/

REPORT

OF THE

Iperinl Cj mmittee

0 N

RELATIVE TO LAYING- OUT A

New Park in the Upper Part of the City.

DOCUMENT No.j83.— JANUARY, 2,1852

I

NEW YORK:

PRINTED BY W. H. TIXSOX, 22 SPRUCE STREET.
1853.

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DOCUMENT No. 83.

BOARD OF ALDER M*E N ,

JANUAEY 2, 1852.

The following report of the Special Committee on Parks,
in relation to laying out a new park in the upper part
of the city, was received, laid on the table, and ordered
to be printed.

D. T. VALENTINE, Clerk

The Special Committee on Public Parks, beg leave re-
spectfully to

REPORT:

That they were appointed under the following resolution
of the Board of Aldermen, of August 5th, 1851, and that
to them was also referred, on the ayes and noes, the fol-
lowing subsequent resolution of August 7th, 1851 :

" Whereas, The Legislature, at its recent extra session,
passed an act, authorizing the Mayor, Aldermen and

433
.MS

J

Doc. No. S3.) 1460

Commonalty of this city to purchase or take, through
Commissioners to be appointed for that purpose, the
ground lying between the Third avenue and East river,
and Sixty-sixth and Seventy-fifth streets ; and also that
lying between Avenue A, and the East river, and Sixty-
fourth and Sixty-sixth streets, to remain, and be used
hereafter as a public park."

" And whereas, Public opinion seems to demand that
the City Government, in carrying into effect the object
contemplated by the act referred to, should adopt the
most liberal and enlightened measures, in order to make
. the proposed pleasure ground, in its locality, conveniently
i accessible to all — in its dimension, equal to the present
and prospective wants of a great and rapidly increasing
city — and, in its future establishment, corresponding to
the wealth and greatness of this commercial metropolis ;
therefore,

" Resolved, That it be referred to a Special Committee
of this Board, to examine and report upon the advantages
and disadvantages of the ground designated in the act of
the Legislature ; and also, whether there be not a better
locality for such park, with comparison of size, capacity
for rural embellishment, general topographical features,
and probable cost of each ; and, also, whether it be not
advisable to include within the limits of such purchase,
ground for the new reservoir ; and, generally, all such
facts and inferences as may enable the Common Council
to proceed understanding^ in a matter involving so large
an expenditure of the public money, and so important in
ijs influence upon the present and future growth and
prosperity of the city.

1461

(Doc. No. 83.

" Board of Aldermen, August 5th, 1851. Adopted,
and Aldermen Dodge, Dooley and Britton appointed
such Committee.

(Signed) J. M. WILSON, .

Deputy Clerk.

" Resolved, That the Counsel of the Corporation be,
and he is hereby directed to take the necessary legal
measures for the appointment of Commissioners of Esti-
mate and Assessment, for the laying out of a public
park, in pursuance of an act relative to the powers and
duties of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the
city of New York, in the matter of taking possession of
and laying out certain lands for a public park in the
Nineteeenth Ward of said city, passed July 11th, 1851,
forthwith."

" Board of Aldermen, August 7th, 1851, referred to
Special Committee on a new park on ayes and noes.

" (Signed) J. M. WILSON,

"Deputy Clerk."

In compliance with the directions of the resolution ap-
pointing said Committee, they have endeavored to make
themselves fully acquainted with all the facts which have
any bearing upon the matter committed to them, and they
are fully impressed with the importance to the present
and future inhabitants of the city, that they should present
such a careful and comprehensive view of the whole sub-
ject, as may enable your Honorable Body to judge
whether the opinions your Committee have formed are
correct, and whether their suggestions should be adopted.

The city of New York is now, and probably will ever
be, the metropolis of America ; it is already one of the

Doc. No. 83.)

1462

first cities of the world in point of population, wealth,
commercial importance and beauty ; and its geographical
position, and other circumstances are such, as must con-
tinually increase its importance in all these respects.
This island city, steadily increasing at a ratio of ten per
cent, per annum in population, must soon be closely in-
habited throughout its entire extent.

It has ever been considered, in all large cities, an im-
portant duty for those intrusted with authority, to provide
for the health of present and future citizens, and their
recreation, by setting apart for public grounds, even at
considerable expense, certain spacious tracts, which may
be laid out into extensive walks and drives, and from
time to time beautified by the tasteful turning to account
of the resources of the natural scenery and decorations of
art. Accordingly, the most beautiful and useful features
of the cities of the Old World are the extensive and or-
namented grounds, to which large portions of the popu-
lation daily (and more particularly on the public holi-
days,) resort for their healthful recreation. Our beautiful
city is entirely unprovided with anything of this kind,,
on a scale at all commensurate with its wants or its gran-
deur in other respects ; and it is a remarkable fact, that
it is the only large city on this continent which is thus
destitute of these openings which are very appropriately
termed the " Lungs of Cities."

