywhere given to park enterprise by the liberal views
then recently adopted for laying out large parks in New York,
Philadelphia and Baltimore ; and our city’s need of a first-class
park could no longer be satisfied with the very moderate
dimensions assigned to Prospect Park by the law of 1860.
This necessarily led to a review of the whole subject of boun-
daries, including various questions of entries and approaches,
as necessarily connected therewith. The plan of improvement
also, as originally suggested, for reasons which do not now re-

*

316

quire any detailed statement, failed to receive the approval of
the reorganized board. No principal entrance, or none suited
to the dignity of a large park, had been provided, and they
deemed it proper, therefore, to apply to the Legislature at
once for authority to annex so much additional land as was
necessary to form what now constitutes the Plaza.

Nor upon the question of boundaries could they satisfy
themselves that the ground which had been taken was all that-
was required in respect to extent or opportunity of improve-
ment, and least of all that the land on the east side of Flatbush
avenue, in consequence mainly of its isolated and disjointed
character, could be made to harmonize in any tolerable degree
with the fine park land on the other side. They consequently
proceeded to mature a plan which they thought better suited
to the character of a first-class park, which added very con-
siderably to the dimensions of the original plan, but extended
it in a direction in which land was cheapest, and fortunately
best adapted to park purposes, while it took nothing from our
own taxable property. Their report upon this plan, with a full
explanation of its details, and a map showing the contemplated
change of boundaries, with the proposed abandonment for park
uses of the land east of Flatbush avenue, was thereupon printed
and extensively circulated throughout the community, and re-
ceived a very decided and unqualified approval. And the
Commissioners here deem it worthy of notice in passing, that
the map annexed to that report is the same design, without
material alteration or addition, upon which the engineers of
the board have been working from the beginning of their oper-
ations, and upon which they still continue to work.

Being satisfied with the favorable expression of public °
opinion thus obtained, the Commissioners applied to the Legis-
lature for the additional territory required to carry out their
enlarged plan of improvement, at the same time asking for
authority to sell so much of the land on the east side of Flat-
bush avenue as was not embraced in the plan, in order that
they might have means to pay for what they proposed to annex
on the other side. They obtained a portion of the land re-
quired, but, much to their regret, were refused the fifty acres
referred to in a former part of this report, and which consti-
tuted one of the prominent features of their design. Their re-

317

quest for permission to sell was also denied, although it had
received the approval of the Senate, and is believed to have
influenced that body in the passage of the bill for park exten-
sion, which was acted upon by them on the same day.

After park areas had been thus far extended, the Commis-
sioners, hoping that the residue of the land required to carry
out the improved plan would yet be conceded to them, deemed
it expedient to commence the improvement. They began upon
that part of the ground which was originally selected for a
park, and where their expenditures had been limited in amount;
but it proved to be the most difticult, and consequently the
most expensive to operate upon. Among other difficulties, it
became necessary to accommodate the park grades to those
established for the surrounding streets of the city, which grades
had recently been much reduced; and the transformation of
the ground to meet these changes could only be accomplished
at very considerable expense. The Commissioners, however,
believe that the expenditure is not to be regretted, and they
take this opportunity of expressing the opinion that the style
and finish with which this as well as other park improvements
have been executed have had much to do with the great in-
crease of values to which they have above referred. It was not
so much the fact that Brooklyn was to have a large park, as it
was the discovery, that her park was to possess an artistic
beauty and finish equal to any park extant, which was to sus-
tain her in her competition with the parks of other cities.

The Commissioners have claimed for Brooklyn the advan-
tage of being a more desirable place of residence in many re-
spects than New York, and they think it can be readily shown
that she possesses finer sites for city residences, in connection
with the refined enjoyments of a park, than can be found in
that city. She has even now under her own control a district
of country, east of Flatbush avenue, in the highest degree
attractive, and which, if properly improved, would open up
another large district southerly and easterly therefrom, to the
immense advantage of our city, both socially and financially.
But in order to develop these advantages fully, they think it
‘will be necessary to revise the whole street plan of this quarter
-of the city while it is yet under easy municipal control, and to
lay it out anew in such a way as will not only be much more

318

convenient and useful to the public than it would be under any
other plan yet suggested, but must make it perfectly* apparent
that we have in Brooklyn, in close connection with our park,
more desirable places of residence than can be found elsewhere
in any city. The lower portion of the map which is annexed
to this report will further explain this last suggestion of the
Commissioners, while it also indicates the location and extent
of land which they propose to sell.

If sold, it would of course be with proper restrictions in re-
gard to the character of the improvements to be made upon it,
and with suitable reservations of streets and avenues. The
Commissioners intend to reserve, besides the avenues which
they propose to lay out with wide planted borders, and the
reservoir ground, with an ornamental garden around it, a body
of land two hundred and sixty feet in depth fronting the park,
to be held by the city as a site for public buildings and institu-
tions, as stated in their last annual report.

They do not propose to interrupt, but to improve and
amplify all the direct lines of communication through the dis-
trict east of the park, retaining for park purposes every foot of
land from which a view of the bay or of the sea can be had.
But after making all these reservations, there will still remain
a body of over one hundred acres of land to be disposed of with
such restrictions as will insure the erection upon it of strictly
first class dwelling houses. A former report estimated the pro-
ceeds of such sale at two and a half millions of dollars, but the
Commissioners are advised that their estimate was too low by at
least half a million of dollars. If to this is added a million for
its improvement when retained as a park, which the experience of
the Commissioners in dealing with ground of a similar character
on the other side of the avenue induces them to believe would
be a fair estimate of the espense, the difference to the city be-
tween selling and retaining this land will amount to at least
four millions of dollars. But this is not all; for if we double
the price of the land, as a fair representation of the value of the
buildings which would probably be erected upon it, we shall
add immensely to the taxable property of our city, besides in-
creasing her annual revenue by at least half a million of dol-
lars.

The general views upon the subject of a sale here pre-

319

sented were more fully expressed by the President of this Com-
mission, at a public diseussion of the matter, to which the Park
Commissioners invited their fellow citizens last spring, at the
Court House ; and they now append a copy of the statement
then made, respectfully soliciting a candid consideration of the
arguments therein contained.

With regard to the ability of the city to make a good title
to the land proposed to be sold, the Commissioners entertain no
doubt. When this land was first taken, and it became neces-
sary to raise money for the payment of awards, city bonds were
issued and put upon the market for sale. The chief security
for these bonds consisted in a statutory lien upon the park, and
it was objected by capitalists—but erroneously, in the opinion
of the Commissioners—that, for-asmuch as the city had
not the fee of the land, but took merely an easement, similar
to that by which a street is held, if the holder of the security
should be compelled to realize, he could have no permanent
possession of the land, since it would revert to the owner of the
fee as soon as it ceased to be used for park purposes. In this
respect the security seemed to be inferior to that of the city’s
water bonds, where the entire property of the department,
including reservoirs, pipes and hydrants is pledged for
payment. In order, however, to quiet the fears of the
timid, and to furnish a new credit for park bonds, which
should make them equal in every respect to the water
bonds, an act of the Legislature was passed in the spring of
1865, authorizing proceedings to be taken for the purpose of
transferring the ultimate fee of the land to the city, if, per-
chance, it had not already vested under the original act. Such
proceedings were accordingly had, the residuary interest of the
owners was valued by Commissioners appointed by the Su-
preme Court, and payment made to the parties. This payment
necessarily included the whole value of the inheritance, leaving
nothing further to be paid to the owners at any time or under
any circumstances. It was the full market value of the land
at the time, and no objection was ever made to such valuations
by the parties in interest.

The validity of a similar act of the Legislature was sus-
tained by the Court of Appeals, in this State, where grounds,
which the city of New York had taken* for public purposes,
were sold under similar circumstances. The court held, not

320

only that the Legislature had power to authorize a municipal
corporation to acquire a full title to the lands of private per-
sons required for such purposes, upon the payment of a just
compensation, to be fixed by Commissioners appointed by the
court; but that when so acquired, no reversionary estate
remained in the former proprietors. It held, furthermore,
that if the public exigencies required the subsequent conversion
of lands thus acquired to some other purpose than that for
which they were originally taken, they might be converted
and. sold without accountability to the former proprietors.
And this decision appears to the Commissioners to be mani-
festly equitable and just, for if, when the particular object for
which land was taken had ceased to exist, it should by any
operation of law be allowed to return to the owners, they
having received full compensation for their relinquishment of
it to the public use, it must necessarily follow that they would
not only have their land again, but its price also. No one,
we think, will fail to see the iniquity of such an extraordinary
result as is here suggested.

The owners, then, having received payment in full, and the
fee of the land being absolutely vested in the city, the Com-
missioners are satisfied that, if the Legislature concur in a sale,
there can be no difficulty in making title. There is, of course,
no longer any other outstanding interest, unless it be that of
the bondholders, and their interest will be effectually protected
by placing the whole proceeds of sale in the hands of the Com-
missioners of the Sinking Fund, for the redemption of their
bonds.

As part of the history of our proceedings during the year,
we are here obliged to refer to a proposition made to the board,
on the part of some gentlemen residing in the Ninth and Twen-
tieth Wards of the city, to enter into a contract with them for
the improvement of this portion of park land. Their proposal,
with the report of the committee to whom the matter was re-
ferred, is appended to this report, and fully explains the reasons
of the board in declining to enter into such a contract.

The Commisioners cannot take leave of this subject without
again expressing their thorough conviction of the propriety, if
not the necessity, in view of the city’s extended financial obliga-
tions, of making a fresh disposition of the land on the east side
of the avenue, so that it may be laid out and sold under their

321

direction, in a way which they think will not only benefit the
park by giving it proper approaches from the north and east ;
but will, at the same time, add largely to the value of property
in its vicinity, and establish the secular character of this whole
quarter of the city upon an entirely new basis.

During the past season, the work of construction has gone
forward upon all the parks under the control of the Commis-
sioners with as much rapidity as was practicable, and they
respectfully refer to the reports of their landscape architects
and engineers, which are hereto annexed, for a full detail of the
various operations in which they have been engaged. The
whole aréa under treatment, thus far, is 852 acres in Prospect
Park, and 30 acres on Washington Park; 255 acres of the
former park, consisting of woodland, shubbery and meadow,’
with the intervening roads, walks and waters, are now complete.
The finished drives extend over a space of five miles in length,
and the bridle-paths an equal distance. Of finished walks we
have over five miles, with four additional miles in progress.
And the construction of the whole design, with a slight excep-
tion, may now be said to be complete east of a line drawn
through the middle of the park. Work is more or less ad-
vanced over the entire residue of the park, and the greater part
of it can, in the opinion of our architects, be adapted to public
use, in the course of another season.

One of the most interesting incidents of the year’s progress
has been the completion of the great well and water-works con-

nected therewith. A full description of this fine specimen of
engineering skill, and of the very satisfactory results which
have been obtained, will be found in the able report of Mr.
Martin, the Engineer-in-chief. The board have now no doubt
that the supply of pure spring water from this source will be
amply sufficient to keep the extensive ornamental waters of this
park in a good healthy condition, independent of any other
supply.

The work on Washington Park has been diligently prose-
cuted, and its interior improvement is now so nearly complete
as to justify the erection of the stone wall which is now engag-
ing the attention of the architects, and will speedily enclose
this popular resort. <A tasteful design for the vault to be erected
in this park for the reception of the remains of the Prison Ship

21

322

Martyrs, has been prepared, and is under advisement by the
board. The matter will continue to receive that degree of con-
sideration which it so justly deserves.

Tompkins Park, which is laid out in a rapidly growing
quarter of the city, was ‘recently placed under the charge of
the board ; but no provision seems to have been made for its
improvement, and the Commissioners have consequently been
unable to do anything further than to protect the property from
depredation. They trust, however, that authority will be given
by the present Legislature to raise money sufficient to improve
this park in a style corresponding with the other small parks of
Brooklyn. . ‘

The parade ground is now in complete order, and has during
the last season witnessed some of the finest displays of our citi-
zen soldiery ever exhibited in Kings county. In addition to
the trees planted and roads worked, a substantial shelter-house,
with suitable accommodations for the military on parade days,
has been erected on the ground ; the main building being forty
feet square, with wings extended to the distance of sixty-four
feet on each side.

During the past year nothing of any importance has been
done towards the improvement of the City Park. It is, in fact,
becoming every day more evident, as the superior attractions of
Washington Park are being developed, that the City Park is
not likely, for some time to come, to be used to any extent as
a pleasure ground. When the population of that quarter of the
_ city shall have crowded Washington Park beyond its capacity,
and shall require greater park facilities than are now afforded
by its beautiful slopes and hills, or when our city’s debt shall
have been brought within such easy and reasonable proportions
as shall cease to be a serious burden to our taxpayers, the
discussion of the best method of fitting up the City Park as
a place of amusement may be resumed with advantage ; but
at present the Commissioners deem it unwise and impolitic
to expend upon it that amount of money and of labor which
would be required to render it at all suitable for such a
purpose.

It may be many years before the public accommodation
will justify such an expenditure: but in the mean time the
property may and should be put to some profitable use. Its

323

advantages as a market site were set forth in a former report
‘of the Commissioners, and need not here be repeated. Public
opinion seems fully to have endorsed their recommendation to
use it for the purposes of a general public market; and they
hoped that some action of the Common Council would ere this
have resulted in the establishment of that much needed public
accommodation. But no such movement having been made,
they think they should no longer delay to act upon that require-
ment of the law which placed this park under their supervision
and renders it obligatory upon them to suggest to the Legisla-
ture such further legislation in regard to all the Brooklyn parks
as they shall deem advisable. They intend, therefore, to lay
the whole subject before the Legislature at its present session,
and to suggest the use of this park for a public market, until
it shall be found expedient to resume its use asa park, believing
that an economical pian of improvement may be adopted, which
will greatly ‘enhance the value of the surrounding property,
and be at the same time productive of a handsome revenue
to the city, which may be devoted to the improvement and
maintenance of the other city parks, or used in liquidation
of the general park indebtedness,'as may be deemed most
expedient.

The unveiling of the Lincoln statue erected upon the Plaza
of Prospect Park by the dollar subscriptions of our people,
under the management of the War Fund Committee of Kings
County, formed an epoch in the history of our city, as well as
of our park, and gave occasion to an interesting display of taste
and of patriotism. A. A. Low, Esq., officiated as the presiding
officer, and delivered the opening address; after which the
statue was duly presented by James P. Wallace, Esq., on be-
half of the committee, and was received by the President of this
Commission in terms befitting the occasion. The several
addresses made by these gentlemen will be found appended to
this report, but the Commissioners regret that they are unable
to include the admirable address of the Rev. Dr. R. 8. Storrs,
which was delivered at the same time in honor of the event.

A financial statement of the receipts and expenditures of the
Commission for the current year forms part of this report, and
is applicable to the construction of all the smaller city parks, as
well as of Erospect Park. It includes also, a detail of the ex-

24

penditures upon each park, with the object of such expendi-
ture. In addition thereto will be found a statement of the fund
for the general maintenance of the parks now under the charge of
the Commissioners, which was leviedin the tax of the previous
year and placed in their hands for that purpose. The amount
received on this account, it will be seen, was not sufficient to
defray the expenses of the year, and the deficiency must neces-
sarily be made up temporarily from the maintenance fund of the
year 1870. When the requisition for this fund was made upon
the joint Board of Common Council and Supervisors, as author-
ized by the law of 1868, it was, of course, in advance of the
expenditure, and with an uncertainty as to the particular
amount which would be required for the purpose, the Board
having up to that time no specific data upon which to base
their estimate. But experience has shown that their former
estimate of the expense of maintaining the parks was too low,
and that for the future the amount which will be required to
be raised for maintenance will not be less than the whole sum
authorized by law to be expended on this account.

It will be observed, also, that the fund for the construction
of Prospect Park has now reached the limit assigned to it by
the law of 1868, and as an application must be made to the
Legislature for additional means with which to finish this park,
it may not be improper to glance at the history of past legisla-
tion, as connected therewith. The law of 1860, which organized
the first Board of Commissioners, and gave form and feature to
the original park enterprise of our city, directed that no plan

for the improvement of the land thereby placed under their

charge should be adopted or undertaken of which the entire
expense, When funded, would require for the payment of its
annual interest a greater sum than $30,000 per annum. This
amount was slightly modified by the amended act of the next
year, which limited the cost of improvement to $500,000, and
was adapted to the simple and inexpensive style of improve-
ment originally suggested for this park. The restriction, of
course, applied only to the comparatively small portions of land
lying in the vicinity of Flatbush avenue, as contemplated by
the act of 1860, and had no reference to the enlarged park
which was subsequently placed under the charge of the reor-
ganized Board. In their first expenditures of money, the Com-

ell

325

missioners confined themselves to this amount so long as they
were operating upon land within the original park boundaries ;
but by the act of 1866, which extended the park area to very
nearly its present dimensions—228 acres having been added—
anew and entirely different style of improvement was adopted,
requiring the expenditure of more money. The former restric-
tion was accordingly removed, and the Commissioners were
authorized to expend such reasonable amounts for improvement
as should be found necessary, and the city authorities were
directed to issue bonds and furnish means upon the requisition
of this Board, in the same manner as they had been directed to
do under the former act. This arrangement continued until
1868, when the improvement fund was limited to three millions
of dollars, including the bonds which had been previously
issued,

This limit, as we have said, has now been reached, but a
very considerable portion of the park, including the fifty acres
recently annexed, yet remains to be improved, and the Commis-
sioners will be obliged to suspend further operations until the
Legislature shall have provided means for its. completion. As
to the exact amount which will yet be required for this pur-
pose, the Commissioners can make no very definite statement.
A fine work of art, such as the regulation and embellishment of
a park of this description, cannot properly be executed by con-
tract, but in the judgment of the Commissioners the amount
required will not exceed two millions of dollars.

Before closing their report, it may not be uninteresting to
the taxpayers of our city for the Commissioners to state the
extent of the burden which park enterprise now imposes upon
our city. The amount awarded for land first purchased for
Prospect Park, on the 15th of June, 1864, including expenses,
as appears from the official report filed in the County Clerk’s

office, was:..... a Puetar ee ts. Meme at ese toe Ploor, 0000 au
For ‘he second purchase on the sth February,

PSGGS SS akare. We area eave Ue aie cra 158,558 40
For the third purchase, on the 27th May, 1867. = 752,745 02

And for the fourth and last purchase, on the
Pommar Siprie WeGderrs Vo ais oo oss been! 1,105, 20eeee

PGi goer Gheltcigit ly os tan oa 2h SOOT LO OMOD
.

326

From this deduct the amount awarded to the
city for a strip of land, thirty feet wide,
taken from the park for the widening of
Vanderbilt avenue, and paid into the sink-
ing fund to be applied in the redemption of

park bOMGG ena ticle Ld ced ek aoe ete 28,509 60

and the present cost of all the land pur-

chased: wall. bei). iliac sie ote ee tee $3,975,648 41
If to this.we add the amount authorized to be

expended for improvement ...2/. s. siviva: 3 3,000,000 00

the total indebtedness of the city at this
time, on account of this park, will be..... $6,975,648 41

But no solicitude need be felt by our citizens on the score
of expense. Ina merely pecuniary point of view, and without
regard to the immense social and moral considerations involved
in the possession and use of such a park, the acquisition of the
property is proving, as we have shown, a spendid investment
for the city, and every dollar now expended upon it will add to
its permanent value. This property has cost say seven millions
of dollars, but if sold to-day it would realize more than enough
to pay the whole debt of the city; and long before the bonds
issued for its purchase shall have matured, it will, in all proba-
bility, be worth ten times its cost, besides giving an impetus to
property in its neighborhood that will afford a tax more than
suflicient to pay the interest on its cost, and liquidate the en-
tire debt at maturity, without adding anything to the general
taxation.

Dated January 11th, 1870.

JAS. 8. T, STRANAHAN,
President.

JOHN H. PRENTICE,

Secretary.
JOHN N. TAYLOR,

Comptroller.

7

AN ABSTRACT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT
OF THE
Pape OK LYN PARK. C:OMMISS LON

For THE YEAR 1869.

CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT.

The total receipts on account of Prosprcr Parx during the year
_ 1869, were :

Balance of cash in bank, January Ist...........-..- $40,223 78
Received from Treasurer of the City..... $740,000 00
ts “* — Rents of houses in the park 6,142 01
_ “ Sales of old houses....... 2,022 00
‘ “ Wood, grass and old ma-
Gerials ds cttae ene aethes 1,193 62
sé “Interest on bank balances. 5,519 91
a: Cr PME OSECLOOl S25) aie inv sh 5:0 ie. 2 40
es SC ean Atle OPNCiie Sak arsine sss 568 00
$ “¢ Labor furnished contractor 309 36
“ “Parade ground for improv-
ing Franklin avenue... 4,613 32

—— 760,370 62

$800,594 40

The total expenditures on this park for the same time were:

Paid salaries, Comptroller, Superintendent,

Landscape Architect and Engineers $25,666 30
Surveyors, draughtsmen and assistants 28,521 50
Laborers, mechanics, horses and carts 501,651 58
Materials of construction, tools and

SES GEUIONES (oes) soe Siorshe a ais Sue eee 162,871 52
“ Stationery, printing and drawing ma-

PENTA Seicrei sere < lie Di i fa-auahio ci aitine atule o's 4,527 24
“ Fitting up offices, rent and repairs... 3,385 04
Trees, plants and shrubs ........... 7,099 15
“Manure and other fertilizers........ 1,031 18
“« ‘Water pipe and hydrants........... 15,532 51
SAMA CAIBAS OG PIPC. 26s vieie.c 6 esieid ss 05s 3,420 42
“Patent pavements.......e.eeeseees 12,974 52

. —— 766,680 96
“ Balance to credit of Prospect Park, Dec. 31, 1869 33,913 44

$800,594 40

328

The total receipts and expenditures on account of WasuinerTon,
Carrout, Crry Hatt and Crry Parxs were: *

Balanecxor Casi, Can wl stn als cals \s <tc ¢ ora l6 «/o)n ices oie $46,973 47
Transferred from City Hall Park to maintenance..... 121 66
‘$47,095 13

The total expenditures were :

WASHINGTON PARK.

Paid Surveyor and assistants ........... $3,937 28 »
Materials of construction and tools....... 6,309 95
IVMEANTIEG ci ¥ leit anie aie tel ces ete wo eieto moines siete 971 82
MAAS! UPC! sae: /< ¢ apelere ori iayai eo nee asi 908 30
Laborers, horses and carts...........00 33,397 36
Trees, plants and shrubs v0...) 20.. seis s16 1,834 09
Patenb Pavements: iis )-\9% cites -eleleie =i 4,048 01
== — $51,406 81
CARROLL PARK.
Materials of construction and tools....... 280 52
Laborers, horses and carts...........+8 311 24
Ina 28"). a eles ore ies cis a elinic wire ee eile 7 00
recs and. plants'\. .cs..2 «\s, suis aie ere misieisto 64 54
—— 663 30
CITY PARK.
Laborers, horses and carts........... che Sete Cie coiy a Sane 44 27
$52,114 38

PARADE GROUND.

The total receipts on account of the Parapr Grounp during the year
1869 were:

Balance of cash in bank, January Ist..... $4,425 43

Irom ityia CeCASUTCD.. ic. <2 pain claw s/he sare 13,630 00

; —— $18,055 43

The TOTAL EXPENDITURES for the same time were:

Paid surveyors and assistants........... $405 28
«‘ Materials of construction.........-. 2,788 71
“ Keepers, mechanics, laborers and

EATS Sb role wivisitts os So vein sis 4,510 69

Regulating and grading Franklinay. 4,613 32

-“ On account of lodge and shelter..... 6,560 00
—— $18,818 00

329

MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT.

Received from the city for the maintenance of all the
[0 RIG OG ee OOPR OI tee eS --+ $68,400 00

Expended on the same account :

g ’
TERVOROSs = 3 sje,evets SPABSIGY |forcie at apallis.cesine 25.5 Gieioicetse ic lise Seles
MAW AIKS cys ieceie: 628 88) $467 18) $104 37} $109 99)$109 19
3. Structures... 893 57 3 51 13891} 51095) 21 93
4. Plantations ...| 16,660 96| 1,94761| 214138 48 36| 231 37
DiMVaters). ce c.s.e 5,148 06) 3848 38 Git 0)| esongsSellaac]epoo
6. Drainage ..... 1,254 89 34 84 3 MON edocs so ee Gas)
Tee UCGatyon cae cane. DRO DUNS OI errors « eget ate aartyn | Rccyeoretey ats | ateatsiere’s
Sry lool since os 799 MY) Boe care Spocanekbododoe
QHIKCEPCTS) . 250. - 42,962 29| 2,115 74) 1,028 17 SEDI OA eroierers tes
10. General. ...... 2,927 90 1518 2S18iT|eretetaeee see 6 70)
—EEEEE— EE _ —_————S— | |
Potal tee, ss eis $79,489 62'$4,987 hes 55/$1,011 51\$370 67 $87,218 33

Deficiency of maintenance for 1869................ $18,818 33

EXPLANATION OF THE FOREGOING STATEMENT.

1. Roaps.—Under this head are included repairs of road-beds,
breaking stone for roads—gravel or other surface dressing—
rolling same, and repairing and cleaning silt basins used on
roads.

2. Waxxs.—Includes similar items, so far as applicable to walks.

3. Structures.—Includes everything necessary to keep bridges,
buildings, and other structures in repair.

4, Piantations.—Includes the care, dressing and manuring of grass,
plants and trees, the rolling of lawns, and cutting, curing

and removing of grass.
.

330

5. Warer.—Includes the care and cleaning of the ornamental waters

of the park.

Expense of Ridgewood water, steam engine,

and repairs of waterworks, hydrants, pipes and fountains,
. . . . . . . ’

and the distribution of water for drinking, and the sprinkling

of roads, walks, and watering trees and plants.

6. Drartnace.—Includes all expenses appertaining to the general
system of sewers and basins (except those used in roads and
walks), and everything required for carrying off surface

water.

. Icz.—Includes the care of ice, cleaning, planing, and illuminating
at night, with the erection of houses to accommodate the
public during the Winter.

8. Toots.—Includes the making and repairing o implements of all
kinds used on the park.

9. Keepers.—Includes wages and uniforms, and all other expenses
incident to this department.

10, Gznerat.—For a class of expenditures not properly chargeable
under any of the preceding heads.

‘~RECAPITULATION OF ALL THE EXPENDITURES OF THE
' BROOKLYN PARK COMMISSION.

*
1865. 1866. 1867. 1868. 1869. | Tora.
Prospect Park ...| $17,780 90 | $195,701 10 | $973,903 60 |$1,078,645 12 $766,680 96 |$3,032,711 68
Washinton Pamk’ |) sjejursseisiesstecallicetee ctereleiereies 1,851 86 73,835 09) 61,406 81 127,098 76
WarrollsP ark tc 5:e!l\xceresssiociee «lle coeteeiesteee 1,810 56 16,716 98 663 380 19,190 S4
City METS arkkc raya atlorthe eile aves lice tote cistevelsial| lcistolevaerstoicions WBA HOS |Bievsistareleters oe = 1,343 03
City Rare tericts cial ostets micie aise lets)|lacentotaeivertice 558 44 867 98 44 27 970 69
Malm ter ance sre «:sfa) le atetctere.eiorsieie <\llsiarveve ic sharers oll oiatesovale aqeherasete|l isrminetetevcreneisere 87,218 33 87,218 383
Parade i Groundha|sereecricc cee clllnce «cles crs 250 68 8,772 89' 18,818 00 27,841 57
JOHN N. TAYLOR,
Comptroller.

Sat
<<

REPORT

OF

COMMITTEE ON THE OFFER OF EDMUND DRIGGS
AND OTHERS TO IMPROVE THE LAND
EAST OF FLATBUSH AVENUE.

BOR sOSE: GL Saab i.

To tur Boarp or Commissioners oF Prospect Park,

Gentlemen: During the recent meetings and investigations you
and your engineers estimated the expense of improving the 137
acres of Prospect Park, lying east of Flatbush avenue, at from
$1,500,000 to $2,000,000. The undersigned believe the estimate to
be exaggerated, and that such exaggeration may have a tendency to
prejudice the public against the restoration and improvement of this:
portion of the park lands. We therefore offer to lay out and im-
prove this land, not including fences or bridges over, or tunnels
under, Flatbush avenue, under the management and supervision of
Gen. Egbert L. Viele, or some equally competent engineer, and in
accordance with the plan presented by him, for a sum not exceeding
$625,000.. Roads to connect with the present roads lying west of ©
the avenue; and will add over bridge of Flatbush avenue of elegant
construction, and a tunnel under the avenue, for a further sum not
exceeding $150,000. These sums are the extreme limit of expense,
but we will fulfill our proposition for the actual cost of the work.
We will furnish adequate security for the performance of our ~
undertaking.

This offer will be open to your acceptance until the first day of
July, 1869.

Dated May 22d, 1869. °
Yours, respectfully,

EDMUND DRIGGS.

J. W. HUNTER.
CHARLES JONES.
WM. W. GOODRICH.

J. CARSON BREVOORT.

Rare ORT.

The Committee to whom was referred the communication of
Messrs. Edmund Driggs, John W. Hunter, Charles Jones, Wm. W.
Goodrich and J. Carson Brevoort, under date of May 22d, 1869, by
which they offer to improve so much of Prospect Park as lies east
of Flatbush avenue, at a cost of $775,000, under the engineering of
Mr. Egbert L. Viele, or some equally competent engineer, according
to a plan which was suggested by Mr. Viele, in 1860, respectfully
report:

That there seem to be many obvious reasons why the board
should not accept this proposal.

In the first place, it is to be executed under the supervision of
gentlemen who have not yet been appointed Commissioners, and
without regard to the fact that there is already.a Board of Improve-
ment Commissioners, who must continue to discharge their duties
until their successors in office are appointed. Next, they in effect
designate Mr. Viele as engineer; but the board is not yet prepared,
we think, to substitute him in place of the skillful and experienced
engineers who are now in charge of park improvement. And fur-
thermore, they propose to improve the land according to Mr. Viele’s
plan—a plan which is not in harmony with the present park design,
and which has not been adopted by the board, nor approved of by
the people.

There are other serious objections to the proposition of these
gentlemen. They evidently require too much money for the work
they propose to do. The board’s estimate of the cost of improving
the east side of the park, as stated at the public meeting of citizens
in April last, to which their communication refers, was one million
of dollars, and not from one and a half to two millions, as stated in
the proposal. It also included two bridges and the necessary fencing,
with all such other equipments as are required for a place of public
resort; while their estimate includes no fence, and only one bridge
with a tunnel. If we add the cost of an enclosure with an additional
bridge, their offer will be carried up from $775,000 to over a million.
But while the committee think the charge is too high, they are pleased

——

B00

to find in it a confirmation of our own estimate, that this improve-
ment would cost over a million of dollars.

The proposal, moreover, is premature. It has not yet been deter-
mined that the area of land now in the course of improvement on
the west side of the avenue, is not sufficiently extensive for a park,
or that it is not of convenient access to the masses for whose use it
is designed. If so, then neither the necessity nor the expediency of
improving the eastern side, in addition to the other, and of thereby
permanently abstracting from our city’s domain a large amount of
taxable property, is by any means certain. In the judgment of the
committee this improvement ought not to be made; and they believe
the opinion of those who have to pay for public works—the taxpayers
of Brooklyn—is decidedly against its being made. This board has
repeatedly expressed its opinion to the same effect in its annual
reports, giving the reasons therefor at length.

In the address of the President at the public meeting above re-
ferred to, which was afterwards published in our local newspapers, it
was stated that after retaining the Reservoir ground, with its beauti-
ful prospect, and a very considerable area for the accommodation of
public buildings and institutions, besides opening up a broad system
of approaches to the park, eastward from Flatbush avenue, the resi-
due of the land on the same side could be sold for three millions of

‘dollars; and that by saving another million which it would cost to

improve this section as a park, and adding it to the three millions for
which the land could be sold, a saving of four millions of dollars
would be effected, besides returning a large amount of property to
the books of the tax collector.

The Committee think that, with the present great burden of pub-
lic debt and taxation resting upon our city, the saving of this large
sum of money would be a sound and wise economy ; and they believe
that all thoughtful and prudent men, who are not biased by their
ownership of a large estate on the eastern side of the avenue, will
concur in this opinion. The Committee cannot recommend the Board
to fly in the face of an enlightened public judgment, by proceeding to
do, upon the suggestion of a few interested persons, what would ren-
der the saving of these four millions impossible.

There is, it is said, a diversity of opinion on this question of spend-
ing or of saving four millions. But those who differ belong mainly
to two classes of persons. One class own land in the vicinity of the
proposed improvement, and think their land will be greatly enhanced
in value by spending some millions of money to bring the park to

their doors. While we do not concur in the opinion, believing that
*

ood

even their interest will be better served by using this land for the
erection of fine residences than by retaining it for park purposes, we
can readily see why they should be so strenuous to have this money
spent, and not saved. The other class is the large body of tax-pay-
ing citizens, who think that a great public park ought to be con-
structed at the cost and for the benefit of the whole city; and not for
the benefit of a mere locality in its neighborhood.

Incidentally, the land in the vicinity of this park has been greatly
increased in value, from its proximity thereto; but when those who
have received this advantage insist upon charging another four mil-
lions of dollars upon the tax-payers, in order that their large gains
may be swelled to still larger proportions, those who have to pay
object. They are willing to spend and to pay what the best interests
of the city, as a whole, may require; but they are not willing to
spend more than this for a local, as distinguished from a general pub-
lic advantage. .

For these reasons, some of which have been already more fully
set forth in the published reports of the Board, the Committee
recommend that the offer of Mr. Driggs and his associates be de-
clined.

Dated June 28th, 1869.

ADDRESSES

Detiverzp at Prospect Par, on tHE 21st or Ocroner, 1869,
ON THE Occasion oF THE DEDICATION OF THE
Lincotn Monument.

MR. LOW’S ADDRESS.
Mr. Low said:

Frttow-Citizens,—In the eventful year 1865, the “ War Fund
Committee of Brooklyn” resolved to signalize the close of their vol-
untary labors by erecting a monument to the memory of the lamented
patriot and martyr, by handing down to posterity, in truthful outline,
the form and features of the great man who had successfully guided
the destinies of our country through its most perilous crisis—thus
bringing art to the aid of history in immortalizing the name of Abra-
ham Lincoln.

It was at once determined to raise the necessary funds by a
small but general subscription. An appeal, accordingly, was ad-
dressed to the people,-and the people responded gladly. Circum-
stances favored the movement. A sentiment of gratitude, tempered
by a feeling of the profoundest sorrow, wrought upon the hearts and
will of all.

The struggle for the nation’s life was over. The flag of the Uuion
everywhere waved in triumph, and the return of peace was hailed
with universal delight. While transports of joy, and the cheers’ of
the loyal were resounding throughout the North, the death of the
President was unexpectedly announced, and the shout of triumph was
changed into a wail of mourning! The people wept! P

And now the lessons of the war were rehearsed anew. The
providence of God in the events of the war was in every mind and
on every tongue. Memory recalled the time, less than five years
before, when a man, in stature like unto Saul, was summoned from
an obscure sphere in life to fill the highest office in the gift of the
people.

336

The popular vote had been cast amid forebodings of evil, and the
future was to witness their worst realization. The President elect
would be the head of the army and navy, and few of all the people
knew their appointed leader. The foes of the Union were exultant.
- War speedily followed the. inauguration; and at the close of the war,
a name so lately unknown had become illustrious in the annals of
our country. The fame thereof had spread throughout all the na-
tions of the world; and when tidings of Abraham Lincoln’s death
went forth, words of confidence and eulogy came back from courts
and kingdoms in such measure as to fill.a capacious volume. The
compilation forms a priceless treasure in the Department of State at
the capitol of the nation.

And thus it came to pass that as, in the earlier days of the repub-
lic, God raised up Washington to be, as he was justly styled, “The
Father of his Country,” so, in these later days, God raised up Lin-
coln to be our country’s deliverer. Washington gave to the States
of the Union independence and a standing among the nations. Lin-
coln put down a formidable rebellion, turned away the curse of slavery,
and left the States united and free.

Lincoln was the providential man of our own time, and to per-
petuate his memory is our grateful duty; to raise a statue to the
honor of his name is a just tribute of affection to the worth and wis-
dom of the lamented patriot, who died, as he had lived, for his coun-
try! We thus manifest our gratitude to God for His gift of a life
so precious.

The delay which has occurred is not to be misunderstood as man-
ifesting a want of zeal on the part of the Committee who have had
the work in charge. It was early committed to one of your gifted
townsmen, was long since perfected, and has been waiting the con-
venience of the Park Commissioners, under whose direction the
pedestal has been prepared on which the statue is henceforth to stand.
It seemed to be most fitting and proper that on this spot, destined
ere long to be the center of a vast city, this monument should be
erected ; that all our citizens who gather from time to time in this
Plaza, and look upon the form and features of this central figure, may
be led to ponder the example of the great original; to recall, with

gratitude, the good he did, and the impress he made on his age and
generation; that here beneath this statue, before entering upon paths
of pleasure now opening to our view, the vow may be renewed by
all faithfully to maintain and loyally to uphold the Union and the

Government established by our fathers.
Let us hope that, as the waters which supply the fountain by our

Ss

_

O37

side, whose source is far distant, are made to flow out and penetrate
every house and homé in our city, so there will go forth from this
spot, hallowed by precious thoughts and memories, an influence that
shall animate and strengthen all hearts; that this influence may de-
scend from generation to generation, advancing whatever is worthy
of emulation in the past or present. And so our work of to-day shall
be blest.

From the lips of another you will presently be called.to contem-
plate the influence exerted upon our own age by the life and death
of him whose virtues we seek to commemorate—whose loss we cease
not to deplore. The same voice, always welcome to our ears, was
heard not long since in glowing eulogy at the funeral obsequies of
the departed.

We have come here to-day by invitation of the War Fund Com-
mittee, to take part in the consummation of this long cherished pur-
pose, to celebrate with appropriate ceremonies the unveiling of the
statue of our late lamented president, Abraham Lincoln.

The President of the United States, the Governor of the State of
New York, the Mayor and Common Council of our city, Judges of
the respective courts, officers of the army and navy, soldiers and
sailors, who shared in the perils and in the glories of the war, and all
who contributed to the erection of this monument, have been asked
to be present, to witness the transfer of this gift of the people to the
city of their pride, and, on the part of the Park Commissioners, to
whose charge it is to be committed, the acceptance of this sacred
trust.

Permit me, in concluding these introductory remarks, to associate
with the rich memories of this hour, and of this occasion, the ever
memorable words uttered by Mr. Lincoln at the close of his second
inaugural—the last, I believe, publicly addressed by him to the
American people. They will endure longer than bronze, however
imperishable it seems. What better inscription can be put upon
this monument ?

“ With malice towards none, with charity for all, with firmness
in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to
finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for
him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and orphans,
to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace
among ourselves and with all nations.”

wm

Lo

3038

MR. WALLACE’S PRESENTATION ADDRESS.

Mr. Cuarrman, Lapirs anp Genriemen :*~I have the honor on
this occasion to represent a two-fold constituency.

First. About thirteen thousand citizens of Brooklyn, without dis-
tinction of creed or political faith—men, women and children, who, for
the love they bore a great and good man, made up a contribution to
honor his memory. From the laborer on the highway, from the
workshop, from the counting-room and store, from the stately man-
sion of the wealthy, and from the scanty apartment of the industrious
poor, wherever reverence or love for Abraham Lincoln thrilled the
heart, or wherever was detestation or horror at the dreadful deed
which so suddenly terminated his useful life, thence came the little
drops into the treasury, a name with every dollar, and +a dollar for
every name. Noble men! noble women! Names fragrant to the
memory, worthy to be preserved—and they have been preserved in
the archives of the Historical Society, that all who come after may
know to whom belong the honor of building up this monument to
Abraham Lincoln.

My second constituency is a body of prominent patriotic citizens
who banded together during the war, and contributed freely of their
time, of their influence, and of their means in support of the Govern-
ment, whose praise is in every mouth, and who are known as the
War Fund Committee of the City of Brooklyn.

Under the auspices of the committee, books were opened for sub-*

scription immediately after the assassination. Not more than one
dollar was received from any person, that we might have pre-emi-
nently a people’s monument; and the committee bear testimony to
the alacrity with which our citizens responded to the call.

The committee also bear testimony to the faithful management
of their treasurer, who not only kept safe his whole trust, but so in-
vested it as to make the $13,000 contributed earn $1,000 more,
which sums together make the amount expended for this statue.

The committee also bear testimony to the liberality of our local
press, which, without reward, except the consciousness of doing a
good deed, used its mighty influence to fan the flame of patriotism,
and encourage contributions to this noble object.

And especially the committee bear testimony to the skill and
ability of the sculptor, H. K. Brown, whose works of art adorn
Greenwood and Union square and the national capitol at Washing-
ton, and many other places of lesser note, and who with long and
patient labor has produced this bronze statue, which portrays the
likeness and characteristics of our late and lamented president to

339

such a degree as to excite the admiration and high satisfaction of our
best critics.

And now it becomes my duty, as it is my pleasure, in the name
of the War Fund Committee, formally to request the Brooklyn Park
Commissioners, of whom (to Mr. Stranahan) you, sir, are the hon-
ored president, to accept in perpetuity the custody of this statue of
Abraham Lincoln, to love and to cherish and protect during all the
days of your authority.

May it ever stand here, looking out over our fair city, where it
will hold in review. the millions who will visit this beautiful park,
and where our citizens, and the people of every name, as they come
up those broad avenues, and look toward the rising sun, will ever be
reminded of the pure, the noble, the patriotic Abraham Lincoln.

May his life and character be a model to ourselves and to our
children, and to all who would aspire to influence and position in our
land. May the union of all the States, and universal liberty—which
he loved, and which was his highest earthly aim to preserve—ever
be dear to the hearts of his countrymen, and may all the people of
the East and the West, of the North and the South, feel themselves
to be one people, with one common interest, only emulating each
other by their love for the old flag, and for the whole country, and
for the whole country’s good.

MR. STRANAHAN’S ACCEPTANCE ON BEHALF OF THE PARK
COMMISSION.

GENTLEMEN OF THE War Funp Commitrez:—The Park Com
missioners have selected in this, the main entrance to Prospect Park,
three positions as, in their judgment affording appropriate localities
for the erection of as many statues, as memorials of three of the
eminent men whose lives are intimately identified with three great
struggles in our country’s history. In one of these positions they
hope to see a statue of George Washington, who on this ground
fought his first battle in the war of the Revolution, and whose servy-
ices as Commander-in-chief of the Revolutionary army, and subse-
quently as President of these United States, have not only entitled
him to the nation’s gratitude, but also secured for his name the en-
during respect and veneration of mankind. In the second position
they hope to see the statue of Andrew Jackson, distinguished among
the illustrious heroes that appeared in the war of 1812, not less dis-
tinguished as the chief magistrate of this nation, and in both relations

evincing a devotion to the unity, integrity and prosperity of his
*

340

country, alike unquestioned and unquestionable. It remains for the
generous promptings of public feeling to give reality to these ideas
and hopes of the Park Commissioners.

In respect to the third position, the events of this day and the
ceremonies of this occasion tell their own story. Soon after the
assassination of Abraham Lincoln, the popular heart glowed with an
irrepressible desire to do honor to the memory of the lamented dead.
Called to the presidency amid circumstances of the greatest difficulty,
confronted in the very outset of his career with the embarrassments,
complications and perils of an incipient civil war; contending, dur-
ing the whole of his term of service, with one of the most formidable
rebellions known in the history of nations; in these exigencies of
peculiar trial conducting the government with a discretion, perse-
verance, firmness, and patriotic devotion that proved him te be the
man of the hour; re-elected for a second term by a grateful and
appreciating people; living till the victories of the army and navy
had brought the country to the verge of peace, and then falling too
soon for the nation’s good, Abraham Lincoln has wrought for himself
a name, and gained a place in the affections of the American people
more lasting than any memorial which it is in the power of art to
devise.

As one significant evidence of this fact, I point to that noble
statue which has just been unveiled to the public, which you have
now presented to the Park Commissioners as Brooklyn’s tribute of ,
gratitude to the honored dead, and which in their name I now have
the pleasure to accept, pledging to you, and also to the citizens of
Brooklyn, that they will endeavor to be faithful custodians of the
sacred trust. Here let this monument stand, with the other two to
which reference has been made, and which it is hoped will soon be
erected, suggesting to the thousands who may hereafter seek the
recreations of this park, that nobleness of character, trueness of
heart, and eminent service for the public good, are alike the best
qualities of the citizen, and the surest guarantees for the permanent

respect of the nation.

THE PARK BOUNDARIES.

Speech of the Honorable J. 8. T. Strananan, President of the Brook-
lyn Park Commissioners, at a public meeting called for the discus-
sion of the question of the boundaries of the Park, at the Court
House, on the 30th March, 1869.

I do not know what may be the pleasure of the meeting, but I
have conversed with a few gentlemen since I came into the room and
it seems that Iam expected to make a statement on behalf of the
Board, and perhaps in some degree on behalf of myself. And I
should make that statement at the very commencement—at the open-
ing of the meeting.

We have met to consider a proposition for an act of the Legisla-
ture to change the boundaries of our park. That we may take it up
intelligently, I propose, first, to briefly state some of the more impor-
tant facts in the history of the proceedings which have brought the
proposition in question before us.

In the year 1859, a demand was felt for legislation to secure pub-
lic grounds in this city about equally for two objects: first, for parks ;
secondly, for the purpose of parades.

Influenced by this demand, the Legislature appointed a Commis-
sion composed of highly respectable citizens, partly chosen to rep-
resent the park, and partly the military demand, who were charged
with the duty of selecting suitable sites for each purpose.

The Commission reported the following year, recommending
ground to be taken for parks at five different localities. Of the pro-
posed parks two only need to be particularly referred to now. The
more important one was proposed to be located in close connection
with the two great cemeteries and the reservoir at Ridgewood. The
ground recommended to be taken for it amounted to thirteen hundred
acres. Another, about one-fifth as large (two hundred and sixty-
seven acres), was proposed to be located so as to include the reser-
voir at Prospect Hill.

It will, perhaps, at this time, not be at once apparent why those
interested in the question should have been led at first to propose that
the more important park for our city should: be established at Ridge-
wood rather than at Prospect Hill. An explanation may be found in
the fact that the military of the city had been accustomed to go to
ground in that vicinity for drills and parades, and the attention of the

—

342

military gentlemen in the Commission had thus been for some time
directed toward it, and partly in the fact that it then appeared com-
paratively to better advantage, as respects accessibility, than at pres-
ent. Neither the railroad to Flatbush, nor any of the other railroads
by which our park is now to be reached, had then been constructed,
while there were three railroads already to Ridgewood, and the same
Commission recommended that Atlantic avenue, which led toward it
from the central parts of the city, should be at once widened and im-
proved.

A desire to interpose an obstacle to the extension of the ceme-
teries toward the reservoir also doubtless had some influence upon the
judgment of the Commission.

When, however, the proposition came to be discussed at Albany,
it was found that some of the representatives of the Western District
were strongly indisposed to commit the city to so large an under-
taking; they urged that a park, however large and however fine it
might be, situated at a point so far in the extreme east, could not
fairly be regarded as the central park of the city ; that a considerable
part of it was in fact out of the city, and not only out of the city but
out of the county, and that the regulation of streets and other mat-
ters on one side of it could not be within the control of the county
authorities,

The close association of the cemeteries with a pleasure ground was
felt to be objectionable, and finally it was said: “‘ You propose to give
the Eastern District a park five times as large as that you propose to
give us, but you expect us to pay three-fourths of the cost of both
undertakings.”

The last objection was unanswerable, and after much discussion
it was agreed upon, as a compromise arrangement, that the great
Ridgewood Park should be made a local enterprise exclusively of
the Eastern District, and that the proposed park at Prospect Hill
should be considered as an affair exclusively of the Western Dis-
trict.

From this followed the arrangement under which the Eastern
District is now exempt from taxation for the present Prospect
Park.

The members of the Legislature from the Eastern District, after
consulting their constituents, concluded to defer the passage of the
bill which had been drawn up with a view to form the great park at
Ridgewood, with the view of taking it up again the following years,
but the war came, and it proved to be an indefinite postponement of
that part of the original scheme.

“i

Le

345

I have thus shown how the project of a park at Prospect Hill was
gradually developed as an independent local undertaking.

An act providing for the appointment of a Board of Estimate
and Assessment, and also for appointing a commission to lay out
and manage the proposed park at Prospect Till, was passed in 1860.
The commission were unable to immediately take any active steps
looking to the construction of the park, but deeming it important for
the interests of the city that, when they should make the fist of the
reports which they were required to present to the Common Council
at the end of each year, they should be able to present the scheme
in a form which would make it appear to the public as mature as
possible, they decided that a survey and report suitable for publica-
tion should be at once undertaken. They appropriated fifteen hun-
dred dollars for all the expenses of this survey and the report of
the engineer, and obtained what was wanted for the immediate pur-
pose in view; but it is hardly necessary to say that what was done
at this time was of a purely preliminary character, and not at all
what would have been required with reference to purposes of con-
struction ; certainly not with reference to the construction of the
park which we now, five years afterward, have in hand, the bound-
aries of which are so different that nearly one-half of it is quite out-
side of the ground covered by the engineer’s report, which we then
obtained.

The fact should here be mentioned, that the boundaries of the
park established at Prospect Hill, by the acts of the Legislature of
1860 and 1861, differed considerably from those recommended by
the Commission appointed in 1859 to select the ground. The
boundaries of the park recommended by the Commission did not
extend so far toward Flatbush, and extended considerably farther to
the westward, so as to take in half the blocks between Eighth avenue
and Ninth, from Douglass to Third street. It was in part owing
to my advice that the change was made, and I can perhaps answer
as well as any one for the motives of it. The reason that I advocated
the change was that it appeared to me evident that the city might
obtain, at the same cost, a much larger area of land suitable for a
park. We did obtain by the exchange, and without any additional
cost to the city, more than twice as much land on the Flatbush side
as the Commission had proposed should be taken in on the South
Brooklyn side, and that which we gained included the ground occupied
by the series of roads and walks running through what we call the
East Woods, and which, during the last year, was so much enjoyed
by the public.

.

O44

After the passage of the act to establish the park in 1860, an

effort was made to still farther revise its boundaries, and the engi-

neer whom we employed to make the preliminary survey, in his
report, seconded the proposal, suggesting that the ground between
Warren and Baltic streets should be thrown out, and that the east
boundary of: the park should be shifted from Washington avenue to
a new avenue proposed to be laid out between Classon and Franklin
avenues.

This would undoubtedly have enabled a great improvement to be
made in the plan of the park as then contemplated east of Flatbush
avenue, giving it the greater breadth, which it so much needed, but
the objection which was effectively urged against it was the serious
inconvenience which would result from the closing of Washington
avenue.

I have thus viewed the principal facts in the preliminary history
of our enterprise. At this time nothing had been absolutely decided,
for the act of the Legislature providing for a park at Prospect Hill,
which was passed, as I have said, in 1860, proved to be defective.
The work of legislation was accordingly done over again in 1861,
when the Park Commission was definitely established, and the ac-
quisition by the city ef the land I have referred to was first legally
provided for. It was not, however, until midsummer of 1864 that
the Board of Estimate and Assessment completed their business, and
we obtained possession of the land. We were then in the midst of
the war, and even if we had obtained our land sooner, it is doubtful
if we should have set to work upon it.

During these three years we had not, however, been merely
lying still. The friends of the-thirteen-hundred-acre-park scheme at
Ridgewood had gradually abandoned their intention. Other parts
of the original scheme had been dropped or modified. The military
were beginning to look at the vicinity of Prospect Hill for their
parade ground. The general subject of providing our city with
parks had been much thought about, deliberated upon and debated
by our Commission. We had obtained information about parks in
other cities, abroad and at home; the influence they had exerted upon
the cities which possessed them, and what it was in them that their
influence depended upon. We had watched the Central Park rapidly
advancing toward completion, and had gained experience of its great
popularity, and of the influence it was destined to exert. Indeed, we
in Brooklyn were already feeling the consequence of its construction
in a manner not at all satisfactory to us. Not only had we been
brought to understand the whole subject of our duties better, but

345

during those years—those long, those everlasting years—from 1861
to 1864, there had been great changes. Our city had been changing,
and in all its change we saw a tendency becoming manifest which
gave some of us much anxiety.

I speak of a tendency which we then saw toward results which
we could not help anticipating with disquietude. Let us look at the
facts, however, as they are patent to us to-day, and you will better
understand what it was that we then saw, or thought we saw. Dur-
ing the last two years nearly one-half more houses have been built
in Brooklyn than in New York. New York in 1867 built two thou-
sand eight hundred and eighty houses. Brooklyn three thousand six
hundred and fifty-nine. New York in 1868 built two thousand one
hundred and twelve houses; Brooklyn three thousand three hundred
and seven. It is certain that our population is increasing more
rapidly than that of New York,and unless New York shall absorb
the eastern towns of Westchester county, our city must’ be expected
to gain yearly until it shall become the larger of the two. The ques-
tion with which we are most concerned is, then, not so much the
amount of population which we are to have in the future, as its char-
acter and its capacity. By character I mean especially its ability to
meet its moneyed obligations, and thus bring down the percentage of
its taxation.

It is never desirable that classes should be separated in the way
they were tending to separate here five years ago; it is never desir-
able that the rich should so draw themselves apart in distinct com-
munities or quarters as to throw upon the poor an overwhelming
share of the burdens of carrying on the necessary expenses of their
local government. You are aware of the terrible suffering which has
occurred this year in the eastern suburbs of London from this cause ;
and also in some of the suburbs of Paris, where a complaint was
lately made, that ina district containing 25,000 inhabitants, there was
not a single resident rich enough to be called on for charitable aid to
those in complete destitution.

By the construction of the Central Park, New York placed us for
a time at special disadvantage in the competition for securing taxable
capital. She had done so before when she had brought in the Croton,
and to restore our advantage we had then been compelled, after wait-
ing as long as we could, to undertake our Water Works. If we
had not constructed them when we did, what would Brooklyn be
now? Simply a poor suburb of New York. In the same way we
were stimulated, after New York had made it necessary, to build the
Academy of Music. In one thing only have we yet shown ourselves

°

346

able to exercise the forecast needful to the proper development of
the advantages of our city, without waiting for a ruinous disadvan-
tage in competition to be established. In one thing we are about
to strike out first and foremost, and long before the much talked of.
railroad from the Battery to the upper part of New York and to
Westchester is made, I trust we shall have had the advantage of our
bridge.

But to go back to the Park Commission in 1864. At no time in
the history of the two cities has the tendency appeared to be so
strongly established toward a state of things in which the capitalists
of the country living at its metropolis should have their residences
in the city of New York, while their clerks and workmen only had
houses in Brooklyn, with the inevitable consequence that the profit
of the labor represented by our population should be mainly enjoyed
outside our limits, and that our taxable property should be of hope-
lessly inferior character.

The question which was pressed upon us was, therefore, simply
this: Whether any plan of improvement could be devised and
undertaken which would be adequate to attract and hold among us a
large share of that class of citizens which it was necessary should be
attracted, if we were to avoid throwing upon our people of moderate
means, and upon the poor, an excessive and crushing burden of taxa-
tion. If not, it was certainly very questionable whether we could
afford to enter upon any plan the carrying out of which would in-
volve the city in a considerable expenditure. In short, if we could not
settle this point satisfactorily, it was doubtful, to say the least, whether
the city could afford a park at all.

Considerations of this character weighed upon us much more in
1864 than in 1860, when the park at Ridgewood of 1,300 acres
was still on our hands. They forced us to proceed deliberately and
cautiously.

First of all, we took the precaution of giving a fresh and more
complete examination to the question of boundaries, approaches and
entrances—a question properly antecedent to the question of a plan
of interior improvement—and for this purpose we called Mr. Vaux,
one of the designers of Central Park, to our assistance. We knew
that the want of consideration of this question at the outset had
already been a source of difficulty, and of great expense to the
Commissioners of the Central Park, and that they were even then
debating propositions for acquiring land to improve their entrances,
which had enormously increased in value since their work com-
menced. Our review of the question led us to fix upon one point

i

B47

as especially suitable for a principal entrance to the park, and in-
duced us to apply to the Legislature at once for the provision of so
much additional land as was necessary to form what is now known
as the Plaza. Had the Central Park Commission exercised the
same forecast, in regard to the comparatively contracted vestibules
which they are now about to lay out at their principal en-
trances, it would have saved at least a million dollars of their
expenditures.

