The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-21
TnE CITY HALL PARK.
Contemplated Improvements.

II does not require very great stretch OF memory
to any OF the old residents OF the metropolis TO bring
again to their minds the City Hall Park as plea
SAINT downtown resOrt-when the Battery was the
great lounglng place for old and young who wished
to enjoy good air and taste OF the rural in the
urbal. The City Hall Park sufllced for those who
lived at little distance from the lower end OF the
town as pleasant promenade The children and
the old folks enjoyed the shade Of the trees in the
say time, admired the play and spray and dash and
splash Of the fountain while the gamins, by the ex
ploits with pebbles of hardened putty, known as
marbles. achieved regulations of ''Park shooters"
The nroaas of business on the dwellings down town
gradually drove the residents away and the Battery
and City Hall Park became deserted, desc
to to'' be anu almost beyond the possibility Of
reclamation and the City Hall Park although form
business down town, has been falling away in the
estimation OF the people, and has assumed, to a
great extent the appearance OF demesne nncared
for by its owner and fast going TO decay the mar
GIN around the fences has been monopozed by
dealers in cholera-breedng fruit, Washington pies,
cheap oyster SOUP tough waes questionable litera-
ture, stinkadora cigars, Ice cream "a penny glass.
with two spoonsl, seaweed for chewing and other
deleetable refreshments, including pink lemonade:
blacks as q ''gambling' place. loafers, 'bummers,"
politicians, policemen and other disreputabe Charlie.
ters. 1t has been growing no better very fast" and
respectable people frequented it only as means Of
making short cuts to and from their business places.
IL Is, lnueeu, an almost worthless lOt
At length however. there Is prospect OF improve
ment. The erection OF the new Post ONCE building
at the lower end will make a great change in the
general appearance OF the place, and still further
improvements about to be inaugurated will add to
its beauty and utility. The city surveyors,
under the direction OF the Street Commissioner,
have already commenced making the neces-
sary surveys for the purposed alterations which, as
far as known, will be somewhat as follows:-That
sidewalks either side between the northern
boundary Of the United States government property
and the City Hail. together with the fences will
thereby added to the roadways. The portion mea-
sured Off will be neatly and substantially paved,
and form thus q handsome plaza. The more sub
stanal of the trees will be allowed to remain and
will be protected by necessary fixtures from being
injured by passers-by. The paving will be contn-
ued up at each side OF the City Hall and Registers
Office and between these buildings and the Court
House the ground will be laid out in neat garden
plots, with spacious walks neatly concreted.
1t Is intended to push the work forward with all
due promptness 1t Is to be hoped that no truck
ling trickery or jobbery will be permitted to inter-
fere with or delay the completion OF this much
needed Improvement, and there can be no doubt
that the citizens OF the metropolis will thank those
by whom the alterations were conceived and carried
nuf