The New York herald., 1874-11-11
CENTRAL PARK.
It's Condition and Requiremc nts-
Alleged Lack Of Funds for Its Main-
tonance.

It's Condition and Requirement.
Alleged Lack Of Funds for Its Main-
tenance.
From the New York Evening Postl
Inquiry was made to-day at the Department OF
Public Parks in regard TO the condition and needs
of the great pleasure ground OF the city, which
has been alleged to be in danger OF deterioration
through lack OF proper provision Tor It's main
tenance and improvement. President Stebbins
expressed great dissatisfaction with the Board Of
Apportonment in refusing TO grant the est-
mates submitted by the department., which
were placed, he said at the lowest figure
compatible with the public interest. Not
dollar had been spent In the department.
ilegltimately, and economy had been closely
studied; yet the appropriation for maintenance
was wholly insufficient to keep the works In
proper order. In addition to the increase In funds
rendered necessary by the annexation Of she
Twenty-thrd and Twenty fourth wards, the con.
slant extension Of the cares OF the department.
through the completion Of new works neces-
sarily demanded yearly additions to the appro-
priations for keeping the works in repair. Then,
too the increase OF the city's population and of
the number OF visitors to Central Park necess-
tated an enlargement Of the Park police force
which was now plainly inadequate. An addition
OF $35, 900 to the appropriation for this purpose
but the Commissioners failed to obtain 1t.
An examination OF the estimates for 1875, which
were submitted Dy the Department alter detailed
estimates had Deen received from the head Of each
bureau, shows that they amounted in the aggre-
gate to $925,l7O. These were cut down by the
Board OF Apportionment to about 1854. .ooo. The
Board struck out entirely the estimates for special
repairs and improvements OF architectural struc-
lures IN Central Park, for the special improve.
ment OF plantations, lor the Observatory, for the
sea wall at the Battery, for the pavement OF City
Hall Park and for the deficiency OF 1873. 1t cut
down by $l2 500 the estimate OF $50, 500 for the
repairs and Improvement OF bridges over Harlem
the Care and Of roads ana brdses IN the
Twenty.thlrd and Twenty-fourth wards. The es-
innate for surveying and monumenting the north
ern part Of the city, including the new wards, was
reduced from $4,000 to $35 600, while the general
Park maintenance fund was reduced by 100000.
architect OF the department, said that the depart
ment was invariably cramped for funds at the
end Of the year as |! had never received an appro.
II WAS designed to execute. In consequence OF
this many OF the arches and bridges in Central
Park, together with the terrace and other struc-
tures had been neglected year alter year. until
they had now become seriously out OF repair.
Their immediate restoration was not only de.
sirable lor the sake OF their present appearance,
but as matter OF economy to the city, which
they IL Se money to
make these repairs, however, could not be spared
by the department. without obtaining the special
fused.
The Park, he said, was not now in satisfactory
CUuulLlOu ReneEAly, OWluS W Cue laCk OI SulIdUle
appropriations. Any neglect OF II tended to fur
ther damage. One reason why the Park had been
maintained in credltable state was the fact that
visitors had been encouraged to respect Its good
order, through the efforts OF the authorities to the
same end. When, however, dirt was allowed to
accumulate in the paths and roadways, the lawns
were lett unknown, the shrubbery uncared for and
the various structures unrepaired, this feeling on
the part OF visitors would be lost and the whole
Park would be carelessly overrun ia o manner
which would destroy it's principal attractions.
In report lately made to President Stebbins Mr..
Olnsted called attention to some OF these points,
and especially to the need OF improving the plan
tations, In which many Of the trees and bushes
are now growing so thickly together as to arrest
He also urged the need of increasing the police
force both Tor the comfort and safety OF visitors,
especially ladies and children, ana to prevent the
frequent tnelts Of birds, eggs and valuable plants,
winch are often accompanied by the destruction
OF other property. AS already said, however. the
special appropriations 1or these purposes have
not been granted.
During the last year the only notable works OF
construction In the park have been the building
OF two new arches, the work on the outer park
wall and the elevation Of the grade of driveways
near Eighth avenue and 110th street in order to
correspond with the grade OF those roads. Plans
for the future have not been definitely settled,
owing to the uncertainty Of obtaining proper
means for their execution.