Your Committee is directed " to examine, and report
upon the advantages and disadvantages of the ground de-
signated in the act of the Legislature ; and also whether
there be not a better locality for such park, with compa-
rison of size,- capacity for rural embellishments, general

UG3

(Doc. Xo. S3.

topographical features, and probable cost of each ; and
also, whether it be not advisable to include, within the
limits of such purchase, ground for the new reservoir."

In the examination of these different points, your Com-
mittee find, in the second branch of their inquiry, a
second proposition distinctly referred to, as probably pre-
senting superior advantages of locality, etc., and identi-
fying it as the plot of ground, including within its limits
the site of the proposed new reservoir.

Your Committee therefore consider, that two distinct
propositions are before them, and will proceed to make
the required comparisons as faithfully and as briefly as
their determination to do full justice to so important a
matter will permit.

The first proposition is, for the city to purchase a piece
of woodland known as " Jones' Woods," on the extreme
eastern shore of this island. 44 The total area of this pro-
posed park, bounded by Sixty -fourth street, from the
East river to avenue A ; by Avenue A, from Sixty-
fourth to Sixty-sixth street ; by Sixty-sixth street, from
Avenue A to the Third avenue ; by the Third avenue,
from Sixty-sixth to Seventy-fifth streets, and by Seventy-
fifth street, from the Third avenue to the East river : and
by the East river from Seventy-fifth street to Sixty-fourth
street, is 6,944,860 square feet, or 159 yVW acres."

The Common Council propose to exclude from the
above an irregular projection of six acres, between Sixty-
fourth and Sixty-sixth streets and Avenue A and the
river. This will reduce the area to 153 TVo2o acres.

Doc. xSTo. 83.)

1404

The second proposition is, for the city to purchase a
certain tract of land, situated in the geographical centre
of this Island, and bounded by the Fifth and Eighth ave-
nues, on the east and west, and by Sixtieth and One hun-
dred and sixth streets, on the south and north limits, con-
taining a superh'cial area of 759§ acres.

Both these plots are well adapted to the uses proposed,
and are the only plots of any considerable extent con-
venient for the purpose, that are at all available. But,
as it is not proposed for the city to purchase and improve
both these plots, your Committee have prepared a care-
ful, and they believe a just comparison of the advantages
of each, in discussing which, for the sake of convenience,
the first will be spoken of as " Jones Park" and the
second as " Central Park"

The comparative advantages of each of these sites, will
be shown in respect to the following considerations, viz :

1. Extent

2. Convenience or Locality

3. Availability

4. Pkobable Cost

page.
1464

1469

1470

1478

EXTENT.

When a city proposes to itself an improvement of this
kind, involving a very considerable expense, it is impor-
tant that the ground secured should be sufficiently spa-
cious for the purposes, not only of the present generation,
but of a very numerous posterity.

1465 (Doc. No. 83.

The superficial area proposed to be enclosed in Jones'*
Park, is 153TVo2o acres. It is nearly square, and about
half a mile in extent on each side. If we deduct the
space to be occupied by streets and avenues, there remains
about 105 acres to be purchased.

The superficial area proposed to be enclosed in Central
Park, is 759f acres. It is in form an elongated paral-
lelogram, about two and a quarter miles long and about
a half mile wide. It embraces the present Receiving
Keservoir of 33 acres — the grounds of the State Arsenal
and of the St. Vincent Academy, about 24 acres — and
ground now owned by the Corporation, 135 acres ; in all,
566 J acres, including streets and avenues, deducting for
which 190^ acres, leaves an area of 3 76 \ acres to be
purchased.

Central Parle will therefore have a superficial area
four and three quarter times as great as Jones'* Park.

This city, increasing in population at the rate of ten
per cent, per annum, must, before the end of the present
half century, number several millions, a small propor-
tion of which will throng a place so limited as Jones'
Pari', but be very amply accommodated in Central
Park, of nearly five times the extent.

Central Park would probably be one of the largest
city parks in the world, buknot too large for the use of a
city destined, in all human probability, to equal, and
perhaps to exceed in population every other. It must be
noted that the City Government has already appropriated
about one fifth of this tract for purposes of reservoirs,
which, being artificial lakes, contribute perhaps as much

Doc. No. 83.)

1466

as any other feature to the beauty and value of public
grounds.

The most beautiful feature of a large park, and a most
important advantage over a small one, is, that the large
park is capable, from its extent, of being laid out into a
very great length of serpentine road, which a judicious
engineer can so contrive as not only to produce startling
effects of the distant landscape, and also to bring the pecu-
liar natural and artificial beauties of the place into the
best points of view, but, at the same time, to turn and
wind this road through the place, so as to allow a very
long drive through constantly varying scenery. A ser-
pentine road of more than twenty-five miles in extent
can be wound through the spacious grounds of Central
Park, as your Committee is informed by competent en-
gineers. This important consideration does not, however,
apply to Jones* Park, which is, in itself, too limited to
allow of any great length of drive under any circum-
stances. The Second avenue is now being opened, and
must, for several reasons, be carried through Jones'
Woods. This will divide the grounds into two small and
unequal portions, and so cut them up as to prevent the in-
troduction of serpentine roads to any considerable length.

