New-York tribune., 1886-02-14
PLANS FOR THE MENAGERIE.
CoNFERbING wlrG THE PARK BOARD

! SUGGESTIONS FROM IIFIH AVENUE PROPERTY
OwNERs-A sew SITE RECOMMENDED.
dozen representing property interests in Fifth
ave. NJ Central Park, met the Park Commissioners
Yesterday morning in "a costly furnished in the
| Arsenal The meeting was held to con slider what
measure could be taken to secure the transfer of the
mcaagcric from the Arsenal to a better place Among
those present Hcber H. Bishop. Josiah NJ FISke.
/ C. \. Postlcy, Hcnry Kuicherbackcr, Simon Wormser,
/ and W. IL. Thlnghast. Thomas Rutter and }. 4.
Eo.twich had been expected but they out of the
city. President Btcbman and Mr.. Borden the
only members Of the Park Boarc present. DIR. Conk-
/ n Superintendent of the meuagcrc and Mr.. Para ous
superintendent of the city parks we're also in attend
ance A triangular piece of ground comprising about
seventeen acres in Central Park vest OF the Cr0on
reservoir and between it and the Ninctyseventhst.
transverse read pointed ont on the map of Central
Park the most lifting place in wlich the menogeries
could bc placed. This was regarded centrally
located and the ground was fitted through natural
drainage facilities Tor a Geological Garden.
This is lie only location in Central Park said Mr..
Bcekman that ! can see is at all fitted for /ooog
icll collection You know gentlemen that the Depart
mcnt j. embarrassed from lack of funds. change
of the menagcrio will nrcessate large expense in
grading laying out approaches, draining, etc am free
to say that prospect of securing the amount
needed from the city
Mr. Bishop What is the amount of space Occu-
pied by the mcnagcrie :
Dr. Conklm-Wc have about four acres in use and
six acrrs more are available.
Mr. Bishop Would ii not be pOssbl" to get tract
of about fifty to allow for future growth
Mr. Borden-I Cont know of any such space in
Central Park to be given tor such purpose. More
ground coud bc secured in the tutl re if the site pro
posed were taken by running over into the North
Meadow.
Mr.. Bshop-What is the amount of ground occupied
by the London Gardens
DIR. Conkln-About fifteen acres believe. In the
site proposed in Central Park are seventeen acres
which would all purpose for years to come
without eucroaching on the meadows.
Mr.. Iishop-My idea is that We should provide for
geological Garden that may become in time of the
finest in the world II should lie centrally located
this place mentioned wonld be and we should make the
selection it ought to be remembered, for city that
will have q population of five six millions. ! am
speaking for the citizens of Lonox Hill WHO desire this
change and who wish permanent place for the col
lection II means of course large expenditure but 1t
is important object anything that know OF.
Nothing else will afford much entertainment Tor the
great mass OF peoI lc
pleasant days We have from 10000 to 100000
visitors
Mr. Knickerbackcr- What will he the cost of a
change to the site tnat Is spoken Of
Mr. BcckInan-l il not easy To make an estimate of
the expense. lhc Philadelphia Geological Garden has
cost some thing like $3.50 OOO That is private enter
pri.c however and We don't want anything of that
kind IN Central Park There admission fee is charged.
sbould saw that M least 800 900 would be required
Tor the projected change.
Sir Bi,Gop-If 500 600 was obtained for a start.
followed mp hy the same amount in successive years |
suppose the change could bee made The city should be
able To do that.
Mr. BcekmIn-Ihc difficulty j. tia there are already
many demands the city tor schools docks and
other important purposes that the Board OF Estimate
cannot give rs the money.
Mr. FI-Rc-lhI~ !, certainly as important project as
the building Of additions To the museums. IL VIII be
for the interest of q larger number of peoalc
Mr. lostlov-lhc Board of Estimate should be coercrd
into doing something. ANY court could bring an in
dctmcnt against the mcuagcuc 1t exists now Ii Is
q Nuisance
Mr. Bcckman You cant coercc the Board OF Arpor
tionmout and see no chance Of getting bill through
the Legislature for this purpose.
Mr. kuickcrbac,cr and Mr Ristop Thought that the
means for securing the transfer of the menagcric
should be- gwen careful consideration and some plan
determined tor securing the fund, aud the oca-
ton They believed that could be done and the
int manifested In the project should not be allowed
to ~uh-Iic. They Thought that no more money should
bee spent in the present site as the money would bc
virtually wasted. Il was determined finally 10 call
another meeting when some pIoglc-s bad been made or
some definite plan had been reached.