New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-07-21
METROPOLITAN PARKS.
PLEASURE RESORTS OF NETWORK AND
BROOKLYN
IMPROVEMENTS At CENTRAL PARK, THE BAT
Terry, WASHINGTON, AND OTHER PARKS
CHANGES AT PROSPECT PARK, BROOKLYN.

pOrtunity for 0bserya ion themselves, 5kotc ~ what
IS doing fn our public parks viii not be unYelcomo.
THE NEW cONsERyArORY
In Central PARK the principal OF tho projected arcr
tectup adorameut, Is the Conservatory. Fiith-aye,
near the sevcntysecoE6s, entrance II viii consist Of
main building, win a rotun13 at elch end and slight
tlangcpis 1T Ie middle. TIC Length IS 30 feet. the
width at the transopt5 O5 feet. ana c diameter Of The
ro:undas 60 feet Tho main dome will have hight Of So
feet. The aubsiructure viii be Of American granite
built in tie Renaissance STYLE the exterior being varied
with columns and rools Of polished red and gray Scotch
granite On tho side toward the act9cll lake VIII be
five entrances, from which granite terrace leads down
10 tho edge Of tho water I'm which viii be aquatic plants
The interior viii contain hail for Horticultural tNliOi
tiOns % res tauraut for ladies, and Offices The super
structure vii. bc Of iron and glass. surrounded by o'a-
mental finals, and viii form an immense arched roof.
It's entrance Ffthavc. VIII he front OF American
granite with columns Of Scotch granite on either 81 'e OF
which viii be a light, turrotod tower light gallery,
supported by ca columns will run around the interior.
The main portion Of the building VIII contain tropical
plants and the Toundas those Of more temperate
growth. The whole exterior of the structure viii appear
light and graceful great bundor, however was The
selection of the site. Tie dalpnc5s will prevent tho
building from being properly heated, and 1t VIII DO
almost useless a conservatory Several smaller con
seryatores or propagatng houses are erecting from
which the larger one IS to be supplied with plants.
TIE "sHEEPFoLD."
On the western side Of tie Park, near Eichthave. is
the "shocpFold" low rambling structure, nearly com
pctcd. 1t Is built Ia original rustic style, OF biich
with Communications OF GRANTEES The roofs VIII he
cred with yariegated slate OIuamcltcd with pinHaces
and finals The general fern Of hc building is an are,
nclosug green paddock, VOL shaded by trees. Wcst
Of this, forming part Of the main structure. Is the
shepherds dwelling. At each end Of tho building is
for visitors. which viii be sort OF museum Of
wool fberl, with pictures Of the di3rcqt breeds OF
sheep. From these LODGES the flock can be seen while
feeding over The racks lofts for tho storage Of ly
coug. Of DIGS 1T present keep ward aud watch over
$50 sheep Oh TIE grcen.
TIE cssIyo.
Another structure, to DO called tho Casino, will be
soon erected near the large Lake. II viii be built IN the
Moorish style, with rich ana elaborate aTabesquc orna
mcnts The length Will be Ia feet, the width 90 feet
In the center, under the glass DOME VIII he large
fountain and In front viii sreel green plateau, finely
shaded and furnished With rustic seats and tables at
which Refreshments viii be served. There numerous
ylnecad shelters near, also provided with tables for
picnic parties Shelters erecting at the entrances
the columns OF which win be olnamcnted with vases Tor
trailing plants.
On tie highest point in the Park the Bclyidcre now
erecting the most artistic Of the structureS The
original PLAN however has been modified as TO scli-
Ously impair is beauty. Tic whole 10 be con-
etr'icod Of stone and the supplementary building was
to have a fine turrct It is now finished with super
structure of wood which + fer from haImOn!lng with
the rest of tho structure. The main tower however, Is
bull. as first designed, forming psrt OF Norman castle,
at the end Of the Beyderc, ana rising u the
l-ht Of about 20 feet The stone is rOughhewn, OF
dark gay color, and the walls arc varied by
feuda windows and b0ttlcments The interior viii be
assembled by winding stairway, at the top OF which will
be a fine lookout The dark roofs and tho gray and
black spires of the city, the winding p,ih9 drives, and
~ NJ 81 10
gsteniag river Bay and NaIrowa the Palisades COW
cred with mantle Of dark foliage, Hell Gate, Harlem
and Long Island with its green woods white villages,
and smoking cities, spread ont below. The iii 10
formed Of rocks and EARTH covered with gray chens,
green grass and hardy trees. Tie terrace is tagged vh
gray and blue Maiden stone, with steps Of granite lead
Ing down to the reservoir and the walks. 1t will be
ramented with spanish vases, filed with towering
plants.
From the Bevderc, secluded paths lead into the Ram
bic. Trees and shrubbery have been removed, with a
perccptib!e improvement Of the landscape. The yisa
are finer extending under shadowy branches and along
clUster.L trunks OF trees.
TIE GEOLOGICAL BUILDING.
Going from the Ramble 10 the meadow north Of the
upper reservoir you VIII stumble on the site OF the first
OF the Geological buildings. This will be modest struc
OF brick and granite rooted with blue, rel, and
green slate and will contain stables for the deer, elks
closed by iron fence where the animals can Srdze
during the Summer months.
THE sTATUARY.
The statue Of Shakespeare which IS to stand on the
Mall near the Marble Archway, will be unvailed in
October, on which occasion an ode by LongfeOw will be
read and several eminent musical societies will take
part in The statue-which recently
unlocked for private inspection in the basement Of tie
Mt. St. Vincent House-s by j. Q. A. Ward, and il OF
course finely executed.
The wooden pedestal Of the Indian Hunter" still
mains in use, although the Park Architect Mr. Jacob
Wrey Mould, has long since completed designs for one
OF colored granite The neglect to have executed is
ungencrous the donors OF the statue ana shameful to
NewYor The stones selected for the pedestal
very beautiful and the design, Of which the present
wooden base is a model. is tasteful and appropriate.
NEW FOUNTAINS.
Tie large fountain on the Plaza, the Fiftlrave.
entrance will be similar to the which il to be placed
in the City Hall Park, descriptions Of which were le
Gently published. The diameter will be 20 feet, with
rim OF blue Maiden stone supporting light candelabums
of massive The center will be OF polished granite
The fountain will he surrounded by trees under which
will be scttees and paved walks. The fountain on the
espanade below the Terrace will have In the center
basin OF polished granite IT feet in diameter
Tho stone IS cut and polished by Mrs. j. g. Patterson,
and the preparation has already taken seven years
The statue to surmouut this will be OF bronze represent
ing the Angel of Mercy Descending on the Waters Of
1t designedby Miss Stebbins, and cast
BY Won Muller of Munich It's cost Is $4,000
Tie panels OF the large Terrace at the end Of the Mall
are completing The carvings designed to represent
the four seasons. But the ornament seems to be too
redundant and ndiGtrently executed to add 10 the
beauty OF the work.
TIE BATTERY ENCLOSURE.
The Battery is grecner than ever before in half a
century Ever since the days when Safest ceased 10
be arisocratic t has been unsghtlyGnd barren place
OF dust nth and dreariness The millions of emigrans
no have looked upon it could not have been mueh en-
Outraged by this first glimpse Of their new country II
is changed now, like pleasant dream The grass Is
luXuriaut the walks cool and breezy ana firmly paved
and the old trees in vigorous health, casting pro
lnnncd shndnMs from their green-lenf HAmes during