Turning, then, to the general question of boundaries, we had
convinced ourselves that the ground we had was not all that was
wanted in respect to extent or opportunity for improvement, with
reference to the problem before us. But, although we obtained a
report which very clearly demonstrated in what direction we should
look for an enlargement of our borders, we determined, before
recommending the acquisition of any new territory, that we would
have a complete and well matured proposition to lay before the com-
munity.

We therefore next employed Messrs. Olmsted & Vaux to design
a general plan, taking another year for its preparation, and for our
deliberation upon it. When at length we were satisfied that we had
matured a plan adequate to the purpose we had in view, we printed
our design, with a report very fully setting forth its character, and
circulated it diligently among our fellow citizens, inviting, through
the newspapers and otherwise, their judgment upon it.

Being satisfied with the general expression of public opinion thus
obtained, we then went to the Legislature and asked for the addi-
tional territory required to carry out the plan. We atthe same
time asked for power to sell the land not covered by our plan on the
east side of Flatbush avenue, so that we might have money to pay
for the additional land which we needed to carry out our design.
The power to buy the largest part of what we wanted was given us,
but although our request for permission to sell was backed by three
thousand petitioners, and the bill for the purpose passed the Senate,
it failed to receive the assent of the Assembly, and its discussion was
postponed.

Still, the larger part of the necessary land was provided for, and
we were now prepared to commence active operations with an in-
creasing confidence that our scheme was a sound one, and that as it
became better understood it would prove more and more acceptable,
and eventually would be fully carried out. We at once, then, set
about the improvement of a part of our ground, with a clear fore-
knowledge, that the result would be taken by the public as a sample
of what Brooklyn was going to have in the way of a park.

048

We began upon that part of our ground most difficult and most
expensive to improve—that part where, in order to accommodate our
grades to those already established in the streets, it was necessary to
make the greatest changes. The Flatbush avenue grade had just
been sunk 12 feet below its previous level. The ground we had to
operate upon was in part a quagmire, and elsewhere consisted largely
of a tough indurated clay, packed with stone, and requizing to be
moved by the crow and pick. The whole district of our earlier
operations was indeed a desert of the most disagreeable character,
rugged, treeless, mutilated, and lying bare to the avenues, presenting
a general resemblance to the unimproved ground south of the Reser-
voir. We took hold of it first because it was the most difficult, and
because we knew that in removing difficulties we should be removing
doubts. Now, this ground appears to the visitor who drives over it
for the first time ‘as if it were exactly in the shape that is most
desirable; in connects perfectly with the avenue, the boundaries are
hidden directly the paik is entered, good-sized trees are growing
over hill and dale, the meadow spaces are broad and ample, and it
really seems as if nature had kindly adapted this particular spot for
its special purpose.

It has undoubtedly been transformed from what it was to what it
is at great cost, as an approach to ground of a totally different and
much more attractive and easily treated character. It does not,
however, follow that we can recommend the city to undertake a
similar labor on the other side of the avenue, merely to improve dis-
connected patches of land that have no relation to the main scheme,
which was based on the idea of balancing the difficulties of ground
on the part of the park nearest the city, by the introduction of a
large stretch of cheaper and more easily improved flat land at the
other extremity.

We may here observe, .in regard to the changes of boundary
which have been made since the action of the Commission appointed
to select a site in 1859, that so much of the park as has been taken
from the town of Flatbush, being an area of 228 acres, of nearly one-
half of all, cost five hundred and forty-three thousand. The upper
portion, taken from within the boundaries of Brooklyn, containing
350 acres, cost two million seven hundred and ten thousand dollars.
That is to say, for each dollar spent the city has obtained between
three and four times as much land where it has taken it on the Flat-
bush side as it has where it has taken it on the Brooklyn side; and
the cheap land, on an average, is much better for park purposes,
and involves very much less expense for improvement than that

349

which has cost so much more. The great body of visitors will
always enter at the Plaza. Once within the park it matters little
- where they travel. It was, and is, therefore, true economy to elon-
gate and narrow the park toward the city, and to spread it out on
the cheap land on the Flatbush side as we have, done.

But to return to the main question: keep your mind fixed upon
the end we had in view. With certain obvious natural advantages
over New York, but as yet with confessedly less wealth and popula-
tion, we wanted to guard against the danger that Brooklyn would
take the character of a second-rate suburb of New York; wewan ted
to aid in establishing for Brooklyn in the minds first of all of our
own citizens, and afterwards throughout the country, the character of
a first-rate quarter of the great metropolis.

And who will say that we have not thus far done our part to-
wards this end ?

Although our park is incomplete, only about 200 acres being as
yet fairly improved, it is unquestionably the fact that it is talked of
to-day all over the United States, by those whose opinion is of most
value, as equal, and in many respects superior, to Central Park.
And what has been the consequence? It has been said by those who
should know, that the day we opened the park saw a rise in value of
the real estate of our city of ten millions of dollars.

We submit, then, that so far we have served our city well. But
we think that we can do more. We are convinced that the city, by
a lucky chance, has the opportunity of gaining a still better reputa-
tion. We not only think that the impression can be established
that Brooklyn offers places of residence as good in respect to park
privileges as any in New York, but we also believe that an under-
standing can be established that the very finest sites for city resi-
dences, in connection with a noble park, need not be looked for in
New York; they must be sought in Brooklyn.

It happens thus: New York was laid out years ago, when the
price which great numbers of people are now willing to pay for
luxurious residences was not dreamed of; when five or six hundred
dollars per year was considered, even by a wealthy merchant, to be
a great rent to pay. Now, on the other hand, there are numbers of
people to whom five or six hundred dollars a year, more or less, is
felt to be of little consequence in the rent of a house, provided it be
so much finer and more luxurious.

In laying out the city this condition of things was not thought of;
consequently the people of New York, through the Central Park
Commission, are now seeking to improve their plan in that part of

:

300

the island as yet far out of town, where streets have not been made,
and where there is little building. About their park they cannot do
this, though efforts are making in a small way. There is the Kast
Side Association and the West Side Association, and numberless
little rings of interested speculators, who vainly try by forethought
to control the character of some section or block in which they own
lots, but no one of these appears to control property enough to do
what is necessary to establish beyond contingency the success of a
single comprehensive scheme. The recent rapid advance in value of
the property held compactly and managed shrewdly by the corpora-
tion of Columbia College is an example of the advantage which may
result from the power to control the character of improvements
throughout a complete district, even when the street plan is out of
the reach of improvement. In this case it has been made certain
that a considerable property will be occupied for a long series of
years exclusively by a certain agreed-on class of residences, but it is
almost an isolated instance. It is too late to do anything of this
kind in connection with the Central Park.

It is not too late for us. We still hold the opportunity of estab-
lishing a district which shall have throughout a character in the high-
est degree attractive. The possession by the city of Brooklyn at
this juncture of the 128 acres of fairly paid-for land, on the east side
of the park, thus puts in its hands the one additional lever that is
needed to establish the balance of advantage between the two
cities.

What we want to do with this land, then, is this. We want to
thoroughly revise the whole street plan from beginning to end, and
to lay it out anew in such a way as will not only be much more con-
venient and useful to the whole public than it would under any other
plan that has been proposed, but in such a way as will make it easy
for us to show every one who comes to the park that we have, in
Brooklyn, sites in close connection with our park better adapted for
first-class residences than can be found anywhere else. Then we
propose to sell these lots, with certain provisos in regard to the char-
acter of the improvements which shall be made upon them. We
believe that if we are allowed to develop this idea unhampered, it
will tend to the advancement of the reputation of Brooklyn asa place
of residence well nigh as much as the park itself, and will give it ex-
actly the advantage that it needs in its struggle for its natural rights
in this respect in competition with New York. We propose to re-
serve, besides the avenues and about twenty-eight acres of ground
for public use, the lands which include the Reservoir and the higher

At

dol

grounds adjacent. But after making these reservations for a public
garden on the hill, and sites for public buildings and places, and after
laying out the ample avenues which we propose to make, with their
bordering plantations, there will still remain a body, of over one
hundred acres of land to be disposed of, with such restrictions as will
insure the erection upon it of strictly first-class dwelling-houses.

If we assume that these lots will command the price of twenty-
five hundred dollars a-piece, which is below the estimate generally
put upon them, the sum which would be realized by the city from
their sale would be three millions of dollars.

But we shall also save the expense of forming and maintaining the
ground as a park ; this we judge from our experience in dealing with
the ground of a similar character on the other side of the avenue
would be about a million of dollars. Of course we include in this
estimate the fencing and all the usual and necessary furniture and
equipment of a convenient and agreeable place of crowded public
resort. Add this million to the sum which we expect to receive
from the sale of the ground we do not want, and it makes a difference
to the city in favor of our plan of four millions of dollars. We
reckon that this sum will pay the city subscription of three millions
to the Bridge and the improvements at the Wallabout, which may
cost one million. This, however, is not all. If we double the price
of the land, for the value of buildings which would probably be
erected on it, we should add, independently of the immense stimulus
thereby given to the surrounding property, at least eight millions of
dollars to the taxable property of our city, and enlarge its revenues
by nearly half a million of dollars annually.

We have very carefully considered the matter, and we express
in these estimates our deliberate and well established convictions.

The ability of the city to make a good title to this land is some-
times questioned by persons who are not familiar with the history of
park legislation.

In 1864, when land was first taken for the park, and it became
necessary to raise one million three hundred thousand dollars to pay
the awards, city bonds were issued and put upon the market for
sale. The main security for these bonds consisted in a statutory
lien upon the park land. Our capitalists, however, objected to this
security, that the city had not the fee, but merely an easement in the
land, similar to that by which a street is held, and that if the holder
of the security should be obliged to realize, he could have no perma-
nent possession of the land, since it must necessarily revert to the

owner of the fee as soon as it ceased to be used for park purposes,
a ‘

352

and that in this respect the security was inferior to that of our water
bonds, wherein all the works, including reservoirs, pipes and hy-
drants, were pledged for payment. In order, therefore, to furnish a
new credit for park bonds, which should make them equal to water
bonds, an act of the Legislature was passed in the spring of 1865,
authorizing proceedings to be taken for the purpose of transferring
the ultimate fee to the city. Such proceedings were accordingly
had, the residuary interests of the owners, valued by Commissioners
appointed by the Supreme Court, and payment made to the parties.
The result showed that capitalists fully appreciated the additional
security thus established for park bonds, since they immediately
rose in the market, and feel to this day the effect of this salutary
provision. The fee of the land having been acquired, the Commis-
sioners feel assured (and they are sustained by the best legal author-
ity), that if the Legislature concurs in a sale there can be no diffi-
culty about the title.

I have tried to give you a plain statement of the facts which have
a material bearing on the point at issue. The questions involved
are of vital interest to the taxpayers of this city. Holding the re-
sponsible position we do, as Commissioners of the Park, and having
to carry forward this important public work in the face of serious
disadvantages, we feel] it absolutely necessary that we should have in
the future, as we have had in the past, the intelligent, willing support
of our fellow citizens.

The scheme, as you will see, has a definite beginning, and middle
and.end to it. The first stage has been passed through, and the
result shows that our calculations were sound, for no one can deny
that the enhanced value of Brooklyn property to-day fully justifies
the liberally conceived plan of operations we recommended when our
whole intention was laid bare before you three years ago.

We are now in the middle of the work; all the important
points, save one, have been carried. We have all the ground we
want, and where we want it. Our most burdensome operations in
the field have been successfully carried through, and we are henee-
forward in a position to go ahead under more favorable circum-
stances. What the end is to be we cannot tell, for the point left
unsettled seems to us to be of vital importance to the financial suc-
cess of the whole-undertaking. It is the one now before you for
consideration. ;

What we ask, with a profound conviction of its necessity, is what
we have asked for from the first, that the Legislature shall give us
the power to make a fresh disposition of the land on the east side of

390

the avenue, so that it may be laid out under our direction in a way
that we firmly believe will not only help the park, by giving it
proper approaches in every direction, but will enable our whole
scheme to become a really comprehensive project for the advance-
ment of the prosperity of Brooklyn, and at the same time establish
it on a thoroughly satisfactory basis as an investment of city funds.
We are, however, now as heretofore, open to any new conviction
that will enable us the better to perform our trust, and only ask that

the question shall be discussed in a candid spirit, and on broad pub-
lic grounds.

dink) Dg ee Ole] Bed

OF THE

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS AND SUPERINTENDENTS.

To tHe Brooxtyn Park ComMISSIONERS.

Gentlemen: We lay before you our usual report for the year
upon matters of design, construction and superintendence.

In the work laid out during the year, no essential deviation from
the original design has been made, though certain details of impor-
tance have been introduced, which will be referred to below. The
conditions which had previously prevented work upon the west side
of the ground having been removed, the northern part of the park
has been finished, with the exception of a little planting, and this
portion of the design will next spring, for the first time, be compre-
hensively exhibited upon the ground. The main drive on the west
side is complete from the entrance to the Lookout Hill, where it
meets the Nethermead extension of the east drive, and the public has
in use five miles of thoroughly constructed carriage-way. A corre-
sponding extent of the surface has been worked over, and a large
part of it now realizes the design, so far as it can be made to do so
by the completion of the mere constructive work.

There are in use, also, five miles of graveled or concrete walk,
and two hundred acres of woodland, shrubbery and open meadow
surface. The construction of the park as designed is complete from
end to end, east of a line drawn through the middle of it, except at
two points, where there are deposits of clay and soil to be used else-
where. Work is more or less advanced on nine-tenths of the remain-
ing ground, and the larger part of it will be in suitable condition for
public use next summer.

The most eventful occurrence of the year has been the completion
of the great well, and the water-works at its mouth. A very im-
portant part of our design depended, for complete success, upon the
practicability of obtaining a certain amount of water by this expe-
dient, and we should hardly have ventured to include so large an extent
of lake surface in our design without the encouragement of your pres-

309 :

ident, who had given special personal study to this source of supply,
and who had from the outset perfect confidence in its availability.
It is, therefore, a matter of congratulation that the plans prepared
by Mr. Martin, as engineer-in-charge, and approved after thorough
consideration by your board, have this year been successfully carried
out, the present indications being that a considerably larger supply
of water will be obtained than it was thought necessary to provide.
The general result is, that a provision of excellent cold spring water,
sufficient not only to keep the extensive ornamental waters in a con-
dition favorable to health, but to furnish a large number of drinking
fountains, has been secured in a manner which makes the park, to a
great degree, independent of all other sources of supply. A public
walk is required to pass the point where, for engineering reasons,
the well oecurs; and as many visitors will be desirous of examining
it, we have preferred to treat its mouth in such a way that, while per-
fectly protected, no one can pass without obtaining a somewhat
forcible impression of the extent and character of the work. For
this purpose the walk, as it approaches the well from either side, is
enlarged so as to include a circular deck, in the middle of which is a
railed opening twenty feet in diameter overhanging the outer part of
the cavity.

The boiler house attached to the well is in a conspicuous position
on the lake shore, and we have designed its exterior with special
reference to this prominence of situation. In its interior plan, a
stairway for communication with the pump platform at the bottom
of the well has been provided, so that, under proper regulations,
visitors may have the opportunity of examining the works with ease
and safety.

Mr. Martin, we are informed, is about to give*up the appoint-
ment of engineer-in-charge, which he has for some time held
under your Commission, having been invited to fill a position in
the city of Brooklyn of larger professional responsibility ; and we
desire to put on record our sense of the value of his services to
the park, not only in the solution of such special problems of
construction as the one referred to above, but also in the daily
supervision of the various operations that have been necessary to
the practical development of the park design during the last two
years.

There has been a more extensive transplanting of trees of a size
making the use of special transporting apparatus desirable upon
your ground than, to our knowledge, has been attempted elsewhere

on the continent. Two trucks of original design, prepared by Mr.
.

\ 3856

Culyer, have been used, both operating in a more rapid and econom-
ical way than those so extensively employed in Paris. With one of
these, trees weighing with the balls of earth attached fourteen tons,
and measuring between four and five feet in circumference, have
been moved. The whole number of trees weighing upwards of one
ton, and measuring more than one foot in circumference, which have
been thus far moved, is six hundred. It is too soon to express
entire confidence of permanent success, but from the experience
of a single summer of rather trying character, the result prom-
ises to be satisfactory and highly creditable to Mr. Bullard, the
park inspector, who continues the immediate management of the
planting.

The Meadowport and Nethermead arches have been completed,
and the Lullwood bridge, constructed of oak on stone abutments,
has been carried across an arm of the lake. These works have
been under the immediate charge of Mr. E. C. Miller, assistant
architect. .

A building has been constructed on the parade ground, which has
been designed to provide rooms for the use of the military, with
apartments for a janitor, and to furnish in addition a partially en-
closed shelter for the accommodation of the general public. This
structure has been placed at the top of a gentle slope, which has been
artificially constructed at the western extremity of the parade ground
for the purposes set forth in the explanation of the design, which
was included in our special report on the subject submitted for
the consideration of the board prior to the commencement of
operations.

The Dairy is now complete, so far as the main structure is con-
cerned, and is ready for occupation. The need which this building
is designed to serve can be met under very advantageous circum-
stances in the Brooklyn Park, and is of a different character alto-
gether to that which will be responded to in the Refectory, which is
the next building of importance that should be proceeded with. The
latter building is intended to occupy a conspicuously prominent
position in the immediate vicinity of the Breeze Hill carriage con-
course, the Lookout Hill, the Lake shore, and the Nethermead, which
is a stretch of greensward in the heart of the park. The Refec-
tory is proposed to be a house of entertainment on a liberal
scale, agreeably situated so far as outlook is concerned, but
with no more suggestion of privacy or retitement than would be
found in a suburban hotel. The Dairy, on the other hand, is
intended to meet the same physical need for refreshment, but it

307

is designed to be used by visitors only when in search of a
more thoroughly rural experience than can be looked for at any
point which furnishes accommodation for an assemblage of ear-
riages. It is, of course, impracticable anywhere within the
necessary limits of a city park, to make sure that visitors shall
enjoy a sense of complete rural seclusion; but the inclination
which influences those who are able to go far into the country
for recreation, is often strong with thousands who are in no
position to leave their business and their families. | While,
therefore, results which would seem forced or improbable are to
be avoided, it is desirable to meet this requirement on a scale
that shall be adequate for the purpose. We, therefore, abandon all
idea of contrasting the publicity of the city with the privacy of
deep woods, mountains, lakes, and rocky fastnesses, and accept
another ideal altogether, that of pasteral rural life, as the most
valuable and universally available one for the purpose we have in
view.

The development of the pastoral idea in its most favorable aspects
is possible in a large city park, and it is the peculiar natural advan-
tage of the ground under your control, that it offers an unusually
favorable opportunity for the purpose. A stretch of greensward a
mile in length, surrounded by woods, and unbroken by any carriage
road, should certainly offer a field of ample dimensions for an illus-
tration of the idea, and this we have in the Brooklyn Park. Thou-
sands of people, without any sense of crowding, stroll about the
level or undulating, sunny or shaded turf spaces that are to be
found in this strip of pasture and woodland; and with a careful
arrangement of the planting yet to be done, the number of visitors
may be much increased, without any interference with the general
suggestion.

If, as is now frequently stated in the public prints, the Brooklyn
Park is in some respects more attractive than the Central Park in
New York, it is because we have, from the outset, been sustained
by your board in our effort to improve a considerable portion
of the ground, with special reference to the development of this
element of pastoral effect, in the pursuit of which we have at a
few pointS made considerable changes in the surface of the ground,
so as to connect a series of dissevered and isolated patches of
comparatively level ground into one sweep of grass-land that
is extensive enough to make a really permanent impression on
the mind. Before this important feature in the general design
can be adequately realized by the visitor, it will, of course, be

308

necessary that sheep and cattle should be allowed to graze in
the meadows; beautiful specimens of fine breeds should be
selected, and ample provision for their accommodation should
be made in suitable stables, connected with an establishment of
which the Dairy building would properly form the most important
feature.

Full details of the progress of the work during the year, and
interesting statistics of the public use of the park, will be found in
the appended reports of the engineer-in-charge and his principal
assistants, Mr. Bogart and Mr. Culyer.

It will be observed that the public use of the park has been
largely greater than it was during the previous year. It may be
remarked, also, that a gratifying improvement has occurred in the
character of this use; a much smaller proportion of the visits
recorded having been from curiosity to examine a new thing, and
amuch larger part having been made with a view to family and
social recreation. The number of domestic picnic parties was
large, and more than two hundred and fifty Sunday schools, and
other neighborly and friendly organizations, found suitable © ac-
commodations for their pleasure excursions in the woods near
and opposite to the Dairy. We are strongly .convinced that no
other element in the design of your work compares in import-
ance with that which is calculated to suggest, facilitate, and
encourage the choice by the people of the city of simple, tem-
perate, healthful, rural and domestic forms of recreation, instead of
such as involve a liability to the development of habits of ex-
travagance, and a morbid inclination for the unwholesome excite-
ments of city life.

We desire, in conclusion, to draw attention to the unsettled state
of the question in regard to the treatment of the land under the con-
trol of the Commission on the east side of Flatbush avenue. The
fact that it continues to be impracticable to make definite calcula-
tions as to the disposition of this ground, has a prejudicial effect in
reference to the general development of the park design, and the
long continued delay is also attended with many practical dis-
advantages. The whole subject was fully discussed in our
report made to your board in 1866, prior to the commencement of
active operations, and again in that of last year; and we have sim-
ply now to say that the views we have heretofore expressed remain
unchanged. Respectfully,

OLMSTED, VAUX & CO.,
Landscape Architects and Superintendents.

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REPORT OFC. (Ci MARTIN,

ENGINEER IN CHARGE.

Park Commission, City OF BROOKLYN,
ENGINEER’s OFFICE, January 1st, 1870.

Messrs. Otmstep, Vaux & Co.,

Landscape Architects and Superintendents.

Gentlemen :—During the past year the work upon the park has
been confined mostly to the western and central portions. The force
of laborers employed has not been as large as last year, but the re-
sults of the season’s work have been quite satisfactory since the
labor has been concentrated upon fewer points, and these have been
steadily pushed forward to completion. No strikes have occurred
among the laborers, and but one among the mechanics, and that was
due to an arbitrary society rule which was finally disregarded by the
park employees.

ROADS.

The park drives have been constructed principally with rubble
stone foundations. Heretofore the Roa Hook gravel was placed
directly upon the broken stone. This season two inches of coarse

gravel, with a small admixture of loam was placed upon the broken
_ stone, and two inches of Roa Hook upon this.

By the substitution of park gravel, the cost of the drives was ma-
terially reduced, as the material was less expensive, and it packed
more readily under the action of the roller. There is every reason
to suppose that these drives will be equally as durable as the more
expensive kind, because the wear of the vehicles will still come upon
the Roa Hook gravel, and before this two inches of surface gravel
is worn out the drives will require to be surfaced with fresh mate-
rial. Continued and careful observations have been made on the

360

drives with the rubble foundation, in order to compare them with
those having Telford foundations, and they have been found to com-
pare favorably with them. The road gutters have been constructed
almost exclusively of stone blocks similar to Belgian blocks, and laid
upon a bed of sand one foot deep. They are much less expensive
than the brick gutters, will be equally as durable, and will be much
more easily repaired. There is but one serious objection to them,
and that is that a large amount of surface water is lost by passing
between the blocks, and thus into the ground. At this time this is
immaterial, as there is an abundant supply of pure water for the lake
with its present area, but when the lake is completed it will be ad-
visable to save all of the surface water possible, in order to keep it
supplied ; but the probabilities are that the fine silt worked from the
roads will, before that time, so effectually close up the crevices be-
tween the stones that almost no water will be lost. Should it be
found that too much water is lost, a very simple, cheap and effective
remedy will be to cover the surface of the block gutters with a light
layer of tar concrete. This will make a gutter that will be imper-
vious to water, and thus equally as effective as brick gutters.

Several additional experiments on tar concrete drives have been
made. The specimen of drive laid by the Scrimshaw Patent Con-
crete Company, in the fall of 1867, has steadily improved since its
construction. During the year it has had no repairs, and no expense
has been put upon it except to sweep off the dust and mud brought
upon it by carriages from the adjacent gravel roads. It is at the
present time in perfect order. From experiments which I have
made, I have been convinced that there is no difficulty to be antici-
pated in making repairs either from the breaking up or wearing out
of the concrete material. If, from the unequal settlement of the
ground, or any other causes, the concrete should crack, a section of
it can be removed, and new material put in its place, without mate-
rial injury to the drive surface; and when the surface has worn un-
even, as it will in time, by constant use, a new surface can be laid
upon the old, and the adhesion is so complete that no tendency to
crack is exhibited.

Samples of the Scharf patent concrete pavement have been laid.
This promises well, and if it withstands the action of the frosts, it
will also make a good road surface.

Later in the season a sample of the Haider patent concrete pave-
ment was laid on the drive. This also promises well, but time and
the elements must decide the merits of this or of the Scharf pave-
ment. The sample of Fisk concrete laid in 1867 was almost entirely

361 |

disintegrated last season, and during the past summer the patentces
at their own cost, re-surfaced it, but before the season was over it
had again gone to pieces. For walks it answers a better purpose,
but even for walks the signs of failure are at this time becoming
evident. The disintegration commences at the bottom and gradually
comes to the surface.

STEAM ROAD ROLLER.

During the season the Park Commission authorized the purchase
of a steam road roller from Messrs. Aveling & Porter, of Liverpool,
England. It arrived in the park in August, and was immediately set
up by park employees, and put to work, and from that time until
the work upon the drives was suspended for the season, it worked
almost constantly, and, for a great portion of the time, night and
day. It effected a very marked saving in the expense of rolling.
The roller weighs fifteen tons, and rolls a width of six feet. It moves
either backward or forward with equal facility, and hence does not —
not have to be turned around on the drive, although it can be turned
around in its own length, which is about twenty feet. The rollers
are five feet in diameter. Although this roller may be entirely
adapted to the rolling of broken stone or McAdam roads, a few
modifications could be made which would improve it for rolling
gravel roads. The rollers should be at least six feet in diameter, so
that they would not have so great a tendency to roll the gravel up in
waves before them. Secondly, the face of the roller should be
straight. On this one the rollers are about five-eighths of an inch
convex, and there being four of them, the effect is to produce four
parallel depressions, five-eighths of an inch deep, and this is only
produced by moving the gravel sidewise. This sidewise motion is
prejudicial to the packing, and would be obviated by making the
faces of the rollers straight, instead of convex. Again, for soft roads,
park roads, with a layer of fresh gravel, three or four inches thick
upon them, the traction power of this roller is scarcely sufficient.
This could be obviated either by coupling the four rollers, so that
they would all become driving wheels, or else by throwing more
weight upon the driving wheels. The roller, as it is, effects a very
great saving of expense in rolling, but the above obvious improve-
ments would add considerably to its efficiency. The cost of running
it is about ten dollars per day, and it does about twice as much
effective rolling as the seven-ton park roller, which required eight
horses to run it, and costs twenty dollars per day.

362

ARCHWAYS, BRIDGES.

The Enterdale Arch, near the main entrance, has been finished
during the year. Also, the Meadowport Arch, with the exception of
the wooden lining, and the Nethermead Arches, excepting the point-
ing up of the brickwork.

The Lullwood Bridge has been completed, and is in use. A small
rustic bridge over the Ambergill has been constructed. A tempo-
rary wooden bridge has been built across the lake near the south
end of Breeze Hill, to connect the finished drives on the opposite sides
of the lake, until the permanent bridge shall be built. It is one
hundred and eighty-four feet long, thirty-five feet wide, and fourteen
feet above summer level of water in the lake.

DAIRY HOUSE.

The dairy house has been completed, and is now occupied.

THE FOUNTAIN.

The masonry of the fountain basin on the Plaza is nearly com-
pleted, and on the occasion of the unveiling of the Lincoln statue,
water was, for the first time, thrown from a temporary jet. The
gas, water and drainage pipes have all been put in, and are in good
working order.

WALKS.

Nearly all of the walks laid on the park during the year have
been made of tar concrete—a large proportion under the Scrimshaw
patent, a portion under the Scharf pavement, and a portion was laid
with improved Fisk pavement. All of the tar concrete walks are in
good condition, although some of the Fisk concrete walks will, from
present indications, require re-surfacing next season.

THE WELL.

The well for supplying the park with water is essentially com-
pleted, although some of the surroundings, as railings, engine-house
roof, &c., are yet unfinished.

CONSTRUCTION OF WELL.

The method of sinking the well having been determined upon, the
work was commenced as follows: an excavation about sixty feet in
diameter was made to a depth of seven feet. Pieces of plank three
feet long, ten inches wide, and two inches thick, were then laid upon
this bottom at intervals of about three feet from center to center

363

upon a circle of fifty-four feet in diameter, and the whole carefully
leveled. A band of wrought iron fifty-four feet in diameter, half an
inch thick, and twenty-two inches wide, was then obtained and placed
upon this ring of plank. The band was made ‘of sheets about four-
teen feet long, the ends of which were placed together, forming butt-
joints; over these ran covering plates, three feet long, and double
countersunk rivets were used to secure them. These having been
put in place and brought to a true circle, a ring of oak timber, eleven
inches thick, eleven inches wide on the top, and two inches wide at
the bottom, was placed inside of the iron band, the thin edge resting
on the short plank, and being in contact with the iron. This was
securely fastened to the band by means of bolts and spikes. Upon
this was laid another ring of oak timber six inches thick and twenty-
four inches wide, the inner diameter of the ring being fifty feet.
These two rings were securely fastened together by spikes ten inches
long and half an inch square. Seven courses of oak of the same
dimensions as the last were then laid up, making a total depth of
timber of four feet, the whole securely spiked and bolted. The iron
band reached to the top of the second six-inch course of timber, and
the third course projected over its edge so as to come flush with the
outside of the iron, thus forming a shoulder against which the iron
could press, and which would prevent its being forced upon the out-
side of the curb. Forty holes were then bored through this four
feet of timber, to receive the rods of one and one-half inch round
iron which were sixteen feet long. These rods were passed through
this mass of timber, and were held in position at the top by a turn-
plate. The wall of brick masonry, two feet thick, was then com-
menced upon this wooden curb, and carried up to a height of ten
feet, where four layers of pine timber, each six inches thick and six-
teen inches wide, were introduced. These were placed in the center
of the wall, and the iron rods passing through them were securely
bolted down with heavy washers and nuts. The wall was now six-
teen feet high, besides the cutting edge, which projected ten inches
below the main wall, and was securely bolted together. While this
was being done, a suitable derrick had been obtained, and so placed
that the boom would swing over the wall and command the interior
space also. Iron buckets for hoisting out the sand, and a six-horse-
power hoisting engine were procured. Work was then commenced
upon the excavation. The material from within the wall was exca-
vated and thrown into the iron buckets, and was then hoisted out and
taken away. The excavation in the center was kept below that at
the sides, and when sufficiently advanced, the material from imme-

364

diately under the wall was removed. This was done with consider-
able care and uniformity, and as the excavation progressed, the wall
slowly and quietly settled down. This process was continually re-
peated until the wall was lowered forty-one feet, when frost suspended
operations last season. At the same time that the excavation was
going on within the well the masons were at work carrying up the
wall. The iron rods were extended within this wall to its top, but
their size was reduced to one and one-fourth inches diameter. The
brick wall had a battu towards the centre of half an inch per foot.
The object of this was to prevent the wall from binding or getting
wedged by the pressure of the earth. The result was as anticipated.
The wall was regularly and uniformly settled as the excavation was
made.

The work was resumed last spring, and progressed satisfactorily
until the bottom of the curb was about three feet below the water-
surface, when it was found to be impossible to make the excavation
under the curb uniformly. The curb did not settle evenly, and
eracks were produced in the wall, also an unequal pressure from the
material on the outside was thrown on the wall, which produced an
eccentricity of about two feet in the diameter of the well. This
wall was allowed to remain in the position last indicated. Another
curb similarly constituted of timber, brick and iron, was constructed,
the interior diameter being thirty-five feet, the walls two feet thick,
and the height ten feet, besides the cutting edge, which is of wood,
and projects below the main wall one foot. This curb wall was
lowered in a manner similar to the first, until its top was one foot
below the surface of the water, giving a depth of twelve feet of water
in the well. , Work was suspended at this point, as the depth of water
obtained was considered sufficient.

The method of making the excavation under water was some-
what novel, and entirely successful, reducing the expense of that
portion of the work very materially. A cylinder twenty inches
diameter, and forty inches long, with a closed top, was made of three-
eighths inch boiler iron. The whole was made air-tight, except the
bottom, which was left entirely open. In the top were two valves
opening upward.

The lower edges of the cylinder were made thin and sharp. At-
tached to the top was a timber or stem six inches square, and
eighteen feet long, and at the top of this a suitable attachment was
made for a hoisting apparatus. The tackle of the derrick was
made fast to this, and the cylinder was lowered away into the water,
the valves were forced open and the air escaped. As soon as the

365

cylinder touched the bottom, the stem of the cylinder was worked
backward and forward, thus forcing the cylinder into the sand by its
own weight. When full of sand, the valves were closed and the
whole hoisted out. As soon as the cylinder was lifted above the
water, it was swung to one side, the valves opened and the con-
tents discharged upon the platform constructed for the men to
work upon. The cylinder has a capacity of seven cubic feet,
and, on an average, five cubic feet of sand was lifted at each time,
and a charge could be brought up every two minutes. The ap-
paratus seemed to work as well in sixteen feet of water as in shallow
depths.

ENGINE AND PUMP.

The engine is of the kind known as the Worthington duplex
pumping engine; and consists essentially of two direct acting hori-
zontal engines by the side of each other, so connected together that
the motion of the one will operate the steam-valves, and change the
motion of the other. ;

“Tn the ‘ duplex’ engine, the shock at the change of the stroke
is avoided by the use of two double-acting water-cylinders, and two
sets of steam-cylinders; the whole so combined as to form one engine,
delivering the water into a common air-chamber.”

“Each pump moves to the end of its stroke, and is there com-
pelled to rest absolutely still foy as much time as will allow the
water-valves to seat themselves quietly, instead of sending them to
their seats violently by a premature motion. And as this piston
ceases its stroke, it communicates motion to the steam-valves of the
other side of the engine, so that its pump assumes the work where
the first laid it down, and continues it with such uniformity that the
indicating gauge will show scarcely any variation in the water press-
ure. The work requires rest from motion while the valves are
closing and the currents subsiding ; but in the force main the upward
flow must be unimpaired and unbroken.”

“When we examine the engine in regard to the quantity of metal
in motion, we find no large masses moving, but that the power of
the steam, acting direct upon the steam-piston, is transmitted through
the piston-rod to the water-plunger, which is attached to the other
end of the same rod, thus acting upon the water without the inter-
vention of a greater mass of metal than the strains absolutely require.
The engine being built so as to contain all these strains within itself,
the foundations are smaller, and much less expensive, than those re-

quired for other classes of engines.”
:

366

“The capacity of the engine is such that it will easily deliver into
the reservoir one million gallons in twenty-four hours, through four
hundred and sixty-five feet of twelve-inch pipe, at a height of one
hundred and sixty feet.”

“Tt is about twenty-five horse-power. It has two double-acting
water-pistons; and each piston-rod passes through a high-pressure
into a low-pressure cylinder, in which the steam is first used at high
pressure, and afterwards at low pressure. The steam-cylinders
are to be protected by a steam-jacket, and a covering of felt and
black walnut; and are provided with balanced steam slide-
valves. Steam water pressure and vacuum gauges are attached to
the engine, and there is also to be a counter to record the number
of strokes.”

“There are four single-acting vertical air-pumps, worked by two
half-beams. The engine draws the water from the well through a
suction-pipe which delivers it into the water-cylinders. This suction-
pipe is fitted at its base with a ‘ foot-valve,’ to keep it always full
of water.”

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“The speed of the engine is from fifty to eighty strokes per
minute, as may be desired. The ordinary speed is about sixty strokes,
with the pressure of the steam forty pounds and the vacuum twenty-
five inches.”

BOILER.

The boiler is of the type known as the horizontal tubular. It is
fifteen feet long, four feet in diameter, and contains thirty-nine tubes
three inches diameter. The grate surface has an area of sixteen
square feet, and the heating surface of the boiler is seven hundred
and fifty square feet. The furnaces are under the shells of the boiler,
the fire returning through the tubes. The boiler fronts are entirely
of iron, and are very substantial and neat in appearance. The boilers
are fed by a small duplex pump.

BOILER HOUSE.

The boiler house is situated on the surface of the ground near
the well, and is constructed of pressed brick with Ohio stone

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trimmings. The chimney is located at one corner of the house.
It is ten feet square at the base, and is to be sixty feet high,
and has a flue two feet square throughout. The house is completed,
except the roof, and the chimney is carried up but about forty-five
feet.

ENGINE AND PUMP FOUNDATION.

It was necessary to place the pumps and engine near the surface
of the water in the well, and in order that they might be entirely
independent of the walls of the well, which were liable to settle-
ment, it was decided to place them on a platform carried by six cast-
iron columns. These columns were made nine inches in diameter,
with three-fourths inch thickness of metal, and of different lengths.
They were cast with flanges on the outside, by which the sections
were securely bolted together. They were sunk into the sand by a
very rapid, cheap and effective method. The sections forming each
column were bolted together. A cap was made to fit the top of the
column, and was securely bolted to it, and in the center of this was
a coupling for a two and a half inch hose. At the bottom another
flange was cast with a cone projecting ten inches from its under
side, with an opening at the point two and a half inches in diameter.
The column thus equipped was suspended over the position it was
to occupy, and suitable guides provided to insure its maintaining a
vertical position in its descent. A hose was thus attached to the
coupling on the cap, and connected with a small number-four W orth-
ington pump. The pump was started, and water forced in at the
top of the column and out at the bottom. As soon as the flow
was fully established, the column was lowered down. The water
escaping into the sand below the column, loosened it, and kept it
in violent agitation, so that it offered almost no resistance to
the sinking, the water escaping alongside of the column to the
surface.

These columns, nine inches in diameter, with a bottom flange
eighteen inches in diameter, were sunk into the sand from eight to
ten feet in about eighteen minutes, when the columns were at their
proper depth. So long as the pumping continued, they were loose
and easily moved around in the sand; but within three minutes
after the pump stopped, they were almost as firm as if set in stone,
the sand having settled so compactly around them. The method
was a complete success, and I see no reason why columns could not
be sunk to almost any depth by the same process. Upon the tops
of the columns were placed wrought iron beams carrying the floor

368

and pumps. Some steps were built spirally into the wall of the well
to enable visitors to reach the pump platform. A floor has been laid
over the well leaving a circular opening twenty feet in diameter.
The floor is supported on two isometrical trusses. The entrance to
the well is through the boiler house and a side opening in the wall
of the well.

FORCE MAIN.

The force main leading from the pump to the reservoir is a cast-
iron pipe twelve inches in interior diameter. Its length is to be four
hundred and sixty-five feet, and the elevation of the point at which
it delivers the water in the reservoir is one hundred and sixty feet
above the level of the water in the well, and one hundred and seventy-
three feet above tide level. The main was made with bell and spigot
joints, the bells being five inches deep, and the lead joints were made
only three and one-fourth inches deep, the balance of the space being
. filled by a hempen gasket.

The force main delivers the water into the reservoir just above
‘its high-water line. The object in pumping to this height, rather
than into the bottom of the’ reservoir, is to insure a uniform press-
ure on the pumps. In the force main near the pump is placed a
check-valve. This is a self-acting arrangement, by which the pressure
of the water in the main is prevented from acting on the pumps
while they are not in motion, and consists of an inclined partition
across an enlargement of the pipe, with valves on the upper side,
which are opened as the water is forced through them from the
pumps, and which are closed by the pressure of the water in the
pipe above them. At a distance of eighty-three feet from the well,
and at an elevation of about sixty-one feet above the surface of the
water in the well, there is a branch connecting with a fifteen-inch
vitrified pipe, which leads to the lake near the proposed sight of the
refectory. This branch will be used when it is required simply to
fill the lake.

At a distance of one hundred and fifty-four feet from the well,
and at an elevation of ninety feet above the water in the well, is
another branch connecting with a twelve-inch cast-iron pipe leading
around the base of Lookout Hill to the uppermost of a series of =
pools. This pipe delivers the water at an elevation of one hundred
and twenty-four feet, and will be used when a supply of water is to
be furnished to the pools and cascades situated in the Ambergill and
Nethermead districts,

It will thus be seen that the water from the well can be delivered

369

at elevations of sixty-one, one hundred and twenty-four, or one hun-
dred and sixty feet, as the case requires, thus reducing the work and
cost of pumping to its minimum.

The water from the reservoir will be taken into the pipe distribu-
tion system, to be used at the hydrants, drinking fountains, &e., at
different points on the park. This will constitute but a small pro-
portion of the water required on the park. By far the largest quan-
tity will be required to supply the loss from the lake, due to
evaporation from the surface and leakage from the bottom. This
water may be used to produce pools, cascades, rapids, and running
brooks before it empties into the lake.

SOURCE OF WATER SUPPLY FOR THE WELL.

The ground on that portion of the park lying south of the hills,
and in fact all of the south side of Long Island, is one vast bed of
sand, which is generally covered by but a few feet of soil and loam.
On account of this peculiar formation, a large proportion, probably
sixty per cent., of the rain fall is absorbed, and passes down to what
is popularly known as “ the main spring.” This is a body of water
filling the sand, and extending under this whole district. The dis-
tance from the surface of the ground to the surface of this body
of water depends upon the modulation of the ground; but the
elevation of this water surface above tide level is quite uniform
for equal distances from tide water, and depends upon that dis-
tance; it rises about seven feet per mile—so that, for instance, at
any point two miles from tide water, the surface of this subter-
raneous reservoir will be about fourteen feet above tide level.
The slope being known, it becomes an easy matter to calculate
with great certainty the quantity of water which can be obtained
from the well.

The rain fall averages something over forty inches per annum,
but assuming it to be forty inches, then sixty per cent. of this, or
- twenty-four inches in depth of water, will reach the main spring.
This quantity over a circle, with a radius of one-half a mile will
give a daily supply of about nine hundred thousand gallons. To
draw this supply of water to the well from a distance of one-half
a mile, it will be necessary to pump the water down to a depth of
about three and a half feet, and this will allow the water to take
the regular slope of about seven feet per mile. The water in
the well is twelve feet deep, and can readily be pumped down
seven feet, and this will draw water from nearly a mile in every
direction. There is, therefore, an abundant supply of water

24%

370

within reach of the well, and the only remaining question was,
could the requisite amount be pumped out without bringing in
with it the sand in the bottom and around the well, and thus fill
it up. This last question was set at rest by actual observation
during a trial of the pump. It was found that when the water
in the well was drawn down four and a half feet, water came in at
the rate-of 850,000 gallons per day, without in the least disturbing
the sand in the bottom. This was on the third day the pump was
run; and the rate of flow of the water towards the well will increase
as pumping is continued, for the subterraneous channels will arrange
themselves in directions towards the well. No doubt the bottom
could be brought in, and the well ruined, by suddenly pumping the
water down eight or ten feet; but if it were drawn down even to
that depth gradually, no damage would occur. The water must not

be drawn down more than four and a half feet suddenly, as it cannot
be done safely.

FORT GREENE.

The work on Fort Greene has been steadily pressed during the
season, and a large proportion of it is completed. The walks laid
last year are in good order, and a large amount in addition have
been laid this season. Mr. T. P. Kinsley remained in charge of the
work, as engineer, until it was suspended in November. Mr. F. Mol-
lard performed the duties of general foreman during the continuance
of the work.

On Prospect Park, the organization of the Engineer Department
remained essentially as at the last report, during the season, until
the suspension of work in November, when the Engineer corps was
reduced to correspond with the reduction of the labor force. For
the park statistics you are respectfully referred to the reports of the
assistant engineers-in-charge, herewith presented.

The assistant engineers-in-charge, Mr. John Bogart and Mr. John
Y. Culyer, have performed the duties of their respective departments
with skill and fidelity. ;

.Respectfully submitted,

C. C. MARTIN,
Engineer in Charge.

REPORT OF JOHN BOGART,
ASSISTANT ENGINEER IN CHARGE.

Park Commission, City OF BROOKLYN,
ENGINEER’S OFFICE, January 1st, 1870.

C. C. Martin, Esq.,
Engineer in Charge.
Sir :—I submit herewith the following tabular statistics of con-
struction of the Brooklyn parks, up to January Ist, 1870.

DRIVES.
Drives finished, 60 feet wide..... Hee east wieieieee 379 lin. ft.
+ Does ila Nacho Aa dete probs sian 207) am
«“ « BG Gee Ws pee eet hetcee aaa
« « IG Aa ey ae hed co UM 5,546 «
€ & 40 TUR MME aiotere corecsieha ernie werare 12,423 “
ef 30 SHial e clalietavetaisiaterevclencistaversia 1,500" *
«“ GT Ardea eng ORE 1,610 «
rs 23 Sid aaisis vateit soe ain eee 1,550 “
¢ rk 50 «¢ (Franklin avenue)... 1,860 “
Total length of drive finished .......... Biciioime ee iSich tg oe
or 5,4; miles.
Drives in progress, 60 feet wide.........e00.00- 75 lin. ft.
i ig 50 ciel ey RePEc ees 200 “
s ¥ 40 OH 2 faiauars 3 wea hyarerevethars LEGO: -“
PRG tea WAR ys uN CORE). ON ae oles . 1ss5 «“
or +45; miles.
CONCOURSES.
Finished concourse for carriages, Plaza......... . 272,442 sup. ft.
. bs “ Eee crerec tare + P19. 3500-5
pS s for pedestrians, Plaza.......... 26: 742 ee
~ i « Jerid ae eae ide 5 AOD S00- ges
. es $ Fort Greene.... 78,832 “
bi s J ParadeGround.. 18,000 “
Total area of finished concourse...... 574,666 “

9
or 15,49 acres.

372

Concourse in progress, for carriages, Plaza....... 3,000 sup. ft.

ef v8 me Parkes taere\¢ 200,000 <<
. ve for pedestrians, Park ....... 80,000 “
ce i Fort Greene. 93,960 “
ue oh # Parade Grnd 4,000 “

Ota ae or cschosetanenai ene iw suehocre eit aisceielsietore | GOUSOU icy

or 8,35, acres.

RIDES.
Rides finished, 20 feet wide...0e.......seevecee - 98,000 Tim. ft.
« ee 16 Se alaedpdeedh lelastehelere ss 0 toe aaa s 625.7“
23 es 15 oP i Vogerauousleysas otters eRe eee - . 23050
g Fs 8 eu seopeereree we(scasectee cielo. 600 “

TOGA. 2 ities elereie oneve «odo euniave ce toLanes Geis vs

or 1 1%, miles.

Rides in progress, 20 feet wide..... SO 0,30 40 wate. teog MOUnatte
Gs a 15 Te Dn Ay Men cnseado Sie states 580350 900 “
Ota se ctecate ioe So dob cap oes piel sielels 3,875 “

713 j
or 7,3 miles.

WALKS.

Walks finished, 20 feet wide.......... rata sale alot 408 lin. ft.
« Goto AGE nO Myers she Mes SISA ane
sc ee 14 = sseechosasa eiaavete wicie 400 “
« tale MDS Eee lars Sas aoe aN One dials ant (BIST eR
S ¥s 10 alll gis sialoievotetsieioe Sie leletor oie ake ROO ite
- id 8 ena sh ee simictseteue cls mas 450 “
Bs 524 rf (Fort Greene) ...".. : LOS 7s
“4 sd 16 * ‘ sieves SO Tes
(14 (75 14 (T9 ° “cc yee 8 667 73
« berbaticareaes (9 xe be A aE eal eat ee
vd iB 10 we TR WR ee sas BUS) 5
Ks a 8 Ne eon 505%
ss v 8 od (Carroll Park): ices cto)

or 6,8 miles.

373

Finished walk at Prospect Park .....cscccceses : 5,4, miles.

“s Bb Omty GERI 66,600. 4, cicin.e ojejsje08 00 © 1fs 86

“ Sti Camroue Parlin. ccd as edad yqielese« tes O«
Walks in progress, 30 feet wide........++.. isc ete ale 5,396 lin. ft.

bd as 25 Spa ct ayetgsa' cr dieiiel 5 «Cdters.e she alia ==

i * 20 a Mereanerel hatotenstel « arciac.. bi dig Lewain yar

f s 16 Moe. Sareheveteecs Bstavere sietwia.e LATE RS ee

“i sd 12 te Beperee PonnOe as) 1900" 4

ob 10 hi jc SON Ge Get Hon ce S85

. oe 8 ce) fo ateratetiats B Sarkieh shen state S50) *

sf iy 5ar “ ° (Fort Greene)..... 36D) 2%

“ “ 16 a ee & att ee 150 “cc

if4 “ 14 74 “ce aaa 197 “cc

“ ce [3 73 “cc a as 50 “

“ce “ 10 it4 6“ es. 35 (73

ME Gy Ucklie: wha: sy ver biel ie /olelovareiece af carer ele eielavers 21,515 te

or 4,7, miles.

DRAINAGE.

18 inch Vitrified pipe laid.............. ce eeres 1,692 lin. ft.
io S Goi eeaetees wavweart of6.8 ave. epee : 1809
Oa “¢ SPS palate Nem e.dieits ac is eiators 9144 «“
LO fe i dupes amass sareieins epee 1,947."
abil Es Paid aya og. 58.2 See oa ohh oko 8,988 <«
oe = Co Outmare sine wee sialel ete aie as abe 305“
Git A SOS) aclorereyctertafetepdiscere oh asre ee? 19,813 <“
5“ « CK SRO aR i ae EY 1619 «
sae be TN 4 areata Reveiace ayo oat op ete oe 2,496 “
SEE « De ee ake. es 675
£0,,. “1 .( Hort, Greene) 42s 40.50% alk, ©
Ss, is a od AL iar eee 680 4°
6 « « « CU Lape eat are 2,066 «
5 « « “ el a8 1,234 «
gn « « « Ce eo Se é 2707 «
Gg = ee = = (Carroll Park): 5. 3..<« : So
a -* < y: Ge ed seseke reste fase : 310 4
6 “ Cement 4 - sisi tones ° 142 «
POG: ic naixie ole viacoars ee ended eclte'es "O2,129" 4%

77 ;
or 11,77, miles.

ov4

Tile pipe laid,3 inch.........2..: nhs Sarre r Nelo 19,345 lin. ft.
FOS EE RG cate tohaie RE tote Gm iaihar ones mae
CE ORC a Kea aE Manele soe 27,110 «
ss SAL ties hae cheer cal pie covaus eierah onele opt lets oo T,oa2 “

AE Gta ceralcisterctotereie’ eaoitnnne ieee Savsiow 53,812 “

or 10,8, miles.

WATER DISTRIBUTION.

Wrought iron and cement pipe, 16 inch........... 3,023 lin. ft.
ee * Md Mee arp scat wialsiote Bete LeeO4On, ae
Ws es # LO ean Ars tie ot 10,550 “
FR ig i Nhs bleivioiete <4. soOW he
Poa aL an seek ates, Meee . 19,472 «

62 yj
or 3,52 miles.

Cast iron ‘pipe, 20: inch. 2% 0.66...) ace vecececs 347 lin. ft.
as AEG yn te Sielo ts setenre a eistote tote talein ree tey es Boi
an eee seeds as nee eta ac 2515 «
ef cc NS ymatat iolseeaxc loRerete ever ttie erate ote teretors . 191 THe
4 TRY FAL ES btradersteieier states speisiereneter oleh AOS aC AS fois"

3 ah aee any eleven aemeaene yet ote Sadose : Syl
sf EEG Taras ars suet esoretetess ereielofeye 5ae4as , Dean
Me SAE SA eee es, Pesedcteny alereeyeverane SSoesaed aoa 10 5“
re oe ae ipalvemized.e:. occ Von S dabas 450 “
ef en wal sae oe Bictsiol toeiefaietete Ages
A OtaL sw ctjeietene tele tereseitie ame sisielee piel 5,073“

Oras, jeunes:

Head wand! din pipe, 4 ANCH i. joii ois shes bo Peleveitinis siole 802 lin. ft.
He ¢ i “ (Fort Greene)....... Sree Oy nea
“ os ube nl LSE ai a <7 OG4 Ly 1

Otel Sie teieiels teins later teioneeke eto we ere ALGO Mess

or +1, miles.
Blow-offs and branches ............ ereieioileis tetera lara tM yelvca le eietave iMRI CE
SHOP-COCKS,. jie) soe ihe mice rate ts w raatese Weis efoslone) a etts/= ater! rebate veeete tee 1 38
Air-cocks) cf tan who vehedeve elenete mete Sraieuhae eyatetetece ieee ape ME A 2
EV CIOSTES tie «erence la veletehel’< ie ieipieoenera) sete OSS aia a8 3 Sierae ii ee
PR GOMGETS yc) 2b ictsss-clle'e «0 ar8)c Baie eit aims so alehe ee lois Miciemectinawre erie 5 4.
MCtrOS's 2% c:c sok Beever terete Seraiarelere Sie Aiea Ses e sulveleccioinnn 2

Stop-cocks (Fort Greene)...0.es.seee.seees eiolbie ietotetele tee late 11

Gas pipe laid, 4 inch............ Wi intn@ieyequinwes@ete ye 700 lin. ft.
Ch 33 oa p (e'@' 8) 8816 Biter a: 29) '\8) 88 'e8 Os). @ .0 © gears 8 e)'e @ . 88 Be
BION MSPES West ate fmtirincel ain’ <div oid» Sars See 6 Pfs fe jab:

or ;';5 miles.

Iron fence set (Fort Greene)....... a tareiny eave iste seks 703 lin. ft.

‘
AREA OF OPERATIONS UP TO JANUARY ist, 1870.

Area worked over up to January Ist, 1870........ Bdd2y acres.
& es cs (Fort Greene) aor eee
Surface finished, meadows and slopes..... RA nor Loan he
ne woodland ........ Siar ache a0 40 “
re . WUCE’ SULIACES:-/sleles s,a\e cides sires LA oss
tf TOMAS AMC WANS cialele, cheer msi, «ates ASy
FIMO ss <ay tsi oi,5)9) aN bacairtctelate jane : 2001)“
RIP EACERSCOULCE, ay alch ahs oa sxe nie) le stale e)'et¥ 015588 stereitelane « ‘170 aeres:
Surface finished (Fort Greene)........ PeRt chee a
MASONRY.
Amount of brick masonry............. “praRner ase) a,0en Cus Vas.
se - (Fort Greene)......... To
* stone masonry....... Syeehwieiictstanste stat chiar 5,986" :>\*
sé af (Fort Greene)......... Sor
= COMGECUE sis seatags Asc er ha abtc Ue chicks cietuslieael dee Lee, tie
#3 ero (UB or, Greene) i 4 decuts eceyeisiisnars lois 5 le
ae SUPA SO is oa thtel tah chen atelayeferaret veanlats) ears 4,779 lin. ft.
ve gers (Bont Greene isis ee =r 5 eiievote 214 “
CUGDOSOLS Aisitte,o ciate arouse ees ube isam eran’ ik 67,624 “
fs rent (Hort KGmeenel ase hietalarctosteie.« Gang
.. Belgian pavement laid ............... 295,152 sup. ft.
5 cobble is BAe rcitaeeTateal sfalet othe. 52,816 “
ui brick ni SRReer ae-tebeka wel speiata sy sials 20,520 “
a . gutter callin Je Wad Cheeceinirac he 20,268 “
. Telford. “ meats oh pce iat egann sore 2», ADTOD: vee
eS cobble “ Go Ee Beene os (dO ee
flag stone “ Gi Memetrard as Bree cy Fey iL! Seek
Tar concrete pavement laid...........ceccereeeee 360,136 sup. fi.

i Hy « (Fort Greene).......... 176,944 “

376
AMOUNT OF STONE BROKEN.
McAdam stone by stone breaker.............08- 16,214 cu. yds.
Telford and building stone by hand.............. 8,943 “
3 Fs “(Fort Greene)... 23569,
Pall stome Wy MAN Hrs cvejoinieleloiers eis wieje es. oicichehe sele she 12,920 “

MATERIAL MOVED.

