The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-04-19
7 n e p A r K A..

improvements and Additions-Compl e-
tion OF the Drives and Walks Around
Harlem Lake-The Birds and AMI
nals-A New Statue Erected-Prepara-
lions for the Summer demonstrating
Statistics, sc.
The very pleasant weather-more like that OF May
than April-with which We were favored last week
wrought great change in the appearance Of the Park
Under the inspiring influence Of sunshine and balmy
atmosphere thousands Of visitors made pilgrmages to
the Park Thursday Friday and Sunday. giving to the
drives and rambles most cheerful aspect suggestive Of
the scenes witnessed there during past seasons
Tho roads and walks all settled and in the very
best condition. ------.
NEW FEATURES.
Many improvements have been made at the Park
during the winter intended TO increase the general
beauty and sttractiveness Of the place The
drives and walks around and In the vicinity Of Harlem
Lake. at 10th street. nearly completed and will DO
thrown open TO promenaders and equessrans BY the
time the Saturday afternoon concerts shall have boon
inaugurated for the season For the accommodation OF
persons visiting the upper section Of the Park saloon will
be opened at Mount st. Vincent where refreshments will
be served up The of this saloon will be supplied
with rich, odashioned furniture, similar TO that in use
at the beginning Of the century. flower garden,
laid in the Of this place. where the patrons of
the establishment may receive their refreshments and
at the same time enjoy the luxury of being IN the
open air.
The massive bridge across the valley has been COM
pleed, and is well worth visit to the Upper Park.
large of wurkmen at present EMPLOYED in putting
the Park in order for the opening OF the The
moving machines at work the lawns the grass OF
which Is being shaved down close the hair the
head OF Zouave or member Of the p. r. great va
rety of rustic structures for shade and seats have been
sided to the Park for the convenience and comfort Of
planted and the pruning knife is busily work both
cutting away and grating some of the early plants are
in blossom and with pleasant weather ndLarm sun
shine the floral beauty OF the Park will make very
brilliant manifestation by the first of My
BIRDS AND ANNALS.
On the lake the swans and other aquatic fowl have
made their appearance after the long Imprisonment OF
the winter The brood Of swans has been considerably
increased since last fall and the muscoves have suffered
no loss by DEATH The peacocks and pecans are as hale
and hearty ever. The deer and camels passed the
winter very WELL and more to be seen in the
open air. An addition to the family of Cape bualoes
(Afrcan) has been made since last summer On the 10Th
of March a male calf born, and both mother and
babe doing well. This makes the hole number
fonr-the only members Of the species ever brought to
this country The flock OF sheep have grown consdera
bly, and now constitutes one OF the finest and largest to
be seen anywhere.
SATURDAY CONCERTS.
Weather permitting the Saturday concerts will DO re-
sumed the first Saturday afternoon OF next month.
The musicians pagoda has been repaired and rersinted
and the arbor the activity in front Of has also I'M
dergone repairs. The same should be said Of
THE BOATS
which will be launched on the lake In few
days Two small craft for the OF boys will be put
the pond this The water there very shnl
low and the boys will have opportunity 70 enjoy the
sports OF rowing and sailing without running the risk
Of being drowned.
BOUNDARY WALLS.
The exterior wall the Fifth avenue side Of the Park
10th street, will be finished, and will add
much 10 the beauty Of that section of the Park On the
Eighth avenue side the work similar scale has been
discontinued account OF the proposed regarding Of
hat Tnc md archu lQodin N
ton reservoir will be completed in a few weeks
STATUE OF COMMERCE.
A very handsome attraction has been added to the
near tho Eighth entrance, which has been named
tho merchants Gate" This statue Is Of bronze, and
stands on a granite pedestal 1t IL finely wrought
figure and presented 10 the Park by Nr Guion,
eminent merchant of Liverpool, England
HACK DRIVERS AND HACKS
An effort Is to be made by the Commissioners Of tho
Park during this summer to put stop 70 the exorbant
charges which the hackmen who have carriages at the
Park often make for the OF veticaes At present
the hacks at the not unx the control 81
the Commissioners who are, theref,te, povcrless To
remedy the evil. StrJngers visiting The Park fro
queny required 10 pay most eXortonate prices choos
ing to suffer the imposition rather than be subjected 70
probably find that they will be rnabe 10 pursue this
course OF business after the first o. next month.
SKATING STATISTICS.
During the past winter there twenty eight skat-
ing days which the number OF visitors was as fol
lows
PEDESTRIANS eo3,ss0; eqaesirans, 1850; carriages,
81, 30, and sleighs, IS, 500
This shows that the people Of New York embrace the
opportunity for skating, aud skate with vengeance.