Evening journal., 1889-12-03
LAST EDITION
eRANDYwlNE PARK DRIVE.
Frederick Law Olmstead Suggests Ne
Plan to the Commissioners.

Plan to the Commissioners.
The Board of Park Commissioners met
in the Board of Health room at 2.30
O'Clock this afternoon. President vii.
liam NJ Candy presided He presented
a communication from Frederick Law
sOlmstead g. Co.. landscape architects of
Broollyn. Mass, which he had received
in response to a letter. Mr. Olmstead
was the designer Of Central Park, New
York city.
"23d of November 1889.
civilian NJ. CANDY, ESQ.,, President
Park Commission.
"DEAR SIR: We have been much in
terested in your letter describing the
state of public opinion IN regard to a
drive from Market street to the new
Brandywine Park.
"It is question of very great import
ance and one which should not be hastily
decided. The matter of cost ought not
to be given as much weight, compared
with the ultimate value of the improve
ment. as is customary in street building.
''Without having made any detailed
estimates, we are of opinion that the
balance Of advantages will be found to be
in favor of having the new drive above
the long south race instead of upon the
site of the old short south race.
Then follow seven reasons for this con
sideration. Briefly they are as follows:
First, The value, the tearing down of
the trees and verdure along the banks
would be hard to over estimate, as it
would iniure the natural scenery. Con-
sequently the new project is the better,
as this win be unnecessary.
Second-The park drive on the lower
race would prohibit access TO valuable
properties along the race, whereas the
north drive would furnish easy access to
this for private or business purposes.
There would be a rise in lands that
would In few years, if the valuation be
assessed, pay for the cost of the road.
Third-The cost would be greater in
the first case. In the former case there
would have to be large amount of filing
done in the race itself, in the slopes next
to the river and in the approach to the
bridge.
Fourth-Allex existing and future sewers,
if the proposed street is run along the
line of the short race between
the long race and the sewer, as we'll
as the existing foul surface water
courses, would have to be taken under
the city water supply race by an expen.
sive aud not easily cleaned series of in
verted iron siphons to empty into the
proposed intercepting sewer. If the
new street is made above the long or city
water supply race, on the other hand,
not only the cost of these iron siphons
and considerable pieces of connecting
sewers would be saved. but all hillside
water, whether positively foul
and unhealthy or simply
muddy. would be diverted by
the cutters of the next street and
turned into the intercepting sewer,
through catch basins in the most efficient
and economical way, and the city water
supply thus absolutely guarded from
this source of contamination.
Flfth-The policeing, lighting. water
ing. cleaning and repairing of the pro
posed street, can all be done more easily
and economically, if it is connected a.
every block with the regular street sys
tenn of the city. than if it is separated
from it by the long race.
Sixth-The proposed street will b'
more direct shorter and on easier grades
if located gabove the long race than
if built on the line of the short race.
Seventh, The driveway can be made
wider and the river walk or promenade
whenever increasing population makes il
desirable, more spacious if the new stree
is put through south of the long race.
is very important thSt there should b
this opportunity of widening or relocst
ing the fine river promenade connecting
the city at Market street with the parl
proper. The existing walk is entirel,
inadequate. If l. were made twelve fee
wide it would serve its purpose well TO
many years, but the time will come whel
twenty feet will be none too great
width considering the space occupied b
people on seats.
For the above reasons we strongly ad
wise that the proposed street be carries
along the uphill side of the long race Il
that case we should recommend te
foot sidewalk next to the private land
then six foot turf strip for shade tree
to grow in between the walk and driv,
way, then thirty foot driveway (withou
an adjoining walk) making in a
a ffty-ioot street strip of irregula
width should separate the road from til
race in order to give room for slopes, an
this strip may be planted with tree
There would be public foot path betwee
the race and the river, which would
practically park walk.
Yours truly,
f. l.. OLMsTEAD & Co.