Total to
: ‘ ‘ During 1869. Jan. 1st, 1870.
For grading and shaping drives, rides,

walks, meadows, and slopes........ Cub. yds. 144,844: 416,370

For lakes, pools, and streams .......... . 126,136 481,058
MOTE aa sere sce) clo tekettro rennet eS 172,855
For sewers, drains and water distribution ‘“ 32,678 85,842
OU Fe ih tara ithe Biase ole Maio nts Rin oewivioren es v 80,760 410,772
"BEL NA eNO nS Cla ae meen UEC “ + 20,546 66,566
GOLA oii essatanapanine acm vistas one bays eat ee ee pape! 2,274 30,150
Manures and compost ’............00.- ie 10,700 36,100
RCO rite rin. cio’ bres: s cuonilt «tule seis ee “sf 19,305 83,266
Graveliand Sand, 7.02% .sicws ee sect Nea - 25,147 85,367
TTS ELAN COWS 855070 15 cine jere = le are eSreiatenala's%e Ky 3,822 18,446
Total:cubic: yards 5.10. hice cen 466,212 1,886,292

Material moved at Fort Greene.......... i 32,532 89,914

Total cubic yards........ 498,744 1,976,206

ENGINEER CORPS.

The assistant engineers, Mr. Wilson Crosby and Mr. James C.
Aldrich, at Prospect Park, and Mr. T. P. Kinsley, at Fort Greene,
have been actively and efficiently engaged in the immediate super-
vision of the engineer corps during the season.

Respectfully submitted,

JOHN BOGART,
Assistant Engineer in Charge.

-

REPORT “OP? JOHN Y. CULYER,

ASSISTANT ENGINEER IN CHARGE.

Prospect Parr, Brooxtyn, Dec. 31st, 1869.
C. C. Martin, Esq.,
Engineer in Charge.

Dear Sir: You will find herewith a report of the means and
materials employed in the construction and maintenance of the sey-
eral parks under the jurisdiction of the Commission, for the year
ending December 31st, 1869, together with an inventory of tools
and supplies, and the statistics of the force, and other details, for the
same period.

FORCE.

During the working season, the average of men employed was
813, being a less force than has been engaged during any previous
season of the same duration.

The work has been prosecuted mainly within the district lying
on the westerly side of the park area, commencing with the unfinished
ground near the main entrance on the Plaza, then running parallel
with Ninth avenue, and including the main west or circuit drive,
through the Litchfield and adjoining properties, and also comprehends
the construction of the drive to Lookout Hill, the Nethermead arches,
and work on adjoining territory.

In addition to this, a large amount of work was done in the lake
district during the early part of the year.

A considerable force of masons and stone-cutters was employed
upon the construction of Meadowport and Nethermead arches, the
well, boiler house, and fountain basin, and the stonework of the
frame house.

A force of carpenters was employed to complete the wood work
of Lullwood bridge, the farm house, the well, the temporary bridge

378

connecting the drive from Vanderbilt Hill with Breeze Hill, and also
on a large amount of current detail labor incident to the general
progress of the work.

The following statement shows the average number of employed
force during each month of the year, and also for the preceding years
since the organization of the work in 1866:

Statement showing the average number of employed force for the
months and years noted,

Active operations commenced on the park in the latter part of the month of June, 1866.

a 5 B |
— 5 M 2 : 2

Yea (|) ce ol a alse seal ev I ee oat Ne

3 B 2 = B o a 3 3 2 2 2

g 2 a a, 3 | 2 Ei S =) 8 2

5 <3 = < a 5 5 4 al =) Z =)
ASGG Hetero tercullactasveslbatiaicte ollictsine orale tectonic stan 300 835 450 550 620 700 (25
a Ti fassanocs 700 630 410 800 | 1000 |} 1150 | 1200 | 1525 | 1750 | 1825 | 1800 | 1100
SOS cesivennc 944 812 508 | 1215 | 1047 | 1189 | 1095 | 1090 | 1116 | 1118 1167 912
S69 Ease cs 740 698 746 946 959 988 991 | 1060 975 946 552 204

+The following is an exhibit of the days during which the main
force was employed, and of the days when the weather partially or
entirely prevented the prosecution of the work:

Whole number of full days when the main force was em-

PLOVICU Viste eller sie tye itee te wish te tac Sie tetwne lobes eaten COU,
Whole number of days when the weather interrupted the
WOOD sciisiisie Ree crel oe ete alates ater yeretots levers alelotetetclera stele tn taken

FORT GREENE.

The work at Fort Greene has been prosecuted during the past
year under the direction of our assistant engineer, our general fore-
man of field work, and a small force varying from 35 men in Jan-
uary and February, to an average of 60 or 70 during the summer
and early fall season.

The work was entirely suspended November 10th. In January,
February and March, one foreman with one gang of men was em-
ployed. Subsequently two foremen and two gangs of men were
engaged until the close of the season. The period covered repre-

379

sents 269 working days. During this time the work was interrupted
by storms on 50 days. The following table shows the average
number employed at Fort Greene, by months, during the years 1868
and 1869:

Work begun June, 1868, Work suspended December, 1869.

u wi .

z 2 ; | > 2 B 4 3

a : . na 5 a

BEA eth el Bik tne Lived Re Eel Sl By Lg

ey eee ei om efollett Tem nl | siege Ih gy

ISS 4S 6éo- al Agee) eo-cba) Sroodal toa Seraliteeaiers 96 89 | 188 | 186 | 189 | 182 72
LOUU siaieie\cisele 86 85 41 80 79 69 68 61 66 58 BOF Is. cere

ORGANIZATION,

The force for the year was made up as follows:

FOR GENERAL CONSTRUCTION WORK.

One general foreman.

Two assistant general foremen.

Nine barrow gangs (one at Fort Greene), average 32 men each.

Six cart gangs (one at Fort Greene), average 20 men each, 25
carts.

Two team gangs, average 20 men each, 25 teams.

One stone-breaking gang, average 8 men each.

Three miscellaneous gangs, average 40 men.

Of this force, 12 men, 1 team, and 5 sprinkling carts were re-
quired for the work of maintenance, cleaning of roads, basins, and
water-ways ; to which is added a force of gardeners in the spring
and summer, for the care of shrubbery, mowing, &c.

MECHANICAL FORCE—STONE-CUTTERS, STONE AND BRICK MASONS.

One general foreman.

One foreman of stone-cutters, 45 stone-cutters.

Two foremen of stone-masons, average 15 masons each.
One foreman of brick-masons, 9 brick-masons,

2
CARPENTER AND BLACKSMITH FORCE.

One foreman of carpenters, 21 carpenters.
One foreman of rustic work, 4 zustic carpenters.
One foreman of blacksmiths, 5 blacksmiths, 5 helpers.

380

PLANTING AND GARDENING FORCE,
One foreman.
Eight master gardeners.
Fifteen skilled laborers.
One hundred and fourteen laborers.
The gardener’s force is under the supervision and direction of
the park inspector, Mr. O. C. Bullard.
The division and arrangements of labor remain the same as here-
tofore, as does also the keeping of time and accounts of work, and
of complete vouchers and records.

DISCIPLINE.
Tne following is an abstract of the record regarding promotions,
suspensions and discharges occurring during the year:
APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTIONS.

Number of foremen appointed..........022-.s000 micthapeianettertanae
Number of laborers promoted to assistant foremen ........... 1
Number of assistant foremen promoted to foremen ......... Sian!
Resignation of foremen:..)50. Go isc o)e' alsiaie ololeie Sat eet eterc leat 2
SUSPENSIONS.
Number of assistant general foremen suspended for infraction
OF Males oa sconsvstes epeeeiodeteestel cietoinie’aiorel'e ope lever cyano alae a lat alae roe
Number of foremen suspended for breach of discipline........ 8
Number of assistant foremen suspended for breach of discipline. 4
Number of laborers suspended for breach of discipline....... 155
DISCHARGES.

Number of foremen discharged for breach of discipline........ 2
Number of assistant foremen discharged for inefficiency....... 1

Number of laborers discharged for inefficiency .............. 307
Number of laborers discharged for intoxication and neglect of
CUD CRORE Ces Cr oye MR. TSAO BS Jerseeacten Ao
ACCIDENTS.

Six laborers were injured on the work, and two died in conse-
quence of injuries they received. A small boy was run over and
killed by a truck belonging to a contractor.

A number of cases of sunstroke occurred during the extreme heat
of the summer, none of which resulted fatally, owing, it is believed,
to the prompt application of the remedies provided by the Commis-
sion for such cases.

KEEPERS AND PUBLIC USE OF THE PARKS.

This force, as organized the preceding year, remained unchanged
up to November 30th, when, in consequence of the general suspen-

381

sion of work on the park, a temporary reduction was made in the
number employed.

The force consists of two head keepers, one station officer, six
wardens, sixteen range keepers, and thirty post keepers.

A reduction was made November 30th of two wardens, four
range keepers and six post keepers, together with six subordinate
employees.

The service has been distributed as follows :

16 rangers, Prospect Park.

24 post keepers, Prospect Park.
3 post keepers, Fort Greene. —
2 post keepers, Carroll Park.

1 post keeper, City Park.

And comprehends a daily inspection by a head keeper of all the
smaller parks under the jurisdiction of the Commissioners.

It is to be observed in this connection that the area now made
use of by the public is much larger in extent than it was last year,
and that the number of visitors making use of the park is greatly in
advance of last season, the natural result being that the duties and
responsibilities of the keeper force have been proportionately in-
creased.

During the year one ranger and two post keepers have resigned.
Two post keepers have been promoted to the grade of range keepers,
One death has occurred in the grade of post keepers. Five range
keepers and nine post keepers have been suspended for breach of
discipline. Two range keepers and ten post keepers have been dis-
charged for neglect of duty and inefficiency.

ARRESTS.

Thirty-three arrests were made during the year, of which the fol-
lowing is a summary :

Blow eS CHENIN ENG aeons jars einctehe ae a Sema erate ea: fearon = 3
For injuring trees and shrubbery............. wife eee
For disorderly conduct and intoxication......... 28
For interfering with keepers....... Std ia efalchele ove’, suse

For violation of ordinance on Fort Greene........ 1

Besides the above, a number of minor offences were disposed of
by caution or reprimand, by the station officer, or the keeper under
whose observation they occurred.

Twelve lost children were restored to their homes.

382

IMPOUNDED ANIMALS.

The annoyance resulting from cattle, goats and swine running at
large is abating. One hundred and fifty- four animals were im-
pounded, which were redeemed by their owners on payment of fines
and charges, or sold to pay expenses.

PUBLIC USE OF THE PARKS.

During the year records have been made of the number of people
visiting the park, and the results in detail will be found in the fol-
lowing statement. The whole number for the year is 2,958,539,
which is 822,197, or 38 per cent. in advance of last year.

A marked increase in the number of persons driving in the park
is also noticeable, 714,240 vehicles having entered the park.

This is 292,642, or 69 per cent., in advance of the preceding
season.

STATEMENT SHOWING THE NUMBER OF VISITORS AT PROSPECT PARK
DURING THE YEARS 1868 anv 1869.

Vehicles. Equestrians. Pedestrians. Total Visitors.

1868. 1869. 1868, | 1869. 1868. 1869, 1868. 1869.

January..| 11,440] 36,719|| 1,301] 4,031|| 62,012] 73,500|| 94,443) 187,688
February..| 16,476] 37,888}| 510] 4,960/| 48,504] 81,761|| 90,982) 150,385

March....| 16,085} 48,740)| 3,804] 6,380)| 27,281) 32,820 75,983) 190,420

April.....| 19,089] 53,430|| 6,287] 4,671|| 25,942] 45,125|| 88,502, 210,086

May .....| 38,871] 75,636|| 7,623| 11,242)| 69,478] 65,049|| 194,457) 303,199

Sf CRO 65,485] 82,620|| 8,825] 7,884!| 102,544) 87,441|| 308,988 343,185
July.....| 52,877] 68,226|| 5,214] 5,133|) 98,967| 102,208|| 266,821| 312,014

August,..| 51,133] 80,339)| 6,869] 4,270|| 117,425] 91,315|| 277,198) 336,602

September] 37,349] 70,717|| 4,863] 5,072|| 60,322} 74,667)| 177,242) 291,890

October..} 49,684] 80,417|| 8,329} 7,163)| 72,325] 98,305|| 229,942) 346,719

November| 44,909] 50,073! 10,113] 5,847|| 44,027| 29,091|| 188,247] 185,157

December] 18,200} 34,485|| 8,180) 8,101|} 86,056] 14,788)| 144,042) 121,194

Total. : .| 421,598] 714,240|/ 64,918) 69,754)| 808,383) 746,065/|2,136,792 2,958,539

383

The largest number of visitors on any one day was 41,425, Octo-
ber 24th.

720,888 persons visited the park on Sundays.

69,754 equestrians have made use of the park. This is 4,836 in
excess of the preceding year.

About two and a half miles of new drive was opened to public
use simultaneously with the inauguration of the Lincoln statue, Oc-
tober 2lst. 32,439 persons entered the gates of the park on that
day. In addition to these, several thousand persons witnessed the
ceremonies at the Plaza, without entering the park.

During the year a piece of ground, one and one-third acres in
area, was prepared and set apart for velocipede riders. Velocipedes
were also permitted on the walks of the park, but no great use was
made of either of their privilege, and beyond the occurrence of
several slight accidents, there is nothing to record in regard to this
branch of the public amusement.

In the early fall, the turf upon the most of the larger open spaces
of the park having become firm and close, the public was allowed
free range over it. The privilege gave great satisfaction to many,
and was not found inconsistent with the maintenance of good order
or the preservation of the turf.

During the summer and fine fall weather the west woods were in
constant use for large social parties and the pic-nics of friendly asso-
ciations, Sunday schools, church and temperance societies. There
have been two hundred of these during the season. In addition, a
large number of smaller family festivals were noted. The use of
these grounds, and of the privileges thus accorded to visitors, has
been marked by good order and a ready compliance with established
regulations. Tables, seats and swings were provided, as heretofore,
without charge. No accident has occurred.

PARADE GROUND.

This ground has been in good serviceable condition during the
season, frequent mowings having rendered the turf strong and com-
pact. There have been twelve parades, one division parade, three
brigade parades, and eight regimental and battalion parades. The

grounds have also been made use of by about fifty cricket, base ball
and la crosse clubs.

SKATING.

There were twenty-two days of skating this year, as follows:
Sixteen in January, two in February, and four in March. The pond

384

area, obtained by a temporary dam across the incompleted ‘excava-
tions of the lake, in use for skating, was twelve acres. A new
movable house, with convenient accommodations for the public, 168
feet by 28 feet, was provided; during this period 75,000 visits were
made to the pond.

TREES AND SHRUBS.

The following statements show the number of deciduous trees
shrubs, evergreens, etc., purchased; also the stock on hand, together
with the number that have been planted during the year.

On Prospect Park.

STATEMENT SHOWING THE NUMBER OF TREES, SHRUBS, ETC., RECEIVED
DURING THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 3818T, 1869.

Saco ae Evergreens, | Vines. | Ferns. Bee eee Aggregate.
ae ee Cee 852 ae: tax 282 agey
STOCK IN NURSERY, DECEMBER 31sT, 1869.

D econ Evergreens. hap Vines. ae teal Ferns. | Aggregate.
ees: aN ae ee 1,492 ee: eae

STATEMENT SHOWING THE NUMBER OF TREES, SHRUBS, ETC., SET IN PERMA-
NENT PLANTATIONS DURING THE YEAR.

Deciduous Ever- | Deciduous Herbaceous Bedding

Trees. greens, Shrubs. Vines. Plants. Ferns. Plants. Aggregate.

3,030 9,386 | 17,786 2,634 6,814 3,360 282 43,292

Fifty-two deciduous trees of fine character, and five deciduous
shrubs, were presented by Mr. Henry Struybring. Five deciduous
trees, twenty-six deciduous shrubs, and eight evergreens, by Mr. S.
R. Trowbridge. One very fine American elm by Mr. Cooper.

385

FORT GREENE,

STATEMENT SHOWING THE NUMBER OF TREES, SHRUBS, ETC., PLANTED AT
FORT GREENE DURING THE YEAR.

7 Herbaceous
asa ag prea . Evergreens. |* Vines. Pianta Aggregate.
1,079 6,357 3,721 108 52 11,317

: us e—'. =

Seven shrubs and two other plants were presented by Mrs.
Burtis.

CARROLL PARK,

STATEMENT SHOWING THE NUMBER OF TREES, SHRUBS, ETC., PLANTED AT
CARROLL PARK DURING THE YEAR,

Deciduous
Trees,

Deciduous

Evergreens. Shrubs Vines. Aggregate.

9 25 * 308 . 19 361

A choice collection of deciduous shrubs and evergreens, imported
from England, were received in excellent condition. A part of these
is included among the stock planted this season, and the remainder
form a part of the stock on hand for future operations.

Two large trucks, especially adapted to the moving of large trees,
were constructed on the work in 1867, and have been in successful
and constant operation in the seasons proper for such work since
that time.

Between five hundred and six hundred trees, ranging from four
inches to seventeen inches diameter, measured three feet from the
ground, have been taken up and transplanted from one to another
point more or less distant on the park, or from the outside, with en-
tire success. Not more than six have died that have been thus
moved. ,

The largest tree moved measured seventeen inches in diameter at
three feet from the ground, and weighed, with the ball of earth at-
tached to the roots, fifteen tons. It was carried a distance of half a
mile, and so far as its present appearance indicates, without material
injury.

25

386

GENERAL STATISTICS.

The following is a list of structures, &c., completed or advanced
in construction during the year. The Nethermead arches, of Ohio
sandstone and Quincy granite, 108 ft. 6 in. long, and 56 ft. 6 in. wide,
comprising three arches, two each of 20 ft. span, and a central span
22 ft. The Meadowport arch, of Ohio sandstone, 83 ft. 6 in. in
length, 20 ft. span, with groined arch 30 ft.

The Lullwood bridge, at the north end of the lake, 90 ft. span, 20
ft. wide, constructed of white oak, on granite piers and abutments.

One locust rustic bridge, over the Binnen-water, 35 feet span and
16 feet wide.

One rustic arbor, on the east shore of the lake, 111 feet in length,
16 feet wide, and 8 feet high.

One temporary bridge over the lake, of pine and spruce, connect-
ing the line of drive from Breeze hill to Lookout hill, 36 feet wide,
and 208 feet span, 22 feet above the level of water in the lake.

One temporary building, 40 by 60 feet, for pattern room for
bridge work and other structures. ea

The farm-house is completed.

THE WELL.

The curbs are completed and in position; a covering placed on
the same; and the railing around the opening and on the platform
and steps in the well is in progress.

A boiler-house, 42 ft. 6 in. by 20 ft. 6 in., with chimney 8 ft. 6 in.
at base, of Croton brick and Ohio stone trimmings, has been partially
constructed, and work interrupted by frost and suspended.

THE FOUNTAIN...

The granite for the steps, platform and coping, for the fountain
basin at the Plaza, have mainly been delivered by the contractor
and are in part in place in the work.

Three flag-staffs, 70 feet high and 17 inches in diameter at the
base, have been permanently set in their position at the Plaza; and
three large flags, 30 ft. by 40 ft., severally bearing emblems and
the mottoes of the United States, the State of New York, and city
of Brooklyn, have been prepared for use on public occasions and
holidays.

PARK FURNITURE,

Fifty-two rustic seats of sassafras and cedar have been made and
placed about the park.

387

Two canvas field umbrellas, with camp chairs, were placed on
the turf near the children’s play-ground.
There have been added to the furniture of the park:

26 Rustie ordnance stands, °
800 Rustic bird-houses,
75 Park settees of iron and wood, each 7 feet long,
80 “c “cc cc 5 “cc
80 “ “ (74 4 “
1 New drinking fountain of granite.

_ During the past season, two temporary places for refreshment,
established the preceding season, and found to extend desired facili-
ties to the public, were continued.

Numerous water stations were established, to which fresh cool
water was supplied.

The swings and scups in the East and West woods have been
kept in repair, and have been in constant use during fine weather.

The birds peculiar to the woods of this section, secure from an-
noyance, are already increasing in numbers upon the park quite
noticeably. The English sparrows are familiar visitors, and num-
bers of them are becoming permanent lodgers on the park.

PARADE GROUND.

A shelter house, with suitable accommodations for the use of the

military of Kings county, was erected during the year, of the follow-
ing dimensions :

Main building, 40 ft. by 40 ft.,
Two wings, each 50 ft. by 14 ft.,

with additions to the same on each end, 14 ft. by 20 ft.; the whole
covering an area of 3,560 superficial feet.

FORT GREENE.

A trellis of worked timber has been constructed at this park, on
the hill, 200 ft. by 200 ft., 141 ft. in height in center, and 123 ft. in
the wings, and contains under shelter 48 seats, each 16 ft. 8 in. long ;
one drinking fountain of granite; also two additional drinking places
were provided, to which cool water .was constantly supplied during
the summer. Two temporary water closets and one urinal were
erected.

Two hundred and thirty feet of new iron fence was placed on the
boundary line of the park and hospital property.

388

CITY PARK.

Eight gate entrances at this park have been re-arranged, and new
gates supplied.

SUPPLIES.
TOOLS, IMPLEMENTS AND MACHINERY.

From the accompanying statement of material received and used
on the work, and now in stock, it will be seen that there is now on
hand a large general supply of tools and implements for future
operations. Of the more extensive appliances, such as derricks,
derrick gearing, trucks, road rollers, &c., the supply is in excellent
condition, and will be sufficient for any ordinary future demands of
the work.

A steam road roller of fifteen tons weight was received from
England in good order, and-has been in use during the latter part of
the year. '

One ten ton wall builder for moving stone was purchased.

STONE AND BRICK.

During the season 315 cubic yards of foundation stone have been
received.

1,763 cubic feet of Ohio sandstone,
9,000 “ «Maine granite,
Sos “Quincy granite,

Selected stone, quarried, and

worked to dimensions.
A supply of brick for the completion of the reservoir is on hand.

GRAVEL.

8,342 cubic yards of gravel was purchased ; 7,342 cubic yards of
this was used for construction, with 1,000 yards required for main-
tenance.

HORSES, ETO.

There are eight horses belonging to the Commission, six of them
are in daily use on the field as teams, and two for general use of the
officers of the park, and are in good working condition.

In view of the accumulation of machinery, implements* and sup-
plies needed for current and general demands of the work, the selec-
tion and use of a permanent site for storage yard is desirable.

is

389

ANIMALS AND BIRDS.

The following animals and birds were presented to the Commis-
sioners :
One camel, * One fox,

One peccary, One eagle,
One hawk.

Not having suitable accommodations for them, they were tempo-
rarily transferred to the care of the Central Park Commissioners, in
accordance with an understanding that leaves them subject to with-
drawal whenever it may be deemed desirable to establish a zoologi-
eal collection on the Brooklyn Park.

FERTILIZING MATERIALS.

Statement of manure and fertilizing material, received and on
hand :

PROSPECT PARK.
- 338 two-horse loads horse manure.

FORT GREENE.

122 two-horse loads horse manure.
1,978 one-horse loads street manure.

STATEMENT OF MATERIAL ON HAND.

PROSPECT PARK.

Stable manure, compost......... -M...22.. - 3887 cubic yards.
Night soil Ne OBR GH ieee seis eae bel ‘
Fish Fee oN RR e
Peat and lime Sel eouce eles sreccroloreneheras ete: eas wis) RL SE Tieb Rs

FORT GREENE.

Stable manure, Compost. .icsic css cet ee eels vee 267 cubic yards.

METEOROLOGY.

The system of meteorological observations, which was begun in
the month of July, 1868, has been continued throughout the year.
These have been made and recorded three times daily.

The extent and thoroughness of such records depend largely upon
the completeness of the system, and character of the instruments
used. Our supply has been only partial, and the observations taken
were necessarily incomplete, though entirely reliable to the extent
afforded by the instruments. With reference to the Commission,

390

these records would appear to have little value, but the constantly
growing interest throughout the country in this popular branch of |
science at once suggests the importance of the subject.

Successful agriculture and other industries depend largely upon
the conditions of the atmosphere and temperature. Meteorology
alone affords us an intelligent comprehension of these phenomena.
Data, compiled from its observations, are regarded by the scientific
as among the most valuable contributions to the statistics of the
country. Progress in the science is to be mainly anticipated from
study at the office established for that purpose at Washington, of
accurate records of observations made simultaneously at a very
large number of stations in all parts of the country.

The situation of the park, and the character of its organization,
make it by far the best station for the purpose in this vicinity. The
apparatus at present in use is very simple and incomplete. If the
Commission should think proper to appropriate five hundred dollars
to its enlargement and improvement, the observations which might
be taken, without any additional current expense, would be of much
higher value.

A faithful and intelligent attention to duty has characterized the
services of the several assistants employed in my department.

Respectfully submitted,

JOHN Y. CULYER,
Assistant Engineer in Charge.

DESIGN FOR OBSERVATORY TO BE ERECTED ON LOOK-OUT HILL.

PROSPECT PARK

ELEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

COMMISSIONERS OF Prospect Park.

TAINO 1874.

COMMISSIONERS.

JAMES S. T. STRANAHAN, SEYMOUR L. HUSTED,
JOHN H. PRENTICE, ABRAHAM B. BAYLIS,
EDWARDS W. FISKE, STEPHEN HAYNES,
WILLIAM MARSHALL, ISAAC VAN ANDEN,

ABIEL A. LOW, MARTIN KALBFLEISCH, £z of.

PRESIDENT,

JAMES 8S. T. STRANAHAN.

SECRETARY,

JOHN H. PRENTICE.

COMPTROLLER AND COUNSEL.

JOHN N. TAYLOR.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS AND SUPERINTENDENTS.
OLMSTED, VAUX & CO.

ENGINEER IN CHARGE.

JOHN BOGART.

ASSISTANT ENGINEER.

JOHN Y. CULYER.

CLERE.

FRANCIS G. QUEVEDO.

STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

JOHN H. PRENTICE; STEPHEN HAYNES,
SEYMOUR L. HUSTED, EDWARDS W. FISKE,
ISAAC VAN ANDEN.

FINANCE COMMITTEE.

ABRAHAM B. BAYLIS, ABIEL A. LOW,
MARTIN KALBFLESICH, _ WILLIAM MARSHALL.

. AUDITING COMMITTEE.
ISAAC VAN ANDEN, ; JOHN H. PRENTICE.

ELEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

COMMISSIONERS OF PROSPECT PARK.

To tut Honoraste tor Mayor anp Common CounciL oF THE
Crry or Brooxtyn:

The Brooklyn Park Commissioners herewith submit a Re-
port of their proceedings for the year 1870, including a detailed
statement of their receipts and expenditures for the same
period.

It will be remembered, that in their last Report, and, in-
deed, in several prior Reports, the Commissioners urged the
propriety, if not the necessity, especially in view of the city’s
present extended financial engagements, of selling a portion of
that section of park land which lies east of Flatbush avenue,
and which, in their judgment, it was not expedient to improve
for park purposes. A large majority of our taxpayers con-
curring in the recommendation, application was made to the
Legislature to extinguish the park easement to which the land
was then subject, and authorize its sale for the benefit of the
city. An act was accordingly passed on the 23d of April,
1870, directing the Commissioners to contract and sell, on be-
half of the city, at public auction, and upon such terms and
conditions as they should deem expedient, all that part of the
park which lies east of Flatbush avenue, excepting and reserving
such lands around the reservoir, and along the avenue, not less
than two hundred and fifty feetin width, as the Commissioners
should think it desirable to retain for public use.

The act further directed that all moneys received from such

396

sales should be paid over to the Commissioners of the Sinking
Fund, for the redemption of the bonds issued by the city for
the purchase and improvement of the park. And as prepara-
tory to the making of sales, the Commissioners were authorized
to regulate, drain, and grade the lands proposed to be sold, and
to lay out such streets and avenues thereon as they might think
proper, and further to improve the land in their discretion, at
a total expense not exceeding one hundred thousand dollars.

The legality of this act of the Legislature was, however,
questioned by some of our citizens, who urged that the city
had no saleable interest in the land, forasmuch as it was taken
for the purposes of a park only, and that if it ceased to be used
as such, the right of possession would at once revert to its
original owners. They further urged, that in any event the
land had been pledged to the bondholders, for the payment of
the bonds issued by the city for its purchase, and was also
virtually pledged for park purposes to the owners of adjacent
property, whose taxes had been largely increased by means of
the improvement of the park. And for these reasons they
claimed that the city could not make a good title to the land
in the event of a sale.

Notwithstanding these suggestions, and with a view of test-
ing, at as early a day as practicable, the validity of this act of
the Legislature, and the right of the city to make an absolute
sale of the property, the Commissioners at once proceeded to
sell a portion of the land at public auction. The purchaser,
however, acting under the advice of counsel, subsequently
declined to accept a deed, or to pay the purchase money.
Whereupon an action to enforce a specific performance of the
contract of sale was commenced in the Supreme Court, and a
case having been made thereon, was speedily submitted to the
General Term, and judgment rendered in favor of the Commis-
sioners. The opinion of the court, as delivered by the Hon.
Justice Gilbert, and concurred in by all the other judges, will
be found appended to this Report. The purchaser immediately
appealed to the court of last resort, but the Commissioners en-
tertain no doubt that the judgment of the Supreme Court, at
least so far as relates to the right of the city to sell and con-
vey the land in fee, will be fully sustained by the Court of
Appeals.

-?

397

The only impediment suggested by a more matured con-
sideration of the questions involved in the case, and developed
by the discussion in the court below, refers to the technical
lien which the bondholders have to some extent upon all
park lands, and which may cast'a shade—not upon the city’s
title, for this is unquestionable, but upon its ability to extin-
guish the lien, by any shorter or more direct method than that
which has been provided by the law creating it.

The Commissioners, in a former Report, expressed the
opinion that the interests of the bondholders would be effect-
ually protected, by placing the proceeds of sale in the hands of
the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, for the redemption of
these bonds, and they are still of the same opinion. But if a
strict construction of this provision of law shall prevail, it may
be proper to consider whether any, and if so, what importance
is to be attached to the objection, and whether it is likely to
operate injuriously upon the market value of the property when
offered for sale.

In the first place, it is to be observed that all the city’s
property, including its small parks, City Hall, schools, and
engine houses, is pledged for the payment of its debts, includ-
ing the park debt; but that, of course, the pledge can never be
enforced so long as the city is solvent, and facilities for taxation
are not withheld. Next, the law creating the park debt pro-
vides a mode of gradual payment by annual tax. This pro-
vision will certainly extinguish the debt at maturity, and it
can not, moreover, upon constitutional principles, be repealed,
or in any manner interfered with, so long as the debt, or any
part of it, exists. And lastly, if we may be allowed to suggest
so improbable an event as the city’s inability to discharge its
legal obligations, it is certain that when a creditor proceeds to
foreclose his lien, he is always obliged, upon well-established
principles of equity, to exhaust his remedy against so much of
the pledged property as remains unsold, before he will be
allowed to resort to that which the pledger has previously dis-
posed of. Supposing, then, the bondholders lien upon prop-
erty on the east side of Flatbush avenue to remain after a sale
has taken place, they will, in case they shall be obliged to fore-
close it for the payment of their claim, be compelled to sell all
the small parks, with more than five hundred acres of valuable

398

improved land on the west side, in addition to the large re-
served section bordering on the east of the avenue, before they
will be allowed to touch any of the residue which shall in the
meantime have been sold by the Commissioners.

With so complete a protection to the purchaser, independ-
ent of the city’s covenant of indemnity to be embraced in the
conveyance, the Commissioners do not apprehend any difficulty
in making a fair sale of the property, after they shall have ma-
tured a plan for its improvement. Nor do they believe that so
unsubstantial and technical an objection will operate to the
prejudice of the sale in the estimation of any considerate person.

In their last communication to the Common Council, the
Commissioners stated that they had reached the limit of expend-
iture authorized by law for park improvement, and that a
considerable portion of the park, mainly that which had re-
cently been acquired, yet remained to be improved. This sug-
gestion having been made to the Legislature, further facilities
were at once granted for carrying on the work by the passage
of an act authorizing an expenditure of five hundred thousand
dollars in each year, for four successive years. As soon as the
requisite municipal action could be obtained under this law,
and funds necessary for the purpose were secured, active opera-
tions on the park were resumed, and have since been vigorous-
ly prosecuted. But it was not until the season had advanced
far beyond the usual time for commencing spring work, that
the Commissioners were enabled to command sufficient means
to justify them in proceeding with the rapidity which had
hitherto characterized their movements.

A large amount of work, however, has been done during
the year, and Prospect Park is fast verging to completion.
The coming season will, in all probability, see the lake, with
the entire drive around its margin, finished ; an ornamental, as
well as useful, shelter erected upon the carriage concourse ;
and an enlarged and much improved pedestrian concourse, with
seats, for the convenience of visitors, on the eastern side of the
lake. For a full detail of operations upon the several parks
under the charge of the Board, up to the close of the year,
with a description of several interesting works now in progress
thereon, reference is respectfully made to the subjoined reports
of our landscape architects and engineers.

399

The number of those who resort to the park increases faster
than it seems possible to extend facilities for their reception,
the ratio of increase being evidently greater than the city’s
gain in population. The Commissioners, however, believe that
after the proposed rides, drives, and walks have been fully

carried out, and thrown open to public use, ample aecommoda-

tion for locomotion to all parts of the park will be afforded for
visitors, and the increased freedom of circulation thus obtained
will obviate the necessity of those crowds which are now occa-
sionally found in certain localities. To the greater number of
those who frequent the park nothing would seem to be more
desirable, than simple, straightforward exercise in the open air,
and thus far the great effort has been to facilitate free and un-
obstructed movement everywhere over the park domain, refer-
ence being at the same time had to the proper development of
those landscape conditions which would render such movements
interesting. Next to this in importance, the Commissioners
have ranked such provisions as would enable feeble persons,
convalescents, and especially mothers with children, to remain
tor considerable periods in the open air, under comfortable and
quieting conditions; and some arrangements to this end, of
“which the dairy cottage is the center, are now well advanced,

and are expected to be opened next summer.

The opportunity afforded by the park for general social re-
union—although no part of it yet open to the public has been
expressly adapted to the purpose—is already highly appreciated
by a large body of our citizens. Better provision, however, for
coming together, and for meeting and recognizing friends, is
regarded by the Commissioners of equal importance when they
take into consideration the true uses and objects of a public
park. To accomplish this purpose, arrangements which include
a promenade concert ground on the shore of the lake, are now
in progress, and will be found fully detailed in the report of the
landscape architects, before referred to. |

In estimating the capacity of the park to meet the probable
requirements of the future population of Brooklyn, the pro-
posed improvement of the streets which surround and form the
boundary lines of the park has not been overlooked. Provision
has accordingly been made for widening each of these streets,
so as to,form, when completed, a continuous avenue one hundred

ca a a ee rn : 4
e ul = r T y
. “=>

400

_ feet wide around the whole circuit of the park, with a shaded
walk thirty feet wide on the side adjacent to the park, and ex-
tending in length to a distance of five miles.

An appropriation of twenty-five thousand dollars was au-
thorized last spring by the Legislature, for the improvement of .
Tompkins Park, in a style corresponding with the other city: :
parks. A plan for its improvement has been prepared and
adopted, and is now in the course of exécution. The design,
with a special report of our landscape architects relating there-
to, will be found appended to this report. It embraces a foun-
tain, besides other distinctive features of a novel character. A
large amount of filling was required to bring the surface of this
park up to the required grade, but the work is rapidly progress-
ing, and the Commissioners hope soon to present Tompkins
Park to the residents of that rapidly growing section of our
city in at least as good a condition as any of the other parks
under their charge.

With respect to the several street openings and improve-
ments necessarily connected with the improvement of the park,
and which have from time to time been placed under the direc-
tion of the Commissioners, they have further to report that
immediately after the confirmation of the assessment for open-—
ing Sackett street was complete, the grading of that rngged and
most forbidding of all our streets was put under contract, and
the work is now nearly finished. As soon as the deep filling
which was required for this street shall have sufficiently settled
to admit of the construction of the central roadway, with the
parallel traffic roads and other improvements contemplated by
the Commissioners, their design in reference thereto will be
fully carried out, and they expect in a short time to be able to
throw open to the public this great Eastern Parkway, in a style
corresponding with the importance to the city of so grand a
leading thoroughfare.

The Southern Parkway, leading from thesouthwestern angle
of the park to the Fair Grounds, and ultimately to the ocean,
is still in the hands of the Commissioners of Estimate and
Assessment, but it is expected that their report will soon be
ready for publication, and when this is confirmed, the Commis-
sioners intend to open the drive without delay, and to continue
its further improvement as rapidly as the public exigency shall
require.

.- es
——- |

401

The legal proceedings for the widening of the Coney Island
road are not yet consummated. They have been tediously de-
layed by a litigation which involves the right of the city to be
paid a reasonable compensation for the strip of land, twenty-
five feet in width, which is taken from the park for the widen-
ing of the road. The opponents of the city claim that she is
entitled to a mere nominal award, while the Commissioners
can see no good reason why the city should not receive the
same compensation which every other owner is to receive for
land taken for the widening. The same objection is raised by
parties liable to be assessed for the widening of Ninth avenue,
Fifteenth street, and Franklin and Washington avenues, as well
as for the laying out of Plaza street ; and the decision of the
question one way or the other will involve a difference to the
taxpayers of our city of several hundred thousand dollars. The
General Term of the Supreme Court has already decided in
favor of the city, and the opinion of tie court, as delivered by
the Hon. Justice Pratt, will be found hereto annexed ; but the
parties in interest being still dissatisfied, have carried the case

‘to the Court of Appeals. "A final determination of the ques-

tion, however, must soon be reached in that court.

The legal status of the Parade Ground, with the right of
the general public to make use of the same, independently of
the control of the county authorities, has recently received con-
sideration from the same court. This court decided in a con-
troversy which arose between the Park Commissioners and the
County Supervisors, that although the legal estate in the parade
ground is vested in the county of Kings, yet it is held in trust
for public uses. That for all purposes of police and improve-
ment, it is under the exclusive charge and control of the Com-
missioners, but that, at all reasonable times, and subject to
proper regulation, it should be open for ball-playing and for
military parades, to visitors from all parts of the State; and
that its use cannot be confined to the residents of Kings county,
as contended for by the Supervisors.

The Assessment Commissioners appointed for the purpose
of charging a portion of the cost of the park upon the adjacent
land specially benefited by park improvement, have not yet
finished their arduous task, but are expected to have their report
ready for confirmation at an early period. This assessment, it
26

402

will be remembered, is to be collected as a tax in annual in-
stallments, running through a series of twenty years, and will
be received by the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, and
held for accumulation to pay the park bonds at their maturity.
The Commissioners confidently believe that this fund, together
with the proceeds of sales of land on the eastern side of the
park soon to be made, will, with proper management, be amply
sufficient for the liquidation of the entire park debt, without
any resort to taxation, further than that which may be required
to provide for current interest in the mean time.

The Comptroller’s report of the financial condition of the
Commission is also annexed, showing the particular items and
objects of expenditure during the year. From this report it
will be observed that the Maintenance Account is overdrawn
to the extent of something over seventeen thousand dollars, in
consequence of the insufticient requisition for maintenance
which was made upon the Joint Board last year. Such changes,
however, have been made in the executive department of the
Commission as will enable the Commissioners to provide for the
deficit out of the current year’s allowance, and at the same
time to guard against an overdraft in the future. The report
also shows a balance in the hands of tlhe Commissioners at this
date, to the credit of the General Construction Account, of
ninety-nine thousand two hundred and ninety-two dollars and
elghty-seven cents.

Dated December 31, 1870.

J. 8. T. STRANAHAN,
President.

JOHN H. PRENTICE,
Secretary.
JOHN N. TAYLOR,
Comptroller.

;
A
:
.
‘

AN ABSTRACT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT

OF THE

Pe OoOrLYN FARK COMMISSION,

For THE YEAR 1870.

CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT.
Receipts.
The total receipts on account of Prospror PArK during the
year 1870, were:

Balance to the credit of this park, January 1, 1870.... $33,913 44
Received fr om the Comptroller of the city. $500, 000 00
rents of houses in the pa 6,169 26

me “ sales of wood, grass, etc. 4,019 86
t “interest on bank palmnces’.. : 2.839 23
apee PUES POUNG a ctts cree o; ace) ofelere 372 10
. oe Be WOOT) SOLCis:areteresorcrehelencia Soei8 59 46
a 513,459 91

$547,373 35

Expenditures.
The total expenditures on this park, for the same
time, were :

Paid salaries, Comptroller, Superintendent,

architects, and engineers........- $23,736 20
surveyors, draughtsmen, and assistants. 13,334 20
laborers, mechanics, horses, and carts. 295,606 72
“« materials of construction, tools, etc... 88,485 13
“fitting up of offices, rent and insurance. 3,019 42
stationery, printing, and drawing ma-

WOLIGIS, Ae oe vor eis 3s Seisth oa teaver | cistieie RS A
“* trees, plants, and shrubs. : . 2.2% 3)... . 3,706 90
*¢ manure, and other fertilizers ....... . 233 50
NEAT PON PUPS sare fie wysteye ois! ale cio eis'ade 6. 2,711 20
“patent pavements. ....... See eee 7,462 56
*¢ water-pipe and hydrants........... oo LTE 98
“legal expense for additional counsel.. 4,965 93
; $448,080 48
Balance to new account.......eeeee% 99,292 87

——$——-

$547,878 35

December 31, 1870.
JOHN N. TAYLOR,

: Comptroller.

404

Wasuinaton Park.

The total receipts and expenditures on account of

Wasuineton Park, for the same time, were:

Recewed.
Brom City Comptroller... 20 oe ees ox ps Be aie Getaieust a ats
Expended.
Amount overdrawn January 1, 1870.... $5,018 95
Paid surveyors and assistants ......... 648 63
“materials of construction and tools. 1,354 96
“‘ Scrimshaw pavement ........... 2,513 98
“* ‘trees, shrubs, and plants. ........ 1,995 00
“on account of inclosing wall ..... 3,453 42
‘* laborers, horses, and carts ....... 4,238 05
Balance to new account....... hid Sebo oS

Parapre GRounpn.

The total receipts and expenditures on account of
the ParapE Grounp during the year 1870, were:

Received.
From County Treasurer ........+-+6 $4,000 00
amie 2) Cae ses ar ar stone en SSN ebe Hane Se 17 50

-Hapended.
Paid surveyors and assistants....... ore $55 33
‘¢ materials of construction......... 781 59

“« keepers, mechanics, laborers, and

HCAS .. +. wevoia eV oatareeic aie avian 3,085 02
«balance due for lodge and shelter... 2,350 00
re “trees and SUTubS:.s H.'s iatsta etek 54 60

$79,655 00

$19,222 99
60,432 01

———_—__ —_————.

$79,655 00

$4,017 50

6,326 54

405

MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT.

Received,
For the maintenance of all the city parks for 1870... $84,450 00
Lxepended.
# g a
For 2 Z a i
Roads. <j. ceeds « SUA SDSS “RSD OG | Haperee,c cet/s ererevorarctilielelevoicle
VVC Oe 46048| 8497] $5457| $3334] $83 79
Structures........ 1,382 18 20 15 41 95 SO ZO ieionte st
Plantations) ..¢.\<1. 6s 16,747 64) 2,21290) 32810 6 80| 189 17,
\VGicre Bape sae sccis 1,921 61 Sead ecyescteyey o's 100 2 00
Drainage......... 96767; 1419 6 40 DQG ce etce
HOD EE Siete eee TEU Cae aoe clic Cobaucolac Bde 5dlinqcoces
BROOMS) clove scluis eae TPO OOKOD | Fosrersteretetel lsveversierci ous Sobtadodldaas'élac
Keepers)... 4. 0... 82,3824 62) 2.17912) 96367) 1,047 25).......
General..... ses ele DOIO2I 5 TSS DE 2G las cjesveronsilievcnarstese: 6
SRO GAL: 5 sisters ersiors eae 16 cased 15,$1,405 95 $1,129 89/$224 96) $82,674 27

| |

Deficiency of maintenance in 1869...........++..-- $18,817 73

—

$101,492 00
sdobens G4 450 Oe

MERREI VCE LOT cal. «sia srotatt «0 vie-e wlsleiciaiip cas
Deficiency of maintenance for 1870 ...........0+22++ $17,042 00

December 31, 1870.
JOHN N. TAYLOR,

Comptroller.

AN AGH

To AvTHoRIzE THE IMPROVEMENT AND SALE OF CERTAIN PorTIONS
or Prosprot Parx, iN THE City or Brooxtyn. Passep
Apri, 23, 1870; THREE-FIFTHS BEING PRESENT.

The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and
Assembly, do enact as follows:

Section 1. The Brooklyn Park Commissioners are hereby au-
thorized for and in behalf of the city of Brooklyn, to contract and
sell at public auction, at such times, and on such terms and conditions
as they shall deem expedient, all or any part of the land within said
park which is bounded westerly by Flatbush avenue, northerly by
Vanderbilt avenue, easterly by Warren street and Washington
avenue, and southerly by the town of Flatbush; excepting and re-
serving therefrom such lands around the reservoir, and along the
line of Flatbush avenue southeasterly from said reservoir, not less
than two hundred and fifty feet in width, as shall, in the judgment of
said Commissioners, be considered desirable to be retained for
public use.

Sec. 2. For any lands which the said Commissioners shall sell,
they may receive in part payment the bonds of the purchaser, for
such portion of the purchase money secured by mortgage on the
land sold, as they may deem expedient. And whenever any such
sales shall have been made, the Mayor, Comptroller, and Clerk of
the city of Brooklyn shall, at the request of the said Commis-
sioners, affix the corporate seal to good and sufficient deeds of
conveyance, with or without covenants of warranty, and such
other covenants as the said Commissioners shall from time to
require and prepare; and the said Commissioners shall cause
the said deeds to be delivered to the respective purchasers
upon the receipt of the consideration stipulated to be paid
therefor.

Sec. 3. All moneys that shall be received upon such sales, after
deducting the expenses of sale and conveyancing, with the amount
hereinafter authorized to be borrowed, with interest, shall be forth-
with paid over by the said Park Commisgioners to the Commis-
sioners of the Sinking Fund of the said city, to be by them held
as part of the general fund created, and to be created, for the re-
demption, according to their legal priorities, of all bonds issued for
the payment of lands taken for Prospect Park; and within four

407

years after the passage of this act, the said Commissioners shall
hand over to the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund all proceeds of
sales, with all bonds, mortgages, and other papers and documents,
appertaining thereto.

Sec. 4. Repealed.

Sec. 5. Preparatory to the making of the said sales, the said Park
Commissioners are authorized to regulate, drain, and grade the lands
proposed to be sold, and to lay out streets and avenues over or upon
the same, of such width, and in such direction, and with such carriage
ways, sidewalks, and areas as they may deem expedient. They may
also grade, pave, curb, and gutter any of the streets or avenues which
they shall so lay out, and plant shade trees thereon, in their discre-
tion; but the expense of such measures shall not exceed, in the
aggregate, the sum of one hundred thousand dollars. And after they
shall have laid out the said streets and avenues, they shall cause a
suitable map thereof to be made and filed in the office of the Street
Commissioner of said city ; and the Commissioners’ map of the said
city shall thereupon be altered to correspond therewith. The Park
Commissioners may borrow, from time to time, such sums of money,
not exceeding one hundred thousand dollars in amount, as they may
deem necessary to put the said land in proper condition for sale, and
to regulate and improve the said streets as above specified, and shall
repay the same, with interest, out of the proceeds of said sales,

Sec. 6. This act shall take effect immediately.

SUPREME COURT.
SECOND JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT.

Tur Brooxtyn Park ComMISSIONERS
against

JAMES ARMSTRONG.

By rue Court.—Grtsert, J.—The parties having agreed upon
a case containing the facts upon which the controversy depends, have
presented a submission of the same to this court for determination,
pursuant to section 372 of the Code of Procedure.

The facts are these: By the Act of the Legislature (Chapter 466,
Laws of 1859), Commissioners were appointed to select and locate
grounds for a park, in or adjacent to the city of Brooklyn, and to re-
port to the next Legislature. They made their selection, and reported
to the Legislature in 1860, which passed an act (Chapter 488, Laws
of 1860), amended in 1861 (Chapter 340), by which a Board of Park
Commissioners was appointed, and a tract of land lying on both
sides of Flatbush avenue was declared, from and after the passage of
the act, to be deemed to have been taken by the city for public use,
as and for a public park, and to have been opened as a public place,
with the same effect as if the whole of it had been taken and declared

: 408

open under the provisions of the charter of the city (Chapter 144.
Laws of 1850), except as otherwise provided by the act. Commis-
sioners of Estimate and Assessment were to be appointed by the
Supreme Court, in the manner provided by the act relative to Fort
Greene (Chapter 142, Laws of 1847), who were directed to “ make
just and true estimate of the value of the lands, and of the loss and
damage to the respective owners, lessees, parties and persons respect-
ively entitled thereto, or interested in the same, together with the
tenements, hereditaments, and appurtenances, privileges or advan-
tages to the same belonging, or in any wise appertaining, by and in
consequence of relinquishing the same to the said city” (Sec. 4),
which amounts were to be due and payable immediately upon the
confirmation of said report. (Sec. 6.) The report was declared to
be final and conclusive upon the city, the owners, and all other per-
sons, and upon the confirmation of any such report, and upon pay-
ment being made to the owners of the lands in said report men-
tioned, or upon their assent thereto by deed duly executed, the said
lands were “to vest forever in the city of Brooklyn for the uses and
purposes of this act mentioned.” (Sec. 8.) Bonds of the city were
to be issued to pay the awards, and the property of the city, and the
lands taken by virtue of the act, were specifically pledged for their
payment. In 1865 an act was passed (Chap. 603), entitled “ An act
to change the boundaries of Prospect Park, in the city of Brooklyn,”
authorizing the Commissioners to acquire, for the purposes therein
mentioned, an oval-shaped piece of ground for an entrance to the
park. (Sec. 1.) It provided that this land, as well as all other
lands mentioned in the act of 1861, should, “from and after the
passage of this act, be deemed to have been taken by the city as and
for a public park, and the Commissioners’ map shall be altered to
correspond therewith.” (Sec. 2.) Commissioners were to be ap-
pointed as before, to estimate the value of this land, “ and also all
the estate, right, title, and interest in all other lands heretofore taken
by the act of 1861, remaining in the owners thereof, and the loss and
damages to be sustained by them in consequence of their relinquish-
ing the same to the city.” (Sec. 3.) “ And the title of the lands
mentioned in (their) such report shall, after such confirmation, vest for-
ever in fee simple absolute in the said city of Brooklyn, and the said
lands shall thenceforth form part of Prospect Park.” (Sec. 5.) For
the payment of the awards, and the redemption of the bonds issued
under this act and the act of 1861, “all the lands embraced within
the boundaries of the said park, including those now taken, are
hereby specifically pledged.” (Sec. 6.) That part of the land lying
east of Flatbush avenue was never used or improved as a park, and
has laid waste till the present time. In 1870, an act was passed
(Chap. 373) entitled “ An act to authorize the improvement and sale
of certain portions of Prospect Park, in the city of Brooklyn.” It
authorized the Commissioners for and in behalf of the city to sell the
land east of Flatbush avenue (See. 1), by deeds with or without
warranty, which deeds should vest in the guarantees an absolute title
in fee simple. (Sec. 2.) The proceeds of sales to be devoted to the
sinking fund for the redemption of park bonds. (See. 3.) After

409 :

deeds are given, “all lien, rights and claims, by way of easement or
otherwise, into, over or upon the lands, * * shall be terminated
and extinguished.” (Sec. 4.) In pursuance of this act, the Com-
missioners sold one lot to the defendant, who refuses to take the title,
alleging that the act of 1870 is unconstitutional, and that neither the
city nor the Commissioners can give a valid title to the fee, free from
all encumbrance.

The question to be determined is whether a conveyance to the
defendant of the premises in question, executed in pursuance of the
said act of 1870, will vest in him a good title in fee thereto.

It is objected that an absolute title in fee simple was not acquired
under the act of 1861, and that the act of 1865 violates See. 16 of
Article 3 of the Constitution.

We do not deem it necessary to decide upon the validity of the
last-named act, for we are clearly of opinion that the language of the
act of 1861 imports a title in fee simple. This act makes provision
for ascertaining the value of the lands taken in the mode provided
by the Constitution for the payment of such value to the former
owner, and then declares that thereupon said lands shall vest forever
in the city of Brooklyn. Full effect can not be given to the words
“shall vest forever” without divesting the entire estate of the former
owner and vesting it in the city of Brooklyn. And such, we think,
was the intention of the Legislature. Where an individual buys
land and pays for it, he becomes entitled to a conveyance in fee
simple, and we can perceive no good reason why the same effect
should not be giver to a purchase made on behalf of the State.
While, therefore the private interest of the citizen is never to be
sacrificed to a greater extent than is necessary to secure the par-
ticular public object, yet the State is considered in all such transactions
as an individual treating with an individual for an exchange.

All that the Legislature does is to oblige the owner to alienate his
property for a reasonable price. The constitutional restriction upon
the power of the Legislature on this subject, at most only prohibits a
taking of it for private use, and requires a just compensation to be
made. But it,contains no restriction whatever, express or implied,
upon the power of the Legislature to decide whether a necessity for
taking the property exists, and if land is to be taken, what estate in
it shall pass. As was said by Chapman, C. J., in Dingly v. City of
Boston, 100 Mass., 560: “In the taking of other property, no one
would doubt that an absolute title might be acquired. If, for ex-
ample, in time of war, Government were to take timber for a ship of
war, or horses for the army, and pay for them, no one would sup-
pose that the owner could reclaim his property after the war was
over, or that the Government, having ceased to use it, could not sell
it and give a good title to it.” And yet the provision of the Consti-
tution on this subject applies to all property alike, and makes no dis-
tinction between land and chattels. Whether an absolute or qualified
title has been acquired, therefore, must be determined by a construc-
tion of the legislative act. We have already expressed the opinion
that the Legislature intended the City to acquire, and that it did
acquire afee simple, absolute in the lands taken for the Park, It

410

follows, that the Legislature may authorize a sale, or any other dis-
position of the lands, as the public welfare or convenience may demand.
They certainly have as complete a dominion over property belonging
to the State as any private owner has over property owned by him-
self. The right of alienation is an inseparable incident of every
ownership.

There is no ground for saying that the case shows an attempt to
transfer private property from one man to another. When the prop-
erty was taken, it was acquired in good faith for a legitimate public
use. The Legislature had the unquestioned right to create a large or
a small Park, and to take as much land as they deemed necessary.
Their right to diminish the size of the Park, and to sell land no longer
needed, whenever the public interest will, in their judgment, be pro-
moted by it, is also unquestionable. The case shows such a public
exigency, and we have no doubt of the power of the Legislature to
meet it by authorizing a sale of any part of the land originally taken.

Indeed, the question of the power of the Legislature to acquire an
absolute estate in land, and to sell the same when no longer needed
for public use, can not now be considered an open one in this State.
(Heyward v. The Mayor, 3 Seld., 143. Rexford v. Knight, 11 N. Y.
R., 314.)

It only remains to notice one other objection taken by the defend-
ant, which relates to the effect of a pledge said to be contained in the
Act of 1861, of the lands authorized to be taken, for the payment of
the bonds issued for the purchase of said lands. It is claimed on
behalf of the defendant that it creates a contract between the public
and the bondholder, the obligation of which the Act of 1870 seeks to
impair, and, that, therefore, the latter act is void by reason of that
provision of the Constitution of the United States which prohibits any
State from passing any law impairing the obligation of contracts.
The answer to this is that no contract was created. The Act of 1861
is merely restrictive of the corporate power of the City of Brooklyn
in respect to the lands so taken and other property, and in no sense
affects the power of the Legislature over them.

Upon the whole, we are of opinion that the plaintiffs are entitled
to judgment.

NINTH AVENUE WIDENING.

SUPREME COURT—GENERAL TERM.—Jouper Prart.

The general term of this court, at the last session thereof, in the
case of the Park Commissioners against Armstrong, held that the
fee of the land included in the park became vested in the city of
Brooklyn, under chapter 340 of the Laws of 1861. ;

The Act of May 7, 1869, directs Ninth avenue to be widened so
as to include a portion of the land included in the park.

By section 2 of said act the Commissioners of Estimate and
Assessments are directed to estimate the damage and expense of such
widening, together with the amount of damages sustained by owners
of land so taken.

It having been settled that the city of Brooklyn is the owner, for
the purposes of a park, of the land in question, it only remains to
determine whether the Commissioners of Estimate have adopted an
erroneous rule in making their estimate.

