New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-10-31
abroad let it not merely indulge In threats without
determination to enforce them If necessary.
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
THE SPOLLATION OF CENTRAL PARK.
ITS BEAUTY AND VALUE IN PERIL FROM THE our

BEAUTY AND VALUE IN PERIL FROM THE OUT
RACES OF IGNORANCE.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: The recent comments about the out
RACES committed Central Park induced me to 60 over
the grounds and to satisfy myself that the charges
against the new superintendent not entirely unjust
Not the professional man alone watches the maintenance
OF the Park and follows the proceedings OF the Park Com
nlssloncrs Thousands Of intelligent citizens enjoy
the slightest Improvement in the Park, and listen to the
almost incredible reports OF the COMMISSIONER meet
ings twenty-five years OF nursing out Of
the first scanty plantations a luxurious wooded land
scape; and well remembered Is the critic of the early
days OF Central Park when complaints made of the
meagre and thin groups OF trees and shrubs partcu
lar about the insufficient border along Fifth and Eighth
aves. The assurance that the planting well consid-
cred and everything provided for tho creation of rural
retreat. but that the trees must be given time to
grow and develop, did not fully satisfy
the anxious visitors, who thought that
fifteen to twenty years long time to wait for the
full picturesque effect. But that the time has
rived. ignorant in charge Of the Park take the
in hand to cut down the trees and destroy the very
scenery we have been waiting for The idea that after
completion no serious damage be done 10 the Park
is not uncommon one, and therefore the fact That
only one year Of such vandalism would destroy the pic
uresque character and beauty for another twenty years
IL overlooked.
The Park contains large number of carefully studied
years demanded the attention and study Of the designer
before he could definitely decide upon FORMS cOOrs and
distances. TO create picturesque effect in landscape
gardening taste for beauty is required, as well as
general knowledge Of trees and shrubs, to compose
groups and arrange each plant for the desired effect
On grounds it often happens that attractive
landscape sceneries Of different characteristics one
another. requiring very careful treatment in
producing harmonious blendings at proper points.
Numerous such be found all the Park and
very successfully carried out, particularly in the
south Park, where unusually great distances had to be
taken into consideration.
One of the chief elements in landscape gardening is the
massgroupng of foliage, forming the backgrounds OF
nearly all landscapes. without this element Central
Park would have been failure, place OF effective
seclUson from busy streets and thorOughfares could
only he gained b. large and heavy mass groupings.
They chiefly OF such common trees and shrubs
as are best adapted for dense plantation ana thick
growth; specimen trees are needed aud besides the
horizontal outline nothing comes into consideration
except skyline, the color OF foliage ana certain
points the color OF the bark Tor winter effects The tam
pcring with this element great mistake. Stupidity
and total Ignorance on the part OF the superintendent
and perhaps political influence OF some selfish property
owners, have been the cause OF breaking one OF the fun
damcuta principles upon which Central Park IA planned
II MT stopped, similar otIt2es - There Is no other
expression for them, "a II - ridiculous 10 calI them
uprOyemcnswiu follow, and in less than three years
the once 30 beautiful Park viii be reduced 20 mere
common.
one oi the annual reports Of former Park Commits
soners -ays rhe value OF The Central Park lies chiefly
m the opportunity which II Is expected to afford OF
80 naud TO OF it, inhabitants when their number
shall be much larger than AZ present Its important ee
meus IN this respect the spaces OF open turf ground
the trees bordering them and the subOrdnatou Of arti
Lcal objects Ia general rural effects In ito landscapes
" such principles cannot be held against private
caprice ana ignorance, II the Park Commissioners must
be told that the trust has not been rendered them TO
satisfy their political ambitions, then the citizens ought
To- protest against the proceedings of the Board and
The PARK from ruin before II il too late Perhaps the
best remedy FOR this alarming evil wOnd be to induce
Mr.. Frederick Law Olmsted 10 take an active in
tcrts, in the Park again, as lie is una uestionably
the man To 10. consulted. He, the designer OF Central
Park, who stood foremost in every important improve
utut question Tor nearly twenty years with an expert
equal To- the best talents OF both continents, should
be- appointed chairman Of the Board OF PARK Commits
-iOupr-.
10 q, stated that the gentleman who recommended Mr.
Jones' the superintendent TO the Park Commission
knows nothing about the art required In landscape
gardening. He very correctly Judged from the notorious
proceedings NJ the Commissioners meetings that no
professional skin is necessary To run the Park, but
that Board needs who spells good graInar"
and b. otherwise useful. No blame rests on MIN.
J. WElDENMASN, Landscape Architect.
NcU-IOTk oct. -, ISL