Another important consideration depending upon the
extent of a park, is the fact that ornamental grounds at-
tract upon their borders ornamental structures in the way
of public buildings for institutions of learning, acade-
mies of the fine arts, buildings devoted to geology, bo-
tany, astronomy and other sciences, monuments of na-
tional greatness and patriotism, &c.

This is found to be the case in London, where, in addi-

1467 (Doc. Xo. 83.

tion to the public institutions, rows of elegant private
houses, the residences of wealth}' citizens, have added to
the architectural beauties of the borders of St. James',
Regents' and Hyde Parks. This principle will apply
here more particularly, where fine sites for public and
private buildings are in demand.

This latter consideration is of more importance, when
we consider that Central Park is of sufficient size to
permit the selling off for the above purposes of portions
of its border. These sites being desirable, will command
large prices, and reduce the expense of the original cost,
and furnish, from time to time, by sales or by leases, a
sufficient sum to pay, if desirable, a portion of the ex-
penses of the keeping and decoration of the park. The
great extent of boundary of Central Park favors this
view of the matter, presenting, as it does, five miles and
a half for such improvements — while Jones' Park pre-
sents a comparatively small border of a mile and a half,
deducting the river front, and is not in a part of the city
where such improvements would seek sites : whereas,-
Centred Peirk is in that part of the city where such in-
stitutions would be favorably located, and on its borders
are already to be found the State Arsenal, Mount St.
Vincent (young ladies') Academy, &c. The importance
of this consideration is further discussed under the head
of Cost.

The situation of Jones* Park is such, that it would be
a special benefit only to the property in its immediate
neighborhood on three sides, of about half a mile each.
Should such property so benefited, be assessed, as pro-
vided in the act of the Legislature for taking such park,
in proportion, say one-third of the whole purchase money,

Doc. TsTo. 83.)

1468

the quantity of such property specially benefited and
specially assessed being very limited, the amount of as-
sessment would be very onerous upon that small neigh-
borhood, and probably more than the property could
bear ; therefore, the difference between what should be
assessed and what could be borne would have to be added
to the amount paid from the city treasury, which would
be equivalent to a tax upon the whole city, to improve
the value of the property of a few individuals, by making
a park in a one-sided, out-of-the-way locality, w^here it
would not be generally accessible.

Apply the same considerations to Central Park, and
it appears that, owing to its greater extent, and central
position, the quantity of property that would be benefited
and enhanced in value by the making of the park is so
great, that an assessment to pay one-third, one-half, or
even the whole of the purchase money, would scarcely
be felt. The special benefit would be sensible to pro-
perty around the Central Park for a great distance in
all directions, and owners of property would probably
come forward themselves and cheerfully subscribe a large
portion of the purchase money and not feel it, if such a
proceeding could be permitted in a case where the benefit
would be general to the whole city.

This view of the subject, which your Committee is as-
sured is correct, shows most conclusively that considera-
tions of justice, as well as of economy, decide against
the location of Jones* Park as strongly as they uphold
the location of Central Park. This consideration will
be found noticed under its proper head of Cost.

In view of all these considerations, your Committee

»

1469 ' (Doc. No. 83.

find that the proposition of Central Parle is greatly to
be preferred, as not only the most extensive, but because
Jones' Park is not sufficiently extensive for present and
future purposes.

CONVENIENCE OF LOCALITY.

The city limits embrace the entire island of Xew York ;
its population will undoubtedly before many years cover
the whole extent of its surface.

In providing a park, the convenience of those who
will live here, after ourselves, must be considered. For a
place of public resort, the most central locality is most
unquestionably to be preferred, other considerations being
equal.

Jones' Park and Central Park are in position nearly
equally central with respect to the northern and southern
points of the island, but Jones' Park is on the extreme
eastern shore, and to the eastward of the Third avenue,
which is the farthest east of all the thoroughfares in the
city. It is about a mile distant from the great thorough-
fares of Broadway and Eighth avenue.

Central Park, on the contrary, is centrally situated be-
tween the two rivers, and between the four great tho-
roughfares of the island, viz : Third and Fourth avenues
on the eastern side, and Broadway and Eighth avenue on
the western side. Between Central Park and both rivers
there will be about three quarters of a mile on each side.

People from the northern portion of the island would,
to reach the northern boundary of Jones' Park, be obliged

Doc. No. 83.) 1470

to travel more than a mile further south, and a mile fur-
ther east, than would he necessary, to arrive within the
limits of Central Park.

Again, Central Pari' is but half a mile wide, and is
situated about midway between the east and west shores
of the island, having about three quarters of a mile on
each side of it for ordinary city purposes, leaving suffi-
cient space for a large population on each side, which the
advantage of the proximity of the park would attract,
and induce them to build up that part of the city, prob-
ably as densely as any other part.

In view of the above considerations, your committee
think the location of Jones' Park is out of the way, and
very inconvenient, while, for convenience of locality, the
site of Central Park is shown to be all that can be desired.

AVAILABILITY.

Under this head will be found comparisons of" capa-
city for rural embellishments," and of " general topogra-
phical features."

