The New York herald., 1868-06-07
TIE WASHINGTON PARK IMPROVEMENT.
Commencement Of the Work and Design
Thereof.


Since the passage OF the act by the Legislature OF
1867 giving the Prospect Park Commissioners full
control over the management OF the parks located
within the limits OF the city OF Brooklyn, heretofore
under the care OF the Common Council, a marked
and highly creditabe and advantageous improve
ment mas been evnced IN the general aspect these
pubic pleasure grounds Carroll Park, South Brook
lyn, has undergone thorough rejuvenatlng manipu.
laion under the hands OF the skilled gardener The
walks there have been renovated drainage facili.
ted, trees trees trimmed. hedges planted, nower
beds laid out In artistic forms and all that can tend
20 make this hitherto much neglected little park n
most desirable place OF resort for the residents of that
neighborhood has recently been accomplished under
the supervision OF Mr. James $. T. Siranuahan and
the other members Of the Board Of PARK Commits.
ei0ners.
or Prospect Park so much has been said in those
columns from time TO time, that Il remains hut TO be
said that this great undertaking IL progressing slow
ly hut surely towards the high niche, In point Orrepu
taton, On the tower off fame which for artificial and
engineering skill combined with the peculiar natural
advantages OF location must be awarded IL.
ON Monday last the work Of breaking the first
ground for the Improvement OF Fort Greene or
washington Park, was commenced. This park IL
bounded by Myrtle and De Kalb avenues and Cumber-
land aud Canton streets and is therefore located IN
most central and thickly settled section OF Brooklyn.
Tue ground Is mainly elevated above the adjoining
land, rising IN parts considerable that the SUR
rounding buildings are overlooked and most excel
lent view is afforded Of the East river and the Lower
BAY. In the hottest weather OF summer, when the
aehzens OF the surrounding habitations look about
tneI premises in vain for cool current OF air, the
IeIIeshlng sea breeze that can almost always be
iounu on the higher levels OF Fort Greene woos them
hIineT' Yet, notwithstanding all these advantages
,l mnloh ,ns Historic ground possesses as place OF
popular recreation for the residents OF that part of
the city, II was not properly kept indeed N was de.
cidedly neglected. untl II came under the fostering
care OF the commissioners who recognizing the i'm.
portance and propriety OF regulating so desirable
spot and converting 1t Into more Inviting place of
resort for the people, sought for some apnfonriata
design for carrying out their views. Last Setenher
plan was finally decided upon, designed by a promi
nent nrln OF New York landscape architects, upon
which the work has just been inaugurated The
ground to be improved is thirty acres In extent
and the surface, which Is OF raised character sur
gests more complete and interesting arrangement
OF accommodations for popular recreation than
can often be attempted in the public squares
OF large towns; and yet, In the opln.
ion OF the architects, IL is altogether too
restricted to be properly laid out as park. II Ia in.
tended that the lowest ground In the angle between
hyrue avenue aud Canton street shall be laid out as
pace for pubic assemblages. This IL desirable
icn tle TACT o. its being readily accessible from the
NOR densey populated parts Of the city and ones
huIheieptly Arse area OF surface that will require
comparatively little alteration 10 make II available