New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-27
TO REMOVE THE MENAGERM
1T MAY BE TAKEN TO The SOUTH MEADOW.
PARK COMM ssIoNER GRAY WISHES TO EsrAB1
LIsH A BIOLOGICAL GARDEN THAT WILL
DE Az HONOR TO THE CIT

DE AN HONOR TO THE CITY.
Park Commissioner Gray held consultation In the
Arsenal in Central Fork. yesterday. with Superu
tendent smith, OF the menagerte. and Chief Engineer
Montgomery A. Kellogg OF the Park Department. lie
was by Tribune reporter after the meeting. and
said that the subject urder discussion had been the
removal OF the menagere TO more suitable site.
The present mcnagere Is disgrace to this great
ety. be added :" ] am determined 10 do my utmost
20 have geological gardens somewhere In Central
Park tina; VIII be credit 10 our city, There are
men ilae J. Perpont MorcaD Morris X. Jcsup. Henry
Il. MaiQGahd AID many other weilthy mel, who are
always willing TO spen money for purposes that will
be for the public good. | have spoken TO a number
Of these men and assured OF their wiling assistance
rs soon as suitable site and plans put before
them. Their word depend upon, and number
OF men are now willing to establish a splendid zoology
cal garden and make present OF 1t to the city.
SHALL soon possible bring the matter before my
brother Commissioners, and hope to get their cOopera
ton. I propose to take that piece Of ground known
as the south Meadow, ana make it the site OF the
geological garden. II Is well away from the
houses both on the west and east sides OF the Park,
and the placing Of house there for the animals and
birds would In no way Inconvenience the people who
five In the neghborhood.'
What will you do about the lawn. tennis playersi"
asked.
well they have the whole Of the North ard North
west Meadows and ought 10 DE cOntentet with that
came the answer. You see, commissioners have
got TO do the greatest good 10 the pubic. with
tie small amount OF land ut our disposal. The South
Meadow only gives for about thirty tennis courts.
The enjoyment and education which a really mag.
nihcent mcnagerie world give To many thousands
should certainly outweigh slight Inconvenience Of
few persons who find courts 10 play upon within q
stones throw"
Engineer Montgomery A. Kellogg was seen IN re-
gard TO the proposed removal lie said that he had
orders prepsr plans for the site ana such buildings
he might consider suitable for handsome geological
garden.
superintendent Smith, OF the menaserie. said that
Commissioner Gray had spoken 10 him the subject.
The superintendent expressed the hope that the
menagere would be removed to the proposed SITE The
proposed site the best that could be selected
II within Central Park and that meant that Com
mlsslOncrs could the 100000. voted by the As
sembly I'm $780, for the removal OF the present
menagcre, provided that II remain In Central Park.
With that sum and gifts from private citizens. a me-
nagcrlc could be- bnt OF which the city fnhnbitanO
would be proud With larger space. the animals would
have greater comfort and the people better chance
TO study their habits.
The South Meadow. the site spoken OF BY Connie
s!oncr Gray Is stretch of grass land almost Level.
lying Just north OF tho Reservoir and west OF Trans
verse Road No. 4. 1t is thus between Ninety third
and Ninety sXth-sts. II has been q tennis ground
since 1884, but there Is only room for thrty-tWo
courts There about $50 courts for tennis PLAYERS
the North and Northeast Meadows. The South
Meadow Is nearly In the centre OF the Park. The
nearest house In Central Park-ave. Is at least 500
feet away from It's western edge willie the nearest
house in Efave. IS about 900 feet from the eastern
ely