The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-12-31
THE ClTY'S PUBLIC PARKS
REVIEW OF THE IMPROTEMENTS
 MADE UPON THEM IN 1895,


 of Public Interest and ImporIance.
 The seventh annual report of the commission of public parks was sub. mitted to the board of selectmen yes terday It was as follows;
 In coml.tance with its annual GUS tom, the commission of public parks herewith respectfully submits de- tailed report of the New Haven park system, together with its financial con- dltion for the fiscal year ending Mo- vember 80, 1895,
 Beginning with a balance from previ- ous account of $t0, 443.91, the cash re- ceipts during the year from all sources aggregated SIPS, ,225.76 of this amount the sum of 22,92S.Sl was charged to the maintenance and i'm provements of parks, while $3,255.24 must be credited to the fund set apart for the purchase of land. As in former years the available appropriations have proven somewhat inadequate for the proper development of our parks and wharves, their physical condition has been well maintained, the balance left for further improvement was all too small.
 While the commissioners do not ad- vocate any lavish expenditure in this matter of park development, it is to be earnestly hoped that in the near future the work in contemplation may be eX- pedited by increased annual appropri ations, both on the part of the city and town. These public pleasure grounds are destined to speedily be- come an important factor in the growth and prosperity of New Haven. Their adornment should keep pace with its other municipal additions. The ac- companyng reports for the several parks show what progress has been made since the previous report:
 EAST ROCK PARK. ',
 The principal new work undertaken has been the construction of a driveway which when completed, will be about a mile in length and will extend from a point on the northeast end of the Far nam drive to the road leading from Bishop Gate. About one-half of the distance has been completed during the past summer at a cost of S2,929.5S, and 1t is hoped that during the coming year the remaining portion can be construct ed at about the same cost. This, how ever, will not include a stone arch bridge, of about 50 feet span, which is designed to be built over ravine which lies between Whitney peak and the main ridge, the cost of which is a rnA completed it will form, in connection with the Farnam drive, road about two miles in length, entirely free from steep grades and sharp curves, one likely to prove favorite drive for per sons desiring to make the round of the rock from the Orange street bridge and return to the same point.
 During the summer new foot paths have been constructed from Orange street to the Cold Spring on the south bank of Mill river, and also along the northeast bank of the river to a point little beyond Rock Lane bridge.
 In addition, the system of roads and paths in the park and the structure have been maintained in good order. The cost of keeping up the roads, in-
  During the year the whole amount ex- pended, including all the new work, was $6,S54.1S leaving an apparent bal ance of S975.13, which sum and $42487 in addition has been borrowed from the amount set apart for purchase of land.
 WEST ROCK PARK.
 The most important work on this during the past year has been that on the new road running from the main drive towards the top of the bold cliffs at the south front of West Rock, of which about one-third has been built, at a cost of S1, ,390 40 This fine summit drive, when fully completed, will af- ford series of charming, far reaching views of land and water. Other i'm provements consist in the clearing away of dead trees and also under brush on the entire east slope of the park, little work on the proposed bridle-path along the western slope and, finally, the necessary care of the foot paths and the drive to the Cave. " There remains an apparent balance of $1300S1, tof which amount $969.20 must be credited to land appropriations.
 I
 Since the previous report many radi- cal changes for the better have been carried out at this park by the sea. These include the sale and removal of the unsightly old houses and outbuild- ings on the hill leading to the "Pali- sades," while the former well-hoes and house cellars have been mainly filled up to grade. The store at the southeast corner of the park has been removed and the house situated west of it, pur- chased, painted and put in tenta ble condition. A bath-hOuse for women has been erected near it, the tenant of the dwelling-1ouse keeping the keys. and also furnishing bathing-suits and towels at moderate price, to those who may desire them. The number of bathers has been large throughout the season. A bath-house and enclosed bathing stage for men and boys has also been erected on the edge of the moat, be- hind the old fort and freely used from the time it was opened. an attendance of fifty being recorded on one summer day. This is designed for summers only and affords tolerable facilities for diving.
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