New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-26

pcnce say nothing OF those who be drawn out to
make day Of it, as many thousand did last year And.
incomplete and but little ground at all prepared Tor
such besides these small parties consisting OF one or
two families. there also In companies OF from 30 to
$50 somewhere near 10000 children with their parents
Sunday teachers or other guides and friends, VINO
spent The best part Of the day under the trees
tons Of which the predominang element was OF this
social receptive class The little parties often brought
fiddle harp, other music. Tables, seats. shade TURF
swings cool spring water, aud pleasing ryal prospect
unbroken by carriage road or the slightest evidence OF
the vicinity Of the town supplied them without
charge and bread milk and Ice cream at moderate fixed
charges IN an nenn y e nave "e'' '''" 'u'" ""pp'
This out.otown. this thoroughly rural receptive recre
alton, rather leaning from than toward the gregu
form, is that which Is worth more than any other
to men and women oyerwrongnt oy soia n snin
that with reference 10 which also Dreadtn OF ground Is
most important u should DC 'ns eeta ve con =" Our luz
secured for it, by hook or by crook should DE youeu 10
But this requisite being fully met. cannot other pnr
poses recreation Of the other forms we nave con
sdered be incidentally provided for--ncdentaily ana
yet perfectly in connection with nj mink tnat ~
can, more that direct educatonai purposes OF te
the same ground, and If you please you may give Tue
name of park TO the whole series, though ~ mas no
cropped pasture ground with the open growth Of
trees which break in upon and mainly surround ~;
park should, IL possible be carried along the outer
part OF these surrounding groves 1t Will do no harm
here and there broad opening among the trees dolose
tho open landscape those upon tho promenade, put
recoect that their object for the time being should DC 10
ry artificial conditions. and the landscape Is not esee
it impossible TO give the public range consider
able extent OF ground Of highly picturesque character
tnness under very exceptional elrcumstancesl ahu SUE
ncientiy guard against the occurrence or opportunities
and temptations TO shabbness disorder lndecorum ana
indecency such will he utterly destructive OF the pur
poses which the park should be designed to fulfill stu
less in the proper is what is called gaIdonesqne
artificial and exotic picturesqueness which, under the
name of snbtropca planting. the French have lately
rapidly completing the destruction OF their simple and
useful parks of the old time. go
surely become new center OF that town. with the de-
should be associated the duty OF arranging new trunk
routes OF communication between 1t aud the distant
parts Of the town existing and f0recasted THESE may
be either narrow informal elongaons OF the park vary
ing from two TO 500 feet In width and radiang rreg
uary from IL, H. unfortunately, the town Ia already
laid out IN the unhappy way that NewIork and BIook
Ign. San Francisco aud Chicago are, on plan made 200
and who had eonscehtous dread Of tho eaees then
must probably adopt formal parkways. They should
crowded, and planned IN such way that pleasure
carriages need never be obsruoted unless AZ absolutely
necessary crossings used for commercial purposes ny
slO going heavy vehicles.
But the question comes up, How can community
beet take tins most difficult work In handt IL is Work
IN which private aud local ana special interests vi" De
found 40 nnagonistc one to another heated pre1Ges
surely be established. and those who would be
disappointed Ia thcr personal greods 9y whatever gooa
trate Kill It manufacture public opinion rs
phrase il that the ordinary organizations for mum
eipa business are unsuitable agencies for the purpose
m wonId peraps be bold thing TO say that public in
its own interest aud In the interest Of all of whom the
present public the tusiccs should see 10 u at thc
problem soon possible put clean ont OF JUS own
hands In order that IL may De taken up ehcently "
small body Of select shall say that unless tis
IN effect done. the danger that public opinion may be
he'd by the application ~ industry, Ingenuity ana Dus
ness ability the part of men whose real oh)eets are
perhaps uncousciOusy close to their own pockets
aud that public opinion will thus DO led 10 oVerrule
the results of more comprehensive and impartial study
is much greater than ~ most questions OF pubic ih
tercsts. ,-..-
citizens regard TO certain parts Of the experience OF
New York IN dealing with this probltm ~ Is uPol 's
last oiut far more than any other that the experience
of Now. York IL Instructive to other communities.
In conclusion. the lecturer gave prdCtoa lluslid'
tion of his argument by narratng the history OF the
experience OF NeW-lork with public parks.