New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-13
TIE WHEELWATS or me RANK.

The Aldermen have resolved that the East
Drive of the Park should be widened but be-
fore the Park Board orders Mr.. Jones to strip
away the tmf and chop down the tIcss some
things are worth considering. The primary
value of Central Park is in the repOseful in
fuence of It's natural sceuery-onering as it
does the most refreshing contrast TO the artl-
ficial conditions of city life-and in accordance
with it, leading motive the roads and paths
were laid to make available the charms of rural
seclusion. But social recreation of more
stimulating kind is also needed the desire for
associated pleasure is Il natural instinct which
Graves indulgence. Astounding human lite in
holiday mood offers a contrast to the hurry
and stress Of business which is genuine as
the relief offered by scenes and surroundings
of pastoral quiet. The appropriate theatre for
associated recreation is found in broad, un-
broken ways, where thTonGs OF happy people IN
gala attire meet under artificial conditions
which may he as elaborate and luxurious as
wealth and refinement can devise. The
famous promenadcs in European capitals, and
notably those OF the type of tho Spanish Ala
medas, furnish examples OF what Is here re-
feTrcd to.
These two kinds Of recreation are essentially
distinct, and if provision for both Is attempted
in the same park it will be usually TO the detrl-
ment Of each. At all events it is plain that
pastoral scenery Is not necessary to associated
pleasure, while the glitter and gayety of cqui-
page and festive procession can be made 50
obtrusiye as to render rdral secusiOn impOs-
sibe. There can be no question 40 to which
feature of Central Park needs TO be guarded
with the most jealous care. In a few years
the Park Will be surrounded By 4 thronGing
population of 100000 souls, and it will be
the only spot on the island where any one OF
all these people can gain a restiul glimpse of
gIeensward while the expressions of the city
are walled out of sight by banks Of foliage As
transit facilities increase, and as population
thickens about the islands centre, the number
OF. people who will avail themselves Of this
relief and win refIeshment by a brief stroll in
the PARK will be greater by many fold than the
number of those who will resort there for nd
ing or driving and exchanging ccremOnlOuS
greetings with the well-apparelltd persons
who roll by in their carriages. Already there
is more gravel than grass IN the Park. OF open
meadow surface in spaces Of one acre and
upward there are but lifty.fye acres, while tie
carriage-ways alone cover 51.6 acres; and
the wheelways, together with the walks and
bridle-path, occupy nearly 10 acres. which Is
more than all the meadow land added TO all
the grassy gades and small openings in the
woods.
The wheelways throughout the nine and one
half miles OF their length average now fifty
four feet in breadth. But this does not measure
their capacity, for the roads are so planned
without surface crossing that many more car
riages can be accommodated than there could
be if any part of the procession were interrupted
by cross currents of vehicles or persons on foot
In general way il is safe to assert that the
road system of the Park affords every accom-
mediation for as many as will come there to