The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-12

Reep ON tno OHssss
Mr.. William H. Martin, who signs himself
President of the Department of Public Parks,
informs Us that our suggestions as to the
opening of the grass plots of the Central
Park to the people only anticipate the action
of the department, and viii be entirely sue
cessful. But he says that lin order to have
the grass to trample upon the grass must
first be grown" a proposition which proves
his remarkable qualifications for the Office he
fills. and holds out the promise that his
management of the real estate belonging to
the city at least will be a success.
We fear, however, that if the matter is to
be left to the brilliant genius of President
Martin our suggestions will not be followed
out as satisfactorily as he .promises.
He says:-sUnder existing difficulties we
are taking the best care Of the grass during
the present growing season, SO as to insure
pleasant aspect to the surface of the Park
and enable us to open from time. to time
acceptable places where the public may have
free enjoyment Of the grass" Now that is
just where our suggestions are at issue with
Mr.. Martins proposed action, instead of an
ticipating it The idea of opening from
time to time acceptable places where the
public may have free enjoyment Of the
grass" did not originate in Mr. Martins
ried out by his predecessors, and it means
that for two or three months the people, to
whom the Park belongs, shall be graciously
permitted to walk over the grass, here and
there, in restricted spaces. We insist that
this is an absurdity and an abuse; that all
open to the public that the Central Park,
like Prospect Park in Brooklyn, and like the
parks of European cities, should be used for
the recreation and health of the people, and
not kept to look at. Mr.. Martin is very
anxious that the Park shall wear pheasant
aspect" We are anxious that it shall be
made practically pleasant, enjoyable and
useful.
The large space of the Central Park in
sures the grass against being WON bare.
The people would do no damage, but leave
the aspect as pleasant" as Mr.. Martin
can desire, while the groups of laughing,
sporting, healthful children scattered over
the green would add to it's beauty rs the
stars enhance the loneliness of clear even
ing sky. We prefer to give up the grass to
the children rather than to sheep, although
the latter may be to somebody the more prof
table use to make Of it. We want to see
games of cricket and base ball permitted at
proper spots in the Central Park, and cro-
quet played there without the stupid rule of
division of the sexes We want to see
bonfire built Of the wooden boards on which
Mr.. Martin has inscribed the detestable
words Keep off the grass" In short, we
desire that the Central Park may be made a
place of enjoyment to all the people of New
York, and especially to the children and the
poorer classes who are compelled to remain
in the city during the hot summer months.
We protest against the best part of the Park,
its soft, green carpeting, being barred with
iron ratings and guarded by the threatening
placards of officials, who, we might be
tempted to believe seek to preserve the grass
for their own consumption, but for the con-
viction that nature would lead them to pre-
fer more prickly pasturage.