The taking of this land for the use contemplated was probably
considered by the Legislature as imposing upon it a perpetual ease-
ment, and rendering it valueless to the owner (the city of Brooklyn)
as a park, and hence the Legislature provided that the damage to the
owner should be estimated and paid.

I cannot perceive upon what ground it can be claimed that the
estimate is erroneous. It does not appear that the land taken will
not compare favorably in value with any included in the park, and
taking the whole park at its cost, we find that the quantity taken
here leaves the same proportion to the whole park that the estimated
damages bears to the whole price paid. If, then, the Legislature
considered that the easement was to be perpetual, so as to forever
divest the city of the use of this land as a park, there can be no
error in the estimate as made up by the Commissioners.

412

Suppose a railroad company should hereafter take proceedings to
acquire the fee of this land, would not the Courts hold that the
damages should be nominal to the owner, it being already burthened
with the easement of a public street ?

Although the nominal fee is not taken from the City by this pro-
ceeding, yet its whole value is destroyed, except for a nominal
amount, so that the City only obtains in damages what the land
originally cost.

It will be observed that the Statute of 1869 requires the
. damages to the owners to be estimated, and it may well be, that,
considering the nature and extent of the easement, the damages
awarded or estimated are the full sum the land originally cost. At
all events, the amount was vested in the discretion of the Com-
missioners.

It is immaterial to consider whether this law was an attempt on
the part of the Legislature to exercise the right of eminent. domain.
Concede that it was not, yet the act is not invalid. The Legislature
had previously vested the fee of this land in the City of Brooklyn.
By the act in question, it is provided that a certain portion of it
should be taken for the use of the general public; that the owners
(the City of Brooklyn) should be paid the amount of damages as
estimated by a commission provided for in said act; and that two-
fifths of said damages should be paid by parties owning land.on the
opposite side of the street. It was competent for the Legislature to
do this under its power of taxation. 3

It is claimed by the appellants that the terms of the act are
answered by its application to Fifteenth street. But this is answered
by the terms of the act itself (Section 4), wherein it is careful to
provide that three-fifths of the expense and damage to be caused by
the widening Ninth avenue should be assessed upon the Park
side.

(See also Section 11, page 1,106, R. S.. Banks and Brothers, 5th
ed., Vol. 3.)

But the act in question went further than to provide for an award
of damage to the owner of the fee. It provided that said Com-
missioners should assess the damages that might be sustained by any
person affected by such taking of land.

The Act of 1861, which authorized the original acquisition of the
land by the City, authorized the City to issue bonds to raise money
to pay for the land, and created a sinking fund for the redemption of
said bonds.

Section 12 of that act also pledged the land widened to the Park

413

for the payment of the bonds to be so issued. Two acts were after-
ward passed in 1868, Chapters 314 and 419 of the Laws of that year,
pledging in different forms the land included in the Park for the pay-
ment of bonds issued for its extension and improvement. These
laws, taken together, included all the land taken for the widening of
Ninth avenue.

At the time of the passage of the Act of May 7, 1869, bonds were
outstanding that had been issued under these previous acts.

The Commissioners construed the act so as to give effect to the
words “all other persons affected thereby,” and while they in form
awarded the damages sustained to the owner, they added the words
“The Commissioners of the Sinking Fund of the City of Brooklyn,
to be applied to the redemption of Park bonds.”

This was a construction of the act in harmony with all the pre-
vious legislation on the subject, and gave effect to all the provisions
it contained.

It was immaterial how they designated the estate taken, so long
as it does not appear that any erroneous rule controlled them in
estimating the damages.

I can not perceive that the Commissioners have erred in any ma-
terial respect. The act plainly required that Ninth avenue should be
widened ; that the damages for such widening should be estimated and
awarded to the owner, and that two-fifths of the amount should be
borne by the land on the opposite side of the street, and the City of
Brooklyn being such owner, and the land being under this act sub-
stantially taken, the Commissioners could not have done less than
award the sum they did.

The order appealed from is affirmed with costs.

AN ACT

To LAY OUT, OPEN, AND IMPROVE A STREET IN THE Piaza oF PRros-
PECT Park, in THE City oF Brooxtyn. Passep May 3, 1870;
THREE-FIFTHS BEING PRESENT. .

The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and
Assembly, do enact as follows:

Section 1. The Brooklyn Park Commissioners are hereby author-
ized and directed to lay out a public street, eighty feet wide, within
the Plaza of Prospect Park, in the City of Brooklyn, commencing at
the westerly corner of Ninth avenue, at its junction with the said
Plaza, and running thence northerly, easterly, and again southerly,
around the circumference of the said Plaza, and terminating at the
junction of the said Plaza with Flatbush avenue; and the street so
described shall be laid down upon and form part of the Commis-
sioners’ map of the City of Brooklyn.

Sec. 2. No building shall at any time be erected upon any lot of
land facing on the said Plaza street, unless it be constructed with
brick, stone, or iron, at least forty feet high from sidewalk to cornice,
with metallic or slate roof. Nor shall there be at any time erected or
carried on uponany of said lots, any slaughter-house, tallow-chandlery,
furnace, foundry, nail or other factory, or any manufactory for mak-
ing starch, glue, varnish, vitriol, oil or gas, or for tanning, dressing,
repairing or keeping hides or leather, or any distillery, brewery, or
sugar-bakery, lime kiln, railway or other stable or depot, or any
manufactory, trade, or business which may be in any wise dangerous,
noxious, or offensive to the neighboring inhabitants. And the said
street shall include a sidewalk, twenty-five feet wide, to be laid out
adjoining the houses to be built thereon, ten feet in width of which
shall be allowed to the owners or occupants of said houses adjoining
their premises for court-yards or areas, within which to erect porches
or stoops to their houses, provided they will inclose such court-yards
or areas with good and sufficient iron fences, not exceeding five feet
high, and of a pattern to be approved of by said Commissioners.

Src. 3. The said Park Commissioners are hereby also directed to
take proceedings within sixty days after the passage of this act, to
open, grade, and otherwise improve the said street; and, in order to
determine the amount to be paid to the owners of the lands and tene-
ments required to be taken for the purposes of this act, they shall
first fix a district of assessment, beyond which the property to be
benefited by the said opening, as well as the subsequent improvement
thereof, shall not be assessed to defray the expenses thereof; they
shall then apply to the Supreme Court, at a special term thereof, to
be held in the Second Judicial District, upon a notice to be published

i

415

ten days consecutively in two newspapers printed and published in
the said City, for the appointment of three Commissioners to estimate
the expense of such opening, and the damages to be sustained by any
person interested therein, as well as by the reason of the said taking,
as by the creation of the restriction or easement upon the land speci-
fied in the second section of this act, and to apportion and assess the
same upon the property to be in their judgment benefited by the said
improvement within the district of assessment so to be fixed by the
said Park Commissioners, and the Court shall thereupon proceed to
make such appointment.

Src. 4. Upon the appointment of such Commissioners , they shall,
after having been duly sworn, proceed to make the said estimate and
assessment, and after their report thereon shall have been confirmed
by the said Court, the said Park Commissioners shall cause the said
street to be graded, paved, curbed, and guttered, and shade trees
planted thereon, using such pavements and materials of construction
as they shall deem best, and shall certify the costs and expenses
thereof to the Board of Assessors of the City of Brooklyn. The said
Board of Assessors shall thereupon apportion and assess the said costs
and expenses upon the property to be benefited thereby, within the
district of assessment so to be fixed by the said Park Commissioners.

Sec. 5. After the appointment of Commissioners of Estimate and
Assessment, all the provisions of the act entitled “An Act to open
and widen portions of Sackett, Douglass and President streets, and
otherwise alter the Commissioners’ map of the City of Brooklyn,”
passed May sixth, eighteen hundred and sixty-eight, and of the acts
herein referred to which relate to the duties and emoluments of Com-
missioners of Estimate and Assessment to be appointed under that
act, and the confirmation of their reports by the Supreme Court, or
which relate to and prescribe the powers and duties of the said Park
Commissioners in reference to the subject-matters of that act, and to
the levy and collection of all assessments and the lien thereof, and to
payment for improvements and work done thereon ; or which relate
to and prescribe the duties of the said Board of Assessors; and all
other provisions of laws referred to in that act, so far as they are not
inconsistent with the provisions of this act, shall apply to regulate
and govern all the powers, duties, and proceedings of all persons,
officers, and Boards of Commissioners or Assessors who shall or may
be employed or appointed under this act, or who are designated or
referred to in this act.

Sec, 6, This act shall take effect immediately,

eau N=) As OT

To WIDEN AND IMPROVE A PORTION OF WASHINGTON AVENUE, IN
THE City or BrookLyN, AND EXTEND THE SAME INTO THE TOWN
or Fiarsusu. Passep Aprit 23,1870; THREE-FIFTHS BEING
PRESENT.

The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and
Assembly, do enact as follows :

Section 1. Washington avenue, in the city of Brooklyn, is hereby
widened so as to be eighty feet wide, from Atlantic avenue southerly
to the city line of Brooklyn, and shall be opened to that width by
adding ten feet in width to the westerly side thereof, as the same is
now laid down on the Commissioners’ map of the city of Brooklyn.
And the said avenue so widened is hereby extended southerly, in a
direct line, into the town of Flatbush, until the easterly side thereof
intersects a line drawn at right angles to East New York avenue,
from a point on the northerly side of said avenue, which point is dis-
tant nine hundred and eighty feet westerly from the northwest cor-
ner of Perry avenue and East New York avenue, as said avenues are
designated by a stone monument, and thence along said right-angled
line to the northerly side of said East New York avenue, and which said
right-angled line forms the said easterly side of said extended avenue.
And the said avenue is hereby further extended by the name of
Washington place, from said avenue, and westerly to Flatbush ave-
nue, which last extension shall be seventy feet wide, and its northerly
side shall begin at a point on the westerly side of said Washington
avenue, at a point which is five hundred and ninety-five feet southerly
from a point on the westerly side of Washington avenue, formed by
extending the southerly line of Montgomery street westerly, and
running thence westerly, at right angles to Flatbush avenue, until it
reaches said Flatbush avenue; and all those two triangular pieces of
land, at or near the junction of Washington and Underhill avenues,
lying between Atlantic avenue and Pacific street, and between the
westerly side of Underhill avenue and a line drawn parallel with
and one hundred and seventy-four feet easterly therefrom, are
hereby added to said Washington avenue, and shall form part there-
of, and be so laid down on the Commissioners’ map of the city of
Brooklyn.

Sec. 2. The Brooklyn Park Commissioners are hereby directed
to open, grade, and otherwise improve the said avenue so widened,
and the said extension thereof. And, for the purpose of determining
the amount to be paid to the owners of the lands and tenements re-
quired to be taken for the purposes of this act, and the expenses

417

thereof, they shall first fix a district of assessment, within which the
property to be benefited by the improvements shall be assessed to
defray the said damages and expenses, and shall then cause applica-
tion to be made to the Supreme Court, at a special term thereof, to
be held in the Second District, upon a notice to be published not less
than ten days consecutively in two daily newspapers printed in the city
of Brooklyn, for the appointment of three Commissioners of estimate
and assessment.

Sec. 3. The Commissioners so to be appointed shall, after being
duly sworn, estimate the expenses of the said widening and extension,
and the damages to be sustained by the owners of land, and all other
persons to be affected thereby ; and, after their report thereon shall
have been confirmed, they shall apportion and assess the same as
they shall deem just ‘and equitable upon any lands and premises to
be benefited by the said improvement within the district of assess-
ment so to be fixed by the said Park Commissioners.

Sec. 4. After the appointment of the said Commissioners, all
laws now in force relative to the opening, widening, and extending
of streets and avenues in the city of Brooklyn, and the proceedings
thereon, and duties of the several persons to be employed therein,
substituting the said Park Commissioners in the place of the Common
Council of said city, and the said Commissioners of Estimate and
Assessment in place of the Board of Assessors in relation to the
opening of streets; including, also , payment for the work to be done,
the lien of assessments for the opening of streets, as well as for the
improvement thereof, and the levy and collection of the same, so far
as they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this act, shall
apply to, regulate, and govern all proceedings which may be had or
taken under this act. And the Park Commissioners shall employ an
attorney and counsel, and all such clerks, surveyors, and other agents
as may be required for the purposes of this act.

Sec. 5. The said avenue so widened, and the said extensions
thereof, shall be laid out according to a plan to be devised or
adopted by the said Park Commissioners, and shall be graded,
paved, curbed, and guttered, and shade trees planted thereon, as
they shall direct. And the Park Commissioners may construct such
carriage ways, sidewalks, and areas, and make use of such materials
of construction or pavement as they shall deem best, and may make
all necessary contracts for carrying out the said improvements.
And all such contracts, with all other expenses incident to the im-
provement of the said widened avenue, or the extension thereof,
shall be certified by the said Park Commissioners to the Board of
Assessors of the city of Brooklyn, and shall be by said Board ap-
portioned and assessed as other local assessments are by law directed
to be apportioned and assessed in said city, within the district of
assessment so to be fixed by the said Park Commissioners, for the
said opening.

Src. 6. All assessments to be laid under this act, whether they
relate to the opening of the said avenue, or of the extensions thereof,
or the improvement of the same, shall constitute liens upon the sey-
eral pieces or parcels of property to be charged therewith, whether

27

418

such parcels are in the city of Brooklyn or elsewhere in the county
of Kings; and so far as they relate to property lying within the said
city, they shall be levied and collected in the same manner as other
local assessments are, by law, levied and collected in said city; and,
so far as they relate to property outside of said city, they shall be
collected in the manner hereinafter described.

Sec. 7. The said Park Commissioners are hereby authorized and
directed to appoint a collector of all such assessments to be laid
under this act as are chargeable upon property lying outside of the
said city and within the town of Flatbush. The said collector shall
give bonds to the said Commissioners for the faithful discharge of his
duties, and the prompt payment to the comptroller of the city of
Brooklyn of all moneys to be collected by him, and shall be entitled
to receive five per cent. for all moneys so to be collected and paid
over by him. Upon the receipt of such moneys by the comptroller,
he shall forthwith pay them to the several persons entitled to receive
the same.

Sec. 8. Immediately after the appointment of the said collector,
he shall give ten days’ notice of a time and place where he will attend
to receive payment of the said assessments, which notice shall be
posted in at least four conspicuous places in the town of Flatbush,
and also at the City Hall, in the city of Brooklyn; and, if the said
assessments shall remain unpaid for twenty days after the expiration
of the said ten days, he shall proceed to sell such of the said several
parcels of lands, upon which the said assessments shall remain un-
paid, at public auction, for the lowest term of years for which any
person will take the same, and pay the amount remaining due, with
ten per cent. interest added thereto, the said collector first giving
thirty days’ notice of the time and place of sale, by affixing the same
in at least four conspicuous places in the town of Flatbush, and also
at the City Hall, in the city of Brooklyn.

Sec. 9. Upon such sale being made, the said collector shall give
certificates of sale to the purchasers, and shall also execute and de-
liver conveyances of the lands so purchased, unless the same shall
have been redeemed within two years from the time of sale, by the
payment to the purchaser or to the said comptroller, for his use, of
the sum paid by him, with interest at the rate of twelve per cent
per annum.

Sec. 10. This act shall take effect immediately.

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DESIGNror LAYING OUT TOMPKINS PARK —BROOKLYN.

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OLMSTED, VAUX & CO. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

REPORT ON TOMPKINS PARK IMPROVEMENT.

To tHe Brooxtyn Park CommMISSIONERS:

Gentlemen :—Where public places in the midst of large towns
are not intended for public meetings, military parades, or other spe-
cial purposes, the motives to be served in planning them are of two
classes. It may be proposed, first, simply to form a cheerful, bright,
and refreshing object to be observed from the adjoining streets and
houses ; or, secondly, it may be intended to provide accommodation
for agreeable exercise, rest, and social intercourse in the open air,
for such portion of the surrounding population as may be induced to
resort to the ground. In providing for the latter intention, it is
usual to arrange trees and shady walks in the exterior parts, with
central open spaces of turf. Unless the ground is very large, the
turf spaces are not designed to be walked over or played upon, but
simply for the eye to rest upon, and as landscape features. To se-
cure the slightest landscape effect, however, a close background of
low verdure, as well as of high-topped trees, is necessary, and this
involves the planting of shrubs or underwood in the outer part of the
ground.

Where this course is adopted in spaces of ground not larger
than Tompkins square, certain undesirable results eventually fol-
low, viz. :

Ist. The shrubs suffer from the shade and from drip and drafts
upon the soil of the trees, and, as a natural consequence, are drawn
up, and in a few years become poor and sickly, and cease to bloom.

2d. The double shade of trees and shrubs, with their draft upon
the soil, makes good turf and herbaceous decoration also impossible.

3d. In the attempt to mitigate these evils, the beauty of the trees
is often destroyed by mutilation of their lower limbs, and much labor
is vainly expended in attempting to renew and improve the shrubs,
turf, and flowers. Residents of houses facing the ground then
complain that they see nothing beyond the fence but a dull, high wall
of foliage.

4th. On account of the narrow, winding walks, and the obstruc-
tion of vision by bushes in the outer parts, it is difficult for the guard-

420

ians of the ground to observe or control the conduct of visitors, or to
protect the borders of flowers. The place is therefore resorted to for
clandestine purposes, and by people of bad character. It becomes
untidy, loses reputation, and there is a complaint of the noise and bad
language heard at the windows of the neighboring houses. This
occurs the more because visitors are led to congregate near the out-
side, where there is the most shade, and where their voices readily
reach the adjoining houses.

These evils are in a great degree avoided, and the square is made
cheerful, elegant, and refreshing to the eye, as seen from the adjoin-
ing streets and houses, by the adoption of the other motive, which
dispenses entirely with trees, and studies to produce beauty of detail,
and flowering shrubs and plants, and by sculptural decoration, as in
some of the smaller places in European cities. This, however, in-
volves larger expense at the outset, and gives much less of substan-
tial advantage to the citizens at large. ;

- Ifa compromise be attempted between the two, the result is, that
an expensive system of maintenance is necessary to preserve any
tolerable degree of neatness and order, while a high degree of beauty
or usefulness in any way is impossible to be attained.

These objections to the usual methods suggest the inquiry,
whether it is not possible to design a public ground of moderate
extent, which, while presenting a bright and beautiful front upon
the adjoining streets, shall at the same time offer the public an at-
tractive recreation ground, with shady walks and seats, under condi-
tions favorable to free observation, good order, and economy of
maintenance.

To solve this problem on a piece of ground not larger than Tomp-
kins square, it is obviously necessary to discard all attempts to form
effects of natural landscape. It is necessary that shade and beauty
of trees should be provided for only in the interior, and that flowers,
turf, shrubbery and decoration of the ground surface should be sought
for only in the exterior parts.

Our plan herewith presented provides for a spacious central
quadrangle, planted only with large trees, which are arranged sym-
metrically, but not in avenues or straight rows. It will be observed
that a portion of the ground is shown in turf, and a portion in gravel,
but no restriction upon walking or playing upon the turf is intended
to be maintained, and whenever, owing to the increase of population
in the neighborhood and the growth of the trees, it is found imprac-
ticable to keep the interior spaces of turf in good order, the turf is
expected to be wholly obliterated and the entire area graveled.

421

While the trees are young and small, so large a space of unshaded
ground will appear hot and dreary unless covered with turf.

On each side of the central umbrageous quadrangle, and between
it and the streets, there is a garden, which being unshaded by trees,
may be made very bright and elegant with flowering shrubs and
plants, and perfect turf, and these will be equally well presented to
the view of passers-by and the residents of the opposite houses.
These garden spaces are proposed to be inclosed by a very light and
open fence on the street side, and by a low rail on the promenade side.
The turf and flowering plants within being thus protected from close
approach, the expense of keeping them in order would be compara-
tively small.

Four entrances to the quadrangle through the garden are pro-
vided for, and these are placed at the corners, because they will here
give the most direct access to the promenade ground to those ap-
proaching from without the square, while the inhabitants of the
square, on an average, are equally well accommodated. At each of
these entrances four trees are placed, because in these positions they
will not obstruct the view from the houses of the garden, nor injure
them by the shade. By this arrangement, also, decorative border
planting is admissible opposite every house fronting the square.

The original expense of construction, under this plan, would be
less than for a ground laid out in the manner of which Carroll Park
is an example, while the results would, it is believed, be much more
satisfactory. ¢

Respectfully,
OLMSTED, VAUX & CO.,
Landscape Architects.

Rk e-O Rf

OF THE

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS AND SUPERINTENDENTS.

Brooxtyn, January, 1871.
To tHE Brooxtyn ParKx ComMISSIONERS.

Gentlemen :—The primary construction of the park is now essen-
tially complete in all of the territory which was at first placed under
your control, and in the greater part of the remainder, or in all of
the park from the Plaza gate to the Lookout hill, the design is so
thoroughly fixed upon the ground that the character of the scenery,
and of the public accommodations aimed at, can hardly be ques-
tioned.

As mistaken ideas of the intention of the design have evidently
gained some currency, it seems timely, before referring to what is
now in course of preparation, to review what has thus far been
done.

When the formation of the park was begun, there was little
pleasure-driving in Brooklyn, except of fast trotters; the gay pro-
cession which is now to be seen, every fine day, was scarcely at all
foreshadowed ; there were fewer private carriages relatively to the
population than there had been at an earlier period, and probably
fewer than in any other city of equal population in the country. In
driving for pleasure—not merely for conveyance from point to point
—it had always been an object to get as soon as possible out into
the country, and, if tolerable roads could be found, into the midst of
woods and scenes of a secluded and rural character. It was even
more of an object to do so with those who walked or rode for recrea-
tion, and still again more so with those who made up picnic parties
for a holiday. It was from the rapid destruction of all rural charm
in the suburban roads, and the constantly increasing difficulty of
finding any place near the city in which natural landscapes or a rural
ramble could be quietly enjoyed, that the want of a public park was
experimentally known.

After the works on the ground appropriated to a park were be-
gun, it was for a year or two impossible for most observers to see
any intention in them of developing natural scenes, while their
obvious extent and costliness, and the amount of building material
which seemed to be accumulating, gave the impression that the
original features of the site were to be utterly destroyed, and a stiff,
formal, garden-like ground was to be formed, dependent largely for
its interest on artificial objects. Such an apprehension was not unrea-
sonable, for, under the name of the gardenesque style, a method of
treatment of public grounds has been much advocated, the result of
which is very liable to be an incongruous mixture of nature with
what is called art. An impression that such would be the prevailing
character of the Brooklyn Park became at this period so strongly
fixed, that with many no confidence seems even yet to be felt that
a different result has at any time, or in any place been designed.

It is therefore more especially with reference to this question
that an examination of the completed construction is invited.

A considerable part of the ground in question was originally
wooded. None of this, with the exception of swampy spots where
the trees were sickly and decaying, has been cleared further than
necessary to open the way for the roads, nor has its original form
been anywhere more than slightly modified, and this chiefly in the
filling up of depressions, mostly artificial, of the surface. The
cleared land of the site was in many places crossed by the excava-
tions and embankments of the old country roads and the later forma-
tion of the rectangular system of streets, and there were several
large clay and gravel pits upon it, as well as many acres of peat
swamps, some of which had been partially excavated, and some par-
tially filled over. The heaviest earthwork has been in draining,
filling, and restoring the surface in and about these places to a natu-
ral character. No hill, not previously marred by excavations in
street construction, has been leveled or its general elevation reduced.
The tendency of all the changes of the surface has been to enlarge
and make more distinct the original natural features. Swamps,
pond-holes and hillocks which obstructed the general flow of the sur-
face alone have been obliterated.

There are two small districts in which it may be questioned if
this general intention of magnifying the natural features, and idealiz-
ing the natural suggestions, has been strictly adhered to. Even in
these cases, however, it will be seen that depressions have been
deepened, and steep hill-sides made steeper. One of the districts
referred to is designed especially for the amusement and education

424

of children, the other with reference to objects which will be here-
after described. In neither case have the special purposes. to which
the locality is devoted been pursued at the expense of the general
intention. In looking over either district from the surrounding
parts of the park, nothing is observable that does not harmonize with
and aid intended landscape effects.

The drives, rides and walks, the grading for which has given
occasion for the largest disturbance of the ground not directed, as
above stated, to the restoration and emphasizing of its original
characteristics, are nowhere designed to arrest or withhold attention
from the natural features, but are solely adapted, and are no more
spacious or multiplied than is necessary for the convenient passage
of the number of persons who even now occasionally resort together
to the park. It is common, in public pleastre grounds, to make
prominent circumstances of the ways through them, and to emphasize
their course so that they can not escape attention, even from a dis-
tance, by continuous rows of trees or distinct borders, with various
decorations, architectural and otherwise.

It will be readily seen that there has been, so far, no such pur-
pose in your park; the least possible break in the turf and natural
plantations which is consistent with convenient movement is every-
where studied in their course, grading, and method of construction.
The walks are parted from the drives, in order that the necessary
breaks of the turf and trees may be as narrow as possible, and ex-
cept where elevation is sought to open a distant view, both are kept
below the general level and are without guards or distinct curbs, so
that the range of vision passes over them and catches only the green
swells upon their borders.

At a short distance from the principal entrance, the course of the
walks is designed to invite dispersion; for this purpose, and to aid
in inducing a feeling of security and of freedom from the hurry,
bustling and watchfulness necessary to safety while walking in the
streets of the city, two of the four archways which have been built
on the park are used. By means of these, the drives which must
otherwise need to be crossed can, if desired, be passed without dodg-
ing among carriages, and without compelling drivers or horsemen to
pull up. The lack of a provision of this kind in most of the popular
parks abroad leads to many accidents and much inconvenience. The
arches are as short, as narrow, and in all respects as unobtrusive as
they can well be made, consistently with their objects, with sound,
permanent construction, and with an honest expression of their pur-

pose. They are always in recesses and depressions of the general

425

surface of the ground, are always flanked and additionally secluded
by thickets of foliage, and their masonry is half covered with vines
and creepers. Generally they have no parapet, but a ridge of earth
and rocks, covered by a loose hedge of shrubs, with a falling habit,
rambling over their face. In the Enterdale and Eastwood arches
(which were the first built) the planting has now been done long
enough to fully exhibit this character. If the object of these con-
structions, instead of the simple safety and convenience of those
using both drives and walks, had been, as seems to be yet quite
generally supposed, the making of an architectural display, none of
these precautions would have entered into their design. As it is, so
far from being obtrusive objects, they are passed by those in car-
riages, in most cases without being observed. They serve the pur-
pose of shelter, upon occasion, from showers, and make a less num-
ber of special structures necessary for this purpose. They are lined
with wood to avoid the drip which would occur from the condensa-
tion of moisture on stone under the circumstances.

Such other sheltered seats as have been thought to be required
are mainly low structures of sassafras logs, are, or are to be, in the’
shadow of trees, and draped with creeping foliage, and are as modest
and secluded as is consistent with their purpose, which requires that
they should be readily distinguished when the need for them arises.
Besides these shelters, and some low, vine-covered trellises, only two
buildings, a cottage and barn, have been placed on the ground.
These are in the midst of wood, and only their roof-trees can be
discerned from the more frequented parts of the park. The cottage
commands a distant view through a vista among the trees, but itself
enters decidedly into no landscape. With one exception, the bridges
thus far built are of wood, or rude field-stones, low, for the most part
lost in foliage, and as inconspicuous as without greatly increased ex-
pense it would have been possible to make them. There is one
bridge which serves four different routes of connection besides
spanning a water-course, and which commands two distinct districts,
seen comprehensively from no other point. A considerable and
prominent construction was here a necessity, and it has received a
careful architectural treatment. Its position is nevertheless retired
rather than conspicuous, and it will be flanked and deeply shadowed
by the associated plantations. When the colors of the now fresh
cut stone shall have been subdued, the bridge will be much less ob-
trusive in the landscape than an ordinary farm-house or barn.

As to the apprehensions, sometimes expressed, that the park is to
be everywhere disturbed, as some foreign parks are, with artificial ob-

426

jects, such as monuments, statues, temples, kiosks, pagodas, obelisks,
fountains, vases, terraces, stiff avenues, and trim parterres, there is
nothing of the kind to be found upon all this ground, and except the
indication of a site for a simple block of stone, three or four feet
high, as an historical landmark (and this in a position where it could
not be observed from any of the drives or leading walks), no prop-
osition or suggestion for the introduction of anything of the kind
upon it has ever been presented to you, or appeared upon any of
your plans. There is not a single construction or artificial object
upon all this ground which is designed to attract the eye or arrest,
attention.

But the question will be asked if the scenery of the park is, after
all, only of a common-place, natural, rural character, why has its.
preparation needed so much more labor than a farmer ordinarily
bestows upon his woodlands and pastures? These may often be
found, in parts at least, much more beautiful than any pazt of the
park, and may be bought outright, with everything on them, for a
tithe of what has been spent in the construction of the park. It
may be answered, that the object of the larger part of the study,
skill, and labor expended, has been to reconcile the purpose of a
gradual and slow development of a special type of rural landscape,
with the constant convenient use of the ground as a place of recrea-
tion by a very great number of people; and if it appears to have
been unnecessarily large, it is in part because the difficulty of main-
taining a natural and rustic character, and at the same time of keep-
ing the ground in neat and convenient order, under these circum-
stances, is much greater than is generally realized. The character of
the evidence which shows this difficulty may be indicated by a refer-
ence to what has passed under the eyes of many citizens of Brooklyn
upon the park. :

During the first two years of the work, interest in what was
promised, and curiosity as to the progress of construction, led many
to visit the site of the park, and, as much of the ground was con-
stantly crossed by trains of carts, and thus made dusty or miry, or
was freshly dug or manured, or otherwise rendered disagreeable by
the works in progress, most of these visitors were driven to find a
place of more quiet and comfort, in the uninclosed woods a little
on one side of the line of operations. In the parts of these to
which the largest numbers came, and where there was most
lounging, though constantly patrolled by the park keepers, and
though all convenient pains were taken to preserve order and
neatness, and prevent injury to the trees and shrubs, all of the

427

herbage, and of the foliage growing within six feet of the ground,
except a few briery thickets, wholly disappeared; the soil was
worn to dust, and blown and washed away so much, that,
within two years, the roots of the trees everywhere protruded,
and many withered in consequence. Whenever it rained, the
old wood trails were gullied, the hollow places became sloughs,
and the whole surface slimy and disagreeable to see or to walk
upon.

Reflecting that the number of people using this ground was
hardly as one to a hundred of those to be expected in the future
upon the park, no one could observe the progress of wear and tear,
under these circumstances, without being convinced that to per-
manently secure a high degree of rural charm in the public ground
of a large city, special preparations are required of a skillful,
elaborate, and substantial character. The result of acting upon the
contrary assumption was shown in Washington Park, before it was
revised by your Commission. Nine-tenths of the trees originally
planted on it had received serious “injuries; and much the larger
part were, upon inspection, condemned as damaged beyond recov-
ery, and have been burned. The spaces laid with turf had been
worn bare, or had become everywhere untidy and forlorn. It was
not an attractive, a suitable, hardly a safe resort for women and
children, and was regarded rather as a nuisance, than as an ad-
vantage, to the neighborhood. This experience has been gone
through with many times, in many places, in Europe and America.
The common result, after the shabbiness and uselessness becomes
scandalous, is that which is illustrated in Boston Common, and
which is now being applied to the Battery in New York, a style
of improvement being adopted in which an evident effort is
made to avoid formality, but in which, nevertheless, not the
least approach to a free, natural, rural character is attempted,
and the public is then invited to pass through the grounds by a
complicated series of gangways guarded by chains or rails. Recrea-
tion may be obtained in such grounds, but it can hardly be called
rural recreation, and it is even a question whether convenience,
economy, and good taste would not all have been better served
by the adoption, at the outset, of a formal and elegant architectural
style.

As the park has come more and more into use, new habits and
customs, and with them new tastes, have been developed. There
is already many times as much pleasure driving as there was five
years ago, and not a few persons are more attracted to the park

428

by what is to be seen upon the road, than by any conscious
enjoyment of the inanimate nature to be seen from it; conse-
quently, a new class of comments upon the design are now some-
times heard; unfavorable comparisons are made between the park
and certain foreign pleasure grounds, both with respect to the
lack of opportunity for enjoying the sight of a large, gay, as-
semblage, and its entire want of stateliness and artistic grandeur.
In these comparisons, and in the demands which they suggest,
there are some important considerations which are generally over-
looked.

In Southern Europe, where the ground is parched, and turf and
delicate low foliage withers, unless carefully and laboriously
watered and tended; where also, in most cases, rambling in the
country, or beyond the outskirts of towns, is not only toilsome
but dangerous; where ladies seldom go out of doors until after
sunset, unless closely veiled; and where the people look for amuse-
ment almost exclusively to social excitements, public pleasure
grounds have usually been important, chiefly as places of rendez-
vous and general congregation. Their plans hare been character-
ized by formal and stately plantations, and much architectural and
floral decoration. Where anything like landscape effects have been
attempted to be added to these, it has generally been, not as an in-
vitation to exercise, but simply as a picture usually of a romantic
and often of a distinctly theatrical character.

The primary and avowed object of such grounds is to supply
people with accommodation for coming together to see one
another, not merely as personal acquaintances, but as an assem-
blage.

A style of laying out grounds adapted to this purpose has, till
recently at least, prevailed, not only in Italy, Spain, and Portugal,
but throughout France, and where French influence has been strong,
the woods and lawns of both public and private parks and chases
are nearly always traversed by straight avenues, with well-defined
circular carrefoures, often emphasized by architectural objects at
their points of junction, as may be seen in the Bois de Boulogne.
While, however, the custom of out-door assemblage, and of the
promenade for recreation has been maintained, and has even become
more important, a tendency to a different style in the preparation of
pleasure grounds has been growing wherever the climate admits of
its being adapted with success. The changes made in the plan of the
Bois de Boulogne under the late Empire, those also in the Bois de
Vincennes, the Pare de Monceau, and other grounds in France, and

”

429

the plan of the new park at Brussels, all show progress in this direc-
tion, though the liking for detached’ scenie effects which might be
suitable for framing, or for the background of a ballet, still influences. .
most French landscape work.

It is to be observed, too, that upon the completion of the Avenue
de l’Impératrice as an approach to the Bois de Boulogne, and of the
informal and narrow drive around the lake, with its various land-
scape effects, that part of this system of pleasure grounds which is
laid out in the natural style was immediately adopted as the daylight
promenade ground of Paris, in preference to the much wider, more
accessible, more stately, and in every way more convenient and mag-
nificent avenue of the Champs Elysees.

It will thus be seen that the grander and more splendid style of
public pleasure grounds, while it is peculiarly adapted to display a
great body of well-dressed people and of equipages to advantage,
and is most fitting for processions, pomps, and ceremonies, while
also it seems admirably to extend and soften architectural per-
spectives, and to echo and supplement architectural grandeur, is
not preferred where there are moderate advantages for the adoption
of a natural style, even for the purposes of a promenade. The
reason may be that where carriages are used, in the frequent
passing over the long spaces of bare surface which they make neces-
sary, formal arrangements and confined scenes become very tire-
some. In passing along a curving road, its borders planted
irregularly, the play of light and shade, and the succession of objects
more or less distinct, which are disclosed and obscured in succession,
is never wholly without interest, while an agreeable open landscape
is always refreshing, in contrast to the habitual confinement of the
city.

In Northern Europe congregative recreation has, until recently,
been a comparatively unimportant object in public parks, the popu-
lar idea of them being that of grounds in which people could stray
away from the towns, either apart or in small detached parties. The
difference of the two tastes and customs is shown by the fact that,
while, before the recent improvements, the roadways of the Bois de
Boulogne (although then only an occasional resort for the Parisian
public)’ were nearly a hundred feet wide, with clean-cut borders, the
principal promenade drive of London, though right in the midst of
the town, was, so late as twelve years ago, a mere rural road from
thirty to forty feet wide, encroached upon and made still narrower at
some points by trees growing naturally.

If parks laid out in the manner of those of the North were at-

430

tempted on the Mediterranean, or in this country on the Gulf of
Mexico or in California, they would be exceedingly dreary. Under
such circumstances, it is not therefore simply a matter of taste or
convenience, but in some degree a necessity, that devices of an ob-
viously artificial character are used to make public grounds at-
tractive.

In this latitude on the Atlantic slope, however, although a formal
and highly ornate treatment is perfectly appropriate where the chief
object of a public ground is that of a social rendezvous and prome-
nade, it is not the only, nor always the most desirable treatment of
it. Ifit is so situated as to command interesting views, for instance,
it may be better that it should be laid out and furnished in such a
way that these views will be seen through harmonious and suitable
foregrounds. If there are disagreeable or incongruous objects near
by, it is better that it should be supplied with boscage borders, which
will be manageable screens against them.

In the nature of the case, adequate provision for simple, rural
recreation requires large space of ground, it being a primary object
to secure the greatest possible change of scene from the confinement
and rigidity of the city, and to induce a sense of freedom and a dis-
position to ramble. This object has, moreover, to be reconciled, as
has been shown, with that of maintaining neatness and good order, in
spite of the careless and often reckless movement of many thousand
people all turning out for exercise and recreation at once; and it is
impossible of accomplishment, except on a site of considerable breadth,
where large opportunity and invitation for dispersion can be given.
It is better, on the other hand, that a drive intended to be used as a
promenade should not be so far extended that a long period will be
required to pass through it and see all who are upon it, nor should it
be so wide that friends cannot be easily distinguished when passing on
the opposite side. The avenue beyond the arch, and the drive about
the lake, in the Bois de Boulogne, which is preferred to the wide ave-
nues nearer Paris, is everywhere less than sixty feet wide, and in some
parts less than forty.

It may then be said, that in the design of public grounds, two quite
different uses of them, and two quite different artistic ideals may prop-
erly be had in view, and that under certain conditions of situation,
soil, climate, and society, one only of these uses, and one only of these
ideals can properly be controlling. Individuals must be expected to
place a greater value on one or the other use, and to be better pleased
with one or the other style of grounds, according to their habits and
the bias of their natural or acquired tastes. There can be no greater

431

mistake, however, than to suppose that what has given great gratifi-
cation in one place, or under one class of circumstances, will do so
everywhere and anywhere, and that the neglect to use every opportu-
nity of introducing it is an evidence of ignorance or bad taste. Because
it is a very pleasant thing to see a great body of well-dressed people
enjoying themselves in the open air, it does not follow that every
pleasure ground should be designed with reference exclusively to that
pleasure, and all its parts, furniture, and decorations be specially
adapted to it; nor because, also, it is a very pleasant thing to find in
the midst of a large town a winding road or walk, with borders
on either side, of dense luxuriant foliage, or with a fair landscape
opening from it, as completely free, as far as the eye can see, of any-
thing artificial as if in the country, that nowhere in a public ground
should there be conveniences for congregation, or any obvious dis-
play of human handiwork. Ina park of five hundred acres, provis-
ion of both kinds may be furnished, but it is not wise to undertake
to provide both at all points, and if the ground has a varied surface,
it is unwise to pursue the congregative purpose in those parts where
the suggestions of natural scenery are most interesting.

When the plan of your park was first outlined, it was intended to
provide a ground within which citizens could not only withdraw them-
selves at some few points from the sight of town houses and town
traffic, but in which they could wander for hours at a time, constantly
finding new scenes of natural beauty. The whole of it was laid out
with this purpose in view. At the same time, the growth of the
tastes and habits which are gratified by joining a gay assemblage or
throng was anticipated, and, to provide more completely for the de-
mand which was thus expected to arise, it was recommended that
two series of stately avenues should be provided outside the park.
This recommendation was repeated and urged in three of your an-
nual reports, and measures were at length taken to carry out the
suggestion before any public demand for the purpose began to be
manifested.

But experience teaches, as we have indicated, that no matter
how fine and well adapted to their purpose such avenues may be
made, even when their drives are exclusively used for pleasure
carriages, where there is a rural park with good roads through
it, also conveniently accessible, it will likewise be more or less used
as a promenade, and this whether well adapted to that purpose
or not.

Accommodations for large throngs of people, and advantages
for observing these throngs, are then at some points desirable and

432 ;

necessary, and means must be carefully studied of reconciling
such accommodations with the purpose of giving the public the
largest practicable extent of rural scenery, and of rural exer-
cising ground. As, for this purpose, the drives must not, as al-
ready explained, be very wide, and as the movement both ways (in
order to give opportunity for the recognition of acquaintances)
must be slow, it is desirable that such provision should be origi-
nally secured in such a place that people can make a considerable
circuit within the park, if they choose, without entering upon them
at all.

The part of your park thus intended exclusively for rural recrea-
tion is complete within itself, and a circuit of it can be made upon
both its drives and walks, without entering upon the promenade dis-
trict, which, indeed, lies completely hidden from it, except as the tree-
tops and the water within it extend the background of the view from
certain points.

According to the plans you have approved, the portion of the
drive more especially intended to be used as a promenade, is to be
nowhere less than fifty feet in width; in the greater part, sixty feet.
Its length, not including the turning-places at the ends, is to be three-
quarters of a mile. A pad for saddle-horses will adjoin it, thirty
feet wide. At certain points it will be separated a short distance
from the drive, in order to avoid too extended a bare surface. Ad-
joining the pad, and again on the opposite side of the drive, are to be
walks fifteen to twenty feet wide. Near the middle of the system
sheltered galleries are arranged, where those who wish can sit and
look upon those moving by. The width of the whole promenade
ways at this point, for a distance of two hundred and fifty feet, is to
be one hundred and eighty feet ; the pad and the drive being thrown
together, and the walks brought to curbs upon them. One of the
walks will spread laterally to beaches or bays of the lake, and there
will be an outlet from it upon a boat landing. Throughout the
whole extent of the promenade ways a succession of views will be
commanded, with the back to the sun over the lake. On the side
toward the sun will be a dense plantation of trees and underwood.
Planted points and islands are arranged to cover the broader bare
spaces of the promenade from the view of boating parties and the
opposite shores, and to supply strong foregrounds to the views
northward. There are to be rows of trees within and upon the
edge of the drive, it being impossible to avoid long spaces, which
would be unpleasantly exposed to the sun by any wholly natural
arrangement of trees, consistently with convenience of movement

——

435

where so many are expected to be passing together ; but the border-
ing plantations are so arranged that the formality of these rows will
not be noticed, except when close upon them. Looking beyond
the exterior lines of the promenade walks, the scene will be per-
fectly natural and rural in character ; so also the whole lake shore,
except at one point, where preparation is making for promenade
concerts.

Promenade concerts are common in many European pleasure
grounds, but nowhere are the arrangements for them such as would
be at all satisfactory to an American audience of the number
which has frequently been found already in your park. They
may be divided into two classes: those universal in German
towns, common in French, and less so in British, where the
audience is standing, walking, or sitting upon chairs, and frequently
at tables at which refreshments are served, and those in which the
greater part of the audience is in carriages, or walking about among
carriages, as the Cascine at Florence, and on the Pincian Hill at
Rome.

The music of a proper promenade band can be best heard only
at a greater distance from the instruments than is desirable when
listening to an ordinary indoor orchestra. It does not require close
attention, and may be enjoyed while walking among the trees. It
is common, however, for at least the central part of the audience to
rest during the performance of each piece, and for the greater part
of it to stroll or drive off, and return between the pieces. Where
the audience is largely in carriages, there is always more or less
movement in its outer part, and this, with the room necessarily
taken by each vehicle and its horses, makes the number of those
who can enjoy the music at all, with any arrangement hitherto
used, very small. There is no carriage promenade concert in
Europe which is largely attended by people on foot. In the best
and most popular promenade concerts, it is customary for all who
come in carriages, to leave them on arriving at the ground, and this
both in small and large towns.

The plan of the concert grounds in your park is designed to se-
cure the advantages of both the classes which have been described,
and to avoid, as far as practicable, their disadvantages.

The orchestra is to be placed upon a small island, about one
hundred feet from a semicircular sweep of shore, in the direction
where the audience is expected chiefly to congregate. It is believed
that with suitable instruments, at this distance over water, nothing
will be lost of the sound, while it will prevent the disagreeable crowd-

28

434

ing together of a large number of persons close before the stand,
where the music cannot be heard to advantage. Provision, however,
is made for small boats to fasten along the shore below the level
of the audience and of the floor of the music stand, and a large fleet
may lie apout it. The cireuit drive of the park passes parallel with
the shore, at a distance from it of five hundred and thirty feet; a
short loop from it opens into a concourse, nearly five acres in area,
sloping toward the shore, and occupying a quadrant of a circle sur-
rounding the music stand. All parts of this are open to drivers
and riders. Its southward outlets open into the promenade drive
and ride.

A smaller carriage concourse (two acres) is situated upon the top
of an eminence, five hundred feet to the northward, and carriages can
either be driven to this and back, or a turn be taken in the prome-
nade drive, if desired, between the pieces. It is believed that most
music will be heard very well upon the higher concourse, which has
the advantage for a hot summer’s day of being strongly swept by
the sea breeze passing over the music island.

North of the principal carriage concourse is an esplanade, with a
grove for a promenade on foot. The lower part of this, for a dis-
tance of one hundred and seventy-five feet, is to be planted with
plane trees, arranged at the intersection of concentric circular lines,
with others radiating from the music island, as may be understood
from the plan accompanying this report. Back of this, at a higher
elevation, is to be a grove, pierced by three alleys on the lines of
vistas opening toward the music island. In the rear will be an open
pavilion, with tables and seats, and back of it a low house contain-
ing cloak and dressing rooms, and from which coffee and ices may
be served. A series of awnings on fixed standards will cover seats
in front of the trees on the esplanade, the passage in front of which
is to be closed during the performance of music. There are also to
be seats in the rear of the esplanade. It is expected, however, that
the larger part of the audience collecting here will be moving during
the intervals of the music, and will stand among the planes, or con-
tinue walking in the alleys of the upper grove during its performance.
There are walks leading from the concert ground along the shore each
way, and upon the face of Breeze Hill, looking toward the music-
stand. The music will float across the lake, and be heard very well
on the opposite shore, and more or less clearly at various more dis-
tant points.

As an agreeable, natural decoration of a space like the concert
ground, designed to be mostly occupied by an audience, is imprac-

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120 FEET TO ONE INCH.

435

ticable, its plan is formal, and its decorations will be mainly
architectural.

The ground-work of the whole of the park south of the Lookout
Hill, having to be made from material excavated from the lake site,
and every tree, shrub, and stone to be moved to it, and every varia-
tion from a plain surface to be formed, it will be some time before
the design can be fully realized; but it is hoped that this statement
of its intention will sufficiently show that, while the simplest form
of healthful and educative rural education has been studiously pro-
vided for, the use of the park as a place to see people under pleasant
circumstances, and in which to be cheered by the pervading gayety
of a great company coming together simply for pleasure, has not
been neglected.

No part of the park is designed with reference to use after night-
fall. There are many reasons why it should not be. The attempt
to light any large ground, planted closely, or with underwood in the
natural style, sufficiently to make it a safe resort, always fails. If
in the midst of a large town, its use for immoral and criminal pur-
poses more than balances any advantages it may offer. It has been
shown that where the climate makes the night the most agreeable
time for open-air recreation, formal promenades between rows of
trees, on regular, strongly defined and well lighted walks, are cus-
tomary. Not only the parkways now under construction are of this
character, but the park is designed to be surrounded on all sides
with a broad avenue for carriages, and a well-lighted mall, thirty feet
wide, for walking. Wherever practicable this is made to overlook
the park, from which it is to be divided by a parapet three feet in
height, the total height of the interior wall being eight feet. ~The
Plaza is designed with a similar purpose, and the planting and light-
ing arrangements have been studied with special reference to night
effects.

In our last report we spoke of that intention of the plan which is
to be more especially realized in the pastoral district of the Long
Meadow, and among the scattered trees of the West and Mid Woods
which border it. The central walk leading from the Plaza to the
hills and the promenade district, after passing through this open and,
for the present, rather too sunny ground, reaches the edge of a pool
of water in the lowest part of the meadow, which is also intended to
be sunny and bright; it is then carried to the left, and passes through
a shady ravine, from which it issues through the Nethermead Arches
upon another broad and open space of greensward, with placid water
in view beyond it. The ravine is designed to provide favorable con-

436

ditions for rich, dark, cool, and secluded effects, in contrast with the
neighboring meadow, and with the scenery of the park generally, and
connects with a small district of similar character, now under con-
struction, which extends with a series of rambling walks and sheltered
seats to the dairy cottage.

The usual statistics of construction, of the force employed, and
of the public use of the park (which, it will be observed, has largely
increased during the year), will be found in the appended reports of
the engineers.

Respectfully,

OLMSTED, VAUX & CO.,
Landscape Architects and Superintendents.

“SLOALIHOUVY JdVISGNVT “008 XNWA UILSW 10

: “HOYV LYOdMOGVAW SHL

REPORT OF ENGINEER IN CHARGE.

Park Commission, City oF BROOKLYN,
ENGINEER’S OFFICE, January 1st, 1871.

Messrs. Otmstep, Vaux & Co.,
Landscape Architects and Superintendents.

Gentlemen: I submit a report of operations of construction for
the past year.

The granite steps, the coping, and the stone and brick panels for
the fountain basin at the Plaza have been finished. A temporary
arrangement of pipes, for jets at the center of the basin, has been
used during the season.

The track of the Brooklyn City and Hunters Point Railroad has
been laid across the Plaza, from Vanderbilt to Ninth avenue. The
Belgian pavement in the Plaza, near the fountain, has been com-
pleted. Connections have been made with a sewer laid through the
West Plaza street by the Water Board.

A wood lining has been put under the Meadowport Archway.
The Nethermead Arches have been pointed and finished. Founda-
tions have been built for a stable near the dairy; and the stable, of
wood, is in progress of construction by contract. Stone inclosing
walls have been built for a stable-yard. Two rustic shelters have
been built, one overlooking the meadows from a point near the west
drive, the other on the north side of the Ambergill.

A bridge of bowlder stone has been built, carrying a walk over
the Ambergill, and a large amount of rock-work has been constructed
at various points.

The carriage concourse east of the lake has been graded, and
only requires surface metal for its completion. A considerable
amount of work has been done on the adjacent pedestrian concourse,
in accordance with a plan for its completion adopted during the year.
The portion of the ride near the deity has been finished, and a branch
to the dairy begun.

438

The main walk leading to the dairy has been finished, and the
system of walks in that neighborhood has been graded, and will be
ready for completion in the spring. Numerous stone steps have
been set in the different walks, also one carriage landing-step.

The walks between the carriage concourse, east of the lake, and
the entrance from Franklin avenue, have been finished. The walks
on the lake peninsula have been sub-graded.

Franklin avenue has been graded, the curb and gutter set, and
the street opened for use from the eastern boundary of the parade
ground to Flatbush avenue.

The entrance drive at the southeasterly angle of the park has
been finished.

The Ambergill Brook has been finished to its connection with
the large pools.

The slopes of these pools have been formed and shaped. The
peat has been removed from them and piled for future use. A dam
and waterfall has been built between the two pools, and one com-
menced at the head of the upper pool.

A large amount of excavation has been made for the main lake.
About eight and three-quarter acres of additional lake surface has
‘been puddled and finished. A dam has been built in connection
with this work, and the area of finished water surface increased to
about twenty-three acres.

Tile drainage has been put in near the Third street entrance, and
some stone drainage in a portion of the West Woods. A fifteen-
inch main sewer has been exténded to the lower pool. A sewer
connection has been made between the dairy and the stable. The
basins and pipes have been put in for the drainage of the walks con-
structed during the year.

Early in the spring a system of perforated pipes was laid in the
sand, between the outer and inner curbs of the well, for the purpose
of obtaining a more rapid flow of water. The result has been quite
favorable, increasing the supply to the pumping-engine.

The boiler house at the well has been finished. The interior
walls of the well have been pointed. The reservoir on the summit
of Lookout Hill has been constructed, and is nearly complete.

The inclosing walls, and the bottom of this reservoir, are formed
entirely of concrete. The roof is of brick arches, sprung from
piers and counter-arches. It is intended to use the roof as a con-
course for pedestrians. The capacity of the reservoir is 750,000
gallons.

The ground adjacent to the Third street entrance has been shaped

*S

4359

and seeded, and also a small portion of that west of the drive, be-
tween Third and Ninth streets. The woodland east of the west
drive, and the meadows as far as the pools, have been finished ; also
the grounds in the vicinity of the dairy, along the ride, and through
the Ambergill hollow. The Nethetmead, has been completed and
seeded. The ground near the southeasterly angle of the park has
been seeded.

A large portion of the peninsula has been graded, and has received
the necessary top soil.

WASHINGTON PARK.

An arbor has been built and painted, and a tar concrete pave-
ment laid under it. Tar concrete pavement has also been laid on a
number of walks. Granite steps have been set in the walk running
from Canton street to Fort Greene place. A portion of the inclosing
wall of the park has been built by contract.

TOMPKINS SQUARE.

A portion of the filling required to grade this square has been
made by contract. The soil has been stripped and piled for future
use,

The customary tables of statistics of the work done on the parks
are as follows’:

TABULAR STATISTICS OF CONSTRUCTION UP TO
JANUARY 1, 1871.

DRIVES.
Drives finished, 60 feet wide..... Ei cusebetene enelave.siers 379 lin. ft.
S ns 52 TORS eB Moers scares apace, aroha Pay ara
. oe 50 eo ipsreterais Hips Sacco coc eit AEE! "s
« OE NC se cae a Re DO a 5,546“
« « Aen ae WENGE RRO as ide See 12,598
KS ss 30 SEM aN Phe ore coslle! slots sreens's 91 1,500 “
Ss 27 “ 18 6nhGa Adeeeonnre Ree” *%
ie os 23 SOM ER RRS Fa cr atone (oy aver evens Sits skeso 1,550 “
= x 50 « (Franklin avenue)... 3,100 “
Total length of drive finished ...........00 28,001 “

or 5; miles.

440
Drives in progress, 50 feet wide......... sie siemsete 750 lin. ft.
ss me 40 ihc crevoiaxe olay bye) oie Spoil ote L610: 5%
“ . 50 “(Franklin avenue).. 650 “
HOGA er stane bots terse svete. ¢ tee SiMe etna ni Bioveaiis, Os OOusas:
or 53, miles.
CONCOURSES.
Finished concourse for carriages, Plaza..... oseee 216,112 sup. ft.
«“ «“ “3 Park ite ees 119,350 «
v3 i for pedestrians, Plaza......... seo teny at
ck sf ee Parkigs visas 94% sm (OO; OOUM ce
Ff a * Washington P’k. °78,882 “
“ < ih ParadeGround.. 21,600 “
Total area of finished concourse...... 581,986 “
or 13,45 acres.
Concourse in progress, for carriages, Park ....... 203,650 sup. ft.
es ¢ for pedestrians, Park ....... 153,200 “
i “ as Washing’n P’k, 93,960“
es i 5s Parade Gr’nd 4,000 “
Potals’. side ie fice sets etetetere ivece 4548100 = ¢
or 10,4, acres.
RIDES.
Rides finished, 20 feet wides ...csl%s% « salen vaeles . 4,190 lin. ft.
is io 16 WU Mls oie Yeretevels tell Foreicioyatenetaneyats 625 “
FF * 15 CI UAMRats ersgousert \sfe:etetaiata atetecers Sin) eno Oa
cs a 8 Sey han peste eee Pete ei ictosotatete ce 600 “

Total length of ride finished.............. 7,465 “

Rides in progress, 30 feet wide...... Woftilaley aioe aia 950 lin. ft.
bs 20 re alajelvto'stc s! eel miia,c' » Wie L82a.
4 " 15 ate uMaa le Ve SH 5 ofc ol :'e: oe) ORO)» «wore 900 “
+ 4 De SARS ait g eeeiioe ails eale’s QT Ogi
LOCA. folie Sita tatersitovete Bere tei Bivelel evade ols 3,950 “

or 75% miles.

WALKS

Walks finished, 20 feet wide.......... sickle evstelels 914 lin. ft.
vs id 16 SUA DA RMECMal alelieieitore feieie Scopes 16/61. .%
a cf 14 PP Mass Giga te Siete stone! 400 “
«“ Se ston Mu pce LINAS ALC ate Nal us 10.08a1 ans
« aa ki CoD ae ARNE ys Oe 1444 «
ss ¢ 8 She Suet aueroustel's Bho ial eseaiehe, hate 515 ee
My < 521 “ (Washington Park).. 496 “
“ec “ce 16 ce “6 15 ce
“cc “ee 14 6 “ee 4,500 (74
ee 6c 1 iT3 73 1,857 “e
6é 73 10 “ 74 §22 (74
14 73 8 (7 (73 505 ce
Ss 8 cH (Carroll Park) :.4000 7 2.200“

Total length of finished walks...,.... 40,899 a

75 ile
or 7,'£,; miles.