The plot of land proposed for Jones' Park is 153 \
acres. The Second avenue must be extended through
this plot, otherwise all intercourse between the part of
the city north and south of it must be by way of the
Third avenue, a very roundabout course. If this avenue
is not opened, the public is deprived of an important
thoroughfare ; if it is opened, it injures the park by pre-
venting an extension of serpentine road with any advan-
tage. The opening of that avenue also takes from the
park five acres, thus reducing its extent to 148J acres.

1471

(Doc. Ho. 83,

Tins plot of ground is nearly square in form, and about
half a mile on each side ; it borders on the East river,
on its eastern side, which forms a bold shore, and from
which can be had a very pretty view of the river, of
BlackwelPs Island and the opposite shore.

Its surface is gently undulating, and does not present
any variety of scenery within itself, nor any landscape
view, except that abovementioned.

It is covered with a very thick and heavy growth of
forest trees, most of them exceedingly lofty, except on
the western border and part of the southern side, where
there are some good shade trees.

The plot of ground proposed to be included in Central
Park embraces the land between Sixtieth street on the
south, One hundred and sixth street on the north, Fifth
avenue on the east, and Eighth avenue on the west. It
contains a superficial area of 75 9| acres, embracing the
present receiving reservoir of 33 acres, and the grounds
of the State Arsenal, and also of St. Yincent's Academy,
of 24 acres ; the proposed new reservoir to cover an area
of 98 acres. The surface is exceedingly diversified ; all
the lands within its limits are among the most uneven
and rocky on the island. In some places the elevations
rise from 100 to 140 feet above tide water, in others being
only a few feet above the same.

The topographical map accompanying this document
shows very numerous abrupt and rocky elevations, inter-
sected constantly by ravines and gentle valleys, through
which run several small streams of living water. As a
general rule, and with the exception of the northern ex-

Doc. No. 83.)

1172

tremity, this plot of ground forms a basin with a very
uneven bottom, lying between the Eighth and Fifth ave-
nues. From the Eighth avenue there is a natural sloping
grade to the North river ; and from the Fifth avenue, a
general corresponding slope to the East river. The
northern portion attains an elevation of 140 feet, com-
manding an extensive view of all the surrounding country.

Notwithstanding its great extent and central position,
there are very few improvements, such as private dwell-
ing houses, for the reason that it is not desirable to own
the lots on which assessments for grading the streets will
be very heavy, and sufficient to effect a forfeiture of the
property. The value of existing improvements will be
found under the head of Cost.

Central Park will include grounds almost entirely
useless for building purposes, owing to the very uneven
and rocky surface, and also to its lying so far below the
proper grade of the streets as to render the grading very
costly ; for instance, to extend Sixth avenue from Sixty-
fifth street to Seventy-third street it would be necessary
to build an embankment, principally of masonry (with
culverts to discharge the water) from 20 to 40 feet in
height. This would leave the lots on either side utterly
valueless for any purpose of ordinary improvement, un-
less it should be built up in the same way, or filled in to
nearly the same level. The expense of grading the
streets through these grounds will be found under the
head of Cost. From it will appear that the grading alone
will cost more than twice the present value of the lands.

This expense of grading, in the event of the land being
appropriated to a park, will be wholly saved, as the very

1473

(Doc. Xo. S3.

circumstances, which render the grading so expensive
are an advantage for the purposes of a park. It must
also be considered that the lands can be purchased at a
very low value for the causes above stated, and will be
not only valuable for park purposes, but more valuable
for those purposes than good smooth building land.

There is no section on our island, of equal size, so well
adapted by nature, or so susceptible of improvement and
adornment, for purposes of a large park, as the one now
under consideration ; and none so diversified in surface,
abounding so much in hill and dale, and intersected by
so many natural streams. The elevations, in some parts,
rising to 140 feet above tide water, and the valleys, in
some parts, being 40 feet below the grade of surrounding
streets. These valleys contain running streams and nu-
merous springs, and at a small cost can be converted,
where desirable, into artificial lakes, and supplied with
water to any extent, from the never failing source of the
Croton aqueduct, which will also supply fountains in any
part of the grounds with a profusion of water, which will
render fountains a distinguishing feature, and one in
which this park will have a superiority over all other
parks, owing to the im equaled supply of water from the
greatest aqueduct of ancient or modern times. The great,
and at many points abrupt, difference of level of the sur-
face, and the projecting points of rock, render these
grounds peculiarly adapted to the construction of the most
beautiful and varied roads, — now winding around the
base of a projecting rocky hill, now traversing the bottom
of a valley, now climbing a gentle hill, — again descending
to the low lands, passing along the margin of a beautiful
quiet lake ; leaving this, and ascending above Eighty-

