The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-20


that ii is TO be hoped that American journal will give
currency such invidous attacks the fair fame
less The from which they and the probable
motives thereof are fully pointed out. VERfrAS.
The Central Park.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.
To THE HONORABLE THE COMMON Council or THE CRY OF New
The Of Commissioners Of the Central Park, in COM
pance with the provisions OF the sixth section Of the act
entitled San act for the regulation and OF the
Central Park in the city Of New York. passed April IT,
That in January 1853 the date OF the rst annual report
Of this Board TO your honorable body the preliminary
surveys Of the Park scarcely completed The break
ing Of stone continued through the earlier
the year 1885, with view OF preparing the necessary
material for the construction of the roads.
having been ascertaned that many Of those intending
TO oer designs for the Park for competition for the prizes
offered would be unable TO complete them early the
LIST of March, the Board deemed expedent, in order
secure the highest abilities in this department. 10 extend
the time wsnn which designs would be received to the
LIST day Of April.
The competing plans for several weeks publicly
exhibited.
The first prize Of 900 was awarded TO the design sub
sequenty adopted the plan Of the Park and general
accordance with which the Park is in
strucon Mr. Frederick Law Omsted, of the authors
OF this design subsequently received the appointment OF
Architect in Chief OF the Park. 1t I'LL about
first day OF June last that force could be organized and
operations commenced at the Park with proper regard
efficiency and economy Of labor the work Park
complshed up to this time has been mainly done the
five months from July December l. from which latter
date winter weather prevents regularity Of labor.
1t would be difficult to communicate the exact progress
made in work of this character still in Of
etrucon 80 as TO convey Ineligible idea OF the pro-
portion Of the various classes of work actually done.
The thorough drainage Of the part Of the Park below the
old reservoir is nearly competed the drive Is for the most
part graded not only within the area, but
tending TO the north above the new reservoir Portions
Of the drve intended examples have been constructed
in different methods with their supcrstructues in order
to test the relative cost end efficiency Of each The ride
for equestrians Is in progress Several miles OF the walks
are graded, drained and graveed and in condition for
use.
Those bridges vaducts which the carriage
road carried and under which the horseback ride
pass, in state Of forwardress, and promise TO be
structures Of beauty well Of utility the prone nade,
prominent feature Of the park nearly complete with
broad walk and Of transpanted Of twenty
years growth. The planting of the Park with great
variety Of shrubs and trees was rapidly progressing
when the cold weather suspended operations lake OF
about twenty above Seventy sixth street far
completed as TO admit Of filling with water during the
winter and has afforded healthfu amusement and
ton for thousands in skating; and the lesser lake
Fifty ninth street near the Fifth avenue also well ad
vanced.
The play ground and the parade ground nearly
pee. Numerous applications of clubs of Skaters Of base
sae ,ha LOT or e
manly, vigorous out of door exercise will be fully
zed; and, with the facilities that the Board Of Conms
soners hope to furnish for skating curling seghing and
sliding, is believed that the Park WILL notwithstanding
the rgor Of the climate afford amusement and attraction
for the months Of winter and summer for all ages and
sexes.
The buildings Of all descriptions that found the
Park have with here and there an exception been sold
and removed and the proceeds Of sales deposited the
treasury Among the buildings spared, though very in
feror structure is the arsenal constructed by the State
and purchased by the city With the desire 10
pense to the State the Board has, much to the inconve
nence of Its business permitted the authorities Of the
State TO occupy large portion Of the arsenal upon the
that the munitions would before this time have
been removed TO the arsenal, but that seems
State should pay rent for the use Of this building The
city was required TO pay 70 the State for this building and
the ground s2aS o and = stu mainly occupied ed oy the
ng and apply to some appropriate purpose connected
The establishment Of pound has been To large extent
eectua in preventing the ncursons Of srayng animals
from which the young trees have suffered injury.
With the desire TO carry on the construction Of the Park
In the economical manner, and relying upon the
Common Council for its cooperation in whatever would
tend to this result the Board Of Commissioners Of the
Central Park In communication to your honorable bo
l. That il would be great saving Of expense to the city
permission given 10 them to take the surplus earth
from Hamilton square, plot Of land lying contiguous to
that part Of the Central Park which requires earth dng
upon which there surplus Of earth that must shortly
be removed.
O. That liberty to take street for fertzng the
Park would be very desirable, inasmuch otherwise
other fertizing matter must be purchased.
That the contracts for grading the streets surround
roes within coraa speced SO that the trees plant
ed along the line Of the curb might md root
Park should be arranged Of the same width as at its lower
the Park.
The desirabity Of adding the piece Of land on the
north end of the Park between Tooth and 10th streets.
and the widening Of the Seventh avenue from the Park 10
These matters were communicated to your honorable
body early in the month Of September In order that
pie time might be had for M requisite action OF the Com
Council before the meeting OF the Legislature and be-
fore the approach OF winter.
These measures were approved by the Common Council
with great unanimiy by The Board of Councilman on the
oath Of October and the Board Of Aldermen the 2st
Of December.
The Commissioners Of the Central Park fully expected
TO employ large number Of men during the winter, when
labor readily obainabe, in the removal Of the sur
plus earth from Hamilton square; but his Honor the
Mayor the city, the last day Of the year returned
the resolutions to the Common Council without his APP
prevail.
The plans Of the Board Of Commissioners for work dur
ing the winter thus frustrated the delay by not get
ting this earth in the work at the Park is serious and the
additional cost to the city Of procuring earth will be no n-
Proposals for widening Fifty ninth street have been in
vited by advertisements based upon the probability Of
securing this surplus EARTH the bids received but
not be awarded, owing TO the inability to get the earth,
and this important part Of the work Of the Park the
Board Of Commissioners of the Central Park also
stayed.
The work Of constructing transverse roads the
lower part of the Park for the accommodation Of traffic
and business travel, Is going forward.
The question Of conducting the various works at the
Park by contract or by days work. was the subject Of
interesting inquiry and after full discussion the Board
determined in the main 10 give preference to days
work. leaving specific cases TO be decided upon they
arise
During the past year Messrs James E. Cooley and Ro-
bert Dillon have resigned office as Commissioners Of the
Central Park and the place Of Mr. Cooley has been sup
The Board OF Commissioners Of the Central Park have
endeavored TO establish and enforce the most stringent
rules 10 the accountability Of all persons in it's employ
1t well understood that competency, integrity and in
dusty the qualities required OF every person charged
with any responsible duty at the Park
report Of the expenditures during the past year, in
detail accompanies this communication In the form OF an
Of the Treasurer Of the Board. Vouchers
these expenditures will be found required by law on
file In the Comptrolers office, and regularly numbered
and fled for convenient reference.
BY summary Of account Of the Treasurer II appears
that
The balance on hand December 81 1857 was 1926 6s 9s
Receipts from January to December 81 1858. 466l So
Total. $3.50, $50 SO
Expenditures during the year ending Deem