The sun., 1894-02-01
WINTER Aspects or THE PlRKs
vs. Cortinndps, Breuz Rivers, sus Pet
hsu's wide, Unbrokea Snow sheet.

vsu Cortinndps, Brsux Rivers, sus Pet
HAMS wide, Unbroke. Snow Sheets.
When the traces OF q great snow storm have
vanished for days from the busiest New York
thorouRhfares, Central Park 10 still in full
wintry aspect and after the drives and paths
OF Central Park are bare the great suburban
parks lie hidden beneath . spotless mantle.
The sea fogs that help to melt the snow that
falls upon the streets OF New York visit less
frequently the suburban parks, and their cli-
mate is a thought dryer and perhaps cooler
than that OF Manhattan Island.
The amplitude and half-vild natural condi-
tion OF these great public places seem pecu-
llarly borne In upon the visitor when deep
snow covers the ground. To drive through
Bronx River Park. Pelham Bay Park. and Van
Cortlandt Park after q snow storm Is to real
ize that the tales OF old.fsshioned winters were
perhaps not exaggerated. Their Joint area OF
fve and half square miles is now glorious
panorama OF winter. The wide and long
reach OF the Bronx below Bronxdale is
white plain. with thick. black Ice
invisible beneath. Another still pool
above the Pelham avenue bridge Is partly
frozen aud robed in snow. Then como the
rapids leading up to and through the gorge
below the Lorillafd house. the most beautiful
edges the headlong stream or frets its current
ana ana rises above the surface is capped with
white. Inc steep DAnkS wear n ike rODe. save
here and there in places whore perpendicular
rock faces are bare OF snow. but clad In the
exquisite green Of perpetuslly damp moss;
grounds OF the great gray house. while on the
other spread in fine un iulations the half dozen
acres covered with hemlock.
Tho natural Garnet OF leaves shows here and
there in spots to which the snow has not slfted
proof foliage OF the evefeesns. Great. masses
Si spoT rest upon the densest fronds OF The
Ear down at tho hasa of the n
stream, Thai, path leads to the the Bronx Mead,
Whiie whit eV reshod by the swift stream % and edged
here and there with iufly hedgerows
.hort two, miles, by carriage road from tho
upper end OF Bronx Park to the eastern
that traverse the high eastern ridge OF the
park command now marvellous winter pros
forGmed as by il BY N magic isy from warm reddish
wan OF the Palisades. caught in raIe elimpsss,
old squeduct Iipo are strips Of white edged
trees and punctuated here and there with
those odd. gray granite dwarf towers each
The old Van ,Cortlandt manor house amid
It's monumental horse chestnmts. wears fam
fs sGi si IN Ts "na The n
fuiy thlcE.ts; where the, few, winter birds
manor house is trimmed In temporary splen-
dor and urper broadway stretches white a.
far AS the eye can reach. The gray needle Of
High Bridge tower has long since barred its
sloping shoulders OF the last snow6ake.
Pelham Bay Park is now a wintry en- pire all
to ITSELF Its inland ways are srry with sleigh
bells and hungry quail here and there possess
the roadway. driven out by hunger from their
safe thickets in the white -terraced valley OF
Fast Chester Creek. BIT the coast line OF the
park. it's glory at all times. is now an Arctic
spendor. The rocks at Hunters Island are
snow clad 10 the hiGh-tide mark. Tn. broad
marshes, n marvellous color study at all times
OF the year thrust up dried grasses and tufted
furry remnants OF last summers greensry
through their fresh mantle. The old Hunter
house nohlest OF all the city's country man
slons. looks across the frosty edged sound to
a white robed Long Island.
All the smaller islands between are great or
little hummocks OF white. the larger ones with
snow-clad roofs and evidences OF life. the
smaller ones tiny Arctic wastes. From the
bridge leading to City Island one sees bit OF
bare horizon. a long stretch OF the Long Island
shore. and the picturesque array OF City
Islands own houses.
The broad estuary at the mouth OF East
Chester Creek Is peopled with swan-like inlets
and the coast line is silverel and crusted
through all its nine miles Of length Mean
duce the snow OF New York 10 inky slush but
slowly work their will upon the deep covering
of the great parks. and in places their Arctic
aspect will llnger perhaps for weeks