The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-04-11
ever destroy its simple. broad. and all-welcom-

o'oi uestroy itS siInpses utOeus snu rs. "~'>O.A
Ing character.
There is ono argument used in favor OF the
speedway which strikes fatally at the essential
principle Of parks. II has been said IN sup
port Of the new road that IL would DO laid out
In an unused" portion. There fs no unused
portion OF Central Park-there can BIO none.
take. for example. one OF Its green helds.
That is fulfilling it's very highest use when
no foot ever treads upon It 1t is to
form an element In the landscape. to create the
enect OF rural charm. in other words, to look
ut. before 1t is for any other purpose. park
Is pleasure ground into which walks are put,
IN order that people may go and enjoy 1t with
out hurting its scenery and cultivation It's
untrodden greens and unenterod groves are
the foundation ofits beauty. The less penetra-
blethe thickets surrounding IL. the more COM
plete Is its secluslon from the city. and the
more perfect Is II as q park. One might as well
say that the space occupied by q flower bed is
unused because untouched. or that tho pillars
OF the Garden Of the Gods were they in the
Park. would BIO unused because men could not
climb to the top. as to say that the narrow and
rugged border Of Park land between the West
Drive and tho Eighth avenue is unused be-
cause 1t Is comparatively unfrequented.
The suggestion that putting a new road on
the West Side would not hurt" tho Park Is
position that the entire Park could be levellcd
on and remade with another motive and not be
hurt. 1t is true. Short OF that It is not true or
course road would be nothing moro than
road. Its surroundings would be made and
finished In precisely the same character rs
those OF other roads. Everything would be
restored to perfect order: but tho new road
would BIO so much taken out OF the Park
proper. and to that eXtont 1t would be m in
terference with its plan and would be IN injury.
believe that If any single metropolitan sem
tiicent has been cherished In New York city.
1t Is that Of preserving the Central Park rs it
was made and us it exists; yet. for all that. eff
forts. often from highly accredited sources. to
Introduce minor innovations contrary to its
fundamental idea are constant and frequently
difficult to resist. The Board OF Park Commits
sioners cannot BIO too strongly sustained in
preserving its original purity. nor can tho
wish to protect it DO too widely cult.
waited and established. To that end. al
though the Speedway law has been pro-
nounced to DO not mandatory. If any emphasis
can be added to the vote of tho Park Com
missioncrs requesting its repeal. again ask
most earnestly. in behalf Of the Park Commits
sion. that tho Assembly Join in repeating the
law. believing as do that tho public senti-
mont in this community will approve fully
OF providing in somo other place such a
speedway as has long been desired by all
gentlemen Interested in tho breeding and
employment OF trottng horses. / entreat
those who have been opposed to the repeal of
this law to withdraw their opposition. in order
that the desire of tho overwhelming majority
OF New York citizens and tho request of the
Commission charged with keeping their parks
may be respected and responded to by the AS
sembly with the Same unanimity that has al
ready actuatcd the Senate. and tho repeal bill
be passed without leaving the cloud Of single
dissenting vote.
Again thanking you. gentlemen Of the COM
mittee remain. respectfully yours.
PAUL DANA. Park Comm ssioner
New YORK. April o.