The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-09-21
or SERIOUS IMPORTANCE.
shsn New York's Pnrh Property ne Abused
snd Rsvseed ny Oslciai Vandalism

| and Ravsged by 00ctni Vsndausmf
| Epom Garden ard Forest
Tho somewhat pretentious new bridge which
| has been built over the Harlem River at tho
point where the old MacCombs Dam Bridge
once spsnncd IT, is soon TO be opened for trafiic,
and at meeting Of the Park Board last week It
| was agreed TO buy few acres Of land Mt its
| northern extremity so as TO provide for the
structure something in the way OF a park-llk
approach II this land were properly treated IL
would make an appropriate addition 10 public
work OF such magnitude, but so far as the re-
ports Of the meeting show, no step was taken to
insure such treatment-that IL, the public lie not
informed that the matter was referred to the
landscape architect for any suggestion or adj
vice. II Is to be hoped, however. that
the Board will in this case follow the natural
order OF business and refer the matter to their
official adviser. who. after making a careful
study Of the land and deciding a general
scheme Of treatment, can mark out its proper
boundaries and give intelligent reasons for his
choice. II would hardly seem possible for a
Park Board to pursue any other course. but,
Judging from tho prevailing practice Of our
present officials. they will seize such territory
they imagine they can take care of. and after
outlining, In haphazard way, its limits, they
will begin to blast and dig without any clear or
intelligent conception OF what they propose to
Under such handling ali the money expended on
the new park is likely TO be wasted, and instead
Of beautifying the neighborhood and dignifying
the approach to the bridge, II will be an eyesore
and offence to good taste for all time to come.
1T will be remembered that in the case Of the
bridge, the Commissioners assumed to take the
matter into their own hands, though there is
any original aptitude or experience in this d.
rection, and not one whose Judgment on any OF
est value. They simply took a strip so many
feet wide, and after ordering an engineer
TO lay down road gave ont the con;
every association connected with art at once re-
monstrated against such barbarc treatment OF
two or three miles OF the city's water front. IL
was calmly replied to these remonstrances that
a landscape architect would be employed when
study is at the outset and in the preparation OF
design, and the representatives of any civilized
subject to a skilled park maker, especially II
there were such one In their employ. and this
1cla, Mould then nave made acsretn survey OF
surroundings He would have work cd out plan,
marked the boundaries Of the land required,
pose not only to make a good driveway, but
would be there. on festal occasions, TO devise
ways for crossing the road and for prevent
nish facilities for the enjoyment OF the ami
mated spectacle which will hereafter be pre-
ssa sh. would thi have sr aaa on %
the most practical way, and yet with constant
purpose to develop the pleasing picture in the
The Park Board however, began to con-
millions q dollars Without trying "' to fo SPss
any idea how i would look when completed;
ought to look. and wit with no "'' suspicion spiel
that an artist in landscape could here |
snS would
nance the attractiveness and value OF this part |
Of the city. 1t now appears that these practical |
IN ia RI md -hnh n-s
attention 70 preserving or developing the nat
ural beauties Of the region. have also under
tion-that is, such q road as they have pro-
jected cannot possibly be built on the land
I %nst white
down the sidewalks or the wheel track.
What may happen to the new park north Of
on at the southern end Of the bridge, where the
city already possesses some land for an approach
forms one Side. Upon this little park area there
Is a massive pile OF rock which might be util-
vantage should be taken OF this natural feature,
and Just how much Of 1t should be allowed to
% decide Bus So "r as sp SS%s s'qS
andscspe architect has not been consulted
have again assumed to to
design park themselves. At least. they have
rarted away. and no one knows what they will
next attempt. Every one does know, however,
that work which Is meant to be an ornament
TO CITY like New York, and which ought pri-
marily to be work of art, should not be under
petent artist.
For the credit Of the city for the benefit OF it's
example, for the sake of art IN America, IL is TO
be hoped that the planning OF this northern
park approach to the new Harlem bridge will
be referred at once To the landscape architect,
I'm end will be suspended until ne can report
ipOn H.. IL would be a disaster IL the same
waste OF money and destruction of natural
beauty which are going on In the speedway are
repeated at both ends OF the new Harlem bridge