Doc. Xo. S3.) 1474

sixth street, the road will pass along what will be one of
the greatest of modern works of art, — the proposed new
reservoir, a picturesque, irregularly shaped artificial lake,
containing nearly 100 acres of water in one placid sheet.
Continuing to rise, gradually winding around elevations
through gentle valleys, the serpentine road will reach the
top of Harlem heights at about One hundred and fitth
6treet, having attained the highest land on the island
south of Fort Washington, and from which a magnificent
view is presented to the beholder in every direction.
From this point may be seen nearly all the present city
lying to the south, and the bay beyond it ; the interve-
ning district rapidly improving to the southern margin of
the park, and when it is finished. — the park itself extend-
ing from its southern border two miles to the feet of the
beholder, intersected by beautiful artificial lakes of
various sizes ; by small streams, crossed by numerous
marble or rustic bridges ; by beautiful groves of trees of
every variety, indigenous and exotic ; by serpentine roads
winding through velvet lawns decorated with sparkling
fountains, and the whole surrounded by architectural
works of every order and variety. Looking to the west,
will be seen the noble Hudson, extending from the bay
(which can be seen as far as the Narrows) up to the Pa-
lisades in the distance, and the mountains in the interior
of the state of New Jersey, in the extreme west. Looking
in a northerly direction, can be seen, across the Harlem
river, the High Bridge, a magnificent structure, which
brings the Croton water to this island, and the other
bridges, which connect Xew York with the county of
'Westchester, which presents to our view its fertile farms,
beautiful gardens, and tasteful villas, and thriving
villages.

147;) (Doc. No, 83.

The eastern view embraces a considerable portion of
the state of Connecticut and of the Sound, separating it
from Long Island, also the East river, studded with is-
lands, running from Hellgate to Governors Island, and
separating this city from the shore of Long Island, which
shows us Flushing, Astoria, Ravenswood, Greenport,
Bushwick, AVilliamsburgh, Brooklyn, 6zc. Having com-
pleted the view, of which only some of the most striking
points are here noted, we return to the road, which takes
us to the lower end of the park by a different, but not
less varied route, having travelled a distance of not less
than twenty-five miles.

The above is a very imperfect and inadequate descrip-
tion of the kind of park which may be constructed on the
ground selected for Central Parl\ or in other words, its
waUabUi&y. The availability of Jones' Parle has also
been considered : it possesses very few of the advantages
of Central Pari', and where it possesses these advanta-
ges, it is to a very limited extent.

The fact of Jones* Pari: bordering on the river for half
a mile, and having a fine water view, is certainly a very
great advantage ; but your Committee think, that is more
than counterbalanced by the lake scenery incidental to,
and which forms so important a feature in Central Pari',
which must have a water shore of at least one and a half
miles of reservoir margin. Besides, it must be recollected
that the very same view that occurs from the bank of
Jones'* Pari', is also had from the high grounds of Cen-
tral Pari', which command a greatly additional water
view.

The orreat feature of Jones'* ParTc^ however, is its masr-
2

Doc. No. 83.) 1476

nificent forest, which almost entirely covers it, which is
peculiar to itself, and a supposed advantage not possessed
in any degree by Central Park. These forest trees, it is
stated, can be thinned out into a grove, and the whole
laid out in roads, and be immediately available as a park,
while the trees to ornament Central Park would require
many years to grow. This question of time will be con-
sidered under its proper head, and with respect to the ad-
vantages of the existing forest, they appear to be some-
what overrated.

Your Committee is of opinion that, so far from Jones'
Woods being immediately or very soon available for a
park, it will take many years before it can be made so,
and nearly as long as it will take to grow or transplant
trees upon the ground of Central Park, which is by no
means entirely destitute of trees at present.

In the first place, the thinning out of the trees of Jones'1
Park must be gradually ^and carefully executed, to pre-
vent the falling timber from destroying those trees which
are intended to be preserved. They now stand so thick
that probably eight out of every ten must be cut down ;
to remove them properly will require much time and ex-
pense.

Secondly. — When the excess of trees is removed, it
will be found that lower branches are wanting to nearly
all the trees, to the height of from 40 to 60 feet. These
lower limbs will immediately commence growing, as is
desirable for shade. This new demand for nourishment
nearer the root of the tree, cuts off the supply of sap
which sustained its top, and the tree-top must be cut off
to prevent it from dying off. This will leave a not very

1477

(Doc. Nbv83.

beautiful or desirable grove of long poles and trunks,
from 30 to 40 feet in height, and without shade for some
years.

During the same time Central Parle, which has already
some beautiful trees, can be furnished, by transplanting,
with all the desirable additional trees, except those which
should be raised from nursery saplings, which will attain,
in from 8 to 12 years, a very vigorous growth, sufficient
to give as much shade, where shade is desirable, as in
nearly the same time could be given by the new growth
branches of the Jones' Park trees.

Central Park will be furnished, of course, with a very
choice assortment and great variety of new trees, much
more ornamental, and casting a more agreeable shade
than the natural forest trees. It must also be remem-
bered that very large trees can be transplanted, at the
proper season of the year, and, if properly taken up and
replanted, never fail to thrive in the new ground success-
fully.

It is the opinion of those who have laid out new parks
and ornamental grounds, that a natural forest is no ad-
vantage whatever; and all new parks should be furnished
by growing or transplanting such trees as are required
in different parts of the grounds, which may generally
be cultivated in almost any shape required, by proper
care, and cutting the branches. Besides, a proper variety
of park scenery requires that certain large portions should
be improved as sloping lawns, or mounds for statuary
and monuments, and points of view for distant land-
scapes— all of which allow of no trees whatever.

