The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-09
RIVERSIDE PARK.


Some progress may be expected in the work OF
improvement OF the Riverside Park during the
present Summer. The result of the legislation at
Albany at the session recently closed has been
to supply funds for the prosecution of the work
on this park ana on the Mornings.de Park.
Tho work on the parks proper has been and con-
tinues to be in the hands OF the Department OF
Public Parks. The work ON Riverside avenue
bordering on the park for Its whole length, is
necessarily connected with the design of the park
The work OF regulating the avenue was under the
charge OF the Department OF Public Works; it is now
changed 30 that the design or plan for the grade
and surface Improvement Of the avenue is to be
determined by the Department of Public Parks in
harmony with their general design for the park,
and then the work is to be done by the De.
partment OF Public Works The subject OF the
proper design for the Improvement OF this
unique avenue and park has been matter
OF very careful consideration by Mr.. Fred
eric Law 0msted during the past Winter ever
since the confirmation Of the report OF the Commits
soners, by which the title to the land was acquired
by the city. He has prepared report, which is in
readiness so soon az the Board shall be filed
up ana ready to proceed with the subject. From a
conversation with Mr.. Olmsted the following
statement of his views as TO this park and avenue
is deryed:-
Inc klVeFsiue Iark eXJenuS along the bank of
the Hudson River, from Seventy-second street to
130th street. Seventy-second street Is opened
and almost regulated and graded from the
Central Park TO the Riverside Park. It is
100 feet wide, ana will be treated and
planted rs boulevard 10 make connection be-
tween the two parks One Hundred and Thirtieth
street is at the foot of the Caremont HIM. at the
Misunderstanding landing and station. The Park Is
which the track Of inc Hudson Bvar Raerue On
laid, few feet above the level OF the river and il
Is bounded on the east by the Riverside avenue on
nrn nf no Vvi1t T,f
from 200 to 400 feet, except from Eighty-nith TO
Eighty-cighth street. ana its surface is the steep
lating, ard planted in great part with growth
Of native aud foreign trees. unsurpassed in some
respects oy any trees on the island. The eleva-
points the elevation OF the Park itself, Is sui
tcient to command broad and extensive views IN
and down the Hudson River. II is divided into
three natural sections by two intervening valleys
The FIRST section is between Seventy second and
Seventy-ninth streets; the second section is be-
tween Seventy-ninth and Nlnety.sixth streets.
and the third between Ninetysixth and l3Oth
streets. seventy-ninth street ana Ninety.
sixth street are opened through the PARK for
thoroughfares to the Twelfth avenue aud to the
river. The first section rises to height of about
line OF the Riverside avenue, the second section to
the height OF scventy-fve to eighty feet, ana
has an elevation of more than one hundred
feet, and 1T Claremont Hill reaches l2s feet
above the river; These elevated ranges are divided
one at Ninety sixth street. When the avenue IS
graded IL Will start at high elevation mt Seventy
second street, rise over the hin at Seventy.sxth
street, descend into the valley at Seventy,nin
street, rise the secon hill at Ninetysecond street.
descend into the second valley at Kincty-sXth
street, rise the tnrd hill at Tooth street,
reach the summit Of Clarcmont Hill at led street.
and descend rapidly TO the foot OF that hui M I3Oth
street. AT one point, between Elghty-Glth
and Eighty-sxth streets, the Park has no
width The easteiiy line Of the Twelfth
avenue comedies with the westerly Inc
OF the Riverside avenue; out the difference
In elevation is seventy five ieet the Riverside
avenue will be supported by a straight wall, ike
the SIDE of house, at that elevation above the
Twelfth avenue. The strip ofland, as thus topo-
graphically described lies along the west
erly slope OF range OF high ground.
This hillside Is so steep that q person
standing on the eastern boundary will look
over any buildings which may be built on the
Twelfth avenue. This avenue bounds the PARK ON
the west and the PARK on that side Will have to be
supported by retaining wall OF moderate height,
above which VIII be sloping bank. In the west
ern portions OF the Park, therefore, IL Will generally
be impractcablc To construct walks, except M
excessive cost: and tile view from sucn walks
would, for great part Of the distance, be inter-
fefed win ~ the buildings on the Twelfth avenue.
The permanent conditions OF value therefore, Of
near the eastern boundary. Even in these parts
where the view will be finest the natural surface
slores 70 rapidly 10 the west that footing Tor
visitors VIII generally need 10 be gained by
means af excavations ana efnbankments. walk
constructed through the Park would be for the
most part ccltngous she'll such shelf ON The