The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-30

improved
Among theee rules are the following First studiousy
TO conceal every appearance OF art expensive
py which the scenery IL improved secondly careiuy
10 disguise the real boundary large or small tho
thirdly TO hide natural defects and TO display
the natural beauties 10 the utmost advantage fourthy
To bian from the favorable points the greatest
sbe extent of view and conceal all objects which limit
ohsruct the blending all the parts that while
the beauties distinctly visible there
abrupt painful 20 the eye and destroying the
symmetry the whole thus securing that unity and
harmony essential TO tho perfection OF the des en-
The boundary may DO disguised by an irreg
ular belt Of trees aong the exterior line and the
general thing being limited by this exterior line, fol-
lows that s extent IL diminished approach the cen
since instead of having broad view with
oesary distance to complete the landscape divide the
/ view IN two and have incomplete on each side
Hence the avenue Of communication which intended
deveope the principal features of the Park should
Gated as near TO the exterior line the character of the
ground and other circumstances will admit An addition
al reason for which is found in the greater OF
drive which Is thereby securedan important consdera
ton where the area Is limited az in this case. These
general principles modified by the character OF the
ground and the recognized necessity Of adapting the
park 70 the wants and pleasures Of all classes or the
munty have determined tho outline OF the plan which
accompanies this report
The entrances have been selected at the corner OF Flat
bush and Vanderbilt at the of Ninth
and Third street. at the or Washington
and Warren street at the corner of Gleason and Washing
ton avenues at tho southeastern angle, and at the inter
section Of Iatbush avenue with the easerly lne be-
ing the most ready points OF access from tho city.
be alteration of the design, excepting in tho improved
location OF the roads and walk, the notheastcry
O
have considered the main entrance the park to be
located ut the Of Flabush and Vanderbilt avenues
e % Seng a emu i passing nS
ineIsccng other principal avenues and many principal
streets, would naturally be the selected by many
/ citizens TO reach the park.
From the principal entrance the drive takes a
nrthery direction penetrating at once into the secu
sion Of the grounds To the left the excluding belt Of
trees which it alternately enters and skirts On tho
right succession of wooded hills separated by pctnr
esoue valleys rise until they eliminate Mount Pros.
| highest
is concealed by judcous planting until by gradual and
almost bic ascent the road reaches tho sum
nit when the landscape bursts upon the view
Here broad esplanade ailorcs room for reasonable
| number Of vehicles to remain without interruption to
east ard the latter FIebush avenue by
simple but substantial viaduct ami skirting the western
boundary reaches "the Parade at FIRST street. d,scos-
| ing in its route fine interior view.
ltmay be objected that military display destroys, in
measure, the needed seclision OF park but happily
the topography OF inc site selected y such
as to connne the spectacle to its immediate
locality; while to exclude 50 large portion Of
the public from the advantages to be derived
from the park would be to defeat one Of its leading OBJ
jects This ground may, Of course, be used tor all
kinds OF outdoor sports space sufficient for all these
purposes Is provided and lie green, level lawn viii in it.
sef add much to the general beauty the landscape AT
the same time the gentle eniaen.es by which 1t ID
surrounded VIII admirable positions for spectators
In the finished plan have doubt that this will prove
one OF its most Interesting and attractive features At
the southcry extremity OF Ihe Parade" the road
wooded valley where 1t meets tho westerly entrance
thence sweeping around tho re entering angc at THIRD
street, it continues its course through the beautifully
wooded westerly border until it debouches at "The
Lakea nno sheet Of water, the Of supply If
which from the interior OF the grounds, 1t is believed
| will prove unfailing.
Crossing the head Of 1.-THE lake" by bridge the
road descends into tho by valley slightly undu
a,ing plain partly partly lawn, where it is
proposed locate Thc Botanical Garden" Its position,
sheltered from the north, and with southern expo
sure, together with its well drained ,luval sod, adj
mrably adapts it for the purpose The beauty and ut
questioned Whether the improved cultivation and
careful developcment of Indigenous and exotic trees
and plants shall be placed in the hands Of an
int ependent ation Of citizens like the Horticul
tura Society the space being set apart for this purpose
whether this shall form Of the duties Of the Com
mssioncrs, Is question not german TO this report TO
discuss. earnestly hope however, that in Que way
the other this desteratum be accomplished 1t can
fail prove Of great value ard import many
while it will ussureily be of interest to all.
Leaving sThe Botanical Garden, the road enters "The
Forest !" and passes under Flabush avenue 1.-The
Glen where in the plantation the evergreen should
be made to prevail there will be produced variety and
novelty If not grandeur especially IN the winter season.
exhibiting the finest possible effect From "The Glen
the ascends to the espanade, continues on the
circuit to the main entrance An intersecting road from
Pass and me cts the at 1.-The Parade" side
road for equesans and walk for pedestrians accompa
ny the drive. Certain minor walks and other de-
tails shown tho plan, but these of Incl
dental and subordinate to the leading features OF improve
shaded retreats shall indicate; winding paths through
woodland dels, of which there are number miniature
lakes where the topography and supply OF water VIII
pcrmtal these follow in the progress of the improve
The plan as sketched believed be consistent with
the character and situation OF the ground to contain
| every feature which 1t s desirable TO provide
within the area and to require for its execution sum
| much below the value Of the results attained.
| fiATBUsH AVENUE.
This avenue, has been stated, runs diagonaly
through the park and is excluded its limits being
reserved as a means Of transit to the suburbs II may
nevertheless be made to form striking feature in the
general design OF improvement Its peculiar location IS
such that opens view, through Brooklyn, Of portion
OF the harbor, and In the direction through Flat
bush, of the ocean. by planting double row OF trees
each side II will form a line promenade, while the
trees will hide from view the disagrecabe accom-
panimen Of traffic road. II the cobble stone pavement
smoother material. il would have the effect to diminish
the which from The character Of the travel IT,
would DO nsepaabe from the use of cobbie stone for
| pavement.
Among the arguments used in opposition to an exten
siye civic improve Of this Kind the large orr
cna cost Of the ground, the cost Of putting into
suitable condition Tor and the cost OF maintaining
after II is laid out. And II Is contended by some that
the total outlay under tn three heads not warranted
BY any results which may be attained
Experience IN Engnd, France ana this country thus
far has proved that the Increased value Of
lands has than baarced the OUTLAY by the increased
amounts derived from regular taxation upon the
And in regard to tho cost of improvements, it is a
mistaken idca-unhappily become too prevalent-that
| en- bellshncLts Of grounds in the hands OF public
oncers necessarily very expensive matter white on
the contrary II the rules laid down in this report be fol
OF improvemcnt-thcre is 10 reason why this public
work cannot be completed at the rate Of expend
,ufe which would snycrna private citizen 10 mprovSs
FOR the thor Illness and TIE stability of the work.
In regard 10 the preservation Of the grounds after com
petion, comparatively email sum will be sufficient
jndicously expended.
The following estimates Of tho cost OF the entire i'm
provements are submitted as maximum sum which In
various ways may be reduced, IL thought expedicnt
during the progress u the work
hrainagc. Ss2OOt
Manure "a ON
Tfenchnes.. II wv
nnsls' 20 wv