The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-01-20

following interesting description Of the New
York Central Park;
The lands taken for the Park extend from
Fifty.nin,h street to One Hundred aud
Sixth street, ying between the Fifth and
Eighth avenues. The lower line is abou,
five miles from the Battery, and the upper
line about the same distance from the upper
end Of the island. The Park will he about
two miles and half in length and over halt
mile in width. Seven hundred aud seven.
,y-six acres Of land are embraced within
these limits Seven thousand five hundred
and twenty city lots were taken, and their
value assessed at five millions one hundred
aud eleven thousand four hundred and twcn.
six dollars and thirty cents. About ten
acres belonging to the State upon which the
arsenal stands, were subsequently purchased
by the city Tor three hundred thousand dol.
lars. la the centre Of this area stands the
Croton reservoir, covering thIrly.three
acres, and the grounds reserved for the new
reservoir, covering one hundred aud seven
acres. The cost of surveys and other Incl
dental expenses up to the date OF the confr-
nation Of the report of the commissioners
amounted to about $500 The amount
assessed on property owners IN the vicinity
OF the Park, for benefit received, is Sl 600, :,
600 The law of 1856, for the regulation
aud government OF the Park, provided that
no plan for the laying out OF the grounds
should be adopted, OF which the entire ex-
pcnse, when funded should require Tor the
payment Of the annual interest greater
sum than one hundred thousand dollars per
annum.
The entire cost OF the Park will be as fol.
lows:
Cost OF 40 acres -, III ,t2b 80
Cost Of 10 acres subsequently, pur
chased. ......,..........,,, 800 900 90
surveys and other expenses. 50, 900 q ;
Amountappropratcdf for improve
nenn.. n........,.......,.....' I9oo,oo0 J0
Total amount already appropri.
ated ...,..............,.,.. o., aet, t25 90
In the above statement IL not included
the value of the thirty three acres occupied
by the Croton reservoir. which belonged TO
the city. aud which will probably increase
the amount 10 seven and n half millions OF
dollars, and i, is thought by some that, be.
fore the entire plan is carried out, il will cost
ten millions Of dollars Truly this may be
called d gigantic undertaking.
The surface Of the ground embraced with
10 the Park il much broken by rocky hills,
and presents rugged aspect The up
per portion il the most elevated presenting
some grand views oi the surrounding coup
try There are many fine tres iotefspersed
over the ground. The commissioner sp-
pointed to lay on, the grounds offered the
following sums for d,signs:
F0r the second ,.,....,....-.. ........ 900
For the third t.......,...,..,..- $50
For the fourth ...,.......,............. 600
Typographical plans were furnished 10 all
applicants. On the 1t Of March, 1858 the
plans were opened by the commissioners.
There were thirty-threc competitors The
design Of Calvert Naux aud Frederick Law
Olmsted obtained the first premium, and the
first premium, and the work Of improve
ment II now ia active progress under the
anperintenlcnce OF these -kilIiul gentlemen
from two 10 three thousand men are EN-.
ployed on the work, blasting rocks, making
roads aud walks, and constructing the new
reservoir, which is tn Dc made 10 present
the appearance II beautiful lake Of irrcg.
ular shale. and encircled by drive of more
than mile in length. parade ground Of
f''y acre. has been ~t apart Tor The uso Of
the military, and provision made for play
grounds also. flower garden, skating
ponds, &c, In tie upper portion an arbo-
rum will be i"rmfd Immense numbers Of
,rces are uodcr cultivation 10 bed, ready 10
be -.t out IN their appropr ate places. a
.ubstaulial s,oDr wall eurIo-cs the whole
park. Ncssrs NaUy aa1 OlmstI have the
heads ~ understand