Doc. No. 83.)

U7S

The consideration of the health of the public, requires
that the low ground and unhealthy ponds, situated in the
district to be included in Central Park, should be ren-
dered innocuous by some improvement ; whereas, Jones1
Park being high ground and open to the river, is per-
fectly healthy as it is.

It must be noted, as an objection to making Jones'
Park, that half a mile of valuable river front will thereby
be forever abstracted from commercial uses. The rapid
growth of this city, and its commercial character being
its distinctive feature, it would seem to forbid the dimi-
nution of its river front, which will eventually, and prob-
ably very soon, be in demand along this part of the city.

It is also to be noted that, should it be desirable to
open certain streets across Central Park for the public
convenience, the city government will always have the
right to do so, and it will not injure the park in the least,
nor is there any objection topographically to opening
Seventy-second, Seventy-ninth, (Eighty-sixth is open,)
and Ninety-sixth streets, those being all 100 feet wide,
which will divide the park into five equal parts.

From the above, it appears that on every consideration
of availability Central Park is superior to Jones' Park.

PROBABLE COST.

The cost of a public work is a matter of the first con-
sideration ; but, on reflection, it will be conceded that
few public works can be of more importance, at the same
cost, than public parks, and that, when a public park is
wanted, it is cheap at any reasonable price, money being

1479

(Doc. N... n3.

well expended on a place devoted to the general health,
exercise, innocent recreation, and to the elevation of the
mind by the cultivation of a fondness for the beauties of
nature, and appreciation of the appliances of art.

To appropriate land from the midst of any city?s limits,
must always be a somewhat expensive proceeding. It
is more especially so in the city of Xew York, as all the
lots have a market value, based upon their presumed
future availability for business, or for dwelling purposes.

The comparative value of the lots to be taken to form
Jones' Park and Central Pari:, respectively, is given in
the tables annexed, by which it appeal's that the lots
forming Jones' Pari: being useful for building and horti-
cultural purposes, and having valuable timber on them,
are worth very much more, respectively, than the lots to
form Cthtral Pari, which, owing to their rocky and un-
even surface, and being so far out of grade as explained
more fully in page 1472, are generally of very little
value, if any, for any other than park purposes.

Owing to these causes, and because these low grounds,
intersected by pools, are unhealthy for residences, they
are so little improved, and those improvements of so
little value, that it is estimated that $10,000 or $15,000
will pay for such improvements.

The estimated value of the lots to form Jones' Pari:
according to table Xo. 2. annexed, is $700,575, without
the expense of grading the streets. Should the streets
be graded, the cost of grading streets and avenues is es-
timated at about $212,000.

Doc. Xo. 83.

1480

These estimates have been prepared with great care
by persc'ns familiar with the subject, and perfectly com-
petent to make them correctly. It cannot be supposed
that the estimated valne in this table may be too low, as
all the details of estimates hare been submitted to others,
whose position requires them to be fully conversant with
these values, and they have pronounced them high
enough. Xo per centage of allowance for too low an
estimate is therefore calculated, believing it to be now
estimated at its extreme value.

The estimated value of the lots to be taken to form
Central Par):, including the ground to form the reser-
voir, according to table Xo. 1. annexed, is §1.407,325,
and without the reservoir, (1,172,325. This is without
the expense of grading the streets.

Should these streets be graded, the cost of grading
streets and avenues is estimated at .$616,478.

It must here be noted that the Fifth and Eighth avenues
are partly graded, and those parts excluded from this es-
timate ; also, that there is no grading estimated for the
ground proposed for the reservoir.

The value of the lots included in Central Pari: has
been variously estimated by competent persons familiar
with the value of real estate, at from $760,000 to
1,172,000. ^Ve have taken the highest estimate, as fully
set forth in table Xo. 1, in all its details.

This estimate of value is based upon the supposition
that the streets and avenues are graded and regulated.

1451

(Doc. Xo. S3.

The expense of regulating the streets and avenues, as
per table, is s«316,47S, which should be assessed upon
such property. This cannot, however, be done, because
the law provides, that no lot shall be assessed for regu-
lating and grading, more than one-half of its assessed
value upon the tax-books ; and the balance of the assess-
ment upon that lot must be paid from the City Treasury.

The assessed value to form said park is §44*3,000. By
the law above quoted, only one-half, or S223.000 can be
assessed upon the land, and the balance, or s393.47S
must be paid from the City Treasury.

The details of the estimates of many of the lots in this
table will show, that in very many cases the city will
have to pay nearly the whole expense of regulating and
grading these lots.

It must here be observed, that on -adding the above
§393,478, which the city must thus pay to the lowest es-
timate of $760,000, gives 1,163,478, not varying much
from the amount of the highest estimate of $1,172,000,
as per table Xo. 1, thereby showing its general correct-
ness, and also that it gives the full value of the lots.

