New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-11
PROSPECT PARK.

whether public or private, Is matter which
involves considerable expense and requires con-
slant and competent oversight. IT the parks
of city are more spacious or elaborate in
design than are needed for the health and
recreation of the people, the city will probably
not be able to keep them i'll proper order
But even when money is appropriated with
sufficient lberality it has been the experience
of too many American cities that the control
OF public grounds Is practically surrendered to
ignorant, careless and irresponsible hands.
Thus parks of rare original attractiveness and
capabilities of growth and improvement
instead of being preserved and developed into a
beauty and usefulness ever fresh ard ever ex-
panding, fall into premature dilapi0ation and de-
cav New Yorkers who take n watchful and intel
ligent interest in such matters have made much
futile remonstrance against the reckless treat
ment to which Central Park has been subjected !;
but after all we have as little to complain of and
mourn over as our neighbOrs and perhaps
rather less than our nearest neighbOrs.
Prospect Park Is a work Of the most dIgnifed
character, and altogether creditable in its con-
ception and treatment to the public spirit, good
taste and refinement of the third city Of the
Union. Ii is not a work of such varied interest
as Central Park. 1t has not so many sub
ordinate attractions in its details. 1t has fewer
picturesque hooks and by-paths dropping down
into shady glens. 1t is simpler in its elements,
but these are gTandly combined, and in its broad
features it leaves little to be desired. The
so-caled "pastOIal" sectiOn-wth its great
stretch of unbroken but rolling meadow sweep
ing up to the woods which crown the hills on
either side; the woods themselves OF stately,
mature tees with open glades on the western
meadow boundary, and deepening in the mid
wood district into the darkness, seclusion and
mystery of a pTmeyal fOrest-all this is most
successful III producing that tranquil, whole
some and soothing effect which is suchs refresh
ing change from the confusion and stress of city
life. Nor is the Park lacking in adOrnment of
n more artificial character. There are many
fine examples of rockwork, which indeed have
rot the artificial look of the ordinary stone
heaps which pass under the name of rOckwOrk,
and are only eaualed in their free, strong
handling By work of the same kind in Central
PARK. The broad promenade by the lakeside,
the principal lake itself and the noble
approaches and entrance to the Park cannot
fan to interest every visitor In many places;
too a master hand has left its traces in the
planting, which has often been most skill
fully DONE. There are single paths in Pros
pect Park whose borders show excellent
specimens of Il dozen choice trees and
shrubs not one of which can be found III
Central Park. These select plantations are itch
in the rarer and moro delicate cOnifers, and
they show what effective use can be made of
more common maternal like our own hemlOcK-
spruce and the dwarf catalpa. Take it all in
all a more complete and satisfying pleasure
ground has rarely been designed fo1 the
health, refreshmert, delight and education
of any city.
Prospect Park is certainly worth preserving
with tender care, and yet ii wears f0rlOrn
and neglected look. In many places it seems
to have been cOntemptuously abandoned
Lookout Hill, with its grand prospect only
terminated by the strip of ocean glttering
on the horizons rim, and which ought 10
be the central attraction of the Park, is uncarel
for and disEeveLed, its ascending path
stopping half way up the slope and literally
running into the ground, while rank weeds
are growing between the granite steps where
it pretends to be completed. The whole
region between Lookout Hill and the lake
is untidy and dilapidated. Many of the paths
are generally ragged and unframed. Heaps
Of rubbish lying about and unclean scum
upon the surface of the pools are neither
beautiful nor useful, and yet they are hardly
out of place where there is no judicious
pruning or thinning-out in the plantations,
and where choice shrubs and trees are left to
be smothered and crowded into unshapeliness.
No doubt the drouth has done much to mar the
graces of the Park, but drouth is one danger
which skiful maintenance must prepare for and
guard against. Grounds which are thoroughly
worked and properly fertilized will offer a
sturdy resistance to dry weather, and it is proof
OF inadequate when they suffer quickly
and seriously from lack of rain. The whole
matter Is only repetition of the experience of
other cities. When some great public improve
ment is projected and active interest Is excited,
the people plan with liberality and insist upon
intrusting the work to men OF training and
recognized skill. After the first zeal has
abated, there remains no persistent and potent
popular sentiment which watches and commands.
Lack Of watchful interest by the people is soon
followed by carelessness in selecting officials,
so that trained and competent supervision
gives way to carelessness and ignorance.
VI course the Suitable ulainDenance Oh parks
will cost something. Gentlemen who set out to
surround their dwellings, with model grounds !
soon discover that they will not keep them
selves in order and that they speedily resent |
any neglect. But neither Brooklyn nor New |
York can afford to give niggardly or negligent |
support to its great pleasure ground. They |
have cost too much already to be abandoned |
and allowed to relapse INTO mere wilderneeses.
Parks are as necessary to the health and comfort |
Of modern cities as clean streets or a puIe
water supply. If they are allowed to fall into
decay the demand will some day come for their
restoI alton, and it Is wise economy to keep them