New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-17
TO BEAUTIFY NEW-YORK
PLANS SUGGESTED FOR HUDSON RIVER
PARK.
MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO ADoRN THE WEST
SIDE OF THE CITY--PARK CcMMlS-
sIONERs FAVOR THE IDEA.

-
Tho c,,v NJ New-york and its Inhabitants for all
time to come should profit by one OF the lessons
taupht nv the vanishing White City on Lake Michi-
eon Al Jackson Park demonstrated how
rnorass and sand and swamp could through the
genius Of man. be transformed into dreamhhe
beauty how from these panorama could be eVoived
before which the whole word stood In wonder
and admiration and In comparison with which
all other architectural groups seem small and
mediocre Out of worse than nothing sprang the
lakes and lagoons. the wooded island. basins ana
canals all skirted with artistic masonry. on the
reclaimed land greensward. shrubbery foliage ana
flowers fourlshed and added natures beauties to
heighten the splendor of mans achievements
II all this was accomplished at Jackson Park,
what with the same amount of energy, with the
same human ingenuity and with much less money
might not be done for that part of this city 'front.'
ing the Hudson River between Scventy-second and
One-hundred a nd-twenty- SITS? TO those who
have horses this part Of the city Is well KNOWN
hut how little the masses who walk are acquainted
with that most beautiful part of town could be
seen during the naval review last spring. Inou-
sands upon thousands Of people came from the
east side Of the city to the ships, ana returned
to their homes more impressed with the glimpse
gained of the Hudson than with the giant vessels
which they came to see.
At present ill-kept landing piers, brckyards'
lumber RATS, sandhls an occasional unsishty Doal-
house and n few houses with glaring signs lauda-
tory of divers aes and beers are strung out III
confused disorder along the waterfront the trees
and natural brush uncared for and going 10
ruin .bath-houses' in advanced stages Of decay
obsruct the view across the river; nowhere Is
the place inviting and along the whole line stretches
a chain of freight cars, while the passing trains
throw clouds of SCOT and black smoke into the
air At one spot only is the hand OF the artist
seen and there a diminutive Washington stands
with his back to the neglected river bank.
. Nature has been most kind to this river-front
There is ample wood and shrubbery there are
dclls and knobs. and the view from any point IS
charming. At time when there was DISPOSE
ton on the part of people to establish a
series of landing piers along this waterfront steps
toward its conversion into park could not be
thought Of but since this plan has been abandoned
and since the Dock Department is wHllng 70
abandon its two piers. which were placed. one at
Seven;y-ninth-st. and one at Ninety siXth-st. AT
the request of the West End Society. there seems
to be nothing but appropriation necessary to
make this a most beautiful park, and the play
ground for the children of half the city.
No other metropolis could show similar park
in no other city do the conditions exist TO make
such a one possible. The Thames embarrassment,
with its cold stone walks. suggests nothing rural
and lacks the restful character which this would
have: the Danube at Vienna the Spree at Berlin
nor the Seine at Paris give the children
rompng ground along It's banks such as 'hls
might be. 1t is not for the layman to say what
should be done how. but the suggestions OF
"a West Slider" in a letter TO The Tribune. pub
lished last week. must meet the approval OF any
who have given the subject thought. He proposes
a pier from One-hundred- and twenty ninth-st. TO
Seventy-second-st. Back of this pier he suggests
beach for the whole distance, except as required
for boathouses bathing pavilions. etc.
Colonial Club" writes. suggesting: "Boariwalks
along the Riverside Park front from Seventy-sec-
ond-st. to the Grant Monument four entrances. one
each at Seventy-second. Seventy-rinth. Ninety
sixth and One-hundred-an d-tweny- second SIS:
bridges the slips for rowboats; piers for FISH
ermen, yachts launches. etc: boardwalk SINH
lar 70 that at Atlantic City and As5ury Park. The
rich to have their speedway along the Harlem
River front. but the masses have the Riverside
front free from teams This walk-board or as
phat-might be twenty or thirty feet wide lie
suggests further the erection of music stands ana
cars. and the sea-wall to De landscaped filled in
with stone and backed up with sand. inakIng
track. making bicycle speedway along the rail-
road wall as well as promenade; T., mt,
city who would rejoice at an arrangement such
IS the one suggested. Grading. hllng-in exca-
70 be done paths and SEyss e T poy
be essential, and. If the railroad must remain where
it is it would be masked and the possibility OF ac
In the hands Of the Park G9mmiad1ne,rs ana
Olmsead all this and more could be accom-
pijshel and at comparatively small cost. Who
knows but II might awaken In the people Of New
York that city pride In which they are and always
have been deficient compared with the residents
OF other large cities? Chicago people grow 'nthrsi-
astc their bouievards Pn!ladeipha never tires
of laudlng its parks; Washingtonians, nomads
San Francisco's Gin. New-Orleans's shell road.
Boston's Back Bay district Cincinnatfs sub
urbs Buffalos asphalt streets and Louisville
pretty glrlS-all held up for the admiration
OF the world by the proud residents OF the various
stimulate NEWCOMERS to a proper appreciation
Of their city's worth?
PARK Commissioner Nathan SIRIUS. when spoken
to on the subject. said: NO could be more
he artiy in favor of improving the Riverside Park
bet tween Seventy -second-st. and the North End
than l. and | am the other members OF the
board feel / do in the matter; but without the
necessary funds are powerless. Put the money
at our disposal. and will give NcwYork n
park on the river front that will be credit TO tie
city"
Park Commissioner Paul Dana. who has given
tho matter Of parks much attention. and whose
opinion IS worthy the greatest consideration. SAID
Mature has peculiarly fitted that portion Of the
city for a park and II could be made one OF excep-
tlonal beauty" 49,
that will live In the memory OF those who saw it
this would grow in beauty to the delight OF cum
ing generations. and would remain as n memorial 10
the men whose love for the beautiful and whose
consideration for their feow-nen made II a posi-
bity.
DISTRESS IN CONNECTICUT