The value of the lots included in Jones* Pari' has been
variously estimated by competent persons familiar with
the value of real estate, at from 64S0.000. to 700.000.
"We have taken the highest estimate, as set forth in table
Xo. 2 in detail.

This estimate of value is also based upon the supposi-
tion that the streets and avenues are graded.

The expense of regulating and grading the streets and

Doc. JSTo. 83.)

1482

avenues as per table "No. 2, is $212,000. This should be
assessed upon such property, which cannot be done for
the reason just before stated.

The assessed value of the lots to form Jones' Park is,
$105,765, one-half of which only, or $82,8S2 can be
assessed for regulating and grading, and the balance,
$129,118, must be paid from the City Treasury.

It will be seen, that on adding this $129,118 to the
lowest estimate of $480,000, we have $609,118, varying
from the estimate as per table !No. 2, amounting to
$700,000 ; showing that the assessed value of the lots of
Jones' Parle is comparatively higher than of Central
Park. It also shows, that the value of the Jones'' Park
lots has been over estimated in said table, and that
$700,000 is an extremely high valuation, and, no doubt,
from $80,000 to $100,000 more than the property is
worth, being about $100 for each lot on an average.

The Centred Park lots, though estimated in the tables
at a high figure of value are, many of them, not worth
their proportion of the expenses of grading, among which
are very many, which would be utterly worthless, but for
the operation of the present unjust law, which makes
them valuable at the expense of the city.

In this connection, your Committee would call the
special attention of your Honorable Body to the opera-
tion of this act, which is believed to be unknown to the
great body of our fellow citizens, though it is the cause
of a great annual augmentation of their taxes. If its
operation, or even its existence, were generally known,
your Committee believe that its immediate repeal would

1483

(Doc. Xo. 83.

be demanded by the entire community, with the excep-
tion of some persons who, having understood the opera-
tion of it, have realized large amounts, at the expense of
the tax payers generally, and who have made their cal-
culations to realize, in tenfold greater proportion, by the
regulating and grading of new streets.

The operation of this law is as follows : An immense
proportion *of the surface of the central and upper part
of the island of Xew York, is of the most uneven
character. It abounds in immense ledges of rock, many
of which project from the main level, in masses of many
acres in extent. Interspersed among these tracts of rucks
are occasionally deep ravines, and frequently valleys of
considerable extent, varying in depth, lying mostly many
feet below the projected grade of the streets. These
ravines and deeper valleys having bottoms of rock, are
generally the deposit of water, which stagnates, and are
quite as impracticable for improvements of any descrip-
tion as the rocks. Until the passage of the act to which
your attention is now directed, these lots had no value of
any importance, nor have they now, except to the few
who operate in them, because they understand the opera-
tion of this law, and because it is not generally under-
stood. This operation consists in enabling the speculator
to buy worthless lots, at a mere nominal value, and have
them improved into very valuable lots, at the expense of
the city, by providing, that no more than one-half the
assessed value of any lot shall be taxed upon it for the
regulating and grading of the street it is on. It hap-
pens, that the expense of regulating and grading is, in a
very great many cases, greater than half the assessed
value of the lots, and in many cases, forty, sixty and one

Doc. No. 83.) 1484

hundred times greater, so that the more from the grade
of the street, or the more rocky or low such lot may be,
the less valuable it is, and the less it can pay towards
the expense of grading and regulating, which brings it
immediately into market, at a nearly equal value with
the lots in the neighborhood, which may have paid their
proportion of regulating and grading.

In this connection, it is also proper to call the attention
of your Honorable Body, and of citizens generally, to a
proceeding which has grown into a custom, (by the un-
faithfulness of public officers,) more oppressive, because it
involves greater annual amounts than the above. Your
Committee refers to the practice of the assessors, who have
been for years in the habit of assessing the up-town unim-
proved property at rates of from one-third to one-half of
its real known value. This assessing of values so much
too low, besides the manifest injustice of partial taxation,
operates most unfairly in the matter of regulating streets.
Since by the law above quoted, there can be charged
upon these lots only one-half of their assessed value for
regulating and grading streets; and the amount of as-
sessed value is generally less than one-half the real value :
it occurs that the amount so charged is really less than
one-fourth of what the property could bear, and is so
trilling as to cause the city to pay almost the entire ex-
pense of regulating and grading, and especially when-
ever the street is run through a deep cutting or a high
embankment, when the expense is the greatest, and where
the value of the lot is the least.

For these considerations, your Committee respectfully
recommend and urge a repeal of the present law, or such

1485 (Doc. No. 83.

a modification of it as will require all property to be as-
sessed at its real value, in cases where streets and ave-
nues are to be regulated and graded.

The difference in the cost and extent of the ground for
the two parks is —

81, 407,325 for 759£ acres for Central Park.
700,575 for 153± acres for Jones' Pari.

Difference, $706,750 for 606i acres more for Central
Park, which includes the present reservoir and the Ar-
senal, and St. Yincent grounds, which need not be pur-
chased, containing 57 acres, and also about 135 acres,
now belonging to the city ; which is, in fact, 414i acres
more than Jones' Park, for $706,750, which is about the
cost of Jones' Park.

