The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1860-07-24
The New York Central Park.

The glory and pride of New York is
her grand park. When the improve
ments are completed, there will be moth
ing equal to it in beauty and attractions
on the face of the earth It's creates t
charm consists in its diversity of natural
uIiace. There are miniature mountains,
hills, crags, dells, caves, meadows,
plains. undulatons, lakes and streams
The variety of the vegetation equals that
of the surfaces, All kinds of trees,
shrubs, plants, grasses, and flowers, lhat
will live in the climate Of New York are
to be found in the park.
There are grand avenues bordered
with trees, for carriage roads bride
paths, and foot paths wind up steep ac-
clivites, and descend into deep dells.-
In tangled groves are seats and rests.
some rustic, others hewn in the rocks.-
There are shady bowers, and charming
arbors covered with ivy and other creep
ing vines. On the top OF the noun
tam, near the centre of the park, is a
fine view Of the whole adjoining coun-
try Tor miles, embracing the great city
in part, glmpses at the Palisades on The
Hudson, the high bridge aqueduct for
the Croton, the sound BROOKLYN, bav, and
villages on the east side oil East River.
the whole constituting a magnificent pan
Drama. Under the mountain" there
passes tunnel OF several hundred feet
IN length, connected with deep cutroad
hewn out of tho solid granite. and extend
ing clear across the park fer the accom-
modauon OF public travel from one side
of the city to the other. There are two
more oil these deep cut business roads
uansrersely crossing the park for the
use OF the commercial public, but are so
arranged as not TO interfere with the
pleasure roads or paths OF the park f.
They are crossed by arched bridges al
numerous places. The new Reservoir,
which is within the limits of the park /
will be lake OF circular form, contain
ing loe acres, and will greatly add to the 7
beauty Of the upper end of the grounds. (
The top OF the embaukment will be n
carriage way 40 feet wide, aud a mile in .
making a splendid drive
for fast nass, The outer eide OF the en-
bankment will be planted with eyergreens /
and shrubbery. Ii has not yet been de-
termined whether sail and row boats will I
be permitted on this vas, reservoir, which
will contain depth OF thirty feet OF erys-
tai water The park is tno and half
miles long, and Two thirds OF "a mile wide,
and contains 900 acres. The cost Of the
land taken, exclusive Of the reservoir,
was four millions of dollars, and the sum
already expended in laying out and en-
beilIshlng the grounds, over two mill.
ions, (S2, ,oS9. .00o). The Commission
ers having at their disposal the farther
sum OF 81, 100000, making the total
cost Of the Park SO. 50o,OO Tie an
nuai expense OF keeping the grounds in
order, Watering the lawns and roads, and
Tor superintendent aud police force, is
AT ) $4,000. Bat only S91,-
300 Is asked Tor these purposes this
year. There are two thousand laborers
md gardeners employed this season, in
blasting and removing rocks. hauling
'arIh, building bridges. roads and paths,
md beantiiying the grounds
There is laid out at the lower end OF
he park lawn OF thirty acres, tringed
With tine trees, aud surrounded by
broad carriage way and side walk. This
moolh, level meadow is intended for
military parade ground--a sort ot Champ
ie Mars. Five or SIX thousand soldiers
vii have space to exhibit their tacuets
md warllke man@uvres. The park is
cached by horse cars on the different ,,
oads--one of them, the Harlem road
'assng along tho whole distance of The
'mk. Already il has become popular
esort On any tine afternoon and even,
ng NAV be seen hundreds OF carriages !
md equestriaus dying about the winding /
lriyes. up hill and down dale around the \
axes and through woods, While lhous /