New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-07-27
THE CENTRAL PARK.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSIONERS
WHAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED IN THE
PAST YEAR.
resided.

|
WHAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED IN THE
| PAST YEAR.
| In our vast republic the happiness and COM
fort of the many have been the principal aim Of the
Governments both national and local; and nothing per.
haps contributes directly to the happiness and
comfort Of the jewellers in cities than shady groves and
grassy lawns among which they may wander occasion
ally the pure air. and refresh their with the
sight of mossgrown rocks and miniature waterfalls.
New York has not been behind other great cities either
of America Europe in providing rural retreat for s
vast population. Paris, with it's Boulevards and
it's Bots de Boulogne, its Champ Elysees, and
all its other breathing places, has no pleas.
ure grounds equal IN extent or rural beauty to our
Central Park and the same may be said OF London In
the latter city there Regents Park Geological Gar
dens probably the peasanest place around London for
an hours walk but the charge for entering
days and cents on othersa charge which shuts
the gardens eectuay against that numerous class who
only earn from to per week Central Park
all are admitted free Merchant, mechanic and aborer
may there gather after their weeks toll and enjoy the
most perfect imitation of natural scenery formed by
the art Of man. excepting even the historic gardens
which Nero caused to be made on the ruins Of
Rome. Many Improvements have been made in the
Park since It was first opened to our citizens
apd considerable expense is also necessary to keep the
Park and It's surroundings in proper repair From tho
Twelfth Annul Report Of the Board OF Commissioners
Of the Central Park it appears that the total
expenditures on account OF construction, for the
year 1863 were $249,S22 49, on account OF malnten.
ance, $2G9416 81 and the receipts from the products
Of the Park during the year were tlS325 25 The ex-
pendtures account Of construction chiefly ap
piled to the Belvdere, the boundary WALL rustic struc
lures iron work for the ceiling Of the Terrace covering
the floor and ceiling of the Terrace with tile, new pipe
drain the side of the Park and the construction
Of drain that portion Of the Park lying West Of
Eighhave. The expenditure On account Of maintenance
was applied to the care and repair OF roads and
walks, drainage. irrigation, building bridges,
uniforms, biological scientific, and other purposes
The repairs Of the roads and walks during the year have
yards than was used IN 1857 the
damage done to tho roads by the heavy rains last
very great and renders the substitution OF
coating that will not easily be swept away very desr
which the walks OF Paris composed answering the
purpose very well in that climate The expense OF its
transportation, however would preclude its use here
there skating days the Winter OF than
S1y year Ss the px The plan
schools who could produce evidence OF punctual attend
s nU to Play in 6S Park S
played on the grounds s5nS s during the year:
eleven times the having fallen in the September OF
tnat year than fell in the same month OF the previous
against SO in the Winter Of 1861 The report speaks
strongly OF the necessity for the establishment within the
these Of London Paris and PulkOva combining It's range
Of high scientific observations with that class OF practical
facilities needed In commercial community.
The Geological Gardens have II appears made bnt
little progress during the year. Several animals have
been presented including fine specimen OF the Amefi.
can buffalo, toucan, American black bear Mexican
lion, cinnamon bear, aud grizzly bear.
The animals have been generally healthy and tho swans
ana smaller birds have increased. Savage dogs some
times break into the Park night commit sad havoc
among the swans Three OF these birds were IN answer
to applications, furnished 10 the cities OF Chicago and
Troy. The donations OF antiquities and ouriosities
already form an Interesting museum and the gallery OF
statuary at the Chapel at St. Vincent has been much
visited The Board has also taken measures TO intro.
uce tho various kinds OF bees which produce the best
honey With regard to bees the report states that
Ournal devoted entirely 80 bee culture has been pub
ished in Prussia for over rs years. and similar journal
Paris for 10 years The number Of arrests I'M the Park
Turing 1863 was less than the number In the |
previous year, being l06 against 1877. IL Ia a pote
worthy item that SO Of the aIrests were Tor |
asst driving During tho year. 6,s7e evergreen
md deciduOus trees, and 6,ln bubous and |
ierbaceOus plants have beep planted, and the |
reenhOuse at Vincent Gardens is well filled with
ants mostly presented by citizens In CONCLUDING
report the Commissioners call attention with feel
OF satisfaction, 10 the Utilization and prosecution
the whole country OF public works similar Ina char
cter to those In which they have been engaged The
ep0rt very satisfactory and the fact that the
lumber OF visitors during the year was no less than
9S shows that the public appreciate more than ever
he nesttmable advantage OF having, within few min
tee ride or walk Of their very doors rural retreat