Finished walk at Prospect Park ..........ee.00. 5;, miles.
< at Washington Parks. ../5:f2c0.0d6 « LS “
Ey at:Carroll Parks). Wiis. <6 SE bob OSS | Sek
Wralksin prosress, SO! feet Wider. 3.6) /ssclajciic cece. 7,516 lin. ft.
as ¢ 25 Fe ORO OIC GD BEI Ob 2,175. eS
= 20 Goo dadee O40 oar oue 8,943“
4 ie 16 saya yiteraesae ieaoke Spotl ojelsiel cisie 1436 “
. * 12 i sinifeiaiisietwielateho\els esisie! y Ds Ores Mage
i: Y: 10 Rg Saveleterst sherbet eseis 2 Fie’ 1 fs Fae:
: 8 Peis leleccreratelet orci U,500; 9.3
“s = 14 3 (Washington Park) 164s
Total..... RcicaE pe call ata . 29,182 «

or 5,5, miles.

449

DRAINAGE.
18 inch uunaice Pee) san ctalferete 5 Sages slevelets fete 1,782 lin. ft.
15 Baa Oe ay) eae 8437 «
12 i Bar iipietots edeiore! one ta chs efecto tel etote DSH0!
10 “si CN Weta tt ts sales es crane, » toheeiate 2,684 “
8 Md w eicdeie ae) sie hoie lols Oteypieiero tales 10,253“
vA BSH diniaeeie lle mies feleloieieis keedels ts ope 305 =“
6 es SO a esniog daago A oo ooo ae 21,619; -“
5 « ag RCE ene were ont 1,619 «
4 “ HN TR so ak Sy tieg See a 2785 «
Qu “ Gh) Cs A eee ae 675
10 ee ee (Weshioeten Picky. alam
8 ce 5 cele 680 “
6 “A cf s S30 2,066 “
5 « «“ « vee 1,234 «
4 s ve Re metals SOU owt
6 “ “(Carroll Park)... ...06. OR ase
4 ee ‘ oom asec . SLO es
6 Cement Bos sb be cscs esonp Sood s 142s
Rota "2 ih hase wictolevatets etiatalctateneiters 67,080 (i
or 12,7, miles.
Tile pipe laid, SD esITIGH eva eleders!ayaiete stotelle ic cris ie jerere 20,556 lin. ft.
ee 24 ‘ eeoeeeoeeeeree ee eter ee eeav ee @ 25 if
id re 2 es eoeoereere ee sre eseere ree 2 eee 28,400 Gs
tf RMI iah celeletels avefohetclerstslehettet ieee iet: 7,637 “
otal 5 iis etorate ats oe te tele ensetels 56,618 “
or 1077, miles.
WATER DISTRIBUTION.
Wrought iron and cement pipe, 16 inch........... 8,023 lin. ft.
6 “ if 119) “ ) 548 “
“ce “c “ce 6 <4 10 550 “ce
eoeeee e@eere 9
s os Ad Bec) Rie acto are olavel Wyss SOM aul

POG] 5 cette aula aera cape er orare ee hove tick et LODeOs sa

or 37, miles.

CASH AFON PIP, CO IMCs ss 66a. es sen sees eeeewece 347 lin. ft.
s Bl Gta errata esletot ch s)is'e ie) «i se, diihagel el oh ele Ps ee
ss Sy ame cel che pers ohn! 2 Dale iclereieis a seventy. 2,842 “
re SRM O MRE Srila afexefepelate is) eisps ss 4 tele, seein 19h)
. ee Olam comeayatensl rer Niel ssi 16 8) 6) sie, « : 1S 2
We £6 4 Ser emai my cette ie clre GP @eeqerseeed 8 UG
WO ee 3 ce 0” 0".e°'8 .@ axe) 8 0 eoeereveevenre ee #8668 6 . 53 ae
“ec “ O21 ce 10 (T4

1 AE oat a On Cd poo CUS pC Eee
< er NE \palvanizedis oie scccs ce ness 450 “
66 iT4 il “ce “ce se a ‘ 1,427 “cc
Total DUC. 8 2616 S)'9|- ec OF eG Kee levere eve ee 6" ee) e708" /e 5,435 “¢

or 1,2, miles.

Lead and tin pipe, ? inch....... et tease Sod 802 lin. ft.
«“ OS i ACR MR CLA Suse Beam eee 294 «
‘ aS BBE en oa Aeon iodeippie SURO Gor 1,064 “
A Otel cepspedever talcietoxerate a leis elas ors sarees QGO nce

HECKEV AVS os.ch rars b aki afore tele Ser aichuversisce matte erence. Mamet 1
Blow-offs and branches .........00- alaiel severest suo ercibisleie Meroe coh, SEG
SLOP COCKS. cs vis wie dice «sales eis avd yaar site aetoiers v/eieprttauerel ae ote 40
PLIT=COGIES aio. race car shes igtaltitcte as wc oe ste Sandloy sereretiere ereveseratey, ibe
ESR RI UE Sis aiete evar) soo ein /0) ayn cia oats pt ctate ait. Sictehefouevatelaictas ieee aie}, 1OD
Meducersy.tsr.<:. Serevetorts BRE Os OE SCTE MD Bo ar a : 4
WE CUATSGh c/a, Sore ol ckares'e'e.n Sieh aerate GER atacteh olhet See fale: cueiie anor 6 2
Stop-cocks, Washington Park: SEDOC UD ONDE DCO JondtweD apes Ee 11
Gas pipe laid, 4 inch........... SORTED SO Shobe 700 lin. ft.
se ie cn Sol et avalolavelciciccchctaie: sberete a aa8 shotexers S8ea
Potal..6 654-5 ae eee Pope ate aoa ocsiae Carat adeis 16St

or 31,5; miles,

Tron fence set (Washington Park).......eseeeeess 703 lin. ft,

444

AREA OF OPERATIONS UP TO JANUARY 1, 1871.

Area worked over up to January Ist, 1871........ 411 acres.
ey x “ (Washington Park) 30
Surface finished, meadows and slopes............ 172 “
y es woodland,........ Josnhmces ag as Bhs iis
« : Water SUTIACES </.%'5 0% «6 614 cietetehelars 23"
rf i TOACS! ANG WALES A). stehe\e) piece iets Wie ele DO
AR OUAIE Wo fepototenstst tensors dere oreetodateters 200, Eko
SSHIPIACEBCEGER « 2 5.2! s)s:e ¥ stiojord. «cdyoxen lal seaieby ele aiapelate . 216 acres.
Surface finished (Washington Park)......... cteeters Da fal ie
MASONRY.
Amount of brick masonry......... abareigr ierarsmemicts 3,573 cu. yds.
“ ee (Washneten Park).. HGS
rH SEOD EC MUASOMMY) oa) <reieie lain) olelle «lsu slots ale teyale 6,883 .-2%
gs s (Wiashneton Park).. 468 “
CODCTOUC sic sjataierass rose feteveh yes rec eketetere Sele jan Leno te
sf otecs | (OVW ASEM GOI ark \isys-cc arctan Se Mak
ve SUe OSES clu dmiig Oobintee acer ia esa ale jne SAN) EES ed ULE bg
§ ES \( Wiashinoton Park). rye 646“
sf GUT DISC ss /sjere wists eicseyarete ovetoretelsteloieloyeters 72,3385 “
= 7) (Washington Park). ccc. sence CR
i Belgian pavement laid..... os rolhrare theta 298,822 sup. ft.
ES cobble i rel Naate shateterataneneteh iets TOOLOs ae
brick " Hiva' svete) states chereheie’n perce bacr il Ack ania
<f Si gutter eh aa ee bral cpamerereeeney ahete 21,148 “
oh Pelford'.;)“ Sad Me ctalianetebaiovevielet heteks 51,249 “
c cobble “ sh BOPP ena Carr aa
ss flag stone “ SEAS btioigce - ole ofe (oie | ODE) 10.
Mar concrete pavement laid! 0) scents ses aoe <r 399,871 sup. ft.
oY . “ (Washington Park)..... 210,051 “
AMOUNT OF STONE BROKEN.
McAdam stone by stone breaker.............++- 16,214 cu. yds.
Telford and building stone by hand.............. 9,653 “
i ¢ “ (Washington Park) 2,569 “

Spall, stone by hand's. as cyeleie eye's ciniees Breede elsiaets Mle DOG Irs

A445

MATERIAL MOVED,

Total to
During 1870, Jan. 1st, 1871

.

For grading and shaping drives, rides,

walks, meadows, and slopes........, cub. yds, 44,910 461,280
For lakes, pools, and streams .......... Ge 145,425 626,483
PORMUMESLILZEY, asc Peo} ce) $a.ste.n) of 0 oR aheyate of ch elore tid 172,355
For sewers, drains and water distribution ‘“ 4,839 90,681
Bua ncretal eta aie eins ch ernie’ & ole) 6 SiMPeiaysi sls Givie Says rs 45,201 455,973
CHES eee contin 42 hee, one ete aae « 5,636 72,202
013) SDS oat SREROS OCR ROR Ere COL ee i 7,261 37,411
MANES and COMPO ....\./5 06s sislewjee vis - 6,117 42,217
Stone ..... ATTA re ea MEO AS AG «“ 3,863 87,129
MEA VOW ANG) SAM (sis /sseveie slalete: siare'e, epeisherels 13,596 98,963
IMISCOMGNEOUB t25s1c. 6: <iSp0%s jaye sigletalie'v aid asc bitig sS 18,446

Total cubic yards....... 276,848 2,163,140
Material moved at Washington Park.... 2,335 92,249

Total cubic yards........ 279,183 2,255,389

ENGINEER CORPS.

The assistant engineers engaged during the past year have been
Mr. Thomas Stratford and Mr. John B. Duncklee, at Prospect Park,
and Mr. Thomas P. Kinsley, on the parkway.

Respectfully submitted,

JOHN BOGART,
Engineer in Charge.

REPORT OF ASSISTANT ENGINEER.

Prospsect Park, January 1, 1871.

Jonun Bocart, Esq.,
Engineer in Charge.

Sir: I submit herewith a report of details concerning the man-
agement and operations of the force, together with an account of
the means and materials employed in the construction and mainte-
nance of the several parks, under the control of the Commissioners,
for the year ending December 31, 1870. "

The usual inventory of tools and supplies accompanies this
report.

The larger part of the year’s operations have been confined
to the lower end of the park, or lake district, and the develop-
ment of the ground about the Glen Farm-house and _pic-nic
grounds.

The mechanical work has been less than the previous season,
and has mainly consisted in the completion of the Nethermead
and Meadowport Arches, a rustic bridge or culvert in the Glen,
the boiler house, the reservoir on Lookout Hill, and four rustic
shelters.

In addition to this, an ornamental structure for a shelter and
lookout on the east drive is in hand and approaching completion.

The work of completing the cover or roof to the well is in
progress, the wood and iron work being nearly ready to be put up.

FORCE.

During the working season the average of men and teams em-
ployed was 794, being a less force than has been engaged during any
previous season of the same duration.

PROSPECT PARE:

SIDE ELEVATION.

:
TREE MOVINC MACHINE.

447

The following statement shows the average number of employed
force during each month of the year, and also for the preceding years
since the organization of the work in 1866:

Statement showing the average number of employed force for the
months and years noted.

Active operations commenced on the park in the latter part of June, 1866.

rc 8 8 |
b> & , uy n 2

YEAR, & 3 4 i 3 2 a 3 FI a

t=) & a — b eo b » =) > od

eR a | Eo WO = ed Lae

5 Fe = < = 5 5 < n ° Z A
COG Star cts eres ate| | ticcrcters)| Caiera crete | tcterete ail oteselare1ei{ boietotetets 300 | 835} 450} 550 620 700 725
WSS Tice 700 630 410 800 | 1000 | 1150 | 1200 | 1525 | 1750 | 1825 | 1800 | 1100
DoT aSatede 944 812 | 508 | 1215 | 1047 | 1189 | 1095 | 1090 | 1116 | 1118 | 1167} 912
ECO Safer cc's "40 | 698 | 746 946 | 959} 988} 991 | 1006 | 975 | 946] 552] 204
ist Weqenonos 1389 | 1384] 184 164 | 594} 721 661 730 806 | 839} 853 845

Exhibit of the days during which the main force was employed, and
of the days when the weather partially or entirely prevented the
prosecution of the work :

Whole number of full days when the main force was em-

employed......... Set DELCO ce Ce COU APO OCOD OOS OOP een
Whole number of days when the weather interrupted the
OTIS) Sie erect eicye.cioves iuiui ois) apyiolefaie teleteteteielsVerelevele. 0 sis{eis 26

WASHINGTON PARK.

The operations on this park during the past year have mainly
consisted of a small amount of finishing surfaces, and completing
planting, for which a small force of twenty-six men for one month,
and seven gardeners for the working season only, have been em-
ployed. The large trellis was completed early in the season, and
was much used by the public during the summer months.

The work was entirely suspended from January 1 until May 9,
1870.

448

The following table shows the average force employed, by
months, during the years 1868, 1869, and 1870: ;

Work begun June, 1868. Work suspended December, 1869. | Work suspended till May, 1870.

H te a

Bulge Bikogs a le

he a 3 g & g 2

sb =A fae Ml a AE ll ae Me Leds lpia foe Fo

= i st < =I & 5 a B 6 Zz a

Fac td le Ri | mT Ry ah Hea Ry 96 | 89 | 4198 | 186 | 139 | 192 | 7
1669.) cue. 8611/86 |) 4d |b G0. 79) ol 2v6G. UGS”. rete ibs6Gailh 8G ail PIbOmi nen

1870.12 oes Aras) | aN | EAE casi 7 | 7 To ores ales 7 alae

ORGANIZATION.

The force for the year was made up as follows:
One general foreman.
Nine barrow. gangs (one at Washington Park), average 31
men each.
Three cart gangs, average 33 men, 34 carts each.
One team gang, average 28 men, 33 teams.
One stone-breaking gang, 15 men.
One miscellaneous gang, 22 men.

Of this force, 25 men, 5 teams, and 10 sprinkling carts were
required for the work of maintenance, repairs, and cleaning of
roads, basins, and water-ways; to which is added a force of
gardeners in the spring and summer, for the care of shrubbery,
mowing, etc. ;

MECHANICAL FORCE—STONE-CUTTERS, STONE AND BRICK MASONS.

One foreman of stone-cutters, averages 13 stone-cutters.
One foreman of stone-masons, averages 11 stone-masons.
One foreman of brick-masons, averages 15 brick-masons.
One foreman of carpenters, averages 15 carpenters.

One foreman of blacksmiths, averages 2 blacksmiths.
One foreman of rustic work, averages 2 rustic carpenters.

449

PLANTING AND GARDENING FORCE,

under the supervision and direction of the park inspector, Mr. O. C.
Bullard, as follows:

One foreman.

One assistant foreman.
Six skilled gardeners.
Ten skilled laborers.

One hundred and one laborers.

The division and arrangements of labor remain the same as here-
tofore, as does also the keeping of time and accounts of work, and
of complete vouchers and records.

APPOINTMENTS.

During the year there have been appointed :

1,187 laborers.
207 horses and carts.
66 teams.
144 miscellaneous appointments.

DISCIPLINE.

The following is an abstract of the record regarding promotions,
suspensions, and discharges occurring during the year:

APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTIONS.

Nuniner-of foremen appointed... wisciseswncgccmsvigade sean 2

Number of assistant foremen promoted to foremen ......... 3

BUCS OM MON: OPA OE STACI si. ois ss caisyoters wlevoige @ diay ioialays ace diss eialere 2

OR EEM AME CHE rareteyeon oiehe viotersist erates te eel dcto.0 wae or Ars iyo 3 1
SUSPENSIONS.

Number of assistant foremen suspended for breach of discipline. 2

Number of laborers ce és Hostel iis
Number of horses and carts oe Us a «ale
Number of teams rf S Stas em
e
DISCHARGES.

Number of foremen discharged for intoxication ............. 1
Number of laborers discharged for inefficiency ...........+.. 349
Number of horses and carts discharged for inefficiency ....... 39

In this connection, I would call your attention to the report of
29

450

the general foreman, as a matter of interest, concerning the force,
for whose management he is directly responsible:

DecemBer ‘31, 1870.

Joun Y. Cutyer, Hngineer in Charge.

Sir: For the year ending December 31, 1870, I feel gratified in
being able to report a smaller number of discharges and suspensions
of foremen and assistant foremen compared with what it has here-
tofore been my duty to bring to your notice. All the foremen
employed during the year have been at least three years under the
present management, a majority of them since the commencement
of the work, and all thoroughly disciplined and drilled in its require-
ments. They have done well throughout the year, seeming to vie
with each other, as well in executing the work rapidly, as in con-
forming to the rules. All of the assistant foremen have been em-
ployed on the park upward of three years, with one exception, Wm.
H. Furey, who was appointed in May last.

The men applying for work on the laboring force have hardly
been up to the average of those employed during 1869. This will
account for the unusually large number of discharges and suspensions
recorded in the discipline book.

There have been three promotions of assistant foremen to the
rank of foremen, viz., John Wallace, Andrew Veith, and Hugh
Thompson. One foreman discharged for intoxication; two have
resigned; one has died; and one assistant has been suspended for
neglect of duty. The highest number of foremen employed at any
time has been fifteen, and of assistant foremen, five.

Respectfully submitted,
JOHN MAGUIRE,

General Foreman.

ACCIDENTS.

One case of sunstroke occurred during the extreme heat of the
summer, which, owing to prompt application of the remedies pro-
vided by the Commission for such cases, did not result fatally.

Twenty runaways have been reported; no fatal accident has
occurred ; no serious result has followed, except in two cases.

Two laborers were seriously injured by the falling of earth; to
neither, however, has the accident proved fatal.

The body of a man was found in the lake district in the early
part of the year. The result of the coroner’s inquest was, that the
man had been intoxicated, and losing his way across the park, was
frozen to death.

A child was drowned in the fountain-basin during the summer,

the result of gross carelessness on the part of those having charge
of her.

451

KEEPERS.

The keeper force has remained substantially as previously re-
ported.

The organization is made up as follows: Two head keepers,
one station officer, four wardens, twelve range keepers, and twenty-
six post keepers.

It is to be understood that this force maintains police super-
vision upon all the parks under the control of the Commission,
and during the year was distributed as follows :

12 rangers, Prospect Park ;
20 post keepers, Prospect Park ;
3 post keepers, Washington Park ;
1 post keeper, Carroll Park ;
2 post keepers, City Park;
and comprehends a daily inspection by a head keeper of all the
smaller parks under the jurisdiction of the Commissioners.

During the year, two wardens, one ranger, and two post keep-
ers have resigned. One warden has been promoted to station
officer, one ranger to warden, and one post keeper to ranger. One
station officer, two wardens, five rangers, and twelve post keepers
have been suspended for breach of discipline. One station officer,
two rangers, and four post keepers have been discharged for neg-
lect of duty and inefficiency.

ARRESTS.

Thirty-one arrests were made during the year, of which the
following is the summary :

For fast driving....... ete eher cae eens ol eet ai 17
Hor disorderly conducts. ices sae ose oan, > LO
For interfering with keepers............. 4

PARK POUND.

The continuance of the park pound has had the effect of keeping
in restraint numbers of animals, in the neighborhood of the park,
which formerly ran at large, to the detriment of the grounds.

PUBLIC USE OF THE PARKS.

During the year records have been made of the number of people
visiting the park, and the results in detail will be found in the follow-
ing statement:

a en —

086‘8F8‘E|68E'896'S.

G66 CVG
ege‘9e8
808 FLF
L8LCSF
FIP PSS
P9E CSF

GLO 6LF

452

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189°€9
064681
£06381

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LSTGst
6IL9FS
068163
30996
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asL‘EPre
661'S0E
980016
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agg‘OST

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GL ‘9S! 999898 |S909FL |E88'808 || F8FFL |F24°69 |ST6‘F9 ||98PFOL6 OFS FIL S69 TSF) RIOT
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Lpa‘gst llzge‘ar |t60'6s |4c0°rr ||90E‘2 [448° |SIT‘OT |/960°06 /s40°09 |606'FP |" "°° °° °°" *'* * “toquieAoNy
ZPE'6sS |\P8z'FS |goe’se [Gse'sy |(868°h [SOT |6o8‘8 ||SPPLST |AIP‘OS |PSO'6P | °° °°" "8 ***49qG0900
PeLst llootze |Z99'F, |eseo9 |iset'z |o40°9 |e9g'p ||s8t°90T |414‘0L jere’ne | °* "77" °° * doquieydag
S6T'LLZ |\S6S9IT GTS'T6 |SsrLIT ||LOFF 048m jogs‘ |/SO4°48 jese‘os |sel'Ig jn fone STL y
129992 |/096Z21 |goz‘zor |496'86 |\oere |eer’e |ptz‘e |/8s9‘00T j9za‘so |unssa [ot Aine
gg6‘g0e IILGT'SOT (TFFLS |PPS‘CUT ||Z41'S |FS8‘Z jess |) 4F9°GOT [0z9'SS |esPao |" ° ie oak aR OLL
LoFrer lloge‘ee lero'ea |gyr‘69 |\e46'8 |apo‘1t |eso', ||et4‘s6 jogoc, |rys’se [tes Ae
zos'ss llatr‘zr leer‘er laro‘es |/ey9%, |r49'% |480°a ||66g'69 loses leso6r | dy
eeee, liees'nt loss'ss |18a20 |\ess' |ose‘9 |Fos‘s ||cOr'6s |OFL ‘Sh |980‘9T ae Aegan seers Gorey
8606 ||90841 |194‘I8 |roa‘sr |\sre% 096 jOIG jisse‘4s jsss‘,e |O4POT |” seree sss Kapnaqay
epr'ée llono’ee loog‘e, |eto‘s9 ligne [tego |Log‘ |l9ee'4s lety‘os joprit | -°°° °° 77° °° + Saenoeg
“S98T “OLST “698T *S98T “OUST “698T "898T “OLST “698T “S98T
“HLNOJ,
*sURILISAPI “suBLsonby *SOTOITA A

“SIOPISIA [CIOL

453

The whole number for the year is 3,843,980. The largest num-
ber of visitors on any one day was 50,274, October 28. 856,005
persons visited the park on Sundays. 74,484 equestrians have made
use of the park ; this is 4,730 in excess of the preceding year.

During the summer and fine fall weather the west woods were in
constant use for large social parties, and the pic-nies of friendly asso-
ciations, Sunday school, church, and temperance societies. There
have been four hundred and forty-nine of these gatherings during the
season.

Tables, seats and swings were provided, as heretofore, without
charge. No accident has occurred.

PARADE GROUND.

The shelter erected for the use of the military was put into use
during the spring parades.

The turf of the parade ground, by frequent cutting and rolling,
has become firm and even. Preceding each parade, the whole area
was closely mowed and otherwise put into a condition to facilitate,
as far as possible, the operations of the military.

There have been six parades, two division and four brigade.
The ground has also been made use of by ball clubs, and three hun-
dred and ten games of ball, seven of lacrosse, and ten games of
cricket were played in the course of the year.

SKATING.

During the latter part of 1869, and early in 1870, owing to the
peculiar weather that prevailed, it was found that the ice remained
at no period sufficiently firm to justify the use of the pond by the
public for skating purposes.

There were six days’ skating during the current year, from 26th
to 31st December, inclusive. The pond area has been increased to
twenty-two acres, making it the most extensive sheet of ice in this
city, and about the same area as the largest pond at Central Park.

TREES AND SHRUBS.

The following statements show the number of deciduous trees,
shrubs, evergreens, etc., purchased; also the stock on hand, to-
gether with the number of each that have been planted during the
year:

ON PROSPECT PARK.

STATEMENT SHOWING THE NUMBER OF TREES, SHRUBS, ETC., RECEIVED
DURING THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31sT, 1870.

Deciduous | Deciduous | Ever- |Vines & Herbaceous Bedding, Flower Es
Trees, Shrubs, | greens. |Creepers| Plants. See Bulbs. Ferns. Agere te.
|

a
49 682 | 5,105 | 1,200] 111 296 | 1,400 | 20,000 | 28,843

STOCK IN NURSERY, DECEMBER 31srT, 1870.

Deciduous Deciduous i Vines and | Herbaceous a
Trees. Shp Evergreens. Creepers. Plants. Ferns. Aggregate.
19,087 31,522 82,407 3,160 1,287 14,000 101,468

STATEMENT SHOWING THE NUMBER OF TREES, SHRUBS, ETC., SET IN PERMA-
NENT PLANTATIONS DURING THE YEAR.

Bedding] Flower

Deciduous; Deciduous} Ever- | Vines and Herbaceous
Plants. | Bulbs. | 488Tesate-

Trees. Shrubs. | greens. | Creepers. | Plants. Ferns,

4,104 | 19,646 | 5,081] 4,780 | 10,179 | 11,726 | 296 | 1,400] 57,162.

Six trees, twenty-seven shrubs, seventy-five herbaceous plants,
and a quantity of myrtle, were presented to the park by Mr. Stella,
corner of Wyckoff street and Carlton avenue ; several fine oleanders,
by Mrs. 8S. B. Freeman, 89 Houston street; two large evergreen
trees, by Mr. Henry Wall, Flatbush; one maple tree, by Mr.
Jonathan Longmeyer, Flatbush; one fine specimen golden arbor
vite, and several evergreens and perennial plants, by Mr. A. G.
Burgess, East New York.

WASHINGTON PARK.

STATEMENT SHOWING THE NUMBER OF TREES, SHRUBS, ETC., PLANTED ON
WASHINGTON PARK DURING THE YHAR.

Deciduous Deciduous

Trees. Shrubs. Evergreens. Vines. Aggregate.

455

CARROLL PARK.

.
STATEMENT SHOWING THE NUMBER OF TREES, SHRUBS, ETC., PLANTED AT
CARROLL PARK DURING THE YEAR.

Deciduous Deciduous 4 aie A gate
Trees. Shrubs. Vaated oe seregare.
28 207 143 378

PARADE GROUND.

Deciduous trees planted ‘during the year........%........ 108

CITY HALL PARK.

Evergreens. Herbaceous Plants. Aggregate.

6 18 24

AMOUNT OF PEAT AND FERTILIZERS ON HAND.

AT PROSPECT PARK.

Crude peaty Uscec se pede dee techs cases nome 4,000 CubiG yards,

Stable manure, compost...............2. disse, Aon g
Fish MeO Mrctstahe tle ta eee siete avatar tie aisha york) a
Nightsoil ein Ry i a Pree | vue ‘

WASHINGTON PARK.

Stable manure compost... 2.0... s.cseee cs. eaee 120 cubic yards.

The tree-moving machines constructed in 1867 have been in
effective use during the season for transplanting trees.

During the year 848 trees have been moved either by means of
these trucks or stone boats.

During the past season the two temporary places for refresh-
ment, established two years since, and found to extend desired facil-
ities to the public, have been continued.

Among the gifts to the Commission is included a Turkish caique,
brought from Europe especially for the park by Mr. Beach, of
Columbia street.

Also an Indian birch bark canoe, of a picturesque form, which

456

forms a striking contrast with the one just noted, as they float to-
gether upon the water.

This canoe, in complete condition was presented to the Commis-
sion by Mr. Wm. H. Hallock, formerly editor of the Journal of
Commerce, and now resident of Brooklyn.

The stock of machinery and implements, such as ae derricks,
trucks, and tools of a larger and more bulky description, is ample
for the ensuing season, and this portion of the property of the Com-
mission is now being put into good working condition. In this con-
nection, it may be proper to refer to the necessity for an early exe-
cution of the plan for a substantial maintenance store-yard for the
care and accommodation of supplies and materials.

During the year two large flag-stafls have bee prepared for the
Parade Ground.

PARK SETTEES OF IRON AND WOOD.

100 seven feet long.
50 five feet long.
40 four feet long.
36 rustic bird-houses.

A sufficient water supply has been maintained throughout the
season for the public benefit.

A supply of building stone is on hand, consisting of sand-stone and
granite, suitable for dressed foundation wall, the exact quantities of
which will be found in the inventory.

HORSES AND WAGONS.

There are eight horses in good condition the property of the
Commission ; also, three heavy wagons, two one-horse heavy wagons
for field use, and two one-horse wagons for use of the landscape
architects and superintendents.

The several assistants connected with the supply and disbursing
departments have intelligently and faithfully performed their duties
throughout the year.

Respectfully submitted,

JOHN Y. CULYER,
Assistant Engineer in Charge.

——————

—

“SIOALIHOUY FdVOSGNV1 “09 ¥% XNVA’G3LSW10

NvaS 2O0aG Tata aio aie

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tye

}

. TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT
| : OF THE:

— Comamgstoners oF Prospecr Park.

SURRY) 18/2

COMMISSIONERS.

JAMES S. T. STRANAHAN, SEYMOUR L. HUSTED,

JOHN H. PRENTICE, ABRAHAM B. BAYLIS,

EDWARDS W. FISKE, STEPHEN HAYNES,

WILLIAM MARSHALL, ISAAC VAN ANDEN,

ABIEL A, LOW, SAMUEL 8S. POWELL, £rof.
PRESIDENT.

JAMES §. T. STRANAHAN.

SECRETARY.

JOHN H. PRENTICE.

COMPTROLLER AND COUNSEL.

JOHN N. TAYLOR.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS AND SUPERINTENDENTS.

OLMSTED, VAUX & CO.

CHIEF ENGINEER.

JOHN Y. CULYER.

CLERK,

FRANCIS G. QUEVEDO.

STANDING COMMITTEES OF TE: BOARDS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

JOHN H. PRENTICE, STEPHEN HAYNES,
SEYMOUR L. HUSTED, ‘EDWARDS W. FISKE.

FINANCE COMMITTEE.

_ ABRAHAM B. BAYLIS, ABIEL A. LOW,
_ SAMUEL S. POWELL, WILLIAM MARSHALL,

AUDITING COMMITTEE.
ISAAC VAN ANDEN, | ; JOHN Tie PRENTICE,

TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

COMMISSIONERS S OF PROSPECT PARK,

For THE YEAR 1871.

To tHe Honorasie tor Mayor ANp Common Covncin oF THE
Ciry or Brookiyn :

The Brooklyn Park Commissioners respectfully present this
report of their proceedings for the year 1871, and they append
a statement of their receipts and expenditures during the same
period, with a full detail of active operations on the several
parks under their charge, as shown by the reports of their land-
seape architects and chief engineer.

One of the most important, and to our taxpayers by far the
most interesting, of the various transactions which engaged the
attention of the Board at the time of presenting their last
annual report, was the establishment of the city’s right to sell
a portion of land in Prospect Park situated on the easterly side
of Flatbush avenue. As the validity of the act of the Legisla-
ture which authorized a sale had been publicly impeached, a
cloud was cast upon the title which it became necessary to re-
move before the property could be brought into market with
any probability of a successful result. And for the purpose of
testing the question before our highest legal tribunal, proceed-
ings had then been taken by the Commissioners.

A. full statement of the case as presented by the sale to Mr.
Armstrong of a lot of land within the disputed territory is con-
tained in that report, and need not here be repeated. The
Commissioners have now the pleasure of reporting that the
results of that litigation have proved entirely satisfactory, and
fully justify the position assumed by the Board in regard to
the sale of this land.

462

The Court of Appeals hold in direct terms that the city
acquired an absolute estate in all lands taken for the park
under the act of 1861, which act it will be remembered provides
for the establishment of this park. That the estate thus
acquired was not a mere use or easement in the land, but an
absolute fee, entirely free from any reversionary right of the
original owners. That.in the exercise of the right of eminent
domain, the Legislature is the sole judge to what extent the
public use requires the extinguishment of the owner’s title, and
that its power in this respect’ is not limited by any constitu-
tional restriction. That the idea of establishing a public park
carries with it more than the mere use of an extensive area of
land to be passed over, or but temporarily occupied by the
public, and over which any private owner may still exercise
acts of ownership, since the alteration of surface, and the expen-
sive processes of drainage and of planting, Orgaeh which the
land must pass before it can become a goanslad: park, neces-
sarily requires permanency and exclusiveness of public control,
and that, therefore, the power to take land for such purposes
must carry with it the right to acquire the largest title in the
land taken.

Upon referring to the act of 1861, the court found it to be
expressly declared that after legal proceedings to acquire the
land and to ascertain the amount of compensation which
should be paid to the owners therefor, had been taken and
were confirmed by the court having the matter in charge, the
land itself should be the absolute property of the city ; and that
it could not have been intended that the owner should receive
the full value of his property and yet have left to him a rever-
sionary interest in it. And with respect to that provision of
the act which declares that the city took the title for public
use as a park, the court held that so long as the title remained
in the city, it was, of course, held in trust for that purpose, but
that it was within the power of the Legislature to relieve the
city from the trust, and to authorize it to sell and convey, when
the land was no longer required for public use, and that it did
this in direct terms when, by the subsequent act of 1870, it
directed a sale of the land to be made by the Park Commis-
loners.

The opinion of the court, delivered by that admirable jurist,

463

Mr. Justice Folger, so fully meets the many objections that
were urged when the matter was open for public discussion, by
persons interested in defeating the sale as well as by others
who are entitled to a more respectful consideration, that the
Commissioners deem it advisable in this connection to refer to
some of the more prominent of those objections, in order to
show how fully they were considered and disposed of by the

court in giving its decision.

It was insisted by some of the objectors, that the practical
effect of these two acts of the Legislature, when taken to-
gether, was to take the property of one individual and trans-
fer it to another, for the benefit of the city. But the court
say there is no foundation for such an inference, that the act
of 1861 was passed in good faith by the Legislature, to meet
a then public emergency ; that the necessity of exercising the
power of taking private property for public use rests with
that branch of the government, and that there is no restraint
upon its power, save that of requiring compensation to be
made. But if the Legislature erred in 1861, in the exercise
of this power, and mistook a seeming for a real necessity, its
further action in 1870 was not thereby rendered invalid.
Under the act of 1861, all the steps were taken that were

‘legally required for the appropriation of these lands, and. the

payment therefor. At once, on the appropriation of the lands,
the owner became entitled to his compensation, and as soon as
that was paid, the land became the absolute property of the
city, and there was no reverter. The Legislature could at any
time afterwards relieve the city from the trust to hold for the
purposes of a park, and empower it to sell. This was done
by the act of 1870, and, so far as any express limitation in our
State constitution is concerned, the court declares that the
Legislature had full power in the premises.

It was also claimed that the city, by laying out a park, and
filing maps thereof, was estopped by its own acts, from selling
any part of the land embraced within the park, for as much,
as such acts of the city had created a species of contract be-
tween the city and adjacent owners, that the land should
always remain a park; and that the value of neighboring
property having been increased in anticipation of the creation
of this park, and greater assessments and taxes having, in con-

464

sequence thereof, been laid and paid, that an obligation arises
on the part of the city in the nature of a contract not to sell.
The court, however, repudiate the idea of a contract, and
affirm the principle of a former decision, where it was held
that if a street be discontinued, and the value of lands abutting
on other parts of it, or on neighboring streets, is lessened, it is
not such an injury to the owner as will entitle him to damages.
The city of Brooklyn, they say, was not the grantor of the
neighboring owner, and did not induce him to buy it, by any
declared purpose of creating this park. Any euhanced value
of his property was an incidental benefit to him in its greater
readiness of sale at an increased price, and any depreciation in
value is an incidental detriment. The same results flow, in
greater or less degree, from the commencement or abandon-
ment of any of the measures of municipal enterprise, whether
general or local. But it would be going too far to hold, in
the absence of any direct and particular relation between the
city and the owner of real estate, that after a projected public
work had favorably influenced the value of his property, he
could forbid the abandonment of it, or that there existed any
enforceable right if it was abandoned. The general good is
always to prevail over partial individual inconvenience.

After this emphatic approval of the city’s title, by the .
highest legal authority in our State, the Park Commissioners
took measures for carrying out the directions of the Legisla-
ture, contained in the act cf 1870, by making arrangements to
sell the property referred to at as early a day as practicable.
To this end, and preparatory toa sale, they have been en-
gaged in putting the land in merchantable condition, by per-
fecting a plan for the laying out of streets and avenues
radiating from the Plaza, and connecting with the widened
streets and avenues south and east of Washington avenue,
opening up through the hills east of the Plaza, a continuation
of the newly-improved Sackett-street avenue, and using the
excavated earth for filling in the low lands on the tract, and
bringing them up. to the grade of Washington avenue. The
Commissioners hope to be able to announce, at an early day,
the completion of their arrangements for the sale of a portion
of this land, and for a continuation of sales from time to time,
as may be deemed expedient.

465

With respect to the bondholders’ lien which is said to exist
upon this, as well as upon all other park lands, the Commis-
sioners are more than ever satisfied that it is so strictly tech-
nical in its character that it can never operate injuriously upon
a sale of the property. In addition to their own views of this
matter expressed in their last annual report, the Commissioners
refer with pleasure to the decision of the Court of Appeals,
corroborating their opinion of the position in which a purchaser
will stand after the consummation of a sale. It is true, say
the court, that a technical lien subsists, but there is no danger
that the premises will ever be called upon to contribute to the
payment of these bonds. The probabilities are, that, with the
wealth concentrated within the corporate bounds of the city of
Brooklyn, and with the ample means at its command, the city
will always find the ordinary method of raising money by tax
sufficient for its payment.

Since the decision of this case, the Legislature has shown
its appreciation of the objection referred to, by removing the
restriction which the law imposes upon all savings’ banks,
insurance and trust companies throughout the State, of making
loans upon property subject to any species of incumbrance.
The act passed April 21st, 1871, for the express purpose of
facilitating mortgage loans upon this particular property, de-
clares that it shall be lawful for the several savings’ banks,
insurance and trust companies of this State to make mortgage
loans upon such portions of Prospect Park, in the city of
Brooklyn, as the Brooklyn Park Commissioners are authorized
to sell, notwithstanding any lien of bonds issued by said city
for the purchase and improvement of said park. Provided,
however, that the lands so to be mortgaged are otherwise un-
incumbered, and that loans so to be made shall not exceed the
amounts which such institutions are now authorized by law to
loan on real estate. The effect of this law, combined with the
city’s full warrantee of title on every sale made, cannot, the
Commissioners think, be otherwise than sufficient to restore
entire confidence to purchasers for investment, as well as to
capitalists, in the advancement of such means as may be re-
quired for the improvement of this growing section of our
city.

The Commissioners, in their last report, referred to a delay

30

466

in the widening and opening of several streets and avenues
adjacent to the park, placed under their charge in cases where
the land taken for the widening constituted a portion of the
park. Objection was made by persons owning property along
the line of the improvement liable to be assessed for a portion
of the expenses, who insisted that the land taken from the
park, and required to be used for the widening, should be
thrown out into the said streets and avenues without compen-
sation; that such land was, in fact, already public property,
since it could only be used for park purposes ; and that it was
of no more value to the city asa park, than it would be if
devoted to publie uses as a street. The Commissioners, how-
ever, could not see the force of such an argument, and knew
no reason why the city should not receive the same compensa-
tion which any owner of property was entitled to receive,
whose land was required for the widening of a street or avenue.
The importance of the position assumed by them will appear,
when it is stated that the awards made and yet to be made to the
city for various strips of land taken from Prospect Park for
sundry street widenings around the park, amounts to $251,194.
The Commissioners, therefore, concluded to submit the ques-
tion to the final arbitrament of the Court of Appeals, and they
are now pleased to be able to state that the result of their decis-
ion will place this large amount to the credit of the city, which
otherwise would have been entirely lost.

The point was made in the matter of the widening of Ninth
avenue, where it was held, upon the basis of the decision in the
Armstrong case, that land taken from the park for the widen-
ing of streets was owned by the city in fee, to the same extent
that all other park lands were held ; and that, although it was
held for the purposes of a public park, yet that when subse-
quently required for the purposes of a street, under an act of
the Legislature providing for the assessment and payment of
damages to be sustained by the owners of lanc taken for such
improvement, the city was entitled to a fair compensation for
the land so taken. That it could not be said, as matter of
law, that the lands embraced in a park are of no more value
to the city than the same lands devoted to public use as streets.
And that the award of damages sustained by the city in this
case, by reason of a conversion of park land into a street, hay-

467

ing been confirmed by the Supreme Court, was conclusive
- upon all parties. ;

The Commissioners who were appointed to lay an assess-
ment for benefit derived from the- opening of the park upon
property specially benefited thereby, have made a preliminary
report thereon. This report having been. submitted to public
examination, was freely criticised by the parties in interest, and
the Assessment Commissioners proceeded to hear: the proofs
and allegations submitted to them, and are now engaged in re-
viewing their report. The aggregate amount proposed to be
raised was somewhat larger than had been anticipated, and the
fact that considerable sums have recently, in consequence of
the decision of the court above referred to, been credited to
the city on account of land taken from the park for widening
streets, involves the necessity of making some abatement from
the amount stated in their report. But from the conceded in-
telligence and integrity of the gentlemen composing that com-
mission, no doubt is entertained that their final report will
prove to be just and fair, as well to the city as to those who,
in consequence of special benefit received from their proximity
to the park, are reasonably expected to bear some additional
share of the public burden.

The Commissioners regret to find that an effort is being
made by some property owners within the proposed district of
assessment, to change, if not to nullify, this just provision of
law, by either evading the payment of any assessment for
benefit, or by reducing it to such an extent as seriously to in-
terfere with the arrangement made for the payment of the
Jand at the time when the park was agreed to be established.
It can hardly be considered proper at this late day to discuss
the policy of the law which directed an assessment for special
benefit to be laid. It is, in fact, generally conceded that a
reasonable assessment ought to be made; but it should not be
forgotten, by those who propose to change the present rule of
assessment, that the first suggestion in the law of 1860, for
raising only one twentieth of the price of the land, had refer-
ence merely to the very limited expenditure which was then
supposed to be necessary for a park, and that even this arrange-
ment of the matter was not approved of by our citizens, but
was obliged to give way to the compromise act of 1861, under

'

468

which the present organization of park enterprise subsists. By
this act, after considerable litigation and the adjustment of a
variety of conflictory interests, it was agreed that the whole ques-
tion of the amount to be contributed by the parties specially ben-
efitted, as well as of the district of assessment within which that
amount was to be raised, should be left to the judgment of five
discreet commissioners to be appointed by the Supreme Court.

Upon the basis of this compromise, all park lands have
been acquired by the City, and its bonds have been issued in
payment thereof. It is with reference to this general policy
that the park has been constructed, and that all persons have
been dealing who originally owned or who subsequently
purchased land in its vicinity. To disturb this compromise,
especially at this late date, would be as unwise as it is unjust,
and, if successful, must result, not only in a violation of good
faith with the City and its taxpayers, but in giving to a few
property owners ail the advantages to be derived from the
City’s expenditure of millions of dollars, without any adequate
contribution on their part.

Since the last report of the Board, the grading of the
Jamaica Park Way, that great arm of the park, which is
stretched out for nearly two and half miles to the eastward,
over what was formerly Sackett street, has been brought to
completion, and is now about to be curbed and guttered ac-
cording to the plan suggested in a former report. With respect
to their action in this matter, the Commissioners here deem
it proper to refer to an explanation formerly made by them;
that at an early day it was felt to be desirable that some plan
should be adopted, both to improve the means of communica-
tion from a distance with the park, and to extend its influence
in increasing the attractiveness of the City, and thereby ad-
vancing the value of its real estate. But it was feared that, if
the Commissioners should adopt a plan for the purpose, and
themselves apply to the Legislature for authority to carry it out,
opposition growing out of competing local interests would prob-
ably defeat the project. There seemed to be no objection how-
ever to give the suggestion a practicable form, and, without
recommending any particular course of action, to lay it before
the public, and leave further proceedings to be determined by
future developments,

469

To this end, all who were interested, either in the public or
private aspect of the matter, were invited to examine maps
and other means of more detailed information, at the Com-
missioner’s office. All citizens whose property interests could
be specially affected were thus induced to engage in an active
discussion of the subject, until its advantages were thoroughly
comprehended. With these initial proceedings, all active ef-
forts on the part of the Commissioners ceased. But, the project
growing in favor before the adjournment of the Legislature,
then in session, individual interests had been so far combined,
that a proposition was agteed to, by a majority of property
holders along the line of the suggested route, that the improve-
ment should be made at their expense, and under the direction
of the Park Commissioners. The same course was pursued
with reference to similar improvements on the westerly and
southerly sides of the park, and has resulted in the adoption of
several fine approaches, among which they are pleased to
enumerate the Great Ocean part way, which bids fair to become
as attractive for private investment as it is important for public
purposes. ‘The Commissioners, however, are compelled to ex-
press a regret that one branch of the system of park approaches,
which was included in their original scheme, to connect the
park with the Narrows and Lower Bay, by a park way to
Bay Ridge and Fort Hamilton, has not been adopted.

Reference to the Engineer’s report will show, in ample de-
tail, the very satisfactory progress which has been made upon
the rides and drives, as well as upon the woods and waters of
our park during the last year. The principal feature of this
splendid municipal improvement are now fully developed. Its
entire circuit drive is finished, its broad lake filled with an
ample supply of pure and wholesome water, and its extensive
plantations, in all their varied and picturesque forms, are nearly
complete. Each season of growth puts forth new and unex-
pected beauty, challenging the admiration of crowds of visitors,
who come from all parts of our land to do it homage. And its
financial results are quite as satisfactory as its artistic cttain-
ments. Its effects upon the value of Brooklyn property, and
its attractiveness to persons of wealth seeking a place of resi-
dence, can hardly be over-estimated, and seem to be more con-
spicuous now than at any former period. Beyond all question

ee

470

the city is fast realizing the anticipations of the Commissioners,
as expressed in their earlier reports, respecting her great taxable
resources and her immense local advantages.

The Engineer’s report shows also the largely increased use
that has been made of the parks throughout the season. The
public were encouraged to make use of the green lawns and
open turf spaces, without any further restraint than was neces-
sary to protect the interests of the park. The east woods, and
the neighborhood of the Pools and the Dairy Cottage, have
afforded ample accommodation for picnics and family gather-
ings. And the sheltered seats and tables provided on the
walks near the cottage and elsewhere, with the view of furnish-
ing convenient and pleasant resting places for lunching, read-
ing, and quiet social meetings, were much resorted to for those
purposes. .

Numerous croquet parties have taken advantage of the
privileges thus afforded, and the fine turf of the park meadow
spaces, being frequently cut and watered, was found to be well
adapted to the requirements of this game. Mr. Culyer reports
that, during the summer and fall, over four hundred picnics,
composed of church congregations, Sunday schools, and tem-
perance societies, visited Prospect Park. Care was taken to
guard them from annoyance and intrusion, water was supplied
freely, seats and tables provided, and swings put up for the use
of the children, when requested. Good order prevailed, and
a ready disposition was at all times shown to conform to estab-
lished regulations.

Early in the month of May arrangements were made for
celebrating the Sunday-school anniversary on this park. Seats
were erected on the long meadow, under the shade of the ches-
nuts, for the accommodation of seven thousand children, and
an audience of more than three thousand other persons. Plat-
forms for the speakers and band were also put up. The weather
being very fine, the ceremonies passed off with gratifying suc-
cess, and nearly twelve thousand persons participated in the
exercises.

During the months of July, August, September, and Octo-
ber, a series of ten concerts of instrumental music was given
to the public, through the liberality of some of our public-
spirited citizens. These concerts were well attended, and gave

471

great pleasure to the crowds of delighted visitors who thronged
to hear.

The Commissioners are much gratified to record the fact
that the city is indebted to our distinguished fellow-citizen the
Hon. Demas Barnes, for the gift of a beautiful collossal bust,
in bronze, of Washington Irving, the work of that eminent
artist J. Wilson McDonald, Esq. Mr. Barnes’ presentation
letter, with a resolution of the Board accepting the gift, will
be found appended to this report. This fine work of art,
erected upon a granite shaft on the east drive of the park, was
unveiled, with music and appropriate services, on a beautiful
bright day in July last, in the presence of at least ten thousand
persons. Mr. Low presided, and introduced the ceremonies
with an appropriate speech. He was followed by Mr. Barnes,
whose elegant presentation address was received by the audi-
ence with frequent bursts of applause. The President of the
Park Commission, on behalf of the Board, accepted the bust
for the city in suitable terms ; and the Rev. Mr. Beecher added
to the enjoyment of the delighted assemblage by the delivery
of an excellent address, well adapted to the occasion. This
splendid exhibition of refined taste and large public spirit re-
flects great credit upon the generous donor, and entitles him
to the warmest thanks of every citizen of Brooklyn. His
noble gift, like the monument of the Martyr President, will
stand for ages as one of the sweetest charms of Prospect
Park.

The Commissioners also have the pleasure of acknowledg-
ing the receipt of two pelicans from Mr. Stephen Haynes ; one
deer from Mr. Ambrose L. Snow, one from Mr. H. Hentz,
two from Mr. 8. B. Chittenden, one from Mr. John Norrit,
and two from Mr. W. B. Leonard; also of three Muscovy
ducks from Mr. Gerster; five hundred tulips from Mr. John
Douglas; and fifty side-saddle plants from Mr. F. V. Morrison,
of New Burgh. The animals are in good condition, and con-
tribute largely to the picturesque effects which are being con-
tinually produced upon this park.

The financial statement of the receipts and expenditures,
of the Commission, for the year 1871, is annexed to and forms
part of this report. It includes a statement of the fund raised
by general tax, under the law of 1868, for the maintenance of

472

all the Brooklyn parks during the current year. Jt will be
seen that the deficiency in this fund reported last year still
exists ; and the Commissioners regret to state that another de-
ficiency must of necessity be reported in the coming year, for
the reason that the Board of Estimate last Spring, with an ill-
advised economy, as the Commissioners think, reduced the
appropriation for the maintenance of 1872 to a lower amount
than at any former period. The experience of the Commis-
missioners, in managing the city parks, has taught them that
all former estimates for their maintenance have been too low,
and they trust that future appropriations for this purpose will
be of a more liberal character, such as will enable them to
maintain the parks in a manner corresponding with their dig-
nity and importance.

Dated January Ist, 1872.

J. 8. T. SFRANAHAN,
President.

J, EL. PRE NICE
Secretary.

JOHN N. TAYLOR,
Comptroller,

473

AN ABSTRACT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT

OF THE

BROOKLYN PARK COMMIS

For THE YEAR 1871.

SION,

The total receipts on account of Prospror Park during the

year 1871 were :

Balance to credit of this park January Ist, 1871......
Received from the Comptroller of the city .8500,000 00

rents of houses in the park. 6,054 30

“sales of wood, grass, &c.... 2,220 67
‘** interest on bank balances .. 2,193 51
SF SMLARY ACCOUIM.< 1 35:0)" 070 he 208 353
Seawater SOU: «me sales so sr o00es 80 74

Balance 2.rtera sc ne cess 24,891 59

Expenditures.

$97,059 75

$535,629 14

$632,688 89

The total expenditures on this park for the same time were :

Paid salaries, Comptroller, Superintendent,

architects, and engineers......... $20,208 07
surveyors, draftsmen, and assistants. 21,314 03
laborers, mechanics, horses and carts. 468,415 26
materials of construction and tools,

BED S\peMencbanins 5. oj Seale tm at ae areas 64,788 01
fitting up offices, rents, insurance.... 2,438 26
stationery, printing, and drawing ma-

RTAL SPs Seeger n;'s Sus ofa atpetacrase Miners oe 3,297 65
trees, plants, and shrubs........... 3,550 78
manure and other fertilizers ........ 1,560 00
SIGART PEO sie’ ererontiei< soe ole G6 oes 7,109 00
patent pavements............00%... 13,092 60
water pipe and hydrants........... 337 25
structures erected by contract ...... 26,578 00

$632,688 89

474

Wasuinetron Park.

The total receipts and expenditures on account of W asHineTon
Park for the same time were :

Balance, Wanuaiy Pst, POWs oe. selects tis ale Clete ene $60,432 O01
Paid surveyors and assistants ............ $695 42
“laborers, horses and carts ........... 5,558 62
= “trees; shrubs, and plants’. = 22) ties © 1,004 50
_“ materials of construction, tools, &c... 45 04
“on account of inclosing wall ......... 19,611 30

— $26,912 88

Balance: 2ierrtint. erasers ciatrcle me ais 33,5919 13

$60,432 01

Tompkins PARK.

The total receipts and expenditures on account of Tompxrys
Park for the same time were :

Recewed.
From City Comptroller:.............. Sleosenote G $25,000 00
Paid surveyors and assistants ............ $577 83 —
“ ‘Naborers; horses aud (carts. -t\. s/c 8,299 70
“ contractor for grading, &c....... ose WLeeeO (ok
— $21,202 74
Balances citivd neni see eave ciene ious 3,797 26

$25,000 00

JOHN N. TAYLOR,
Comptroller.

is:

MAINLENAN CE. A CCOUN T.

Receiwed.

For the maintenance of all the City Parks for 1871... $100,000 00

Expended.
me & =| a
Hoadaes SLO SAL OB! 52. S3°50. scents dle oa ploenelitteleas.s sllfes oad
Walks ....| 1,793 41 228 05] $148 22 g141 08) $629) O9)). 7.5232
Structures. 407 79 14 45 DHS O ls Ne: crosses 23 90 $215 00
Plantations} 21,805 67} 2,508 10} 468 02 PAO WEIS WS) oe occ «
Water ....| 4,70441 39 20 ASO let eins etel sete oe ete esa
IOWA || WIC les Gao cGoll bodes eoblloomduco cloaca colcnidsaor
Oe eoreeseke TO OLiAall| seeayetcenet al istorers SB ofellia tater cvetascel tekelers sustell's's ssaseueie
Moolsacia-k 21 22 Bi PUllooouadn esos co sloosdanclloopoccs
Keepers... .| 86,631 28) 2,895 90) 95118) 1,856 28 9 96} 697 53
General...| 3,828 98 7 56 11 85 325; 10 66; 11 90
Total . . .|$88,969 84

Balance saeciaeine

431 60
$100,000 00

JOHN N. TAYLOR,

Comptroller.

476

MR. BARNES’ PRESENTATION OF THE IRVING BUST.

Broortyn, May 29th, 1871.

Hon. J. 8S. T. Strananan,

President of Park Commission.

Dear Sir :—A year ago last April, I gave J. Wilson McDonald,
the sculptor, an order to execute a colossal bust of Washmgton
Irving, in bronze, to be presented to the Park Commissioners, as the
nucleus of an art collection in the park. I have now the pleasure of
informing you that the work is nearly completed, and awaits the
approval of your Commission at the studio of the artist, No. 161
Fifth avenue, New York.

Mr. McDonald requests us to visit him on Friday next, and I
shall be pleased to accompany such of your Commission as may
desire to inspect the work at any hour you may name, and there-
after to join you in an appropriate location of the bust. The pedes-
tal will accompany the bust, and your Commission will simply have
to receive and set the same in place.

I am, with great respect,
Truly yours, &c.,
DEMAS BARNES.

Extract Srom the Minutes of the Board of 13th June, 1871.

Whereas, the Hon. Demas Barnes has, in a written communica
tion to the Board, expressed a wish to erect a colossal bust in
bronze, of Washington Irving, executed by J. Wilson McDonald,
the artist, with a suitable pedestal, within the enclosure of Prospect
Park, and to present the same to the Park Commissioners, free of
expense. Therefore

Resolved, that the Board accept the same, with a cordial acknowl-
edgment of the well known liberality of their distinguished fellow-
citizen, the donor, and that the Executive Committee be empowered
to make proper arrangements for its reception in the park.

DES |G NeFoR

\

\ } \ 4

PROSPECT AVENUE

WIRDOMEROW Warne

COR CHEM OW IR OOUS Hay

1871

OLMSTED VAUX & CO, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

J. Y. CULYER

CHIEF ENGINEER

WASHINGTON AVENUE

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ReBePR..O: BT NE

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS AND SUPERINTENDENTS.

Brooxtyn, January, 1872.
To tue Brooxtyn Park CommMissIONERS.

Gentlemen :

We lay before you our customary annual report upon matters
of design, construction and superintendence.

