New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-08
WHAT BROOKLYN TALKS or.
GLIAfPSES OF MEN AND THINGS ON Ihh
LONG ISLAND SIDE OF THE EAST RIVER.

LONG ISLAND SIDE OF THE EASI RlFEh'
yparK Commissioner Kennedy has made n valuable
contribution 20 the discussion OF the futic ~Iofne
OF file city BY means Of parks in the form OF c'o'
published in "Tbe Standarl-Unlon.' me ulem-
ber of the Park Commission Mr.. Kennedy save care
mi attention IN the subject, and his views deserve
thoughtful study as the mature expression OF man
who may riehtfully claim To DO something OF an eNper
In the matter under consideration. He l. cn'huAasuc
In his advocacy of the proposal to make park aohs
the water front between Bay Ridge and Fort lismil
ton which il one Of the most attractive regions any
where IN the nechborhOod Of the metropolis OF when
Brooklyn forms no small part A pctiier drive or
walk cannot be found than along this winding shore
with lts views OF bay and ocean and lana, near ana
far There cannot be two opinions as 10 the desifa-
bity Of establishing park here. and there is good
deal 10 be said in favor Of Mr. kcnnedys suggestion
that park Of this character ought 10 be made
accessible 70 the people by Of electric or cable
railways. For park here would be hardly more
than a parkway and III order appreciate and enjoy
IT, means of easy communication from one part Of II
90 another should be furnished.
The proposed park Rdgewood Heights IS also
strongly urged by Mr.. Kennedy. and with he sets
forth the necessity Of extending the Eastern Parkway
through the Twenty sixth Ward in order to make The
park easy Of access. This parkway was laid out IN
the days when the old ring was its glory. and
partly constructed. Never having been finished how
ever IT has been little used with the exception Of the
portion between Bedford ave. and Prospect Park AMI
IL has fallen into rattle. shabby shape. At present
II degcnerates after three miles Of what could
easily be made fine driveway, into miserable coun
try road, suggesting the squiiretrack that ran up
tco Tic completion and extension OF IT, and it,
termination in fine park would make rival in
popularity Of the Ocean Parkway, which has the rep
utation of being the finest drive In America. Mr..
Kennedy thinks that this RidgcwOOd Park ought 70
be provided with drive 10 the Eastern District but
that could be an aerconsideration. and need not b.
contemplated a part Of the scheme which involves
the establishment Of an attractive park in the region
named, and the completion of the Eastern Parkway
to connect with it,
In conclusion the exCOmmlssoner takes up the dis
position to be made Of the East Side lands which,
under law passed by the last legislature not to
be sold, was formerly contemplated, but 10 be re
tanned for park uses, and sites for public inst
tutions The first buildings 10 be erected here will
be the Museums of Science and Art which will double
less be established under the direction Of the Brook
Ign Institute. Mr.. Kennedy takes issue with Dr.
Sorrs. who. when a Park COMMISSIONER advised that
the remainder Of the lands should be laid a. sita
for university, and advocates the establishment Of a
botanical garden instead There is force in the con
tcntion that il would not b. the height Of wisdom 10
arrange this land for the use Of university that does
not exist. ana Nh Kennedy makes good point when
he says that university VIII not spring into exist
ence simply because the city offers It good building
site. Nor should these lands be left in their present
condition until a suppOsititlous university IS ready
to come and occupy them. The suggestion Of bo
tanica garden could probably b. carried ont without
great expense and its advantages the people would
be Immediately availef Of Then II al future
time the university should assume practical shape Il
would be yery difficult task 10 remove IN, Botanical
garden, should this be deemed the best site for such
an institution. Mr.. Kennedy has done public ser
vice in directing attention b This matter in com
prehensve wa. Certainly The city should pfovd
Itself betimes with adequate system Of paris The
longer the task is postponed the more difficult and
expensive will It be b. accomplish f.
1t Is not TO be believed that single note ~ dissent
VIII be heard In reference 10 the proposition that
statue OF Mr.. siranahan should b. placed In Pros
poet Park. He was In n special sense the author |
ana creator Of the Park, and well deserves to be !
thus honored That hc himself may dissent however, |
is very possible But his WISH if II should be adverso
10 the Plan suggested. ought not to be- accented as |
controlling. The namo and fame Of the man most |
closely identified with Brooklyn's lovely pleasure. !
ground may httingly be cOmmcnorated lac h.,f,g |
ms s'a'"e placed within IT "a one Of The chief orna,
menis OF the place The Park IS 81 IN srr,,t,,d |
with works Of this character that fine ons,,
IS presented for adding noble work NJ ar, 49, |
ought 10 be put In commanding position
The successful course If lectures gotten nm NV thu
brooklyn Library VIII be brought 10 close On Nood,, |
lf next week with evening o. readings by anthem
N pursuance Of the custom instituted IN NewYork |
# the Madison Square Theatre. In 1855 and since |
0llowed. not only in NeE-York, but In Boston ami |
\ ashngOn. The Br00llyn entertainment should |
,roye es cce.sfl those Of the same character |
sewherc The authors announced 70 tate part In |
I, reading selections from their works, ara George
William CUTS. Dr. Edward ESsesion, Ricbarl Watson ]