New-York tribune., 1870-12-21
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
A GEOLOGICAL GARDEN IN CENTRAL PARK.

GEOLOGICAL GARDEN IN CENTRAL. PARK.
TO the Eattor OF The Tribune.
SIR: AT the meeting Of the Department Of
Public Parks November 22 change In the plan Of the
Central Park was agreed upon for the purpose OF intro
ducng accommodations for the geological collection Of
the city upon the ground known as the Meadows" In
the upper Park and provision was made for the design
and execution OF the necessary constructions We held
ut that time the office OF Chief Landscape Architects Nd
yisory 70 the Depttmsnl, uhuer an ehgagenehs WIN %
Board, and M had no ODcnl knowledge OF the con
TO the President, OF which copy follows, with Mr,
Sweeny's reply. -, -,
Perm svEESr Prcs'dest D,partr Fr1as Porta
sa: We a learn by he puc Pss tosI that the department fs
H groanl the north division Of the Central Ps no looo'
When We accepted tho Office Of Chief Landscape Architects Advisory
yos Dcpmen the Of the resolution secured opportunity
S,ol,ing The n,rodnction Of structure. aponn
As The proposed for the zoo'. Gsren bssass would
involve naturalization Of features which have hitherto been
deemed important executed design Of the PARK sbc
sps re sd thereon fot Z. Of our present ons WITH @
OISsrsD. v.un 4 Co.. Landscape Architects
CRY O'SEwfOS. psrS1sEST s OF Ro Rgsas ~ P,sk ps
ms.r orr,1rD. v.vr Co.. IL IeSi.'oSe drciiIes
oa SsiH1s Of a5l Inst sys IS 70 hs location Of ooSs built
dng at the Central PARK will With pesfe lay the sane before '
O''' " ''' us'S ''f PSTEH aaS swrss fScGrnI
Az our engagement terminated at the end Of November
and we have received no fresh communication from tho
ported think II right now to call the attention Of ct-
ze interested in the subject to the characerof the pro
posed change. 80 ,
The defect OF the Central Park lack of breadth and
repose This defect grows out of the natural limitations
Xcd by the original rocky surface OF its site, ana from
the necessity Of providing sructuray for the conye-
henCe and safety Of great hrongs OF people In public
pleasure ground that Is expected finally 10 be situated
IN the heart of densely populated city. The imprac
cabIy of making In either section Of the Park, open
spaces OF green sward large desirable was rec0g
zed from the OutSot but rs much as possible was zone
to gain ground in this direction and the central meadow
stretches the result H. the upper Park. They supply
two connected spaces, each about quarter OF mile III
extent partially separated by mass Of rock ana almost
completely surrounded by border OF Indigenous trees
which are already beginning to take on unibngeon'
forms and to cast broad shadows over the now we'll
established turf These meadows constitute the only
broad space OF quiet rural ground on the island winch
has been left undsturbcd by artificial objects ana much
labor has been expended u render practicable the pres
eryaton of their present general character
Garden must be made up considerable extent II not
altogether, Of small scattered buildings and small fenced
yards II requires little breadth unity OF surface III ia
site, and IL must be adapted to recreation OF com
petely diverse character from that which this ground
has prepared II would therefore IN our
judgment, he fatal mistake tO plant ccaseleosy grow
ing Institution OF tLs kind oven on the b0rders OF tue
ground ia question. FRED. LAW OIMsrLD,
CALVERT YAUX.
No. Ito Broadpdy, ". T.. Dec. l6. 1870.