The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-09-18

Meeting OF tho Park Commissioners or
the CAty Of BroOklyn-A Park or Twelve
Hundred Acres Proposed.
In pursuance OF act Of tho Legislature relative
TO laying out public parks and parade ground Brook
iyn and appointing Board Of Commissioners TO carry out
the provisions contained IN said TO locate the same the
Board held preliminary meeting last june and organized
by the appointments Of Judge John Greenwood as Pres
dent, and Mr.. Luther D. Wyman, Secretary. Thoy
selected number Of committees whose duties should DO
70 examine into the most eligible positions in their severai
districts for public parks and TO present tho results Of
oT various Investigations at future meeting After
arranging these committees the Board adjourned for tho
summer ana on Thursday evening again met hear the
various reports Among thosc present tho adjourned
hcctins wefe Judges Greenwood, Morse aud Smith,
Mayor Berry, Major General Duryea Alderman Mau,or
and several others. The Chairman OF the Committee AN
pointed to perform the duties the Eastern asric. fcx
Mayor Berry, presented report together with MAJ
and outlines in Illustration He said that the committee
had been surprised that in tho outset thcy had undo
ated the importance Of the duties assigned them mo-
being Of the immensely Of the labor required a
their hands. They entered into particulars respecting Tho
rapid growth OF population In New York and Brooklyn
ana remarked upon them as being one vast metro
potan District and foreOld that In tho next decade Of
years the Long Island side this immense town viii
reach beyond the county In which Brooklyn situated
taking rapid Strides outstrctchng anything present.
known in this country In advancement. Z
York from population Of co 900 in 1900 has increased
TO 000 900 in 1859 while in commercial enterprise her
exports have increased during the same period from el9
COO to $50 and her imports have reached tho
amount Of $500 900 This great increase
population owing TO the improvements she has made
for the comfort and convenience Of her citizens
the introduction Of the Croton water her numerous weM
regulated public and private institutions, OF which sha
may be greatly and truly proud, and last but least
period of time has increased in population from 900
habiianis to 100000 including The accession she has de-
rived from her consolidation with the late town Of Bush
The Committee proceed TO say that while they are will
ing to admit that Brooklyn owes in great measure her
rapid growth to her contiguity to New York, still il will
not be denied that New York herself indebted tho
citizens Of Brooklyn degree FOR the prosperity sho
enjoys and the elevated position she occupies mag
much as i is 70 the untiring industry manifested by
in attending to their daily avocatons in the city Of New
York. connected in way other with her commercial
transactions which when added to the enterprise Of tho
sition inferior to 10 other city, If not ranks her
among the foremost commercial cities of the world I'm
der these circumstances the committee think that New
York should show a liberal spirit towards the cu
Of Brooklyn than they have heretofore evnced and
increase the ferry accommodations. r..
AS a site for park the committee recommend the high
ground known as Ridgewood, at East New York. giving
as their reasons therefor central than any
other locality more eligiby located and accessible
by the railroads and macadauzcd roads leading to tho
different ferries which the East river The proposed
site has for its centre the principal reservoir Of the water
works, with the grounds attached thereto amounting to
forty acres which already belong to the city, to which tho
committee propose should be added the grounds imme-
datey surrounding belonging to the Evergreen Cemetery
as well as those belonging TO the Cypress Hills and Jewish
Cemeteries and such other portions Of land adjacent there
to be purchased at fair valuation which altogether
would make park Of 200acres ncudng such ceetories
These grounds may to form
and while each separate interest control its drec
ton for its special advantage they be thrown open
to the public that all who may desire to enjoy the plea
Of comfortable drives and delightful walks do
The committee urge the selection Of the ground which they
propose to call Rdgewood Park for the following
nsFirst, from It's central locality, radiang to every
part Of the city, accessible by all the city railroads. IN
number all OF which terminate at one or the other OF the
ferries which the East river between the Battery and
Harlem river Secondly from the fact that such tract
OF land wen wooded and beautifully supplied with
water, uninterrupted by roads running through 1t or
otherwise obstructed can be secured in enclosure
upon terms reasonable to warrant the city
ing before otherwise appropriated Thirdly, from tia
eligibility and it's natural location, this tract Of land ID bet
ter adapted dranage and having the command Of the
water which may be derived from the reservoir, foun
tans of every variety may be constructed upon the
tral mounds to meet the taste Of the present day. and
at expense less that any other land andLasy from
its proximity to several ats Of land admirably adapted
for parade ground, all Of which in view from tho
high grounds of the proposed park. atset aa.4r
The report laid upon the table, to be taken for
the consideration Of the Board ut their next meeting
There also presented sundry petitions for several
small parks in the Eastern district which were referred,
and the Commissioners then adjourned. 1902