The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-10
KEEP OFF Thu GRASS
The Peoples Pleasure Ground in
Central Park.
THE IRON RULE on Thu cexHlSsNsER2
Shall the Citizens Enjoy TheiP
Own Property

When Central Park was laid out for peoples pleas,
ure ground, and the taxpayers willingly bore the
burden Of increased assessments. was distinctly
dcrstood TINT this charming to be bcautfcd
Tor the people; that every who wanted breathing
srot for his wife children could have ~ that there
he could enjoy pure air and pleasant shade, ramble
tho grass, By tho placid lakes ut his swces
WILL without further restrictions than those demanded
Tor the maintenance OF order and tho laws
Of propriety But this original purpose Of
our beautiful Park has been perverted and there
Is but little more freedom permitted its owners,
the people, than II u were private park, and every
inch Of lawn, every stretch Of meadow and every
stately tree possessed by rich proprietor who
throws wide his gates to the people as a favor The
Park police acting strictly under the orders issued
them by the department, watch with Jealous eyes
every romping boy or toddlng girl, and the minute
their feet wander from the scorchng asphaltum walks
the velvet Of the cool grass they hustled on rs
and warned aftcrward that TO skcep grass" 10
ono OF tho principal laws In force in Central Park
During the last few days, when tho atmosphere has
been so hot, crowds Of citizens have thronged tho
lovely avenues; brightly dressed children and their
have mado the air ring with laughter but Il has
seemed very ike torture to keep the merry babies
fined TO the scorchng paths, the suns reflection al
binding the eyes, while tho cool retreats ana
grassy slopes every side unnvadod. Children
sometimes advanced over tho borders TO chase but
terny or pluck daisy but the dreaded
gray coated guardian. with his terrible rat
tan, would soon BIO after them, and ihs
ominous keep oil tho grass would send them
scamperirg to the hot paths again. sPapa, who own
this park y? asked little grl Of hor father the Mal
yesterday. why, ! do" was tho answer, "and
everybody who lives here in New York owns IittIo
bf.b 10 you tho trcos and the grnssgh Eyes
don't let that ugly man in tho gray coat drvo mo on
told tho HERALD reporter by Park policeman who
overheard It, He continncd:-"lrs too bad these hot
days TO keep children on the grass; but obey
oruers."
s A sgxslnL. yIEw
gentleman who has travelled all over the continent
Of Europe SAID in reference to this subjcct"W are
governed too much this park question; peoples
voice should DO heard; II IS vital subject In the
restrictions TO tho grass there absolute freedom
in this respect IN the Royai PARK IN Brussels well
The Bots do Bouiognc and Pare do Monceau Pars,
and yet the grass is in better order than II Is
here. II Is true, on the base ball ground
there were lew spots worn ba.c but
is opposite seventh and OF tho ovcest
stretches OF meadow the Park. IL extends from
Sixeth to Sxty-nith street and mas been only occu.
pied BY players once or twice a week. Now wha. harm
could have ensucd II decent citizens aud their wives
and children were permitted 10 enjoy ambc over tho
there TO seek the shade oil the yonderf
Why heard man tho other day fairly beg police
man for the privilege Of walking TO rest under
taxes, do get drunk hight. and my
feet fairly clustered by these hot walks
But the officer in duty bound had to refuse the
zens request. II Is said that when Mr. Stebbins
PRESIDENT OF the commission tho orders not
strict, but now Mr.. Frederick Law. 0lms,ead who has
entire charge Of these matters, has given orders
comparison with which the laws VI Draco were mild"
CONDITION or THE RAIL- GROUND.
To show the reporter tho present fororn condition Of
tho ball ground, tho gentleman walked with The ro-
porter TO the spot In place Of the meadow a bare,
ploughcd neld met their eyes 1t had been ploughcd
twice and narrowed under tho direction OF Mr.
Manning, tho foreman OF the PARK, and where
short time since there was IN unduating piece OF
green sward, Is monstrons stretch OF ground on
which not single spear OF grass Is growing III has
been sown with red top and clover said the guide,
"but will venture TO that Il will be two years be
fore IL will assume the beauty that beef so fool
ishly destroyed" 'who ordered II dones "Mr. =.
Law Olmstcad " was tho reply, land am told, too Il
mpcrativc.y ordei cd after the foreman Man
ning) protested against IT, He is said to bean export
OF years here perhaps tho grass was sour, wcedy
anI needed renewing was he question I" mot at
ALL IT was just ike this, pointing 20 about siA zee, g
border that had been undisturbcu The grass
green and healthy as any in the Park.
TIKI cRoQUEr LAWN.
A visit then paid TO the croquet lawn, which ID
situated Seventy second street and Filth
II dainty bit OF Gods loneliness yet tho people who
pay Tor and should enjoy are almost
as much cut OH from lis occupation as II IL were stu
aicd in the valley OF tho Yellowstone The Fisk
phat, or rather the remains OF IT, which covers the
walks this place, is also another Of just
plant 70 the VISITORS where II Is not cracked and
spongy or recking with tar, IL Is supplemented and
knife II Is on such wnIks these that children
forced play at the risk OF bruises and CUTS while tho
safe and smiling lawns invite them. yet they
dare not step over tho borders while tho ominOus
signs keep, or the grass" remain menace and
warning IL may be worth while here TO quite the
tions II the act by which the Park Comm fasteners
guided in their control OF this public property order
that the people may that thus body have full power
this great question. AS well ms 10 show that
MONEY.
BY chapter 800 OF the Laws OF 1871, entitled "An act
In relation 20 the powers aud duties OF the Board of
COMMISSIONERS OF tho Department Of Puolc Parks,
Squares md Places and other works under tho Jurs.
dction direction OF said depart the city Of
New York, the Comptroller Is authorized and directed
70 aud ISSUE mt such times and In such amounts
and Ia manner shall be deemed expcdient
and necessary, public fund or stock, 10 DO
denominatcd 1.-The City Parks Improvement Fund"
Ia amount not exceeding sum OF which the annual
interest TAT the Of which the stock
fund shall DO issued Will be $500 00U
The Board OF Park Commissioners is authorized 10
organize, and, By aud through ts president 20 ap-
Park, to consist Of such number Of men as the Board
may deem necessary, which force shall no under tho
exclusive control OF tho Board IN order 10 preserve
order the Park Each member OF the force IL 20 ako
an oath prescribed by said Board and 10 be allowed
compensation The Board 10 declared TO have fell and
exclusive power TO govern manage and direct tho said
several public parks, squares and places ana all per-
offending against ordinances established BY the
Board shall be deemed guilty OF msdcmcanor and pon
ished accordingly