It is therefore to be borne in mind, that in purchasing
Jones' Park, we pay for all the land included within the
limits of the park ; whereas, in the acquisition of Central
Pa.ik, we enclose an area of 759§ acres for park pur-
poses, and have only to pay for 566f acres, including
ground for tlie new reservoir, which the city will pur-
chase in any event. This happens, because 57 acres to
be enclosed belong to the State Arsenal, and to Mount
St. Yincent Academy, and to the present receiving reser-
voir, which will all be allowed to remain, and will be im-
proved in ornamental connection with the park, and be-
cause the city already owns 135 acres scattered in various
parts within the proposed enclosure ; 27 acres of which
is on ground to be covered by the new reservoir.

By reference to page 11, under the head of Extent, it

Doc. No. 83.) I486

is shown, that a larger portion of the purchase money
could be paid by assessment on the surrounding property,
if it should be thought expedient, for the purchase of
Central Park than for the purchase of Jones' Park,
which will reduce the amount of purchase money to be
taxed upon property generally.

In case of such purchase, by tax upon property gene-
ally, by issue of stock or otherwise, the amount to be
paid for Central Park will also be reduced, or returned
into the City Treasury, by the amounts received from time
to time, for sales of sites upon the borders of the park,
which can be spared, with advantage, for ornamental
buildings devoted to public purposes, &c, as explained
on page 10, under the head of Extent.

Setting aside the greater economy of the purchase of
Central Park, the numerous considerations of greater
convenience of locality, general accessibility, better capa-
city for embellishment, superior topographical availabil-
ity, and public health, as have been shown, would induce
your Committee to recommend the purchase of this park
in preference to Jones' Park.

Your Committee having fully set forth all " the advan-
tages and disadvantages of the ground (known as Jones'
Woods,) designated in the act of the Legislature," re-
ferred to in the resolution committed to them, and having
also examined and reported as to " whether there be not
a better locality for a park, equal to the present and pro-
spective wants of a great and rapidly increasing city, and
susceptible of future embellishments, corresponding to the
wealth and greatness of this commercial metropolis
and having, as they think, fully justified their opinion,

1457

(Doc. Xo. 83.

that the grounds proposed for Central Park should be
purchased in preference to Jones' Woods, or to any other
locality on the island, by a close and rigid comparison of
the advantages of extent, capacity for rural embellish-
ments, general topographical features, economy, &c, to-
gether with a great variety of facts and inferences bear-
ing upon the subject, beg leave to say, that an additional
reason for recommending the location of Central Park is,
that it includes within its limits the site already proposed
by the Croton Water Department for the new reservoir.

Your Committee finally beg leave to call the attention
of your Honorable Body to the tables hereto annexed,
showing, Table 1st. The cost of grading streets and
avenues on the site of Central Park, and the present
value of the lots. Table 2d. Present value of lots and
cost of grading streets and avenues on the site of Jones'*
Park; and also to the map accompanying this report,
showing the relative position, size, topography, etc., of
Central Park and Jones' Park, all of which have been
prepared under the direction of your Committee, and are
herewith presented as necessary to a full understanding
of the matters discussed.

In conclusion, it is a matter of congratulation to your
Committee to know, and this report has shown, that it is
within the power of our citizens within a very few years
to possess, at a comparatively trifling expense, a public
park of considerable extent, sufficient for the possible
requirements of the present and future population of a
rapidly growing city ; a park superior in available re-
sources and not surpassed in convenience of position or
availability for tasteful embellishments ; a park which,
our citizens can, with honest pride, favorably compare

Doc. No. 83.)

1488

with the most celebrated public grounds of the chief
cities of Europe ; not excepting Hyde Park of London,
the Champs Elysees of Paris, the Prater of Vienna, the
Cascine of Florence, the Corso of Pome, the Prado of
Madrid, or even, on the American Continent, with the
spacious Plazas of Havana, or the lovely Botanical Gar-
dens of Pio de Janiero. Indeed, your Committee con-
fidently claim that it is within our power to combine the
peculiar features and excellencies of each of these mag-
nificent works in our own park, and even to excel them
all by the availabilty of Central Park for artificial lakes,
streams, cascades and fountains, by reason of its peculiar
formation of surface, and the never-failing and unequaled
supply of water from the largest aqueduct in the world.

It is scarcely necessary for your Committee to state,
that these latter remarks will not apply to Jones' Park,
but refer solely to the supposition that the idea of Central
Park will be adopted, it being so far superior in every
respect to Jones' Park.

Tour Committee therefore report the following resolu-
tion :

Resolved^ That the Counsel to the Corporation be, and
he is hereby authorized and directed to memorialize the
next legislature for the passage of " an act" to authorize
the taking of lands in the central part of this city, for
the use and purpose of a public park, as set forth in this re-
port ; said act to provide for the appointment of Commis-
sioners of Estimate, to be appointed by the Supreme Court.

All which is respectfully submitted.

DANIEL DODGE, ) Special
JOS. BEITTON, j Committee.

L AVER1

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