New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-21
cryrrAnptRK BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE.

The special plea for the Speed-road put iorth
bv certain members Of the Driving Club and pub
ishod in Yesterdays TRIBUNE rests on the same
cid fundamental faIlacy and shows that these
amjable gentlemen have notions about the
urinary use and purpose of a public park which
are ouite as hazy as those Of the Mayor Inc
same .pcci0us reasoning about the negiec1 ~
rroydc for that most characteristic OF inc
equine products of America, the trottnG horse
is forced 81 do duty again. Roads have peeh
made. they say, for carriages and for saddle
horses: PATHS me laid sOr pedestrians, and even
the bicycer has his right Of way but IN the
parL, the tYottcr is not allowed TO show his gait
and his owner is deprived of the pride of dis
playing him.
This original miScOnception OF the Park ana
its function appears just as often AZ any khoU
of zcalo;s want to squat on quarter section ol
prhlic ground somewhere and appropriate 1t TO
their special uso without paying for 1t. 1t Is
seen in some shape AZ least once year, ana II
= slice Of the Park had been surrendered to every
cause and class which offered \ plausible rca-
son for il. the city long ago would have found
itself in possession of IA hundred disconnected
matches Cf ground, with no unity, no Slng'" plr-
pose, no attractivcncSS charm CT value Tor the
pcopc as "A whole. \ parade ground here a
pcrpctual fair beyond, rifle range across the
vay. tack for athletes a field for other sports,
a geological gardcn-all these are worthy pur-
roses. and we could carve up the pleasure ground
70 give each one of these and many interests
more some core or corner. but the place would
be Central Park NJ longer
40 provision has been made for fast dry
ing; and it may be added that nonc has been
made for fa-, riding. II is urged that crowds
would come 10 gaze on the tlottcrs hut many
more would come to sec pack OF hounds and
field Of mounted hunters gallopng after an
ani,c-Sced bag. Here is another manly and at
iractivc amusement, and the hunting clubs have
unite rs strong case ~ the driving clubs when
rhcy choose 10 demand recognition. But against
these arguments stand, the fact that the city
has spent millions Of dollars on Central Park for
the one purpose Of furnishing the people OF Man
haitian Island with chance for rural recreation.
The roads and walks and bridle-path were built
to enable visitors on foot, on horseback, or IN
wheeled vehicles TO enjoy this bit Of nature
The rad, were made for the Park and not the
Park for the roads. For fast riding or driving.
or any special amusement for the exclusive few,
tho Park docs not PROVIDE, especially Whcn euch
amusement j. in conflict with It's primary pur-
p.s,. The admission Il lawn tennis, archery
and the like. under restrictions, has desoacd
no meadows, Destroyed n grove, made no
changes necessary in the Parks design, and
have NJ, been at dscord with lis original pur-
po>".
Thi, speed road. however, comes with the dc
mlnd that tho Park shall be mang,ed 10 admit
an element AT war with itS essential character.
1t is only one NOR, road they say: but it Is
1 GOOD deal more. II is an utter subver>iUn Of
the principle, on which the Park WAS designed,
and the policy under which il has been main
tanned II is Il revolution. If the city owes il
to thc.c men to furnish a rnd for fasc trottcrs
and to another class track for s;ecplcchaSing,
or field for couIeing. or what not then let
some suitable land elsewhere be condemned 10
these tlSD~. There is 10 reason why the Park,
just rs it is growing into mature and mellow
beauty. should be taken from the people and
handed over 70 a few rich hor>c-JwncrS.
Central Park belongs TO the people and not
to a driving club.