The most important fact in the record of the year is that of the
greatly increased popularity of the park, and especially of the more
domestic elements of the design explained in our report of last year.
There has been more than double as much use of the ground as
there was two years ago, and a third more than one year ago, the
whole number of visits having exceeded six millions, making an
average for every day, winter and summer, foul and fair weather
included, of over seventeen thousand.

The greater part of this increase has been among those entering
on foot, but a considerably larger number of private carriages is
also observed. It is moreover noticed, that as people get to be
more familiar with the park, they stay in it a longer time, on an
average, at each visit.

The only noticeable modification in the study of the general
plan of the park, which has been developed during the year, has
grown out of a change in its boundaries near the entrance from
Flatbush avenue, for the purpose of adapting them to an improve-
ment of the neighboring street system. A reconsideration of the

:

478

park road and walk lines leading from the Willink Gate was found
to be necessary in this connection, and the design, as it now stands,
is shown on the accompanying revised plan.

At the commencement of the working season a change occurred
in the organization of the staff of superintendence. Mr. John
Bogart, who was the responsible engineer to the Board at the close
of the year 1870, having resigned his position, his duties devolved
on Mr. J. Y. Culyer, who was subsequently appointed by your Board
its chief engineer.

In organizing the work of construction under your instructions,
in 1866, it was thought desirable to secure, if possible, some advan-
tage from the special knowledge which had been acquired in the
engineering department of the Central Park during the initial stages
of development of that work before the war. Of the assistant en-
gineers who had been engaged in that department, Mr. Bogart was
selected as a fitting representative of the required experience, and,
at our suggestion, he gave up a professional position he was then
holding under the United States Government, and took charge under
Mr. Davis, then your chief engineer, of the Brooklyn Park surveys,
and of the transference to the ground of the design, as finally ap-
proved.

This important service he continued to render, in connection
with other duties, till the close of his official relations with the park
last spring, and we desire at this time to express our sense of the
special value of the aid we have received from him in the elabora-
tion of the design during the five years that he has been connected
with the work under the control of your Commission.

His coadjutor and successor, the present chief engineer, was
likewise engaged from the outset on the Central Park, and also, at
our suggestion, in, 1866, resigned a position held in connection with
its administration, to take the more responsible one to which he was
appointed when the Brooklyn Park work was first organized. Except
during a period of service under the War Department, Mr. Culyer
has thus, for the last fifteen years, been occupied on public work of
this special class; and his duties under your Commission having re-
quired him to be in constant communication with your Executive
Committee, the value throughout of his ability and experience is
well known to the Board.

Of the various results that have been reached in the steady
progress of the work during the past year, the completion of the
circuit drive supplies the additional attraction to the park of most
evident value to the public, and it may therefore be desirable to

|
,
;

479

refer briefly to the natural peculiarities of the ground, and the special
artistic requirements that controlled at the outset the location of this
particular feature of the general scheme.

The park territory, with reference: to its special adaptability for
use asa city pleasure ground, is broadly* divisible into four prin-
cipal natural sections; first, the pastoral or long meadow district;
next, the old forest ground, containing the east, west, and mid
woods; third, the high lands of Breeze Hill and Lookout Hill;
fourth, that which holds the open waters of the Lake. To these
may be added a fifth, somewhat artificial, subdivision, comprised
in the stretch on the south side of the Lake, which is laid out
with wide roads and walks as the special promenade ground of the
park.

To develop the variety of natural scenery above referred to in a
manner that should be attractive to the visitor, and, at the same
time, give an impression of artistic unity and largeness to the
park design, it was necessary to secure a circuit drive that could
be constructed with an easy grade throughout, on a course that
should not appear to double on itself in a narrow or contracted
way.

It was for this reason, and with the specific object of getting
round the obstacle presented by Lookout Hill, that the appropriation
of additional territory in the direction of the Coney Island Railroad
station, and the changes in the line of Fifteenth street, were recom-
mended in our original study. In consequence of the delays and
embarrassments occasioned by the difficulty in obtaining the north-
westerly section of the park ground, this important connecting link
in the general circuit could not safely be made till last season; the
necessarily heavy operations required by the improvement are, how-
ever, now well advanced, and since the drive was opened to the
’ public, in October last, the specific intention of this part of the plan
has been made evident, and the advantages arising from the some-
what costly change of boundary have, we trust, been clearly
manifested.

Another important park feature has also, during the past year,
assumed its final] engineering shape, although it does not yet produce
the intended effect on the eye of the visitor. The lake shores are
completed, and between fifty and sixty acres of water surface are
provided for; the water is, however, at present much below the de-
signed level, and the bank slopes are, in consequence, more prom-
inent in every direction than they will be when the lake fills up to

=

480

the line indicated on our working sections. The intended result is
expected to be gradually arrived at by the steady operation of the
pump attached to the great well, and it is hoped that the relative
proportion of land and water contemplated in the arrangement of
this part of the design will, in the course of a few months, be com-
pletely secured.

For the safety and accommodation of pedestrians, archways
under the carriage drive have been introduced at a few prominent
points in the general plan of the park. Of these the Enterdale, the
Meadowport, the Nethermead, and the Eastwood Arches had been
completed at the date of our last report; and a design was in prep-
aration for the Cleftridge Span, which was intended to penetrate
Breeze Hill, and thus enable visitors coming from the main entrance
to reach the Concert Ground and Lake shore on foot, at an easy
grade by a protected line of approach.

This archway, in accordance with our advice, was at first designed
to be formed of granite and brick, and working plans and estimates
were prepared accordingly. But before any contracts were made
the Beton Coignet Company offered, on favorable terms, to con-
struct the whole archway of their patented material, which had been
used successfully, for some years past, on large public works abroad,
and which, it was represented, would allow of a considerable increase
of artistic character in the details of the design without additional
cost. |

In the architectural treatment of archways for park purposes,
the most serious difficulty lies in the arrangement for the soffit or
ceiling, the surface of which is always so large, that its elaboration
in brick, stone, or wood, is only admissible in very prominent
situations, on account of the cost involved. The advantages prom-
ised by the new material in this direction were obvious, and its
sufficiency in other respects being maintained by General Gilmore, -
the president of the company, the evidence in its favor was con-
sidered by your Board sufficient to justif a trial of it on the
park.

Under these circumstances, we felt that the soffit of the arch
ought to be the key note of the fresh study, and, in consultation
with Dr. Goodridge, the vice-president of the Beton Company, we
prepared a design that received the approval of your Board, and
which has since been partially executed.

The object to be reached was to reduce the number of moulds
or separate castings to a minimum, because every additional mould

481

would involve a serious addition to the actual cost of the work.
Every block used in the soffit was accordingly arranged to be of
the one most convenient dimension for working purposes—thirty-
six inches by eighteen inches—and the plan was so arranged that
the use of three moulds, one for the vertical rib, one for the hori-
zontal rib, and one for the panel, should be -sufficient to complete
the whole interior work of the arch. Each of the wooden moulds
or patterns was elaborated with carved work, and the one for the
panel deeply incised so as to secure additional artistic effect.

The archway is not yet completed, aud the interior work is not
fully pointed, but the result is sufficient to show that the good or
bad effect of the material, in any such situation, is entirely de-
pendent on the designer; and that, if it maintains its reputation
for strength and durability, it must prove e a valuable addition to the
decorative resources of the architect.

The grading of the Jamaica parkway, or grand approach to the
park from the eastward, has been well advanced during the year,
the work having been prosecuted under contracts, made by the
Board, throughout its entire length. The construction of the
Ocean parkway, connecting the park, by a continued system of
pleasure roads and walks, with the seashore, is delayed by legal
difficulties which, it is understood, must be removed by legis-
lation. Should this be obtained during the present season, rapid
progress may be made, on account of the more favorable char-.
acter of the ground, and these two important undertakings advance
together. :

Considerable additions have been made to the plantations of the
park during the year, and the satisfactory condition of the previous

plantings, and the good results of the measures taken for the im-
provement of the old woods continue. We have a special report in
preparation upon the plantations of the park, which will soon be laid
before you.

Less progress: than had been anticipated has been made during
the year in the improvement of the pleasure ground of Fort Greene,
on account of difficulties with contractors, explained in the report
of the chief engineer. The value of the work previously done has
been demonstrated by the large numbers of people who have re-
sorted to the ground, in their evident enjoyment, and in the good
order which has generally prevailed.

The principal work of the improvements at Tompkins square,
suggested in our report of last year, and adopted by your Board, has

31
*

been completed, and the planting and finishing of the ground will be
practicable early next summer. i ; \

The accompanying report of the chief engineer supplies exten-
sive details of all the work, and exhibits very fully the method on
which it has been conducted.

Respectfully,

OLMSTED, VAUX & CO., :
Landscape Architects and Superintendents,

Ri bs Oh, E
OF THE

ENGINEER OF THE BROOKLYN PARKS.

January Ist, 1872.

Messrs. Oumstep, Vaux & Co.,

Gentlemen—I submit herewith a Report of operations and prog-
ress of work under the charge of the Brooklyn Park Commissioners,
for the year ending December 31st, 1871, together with the usual
tabular statistics, inventories, &c., for the same period.

The season was a very favorable one for work, although the
aggregate rainfall for the year was 50.67 inches, which was nearly
12 inches in excess of the average for ten years past. This large
rainfall was delivered in gentle showers throughout an extended
period, with the exception of two very heavy storms occurring
respectively on Saturday, July 15th, and Thursday, August 24th,*
neither of which occasioned any considerable damage or interfered
with the progress of the work.

An absence of rain for several weeks in the early spring
threatened serious results to vegetation, but this drouth was after-
wards followed by rain at such frequent intervals as to superinduce
and maintain a very luxuriant growth throughout the season, and
also to render the work of removing and transplanting large quan-
tities of material a comparatively simple matter.

* This storm lasted 2 hours and 11 minutes, with a fall of 2.55 inches,
and on Thursday, August 24th, 47 hours and 17 minutes, with a fall of 4.32
inches. ;

454

DETAILS OF CONSTRUCTION,

In working the force this year, one main object has been to com-
plete unfinished work in various parts of the Park, as far as possible.

WORK IN VICINITY OF THE PLAZA.

The unfinished portion of the Plaza at its junction with Union
street, has been graded and paved with Belgian pavement; the curb
has been set from this point to the junction of 9th Avenue and the
Plaza, and the pavement laid from the latter point down to the head
of the west mound.

The Plaza street has been put in temporary repair for the better
accommodation of travel, and a part of the permanent planting put
in.

The picket fence at the entrance has been replaced by an iron
rail of galvanized pipe 12 inches in diameter, with locust, posts.
This fence is so set as to provide a sidewalk of 30 feet in width. An
iron cover has been placed on the overflow chamber of the fountain.

ARCHWAYS AND BRIDGES,
CLEFT RIDGE SPAN.

This archway is constructed of Beton Coignet (a concrete of su-
perior manufacture), under a contract with the N. Y. and L. L.
Coignet Stone Company, Dr. J. C. Goodridge, jun., Superintendent.

The work was commenced in the month of September, and is
now nearly finished. Its location is at the easterly end ‘of Breeze
Hill, and the archway carries the main walk from the Plaza, under
the drive, to the pedestrian concourse. Its span is 20 feet, and
length 66 feet. The exposed surfaces are made up of block courses
of this material, formed in moulds, and much of this work is of an
ornamental character. The foundation and backing are monolithic.

The process of manufacturing this material is, briefly, as follows:
Certain proportions of lime; cement, and sand with sufficient quan-
tity of water to form a hydrate of lime, are thoroughly incorporated
by machinery, the material on which the coloring depends being in-
troduced at the same time. To secure excellence in fabrication, it is
found necessary to regulate in a systematic manner the water re-
quired. Great stress is therefore laid upon the fact that, the quan-
tity of water must not exceed what is barely sufficient “to convert
the ‘ matrix’ into a stiff viscous paste ;” each grain of sand, gravel,
or particles of broken stone must also be sufiiciently covered with

485

the paste, or mortar, to ensure a close and compact bond with
those which surround it.

In this condition the material is put, layer after layer, into
moulds of the necessary size and d>sign, and thoroughly rammed at
each stage of the process. The sides of the mould are then removed
and the material allowed to harden. After a few days it may be
removed for use, if handled carefully, but experience indicates that
the Beton reaches its best condition in proportion to the time it is
permitted to remain, under favorable circumstances, in an equable
atmosphere, so that it may attain a certain state of “case harden-
ing,’ by absorption of carbonic acid. It is claimed by the con-
tractors to be impervious to water, and this may be the result, for
all practical purposes, in cases where it has become thoroughly
indurated, but it can be so only in proportion as the induration pro-
ceeds from time and favorable exposure.

- From tests made on the Park, it was found that a block of this
material, several months old, absorbed 50 per cent more water than
Ohio sandstone of the same dimensions, under similar conditions. A
block of Beton of more recent manufacture would absorb an in-
creased volume of water, and the reverse would be the case with a
block of greater age and longer exposure.

The material is certainly susceptible of strength and hardness, as
claimed, and if its components are of proper excellence of their
kinds, and adjusted with discretion, there can be little doubt of its
ability to maintain the general reputation claimed for it as to dura-
bility. The effect of the action of the atmosphere, in our variable
climate, upon the surfaces of ornamental work, is yet to be expe-
rienced.

A rustic bridge, of locust, with stone abutments, has been built
over anarm of the lake, near its south easterly corner. It is 83
feet long, and 5 feet above the summer level of the lake, and carries
a 16 foot walk, running southerly from the carriage concourse.

A small rustic bridge, in cedar, has been built, carrying the
Westdale walk over the brook, which serves as an outlet to the
upper pool. A temporary bridge, 140 feet long and 20 feet wide,
has been built to accommodate travel during the progress of con-
struction of Cleft ridge span.

BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES.

The concert grove house was let by contract, under the direction
of the Executive Committee of the Board, to Messrs. Osborn &
Fish, of Brgoklyn, in May last, and is now nearly completed. This

~

—9

486

building consists of a principal story and attic; it has a frontage of
76 feet, and a depth of 43 feet. The main room is designed to be
used for the sale of refreshments; the rear portion is devoted to
kitchens, retiring room for ladies and gentlemen, cloak rooms, &c.
There are in the attic, rooms for the keeper and his family.

The dairy cottage was completed and fitted up for use during the
year. The ladies’ parlor was carpeted and provided with suitable
furniture, and the public room with tables, chairs, &c., for use as a
refectory. The house was opened to the public on June 24th, since
which time it has been in constant use till the close of the year.
For the information of the public, the following circular was freely
distributed to visitors on the park, and in the cars, and also adver-
tised in the daily papers :

“ Brooklyn, June 15th, 1871.

“The Park Commissioners invite the attention of invalids,
weakly persons, convalescents, and mothers of young children, to
the elevated ground east of the long meadow, near the dairy cottage,
and known as Cottage Hill. It is within ten minutes walk from the
Flatbush, Ninth Avenue, and Coney Island cars; is high, dry, and
airy ; at the greatest distance from any point in the Park from all
disturbing and contaminating conditions, and being surrounded by
woods, the air is less harsh than in other elevated situations. There
is a large space of turf near by, on which children are allowed to
play, and as no carriage road passes near, and the bridle way in the
rear of the cottage is fenced off, young children are not liable to
stray into danger from horses and carriages. A number of sheltered
seats will be found on the Balcon walk, leading out of the Eastdale,
near the cottage; small tables are attached to most of them, and
and they are convenient for sewing, reading, studying, and the care
of children. There is a dressing room, with a woman in attendance,
at the cottage, where fresh water, clean towels, and other con-
veniences can be used free of charge; wholesome milk, cold or
warm, tea, and other simple refreshments can also be obtained at
moderate fixed charges. All doctors agree that for convalescents
and delicate persons, moderate exercise, with intervals of agreeable
rest, in the open air, is usually the best medicine, and that the most
important means of securing health and vigor for young children, is
to keep them often, for several hours at a time, out of doors in a
pure atmosphere.”

PIC-NICS.

“Suitable ground for the use of intended pic-nie parties will be

487

preserved, if timely application is made at the keeper’s station.
Tables and seats are provided without charge. At the purveyor’s
counter, in the public room of the dairy cottage, hoops, balls and
mallets for croquet parties; buckets, baskets, and table furniture
will be loaned at a small charge on deposit’ of their value. Families
or parties bringing their own tea can obtain pots and boiling water
at the cottage. Cold beef, ham, tongue, sandwiches, and other pro-
visions will be supplied by the purveyor when ordered in advance.
The purveyor will also furnish at all times.

To be taken out for In the cottage, per
Pic-nics, plate or portion.
Price. Price.
123070 eee Bye olen ays o nde 10 cts. per loaf.
Bread, thin slices, buttered.... 25 cts. Mi
Bread and butter .....:....... 10 cts.
BMURGUOIN owes oottere Ua) s- = ¢ FEAr Oey 50 cts. per Ib.
Glreesern scsi )a,6/8 sc aieisperenetavs.<% 40 cts.- “ Rastelena (2 Choe
AVE tars Chey siorabeye corer siete and ev che/ c/o. 14 cts. per quart .... 5 ets.

“ warm from the cow...... 10 ets.
|cluSi/ 20 ey Oe IOs re COR Onan 50 cts. per quart .... 15 cts.
Custard, per Cup co... 216.0 > 10 cts.
Weieaarv a ets, va, 1a Shale whale eels ov Osis 1 ct. per Ib.

Mes or Coles. |< <><: Sonido bene 12 cts. per quart pot.

ie SON hia dia sieves «Me = eas Ses G-etst spite

s Hike ONS Sra Mesa send ts oie! ha 6 5 ets.
Lump sugar....... npr ia enalsteno/s 20 cts. per Ib.
SEL EES Boon 6 HOOCIOe zo. cts. per hox ~~ ....° 10 cts,
Pigiled) GY StErs:\/a.io sere < ors ae 52 per hundred .... 20 cts.

“ Biscuits, crackers, cracknells, maccaroons, ladies’ fingers,
almonds, raisins, figs, prunes, etc., at usual grocers’ and confectioners’
charges.”

In the month of June, seven cows were purchased by the Com-
mission, and pastured upon the meadows during the summer. The
milk was supplied to the purveyor at the dairy cottage. In this way
11,000 quarts of milk were disposed of by the glass, or in larger
quantities, to pic-nic parties, or family gatherings, for which purpose
the grounds in the vicinity of the dairy cottage were a favorite resort
during the summer. At the date of the last report the stable near
the dairy cottage was in process of construction by contract. It has
since been completed and opened for public use. The upper floor
provides a room where baskets, clothing, ete., may be temporarily
deposited by pic-nic parties. There is also on this floor a retiring

488

room for gentlemen. The lower floor is arranged for the accommo-
dation of live stock. The farm-yard is on a level with this floor, and
in it a shed has been built and water introduced for the use of the
cattle during stormy days.

Between the dairy cottage and the farm-yard, a horse-shelter 91
feet long, and 12 feet wide, has been built for. the convenience of
equestrians who may wish to alight and obtain refreshment at the
cottage. A small shelter has been constructed directly in front of
the dairy cottage, for the purpose of accommodating pic-nic parties,
and those who may wish refreshments, served out of doors. or the
same purpose three additional shelters in rustic work have been
built on walks immediately adjacent.

These shelters overlook the Ambergill water-course, and com-
mand fine views ever the park in different directions. Several large
rustic seats have been built in the same vicinity. Water was also
freely introduced into this neighbourhood in the summer.

A shelter has been erected between the Eastdale walk and the east
drive, opposite the playground. It is about 81 feet long and 10 wide,
and opens towards the meadow. ‘Two temporary shelters have been
built by contract on each side of the main entrance at the plaza, and
two more are now in process of construction at the southwesterly
entrance, at the intersection of the Coney Island road and Franklin
avenue. These are designed as convenient waiting places for visitors
desiring to take the cars. Drinking fountaiffs are now in course of
construction for these shelters.

A heptagonal summer house of sassafras and cedar has been
commenced, at the southerly end of the playground, near the east
drive. Itis within a few hundred feet of the site of the old Valley
Grove hotel, and commands a fine view of the east wood, through
the Battle Pass. The foundation for two rustic shelters on the
shore of the lake have been laid, and work on the superstructures
is now advancing.

A temporary music pavilion, 20 feet by 30, was erected in the
Lull-wood. Ample seating accommodation was also provided un-
der the shade of the trees. Provision was also made to permit, on
concert days, the use of the turf between the drive and ride, in the
vicinity of the music stand, as a carriage concourse, from which
the music could be conveniently heard.

During the year six iron urinals were imported from Glasgow.
Three of them have been set up, and are now in use by the public,
two at the plaza entrance and one near the third street entrance.
These were supplied with water to keep them clean, and connec.
tions with the sewer were also made.

489

DRIVES.

The completion of the circuit drive of the park being one of
the most desirable results to be attained within the year, a con-
siderable force was early in the season set-at work upon the unfin-
ished portion known as the south and west lake drive, nearly one
mile in length. The work proceeded vigorously, and the drive was
finished and opened to the public on Saturday, October 25th, thus
completing the system of park drives, with the exception of a small
piece on the west side.

The total length of the circuit drive, as now constructed, is three
and a half miles.

The south and west lake drives are built entirely of park gravel,
with the exception of a length of 600 feet, which is McAdamized.
The metal for this piece of road was obtained from stone which had
accumulated during the excavation of thelake. The method of form-
ing the gravel drive was as follows: at a level of one foot from grade
eare was taken to use none but good sharp gravel for the filling ;
the larger stones were raked forward, and the drive partially rolled ,
the top course was composed of finer gravel, which had been passed
over screens with one inch meshes, and which contained sufiicient
loam to pack well. The surface was then moistened and thoroughly
rolled.

The gravel found upon the park and in its vicinity is a drift for-
mation, and is not homogeneous in texture. It is largely made up
of inferior material, not well constituted to withstand the action of
the weather, so that while it may be used to good advantage in road
construction where special regard is paid to thorough draining, it .
lacks the durability of the North river gravel, which has been exten-
sively used on the Brooklyn and Central Parks. It has the advan-
tage, however, of forming a bond under the roller with much less
rolling than the other gravel, and when not subjected to heavy traffic
it maintains a firm surface, is neither excessively dusty in dry
weather nor muddy after ordinary storms, and is readily repaired.

CONCOURSES.

The carriage concourse, four and one-tenth acres in extent, was
sub-graded last year. In the spring the surface was finished in the
same manner as the south and west lake drives, and the concourse is
now complete, with the exception of the proposed carriage shelter on
its summit.

A portion of the water wall of the pedestrian concourse has been
built, and i$ ready to receive its coping. The concrete for the main

490

terrace walls has been laid, the irregular ashlar dressed, and a large
amount of the stone for the superstructure is on hand, and partly cut,
so that this work can be actively pushed forward in the spring.

RIDES.

The Nethermead ride has been brought to grade, and entirely
completed. Branch rides have been built from the east ride to the
dairy and dairy cottage stable. A series of trails has been con-
structed on the hill between the east ride and its east branch. The
ride skirting the carriage concourse and the south and west shores
of the lake is finished as far as the westerly end of Look-out hill.
There remains but a small portion to be constructed in order t> con-
nect it with the Nethermead ride.

WALKS.

The Westdale walk has been completed from the edge of the pic-
nic woods to the head of the pool system where it crosses the brook
connecting the first and second pools by means of a rustic bridge,
and becomes a continuation of a branch of the Eastdale walk, which
skirts the southerly side of the two large pools, and has been com-
pleted during the year.

A branch of the Westdale walk has been commenced, running
from the largest pool along the foot of the westerly slope of Ceme-
tery hill.

The walks in the immediate vicinity of the dairy cottage have
been brought to grade, and laid with tar concrete pavement. Work
in this vicinity is now entirely complete.

The Ambergill walk has been brought to grade by a covering of
gravel four inches thick.

The Eastdale walk has been finished from the Eastdale bridge to
the Nethermead arches. Two walks, eight feet wide, have been built
connecting this last-named walk with road-steps on the drive crossing
the Nethermead arches.

The walks leading from the pedestrian concourse, and skirting

‘the south and west shores of the lake, have been finished with tar
concrete as far as the summit of the south lake drive, and subgraded
as far as the westerly end of Look-out hill.

The walks on the Peninsula have been surfaced with tar concrete
as far as the proposed terrace building.

TAR CONCRETE.

Samples of nearly all the extensively known combinations of
“tar concrete,” in which tar, asphalt, sand gravel, or broken stone,

491

etc., are used, have been laid in the park. Their character and
quality varies according to the judgment and experience used in the
manipulation of the ingredients by the contractors, and the manner
and thoroughness of laying them. Pavements have been laid by
the Fiske, Scrimshaw, Scharf, Evans, Long Island, and other pro-
cesses. The first of these did not do well’on the park, disintegra-
tion of the surface rapidly ensuing,
from the use of pine tar as the concreting material. Some of the
walks laid by the Fiske process were in bad condition for use, and
were re-surfaced during the year with Scrimshaw.

The Scrimshaw has been most extensively used on the park; it
seems to have been more carefully manufactured and laid than any
other, and, as a consequence, has given better results.

in consequence, it is believed,

WATER SURFACES.

The Ambergill has been entirely completed, and the slopes of
the two large pools formed.

A small pool has been made at the north-easterly end of the hill,
near the cemetery, at the point where it was formerly intersected
by Ninth street. This pool has been entirely completed, and, in
connection with it, a fall ten feet high has been built, over which
water is conducted for the supply of the lower pools and the Am-
bergill. In the small basin at the foot of these falls, two hundred
brook trout, purchased in the summer, were placed. A constant
supply of running water has preserved and kept them in a healthy
condition. They are growing rapidly, and can be observed by
visitors as they pass over the rustic bridge that crosses the outlet of
this pool.

The system of pools, falls, and watercourses has been in use
during the larger part of the season, and a circulation maintained
through the whole line of the watercourse from the pools, and over
the falls to the main lake.

The large fountain at the Plaza, which is supplied with water
from the city distribution, has been in use from two to seven in the
afternoon during the fine weather of the. spring, summer, and fall
season.

In the early part of the year the work of excavating and puddling
the lake was pressed to completion, and water was let into the
newly-finished portion (nearly thirty acres in area) on the 20th of
August.

492

The material obtained in its excavation was used to make the
fill required on its southerly and westerly shores, for drives, planta-
tion, &ec. The puddling material for the slopes and bottom of the
Lake was obtained from the Deer Paddock pit, the sides of which
were subsequently shaped so as to form a pool, and filled with
water. The stone accumulated in the excavation of the Lake was
used for covering the slopes, paving bridle-road gutters, providing a
supply for future use, and furnishing MacAdam stone for drives.

The following figures are given as of interest in this connection :

The area of the Lake below the: Binnen Bridge is 54,5 acres.
The distance around the Lake line is 3,4, miles.

There have been removed in the excavation 700,914 cubic yards
of material, and there have been used for puddling 43,640 cubic
yards of clay, 16,660 cubic yards of loam, and 8,915 cubic yards of
stone.

The system of water surfaces in the park is now entirely com-
plete, and their combined area is 61,5 acres.

» DRAINAGE.

The necessary basins have been constructed, and pipes laid for
the drainage of all the drives, rides, walks, and plantings that have
been brought to a finish within the year. During the summer a
36-inch brick sewer was built in the Long Meadow, running from
the larger pool towards Fifteenth street. This sewer is circular in
section, has but a slight fall, and drains an area of nearly 64 acres.
It is 660 fect in length.

WELL AND WATER DISTRIBUTION.

A cover of wood, iron, and glass has been constructed over the

opening of the well; and a platform, with railing, has been carried
§ from the foot.of the stone steps to the platform of the engine.

The 6-inch wrought iron and cement water pipe has been con-
tinued along the southerly shore of the Lake, and a 12-inch pipe
along the westerly shore. A 6-inch branch pipe has been laid to
the circle at the intersection of Franklin avenue and Coney Island
road, which is intended to supply water to the Coney Island park-
way. <A connection with the park water system has been made, and
pipe laid for supplying the Parade Ground with water.

The 12-inch cast iron water pipe leading from the well to the
head of the smallest pool has been extended and completed. It has

been in daily use during the summer for supplying water to the
cireuit line and falls.

A 3-inch galvanized water pipe has been laid for the supply of
the Dairy, and adjacent building and neighborhood,

Provision has been made for drinking’ fountains in this vicinity,
as well as in the picnie woods and near the main entrance. During
the larger part of the year the supply for watering roads, irrigation,
and drinking purposes has been obtained from the well and reservoir
on the park.

PLANTINGS. .

All the spaces to be occupied by plantation on the South Lake
shore having been finished, they were partially planted before the
close of the season. On the West Lake borders the uncompleted
planting is so far advanced that it can be readily finished in the
spring.

The larger part of the Peninsula has been seeded and planted,
and the work of finishing the plantings of the Deer Paddock is well
advanced.

The ground near the Dairy, which was unfinished at the date of
the last report, is now entirely completed. The ground immediately
adjacent to the pools has been finished, as has also the hill between
this point and the Central drive. On the

bad .
LONG MEADOW

the finished ground has been extended to the old line of Eleventh
street. On this part of the meadow the original surface was very
low, and was intersected by a series of embankments*made in con-
nection with the city street system, which had been partially
developed.

A considerable amount of material was necessary to fill up this
low ground to the height requisite for thorough drainage ; the earth
needed for this purpose was excavated at points where its removal
would not interfere with the desirable landscape features of the ad-
jacent surfaces, and in the disposal of this material so as to obliterate
the formal lines above referred to.

The work was done with special regard to economical adjust-
ment. The filling between the, City Line and Sixteenth street has
been made, The old buildings of the Coney Island Railroad Com-

ea

494

pany, which were on the new line of the street, have been taken
down, and the excavation made from the circle at Sixteenth street,
along the new and widened line of the street as far as Eleventh
avenue, where the old grade of the street has been preserved. A
new line of water pipe has been laid in the street by the Water
Board, and the old line of pipe lowered to correspond with the new
grade. ‘

CONEY ISLAND ROAD.

Considerable filling for the widening of the Coney Island road, on
the park side, has been done; a part of the south-westerly circle
of the park has been finished, and the rest is partially subgraded.

FRANKLIN AVENUE.

The planting of trees unfinished at the close of last season was
completed in the spring, and the avenue dedicated to public use.

WASHINGTON PARK.

Early in the year, work was resumed on the enclosing wall of
this park, but it did not proceed satisfactorily, owing to unwilling-
ness on the part of the contractor to comply with the requirements
of the plans and specifications embodied in his contract with the
Commissioners, and operations were accordingly suspended. The
prices at which the work was taken by Mr. Swift, the contractor,
being too low to warrant the expectation of a thorough performance
of his contract, without excessive trouble and annoyance in superin-
tendence, the contract was annulled, and the work was subsequently
re-let to George E. Clark, of Brooklyn. Operations were resumed
in the month of July, and continued until the intervention of frost.
The wall along Cumberland street is nearly complete, with the ex-
ception of the entrance opposite Willoughby avenue, and a portion
of the coping between this entrance and De Kalb avenue. The wall
along Myrtle avenue is essentially complete between Portland
avenue and the entrance at the corner of Cumberland street. The
wall around the Gant is as near completion as is possible until the
granite piers and entrance shall be built. As fast as the construc-
tion of the wall was carried forward, a line of tile was laid behind
it, and a backing of rubble stone, about two feet thick, carried up
nearly to the top of the wall, the object being to drain the bank
thoroughly, and so protect the masonry from possible injury by

.,

495

frost. Along Cumberland street the surplus material on the side-
walk, between the wall and the curb, has been removed. Between
Myrtle and Willoughby avenues a hedge has been planted behind
the wall, and the ground immediately in its rear shaped and finished,
This work, together with the finishing of surfaces in the rear of the
wall, and laying of an 8-inch sewer pipe for the drainage of the
Gant, comprise all that has been done at Washington Park this year.

During fine weather the greens on this park have been in fre-
quent use by the children of the neighborhood, for their various
games; and they have also been a popular resort for croquet par-
ties, special care having been taken to maintain the turf in good
condition for this purpose.

The shelter on the summit of the hill was a favorite resort in
the summer, during the heat of the day and in the evenings, and at
times the assemblage was so large as to be unable to find seating
accommodation.

TOMPKINS SQUARE.

The original surface of Tompkins square was, to a considerable
extent, below the grade of surrounding streets, and the plan adopted
by the Commission, therefore, required a large amount of earth-
filling for the purpose of overcoming this defect. At the date of
the last report, the soil had been partially stripped and piled, and a
portion of the filling put in, by contract with Mr. Francis Swift.
The work was resumed in the spring, and the grading completed,
soil replaced, and surfaces shaped for planting. The walks were
made of gravel found in the neighborhood. They are one foot in
depth, the coarser gravel being laid in the bottom, upon which a
layer of finer quality is placed; sufficient loam is mixed with the
latter to accelerate the bonding, and the whole is then watered and
thoroughly rolled.

A thorough system of drainage has been introduced, and so ar-
ranged as to connect with the city sewers in the adjoining streets,
The necessary silt and inlet basins have been built. Lines of tin-
lined lead pipe have been laid for the supply of two drinking foun-
tains; one at either end of the square. <A line of sewer pipe has
been put in to take the waste water from the large fountain contem-
plated in the design, whenever the same shall be constructed.

The fence on either side of the four entrances has been re-set, in
accordance with the plan, and the entrances themselves have been
arranged, so as to be closed by a chain running through the posts.

496

The surfaces have been enriched with fertilizing material, and
have also been seeded, so that, with the exception of the planting,
the improvement of Tompkins square is essentially complete.

CARROLL PARK AND CITY PARK.

Beyond the necessary maintenance work of the year, there has
been no work or expenditure incurred on these parks. The Martyr’s
Tomb and adjoining fence, in the City Park, were put in good repair
‘inthe early part of the year, and remain so at this date.

NINTH AVENUE.

Ninth avenue has been partially graded, curbed, and paved for
about half a block from the Plaza line, with the view to make its
Junction with the entrance more and attractive and convenient than
it has heretofore been.

The track of the Cross Town railroad, which, at the commence-
ment of the last year, had been laid down through the Plaza to
Ninth avenue, has been extended along the avenue,, connected with
the Coney Island railroad at Ninth street, and continued beyond the
latter road, through the circle at the corner of Ninth avenue and
Fifteenth street.

Trees have been planted on the Park sidewalk from the Plaza to
Third street.

FIFTEENTH STREET.

During the season work has been prosecuted on the widening of
this street ; the extent of this widening, authorized by law, being 25
feet on the park side, and 15 feet on the property line opposite. In
the early part of the year, contracts were severally entered into by
the Board, with Barney E. Gray and Charles Foster, of Brooklyn,
for the removal of the surplus material on the line of these widen-
ings; the price agreed on being respectively 83 cents and 88 cents
per cubic yard. Some work was done under these agreements, but
was not prosecuted with energy, and both contractors finally with-
drew. The work was afterwards done by the park force, more satis-
factorily as to the manner and time of doing it, at a cost slightly
within the prices allowed to Mr. Foster. Experience in this and
other cases seeming to show that we are prepared to compete suc-
cessfully on work of this class, for which a fair price has been
allowed to contractors.

PR at n, oft

+ PRINCIPAL + VIEW: OF +

THE - CONCERT + GROVE : HOUSE °

OLMSTED. VAUX. &CO. LANDSCAPE . ARCHITECTS .

Ream ENTRANCE

Lavies | GEenTLEemen

1§.0 x 17.0 z a 13.0 = (7nd

+ PLAN + OF - PRINCIPAL + FLOOR +

497

JAMAICA PARK WAY AND EAST SIDE.

The contracts for grading the Jamaica Park way on the line of
Sackett street, from Washington avenue, easterly, to the city line,
were awarded in August, 1870. Work was immediately commenced
on two of the sections, but active operations along the whole line
were not begun until October, from which time the work progressed
satisfactorily on most of the sections. The last section was finished
August 10th, 1871.

Following is a tabular statement of the commencement and
ending of the work on the various sections, with the length of each
section, name of contractor, etc:

JAMAICA PARK-WAY GRADING.

(Washington Avenue to City Line).

o8 Name of Time of Time of | No. of

cies h t lineal feet

A a Contractor. Commencing. Ending. lin Section.
1 |Francis Swift..... | October 3d, 1870 June 12, 1871) 2,089 ,*

S <i drame- be “ee 50)

Dillon & Smith..) August, Seg 5121 op age) Matsa ha A 37

Dillon & Smith..) August, Ser Beb. TT Vet elo

Peter Riley ..... October, elena skits 10, 561 4

2
3
4 | Geo. B. Elkins.. | October, eo une B27 SOTO
5
6
a

Jonathan Taylor..| August, “« \June 16, “ |2,0885

The top-soil was removed from the whole line of the Park-way
and piled on the adjacent parallel streets, for use in the final finishing
of the walks and tree spaces. The stones found in excavation were
piled on the line of the Park-way, to be broken for MacAdam and
paving stone. A gang from the Park force was employed for a few
months breaking building stone and Belgian blocks for Park uses.
In July, a contract was awarded to P. Farrell for making Belgian
blocks from stone, suitable for the purpose, found on the Park-way.
The work was commenced immediately, and is now progressing in a

satisfactory manner.
* 32

498

From the section of the Park-way between Washington avenue
and the Plaza, the top-soil has been removed by the Park force.
Grading was commenced at the Plaza in January, by two contracters,
but proceeded slowly, and has been completely suspended since the
middle of September. In June, a contract to grade a portion of the
Park-way(commencing at Washington avenue) and to fill the low
ground within the limits of the east side-lands, and contiguous to the
Park-way, was awarded to Daniel O’Brien. He commenced work
immediately, and is carrying on operations with dispatch.

STATEMENT OF CONSTRUCTION TO JANUARY ist, 1872.

EAST SIDE LANDS.

JAMAICA PARK-WAY.

Distance graded 210 ft. wide, Washington avenue to

ORY MMOFaces ens tata te hal Gtobay sae velepeiShehar ele eaeronet 2,4, miles.
Distance graded 150 ft. wide to plaza........ etek = teeta
Dotal:distamce eradeds 4. 2... .~ os ae Skiaietes rear ees
Stone piled for future use........2.205..ee00 ... 14,161 cu. yds,
Bunlding stone, broken.) 2). sess ej< «Sareea, sel «sel estei= ale TOG: =F
Belgian blocks* ..° |. 2.)./sis-% aie Seusuatiets ahtseeeaays 380,600 =“

Earth exca. Washington av. to City line.......... 472,213 cu. yds.
a ¥ ry setae OE.) Maoineucr rp ycrs OC 59,3824 “
Oily 1 si i me Saini neereeNicte sf PACT eos
: “ Fun) AO itive IAG aaetay hat ater oie: cease ae

: | 569,444“

me on
[o)

es w Co
CS) a a)

OI wo

i)

Drives in progress 50 feet wide

otal. scence eet

499

CONCOURSES.

“ee

Washington. Park......:.....
Tompkins’ §q.....
parade ground.

Concourses in progress for carriages—park.......
pedestrians—park
“ *Washington Park......
“ pedestrians, paradeg’d.. 4,000 “

Sheva 0 6xe lee eo 01.6

eereereee

ere yerah ols 4,004 “

TABULAR STATISTICS OF CONSTRUCTION TO JANUARY 1st, ’72.
DRIVES.
Drives finished 60 feet wide....... ay

1,504 lin. ft.

437 “

5,613

SPA Ova se 13,497 «
Le an noe 1,500 “
ug ils a Be oh pred TE 1,610 «

Sage hecho cere, ala japeane 400 *
Pheer tlt Ney cae 1,675 «
(Franklin av.)......%; 3,046 “

MAS a be ee 33,716“

ae (ABE =
or 6,43, miles.

FA cut 134 cu. ft.
sete kia 2110 «

or 42. miles.

Tee ae 360,537“

2 eee: 59,300

100
Wi drauatal sLenenors 285,527 sup. ft.
eID 26,742 “
78,8382 <“
Se caeatatas LF GI2s WS
eae 21 GOO
844,150 “

or 1933, acres:

- 39,000 sup. ft.

A aS 153,200 «

. 93,960 «

—_——_

.... 284,160 “

52
or 6°45 acres.

RIDES

Rides finished’ SO feet Wide: selec se «ce varerec els eieys 3,625 lin. ft.
AEN AE O05 | ee ere Re 6,820 «
Ae pie 1 cP ets INR SA ee oes oa CAE 2,625. «
(igh oe SY ek A A A ethene ok eS NES 500 «
es 12 SMU Bet cecte st. ts eieiedace perros 7. ae:
cra By Ore RASC ag cr eee 600 «
14,896 “
or 25,5 miles

Rides in progress 20 feet wide.....cseeesesscons 1,900 lin. ft.
fe se 15 Oh eed er sae baie Grarehere tn sate lake GOL:
2500 «

Ora eimiles
WALKS

Wialks' finished 20° feet*wide. 2c. ...cs a6 4 Ro ate 1,700 lin. ft.
« egg hee Sorte ok Roe rece ne 18,449 «
i oh 14 SSEMIEHineete atounicy ciel ieinietenepene teers 5) Uy
“ : 12 SVG Metre tovege rae sous teustate eee 14,780 “
« 10 FG AG ara ca ce ae Oe 2760 «
«“ «“ 8 ERaRi ULE eS sek cen 2433 «
* a 6 Pe elle SOOO oa uc O50 05 240 “
cs i 5 COTY Med ches eevapeee aerate So Gtr Sy Gees
is a 4 Go sae te seb acagdscness Tip *
- io 3 ec eso eiehe ls toneieietoteheisrohetare 2
s es 521 3 (Washington Park. i 496 6
& rf 16 oS psi alors tates Bietnis eeersaisic.« AB ON, mice
af sf 14 Wr IL ih sravetenciiowe Meyetelens susjeleiviaten Lean fas
« aes «“ ee ane RUE ce lue (aaa game
ae ae 10 ce eeeeveeeveene . . 622 J
es a 8 peu dig Hever otek leteyonee te, sheMatenaeiete 505“
Ff s 60 é (Tompkins’ §q. ) Scat 328.) =
be 25 PAu ok Reh Le RI Gum AOL 2,005 a0)
«6 es 18 t (Carroll Park.).. 2,462 “
ss A 8 ES (Carroll Park, Yi Hee ai ce
57,256“

or 10,84; miles.

Finished walk at Prospect Park........ shefahots late: sists 7,72, miles
= Washinoton Park... 6cieic0 0 belie te 1 £2

x Tompkins’ SGlstacete dhersle!s eta stbici elas 1 mile.

se sy Carroll Parks seivtevsvereeeeees +{;3; miles,
10%

Walks in progress 30 feet wide........ Weretoftterenate 7,516 lin. ft
_ . 25 Meal lncidicbepate 5 dvajuistevestsie'= ATT Maree
3 cs 20 Seung coniehelarsicshe aphictaeete-o) ote 10,473“
sk i 16 Hey PaMn Uavotetcheevd@, ako! Soke et wicks PIO
3 < 14 oe EMV Nerevotae Sloteisleieiwie'tis L0st.—S
a i 12 < stata siebelavoleisiaial head ios
% : 10 ‘. siaterstNatol Matelejiatete 662
. r 8 Rot Ber ney Pipi, Sica ere SOR, >
if “5 30 < (Washington Park.) 1,128 “
“« “ee 14 “ “ec 6 “
26,822 “

DRAINAGE.
36 inch brick sewer built.............. aha? opavav anchors 660 lin. ft.
BSD semurtied, Pipe. [AIG coe tcterare?.sahelsrcrerelel he'~/e's ete LCi
toy eat « Cah al Meenas cba canoes » V9a740 («
a = SM MRC IOS SCR aS ROO Ore OF 10S"
tay $$ Saas faeatie nthe schovcteravereiore Seiten te Oucws a
Saeco ee CAN ET RARE UD Mio Ma Pehen AN 12513“
Nie. > boca ohio ad Simocge cee ° 305
OE ‘Lik ates Oe Pee he eee 24,985 «
Shy 5° eS Tiss « uke oce\os Sy chobekenates sho sietotsisks =~ “DO9teTs
Bp fee ee Ee RE Mats Wiaety cckane SS She Paar
ay eh a @ Sip Soest Net aN Ay . + 615. «
10m Ms “<-* - (Washington, Park.)......- S15 a i=
8g « (« PGRN ay Ano Ned hale h lp bon Soe - 1,020 «
@ «& « SN RO EN APLAR IES 5. Sones
Faas a NAC aan tn Che Meet a i 1234 «
eC MR GOO PR Seo ee . 2729 «
1 At ¢ . }(Lomipkins? sq.):../0< ar othe 380 “
aa be Sate ayaltereetsiaiel ral ot Peters she/erers LO0~ =
as Pg Ree OS PEE A ae Cee ts . 424 “
Gz." s «- (Carroll Parki)}es3.4 suleir= 400 = ¢
eg $ £9 5S arecesearovecone, Navan ars sist cieie AU nas
G4 : Sif ob COA REOUN E AEIE Oita scie’ «= i Sa
4 we A eae ries rie cies Sat te Se eo / 9 62 id 310 “
iG * -eament, pipe Taide. sce descetayere eels. ota va wo te 2

or 1542 miles.

Milespipe lard 3) dh, 5 spree ether ele ede elelee s ohas ye 20,556 lin. ft
rf so Saeea ish re ta toustote te oie Fain ola . sees RO
Uy WE IO Cr aus cer ga we Aa eee eek OR AGO
“ TNF RCL RS ah 25 an bard 8 cn pb ol 7,637 «
i ese (Washington fat ie decietenctevs 2,084 1%
7 RST IC Ueno tae ss Vs an Gs Bi 108“
58,760 «

Wrought iron and cement pipe 16 inch...........

“ ‘ t 12 « Nee ities sips ot
es “ OR DA tea es gee 13,006 “
Ee ee ce 4 cs 20) '@ 08) B@).e \0 (0-8: 3,829 os
24,368 “
or 4,61, miles.

Cast iron pipe 20 inch............. eels alle aiabe'aiolers 347 lin. ft.
AY Cains Coan reenter ae Se ¢ 29) ie
ce se 12 “ eee ore ee ecoeerece e@ereeee 2,983 ee
a PMc kod lenaterers sfefeusreretehe FASE aenos LOT se
ai Fan ith ase Bese pecceyeye yevorersiciete Sieiciers Ghats
sy aint Suiits : er enetele ie iets eras Skies
es SE ition edit smeycatevecayar sv ate ete ese tesn/efalaieitatcions Baas
f Se eA ale Sacer Ba og Seine Sac ie LOM
Galvanized! oi {3 Wise eicie ats ie wie Kitenevsyeiulaneterete A437
ME OR RD Ah ac leila sate trsunt ote revere ete TAG oe
ee Soil Lae Porateseneys HORA BOG Ha eo 7) i he
i mI dl We GO i ae ie Oe Sieeeheererects Rise
« Ne asia ye ieatas cvoveiete teres a lecipwiescitciseee ite 1856".
33 fe + oe eeevevoeevev eevee ees ee ee 406 Se
POSED sips pels igisipieipicteioiens Wie @ake seri 8,050 “

or 1,42 miles.

Lead and tin pipe 3 ee MEE iS eb cic 5 A ~ + 4006. Minit.
rf e; 4 “ (Washington ake: Neeaeae 294 “
fs ef SHEE werahetet Noleteh otay ote elai slay a eucie ters 1,064 “
con Se + sé (Tompkins Sq Ne eevee ° Q271 cs
PAS

or £ miles.

WATER DISTRIBUTION.

10

505
Check valve........ MENON Deo hae LAE oe distehy inant wives : 1
Blow-otts and branches) ........ 0. cscceeetccsness shee: aiartfe cisiaren ees
BSUS PACOGKS. << otsielatieveiarers, ter 6is lw oie aire Sat Nakata UUs, prays Satoh anefel hekers 50
PMECOGI Srvc cra iate island mst cata a chapictal staat et ete biel cia w arapan dienes aaron 12
ME VCHE GILES sors, eehain ected iacays. armies ae stely as Miahz 0), “evel oye el 5) a) Sahat 4]
MUGHIIGETS)) 4:55). mo Noremieeedio ste ¢ Rh mle atimieiers teas «6 Ae HD gage pl rf
BPREIGEGS foto co aed cpeR ne ic cite te ital nary tials futeta tale nis s vigieiele s 6, as 2
uO P-COcks, iMWoasmination Park: « sseie's S:sys s.ls(e/ seo oreie oe wiiaieinte 1]
Vs Pompicins’. Square’. 6°. 43343 5% Seat i or de Bees setae 2
Gas piperlaid, inchs. stole. ose aes Se ree ee ao 700 lin. ft.
6 se ss ee ee . eee @), U (ep: 6°. 6,0 ‘2 . 88 <
188)
or zor miles.
Iron fence set, Washington Park......... Loot ibe 708 lin. ft.
AREA OF OPERATIONS UP TO JANUARY IST, 1872.
Area worked over up to January Ist, 1872........ 431 acres.
% . “ Washington Park SON
Surface finished, meadows and slopes............. 1902. “
ok ee Fe WMOOCIATIG rN. cians cue vos, ove a sies, «nseis aie) en
Me . PLETE SUTIAGCES . ms ws\blalelaiss ehaloree sie Ol
* roads and walks...... eWieierelataspays 67 zs ,
MO PAUZ ees aieheressia Ss Saifetele pteeheieisisisists oi), SEO eee
Surface seeded......... oc Hacer aetindd vate cielo se) ees meee
“ finished, Washington (EIN Geeaa Bee SOLE 23 ¢
‘ ec Tompkins Sqe).. <1. «1 stetei rote ees Se
3° SG Carroll Park... si. erase abana 278,
MASONRY.
Amount of brick masonry......... Ee ae - 9,919 cu. yds.
23 $s Washington Park.... hi peer
a ff LOB PINS): SG = -jaiesia's.'2'< 30.
gs StONC MASONFY t226c sale secs Seen os ERA (i: 9 festa
“ “ Weshingtoti | 7 a ee Lao. V5
is Baton Oemuce ron ea ee ejatas aera: 697, Ue
‘“@ concrete..... GS aan as Sa 2 poh fesse, cisem 4,065 “
$s aN Vashinioton Wark. ss s/s tate 523

Amount of steps set....... Ae Sedo 5 Oba dmaon uc 6,065 lin. ft.
e S-. Washing tom Parken wcicr.s,+ 6ipee 646 “
i coping set, Washington Park.......... hoe. os
rs CUD SEEs cceusser Marie eure eases heise m ct ne teislicds ce 83,212 “
i S Wiashineton Park’. (3.25 60 ecient CS

Del ciai pavement ANG ars tai cele icles wie aie vieloipi sie 306,237 sup. ft.
Cobble SOA eeia aro 6 wih iarmayr teeter xo een os) UO Ore ee
Brick se po ptekereNeiwietele aie oie ite iettasee tate a Os) te Siete
ICP OMiET I) cil nse: Wane cle wise ASO Orso badoc on 21,148 “
CMO” im Mere vstare chase Sepionere neers ease. sas
Bopper" YS tease ee whee seks aomieatrok 6 31,499 “
Flag stone gutter ........... le stetatotafetetoiete warcies tO SOO m cic
Hlaeoing Nady. icc) les = re SOP ODES Brekeseretayenalere ss Obl ae
Tar concrete pavement cnt SEE Ae cen ene eae 543,067“
f ef “ Washington Park...... BLOOa ls Aes

AMOUNT OF STONE BROKEN.

McAdam stone, by breaker......... ic Ryeieiee chs oe Ld SOS Clas.
Telford and pulling stone, by hands. s<0< . ecu 10,663“

- “ Washington Park 2,569 “
Spall stone, by hand............0. bSocogasooscas 12,956 . “

MATERIAL MOVED.
During 1871. Total to Jan. 1, 1872
For grading and shaping drives,
rides, walks, meadows & slopes, cu. yds. 106,652 .. 567,952

For lakes, pools and streams..... : 163,417 .. ‘789,900
MOMgO Aza tervals suclainye alec loieieinse ee os ae .. 172,855
For sewers, drains and water dis-

PEODULIOM 2%... weje se Sika syetete 15,252... 105,933
PSG eiece aioe: iebewete ca eb sosemen ic rerereters icicles 48,346 .. 504,319
GAG rites os vasecawuiine mene eae ie 3,996 .. ‘75,798
Glave rcc soci mt eines dpe 24,748 .. 62,159
Manures and composts....... Saran water 2,940 .. 45,157
SSGOME eae ie toys slancee’ » cierevete.ta AOC Orcd ch 5,065 .. 92,194
Gravelsand wands). sleeve see Lisl. 3" 116.280
Miscellaneous <.-........+...- Ps aie his) <6. 910219

Total.cubic yards...) <-.). 388,106 .. 2,551,246
Material moved at Washington Park..... 6,680 .. 98,879
% te. = «LOND, iSO mstaielss tei) Col ea eee eon

Grand ‘total: oc ec eux eke 456,417 .. 2,691,806

505

FORCES.

During the most active period of operations the aggregate force of
teams, carts, and laborers amounted to between twelve and thirteen
hundred, although the daily average of the year was less than nine
hundred. We have had no difficulty, during the working season, in
maintaining the force to such numbers as desired, numerous applica-
tions being made throughout the year for work on the park by a
very fair class of men. Our foremen were all old employees,
thoroughly experienced in the work required of them, and discharged
their duties with efficiency.

Statement showing the average number of force employed for the

months and year noted.

YEAR.

January
February.
September.
November.
December

March
April
May.
June
July

Active operations com-
ESOC oeistereie sre menced on the park in the 300 | 335.| 450} 550] 620 |) 700} 725

latter part of January, 1866.

1867........ | 700 | 630 | 410] 800 | 1000 | 1150 | 1200 | 1525 | 1750 | 1825 | 1800 | 1100
GOS siclelelaie'et= 944} S12] 508 | 1215 | 1047 | 1189 | 1095 | 1090 | 1116 | 1118 | 1167 | 912
1869........{ 740 | 698 | 746} 946] 959] 988) 991 | 1006; 975] 946] 552] 204

ASO Se occas 139 | 184] 1384] 164] 594 | 721] 661] 730] 806 | 839} 853] 845

ilsya ke oaseece 738 | 645 | 679 | 1002 | 1144 | 1148 | 1105 | 1060} 790} 759 |} 673 | 422

Within the year 1871 there were 278 days during which the full
force was employed, and 35 days when work was interrupted by the
weather.

506

FORCE ORGANIZATION.

The force for the year 1871 was as follows:
1 General foreman.
8 Barrow gangs (1 at Fort Greene), average 45 men each.
4 Cart gangs (1 at Tompkins Square), average 25 men, 44

carts each.

1 Team gang, average 20 men, 37 teams.
1 Stone-breaking gang, 8 men.
1 Miscellaneous gang, 15 men.

Of this force, 27 men, 4 teams, and 8 sprinkling carts were re-
quired for the work of maintenance, cleaning and repairing roads,
basins, and waterways; to which was added a force of gardeners in
the spring and summer, for the care of shrubbery, trimming, and
cutting the turf.

Statement of mechanical force employed for the year.

1 Foreman of stone-cutters and stone-masons.
7 Stone-cutters.

1 Foreman of brick-masons.

2 Brick-masons.

1 Foreman of carpenters.
14 Carpenters.

1 Foreman of blacksmiths.

3 Blacksmiths.

1 Foreman of rustic work.

3 Carpenters in rustic work.

For planting and the care of trees, shrubbery, and turf, including
the force for construction and maintenance for this department, the
following were employed:

1 Foreman.
1 Assistant foreman.
7 Master gardeners.
14 Skilled workmen.
124 Laborers.

TOTAL FORCE,

During the year there have been employed :
1,481 Laborers.
298 Carts.
93 Teams.
119 Miscellaneous.

507

DISCIPLINE.

The following is an abstract of the record of promotions, sus-
pensions, and discharges during the year: .

APPOINTMENTS, PROMOTIONS, AND RESIGNATIONS.

Number of Foremen appointed..... aie een fave apts ars onic Deke 4

ne Assistant Foremen appointed...... Pee ee lene

Ps Assistants promoted to Foremen......... Ape,

Resignation of Foremen .....:...... iaisteiiie stetsreterioretsi otal ciay amet
SUSPENSIONS.

Number of Foremen suspended for breach of discipline ..... 8

a IAD ORCES I< 5.3 wars eraloiere, ain cco ahamiicionieie: aie: oteea 208

ss FELON SC Sri Gi CATES te, sosegley ares oycces ein te eriahepaie love! aha al eta ere a

‘ (Ucn SO ae eee A eI anere cree vas ace hohe dye ee cee 18
DISCHARGES.

