Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1889-08-17
OUR PARK AND ITS SUBURBS.

Tho Remarkable Growth and Life
which the Rise OF East Rock Park
In Public Appreciation has Given to
tho Neighboring Country-The Many
Beautiful and Picturesque Drives
and Boulevards About tho SPOT
A few years ago, before East Rock park
had been fully mapped out and decided upon
as the great park of the city, "Ike MARVEL
remarked, In one of his vigorous essays In
support of the proposed park, that the ap-
proach to New Haven by way of Whitney
avenue was the most beautiful of all ap-
proaches to the city. The scenery and de-
lightful drives about lake Whitney and
neighboring portions of the park were char
acterized by the appreciative author of "Rev-
cries Of Bachelor as among the most pic
turesque sketches of landscape that he had
ever seen in the outskirts of city. Time
has surely justified these expressions and to-
day there are no more beautiful or more pop
ular resorts for New Haven and Its visitors
than East Rock Park and Its surroundings.
The growth of that portion of the city
within the past few years has been re-
markable. II mas now become the favorite
recreation ground for the people. Whitney
avenue especially has been benefited by the
great growth Of the elegant park The up-
per portion of this beautiful thoroughfare
has been studded with pretty and elaborate
new residences and the value of real estate
has increased at least twenty per cent. The
upper end Of Orange street has also shared in
the general Improvement, and new dwellings
have arisen In large numbers, and In some
localities on this street the price Of real es-
tate has doubled.
Lake Whitney itself, calm, placid sheet of
sparkling water shat II 10, seems to be won-
dsrfully attractive for strollers upon pleas
ant day. Its banks are always visited by
little groups and parties Of young and old
Of idlers. Perhaps the cool, shady haunts
under the spreading trees and messy banks
OF the river some two or three miles above
the lake Itself are most alluripg upon warm
summers day. Fishermen also tell tales OF
marvellous catches among the secret coves
and inlets where the sly nibblers
Turk. The lake Ia now In all
It's glory. Its waters are running
full ard high near tho edges Of It's shores
and the work Of the recent heavy rains IL no
where more visible than In the full volume
of water which has been rushing over the
dam under the abrupt cliffs Of East Rock.
| For several days following the long period OF
rainy weather, the level Of tho water OF tho
| lake was nearly two feet above tho upper
Il W
waier formed u peculiarly picturesque scono
m they dashed into spray upon the rocks
beneath. Crowds visited Tho lake every day
| 10 witness tho sight.
One OF tho favorits promsnades for n Sun.
day afternoon In Whitney avenue, across thu
foot-bridgs 10 East Rock Park and thon dowf
Orange street TO the city. In fact, nearly
every pleasant day any number OF girls will
their fellows, narninas, brothers, sisters nnt
friends may be ssen enjoying pleasant atrol
about these popular promenndes. The drives
ara also great favorites. Numbers Of hn'
squipagea move about the park and Its en-
| vironments every pleasant day. The largsl
part OF these go up whitney avenue past thu
lake and opposite the handsome and sight!
nav residence of Judge l.. II. Munson, TAXI
the diverging road, cross the covered bridR'
and keep on through the country little way
till the roads which lead to thu
summit of the park are reached
After winding drive the pause
upon the level stretch of grass-covered rocl
as the summit where the soldiers monument
towers proudly above the rocky road. Here 9
sweeping view of the city and harbor fol-
miles around IL enjoyed. Nearly everyone
spot at one time or another. There Is sell
dom pleasant afternoon when the top Of
the rock is not crowded with carriages. II
is one of the most magnificent spots in Con
neoticut. Even the most obtuse mind can
not fail to appreciate the grand spectacle
From here the way Is usually down Farnam
drive to the Orange street approach, across
and down Orange street to the city.
The grove on the southwest bank of Mil
river, which 10 within the boundaries of the
park, Ia favorite place for moonlight stroll.
| leis. It's walks are remarkably alluring and
Its precincts are nightly invaded by quiet