The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-06-06

The New PARK OF THE METRoroLIs-EN-
LARGENENr OF THE BATrERY.-The Committee
on Lands and Places have reported to the Board
of Aldermen in favor of the proposed park, to
be formed by purchasing Jones' Woods and the
Schermerhorn property, in the vicinity of Sixty
sixth to Seventy-ffth street, and running from
the Third avenue to the East river. The land
extends over of about one hundred and
fifty acres and embraces nearly as much as some of
the fashionable public parks of London. 1t would
form kind of Hyde Park for New York. Its loca-
tion is beautiful, having large water frontage,
and il is shaded beautifully with fine trees. Every
citizen ought be reoi,ed that the report promises
to bring about so desirable result. The long
talked of enlargement Of the Battery has been de-
cided upon by the Board Of Aldermen, but pre-
sumo will not receive the sanction of the Mayors
signature; because, however desirable the enlarge
ment, it involves very nice and important questions
with respect to the channels of the harb or and the
filling up of docks. We shall not be surprised to
find veto put upon the measure.
Some of the public journals-which seem to care
more for private interest than for public pleasure
and satisfaction-wish to be wiseacres about the
lovely acres in the upper part of the city, and ask
what is the of converting this land into park
We suppose they have an eye to buildings and
rents, and wish to have the city all pockets, and
without lungs. We have a different mott IN in the
matter Such park is proposed, in ten years
will be in the centre Of the population of the me-
tropolis Already, nine-tenths Of the family tene-
ments of the city above Canal street. and in ten
years more business establishments will crowd the
population further back, and eventually, families
will have to reside above Union square. Twelve
years ago, Nblo'S was out Of town-to-day, it is
down town. Such is the march Of improvement
Ten years hence, such lot of land cannot be had
at any price, because it will be occupied by houses
Now never is the time to secure it, that the pub
lie may have one place on this island where they
can enjoy agreeable drive snuff fresh air, purified
by the influence of ns thriving trees, and feel that
they have sacred right to loiter when lassitude
Expresses, and the frame requires IMMIGRATION
The people need this luxury. To them it will be
invaluable and it is not too much to say that it
will be worth million Of dollars year to the city,
in adding the attractions which bring strangers
within walls
We trust, therefore, that the whole people will
be interested to have the proposed park, and that
the march of Mammon will not 60 ahead Of en-
lghtened opinions the subject. Everybody will
want the park when it belongs to the city and is
completed by being laid out in walks and carriage
roads. Already we seem to breathe freer, in
imagining the enjoyment to be derived from it.
We regret that the enlargement Of the Battery
cannot be made without great danger to the chan
mel Of the North river, and that it il, therefore,
very dangerous experiment. The probabilities are
that the direction given to the currents, by filing
up the proposed space would be such as to fill up,
also, many Of the docks on the North river. Ger
tainly, in undertaking such enterprise, extreme
caution should be used, at least. The act being
one, the effects Of which no further legislation
touch, We think the Mayer would be fully justified
in Withholding his sanction from it while the OPT
MON Of scientific is found to be adverse to the
II is impossible to calculate with precise
certainty what mischief would ensuc from the pro-
posed enlar cement; but any one who has looked at
the photographed points Of the subject must be
satisfied that changes will be effected by the diver
sion Of the currents, and these may prove very
injurious to the property in that section Of the city
The Mayor should pause and deliberate, if he has
not examined the subject with scientific eye. The
advantages Of the enlargement counterbalanced
by the possible dctriment which may cnsue.