The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-08
THE PARK.
A Glance nj the Peoples Garden-Susge--
tions of ImprOvement-The Seats, ,hr
Walks, the Drives.


Glance nj the Peoples Gnrden-susse--
tons of ImprOvement-The seats, ihr
Walks, the Drives.
''Poepe will live. 70 live IL Is necessary 10
breathe; and TO breathe one must have lungs; and
parks the lungs Of city," About this Wise the
argument has run OF many defender OF public
parks, and no ever thought Of opposing IL. In
fact there is no opposition to make, speaking justly;
for where people live in congregated mass there
must be some ventllating loopholes, and these are
the squares aud parks OF q city.
All this may be true OF the smaller places in the
city, like Tompkins square, Madison square, Union
square; but what be said OF that great outlet OF
metropolitan life the PARK? II the smaller ones
lungs the great Park must certainly be the bellows
which keeps the air in circulation and drives new
blood through the vellS and arteries, the avenues
and streets of the city.
However, while every New Yorker il proud OF the
| Park and while 1t Is the custom of taking there
every stranger TO whom it is proposed to show the
beauties OF the city there are still many defects TO
| be complained OF. Speaking OF the eXceences and
the defects OF that resOrtQr New York humanity, IL
will not be amiss TO refer at first TO those things
| which most commendabe.
And, IN the lrst place, It must be admitted thai
with but few exceptions there Is no similar place OF
amusement and recreation anywhere IN the word
The Bots de Bouogne, at Paris; The Prater, at Vi
enna the Ihiergarten, at Berlin, have all, more or
less distinctive character, smackDg SOMEWHAT of
OF the people, Is paid for by the people, aud Is the
| peoples property and the peoples PARK, more 50
than any other place OF popular resort. The com
| missoners In charge Of the improvements of the
Park should therefore be thanked That they made II
near democratic as their Ideas OF democracy per
| mitted them 10 do
| They wanted time and money. Time comes and
| passes unbdden The money the taxpayers cheer
July give In truth the rate collected the Park
Is about the only one OF the many items OF our an
nua tax bill in regard to which there Is no gruln
| bling The expenses or the Park for the purchase
OF the ground ana for Its Improvement and tine nall
| tenance OF order and regularity, are cheerfuily
borne The people do not complain; for It Is TO them
| a necessity TO nave lungs to BREATHE And the
| Commissioners are trying to do what they believe
tuition. They have provided places Tor the Young 60
play base balli' and "croquet" IheY nave erected
| an. bats preserved from day to day; they furnish
cast iron ''bases" states to count up the innings,
ana sponges and water, soap and towels. they Iur-
| ton for women and children. Though this
menasene Is hardly a beginning Is not yet
the Jardin des Plants, tine Jardln d'Accima-
| tsation and other similar places OF re-
sort iof ne people anu aec ine suue anus IN hG
| commendable that the Commissioners have pro
promise Of dong better from year to year Another
| commendabe feature OF the Park Commissioners Is
that they do not prevent private enterprise from
adding TO the attractions OF the ParS. The Kiosk
known as the Spa, or mineral springs. one OF the
most beautiful little shells, somewhat IN the style OF
the King OF WnrtemDerg's summer resort near
Cannstalt, Is one of the many embellishments OF
the PARK which, with the permission OF the Commits
sioners, private enterprise has contributed 10 en-
| nance the beauty OF the place.
But then. again, there are some things to be bit.
| terry complained OF. Giving the Commissioners al
the credit tney merit for taste and circumspecton.
they yet reniss In many matters and these 1t il
! now our duty to refer 10.
The walks are too narrow. Ten years ago they
would have suficed; but the PARK Is TO endure for
Ri tne and as II is laid out now so It w and must
remain. In ten years from now million OF people
Will visit the Park where hundred thousand do now,
and to the utnre that the Commissioners should
look and prepare the ground as the great central at
traction of Tue city. Just around the ''Maln the
walks are broad enough, but gong into the cram
ber and further up, past the reservoir, and coming
into the northern half OF the PARK, II Is the general
complaint that the walks are too narrow, as II in
tended q small number OF visitors only. THIS
ought to DE remedied. IL is yet time. The Commits
sioners have it in their power not only TO change tue
plan but also TO make the alterations necessary L.
accommodate the increasing number OF public Wis
Another complaint is often heard that there is not
shade enough. TINS OF course, Is merely a matter
OF time The trees are there, and win passing time
they VIII grow and spread; and the more they grow
the more shade they VIII give. But even for the
trees that do give shade there are not.seats
enough. Here and there one VIII find q BENCH
giving room for about four or five persons This IS
not enough. The benches ought to be more numer-
II hundred thousand people visit the Park
there ought TO be seats for fully one half OF tncm-
Not the temporary benches around the music stand
covered Dy the tents and awnings, but permanently
located around the walks ana tue byways and side
ways to invite tue people to shady repose on oIher
than parade or musical evenings.
There Is Still another complaint to make. The
walks are TOO intricate ana the signs showing tne
way too few. AT every crossing there ought TO be
a sigu giving the direction whereto this that walk
leads This would greatly facilitate to visitors tue
enjoyment OF the many beautiful places Of the Park.
Now, thousands remain around the ''halln and the
"1crrace" because they lear 10 lose themselves Ia
tile mazes OF the "Rambe,r and, rather than spond
any time in hunting their way out OF it, they don't
20 there al all. The Commissioners should look to
this at once and have the defect supplied without
delay
The approaches to the Park arc, for the present.
all that may be wished But IN five years hence.
when the neighborhood around the avenues VIII AL
be built up, II Is not difficult to predict that they VIII
not suffice. Fifth avenue Is all very well. The city
authorities are now at work laying down concrete
pavementr on tue avenue. and viii have II finished
In comparatively short time hut Fifth
avenue is not suilclent IL may be now, though
even this rs doubtfuli but lew years hence 10 GER
tainy will not be- There ~ Madison avenue, as fine
and splendid street as this city may boast Of. Why
do not the city authorities look TO II that ths
IS graded,'p ayed and lighted all tue way along the
ParKS Aud then there is Sixth avenue, wider
street than the Fifth. There Is room enough on
either side Of the railroad track for the 1nest cayal
cade OF carriages, were the pavement only SUN
cienty inviting. AS II now Is, no one VIII attempt
20 drive on sixth avenue who has any regard for
his horses and who does not vans TO pay for new
tires and spokcs anu icoe5 and springs once
twice a week.
1t was suggested by some one that carriages
should DC wholly excluded from the ParK IN order ~
make 1t purely what 1t should be, the peoples
garden. THIS 10 unnecessary. Carriages may enjoy
The drive through the beautiful scenery II the pcdes
trlans are furnished sufficient comfort TO ENJOY 10
also. And TO look upon the fashion and beauty.
they dash by on wheels, either with without seq
wants in livery Is also one and not the least of the
enoYmeuts or an afternoon in the PARK.
one thing should be suggested and the sooner
the commissioners adopt something TO that efecs
the better lt Ia the Introduction or family parties.
who may spend day. bringing with them their
baskets OF PROVISIONS, have Ice furnished them at
cheap rate nave lawn set apart for them, and' IA
thelr own grounds and In front OF their own man
sion. Snch an Improvement is needed aud inc com
mlss@ners should look TO 1t and adopt the sugse''