New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-07-10
rYfr plRx's wFsr SIDE APPROACHES

THE P-iRXS VEST SIDE APPROACHES
In the early spring the Legislature wisely
voted an appropriation of 100000 for con-
structing suitable approaches To the Park oppo-
site the Museum of Natural History in Man
haitian square. 1t is well known that the
Museum and its interesting collection are prac-
tlcally inaccessible from the great pleasure
ground. 1t is impossible TO drive to it. and there
are no paths connecting it with those portions
of the Park which are most freGuentod And
aside from the claims OF the Museum rs one of
the chief attractions of that part of The city. a
new Park entrance is already needed to accom-
modate the growing population of that neigh
bGrhOod. The want has long been rocushizcd.
and 50 long ago as 1875 ii plan for thc an
proachos was made by the original designers Of
thc Park aud formally adopted ly the DEPART
mcnt. Hnt whenever the necessity of the
work WAS urged, the demand was met lw tbe
reply that there was 10 money for the undcr;ak-
ing. Unfortunately, too the Park Board is
not body whose performances OF late years
nave inspired confidence, and The Legislature of
the State would be likely to pay little heed to
any petitions of the Commissioners for an an
preparation. Finally the trustees of the Mu-
scum took the matter in hand, and represent
ing rs they do the solid worth of the city and IFS
cOnst rvaiiyo sentiment in regard to the Park,
they found little difficulty in securing the
needed aid.
1t could hardly be expected that the Commits
sloners would ever of their own motion do the
proper thing III the proper way and AT the proper
time; but after the money had been Procured
Tor them there was no reasonable excuse for
still further delaying the much needed work.
The trustees of the Museum had taken pains to
supply themselves ut their own expense with
detailed plans for the approaches, and it was
Dpon the careful estimates thus made that the
amount of the appropriation was based No
one ventured to criticise the plans themselves
1t was not even pretended that they failed to
meet every requirement., for the trustees had
wisely availed themselves of the services of one
of the original designers of the Park itself and
thus made sure that the plan proposed should
be the fruit not only of practical knowledge
and good taste, but of long study and thorough
familiarity with the subject in all its relations
Nevertheless the Commissioners found IN their
personal likes and dislikes an excuse for quar-
rclliGg, and promptly braced themselves for one
of their habitual deadlocis, in which amiablo
position they still remain. Meanwhile the
summer is rapidly passing away, and the worI,
is delayed by this obstructive squabble. Under
the circumstances a long-sufiering public has
now right to demand that something be done
and done at once.
The appropriation, it must be remem-
bered too, is ample, and the Pa,l,
Board will bear good deal Of watching IA
see if adequate results are secured. Public
sentiment will not be satisfied unless the worl,
is carried out in sympathy with the general
design and treatment of the Park The new
approaches should be made to dignity