New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-06-12

Laurensst Near the basin another road branches of
to connect Fifh-aye. with Thompsonst ind third In
the direction OF spot where the proposed extension
OF sullivan-st win open out on Fourthst. These new
streets will absorb az far Canalst nor
ton of the surplus traffic which now overcrowds Broad
way At their intersection preparations making for
the erection OF fountain the basin OF which viii be so
feet In diameter, and will be surrounded with shade
trees and promenade Is feet wide The lower portion
of the Park will not be much changed in character with
the exception Of additional walks aud music paVnon'
The iron Enclosure has been removed and VIII DO re-
placed with posts and chains Not much planting mas
| been DONE except at the west end, ana
there many trees are still wanting. large nnmOer
of shrubs however have been "laid on by the heeis
as gardeners express It, in part OF the ParR reao
for transplantng In the Fall and Winter IL was iouhu
that many Of the old trees were either dead OF very
| much decayed. These have been cut down and young
ones planted in their places Others In the line OF the
| new roads and walks were also removed; but, where
practicable the plans have been so arranged as 10 III
clude all sound well grown trees. When completed, inc
Park will be thoroughly lighted with tho new syle oi
lamps adopted by the Department. Infaot some lamps
already in position the west side, and are great
Improvement on the oldashioned street lamps At the
entrances OF the four Of the Park, and In al
other suitable places, flower beds will BIO made, and
everything done render the Park bright and attractive
AS the improvements in this Park were not begun TOT
some months after those In the other Parks and as there
were 10 acres OF ground to be improved and substantial
roadways TO be constructed much progress has not
been made as In other cases; but the work Is wen In
| hand, and is pushing rapidly forward.
Thus far the amount Of work done includes the grading
of nearly 5000 square yards of roadway the laying OF
over 0 square yards Of pavement and 200O yards OF
drainplpe; setting $500 feet OF curbstone; grading
10000 square feet of walks, and moving $1,000 cubic
yards Of earth
| al1t hn 10
presents the most difficulties for conversion into green
park Nature has absolutely done nothing for this loS
acre lot and the whole labor will fall upon art This square
is named for Daniel ID. TOmphns, who died on staten
Island in 1928. He member Of the Legislature,
member Of Congress- Governor OF this State for ten
years. an earnest promoter OF the national cause In 1872
and was the proposer Of the abolition Of Slavery in this
| State.
The Directors have one apparently almost insupera
bio difficulty TO contend with in identifying this To-
caity viz the State Legislature has set aside Tompkns
| square a public military battle-ground. However,
something has been done to render It more atractVe
from the streets surrounding it. Tho distance between
the iron ratings and the line Of gasamps which denethe
boundaries OF the playground is about 70 feet; and
TO this strip Of ground that the Department has for the
present confined its attention. walk IS feet wide has
been laid all around the parade-ground, edged with
stone curling and inclOsed with posts and chain3
Between the walk and the iron ratings the ground
has been covered with mold and will DO laid
| down in grass. Rows Of trees have been planted
| around the exterior sidewalk and along the PARK
skirting the playground. Houses for the keepers
and music pavilion have also been erected. When the
improvements were begun, 1t was found that the ex-
terror sidewalks and curbstones In very defective
state These have all been removed and asphalt paving
has been laid down. Next Winter line OF trees VIII De
planted on these sidewalks Tho work so far done IN
cudes the laying OF 10000 superficial feet Of walks and
foato f drain md watt
5000 cubic yards Of garden mold the erection OF 800
| posts and the setting OF 5000 feet OF curbstones.
Tompkinssquare is in of the most densey popu-
lated districts the city 1t is sadly wanted shady
| cool place OF resort In Summer time, and is ineon-
| venieDtly situated for parade-groun
BowLNG-GREES.
| Bowng-creen, though not much over half an acre In
extent occupies very prominent position, being as 1t
is the southern termination Of Broadway. 1t presents
all the renovated appearance of an old bonnet with new
strings The old iron railing inclong 1t has been re-
paired and painted the fountain In its center has been
reset cleaned and put thoroughly IN order, and plays
with as bright sparkle It did In the olden times
when that part the city the locality OF fashion
Gravel walks have been laid down. has been sown
| pines and shrubs have been planted and the old and
decayed trees have been removed. Flower beds have
been arranged about the fountain which in the course Of
the season will give all desirable life and color to this
little park .
The improvements made in the small triangular piece
of ground on the south side OF the Cooper Institute at
the junction Of Third and Fourhayes of somewhat
similar and rmimportant character. At UnOn-sGuare
nothing yet been DONE though the plan of its i'm
provements has already been decided upon and will in
cude the removal Of the uns ghty iron railing which in
closes IL, aud the widening OF the exterior sidewalk
Madson-sQual) too h yet untouched, though very
desirable mpr yement Is proposed-the changing OK the
line OF the west side so as to add considerably to the
tharn Of IxUay
and Fffthave. Fountains are to be erected and new
walks laid out and in UniOn-sQuare, the iron railing
| is to be taken down.
The Enclosures in Parkave., the tunnel OF the
Harlem railroad have been thoroughly renovated and
| put in order The ground has been trenched to the
depth Of two feet, and the rubbish Of which 1t was
largely composed has been removed and earth filed in
stone starcaes have iaso been constructed to enable
persons TO reach the Madson-ave. horse-cars. The
grounds have been rearranged, and to be laid out
partly in aowerbeds and partly in grass The openings
for lighting and ventatng the Harlem tunnel are to be
concealed with eyergreens shrubs and pines The iron
railing and stone coping inclosing the gardens have
| been properly repaired and the ratings reprinted
Important improvements making in the Reservoir
Park large square OF nearly five acres occupying two
blocks between Fifth and sxthaves. and Fortieh and
Fory-secondsts From the des II would appear that
this piece OF ground is to be garden than park
with its winding walks and many fower-beds. Summer
houses and a cottage for ladies and children are to be
erected pavilion for band, with an extensive grass
promenade also forms part OF the plan. New walks will
be laid out and everything done to render the Park at
ractive The iron railing which is in very dapdated
condition is to be replaced
All the smaller Enclosures in the different parts OF the
city-in Duane-st Canalst Abngdon-square and other
places-are either already improved only waiting
their turn.
CRIMES AND CAsUALTTEs-BY TELEGRAPH.
.James B. Lovejoy of Pepperell, Mass, hanged
himself on Saturday
Mrs Fairs death-warrant has been signed and
| s n the hands Of the Sheriff
THE steamer George Weems was burned at