Number of Foremen discharged for gross violation of rules.. I

a Laborers’discharged! 2.2.3. 802.4 Sicoteie: cine © Sena

“ Horses and carts ..:......- Bhs Ce SPREE alten 42

o MCSA Nol oe =e cles hig oe a ea emerst ane tharere Boe oven aes 15
ACCIDENTS.

One case of sunstroke occurred, without serious result. Several
employees were injured by falling earth, and two by falling off their
wagons. None of the men were fatally injured. The body of a
man was found on the Plaza, near the fountain, early in Autumn last.
It is supposed that he dropped dead from heart disease during the
night, and such was the verdict of the coroner’s jury.

During the skating season five accidents occurred by falls on the
ice ; none of them of a dangerous nature. Sixty-seven accidents to
persons in carriages upon the drives in the park have been noted
during the year. In two instances the injured parties have died ; in
several others the injuries have been of a serious nature, but have
not proved fatal. Three horses have been killed—one instantly, by
being struck by the pole of a carriage; and two others, in conse-
quence of the injury received, were killed by permit from the city
authorities. These accidents occur from careless or reckless driv-
ing, generally from inexperience and a disregard of the well-estab-
lished road regulation: “Keep to the right as the law directs.”
Fast driving is less frequent than in former years. Four cases oc

508

curred during the year, for which the parties were arrested by our
keepers. Exemplary punishment in each case being imposed by the
judge before whom the offenders were cited.

Regarding the means to be used to stop, if possible, this class of
offenders, and to reduce to a corresponding degree the danger to
which the general public is liable, either the penalties should be in-
creased, or more certain arrest of offenders provided for. One or
two mounted patrols would accomplish this. —

KEEPER FORCE, &c.

The details of this organization were as follows:
1 Head keeper.
3 Wardens.
13 Rangers.
27 Post keepers.
These have been distributed as follows, in the several parks and
squares under the control of the Commissioners :

PROSPECT PARK.

3 Wardens.
12 Rangers.
20 Post keepers.

WASHINGTON PARK.

1 Ranger.
3 Post keepers.

CARROLL PARK.
2 Post keepers.
CITY PARK.

2 Post keepers.

TOMPKINS SQUARE.

1 Post keeper.

The general management of the force is under the control of
Mr. O. C. Bullard, Park Inspector. During the year, one warden,
four rangers, and three post keepers have resigned. Two wardens
were suspended; and one ranger and six post keepers have been
suspended for definite periods for breach of discipline. Two wardens
and one post keeper have been discharged for breach of discipline.
One station officer was promoted to head keeper. Three rangers to
wardens. Eight post keepers to rangers.

509 ;

ARRESTS.
For fast driving were........+. Biola lalate ee nie cieveretecs 4
Sw GISOTCerlycCONGUCE! 1. we ua nieie wee ieee ois Ae cee
Interfering with keepers .......... Feahn shim lp ite fe 2

Four lost children were restored to their parents.

There are seven horses the property of the Commissioners, five
of them are employed upon water-carts and for trucking in the
summer season, and for cleaning snow from the drives and walks,
and for planing the ice in winter. Two are used by officers of the
park in the discharge of their duties.

THE ENGINEER CORPS.

The organization of the corps was as follows:

3 Assistant engineers,

2 Draughtsmen.

1 Leveler.

1 Accountant.

6 Rodmen.
12 Chainmen, and

9 Axemen. :

The force was supplemented when the necessities of the service
demanded it, by details of intelligent laborers from the gangs.

Mr. Thomas Stratford, Mr. J. B. Duneklee, and Mr. T. P. Kins-
ley, assistant engineers, have had active charge of the details of
work in their respective divisions. They have been efficient and
conscientious in the discharge of their duties, and by their intelli-
gence and good management of work, have faithfully served the in-
terests of the Commission and the city.

Mr. John Maguire, as general foreman, has had active super-
vision of the field force. He has been held responsible to a large
degree for its efficiency ; and his constant attention to, and faithful
discharge of his duties, merit the approval of the Commission.

The organization of the several officers remain the same as here-
tofore. Mr. H. Spear, chief clerk of the disbursing office, being
entitled to credit for the intelligent and energetic supervision of the
details of his office.

The number of*visitors to the park during the past year has
largely increased. In 1870, between three and four million persons
visited the park. In 1871, between six and seven millions.

510

SKATING.

The Pond house was put up in December, and all necessary
preparations for skating completed. The season, commencing De-
cember 26th, 1870, and ending February 23d, 1871, consisted of
42 skating days, during which period it is estimated that nearly
100,000 persons visited the pond. The whole pond, nearly 50 acres
in area, was thrown open to the public, December 20th, and there
have been to this date (January Ist) 11 days skating.

Ample accommodations for the comfort and convenience of the
public have been provided by the Commission, the aim being to
make the skating facilities equal to those of any public or private
pond in the country. The ice has been maintained in the best con-
dition possible, under existing circumstances of weather and tem-
perature. The keepers have been discreet and attentive, and al-
though nearly three quarters of a million of people have visited
the pond since skating was inaugurated, no serious disturbance
or accident has occurred, nor has it been necessary to arrest any
person.

THE PARADE GROUND.

During the year two brigade parades occurred on the respective
dates given below.

May 22d, Fifth Brigade, N. G., S. N. Y., Brig.-Gen’l T. 8.
Dakin, commanding.

June 8th, Eleventh Brigade, N. G., S. N. Y., Brig.-Gen’l
Meserole, commanding.

Preceding each of these parades the grass was cut and rolled and
put in condition for use by the military. On the days of the parades
water was freely supplied to the soldiers, and the public accommo-
dated with seats, &c., on the slope fronting the shelter. Early in
the fall (October 14) an exhibition drill was given at the Parade
ground by the Battery of Light Artillery stationed at Fort Hamil-
ton, under the direction of Generals Vodges and Captain and Brevet
Brig.General Wm. Graham, commanding. The exhibition was re-
peated on Saturday, November 4th, on each occasion attracting a
large number of visitors and giving much satisfaction. The parade
ground was also used for base ball and La Crosse games, by numer-
ous clubs, during the season.

The whole number of visitors for the year is 6,168,339, an in-
crease of 2,324,359 over the last year’s record. Driving and riding
are proportionately increasing with the advance of the Park towards

is 517,702 more than last report. Included in the foregoing were
by 53,487 sleighs, as follows: 26,825 in January, 22,364 in February,

- completion. Number of vehicles entering the Park, 1,488,188, which

4,298 in December. Of riders, 92,968 are reported against 74,484
during the previous year, an increase of 18,484,
The largest number of visitors on any one day was 78,299, on
October 14th. 1,602,806 persons have visited the Park on Sundays.

6cs‘soT'9 | os6'ers's | Gse'sce's | 6L‘9ET's || L08'0L9'T | 9G8'8GS | 290'96, €ss'sos | 896'%6 | FSP'G, | #G1'69 | ST6'F9 'sor'sor't| OSF‘OLG | OFS‘FIL | S6Q'TSP | °°" THIOL
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WTAVL

515

MISCELLANEOUS.

The annual inventory of supplies and material accompanies this
report. ;
During the year, 597 two-horse loads of manure were purchased.

The details of planting work, together with the character and
condition of material used and on hand, prepared by Mr. O. C.
Bullard, park inspector in charge of the department, are as follows.
The following statements show the amount of planting stock pur-
chased during the year. The stock now on hand in the nursaries,
and the number of trees, shrubs, &c., set in permanent plantations
during the current year.

STATEMENT SHOWING THE NUMBER OF TREES, SHRUBS, ETC., PURCHASED
DURING THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31stT, 1871.

Deciduous Deciduous 3 Herbaceous Bedding Flower
Trees. Shrubs, eer nee Plants. Plants. Bulbs. Total.
rr > | a

1,461 948 3,791 200 3,244 11,300 | 20,944

STOCK IN NURSERY, DECEMBER 31st, 1871.

Deciduous Deciduous ef Vines and Herbaceous
Trees, Shrubs, HUT ea USE Creepers. Plants. oat
>

ley) 29,255 26.649 500 6,490 2,330 82,334

NUMBER OF TREES, SHRUBS, ETC., PLANTED OUT ON PROSPECT PARK DURING
THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31st, 1871. °

Ferns, |Herbaceous| 3edding] Flower

Deciduous Heel Ever- | Vines and
greens. | Creepers. Plants. | Plants. Bulbs.

Trees, Shrubs. Total,

——— | | OC Lt

5,529 |. 22,160 | 5,672 | 8,449 13,950 8,013 | 3,895 | 11,650 | 74,318

514

STATEMENT OF PLANTING ON THE SMALL PARKS DURING THE YEAR
ENDING DECEMBER 31st, 1871.

Washington Park.

Deciduous Herbaceous and
Evergreens, Shrubs. Bedding Plants. | Bulbs. Total.
1,150 4 545 25 1,704
Carroll Park.
Evergreens. | Deciduous Shrubs. Total.
206 | 39 245
|
City Hall Park.
Evergreen Deciduous Shrubs. Herbaceous Plants. Total.
16 18 52 $6

Aggregate, 2,035.

In the earlier planting upon the park, some of the young stock
was massed more closely than was intended for permanent growth,
partly to give more immediate effect, and partly for shelter. The
surplus plants have thriven quite as well as they would have done
in nursery rows, while the temporary objects have been attained.
During the past season we have drawn considerably upon these older
plantations, thinning out tree and shrubs as required. This work
has been done successfully in midsummer, as well as in the usual
planting seasons.

a

—

515

The following statement shows the number of trees and shrubs
so used :—

PPSGIGHOUS TL6GSec cto see lerdsireiec « 20 qoawaa 567
&§ SHPUASY ere hairs Sr aretahe Saas fs eae. oie ALO:
SVIGIOTOONS ic eferd co «cea oi eside ae « At ee vows? 720
Reseller heen a spats arate eral are hao 3,481

These numbers are not included in the foregoing tables.

The efficiency of the tree-emoving machines used on the park, and
the correctness of our system of transplanting large trees, seem
fairly established’ by the experience of the last four years.

The earlier planted trees are growing vigorously, and many
hardly show signs of having been moved. During the year, 323
trees have been moved by truck or stone boat. In the early pur-
chases of planting stock for the park were included several lots of
seedlings obtained at small cost; these have been cared for in the
nurseries, and are now becoming valuable plants.

The yearly statements of nursery stock have embraced this class
only as the plants have attained such size and form as to fairly entitle
them to classification. The shrubbery vines and herbaceous plants
have been largely increased each season by propagation from cuttings,
layers or seed, and many young trees of native varieties have been
gathered into the nurseries from woods and wilds for future use.
Eight valuable trees and six shrubs were presented to the park by
Wm. R. Robinson, Flatbush.

The older breadths of turf, particularly that of the upper end of
the long meadow, have been greatly improved by regular use of the
lawn mowers. Sufficient hay has been made on the park during
the season to abundantly supply the stock. ;

Respectfully submitted,

JOHN Y. CULYER,

Engineer.

CHAPTER 861.

Aw Acr to lay out and improve a public highway or avenue from
- Prospect Park, in the city of Brooklyn, toward Coney Island, in
the county of Kings.

Passed May 11, 1869; three-fifths being present.

The* People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and
Assembly, do enact as follows:

Section 1. The Brooklyn Park Commissioners are hereby au-
thorized and directed to lay out a public highway or avenue, not more
than two hundred and ten feet wide, exclusive of the courtyards here-
inafter provided for; commencing on the circle at the southwestern
angle of Prospect Park, in the city of Brooklyn, and running thence
westerly not exceeding two thousand feet, in the discretion of the
said Commissioners, in the general direction of Franklin avenue, in
the town of Flatbush, extending westerly ; thence again southerly by
such route as the said Commissioners shall consider most direct and
eligible, through the towns of Flatbush, New Utrecht and Gravesend,
at least six hundred and fifty feet west of the Coney Island plank
road, to the road leading from Flatbush to New Utrecht, adjoining
the lands of the Prospect Park Fair Grounds Association ; and, to
that end, they and their agents are authorized to enter upon any
lands which may be required for the purpose, and cause a proper
survey and map of the said avenue, as well as of the district of as-
sessment therefor to be made. (As amended by chap. 726 of the
Laws of 1872.)

Szc. 2. No buildings or other erections, except porches, piazzas,
fences, fountains and statuary, shall remain or be at any time placed
upon the said avenue within thirty feet from the outside line there-
of; which space on each side of the said avenue, and in addition
thereto, shall be used for courtyards only, and may be planted with
trees and shrubbery, and otherwise ornamented, at the discretion
of the respective owners or occupants thereof; but such use and orna-
mentation shall be under the direction of the said Park Commis-
sioners. (As amended by chap. 726 of the Laws of 1872.)

Sec. 3. The said Commissioners are hereby also directed to open,
grade and otherwise improve the said avenue, and in order to de-
termine the amount to be paid to the owners of the lands and tene-
ments required to be taken for the purposes of this act, and for the
improvement thereof, the said Commissioners shall first fix a district
of assessment, within which the property to be benefited shall be
assessed to defray the expenses of such taking, as well as of the im-

¥

DLT

provement thereof. Notice of the time and place of fixing the said
district, and of hearing the parties interested therein, shall be pub-
lished for ten days successively in at least two daily newspapers
printed and published i in the county of-Kings.

Sec. 4. After fixing the said district of assessment, the said Com-
missioners shall apply to the Supreme Court, at a special term to be
held in the second judicial district upon a similar notice, for the
appointment of three Commissioners, who shall be freecholders and
residents of the said county, to estimate the value of the lands and
premises required to be taken for said avenue, and the damages to
be sustained by any person interested therein, as well by the taking
of the land as by the creation of the restriction or easement thereon,
specified in the second section of this act, together with the expenses
of said opening, and of the improvement thereof; and also to appor-
tion and assess the same, both for taking and improving, in such
manner as they shall deem just and equitable, upon the property to
be benefited within the district of assessment so to be fixed by the
said Park Commissioners, and the said court, at special term, shall
thereupon proceed to make such appointment. In case of the
death or refusal to act, or other disability of the Commissioners so
to be appointed, or either of them, at any time before the several objects
of their appointment shall have been accomplished, the said court, at
special term, may fill the vacancy.

Sec. 5. The Commissioners so to be appointed by the Court, after
having been duly sworn faithfully to perform the duties hereby de-
volved upon them, shall proceed to make the estimates and assess-
ments referred to in the last preceding section of this act, in such and
so many separate reports as may from time to time be required,
each of said reports shall at all times before confirmation be subject
to review and correction, and ten days’ notice of the time and place
of hearing objections thereto, and of reviewing and correcting the
same, shall be published in the newspapers above referred to. After
hearing such objections and making the corrections, if any shall be
delivered to the said Park Commissioners.

Sec. 6. Upon receiving the said reports, or either of them, the
said Park Commissioners ahall give ten days’ notice in the said news-
papers that application will be made to the said Court at a special
term, at a time and place to be therein designated, to have the same
confirmed. Appeals may be taken from ‘said reports, or any of
them, by giving written notice to the attorney of the said Commis-
sioners at least six days before the time fixed for the application to
confirm the same, with a specification of the nature of the objection ;
and the Court shall have power to confirm, amend or refer back the
said reports, or either of them, as it may deem proper, and to make
any further order in the premises, until the final confirmation
thereof.

Sec. 7. After the reports of estimate and assessment for taking and
opening the said avenue shall have been confirmed, they shall, to-
gether with the maps hereinbefore referred to, be filed in the office of
the clerk of the county of Kings, and the said Park Commissioners shall
be thereupon authorized to improve the said avenue according to a

518

plan to be devised or adopted by them, and for that purpose they
may cause the same to be graded, paved, curbed, and guttered, and
shade trees planted thereon, and may lay out and construct such
carriage ways, sidewalks, and areas, as they may deem expedient,
and such improvements may be made in sections, and from time to
time, if they shall so elect. The said Park Commissioners may, in
their discretion, purchase or lease one or more gravel pits, for the
purpose of its improvement and subsequent maintenance, and pay
for the same out of any fund in their hands applicable to the con-
struction of Prospect Park. All expenses incident to such improve-
ments, or either or any of them, after having been duly certified by
the said Park Commissioners to the said Commissioners of Esti-
mate and Assessment, shall be by them appcrtioned and assessed
upon the property in their judgment benefited thereby, within the
district of assessment so to be fixed by the said Park Commission-
ers, and their reports thereon shall be subject to objection and
appeal, and to confirmation, in the same manner as their said former
assessment reports. (As amended by chap. 726 of the Laws of
1872.

Sec. 8. The said Park Commissioners may contract in writing
for the making of all or any of the said improvements, after inviting
proposals for doing the work, and furnishing the mat2rials, by pub-
lication for one week in said two daily newspapers, filing a copy of
each of said contracts in the office of the treasurer of the county of
Kings, within ten days after the making of the same. And they may
from time to time, as the work progresses, but not oftener than once
a month, issue to the contractors certificates of the amount of work
and materials done and furnished under such contracts. The said
treasurer is hereby authorized and directed to pay seventy-five per
cent. of such amount to said contractors or their assigns ; and upon
the final completion of their said contracts, and upon filing a certifi-
cate thereof in the office of the said treasurer, he shall pay to the
said contractors, or their assigns, the balance of the several amounts
due under their contracts. The said treasurer shall also pay to the
surveyor, commissioners, counsel, and other persons to be employed
upon the said work, and upon the laying of the said improvement
assessments, such amount for services and necessary disbursements
as shall be specified in the assessment reports after they shall have
been duly confirmed by the court. For the purpose of furnishing
the money required to make such payments, the county of Kings is
authorized, and the proper officers thereof are hereby directed to
issue certificates of indebtedness to the necessary amount, not ex-
ceeding three hundred thousand dollars, bearing interest at seven
per cent. per annum, payable on or before the expiration of ten
years from the date thereof, interest thereon to be paid semi-annu-
ally, and to sell the same for not less than the par value thereof.
The Board of Supervisors of the county of Kings shall, annually,
make provision by tax for the payment of interest to accrue on such
certificate, and levy the same on the several parcels of property
assessed as part of the general tax; and in the year preceding the
maturity of such certificate, the amount of any assessment remaining

519

unpaid, with the interest and default, if any, accrued thereon, shall
form part of, and be levied and assessed upon the property charge-
able with said assessment, as part of the general tax upon said lands
for the general expenses of the said county. And in case there shall
be separate interests, divided or undivided, arising from a transfer
of the assessed property, or any part thereof, at or at any time pre-
vious to the making of said levy, or a sale therefor, and the same
shall be made to appear to the satisfaction of the said Park Commis-
sioners, they may apportion the amount assessed thereon between
the owners of the respective parts thereof, and all provisions of law
applicable to the redemption of lands from sales for taxes, shall
apply to the several interests and amounts so apportioned. (As
amended by chap. 726 of the Laws of 1872.)

Sec. 9. All assessments made and confirmed in pursuance of
this act shall be liens upon the lands and premises upon which they
shall have been laid, and such lands and premises shall be subject to
be sold for the assessments referred to in the fifth and sixth sections
of this act, if such assessments are not paid within ninety days after
the confirmation thereof. The present existing provisions of law
applicable to sales for taxes and assessments in the city of Brooklyn,
to redemptions and leases therefor, and to the respective rights of
the parties interested therein, including the rate of interest to be paid
by the parties in default, shall apply to all assessments to be laid
under this act, whenever they are not inconsistent therewith. And
when any duties are by said laws imposed upon the Common Coun-
cil of said city, they shall devolve upon the said Park Commission-
ers, and where imposed upon subordinate officers of the city, they
shall be performed by persons to be specially appointed by the said
Park Commissioners. (As amended by chap. 726 of Laws of 1872.

Sec. 10. The said Park Commissioners may appoint one or more
collectors of all assessments to be laid under this act, who shall
severally give bonds for the faithful performance of their duties, and
for the prompt payment of all the moneys to be collected by them.
The collector of any assessment shall be entitled to receive a com-
pensation of one per cent. on all moneys paid to him within two
weeks after he shall have published notice in said newspapers twice
a week for four weeks of the time and place where he will attend to
receive payment. After the expiration of six weeks from the first
publication of the said notice, the collector shall be entitled to five
per cent. on all moneys thereafter to be collected by him, and in
either case his compensation shall be paid by the party assessed,
over and above his assessment, and as part thereof, and the lien of
the assessment shall extend to such compensation. Upon the final
collection of any assessment to be made under this act, it shall be
paid over by the said Park Commissioners to the several persons
entitled to receive the same.

Sec. 11. After the said avenue shall have been opened, the said
avenue, together with the courtyards fronting thereon shall be under
the exclusive charge and management of the said Park Commission-
ers, and they shall make and enforce rules and regulations for the
proper use thereof. And after the said avenue shall have been im-

520

proved, as hereinbefore directed, its subsequent maintenance shall be
a charge upon the city of Brooklyn, and such amounts as the said
Park Commissioners shall, from time to time, by resolution, deter-
mine to be necessary for the purpose, shall be annually raised by
the joint Board of Common Council and Supervisors of the city of
Brooklyn, and collected in the taxes of the then current year, and
paid over to the said Park Commissioners. (As amended by chap.
726 of the Laws of 1872.)

Sec. 12. The said Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment
shall be severally entitled to receive three dollars a day for each
and every day necessarily employed in the discharge of their duties,
and their compensation, with room hire, stationery, and other neces-
sary expenses, together with the compensation of the surveyor,
counsel, and other persons to be necessarily employed under the
foregoing provisions of this act (and who are hereby directed to be
employed by the said Park Commissioners) shall be included in the
general expenses to be incurred herein.

See. 15. This act shall take effect immediately.

.

INDEX OF ILLUSTRATIONS CONTAINED IN THIS VOLUME.

PAGE,

View of the proposed park from Reservoir Hill, looking west ....-- 3
% . . looking east...,... 23
General Viele’s plan of improvement ..............eeeeeeerreeees 32
Mr. Vaux’ general plan PML MPR SR erated Sie tahoe ahs Seas Peer atfeus la\efiers okctia, oN eiatele 84
Mr. Frost’s topographical survey.............cee-eeseecereere 90
Olmsted & Vaux’ design of the park...........52ccescceerseeess 104
The Battle Pass in 1866 119

wife @:elts) otaie) €fel e\\s 12
BO). Cl whe (eee peler> ule 6lele) « e7s 610 (6 Ole ecexe

e s MARGE pte cbse ont Ctay Ae OAS eG bc lesa. 4 af san aban fuel ce 125

View of Lake and Refectory sites..........-... cece rete eerie 158
THINCOlMVCONUIMEN tre ee eters stevia choy ciexeiss eke iov chet sienereyevsiolllouniays chars elas 2tak-)= Bee
Desrpmof HMastermy Pack way. r..2 ccm iad sistosseye e Sia eiece ine elem tise 172
BTR] OAM CIM ay rear era tas cistenay cr ethe creite Ponsa A cute rare tsi ose os 203
Weston for Washington Parks. 6). lias s heew ne ct laces vee sie 228
Parad exGroundnyse seperti eieicteersisien areseteriae ial cue 234
MLE RNEGRErMACAAWATCHES sins cys sce siete, sora clei he hekoleleust-t ae ei= oats eee 247
Lodge and Shelter on Parade Ground ...........-- se eset eee e eee Q71
Pa wr OCS OC ye ooo ett sake at oot rails retin do airy spahodeh alae) suas ovs)/5,+ aheveaegnce ene 289
Pruning ladder used on the park ...........0.: ence eee eres sae - 298
Shelter on Carriage Concourse ..........c.ccenese ce cre cts ceees: 309
she D airy EIOURE ar, viccpetiste ial tis's eickece ante y ls dao Sale elcheun lojo'm nee nysiale iss 359
WWrellan GuBolensousenasmestericnicos eres oie ieloers Sess olor siaes oie yroleholans 366
Observatory on Lookout Hill). .... 25.0. . c cee cc ence meee wees 391
Design for Tompkins Park.......:.....0 22sec nsec cere ce cenes 419
: Pedestrians Concourses yan eae saieion ee tse ie eke han 434
MCAAOWPOrt ATHY 6). of Aislsatieahs sesiaiare oie ccc tee backs 8 poise tar asp aie) ele 437
iarCleft idee Spar... coh Jat odes clic sneaks sie oe oe porate serene 457
Maniot Prospect Park im GSih of... vec ee as els alerens ie oe staien un ciei 47
Mie GoOncers Grove LOwse. <.o5 stem wie av sts are te wid ine, ernie, Sings <7 Sie 496.

GENERAL INDEX.

ACTS.

ACTS OF THE LEGISLATURE
to authorize the selection of land for a park, 5.
to lay out a park and parade ground, 11.
the same act amended, 62.
to extend the park into. Flatbush, 130.
to provide for the maintenance of the parks, and define the duties
. of the Commissioners, 235.
further extension of the park westward, 240.
to widen and open Sackett and other streets, 244.
to authorize a sale of east-side land, 406.
to lay out Plaza street, 414.
to widen and extend Washington avenue, 416.
to lay out and improve Ocean avenue, 516.

REPORTS.

FIRST annual report of the Commissioners for the year 1860, 5.
“of Commissioners to select land for a park, 6.
GENERAL VIELE’s report on park plan, 23.

topograhical description of the land, 24.

historical associations, 26.

plan of improvement, 27.

enclosure of the grounds, 82.

drainage of same, 33.

fertilizing the land, 39.

plantations thereon, 45.

roads, walks, and drives, 47.

estimated cost of improvement, 53.
SECOND annual report of Commissioners for 1861, 57.

they find amendments to the law necessary, 58.
THIRD annual report of the Commissioners for 1862, 71.
FOURTH annual report of the Commissioners for 1863, 73.
FIFTH annual report of the Commissioners for 1864, 77.

necessity of a more dignified approach to the park suggested, 78.

Mr. Vavx’ preliminary report on location, 80.
propriety of extending the park westward, 82.
propriety of abandoning east-side lands, 83.

524

SIXTH annual report of the Commissioners for 1865, 85.
OLMsTED & VAvx’ plan of improvement, 91.

disadvantages of dividing the park by Flatbush avenue, 92.
general purposes of a park, 94.
how the objects of a park are to be attained, 97.
artistic elements in a park design, 98.
places of assembling and for rest, 104.
sylvan features indispensible, 105.
playgrounds and deer paddock, 106.
water-works and drainage, 106.
rides, drives, and walks, 107.
boundary arrangements, 111.
of exterior streets, 112.
museums and other educational structures, 114.
suburban connections, 116.

SEVENTH annual report of the Commissioners for 1866, 1238.

popular approval of the plan of improvement which had beer
adopted, 124.

extension of boundary authorized by the Legislature, and failure
to obtain the property between Ninth and Tenth avenues,
125.

parade ground placed under charge of the Commissioners,
125.

former abuses in legal proceedings corrected, 126.

organization of the Park Board, and mode of transacting its
business, 127.

engineer’s office destroyed by fire, 129.

Friends’ cemetery may be purchased, 182.

Park Ordinance, No. 1, 136.

OLMSTED & VAUx report progress of work, 138.

the Plaza should be enclosed and planted, 139.

Vanderbilt and other avenues should be widened and improved,
140.

a broad eastern avenue suggested, 142.

ENGINEER Davis reports the organization and discipline of the park

forces, 144.

progress of the work, 146.

EIGHTH annual report of the Commissioners for 1867, 153.

absolute necessity of acquiring the property between Ninth and
Tenth avenues, 156.

objections to the improvement of the land east of Flatbush
avenue, 156. :

advantages of opening a great eastern approach to the park, 157.

propriety of laying out streets over the residue of Kings county,
157.

park already thronged with visitors, 160.

525

EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT .—(continued.)
establishment of a park police, 161.
present cost of the park, and how paid for, 162.
advance in value around the park, 163.
Lincoln monument presented by the War Fund Committee,
165.
improvement of the small parks of the oe suggested, 166.
vault for the remains of the Prison Ship Martyrs, 167.
Park Ordinance, No. 2, 170.
Park Rules and Regulations, 171.

OuMsTED & VAux report a further development of the park design,
173.
public use of the park, 174.
the parkway approaches and connections, 175.
relations of the park to street arrangements, 176.
present street arrangements inadequate to the public require-
ments, 177.
historical development of existing street arrangements, 178.
erroneous views of town life, 186.
conditions under which the evils of a town life have diminished,
187.
separation of business and domestic life, 189.
general recreative requirements, 190.
inadequate domestic access to suburbs, 191.
the advantageous position of Brooklyn, 192.
its opportunity to create a grand suburb, 194.
present and prospective influence of the park upon the value of
property in the city, 195.
the parkway and its extensions, 197.
its advantages exclusively for Brooklyn, 200.
ENGINEER MARTIN reports on the construction of the park roads, 203.
park archways and bridges, 205.
walks, pools, and drainage, 207.
AssISTANT ENGINEER BoGartT reports on the details of construction,
211. .
Assistant Engineer Culyer on labor, force, and its discipline, 218.
WASHINGTON Park, design for its reconstruction, 224.
special committee’s report thereon, 229.
PARADE GROUND, design for its construction, 232.
NINTH annual report of the Commissioners for 1868, 247.
changes in the board, 249.
legislative provisions for maintaining the as 250.
the laying out of streets over the county again urged, 251.
the property between Ninth and Tenth avenues to be annexed to
the park, 252.
urging a sale of the east-side land, 253.

526

NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.—(continued.)

recommending the City Park to be adapted to a public market,
255.

operations on the different parks, 258.

great increase of taxable property, 259.

in Flatbush as well as in the city, 260.

OtmsTED & Vaux propose modifications of park designs radiating

from the Plaza, 272. ;

recapitulation of former suggestions, 276.

additional advantages of east-side project, 277.

construction and superintendence, 281.

gardeners when unemployed to act as policemen, 284.

ENGINEER MarTIN reports on patent concrete pavements, 287.

on archways, bridges, and walks, 288.

progress of construction on the lake, 290.

water supplies and skating, 292.

TENTH annual report of Commissioners for 1869, 311.

the land between Ninth and Tenth avenues now forms part of
the park, 312. ;

proceedings of the Commissioners of Assessment for benefit,

312.
opening of Ocean ayenue and the Coney Island road to the
beach, 313.

the increase of the city’s taxable resources by means of park en-
terprise, 314.

review of former operations of the board, 316.

a sale of east-side land again recommended, 318.

ability of the city to make a valid conveyance thereof, 319.

completion of the great well and pump, 321.

no appropriation yet made for the improvement of Tompkins
Park, 322.

a change of the City Park into a market site again recommended,
323.

the unveiling of the Lincoln statue, 323.

the necessity of further legislative appropriation for the comple-
tion of the park, 324.

the extent of city’s indebtedness on park account, 826.

Driggs and others propose to improve the east-side land, 331.

addresses upon the occasion of unveiling the Lincoln statue, 335.

Mr. SrRANAHAN’s speech at the public meeting to discuss the ques-
tion of boundaries, 341.
OLMSTED & VAvUx report on construction and superintendence, 354.

the completion of the parade ground, of the shelter and dairy
house, 356.

the pastoral idea developed by broad stretches of greensward,
357.

social and pleasure excursions on the park, 358.

527

TENTH ANNUAL REPORT.—(continued.)
ENGINEER MARTIN reports the construction of roads, and use of a
new steam roller, 860.
construction of the well, 362.
engine and pump, description of, 3863. -
source of the water supply, 369.
ELEVENTH annual report of the Park Commissioners for 1870, 391.
present standing committees of the board, 394.
legislative authority given to sell the east-side land, 395.
proceedings in court to test its validity, 396.
opinion of the Commissioners thereupon, 397.
a further legislative grant of money for park construction made,
398.
increased facilities for the public enjoyment, 399.
progress of street opening, 400.
right of the city to be paid for land taken from the park for
widening streets, 401.
right of the general public to use the parade ground, 401.
assessment for park benefit, 402.
OutmstED & VAux report a plan of improvement for Tompkins
Park, 419.
erroneous public impression of the park design corrected,
422
rural coors to be always prominent, 424.
even in the erection of bridges and other structures, 425.
time required for the full development of this idea, 426.
the primary object of all improvement being to provide oppor-
tunities for social and other enjoyment, 428.
example of European pleasure grounds, 429.
park facilities of Brooklyn fully equal in every respect,
431,
pedestrian concourse proposed, 432.
suggestions for a concert grove, 434.
park not intended to be used after nightfall, 435.
ENGINEER BoGart reports advanced state of the work on the foun-
tain basin, archways, and small parks, 437.
TWELFTH annual report of the Commissioners for 1871, 457.
successful result of the suits to determine the city’s right to sell
park land, with an abstract of the opinion of the court,
461,
also of its right to be paid for land taken from the park to widen
streets, 466.
assessment for park benefit, preliminary report thereon, 467.
progress of the Eastern and Ocean parkways, 468.
great increase of visitors and of social parties in the park,
470.
afternoon concerts given, 470.
presentation of the Irying bust, 471.

528

TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT.—(continued.)
ENGINEER CULYER reports the details of constructing Cleftridge
span, with other bridges and structures, 483.
drives and concourses in progress, 489.

walks and tar concretes in use, 490.
water surfaces on the park, and the distribution of water there-

on, 491.
progress made on Washington Park, 494.
ef ‘“‘ Tompkins square, 495.
general statistics of construction from the commencement of
operations, 498.
of labor force from said period, 505.
present state of the police force, 508.
- Mg engineer corps, 509.
skating and use of the parade ground, 510.
number of visitors during four years, 512.

SLOALIHDYV JdVOSGNV1 0908 XNVA GALSW10

-SAOYUSD LYSONOO SZHL-N! G3L94343 38 0OL-NOITIAVd JHI-¥O4 NOISaG

FRHIRTBEENTH, ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

Brooxtyn Park COMMISSIONERS.

JANUARY, 1373.

COMMISSIONERS.

JAMES 8. T. STRANAHAN, SEYMOUR L. HUSTED,
JOHN H. PRENTICE, ABRAHAM B, BAYLIS,
EDWARDS W. FISKE, STEPHEN HAYNES,
WILLIAM MARSHALL, ISAAC VAN ANDEN,
ABIEL A. LOW, SAMUEL 8S, POWELL, £r-of.

PRESIDENT.
JAMES 8. T. STRANAHAN.

SECRETARY.
JOHN H. PRENTICE.

COMPTROLLER AND COUNSEL.
JOHN N. TAYLOR.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS AND SUPERINTENDENTS.
OLMSTED, VAUX & CO.

CHIEF ENGINEER.
JOHN Y. CULYER.

CLERK.
FRANCIS G. QUEVEDO.

STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

JOHN H. PRENTICE, STEPHEN HAYNES,
SEYMOUR L. HUSTED, EDWARDS W. FISKE.

FINANCE COMMITTEE,

ABRAHAM B, BAYLIS, ABIEL A. LOW,
SAMUEL 8. POWELL, WILLIAM MARSHALL.

AUDITING COMMITTEE.
ISAAC VAN ANDEN, JOHN H. PRENTICE.

THIRTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

BROOKLYN PARK COMMISSIONERS,

For THE YEAR 1872.

To tHe Honoraste tHE Mayor anp Common Councit oF
THE Crry or Brooxiyn:

The Brooklyn Park Commissioners respectfully present
a report of the progress made by them during the year 1872,
upon the various operations under their charge, together with
a statement of their receipts and expenditures for the same
period.

It will be seen from the reports of their Superintendents
and Engineer, which are herewith submitted, that the opera-
tions of the Commissioners have been particularly directed
to the extension of the long meadow towards the western
angle of Prospect Park, and to the grading, draining and
planting of the district which lies between it and the 9th
avenue. But little remains to be done upon this section of
the park which may not be finished in the course of another
season. The deer paddock and the lake within it, constituting
an important feature in the plan of this park, have been com-
pleted, and the small stock of deer which were presented by
the gentlemen named in our former report, may now be
turned out into the inclosure.

The Commissioners have also the pleasure to state, that
the Cleft-ridge Span, constructed with the Beton Coignet ma-
terial, is now complete, and thus far justifies the expectations
formed of its utility and economy. The adjoining district,

526

including the Concert Grove, has also been finished and
planted, and the architectural structures upon the pedestrian
concourse, which form part of the same, are in an advanced
state of progress.

It will be remembered that water was let into the lake
during the latter part of last year. In consequence of the
inferior quality of the clay which the Commissioners were
obliged to make use of in puddling the lake bottom, a large
soakage has occurred, which keeps the surface of the water
somewhat below the desired level. But, through the opera-
tion of silting from the natural wash of the surrounding sur-
face, the soakage constantly lessens, and no doubt is enter-
tained of the ultimate success of this beautiful feature of
Prospect Park.

A boat service has been organized upon this lake, under a
contract made with Mr. E. A. O’Brien, which bids fair to be
not only remunerative to the city, but of great utility to the
public. The boats in use are propelled by sails or by oars,
and form a pleasurable as well as healthful mode of recrea-
tion to all those who are disposed to embark in them. While
the frequent regattas of the miniature yachts owned by the
several clubs which have been organized for the purpose of
sailing them are a never-failing source of amusement to visit-
ors on the park.

The Dairy cottage has proved a decided success, and its
recreative and sanitary advantages are evidently appreciated
by the multitude of visitors who daily throng its quiet, shady
retreats. Its rental, with the sales of milk and grass con-
nected therewith, have already realized a considerable sum
of money, and with the rents, which, during the coming
season will probably be received from the Concert Grove
house and the carriage service about to be organized, are fast
becoming a source of revenue to the Commission, and will
aid, to some extent, in supplying the too scanty provision
which the law now makes for the maintenance of the parks.

The Commissioners are much gratified to find, from the
continually increasing use of Prospect Park, that our citizens,
pedestrian as well as equestrian, are beginning to understand
its true value, and they believe that with the growth of its

527

trees and shrubbery, and the additional accommodations for
recreation and amusement—which are yet to be placed upon
it—they will not only appreciate its advantages more thor-
oughly than ever, but will make better use of them, and hold
them in still higher estimation for the future.

The board of estimates, who are charged with the duty of
limiting the annual expenditures of the city, restricted the
improvement of Washington Park last year to $25,000, strik-
ing out an appropriation of $45,000 which had been recom-
mended by the Park Commissioners. The amount allowed
was scarcely more than sufficient to complete the inclosing
wall on the north and east sides of this park, with a portion
of the base-work of the martyrs’ tomb. Some prominent
portions of the ground, consequently, remain in an unfinished
and somewhat unattractive condition. A plan for the tomb
has been adopted by the Commissioners, and a general view
of the accepted design accompanies this report. A contract
for a portion of this work has been made, and its execution
has progressed to such an extent as to render it certain that
the remains may be conveyed to their final resting place early
in the coming season.

The Commissioners here take leave to say, and they make
the remark not only with reference to the improvement of
Washington Park, but also to that of Prospect Park, that in
their judgment a prompt expenditure of the money required
to complete the parks in all their important features, would
be true economy for the city, justified as well by the speedy
termination of an unavoidably expensive organization for
construction, as by the increased value to our citizens of their
real estate. And these considerations are independent of the
greater indirect influence, which the completed work must
have upon the taxable value of property, and the consequent
additional resources of the city.

Since the presentation of the last report, Tompkins Park
has been completed in its essential parts, and is now in use
by the public. But the inclosing fence and some of its other
details are necessarily of a temporary character, owing to the
limited expenditure authorized for its construction.

No work of construction has been done during the year
upon anyof the other small parks, but they have all been

528

kept in good condition and repair. The much needed im-
provement of the City Park is still delayed, for the want of
a suitable appropriation, but will be taken’in hand as soon as
funds shall be provided for the purpose. "

The parade ground continues admirably to serve the pur-
poses for which it was intended, and affords ample accommo-
dation for military.drills and parades, as well as for the nu-
merous cricket and ball players who frequent it.

Next to the construction and care of the parks, the works
of most importance to the city with which the Park Commis-
sioners have been intrusted by the Legislature, are the Eastern
Parkway, with the special street system of which it is the
center, and the Ocean Parkway leading from Prospect Park
towards the Coney Island beach. During the past year, the
heavy work of grading the Eastern Parkway has been com-
pleted, and its surface constructions of paving, macadamizing

and planting with trees are now well advanced. The grading |

of Douglas and Degraw streets is also in progress, and their
pavement may be undertaken in the spring as soon as their
deep fills shall have sufficiently settled.

The plans of the Ocean Parkway have been matured in
detail, and the Commissioners are now prepared to make con-
tracts for its construction ; and hope, in the course of another
season, to open the drive as far as the Fair Grounds.

By the act of the Legislature directing the Commissioners
to sell certain portions of park land lying east of Flatbush
avenue, they were charged with the duty in making prepara-
tion for the sale, to lay out streets and avenues across the
land, and to grade and pave the same, so as to adapt it to im-
mediate public use.

In the prosecution of this work, it was deemed necessary
by the Board of Public Works of the city, to enlarge the
limits of the ground necessary to be held by them, for the
security of the Prospect Hill reservoir, and to lay water-pipes
connected therewith, in courses not before contemplated.
The Commissioners were consequently obliged to adopt a
modification of the plan of these streets which had been orig-
inally designed by them, in order to meet the requirements
of that board. The advantages of the original plan, however,

529

are in no respect diminished by the new arrangement, and
the Commissioners will have no difficulty in complying with
the request of the board.

The Eastern Parkway, so far as it runs through this prop-
erty, has already been brought to grade on the revised plan,
and the water main crossing it successfully lowered to its
proper position. The low grounds on this eastern section
haye also been filled in, and the whole property carefully sur-
veyed. The land to be disposed of is now being mapped out
and otherwise prepared for the sale which the Commissioners
have been directed to make, and which they hope to be able
to make before the termination of another year.

Notwithstanding the ‘former impediment to the sale of
this land, which consisted in the supposed inability of the city
to convey a valid title thereto, but which has been success-
fully removed by the judgment of the Court of Appeals, as
stated in the last report of the Park Commissioners, the
charges to which it will be subjected, by the assessment for
benefit, yet to be made by the special commission engaged in
the work, remain so uncertain in amount, that after a Bate.
tion with experienced dealers in real estate, the Commis-
sioners have deemed it unadvisable, to offer any of it for sale
before the assessment, and the apportionment thereof on each
particular lot, shall have been finally ascertained and settled.

With respect to this assessment, the Commissioners regret
to say, that the Legislature at its last session, limited the
amount which it had previously authorized to be raised, so as
not to exceed fifty per cent. of the awards made for land orig-
inally taken for the park, with expenses, requiring also a de-
duction to be made, of the amounts heretofore awarded to the
city, upon the widening of certain streets and avenues adja-
cent to the park, for lands taken therefrom, together with the
cost of the land lying east of Flatbush avenue. The result of
this new adjustment must be to reduce the total amount of
the assessment, to a sum which cannot exceed a million and a
half of dollars. The Assessment Commissioners are still en-
gaged in this work, but expect to make their final report

thereon, and to present the same to the court for confirmation
early in the coming season.

530

The financial statement of the receipts and expenditures.
of the Commissioners for the year 1872, for maintenance as
well as for construction, is annexed to and forms part of this
report.

Dated January 1st, 1873.

J..8. LT. STRANATAN,
President.
JOHN H. PRENTICE,
Secretary.
JOHN (N: TAYLOR,
Comptroller.

ddl

AN ABSTRACT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT

OF THE

PaO Ok bY NPAC ik “COM MISS ION,

For THE YEAR 1872.

Receipts.
The total receipts on account of Prosprcr Park, during the
year 1872, were:
Received from the Comptroller of the city..........$500,000 00:

5 “rents of houses in the park.......... 5,588 50!
us * *sales,a& wood, grass, Gen se... 8 518 33:
s ‘¢ interest on bank balances...........> 34 07
* “spark pounds a s.,.%:..« Dyevaleh oleh trolley snedelickeh 1,128 57
« es Vs Prey iGicndl ce ene Amare cr nme Rn I SNeas 735 00

$508,004 47
Hependitures.

The total expenditures for the same time, were:

Palsuce,. lanwary Ist, TST. hee aero ys: gee aiers acters $24,891 59
Paid salaries comptroller, superintendent,
architects and engineers........ $18,458 11
“surveyors, draughtsmen and assistants, 25,410 88
* laborers, mechanics, horses and carts. 305,606 78
“ materials of construction and tools,

OAC POT cate canker sao wee. 69,520 44
“fitting up offices, rents, insurance..... 2,495 27
** stationery, printing and drawing ma-

TOPIBIS To missles Aor ices cea mhet uiehe wiles 5,392 75
“¢ manure and other fertilizers ........ 1,817 75
‘¢ surveyors’ instruments. ....0...660- 127 75
OOP AINGSE WDC a! Rives cee n,e 6 oe Behe 5,248 93
We PALEMGIDAVEMENGS) 55.66 oss» alas is oats 24.582 03
*“¢ water-pipe and hydrants......... vow 1, 012A.

‘“* structures erected by contract....... 19,578 00
“legal expenses of additional counsel.. 1,500 00

DPotaleeeS cfauterreles ce 2% $482,110 81
‘Balance, January 1, 1873..... 1,002 07 483,112 88

$508,004 47

WASHINGTON Park.

The total receipts and expenditures on account of W AsHrnc-
TON Park, for the same time, were :

Balance to credit; Janwl, WS72.0 0 oa. ae ie eepegeelae $33,519 13
Paid surveyors and assistants ............ $929 65

“« materials of construction and tools... 943 78

trees, shrubs jand plants. ¢.<'ssljere «e's 742 88

““ on account of inclosing wall......... 6,410 42

<< laborers, horses and carts ........... 12,729 77 21,756 50

$11,762 63

Tomprins Park.

Balance to credit Jan. Ist, 1872........ eet ean: $3,797 26
Paid surveyors and assistants............. $93 82

“* materials of construction, &c......... 27 25

=. (trees; Shrubs and plants), < clee\s's. + eln'sle 650 47

“* laborers, horses and carts...... Se Es be 1,883 74 2,655 28

$1,141 98

ParaprE Grounp.

The total receipts and expenditures on account of the Parapr
Growunp, during the year 1872, were:

Received.
irom. County WM reasurer (1 cies ot sisq' age ae $2,000 00
Balance, Jan. 4, 1873s. 0). oe APN ices ei 425 76

— $2,425 76

Expended.
PAG KEOPOLS aioe scelece, clanciemealsiave neds etetefal nee $129 79
sr smechanics, “laborers, (G56, siete deine eels 1,426 78
materials Of .cOnstrucbiON ws os). %)a'e ole cess 25 85
Balance, Janam LS (ences 2. « ccsedtie aeile o.... 848 34

ho 45 76

MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT.

Received.

For the maintenance of all the city parks for 1872.....$75,000 06

Expended.
. 4 .
FOR a = iS} a is
es =] ; &
S g | 2 = 2
em z 3 8 5 &
eoads? so. <6: Ee MR tS Ont BS Gl aie ene occ) ery a
Wralks.........| 2,622.31) $186.47) $7.20)....... $9.90! .....

Structures.....| 4,721 28] 10386] 12352] $985]......| $875

Plantations ..../ 19,365 94/1,214 98} 54314! 206 61) 22662} 9298
AWiaters <j... 1. Aol PO tol ay Aieel tile oboe Scmeaeic deme 7 50)
MUERM AGC ac fap OsOUS, TOI) Led) terctoieeollfocle oo aa |isie/ecatese 400
LS Ea eee DUTGGIZD ievaresa ccpsillatlcuntesoes [eyspatevvasellteveics ssepelliclssarccvts
AROMA eet wulc el citytvemete ete evs Be Pe Totite sue sera prayer el iaiche ae ae
Keepers....... 41,268 57|}2,866 88] 910 26/1,358 35}...... 1,349 30
General.......| 4,51009) 15277} 10228) 4965) 2113! 4383
IGE ES aero) WEED leo s8c.an|acodepol leon] aces aisle tsleiets

Total... .$}105,410 89/4,504 olin 40)1,624 +) 257 adhe 36)114,990 1&

REPORT

LAAN DISC AP aE AR oC = ee tases

To tHe Brooxtyn Park CommissIonERs.

Gentlemen :

It has been our custom annually to review the various opera-
‘tions in progress under the control of your department, with the
purpose of explaining and justifying the principles of art they are
intended to embody, and especially in regard to those on Prospect
Park, of showing their relations to its general design. In the
present report, for 1872, there seems to be no occasion for a
‘special analysis of their character, as the labors of the past year
‘have been wholly directed to the completion of works previously
‘undertaken, and which have, therefore, been fully described and
‘discussed. A detailed and statistical account of these will be
‘found appended in the report of the Chief Engineer. The most
important development of the plan that has been effected during
the year, is that of the grading of the southerly portion of the
Long Meadow district, and its partial finish and planting. With
the growth of the trees, the result will be the broadest, most
tranquil, and, in our judgment, most essentially valuable element
of the whole property. Even in its present condition, no one can
fail, we think, to recognize how important to the general success of
the undertaking has been the persistence with which your Commis-
Sion, in successive years, urged the Legislature to authorize the
enlargement of the boundaries of the park in this direction. The
result of the contract with the Coignet Company for the erection
of the Cleft-ridge Span, has been in the main satisfactory. It was
expected that the material would offer great advantages in regard
to the introduction of positive color; but this anticipation has not

539

‘been fully realized. Blue, red, and yellow tints have been ex-
perimented with, and brought into contrast, in the Park Archway ;
yet the general effect of color is much less decided than was
originally proposed. The material appeared to withstand the
effect of frost satisfactorily, and as it offered considerable advan-
tages in molding different work, it was considered suitable for use
in the center of the Plaza basin. Its design was approved by the
Commission for the somewhat massive decorative structure, re-
quired, in connection with the jet distribution of the large fountain,
and an estimate submitted by the Coignet Company proving satis-
factory, a contract was made with them for the execution of the
work, which is now in progress, the material used being of the
ordinary natural color of the sand and cement out of which it is

constructed. Each of the main castings is of a complex, curvi-

linear, and somewhat cumbrous form; yet the lines are kept with
remarkable exactness, no warping, expansion, or shrinkage being
perceptible. This is a great advantage in repetitive architectural
work, castings in other materials, iron or terra cotta, for instance,
being so liable to inaccuracy that they can hardly be reckoned on
to fit together with any degree of precision.

As directed by the Commission, a contract has been made for
the railing round the Plaza fountain basin. It is to be of iron,
electro-plated with copper, and is of somewhat special design, as
the intention has been to obviate any necessity for the use of lamp-
posts, by the introduction of a circlet of lamps on the interior
line of the railing. In this position they can be overlooked by
day or by night; while upright standards, with lamps attached,
would at all times have obstructed the view of the water effects of
the fountain. A contract has also been made for the lamps and
standards to be used on the Plaza. A general design for the
martyrs’ memorial to be erected at Fort Greene has been adopted,
and the foundations of the work have been executed; a portion of
the structure having been put under contract late in the season.
A design for the Rostrum intended to be built at the angle of the
Muster Ground in Fort Greene, has been accepted, but no con-
tracts have yet been authorized for this work.

January, 1873.
OLMSTED & VAUX,

Landscape Architects and Superintendents.

BONG IN ESR) SBP O cas

Messrs. Otmstep & Vavx. .

Gentlemen:

I submit herewith a report of operations and progress’of work
during the year 1872, together with the usual statistic inventories,
&c., for the same period.

Owing to the very severe and protracted cold weather of the
early part of the season, construction work was not resumed until
the Ist day of April; and, owing to limited funds at the disposal
of the Commissioners for the year, was discontinued about the Ist
of September following. During this period, however, we em-
ployed an average daily force of over 900 men, and their labor
was mainly confined to the development of the surface work, and
planting of the large area lying on the southwest side of the park
and the westerly slope of Lookout Hill.

DETAILS OF CONSTRUCTION.
PROSPECT PARK.

During the brief working season within which our operations
were restricted, the force was distributed as follows:

:
PLAZA.

Early in the year a part of the thirty-foot sidewalk on either
side of the entrance drive was covered with an improved concrete
pavement, the surface being colored by a new process after the
body of the pavement had been put down. While the substantial
part of the pavement has proven satisfactory, the colored surface
has failed, the process by which the coloring matter was incor-
porated with the material forming the pavement evidently being
imperfect.

To a considerable extent the use of tar concrete pavements has
proven satisfactory and economical on the park; but a process by

secs in. mimi ae” SASS TE

OO os ae ae 10 WP (Alea eM aS

es ee

ov

ogre ~~

in Derg
D4

which their color might be relieved would materially enhance their
value. The process above referred to was understood to be an
experiment in this direction at the time it was laid down.

FOUNTAIN.

During the summer and fall season the temporary fountain
was in daily use, with the exception of a short period, during which
the supply was so limited as to barely meet the more urgent
demands of the city. The railing surrounding the basin has been
east and bronzed, and will be ready to set up as soon as the
weather will permit. The dome of artificial stone for the fountain
at the Plaza, manufactured by the Long Island Coignet Company,
has been prepared, and is now ready for delivery. It is intended
to put it in place during the ensuing season.

The Plaza generally presents an unfinished appearance, due in
the main to the work in progress on its borders, and to the fact
that the bulk of the travel is from choice confined to the side roads,
which, being unpaved, are preferred by the driving public.

_ The pavement bordering upon the City Railroad track is in
constant bad condition, and the company, whose duty it is to keep
it in order, should be required to properly repair this part of the
Plaza roadway.

ARCHWAYS AND MASONRY.

Early in the season the New York and Long Island Coignet
Company resumed work on Cleft-ridge Span, and completed so
much of the arch as remained unfinished at the date of my last
report. The roadway over the arch was thrown open to the public
early in spring. An ornamental pavement of Coignet stone has
been laid under the archway. All of this work has satisfactorily
withstood the effects of a winter and summer exposure, exhibiting
no marked signs of disintegration or other material defect. From
our experience and observations, | am led to believe that the use
of this material may be regarded desirable in many ways, a skill-
ful and thorough manipulation of the material being alone neces-
sary to secure uniformity and strength sufficient for all purposes of
general construction.

MASONRY AT THE CONCERT GROVE.

Early in the season the work of cutting stone was resumed for
the terraces of the Pedestrian Concourse, and later the setting of
masonry was commenced. As foundations of the stone-work ‘of

538

this neighborhood made up a considerable part of the cost of the
whole, concrete was substituted for the usual rubble-stone founda-
tions. This concrete was made in the following proportions:
Rosendale cement one part, sand two parts, gravel four parts; and
was laid at a cost of less than $5 50 per cubic yard, thus securing
by its substitution a saving of $5 per cubic yard on the cost of an
ordinary good stone foundation. Of this work all the foundations
are put in; the coping and piers of the water-terrace wall are three-
quarters finished; the three flights of large steps on the middle
terrace set, as also are the smaller flights above the middle terrace ;
two of the flower basins are set and nearly completed, and the
landing and approaches opposite the Irving bust well advanced.
The stone cutting for the whole work is well advanced; but the
carving is yet to be done. With the exception of putting in a flight
of steps at the Nethermead Arches, the setting of a number of
road-steps, and the building of silt basins on the lines of walk
constructed during the year, but little other mason work was
done,

BUILDINGS.

Two shelters of cedar and sassafras wood have been erected
upon the border of the lake, parallel to the south lake drive, from
which unobstructed views of the water and distant features of the
park may be had; and the remaining work required to finish them
will be done in the spring. Two shelters, similar in design and
construction to those at the Plaza, have been placed at the entrance
at Franklin avenue and the Coney Island road. These are intended
to afford a convenient waiting place for visitors to the park, and
are much used for this purpose.

The ornamental frame-work, to support an awning of consider-
able extent, is in course of construction. The site for this will be
on the summit of the promenade or south lake drive, and will be
placed on the south side of the drive, facing the lake. In connec-
tion with this awning shelter, under which convenient seats will be
arranged for visitors, it is designed to construct a small building
for the convenience of the public.

DRIVES.

But little work has been done upon the park drives during the
year, the very limited maintenance fund at the disposal of the
Commissioners only permitting the most superficial treatment.
As a consequence, the drives lack a uniform surface, and are in

———

539

many parts worn away to such an extent. as to require, at an early
day, the addition of considerable material to restore them to the
condition in which it is found to be economy to maintain them.

The construction of the south lake drive of park gravel, a
material made up of gravelly sand and loam found in the neigh-
borhood of the park, was to some extent an experiment in park
drives. But it has resulted so satisfactorily in our case as to
render it doubtful if we shall ever have occasion to use any other
than a similar material for renewing the surface of the park drives.
Indeed, if ordinary care be taken to secure reasonably thorough
surface drainage (beyond the fact that its wear may be to some
extent more rapid than a more homogeneous gravel), there need
be no oceasion to look for better material for constructing a class
of roadways designed mainly for light travel, at least so long as
the maintenance forces of the park shall require so economic an
adjustment.

