The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-08-20

sdered. Proceeding Down the path, ccme, opposite
TO the Sixth avenue entrance, to an excavation,
extending 10 toe Filth avenue, and about nve acres
in extent which has been dug out for lake, while low,
swamp grounds in other LOCALITIES Of the Park have been
Allied up IN every cnse the ground being made TO conform
plan Of the architect nd lot the plan TO the natural
lay the ground Tue central lake skating pond has
been dsepered and widened by excavations, and the
ho-es built up with masonry; and the lake at Mellow
an Pass q. the northern extremity of the PARK has
been dug cut, nine thousand cubic yards Of material
hsving been sxcavated from the contemplated SITE aud
the limits and form Of the axe not having been yet de-
cded upon the drainage and sewerage viii OF course be
understood wi.hor. any particular description and the
Proceeding Up the Park, we fad II incomplete and uu
hnshed, with the exception Of carriage roads and few
spes Of TO the FIRST Of thu roads Of which
four 70 cross the PARK NJ Sixty sixth, Eghtieth,
Eighty rixih and Ninety seventh streets. Before we
reach this transverse road 10 sandy valley, on
the right hand rough and rugged, with bride path
Transverse rcads they called crooked streets
connecting Fifth and Eighth avenues, built below the
srohsa where
they are crossed by the drives These roads are admra
by adapted TO be Quilted by the rains in summer and
probably, Ike the BRIDGE, form feature
OF the park more ornamental than useful necessary a.
enough s present TO crowd out popular improve
mcnts Beyond this road IN imitation marble yard TO
the right and great stretches Of green turf to the LEM
finished portion OF the Park, with beautiful vstas Of
green, clumps OF rock and bushes artscay arranged
ano some me trees, orig nal inhabitants OF the SOIL here,
AZ everywhere however, the trees the paths 30
arrapgd that possible for the vsi:er obtain the
slightest sh sce and II the end Of tho Mall with It's quad
ripple row OF fine elms, II has been found necessary
small ten: the visiters from tho
Tcis Nall, II 10 were shader, would certainly be most
beautiful promenade and will be one Of the attractions Of
the Park. Just here begins the grand Central Lake.
skating pond and at the extremity Of the Mall there is
building magnificent stone terrace, with arches and
fountains, look south from the Ramble and taking In
At grand view almost the entire whole Of the western
portion Of the Park This almost the centre Of the
Park and except the drives on either side the ground
beyond IT, towards the avenues, is az rough, rugged
;ioa.l spots. and several Carriage and bride
sections The shores Of pond upon the northern sde
broken and billy, with any amount OF small shrubbe
ry, and walk winding and twisting into perfect
This the picturesque and the most vorte portion
OF the Park for here nature has been left almost entirely
TO herself the rocss furnish cool and refreshing shade
there Of the lake, with It's bright waters give
variety and beauty 70 the promenade. Beyond
Vicinity ~ Of which unfortunate vehicles pitch and
toss In q of sand, then the old and new reser-
vors separated by another transverse road and then
THE NORTHERN PORTION OF THE PARK,
into which few vsters except those from Harlem and
Manhattanvlle, venture This part OF the Park,
about third Of the entire area is almost untouched
few roads laid out and the excavations for the lake
already noticed going There are two or three
wooden buildings upon this portion Of the Park, and the
vaCated ABOUT S9teTB Oh CnaT
ty, who removed 70 Font Hi upon the Hudson is now
occupied the residence OF the Architect Chief The
country here Ia agresaby diversified with hills well
wooded with fine, Fertile soil few rocks and an abun-
supply OF water. The Park bounded by 1o6th
street. but really extends 70 10th street, the Le-
gislAture having passed act 70 bring the
interiacept ground within the Park limits. Two
and half millions OF dollars have beef granted for the
completion Of the Park with the promise that only
a;h year.
WHAT THE PARK WILL BIZ.
With the improvements now contemplated, or In pro.
gess with its drives, promepades, lakes, statues-o
which one OF Commodore Perry has already been pre-
sented by A. Belmont-zoological and botanical
gardens nurseries, art galleries. splendid bridges fount
aims, forests, lawns, winter drives through evergree
lanes cricket and bali grounds skating ponds towers
fine buildings for its managers the Central Park will
when completed, be perfect gem of art and may ny
called OF the wonders Of the world II will far
any o. me q s
future beauty however, hang like dark curtains the fact
that immense amount OF money will have to be OF
pended before this nation be reachod that
long time viii have 10 elspse before the Park will hav
grown into ts ovelness and that at least and pro
for he purposes Tor wn,ch il was designed Il is yer,
easy say some TO indicate these faults but as easy
70 indicate how they might have been avoideds tru
would have been perfectly practicable TO have given tho
public Central Park to enjoy now, well as one 10
Joy only by anticipation TO show this we have but
consider
WHAT THE PARK MIGHT HAVE BEEN.
In the first place, the Park such Is, and such as
will be- II completed In accordance with the present de
signs, has been entirely created Swampe have beer
filed up rocks eveled lakes excavated and attention
whatever has been paid to the natural features Of tn
grounds little study Of which would have saved mucl
money and more time. If, then, walks and roads ha
been laid out, trees transpanted, M for t,e Bots
Bouoene In Parisbodiiy and without being denudei
their native sof bridges had been built from the M
tive rock and from stone transported from Nova SEQ
tia the natural features OF the locale being ali the whi
consu,ed-w should have had, year ago, and at
not much exceeding 800 COO, park open TO the public
and with the attractions sufficient for demands OF
raj scenery, pure air and shade Now have the pur
air but the and the scenery In the future In
definite, inhntive tense-the to be about TO be. Then
/ II such improvements were needed the Park nigh
/ gradually have been raised TO the perfection OF
mammoth landscape garden by portions and without da
turbing enjoyment, as the builders raise whole block
Of houses level without destroying the comfort
Of the occupants To mind, also, the wrong porto
Of the Park has been cted for beginning operations
The Commissioners say they selected the lower por
ton because Il the city and better for pedes
TRANS but what Is the OF having entertainment
near At hand al which pleasure 10 Afforded, It's on
attraction being It's vicinity The upper portion OF th
Park though further removed from the city, could hav
| been with little expense transformed into beautiful
| the public until the lower portion had reaches
advanced stage. BY either OF these methods tn
public would have had Central Park 10 enjoy them
selves I'M but now burned BY the SUM- tired OF waRin
along paths bordered by comfortable seats and
rounded by tumble OF stones iron and dirt, they retrea
TO Jones Wood for that comfort which they have amp
paid for but cannot receive In their own Park. Neri
Il L.fA