New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-10-17
CHANGES IN CENTRAL PARK.
SUPERINTENDENT JONES ON PARK MAIN
TENANCE.

MS VIEWS ABOUT VISTAS-LAKES AND BRIDGES To
RE rHvEuFp-NovELTIEs IN CAsCADEs-DoT-
ANY AT A DISCOUNT.
Commissioners Lane and Wales have IateIy peon
moved to give at some length their views IN regard
TO each other and as to what has been done and what
should be done in the way of maintaining the farh'
These views diverged at such a wrathful angle that
it was difficult TO average them in such manner rs
to obtain anything Ike consistent and well
defined idea of the reforms which are threatened
A few days ago. therefore, a rep rter OF the ll'E
TRIBUNE visited the chief executive Queer OF 'ie
Park Board. Mr.. Aneurn Jones the lately appointed
Superintendent, to ascertain what operations "o''
actually IN progress and what his plans were for the
future Mr.. Jones stated that he felt some dencacy
about giving at this time the details of reforms
which he hopcd to inaugurate because his reports
of operations begun and suggestions Tor, I'M
provements to come were already before 'lc
Board For warn MS reasons these reports nave
not yet been acted on and until his supcriors had
passed upon them he considered it improper TO dis
cuss them in pm lie or seem to make an argument
for them in the newspapers. lie had notllhs 10
conceal however and would gladly show the
work in progress and LET il speak for itself. lie
then invited the reporter to a seat III his buggy, as
he set forth on his morning tonr Of inspection,
pointing ont the varous works as he passed giving
his reasons for each and adding fluent commentary
upon Park work in general between the stations.
The Superintendent ~ plainly impressed with the
idea that the PARK is elcumbered with over
growth of wood and shrubbery. Ii may not have
been planted too thicklv at first. but there is nur
scry attached where much stock is prOpagated and
il seems to be the aim of the gardeners to fill every
open space with the nursery product of the year.
Therefore he proposes n crusade of eXtirpation
against all the growth which seems 10 him insight
w. so as to get rid of the crOwdnC and st urgle
for life among the Tickets and the coarse luXu-
rance which, in his phrase " has made the Ta'nhle
a hrambe." The first clearing ont examined was
on the Fifth-avc. boundary, south OF the Arsenal,
where the trees had been trimmed and the under
growth removed the ultimate intention being to
open gllmpSes of the street from the walks. MIR.
Jones links that there may have been some reason
for shifting Ouj the prospect when the Park was
planned. for the country hcrcabout WAS a dreary
waste. But now that the avenue is built mp with
elegant residences il Is stupid to hide them totally
Especial attention was called to sam lie improve
ment of which many repctiionS are proposed This
consists in cutting openings through the trees To
give views Of the lakes, as has en- done near the
Filth-ave. entrance, where the lake has been made
visible from the drive. The lake, according 10 Mr..
Jones has been 50 entirely hidden that no one could
discover il until he crcpt through the bushes and
fell into it, rs happened to an unfortunate youth
who was lately drowned near this point The pros
pect between the walls of foliage with the Lake he
low in the foreground and the vincclad shores lis
ing beyond. with children clambcring over the great
rocks seemed to charm the Supcrnicndcnts eve.
and NE predicted that u would be more lovely still
when hc hal cleaned oil the rocks. Tie
condition of the rochwork il Of Nr. JoncSs
sorcst trials The cliffs are completely hidden
houeysuckle. akchia and matrmony vine. 1t is
proposed to thin out this growth and scrap" II of in
many cases so that the rocks can bc and Alpine
plants-ltne special varieties were not s'atcd-arc
to be planted among the cIcyiccs where they uatur-
ally belong.
On either side Of the bridge under the east drive
where il approaches the Arsenal there has been
general sweeping away Of the shrubbcry. This has
been done TO enable visitors 70 enjoy the archicc-
ture Of the bridge which had been partially con-
cealed The work Of the architect in the Nupern-
tendent's Judgment should be seen well that
of the gardener. and the architect has n right 10
demand that his handiwork shall not be smothcrcd
and hidden behind oltr isve planting. More Wis
tas were next pointed out, one revealing arm ~
The great lake from ihe east drive another. not vet
completed, opening the Loeb to view. another still
AZ the turn in the east drive beyond NJ. 81. Vim
cent displaying stretch of the north Ia X" aud gv
ing fine view of the elevated railroad
and the wooded heights the river bank
in the distance. Beyond this point where the drive
sweeps down the slope in a bold curve il j. proposed
to open another view IN line stretching acros, the
circle that the procession of carriages passing
end of the vista can be seen from carriages at the
other end The glitter of stylish cquIpagcs a.
their gaily attrcd occupants Is element O land
soap" beauty fully appreciated by Mr.. Jones, and
he j. inclined TO cri the original plan of The
Park because the foo paths do not more generally
skirt the drives that pedestrians witness this
brave display instead of being driven OF into tnc
woods and seclusOn. A. still more openings to the
LAKE pointed ont Mr.. Jones stated that these
views were not part of the original idea OF tie
Park. The designers were not aware of tie beau
ties which ld time improved and mel
lowed the work, and NE inclined TO lcciiatc him
self upon the discovery of these charm, and their
ul,Seniatiou 10 the people. On the ragged slope
ground some men We're AT work preparing a cascade
which is 10 tumble or tricaIc down The rocks ac-
cording to the volume of the water supply.
On the west SIDE the projected special improve
mcns are not so numerous, hut tho same heroic sur
gerry i TO he practiscd There will be much chop
ping down and digging out, although the Supcun-
tcndcnt Will try to saw" everything thJt COmHcndS
itself TO him beautiful or Offering The premise
of beauty Some eXcellcn work Is III progress
the Riverside Drive where the wcedsarc being rooted
out from the OVerglown Sidewalk ana the surface
is being carefully dressed. The men handling
their weapons with a VIII and there was no lettering
either mere in the Park. The new Supruui cIdcHL
- plainly endeaN orng 10 keep his force awake and
to have something TO show for every dollar
peuded. The rOadways are being put IN Inc con-
dition and SIR Jones will do his best to realize his
expressed ambition and show how much more cTcdi-
taby the parks can DC managed by practical
man" than by one whose qualifications consist IN
knowing the names OF the trees.
DRTTJrd PV