A settlement of the roadway of the west drive, at the point of
crossing Eleventh avenue, occasioned by the shrinking of. the
underlying peat, has been repaired, and the original grade of the:
road restored. Some additional excavation has been made on the:
branch drive to Ninth avenue and Fifteenth street entrance, pre--
paratory to its completion in the spring.

The completion of the main drive to its full width along the:
westerly base of Lookout Hill, has been temporarily delayed to
enable us to make use of a deposit of sand desirable for building
purposes.

The roadway at the junction of the wood and Breeze Hill
drives, and along the east lake drive, to the main carriage con-
course, was widened by abandoning the ride at these points, and
adding it, together with a strip of ten feet on the westerly side, to
the old roadway. This change was made in the spring, and was
found to be a very desirable one, in view of the increase of travel
at this part of the drive.

RIDES.

The east ride has been finished to its terminus at the junction
of*the east lake and concourse drives ; the Nethermead ride is also
finished. During the fall the lake rides, which were used as cart
runs, have been restored to their proper use. The northwest ride
has been entirely completed from the Nethermead drive to the
west drive; near the old line of Thirteenth street. The ride made
of gravel one foot in depth, the coarser layer being raked forward

540

to form the base, gutters of small stone are laid on either side.
The width of the ride is twenty feet, and for a considerable dis-
tance it runs adjacent to and parallel with the drive. With the
exception of a small portion along the base of Lookout Hill, the
rides contemplated in the design are completed.

WALKS.

The Westdale walk has been extended from the picnic woods,
running generally parallel with the west drive, turning by the
cemetery, and connecting with the walks near the pools, then com-
pleting the circuit of the Long Meadow. The walk connection
with the Ninth street entrance has also been graded, and its super-
structure completed. The Ambergill walk, and also the Esdale
walk, from the pools to the Nethermead arches, were originally
formed of gravel. This was found to be unsatisfactory in bad
weather, and very expensive to maintain, and were accordingly
surfaced with concrete, with a satisfactory result. A portion of
the Westdale walk has been treated in the same way for similar
reasons. The walks unfinished at the date of the last report, west
of Cleft-ridge Span, have been completed by surfacing with tar
concrete. The walk on the easterly side of Breeze Hill has been
laid with a cement pavement, by the Patent Steam Artificial Stone
Company. The walks on the south lake and west lake districts
have been all laid with concrete pavements, by the Schrimshaw
Company, Evans Company, and Long Island Composite Asphalt
Company respectively. The walk on the west side of Lookout
Hill has been finished to the site of the proposed suspension
bridge. At all of the road crossings a road-step has been placed,
for the convenience of visitors in carriages who may desire to go
upon the walks. <A part of the walk on the Franklin avenue circle
has been laid in cement of an ornamental pattern.

LAKES, POOLS, AND WATER-COURSES.

The clay used for puddling the bottom and slopes of the large
lake, and which was obtained from the deer paddock pool, has
proved in the main satisfactory for the purpose. The amount of
water lost by infiltration is small, and this will, no doubt, substan-
tially cease, as the fine silt which is wasted from the roads through
the drainage outlets is deposited in the bottom. With the usual
amount of rainfall for the summer season,'it is believed that the
lake will reach its highest established level within the next or en-
suing season. The uniform maintenance of this level must depend

i D4L

largely upon the supply of water to be obtained from the park
well, in view of the fact that during the warmer months the
evaporation of water amounts to nearly, 500,000 gallons daily.
During the year nearly one hundred and sixty-four million gallons
of water were supplied from our well, of which sixty-four million
were pumped into our reservoir for ordinary park use, and one
hundred million were pumped directly into the lake, to maintain a
uniform level, and to offset the loss by infiltration or leakage and
evaporation. The average daily requirement for watering drives,
plantations, and for drinking purposes is about two hundred and
twenty thousand gallons.

The following table shows the work done by the well pump,
with cost and other items of interest:

RRA mmnn
a

A
pw
KD

09860000 68 GIS'9$ | 69 SLITS 06 626's$ | 08 TIGES | OOS ‘EFL 086°160‘00T 003 ‘¢SF' 89 08S'96¢ “SOT (Oi) a = POS SSO So Ente
6140000" G0 966 86 06 66 8 GL 681 96F'S6 686086 Gor'eas's OF S939 08% seeee esses goquiaaa(y
: *

L0FO000" 9G FOS ts 9 c6 TOL 61 C6L €86'E8 OFF LELT OLY 86)" OFS OLE FL] ssteeese=* TICULAAON
1880000" G6 88g 88 FI 68 G61 SI T&s 966 F9 OLS‘'ZOL'S 0¢) ‘FFG OSL CPE EL LtP peeleinisisishs) 180900)
1960000" 94 019 06 LT G6 BSS T6 668 s0s‘Fs eLF'190°ST OLE OS'S CSL LFS'BT G6 setsts sss saaquiaqydag
1960000" SE 119 GL IE 16 6G3 OL SIP FOS ES GTS'690°SE 099° L169 C16 FEST 909 RE OO SONI bf
9980000" £9 789 60 IT Tg 196 &0 lP 19) 80°CFS' ST 019°S89'9 C69 LL 61 129 Sn geass HUN
SFE0000° 19 $19 &¢ CT F9 696 0G ¥66 T88'18 023 °69°3T GTLse9'9 CE6'SS6'6L 879 Ap ae hated OULU
FE80000° 6g 169 co 18 90 89% 18 268 6E8'68 689°S06 3T 008TeL'9 CSF1C9'6T. 699 ASIC ee ACCRA
1FF0000° XG 129 C6 63 G0 F6L 09 SOF GLO'FO CCF S96 OTe F8o'F CIGLGG FE 686 aR Ieee tee see qidy
6880000" 6 ecg 16 IL IS 861 19 LFS coo Fo OST 61) TT GZ0' PETS COS EIG FL Lag Scena cael Oe TNT
LOFO000" ST 613 Ws cL 88 16 9ST ese’ OLS FICS C61'S66'S e99‘s0e'9 013 oe pene ANG DLO OV
BSC0000° oO 9TE$ 68 Sh GI Fg 80 6828 LILFS 0010066 008 LESS 008 LER'g 116 fade sock we “Arenuey

“SGND0g “asvT “AIOANASAY “dadwod “PNIdWOd

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dad *MOTTIV.L “"IVOD “SHIUVIVS “HINOJW
IVLOL ‘dasa SNOTIVY AO SNOTTIV*S) JO TO HHaENON dyadWon
Lso9 ‘110
TVO) dad Won duqadWoan TIVLOL TIVLOL

‘LSOO GNY ‘dWOd TIGM AHL Ad ANOG WHOM PDNIMOHS LNANALVLS

545

The pools and water-courses generally have required but little
attention. During the severe storms of last summer considerable
damage was done by the exceptionally heavy flow of water. The
effects of similar storms in this portion of the park have been
anticipated, by suitable provision for carrying off the water, and *
preventing unusual accumulations.

DRAINAGE.

The drainage of the southerly end of the Long Meadow, at the
date of the last report, included only the construction of a brick
sewer some 600 feet distant from its outlet in the upper pool.
From this sewer lines of eighteen and twenty-inch pipe were laid
towards Fifteenth street on the south, and to the district between
the west drive and Ninth avenue. Necessary man-holes have
been built, and with these connections have been made to basins
for draining walks and plantations. These pipes are generally laid
in a straight line, with a uniform grade between man-holes or
basins, with the view to obviate the liability of stoppage of the
flow of water in the pipes, and to secure the means of discovering
and removing any obstruction as easily as possible.

The fifteen-inch main crossing the west drive, near the former
line of Sixth street, has been extended towards Ninth avenue, in
order to drain a pond midway between the drive and the avenue.
A ten-inch branch line has been laid from this to drain a second
low point near the drive and the former line of Eighth street.
The required basins and pipe connections were made in advance of
the completion of the walks and surfaces along the west lake drive.
Where necessary, the usual provision of tile draining has been
arranged in connection with the general system.

WELL AND WATER DISTRIBUTION.

The pump at the well has been worked during the largest part
of the year for twenty-two hours per day, to-fill up and maintain
the supply for the lake. Early in the spring a wrought-iron
cylinder four feet in diameter was introduced under the suction
pipe, for the purpose of pumping the water in the well to a lower
level. During the year, the twelve-inch wrought-iron and cement
pipe required to finish the circuit along the base of Lookout Hill
was laid, thus completing the pipe system for water supply
adopted in 1867. Galvanized iron pipe has been laid to supply
water for drinking and other purposes at the pedestrian concourse
and the temporary music ground ; also a lead pipe has been laid to
supply the shelter at the playground.

544

PLANTATIONS.

A large part of the force have been engaged during the season
on the southerly end of the Long Meadow, and this has been en-
tirely completed, with the exception of the planting; considerable
filling was required on this area to properly adjust the surfaces for
drainage. The material needed for this purpose was obtained from
the high ground near the west drive, and along the slopes of Fif-
teenth street. The absence of suitable soil on this portion of the
park rendered it necessary for us to procure it outside of the park
limits; and we were fortunate, at this juncture, to obtain it from:
the adjacent property, with the consent of the owners.

The unfinished surfaces along the west lake drive, at the date of

last report, have been completed and seeded during the summer,
as also the westerly slope of Lookout Hill. The slopes of either
side of Cleft-ridge Span and plantation about the concert grove
house, have been finished and seeded. The planting along west
and south lake drives have been filled in during the season, as well
as the slope of the Lookout Hill and about the concert grove
house. The planting of the Long Meadow and adjoining districts
is already outlined, and will be completed in the spring.

DEER PADDOCK.

The area set apart as a deer paddock contains 10;%'°5 acres, of

which 1;%4% acres is water, 24:55 acres in wood, and 67/5 acres
meadow. This has been finished, and inclosed by a suitable iron
fence, and the paddock may now be occupied by the deer. This
collection, though small, formed one of the most attractive features
on the park. Additions to this stock, by donation or otherwise,
would be very desirable.

WASHINGTON PARK.

At the date of the last annual report, the construction of the
boundary wall was nearly complete along the muster ground,
Myrtle avenue, and Cumberland street. During the year the
granite piers forming the corners have been put up, and all the
entrances finished. The Cumberland street and Myrtle avenue
sidewalks have been graded and planted with trees, and the ground
immediately in the rear of the wall shaped, soiled, and seeded.
The trees on the muster ground have also been planted, and tar
pavement laid over nearly all the area remaining to be covered.
A portion of the work for the Martyrs’ memorial was let to Mr.
Robert Ellen of New York. The foundation has been built, and

TiS] Oot nuM —FORT GREENE-
TO BE ERECTED ON THE MUSTER GROUND
OLMSTED VAUX & CO. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

‘2

Sf

545

the remainder of the work is discontinued until spring in conse-
quence of frost.

The use of this park by the citizens has been very satisfactory.
The enjoyment of the facilities afforded to all has been marked by
a due sense of appreciation of the responsibility of the Commis-
sioners, and the rules and regulations governing its public use have
been carefully and thoughtfully observed. Its maintenance has
involved but comparatively slight expense. The drainage system
has done its work well, and the walks are generally in good
repair, The water supply is insufficient, and should be largely
increased. .

TOMPKINS SQUARE.

During the spring the trees and shrubs contemplated in the
working design were planted. Iron drinking fountains have been
set in place at either end, and seats provided at intervals for the
convenience of visitors. Since the park has been completed and
thrown open to public use, it has been visited and enjoyed by large
numbers of the residents in this vicinity.

CITY PARK.

With the exception of cutting down and removing a few dead
and unsightly trees, but little work was done on this park during
the year, beyond what was necessary to keep it in order for use.
This area affords a breathing space for a large number of poor
people, whose means and opportunities probably prevent them
from visiting the large park of the city.

CARROLL PARK.

At the opening of the season, Carroll Park was put in thorough
order and has required but little attention during the season. The
walks, however, which were laid with Fiske pavement, are in a
very bad condition, being full of holes and very much disintegrated,
so much so as to render the walking very uncomfortable for
visitors, and even dangerous for children. These should be thor-
oughly repaired during the ensuing season.

THE OCEAN PARKWAY.

The preliminary suryeys for the ocean parkway were made
during the fall, and the plans and specifications prepared. The
plan of construction included a width of 210 feet, consisting of a
central driveway 70 feet wide with two side roads each 25 feet

546

wide, each separated from the central driveway by two 10-feet
strips of planting and a 10-foot walk, and each bounded on the
outside by 15-foot sidewalk. Six rows of trees run the entire
length of the parkway, a little over three miles. The work, as let,
is divided into two sections. On the first section, the drive and
roadways are defined by lines of curb and gutter. On the second.
section these are omitted. A line of 6-inch cast-iron water pipe
also supplies the first section with water. The plan includes the
necessary basins, &c., for drainage. The driveways will be formed
of gravel 15 inches deep, and the side roads of gravel 6 inches deep.

P EASTERN PARKWAY.

The work of grading the parkway from Washington avenue to
to the plaza, has been actively carried forward during the whole
year. The grading from the end towards Washington avenue (D.
O’Brien contractor), has progressed in a satisfactory manner. The
excavation from the plaza end, was commenced by T. McCann, con-
tractor, in January, and has continued during the year. In Sep-
tember, J. E. Curtin was awarded a contract for excavating earth,
and commenced work immediately at a point between the other
two contractors. His work is progressing in a satisfactory man-
ner. In June, the grading of this portion of the parkway had so
far progressed that the work of curbing, paving and macadamizing
the drives was commenced at Washington avenue. This work was
continued until the last of September. The grading of the park-
way necessitated the lowering the “force main” to Prospect Hill
reservoir, about 18 feet at Underhill avenue, where it crosses the
parkway. This was successfully accomplished during the months
of October, November and December, under the directions of
“the Board of City Works,” the necessary force of laborers being
furnished from the “ park” forces.

The contract for curbing, paving and otherwise finishing the
parkway from “ Washington avenue to the city line,” was awarded
to P. Hanlon, in July. The work was commenced immediately.
The work of curbing and paving was suspended December 6th,
and a complete suspension of the work for the winter, was made
December 24th.

EAST-SIDE LANDS.

The earth excavation from the parkway between Washington
avenue and the plaza, has been used (with the exception of the ex-
cavation at the plaza end) to bring the low ground westerly of
of Washington avenue to the established grade. The soil has also

547

been removed from a portion of the ground that will have to be
graded, and used for park purposes.

DOUGLAS AND DEGRAW STREETS.
The contract for grading and paving “ Douglas” street (100
feet wide) and “Degraw” street (35 feet wide), both extending
D y) 5S
from “New York avenue” to the “city line,’ was awarded in
March to Messrs. Smith & Ripley. Work was commenced on
ples

both streets soon after, and is being pushed forward in a satisfactory
? D5 d

manner.

STATEMENT OF CONSTRUCTION FOR THE YEAR 1872.

CURB SET.

East parkway, Washington ave. to plaza........... 3,525 lin. ft.
a 2 to eity line... .: 19,296 “
WMaurinde strech: oa. sae se tg ever e ae es iateldia aoe 27122." -%

GUTTER STONE SET.

East parkway, Washington ave. to plaza........... 1,907 lin. ft.
i. ee to! city; linge... Je © 6,494 “
8,40]
BRIDGE STONE SET.
East parkway, Washington ave. to plaza.......... . 794 lin. ft.
. 4 toveity: line’. 2s... Las.
Wotglas Streate stash. 2t .jci ic lone Br aikiysrateicter aba. eis dots 143 “

COBBLE-STONE PAVEMENT.

East parkway, Washington ave. to plaza ........ . 4,745 sq. yds.
. toreity? line. 2... GEOOR se >
10,845 <
BELGIAN PAVEMENT.
East parkway, Washington ave. to plaza ......... 3,780 sq. yds.
: : to city line....... 16,946 “
WIGAN eebeeO ra 8 Mee aes ee sie yee s/c Ri aaa 5 95a
26,679
, STONE BROKEN.
Belgian: blegidwaciye ayo 2 lnie o's «> AE Fie ee ee 609,347
McAdam stone, Washington ave. to plaza........ 862 cu. yds.
a cP toverty line . .").% S876 tes

548
EXCAVATION.
East parkway, Washington ave. to plaza ........ 125,527 cu. yds.
Wo uslas Streets srt. mekel + ere lepe Delon ceery ale 136,392 “
WDieorawe 7" sian e dia esters Bo) cholate eileie sey n taps oleae, STOUT Os
Soil moved, east-side lands and parkway......... 4,892 “

304,528 «

TABULAR STATISTICS OF CONSTRUCTION UP TO JANUARY
1st, 1873.

e

DRIVES.

Drives finished, 60 feet: wide’.\).....0..ca hearse Seete 1,504 lin. ft.
ef 52 eA ERR eed Ste» Tain e580 SS Edie a tee
ce 50 EE oe Mopetodotlateleke atetatahoGoh. Ves neko 5,154“
i ATE Y SONS Fae iaterayerst ates tencleeys iteiieye Neraie 56134 %
40 SCC E) aia een tea arent a etal cee, eet NOT
5 30 Oe agesaten ceauarane agate sett anai Revol 1500, *
27 BE ne Are AM iH ree Ma na Se Deca Oe ia t
= 25 PO A Bresteaa sete Molaymctavtals ta tate ia LOO mice |
“ DB NRL Ce aieBinns ars ah pect ieennereae L6iay |
i DOPE ae (Franklin ave.).......% 3,546 “ |
Total leneth-of drive finished’. «2.02% <x s o's ss cre 33,766“
6.39 miles.
Drives in progress, 50 feet wide......... CAS ERO SEO 340 lin. ft.
y st AQ Schon Piphcts aah theters iia tels Satara sun eee mi
Mofalie veiktnner oe) el pate 2,600 <“
or 0.50 miles. |
CONCOURSES.
Finished concourses for carriages, plaza........... 283,527 sq. ft.
ee Ke x DUM lee rial eisuet ster etecae 360,537
> “ pedestrians, plaza.......... 26,742 “
s is ‘ OTK eile sits 59,300 ©
i Z % Wash. park ...153,592 “
" = ‘ Tomp. square.. 15,376 “
. + parade ground.. 21,600 “
Donia. Wi arcs-tsahevoronsrere rats 920,674 “

or 21.13 acres.

Concourses in progress for carriages, park.......+ . 164,046 sq. ft.
He cS pedestrians, park....... 153,200 “
i Me 8 Wash. park. 20,646 “
a . parade gr’d.. 4,000 “
OE Wis Gee ns ORR 341,892 “
or 7.85 acres.
RIDES. omit
Rides finished, 30 feet wide............... ra eherctvs 3,625 lin. ft.
se 20 oo TR MREEE EA DTOR Lic Mriericn sy Ang arene 8,080 “
15 SAE Males OI eciceee De Otol sap Sh tO tee
ix 14 Maa Netetlaciausl earatatater cer ei of atae 64 « 500
¥ 12 FED Wea cans S arata ste eel ee oke tL care 26s"
= 8 We oot bee Gonope sep oOo gor 600 «
Motels ras setopVeters,s LL 1G S06, iis
or 3.09 miles.
Rides in progress, 20 feet wide ....... eRe orice 500 lin. ft.
or 0.10 miles.
WALKS
Walks finished, 40 feet wide............ aici totes 151 lin. ft
a 3 SUID sapoucbarener ekonttecauaiaielsuehat cys Lo6. 4%
< eee 20 Fete i Mate teh ren egey oe esti area} =, of S,d0e 8
: Oe Sage aires a apne gegen ayatenvance lag O ties wine
i 14 alld se Alege eteanone: relate Che sieieiatede 4.6605, <
= 12 SOBA. M Gialeee seis aa diened eters SHAG At 18,537
se 10 + ajerelhaloneledote <ehetera\eieiote © 21605, 4
Oe 8 oe . . , eseee 3,000 a
cc 6 « BiO''S 10.08, e. 0) 2). 'B) ee) 80 yes: Ui 6, Chie «6. 240 :
2 5 s ticks scant ticks Soe aie ay AE
¥ 4 SAA Ch omen or esee F ese Loy os
: 3 SUN nae ae ere ie 199 eos
52h CS (Washington Park) 496‘
i 16 LO Bir ae & Seid ere! = oni sere ion vag
7 14 Siti es Cotetelfal «sig Melic Se sone 4300" <5
+ 12 ch Mi ckereharan sites cifate soso e 1,857 3%
i 10 i Wr Semper ie Soe : 623555
8 emg etiote @thtare whevess/dieiote:oiaicys : 505“
Fi 55 i (Tompkins Sanar)..: 334 — “
25 EE Geel a tated crake veers ace Ga sien atelo ORO eae
20 ss OTE Cos ate A 601 {22

549

550
W alics finished, 18 feet wide. o.-0c. sos weep eres 2,462 lin. ft.
ue 8 3 (Carroll Parks) ei Aci: 2.215
Mofally cuter ek Keene 71,403 “
or 13.52 miles.
Finished walks at Prospect Park..............60% 10.47 miles.
es Washington Parke)... sislbieiente § LG Ore ras:
ef Pomplins }Square\.': 2). cine aor. 1 e
sé Carroll Wark’, .3.2ciie. ae aes 0485 es
Dotallicy cose aves. 13.52 miles.
Walks in progress, 40 feet wide......5......%00> 912 lin. ft.
3 os BO > 8 Wi ete Sood eaviae MOTO a
es ue Pies ype = ats peeeumcte syere Usa eho Oo ay ee
e K EA Ue | eae ak Gal merci tein 8,055 7)
a CASE RG FES Nea Al wy teeta 400“
: GPa Reta Nat it Bar oi gue Bis ome
ef E DO Tey 2 Pheeanhe aeeee eRe soaps 1,540 “
é Se aaa RP den Rhy 164s /
Potala. cae ef octectage o SAI 20
or 4.68 miles.
DRAINAGE,
SOE PRICk SOWer, DUI tes one ole swe «wre ooereloaienaperale 660 lin. ft.
DO Geen mViecinled pipe aids oitarels ce) s\-caeacleeto 4) «ae tens 4305
Se ye Pe ata NGA aa cain Ore re Stara AOS ones
Diet se Be Cena gees toca boos ie women Meat 10,021 =
tesa Fe GEA RES aie veal a sarespeanuas Caer etn 1524 ws
i ss FET Bec Jats Misttalave dapavo ne avenaeroiereanens 5,986 “
So r ich eee eRe et ta etinene ge | LattiGsars
ae re Ue US meee avec ett yi cabs aoe 305“
Gres - PB Meta ak Reg id toy se ORO Tea OO sees
ae ef oP ME Nii eves rele a iailet oie kas (erect GOR
4 «“ iS FESS EOD Ta hee a tek ita taceyek a ele oe a106)
Qi “ es BSA Rare one ston eure a eI 675, .“
TOO? ss “<> ( Washington Park)e... 2. sa ae
Sm e as Hale maecneoe 1,020.0 =
6 74 “ce “ce LL IEA DIR ko tyt ha dot 2,066 “ce
gl ee es Sad Gales eeia te 1,234. “
4 ce “ee “6 Se oe Beene Seeman 2,729 ce
LO: °< 4 ‘“¢ (Tompkins Square)...... a0“
8 14 “ce “< bt OL" 4) ae aan 100 “ee

. DOL

7-inch vitrified pipe laid (Tompkins Square)...... 424 lin. ft.
e t fs i Page Vere ceria Un:
e es a ae wee ees ‘ LOT © 48
6 $6 Se (Carroll Parks) és «sia : a

: LOM Ae
cement pipe “ P aveientchetes ats 14a

iS DAD n1@
~~ ~~ ~*
-~
©
”
©
.
.
.

~
~*~
-
-~

Gee alate add eat wey OE DSO =
or 17.35 miles.

SINGH, TLEKPIPO LAI» cicieisis{e's sss sialon s a0. 6 Litas, 20,000 lin, tte
2 § 4 ota ira Giakat etree bie oles Seis erve, Zot Ries Dey ro
pl Poe Wiest, oti dtanere dinars aye. aeeie, FE ae Oe DOI Les
1? a $8 Op 1S Fas as crates Aoente Bate esis Selo TOONoe 1
Ye f¢ “ (Washineton ‘Park))>. . <3 9.47 - 2,084, 19%
Il

44 ‘<4 ‘ Ae 6¢
: S Bi Stes ty tes 529

POCA eco aha sa sites OO OL bn ogee

or 11.23 miles.

WATER DISTRIBUTION,

Wrought iron and cement pipe, 16 inch .......... 3,023 lin. ft.
“ “ “ eR ek Te et 4,978 «
ss . GR AStS TE Btn, Abbe 2 13,0060 %
“ “ “ Ae nabs nae OOL. aie
Paso ICOM PUPS, SO ANCH 16,6 ce wees wae tt Said svepeie GEN ee

C3 os RAS Ss UATE a a TT a 2.983 «

«.
.

(@ 2)
.

.

.

.

.

.

°

.

—

Ne)

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é : Gj. = Be acdc nals ROR PRE ee ris ea
: e Ae his SOS S Sse o/guls DEV ont
+ oS Cah Hh aoslay ter Mareie a oava tae ohais ae 9h
Me A Nok a caidas ee he ete aia wretean sas etepe LO 5
Wrought iron pipe (galvanized), 5 inch ........... 1,067 “

¢ 4 « a}
s : re Pater pare cee Segre bust i bs)
“cc ee se

11 i
| nie

ee ce se

se se se

s (tine ES Re MEM pee sicpattic sera’ lates. = <e. LOOG
ae : Ree UP BK Silas cele erect rote maa

552

Lead pipe (tin lined), 3 inch, Washington Park..... 294 lin. ft.
4 ce

el £8 ial ees 2 Sale a Rae 1,064 “
: s 4 “ ‘Tompkins Square.....°” 271 ©
Potala oe Peamiae coe cee Mere Bias) ciala soy e. ate
or 7.49 miles.
CHE PIG WALVIG Ne 2esa aie Digderameidinvs eos eae is eases. coe ohevete ohaee eats 1
Blow-olls-and branches vate sae sets. < tows otovumcne eee 85
SLOP COCKS ctorec asl aio elope store fs sm sharin dete sieht nee em eeeeene 51
Washing fom (Parkes: cre scyecte oie occleneneepeictan een 11
. Tompkins Squares. . cece acy aematsaeris er teaee 2
BNTE-COCK Gs clateisle eens som eeu ee tees Sieiecstienelaielaiert eietenese teaming ts 12
AViy PA AUS co lara cis eral oie se orarn sx eel Susi Slenaveremebale ley afeta arouse rae «: 41
EVECIG OTS wie sieis ie lajeisie's atetetel ole feye alee uals 1 ch ckepetepelane se uallots ikea ff
Meters....-... E ataricied ele! gialn eta ATER e one ACER pie ea cena 2
Iron drinkine fountarm's SEb jsjssrnts oo sbo.s eran crclote chesnut fare 7
a ne Washington (Park is 3. ce. sauces 1
oe Tompkins Square ....-..%.4... F 2
BLOM ATMA ALS SOG sc jeie’ cow crm coe el Tod ole le here) hele suel ere He Bul biae Cee 4
Gas pipe laid, 4 inch ........ byexelsis/ olevelloisieiamisveretoreeet 700 lin. ft.
¢ eda eh AMA ©” Seantvar fosapeneravet ieceletcheueereeets aesiejs | VOCE es
MM otaliere cee ae epee Sono bond Mies eoauete ets : eS

or 0.15 mile.

Tron fence set, Washington Park ...........4. cele we!) pd Oe> Lian vii

AREA OF OPERATIONS UP TO JANUARY 1, 1873.

Area worked over up to January Ist, 1872......... 426 acres.
ef as « * (Washington Park) 29 “
Surface finished, meadows and slopes ...... Be (eet 221-0%
ee re woodland) .5. <j... 1 Ag SNe ay 61,5 “
7 WalbOrSULIACES auaicte lctaaiciene retec els 61, “
rt FOAMS ANG Walls: ce /eter.to ie ose then hye te« 7438, “
Total evoeeererve eee eeoeoeeened BiG (6) 8 'e 1a . 418°, .

Murface Seeded. '.":!.0. lotaters teins, siclorsicietarem eel euper marca are 279 acres.
Surface finished, Washington Park .......... . wi'eNe. Ue Mie
us TompkinsiSquare.* i.00 ah sei sihiats itr“

8
cc CarrollPark:.. tke tte Gi Mang cen RCE

-
»
A
>
’
eo
4
» |

a

‘cee

553

MASONRY.

Aydount of brick MasONTy ......2..ceccecsocees 4,151 cub. yds.
a . Washington Park.... 76 ¢
* - Tompkins square .... 30 ~
‘i StONE MASONFY 5.0 cess esse weeee 7,732 8
+ _ Washington Park.... 8830
Depo CONC rcsc cl seisiceie ese neie © 697 oh
concrete ....... ae orye Whiecsies EC Cer 5,105 “
€ A Washington Park ........ 523 a

e RHC) DSHS Gia Gace DEON tie Er OOO - 8,271 lin. feet.
3 se Washington Park ........ 796 7
es COPLE SOUg oisisrc:o\n's) slots. aie sice ls oe were 2,436 -
Number of granite entrances...........+se00- 6 ‘
sé ie PSUSUR (ale eich uel eoty os evetelnre whe! o\srs 18 v4
AMOUNG Of Curb. SEt loiawie's. Have oes Ste RINS Se 6 « 84,237 a
sf # Washington Park ......... 1,349

Belgian pavement laid .........2ees0e6 22+ 806,237 sqr. feet.
Cobble + Aon Siete Bea eS Oeil odie, 78,180 “
Brick : Sr ae Scie eiereciete ne aetarere 27,114 oe
Brick gutter See si Roraioetescteie ane hate oere tere tore 21,148 *
Telford “ Pe eionenet oe acts ere ee ene easter 74,191 a
Cobble “ FOR) als wale jusstecctererc ere one ciate 40,843 &
Flagstone “ COO aope annie shade. el Blavansceue ete 11,029 .
re “s «Washington Park..... 786 of
Flagging Sn delsidantteer ses SEE sis 5
Tar concrete CR oe, cha a Quote ape bela s ere atacs 830,788 ms
fe “© Washington Park..... 284,811
@emens CONCrehS: 2-5 Face g udokts de pk.ame ob ots 7,898 “

AMOUNT OF STONE BROKEN,

Macadam stone by breaker................. 17,388 cub, yds,
Telford and building stone by hand .......... 10,812
ce a “ Wash’gton P’k. 2,569 a
Spall SMe eee aes 12,956 ¢

MATERIAL MOVED,

During 1872. Total to Jan. 1,’73.

For grading and shaping drives, rides, Cub. yds. ‘Cub, yds.

walks, meadows, and slopes. ........ 104,952 672,884
Lakes, poolsy and streams. .............. 17,380 807,280
RLS ZA See silage a Re RA tere Star 8 Ss 172,355

Sewers, drains and water distribution ..... 7,305 118,238

554

During 1872. —‘ Total to Jan. 1,’73.
Cub. yds. Cub. yds.
OTIS Pie leveiotele a aicit sa Apeimieieietats se mats alee ie 38,021 542,340
Peat tr ccke atiooee Mee oe he eeeemees 2,469 78,267
Olay Pete Meal ocist<lateieress eeinte cite eieriete ee siete 62,159
Manures and composts ..........a0--:05+0.- 4,079 49,236
SEONG ss: ni cette in. ola aesks Mwatntatnecne ce Reon Reecore 805 92,999
GravelsandySand'(5 2 2/5). ic.cte wees 6 wits cis 18,402 134,682
IMISCEMANCOUS ca sii ic ine Sls ce ee ulaloaielc se ee 19,219
Total at Prospect Park.... 193,413 2,744,659
Material moved at Washington Park...... 10,122 109,001
a e Tompkins square ...... 741 42,422
Grand totale. occ esteehn es 204,276 2,896,082

STATISTICS OF FORCE.

During the working season the average number of men em-
ployed was 922. The largest number at any one time, 1,103;
being somewhat less than on the previous year. Active operations
began April Ist, and were suspended August 31st.

The following statement shows the average monthly force em-
ployed during the year, as well as for previous years, together
with a comparative statement of working days for the same
period :

Active operations commenced on the park in the latter part of July, 1866.

oe

: s iB nol Se

B| 2 i ict Bl seeagaal teeeall ais

Year. | & | S| 4 a Fal ay g ga | &2
3 = Ps I BS 2 b Ea 2 ° x g gS

2|3| 48] & S 3 3 5B) Be =) ° o | ox

Lr} & a < a 5 <4 B fo} x, a - 2
isliease||oaasalandonlisosad||odoasolladoous 800 | 835 | 450} 550} 620) 700 | 725] 451
1867 700 | 630 | 410 | 800 | 1000 | 1150 | 1200 | 1525 | 1750 | 1825 | 1800 | 1100 | 1157

1868....| 944 | 812 | 508 | 1215 | 1047 | 1189 | 1095 | 1090 | 1116 | 1118 | 1167 | 912 | 1017

1869....| 740 | 698 | 746 | 946 | 959] 988 | 991 | 1006 |- 975 | 946 | 552 | 204] 812

1870....| 189 | 184 | 184 | 164] 594] 721 | 661 | 730) 806 | 8389] 853) 845} 551

1871....| 738 | 645 | 679 | 1002 | 1144 | 1148 | 1105 | 1060 | 790] 759| 673 | 422] S47

1872....] 385 | 250 | 888} 716] 875} 988 | 1022 | 1021 | 519] 878 | 266) 265} 584

W orkKING INTERRUPTED

BY

Wiest Days. WeatuER,
TSGGy Hor OxMOn abe cteretacsrecce, edoisle eke aleve laste. <e 104 21
USG7etor LOrmoOnth sree cesisis evs elersecere ater 289 37
1868, “ LO see EER: Ae Oe me 297° 64
SG °e OM eng. RAD eGo eam dGe 250 57
STO oe HT Rap dbso pao oo benoe aoe 282 26
USTle) LO CCD OOOO RICH oS Gomae 278 35
Teves tap vera Re 2g Wide Sea A 279 35

During the year 1872 there were 279 days when the full force
was employed, and 35 days when work was interrupted by
weather.

ORGANIZATION.

The force for the year 1872 was as follows:

(1) General foreman.
10 Barrow gangs, 1 at Fort Greene, and a portion of one at
Tompkins square, average 46 men each.
4 Cart gangs, average 34 men and 36 carts each.
1 Team gang, average 34 men and 61 teams.
1 Stone-breaking gang, 4 men.
1 Miscellaneous gang, 39 men.

Of this force, about 40 men and 9 teams were required for
sprinkling the roads and general maintenance, to which is added a
force of gardeners in the spring and summer, for the care of shrub-
bery, mowing, &c.

MECHANICAL FORCE.

1 Foreman of stone-cutters and stone-masons.
88 Stone-cutters and stone-masons, largest number employed
at any one time.
1 Foreman of brick-masons.
4 Brick-masons.
1 Foreman of carpenters.

556

17 Carpenters,

1 Foreman of blacksmiths.
5 Blacksmiths.

4 Helpers.

1 Foreman of rustic work.
3 Rustic carpenters.

GARDENING FORCE.
1 General foreman.
1 Foreman.
7 Master gardeners.
13 Skilled laborers.
102 Laborers.

‘The gardening force was under the immediate supervision of
the Park Inspector, Mr. O. C. Bullard.

TOTAL FORCE.
During the year there have been appointed :

55 Skilled laborers.
1,351 Laborers,
212 Carts.
87 Teams.
193 Mechanics.
38 Miscellaneous.

DISCIPLINE.

The following is an abstract of the record of promotions, sus-
pensions, and discharges during the year:

APPOINTMENTS, PROMOTIONS, AND RESIGNATIONS.

Number of Foremen appointed......... SIN Ot SoD 9
us Assistant Foremen appointed .......... 13
i a Ze promoted to Foremen. 3
Resignation of orenien. 5 orc 0 tives sis oie) sisiepei ie wes 2
SUSPENSIONS.

Number of Foremen suspended for breach of disci-
plittenecer cecees Sicisoieiievaee esate leat 4
A Laborers: \. 1 302 ahsne eran aScuidiee oes - 102
e Horses and carts ........... din Dicer 59
¢ Means ies were ana ata Y iene: Sava pee ete (> Ue

~+

5DT

DISCHARGES.

Number of Foremen discharged for gross violation

GLP MULES Sse sroteterarearee esis Bite ha Ns ]
ss Hip bOrers\e27., oc sleraia a once thre’ irbih aes de, oe
x Horses and carts ..........0. Sl ahe wee be 39

= PR GAINA mercme beers Chat relse bio8 Bae6\ee oe laie one 18

PARK FURNITURE.

Twenty-four iron-frame and 347 wooden-frame settees have
‘been constructed during the year, and are placed in the different
parks, in addition to those in use in previous years, as per the
following exhibit :

PROSPECT PARK.

Iron-framed seats ...... Era ei act dea a sirerkga vee 44]
Riusiie seats: bis ceusk Teresa sid. oo. ceo myerekere 44
Wooden seats. tucietasiusle cle Pe cuss Shs uae 535

CARROLL PARK,

Pron frames se sdiccs sth on ete eens Wes Sareea 68
Rustic seats...... LR as at. stave ens =e Wi teipi ps 6

WASHINGTON PARK,

Tron frames......... «i Sally SMe oes tee 89
Teaustie. seats: i.e 0h coe AGAORS PS er 1
CITY PARK.

Inca drsmnese ccs tateisk Cami wes Sareea ae 16

TOMPKINS SQUARE.

PGs IrAHIGRs, cls cane sie a's dlawe ss oemenee sc 16

HORSES.

There are fourteen horses belonging to the Commission, seven
having been purchased during the year.

One is required for the use of the superintendents, and one for
the Chief Engineer, leaving twelve which are in daily use on the
work.

WAGONS AND TRUCKS.

Two light wagons are used by the Superintendents and Chief
Engineer, and four heavy trucks for use on the work, together with
six trucks for sprinkling the drives.

There are also three tree trucks on hand and in good condition.

558

FERTILIZING MATERIALS.
During the year there has been purchased :

278 Two-horse loads street manure.

714 One-horse ‘“ “
674 Two-horse ‘“ horse manure.
DONATIONS.

The following is a list of the gifts to the Commissioners, and
from whom :
1 Imported calf, from Thos. Prosser, Brooklyn.
2 Pea fowl, ig rf 3
1 s from Mrs. Wessman, 478 Washington avenue.
3 es “ Comptroller Schroeder, Brooklyn.
1 Package Tigridia bulbs, J. J. Vanderbilt, Flatbush,
Brooklyn.
3 Swans, from Capt. Olmsted, Flatbush, Brooklyn.
1 American bittern, H. A. Rosenthal, s
1 Deer and two fawns, Jas. Hand, a
2 South American squirrels, W. F. Fuller, “
1 Tame crow, T. Leeds Waters,

1 Chinese goose, Capt. C. A. Raulett, i
1 Ant bear, Mrs. J. T. Perkins. -
2 Pea fowls, Mr. Horton, S
2 Fawns, through W. P. Kendall, e

200 Trout, from Wm. Furman, Maspeth, L. I.

Several large and valuable trees, including elms, maples, lin-
dens, larch, and birches, were presented by Dr. Bartlett, Judge
J. Vanderbilt, and G. H. Lefferts, Esq., of Flatbush, L. I. These
trees were moved by truck into favorable locations on the park
during the spring of 1872, and all are in thriving condition. Mr.
A. G. Burgess, of East New York, contributed a singularly curious
weeping elm, which has been planted near the Cleft-ridge Arch.
Mr. Stettee, of Wyckoff street, Brooklyn, makes frequent con-
tributions of choice flowering plants, bulbs, &c.

GRAVEL.

1,115 cubic yards of gravel were purchased during the year,
a portion of which was required for the maintenance of roads, &c.,
the balance now being on hand.

PUBLIC USE OF THE PARK.

A record of the number of visitors to the park is given below,
for the several months of the year; and while this record is made

559

up from careful approximation only, a marked decrease in the
njimber was noticeable during the prevalence of the horse disease
in the spring. This disease occurred at a season of the year when
the driving in the park was greatest, and this was almost entirely
suspended. Convenient access to the park by the city cars, was
also interfered with for the same reason, and this largely affected
the number of those who visit the park ordinarily by this means.

MONTHLY RETURN OF VISITORS FOR THE YEAR ENDING
DECEMBER 1st, 1872.

a a
Sa ul baoey hase
MONTHS. 3 5 E z :
= re | o S
- MA ie ne ee es Me
3 a fy a e
JC ae eee 80,302} 5,964) 131,857 378,727
February ..... «ee..| 75,748] 5,085) | 90,443] 4,338) 335,786
EME cicie acpecis es ase 79,737| 5,031) 35,516 279,758
BAIUEIM die is ofe/e.e.6) «0:0 3 128,318] 8,646) 115,552 509,152
MAG. oo tis Few dinsic .-| 139,315] 10,003) 212,560 640,508
PUNE oie cicc alas a <s 164,549| 7,557) 276,844 778,048
Maly T Hes Slee AE. 167,325) 5,865) 251,838 759,678
PRIUSU See wos cic edie 148,519) 5,265) 214,724 650,546
September.........| 146,919) 7,053; 205,486 653,296
Geta Pers i <6.s «aes 0 94,701) 6,311) 106,736 397,150
November ...... o--| 48,411] 2,508) 50,262 7 183,024
December .......--| 34,390| 2,195} 75,840] 14,162] 223,191
1,298,234 18,507

3,894,702| 71,483 1,767,158] 55,52115,788,864

560

Whole number of vehicles entering the park during the year,
1,316,741 ; of these, 18,507 were sleighs, viz., 4,338 in February,
7 in November, 14,162 in December. 71,483 equestrians are
reported. The largest number of visitors on any one day was
107,769, on May 29th. 1,319,359 persons have visited the park
on Sundays.

The freedom with which the public have been permitted to
make use of the park domain, while enhancing their enjoyment,
did not to any appreciable degree add to the cost of maintenance
for the year.

A stroll on the meadow or in the woods, within the very free
limit bounding the privilege, seems to have afforded to the com-
munity, in the fullest sense the exercise of their rights as citizens.
This indulgence, if it may be so called, has rarely required the
spur of official reproof to confine visitors within the prescribed
limits, and their use of the park has been marked by the exercise of
good taste and discretion.

During the spring, summer and fine fall weather, some hundreds
of picnic parties, consisting of church and sunday-school gather-
ings and others, have made use of the west woods. To these we
have extended such facilities in the way of police surveillance, sup-
ply of tables, water, swings, &c., as was necessary for their accom-
modation and pleasure.

A public carriage service has been in operation during the year.
This service has been well patronized, and is understood to have
given general satisfaction to the public. During the coming year,
this service will be enlarged to meet the necessary demands.

In the month of May, boats were placed upon the lake under
the management of Edward A. O’Brien, lessee, for the public
service.

KEEPER FORCE.

Organization for the year 1872:
1 Head keeper.
3 Wardens.
13 Range keepers.
29 Post keepers.

DISTRIBUTION.
On Prospect Park :
3 Wardens.
12 Range keepers.
20 Post keepers.

561

On Washington Park :

1 Range keeper.

3 Post keepers.
On Carroll Park:

2 Post keepers.
On City Park:

2 Post keepers.
On Tompkins Square:

‘ 2 Post keepers.

The head keeper is the executive officer of the entire force.

During the year one range keeper and four post keepers have
resigned. One warden has been discharged to reduce the number
of that grade of officers—two wardens being the present number.
One range keeper and four post keepers have been discharged for
breach of discipline.

Instead of suspension for definite periods for cases of breach of
discipline not demanding discharge, fines of loss of pay, for one or
more days, have proved more efficacious. -Five such fines have
been imposed in the grade of post keepers. Two post keepers
have been promoted to range keepers.

ARRESTS.

Por fast driving. .. ).3 <6 56 5 bis shakin oe 3
“« disorderly conduct....... Siatewtel were 22
‘* interfering with keepers ....... bss

ACCIDENTS.

The following have been recorded at the keepers’ station: To
persons and carriages on the drives, 76. Five cases of serious in-
jury to persons; one resulting in death. On the work, seven acci-
dents—one fatal.

Four cases of sun-stroke occurred—none fatal. One woman
found dead on Washington Park. The body of a new-born infant
found in the lake on Prospect Park. In both cases, the bodies
were turned over to the coroner. Three lost children were re-
stored to their homes. During the year 40 persons have been
cared for and sheltered for the night at the station.

This includes instances of necessary detention for protection of
themselves from harm, and the public from annoyance, of intoxi-
eated persons, in cases not resulting in serious disorderly conduct.
There are also occasional applications for shelter at the station, by
destitute persons in inclement weather.

562

IMPOUNDED ANIMALS.

Whole number impounded, 122. Goats, 35; cows, 18; horses,
23; swine, 44.
SKATING.

The last season of skating commenced December 16th, 1871,
and closed February 28th, 1872.
Number of skating days, 55.

PLANTING.

The statistics of the planting department for the year 1872 will
show smaller aggregates in the several tables, than those of pre-
vious years. This may be accounted for, in part, as follows: The
season for the most profitable planting in the spring was materially
shortened by the unfavorable weather in March and April, followed
by rapid expansion of the buds when warm weather actually set in.
The necessary removal of the large nursery on the line of the
eastern parkway, trenched somewhat upon our spring planting, as
some of the stock had to be transferred to new nursery grounds,
and does not enter into the tables other than as stock in nurseries.

The unprecedented destruction of evergreens during the month
of March, 1872, over so large a portion of the country, did not
altogether pass us by, although the loss on Prospect Park was far
less than was at first supposed. Some species of evergreens which
heretofore have been considered sufficiently hardy for higher lati-
tudes than our own, were badly damaged or entirely destroyed.
The ordinary methods used for the protection of plants of doubt-
ful hardiness were of no avail. This may have been the result of
the sudden and remarkable fall of temperature, accompanied by
cold, piercing winds which followed weather in February so mild
as to have induced premature activity in many plants. The ab-
sence of snow during the late winter months and early spring, was
doubly unfortunate. Had there been a body of snow on the
ground in February, warmer weather than was experienced during
that month, would have been required to have melted the snow and
raised the temperature of the ground, thus sodden with cold snow
water sufficiently for any undue movement of sap.

The unusual frosts of March came upon ground, dry and com-
paratively warm, and coming without snow (the natural protection
of roots against severe cold), great loss was inevitable. One of
the results of this misfortune, was the necessary time taken from
our short planting season to repair damages on the older planta-

563

tions. Fortunately, most of our early planting of evergreens had
been thickly massed for speedy effect and mutual protection, with
the intention of thinning out for the later planting ; but consider-
able labor was involved in re-arranging and replacing losses. This
class of labor is not included in the table of planting.

One other point of explanation. The early reduction of force
in the autumn, essentially curtailed our usual fall and winter plant-
ing. No large trees, and very few nursery trees and shrubs, have
been planted during the last half of the year.

The following statements give the stock now on hand in the
nurseries, and what has been permanently planted out:

Deciduous; thees..6 Fo. hoc oeeeas.s Bd ate wieeiata 12,020
Deciduous shrubs....... Rhatslasusversa are cinded-eus 18,974
PSWEROTCGNS 2 cle cain ties vacates oe Siete aera 18,274
Vines and creepers....... Seb geen secs care 6,236
Herbaceous plants ............- Nereh ateleies ete 1,149
IG EMeciceee: Paver cane ctele eral s s eitanereso.sa's ata e sate 300

Mita sara. se sere 2+. 56,953

Number of trees, shrubs, &c., planted out on Prospect Park,
during the year ending Dec. 31, 1872:

Deciduous trees......... ais eta Sarena 94 4,166
Deciduous shrubs..........-0: Ried ates care 6,540
WV GEEPOOUS Ya sis oe sciefeepeyvedisistajecyels estes e's «4 843
Winies “and: creepers Wii's civ ules vic se lsiels oss 1,069
Herne ospave | At ESL S Mee tis Ua teoate 4,000
Fferpneeous Plantes ois eis 6. :6 o),5 ord elele bycle's 1,157
Bodding- plants ../5 00162356 eravebatelare wee rena 2,670
Flower bulbs....... onal ane ooh Sines oe ery oot 3,500

AE Gta rayaieg Seashiat ae) sie isiovwiasess 23,945

284 trees have been moved by trucks or stone boats.

WASHINGTON PARE.

MeciduOUs teas: ae celaesieies so sinlss cies si ¥ieiee 59
DM SciduGHA EHTS sha. 6 ajejsicecie cies v0 5 wae we 60
CERT COMM 202 to.0 0 clelatece wersio je © %u.0/éjeie oe «as 1,116
Herbaceous and bedding plants ........... . 336

564

CARROLL PARK.

FiVeTETeenS, . oj. cies «1. «ere FORTE pL dae caste SOO

ae Ghd aac etetiae Ce eee Ee 156 |
q bt

TOMPKINS SQUARE. M

Deciduous trees....... Lary Ee ag SOL) Sone ko me ‘
Meciduous:shrubs oa Poe. twee ewe se eleie we Oe a
Hyerpreonsy ) cco brew os elses elem ee sme ‘a
Toth vc <aissktlel eek ter .. 1,440 :

Aggregate.... 3,147

BFGF TOTS

Meteorological observations have been carefully maintained
throughout the year, records of which are herewith given.
These tables have been supplied to the daily papers, and have

PPS

=

been frequently called for, in cases of litigation before the courts, %
to verify or refute statements concerning the conditions of the it
weather at given times. The increasing interest in this branch of .

science, and the ultimate completeness to which its development .
will attain, and the consequent enlargement of its sphere of useful-
ness in every-day life, fully justifies the maintenance of these obser- Kf
vations, which are believed to be the most complete at present
taken in the city.

OBSERVATORY. )

Matitudine ik te tseensaveescccucee spent eae) seers
TROMGU ACS Bian ajsicin cise ewe e aco (oS ble. 8 eve levea acehangrntei gi ste a ach ak naan sSi .
Height of ground above he SOR s,0:5 sn 0 001s 6s aia ates viele Ln eo ¥
i: instrument above the PLES TALS oils. 19, a

< ny AE SOQ ic aaiuies a avalos che teres i) eee mania 2

-+

nA

4

7

Heth

erat

20 10 ib

r| JANUARY FEBRUAR

MARCH

alia} "PPR
! we th ‘ul
5 20 25

ty
5 ty 20 25 nl

a SSA a Wiviaaaii

HH
AN
| exmavantox. ae

I Daily mean of Thermonreter. a i

ic T + 20
APRIL MAY JUNE JULY [ AUGUST | SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER

NOVEMBER ~ DECEMBER

DIAGRAY SHOWING STATE OF THERMOMETER AND BAROMETER AND DAILY RAINFALL,
AT PROSPECT PARK, FOR THE YEAR 1872.
Accompanying Meteorological teports.
JNOLY.CULYER, cuter excisern

Vertical lines rgnesent days.

Space on Mhermometas ule repress Ldegree.
re

Baromda , t w% inch.

Ranh, i winch.

fey
for)
>)

METEOROLOGICAL TABLE No. 1.

Table showing the observed height of the Barometer monthly, for the
year ending December 31st, 1872.

MONTH. MEAN MEAN MEAN MONTH
MAXIMUM,| MINIMUM,

DIFFERENCE
OF RANGE

January.....| 30.052 | 80.020 | 30.026 | 80 082 | 30.492 | 29.594 898
February....| 30.026 | 29.986 | 29.994 | 30.002 | 30.505 | 29.518 .987
Marchi: ): =< 30.039 | 29.976 | 31.005 | 30.336 | 30.481 | 29.061 | 1.420

April ,......} 80.660 | 30.022 | 80.061 | 30.248 | 30.346 | 29.676 -670

IMI esc ss 30.009 | 29.952 | 30.021 | 29.994 | 31.044 | 29.618 | 1.426
JUNG! a5 05,0 30.004 | 29.681 | 30.026 | 29.903 | 30.801 | 29.544 | 1.257
UUs: src'sys « 30.010 | 29.670 | 30.006 | 29.898 | 30.261 | 29.721 .540
August ...../ 80.378 | 30.327 | 30.021 | 30.242 | 30.265 | 29.667 .598

September ..} 30.069 | 30.040 | 30.064 | 80.059 | 30.334 | 29.781 .553
October .....| 30.086 | 30.075 | 30.077 | 80.079 | 30.508 | 29.058 | 1.450
November... .} 30.082 | 30.033 |°30.106 | 30.073 | 30.384 | 29.587 Sel

December ...| 30.237 | 30.107 | 30.180 | 30.158 | 31.491 | 29.614 | 1.877

Annual mean at 7 a.m. of 366 observations ..............00.137

< 2 p.m. of 366 =e A MO
Si 0 For 366 ey Digs ak 3's OU
Annual mean of 1,098..... Sei ltabalvnaiciat aoralsie sierae elas ic on ees

Maximum for the year, 31.491—7 a. m., Dec. 25th.
Minimum 0 29.058—7 “ Oct. Ist.

Difference range, 2.433.

U7
ee

METEOROLOGICAL TABLE No. 2.

Table showing the state of the Thermometer monthly, for the year
ending December 31st, 1872.

2
FORENOON, AFTERNOON, 2 : % wi
MONTH. seeen al IE E a
No. of No. of F 5 a 4
1872. observa-| MEAN, |obServa-| MEAN, | MEAN, 5 g A
tions. tions.
ANUAL pots ye(eleieyeicie = 31 | 25.46) 62 | 80.29) 28.70) 48.00] 35.00) 13.00
MeDIUAry a+ 29 24.81} 58 82.04] 29.46] 57.50} 9.00) 48.50
Mianch sie tiie citeleiere 31 25.09} 62 31.60] 29.68] 61.00 2.00 68.00
PA rile st etsisyaieseen 30 45.30} 60 51.63) 49.67} 81.00} 30.00) 51.00
MEMS Goadsogcas ee 31 54.77) 62 62.45) 62.37) 90.50] 38.00) 52.50
CDT Dans oes Sollee 70.88} 60 89.95) 71.384} 92 50} 50.00) 42.50
Jj eee mietafnstere 31 41.79) 62 49.03) 60.41] 96.00} 62.00) 84.00
PAMUSU Re cieeeeicrete al 4 OL 71.53) 62 46.19] 72.92) 90.00] 58.00) 82.00
September........ 30 62.26) 60 66.87| 65.25) 91.00) 47.00) 44.00
October) -jerisns eek - 31 49.11} 62 58.35) 54.46] 73.00) 36.00) 37.00
November.......; 30 38.36} 60 44.19) 45.247) 60.50) 15.00) 45.50

Weeenmberene sen) Ol 23 42) 62 26.54) 28.36! 46.50) 3.00) 43.50

Annual mean, in forenoon, of 366 observations............44.389

ef afternoon, “‘ 732 Pied VLR ne aveah letters 49.51
anmniial Team of W098 5.702 sc: e os sic 's'neia's'sits ainleas © = ate nies . 49.82
Maximum during the year... 22 ......+.- Sis ine o: ataeetetn! creer OCOD
Minimum “ RT Ut ered a eRe St a's Vist doivascltererateinreutalene 2.00

Difference of range...............-98.00

567

METEOROLOGICAL TABLE No. 3.

Table showing the duration and depth of Rain monthly, during the
year ending December 31st, 1872.

ZZ,
© Nie
ng A DURATION. pepta | TOTAL
MONTH. |= Fe a DEPTH
aos Say aN REMARKS.
1872. S E g DAYS, | HOURS.| MIN. |INCHES ae
S ° le . D | INCHES.
January...| 3 0 20 00 | 2.20 | 2.20
February..| 4 0 19 80 | 1.23 | 3.48 | A number of light
March.... 4 1 00 53 4.00 | 7.48
showers occurred dur-
April ..... 6 2 | 16 | 18 | 2.77 {10.20
INGLY) cra ctsins 9 6 10 06 | 8.00 |18.20 | ing March, May, June,
JUNE =:'5 5. 8 2 18 34 De Nlowad
July, August and Sep-
July 10 2 08 08 8.72 |24.19
August... 8 1 16 08 4 447 131.96 | tember, but not of
September 7 2 17 06 | 3.29 |385.25
such a character as
October... 8 1 20 00 2.89 |38.14
November. 6 3 fa! 24 8.07 |41.21 | to warrant a measure-
December . 6 1 01 01 PI ASeOS
ment.
Total...) 79 27 15 O08 (48.3832
JOHN Y.:CULYEER,

Chief Engineer.

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