The New York herald., 1870-02-02
HE PAR X.
Thirteenth Annual Report Of the Commissioners
Interesting Particulars

The PARK Commissioners nave submitted their
thirteenth annual report to the Common Council. II
Is an interesting document containing much valu-
able Information, the following Of which ore brei
abstracts:-
Forces OF the Park have been generally engaged
in maturing plans for future operations.
The Belvidere at the high ground u advancing.
The massive foundations OF Merchants Gate have
been nearly completed The house at the Playground
Is completed. Children's Cottage Il completed. The
Dairy Is forwarding. lt is arranged for the con.
venient serving Of milk. The ceiling OF the Ter
race with encaustic tile ana the ornamental ribs OF
iron has been finished, and all that remains is the
glass panel that IL to admit light upon the statue
assigned 70 occupy the central space Immediately
under It.
The Maze or Labyrinth is complete
A fountain has been arranged at the Harlem Lake
by which high Jet Of water Is played
further portion OF the exterior wall Of the Park
has been completed.
Part Of wall on Eighth avenue from Merchants
Gate to Transverse Road No. !. has been removed
and rebuilt to meet change Of grade. Large stone
Of Westerly granite for Terrace Fountain has been
contracted for. Bronze ngure for fountain Ii now
being cast at Munich large horse drinking foun-
tain at Circle is under way. new house has been
built at south beach OF lake, readily movable for
For purpose OF compacting bed OF roads steam
road roller has been imported, weighing fifteen TONS
Severai Interesting tabulated tables, containing
valuable STATISTICS respecting the working force are
given.
The total amount expended during the year for
construction S340,2d5 9i number OF puDlic
spirited gentlemen have taken measures to obtain by
private Contribution sufficient sum OF money for
the purpose OF purchasing several large European
collections illustrative OF natarai history, to be de-
posted IN the Park Museum. The collection contains
~, 770 specimens. Additions to the Museum nave
hoau NM a w iph typn i'm
an appendix.
Professor Hawkins has been engaged In advanc-
ting the group OF FOSSIL animals, more fully alluded TO
IN a former report.
The work on the Geological Gardens is proceeding
rapidly. A list Of the nying birds and animals IN
the Park s given IN detail. The Meteorological
Observatory has, during the past year. attained de-
gree OF excellence and Is now not surpassed by any
SIMILAR institution IN the country.
fabuatons OF the weather are given In an appen-
dix. The plans Tor Astronomical Observatory are
under discussion. The subject OF pavement Is dis
the pavements as seemed likely 10 prove advan-
tageOus at q limited expense.
The amount OF rain that fell In 1869 was less than
either OF the two previous years.
The subject OF road sprinkhng is discussed and
lation thereto. compound OF well known DELI
QuescenC salts, used In Liverpool and London with
the coming spring and summer.
The carriage service at the Park has proved sue
cess, S,557 passengers having been carried during
the year.
The musical entertainments have been conducted
as usual. with great SUCCESS. Thirty concerts were
gwen during the year.
One hundred ana twenty five thousand nine hun
dred and eighty passengers were carried boats
on the lake during the year, The children's depart
nent OF the PARK mas been the subject OF constant
attention.
Small carriages drawn by goats are hereafter TO
be provided for the use OF chlldren. The usual In
tere5tlng statistical tables Of skating days during
the past eleven years Is given.
The number Of visitors at the Park continues un-
diminished. The tables annexed show
B. 800 0zI
EQuestrlans. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 54,6ll
The Increased valuations OF the three wards
surrounding the Park, from 1856 to 1862 was
$l23, 795, l7S.
The correspondence relative to the presentation OF
the statue oi Columbus by Marshall y. Roberts, ana
The Humboldt monument are given in appendix.
large number VI gentlemen interested In the
subject OF musical culture have organized Them
selves a. the Beethoven Centennial and have asked
the Board for permission tO erect building upon
the PARK Tor that purpose.
The number OF arrests during the year was
seventy-eight-ess than In any one OF the previous
years.
The details Of the cost OF maintaining the PARK
are given in tina treasurcr's account winch accom-
panes the report.
The subject OF providing . parade ground for the
military Of the FIRST division, N. G s. N T., ID dis
cuBsed.
statistics are given respecting all the works under
the charge OF the PARK Commissioners outside Ol
Park at great length.