The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-06-09
The Central Park.

laying out the Central Park which was submitted to the
Commissioners at their last meeting:-
This plan for laying out the grounds included within
the limits Of the Central Park is based upon the topo
graphical confguration Of the ground.
Gsologcany the rocks Of this tract belong the gneiss
formation, with occasional injections Of granite veins
the characteristics Of the rocks vary in different por lions
owing the presence, to greater less extent Of
terrugnous matter which has the effect to hasten it's
dsintegration when present in large quantities In
psrcns, Also the planes of stratiacaon
distinctly marked than h others On this feature de-
ponds its adapabty for works Of constructing bridges
culverts, &e.
The rocks in many portions Of the area have been
the process of denudAon entirely deprived Of tho
face SOIL having bare, uninviting and unpicturesque
aspect The lesser valleys, which intervene between the
elevations have to certain extent, streams Of drain
age which Of course being limited BY the drained
variable in their character being ct times entirely
dried up Several surface springs also appear, which,
for the reason cannot be depended upon for any
extensive purposes. There few trees and the
vegetation in consequence the premises beng for
great measure been destroyed. There are some bush
wood, which can, BY cultivation, b. made use Of "A
comparatively small poron of the ut present le
vel. 1t will at oncebe perceived that the work Of the
typographical engineer must precede that of the
The avenues and roads must conform to the natural
character Of the surface and they must be located with
extreme care having reference to their proper
composed, as vel as to picturesque variety in their
character and direction. They should especially
benefit the park is laid out Although q continuous
drive of twenty. five thirty miles might be laid out
within the limits Of the park the effect Of It would be
complete the whole circuit The prncp pal avenue in the
park should which, while it embraced the main
length that it would be passed in its whole
without becoming tedious ride. At the same time
there should be lateral roads whose rsmfcasons should
should be arranged as to afford avenues of transit
the park which, without being made too regular
in their character, might still correspond to the wider
streets which have been laid out the city. The
Com mssioners Of the Croon Aqueduc Department have
sgnaed their willingness to adopt any rational plan for
reservoir provided the absolute be maintained and
the cost Of construction be not increased. This will
pearance OF natural lake, and thus to form not the
least striking and beautiful feature of the park.
mg tn thu: promised the principal Textures Of the
ought to be fulfilled, description OF the proposed plan
Is given.
park the Of Fifth and Fifty ninth sleet
BY wide gateway on an avenue Of one hundred feet IN
width. called the "Crcuit" which assume. winding
direction oonormabe to the topography of the surface
occupying mean position between the lines OF the Fifth
and Sixth avenues On reaching the hood OF
to the Fifth avenue leaving between the latter and the
reservoir level plain Of about sixty acres In extent
intended tor parade for the various volunteer military
corps in the city. After leaving the Parade the
Circuit passes to the right OF "the Botanical Garden"
occupying of about two thousand feet In width
and extending from the Fifth to the Eighth avenue be-
The present and reservoir. Leaving the Be-
anical Garden 1t passes around the new laid
out in irregular shape, and designated the Cro.on
Lake, considerable portion Of " the Circuit" over
looks the lake, and ct the time commands
tensve and beautiful view Of the Harlem river part Of
Westchester county and Long leland Sound From Gro.
ton Lake, the Circuit maintaining the same general
character passes to the left Of the Botanical
occupying . position between the Eighth
and Seventh avenues, passing the Cricket ground,
Of thirty acres, and leaving the park ct the
junction Of Broadway. Fifty ninth street and tina Eighth
entrance Fifty ninth street. between the Fifth and
Sixth avenues and occupies central position far
the park at proportional distances,
between Fifty ninth and One Hundred and Sixth streets
also, numerous smaller wind around the hills
and along the streams which msander through the
grounds supplying water here and there TO numerous
small and beautiful lakes. 70 the have besn
given the Of the Indian counties Of the State and
entire fora of the State that the park with it, great
Lake. its noble public work. Its miniature mountains and
fertile valleys win be It epiome and exponent
Of the great State in which 1t lies.
II has not been the intention here to describe all Of the
features which marked upon the plan, the small lakes
and f,untans the statues &C., is It supposed that
they constitute all which it viii contain but It Is bellev
ed that the main features which have been enumerated
form the basis of what is required and to which
ground Is adapted. Careful measurement and careful
study aided by jutgmsnt and taste, must Gil up ths
plan. As general principle those features which as
existing in degree picturesque, should be
suffered remain in state Of nature and those should
be made picturesque which are susceptible of It, Those
which not cannot be made picture sque should
be unded into undulating beauty or leveed fol
sward. By following these principles the park be
readily adapted to the purposes for which It is intendd
end made In every worthy Of the city Of which 1t viii
Ohm the chief ornament