New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-06
THE EAST SIDE LANDS.
PREPARING TO BEGIN THE WORK OF
GRADING THEM.

,. ,,oo,.,vy PARK COMMISSIONERS PLANS
WHAT WILL BE DONE WITH THE SITE of
r,,, BROOKLYN INSTITUTES MO-
.rru-PARK POSSIBILITIES
r,, ..o,,e OF BROOKLYN ~snnot but rejoice al the
..a.noo that something is TO De zone ]" ''e ne"'
prospect "ho direction of improving the condition
future ~ =, side lands This property. as is pretty
o. ''' ~ Lawn was taken by the city at the time
ee"ei". park was created. with the expectation
f,, would form part of the park. III Is sep
I'D from the park by Flatbush-aVe. anu mus
So cou,d have been component part of that
ne 's,racround So much money was spent on the
peas oner that nothing was left for the East Side
Pc which have lain in unimproved condition
. si,ce Not only have they been an eyesore to
orv nerson passing along Flatbush-ave south OF
,, entrance of the park, along the Eastern
p,rkUav hut they have been worse They nave
800 so'zcd upon TO a considerable extent by squat
-. with the Inevitable accompaniment OF pigs.
,co,hnc more need be said to convey vivid idea OF
49, res,lt as affecting the olfactory nerves OF any
-, annr,aching within smelling distance of the
,ah,ations Of these people and animals when the
p,ind IS in the risn direction.
The only time when the East Side lands, as they
have been known for the last twenty-five years or
,,,ore nresent an agreeable appearance is when
,bov are covered at present with natures kindly
,na,,lo q. snow Then their deformities are hidden,
,he rough uneven surface Is yelled and though the
hs,,iss SIN abide, their ofensiveness Is reduced
Z, the loves, terms. Snow is clearly good thng
Tow the East Size lands but 1t happens that the
.or and cold weather of last week and the proceed
d. one have intarfered with the plans of Park Com
;.s,orar squ.er in connection with this property.
NJ Solier has $4,000 at his disposal to expend on
mis- part Of the park domain, and 1t Is MS lhteh-
zion 10 have these lands graded, and so made fairly
attractive TO the eye But for the cold snap this
work would now be in progress. In any case. 1t
nd hefO
the present month.
II will be admitted on all sides that ID make
even small beginning in the way OF improving
this property is excellent thing. IL mas peeh
allowed 10 lie neglected and unused entirely 100
long About ten years ago an attempt was maue
10 sell II off in building lots at auction, out on
account of the difficulty of obtaining clear titles
tina, nroiect was not successful What will be the
ultimate disposition OF these lands as whole
is somewhat uncertain. Undoubtedly, however
they will be turned into independent park or
used as an extension Of Prospect Park in some
useful way. When Dr. Storrs was member OF
the old Park Commission he wrote an eloquent re-
mort setting forth a plan for converting this terri
tory into an attractive park. That some such Idea
will he carried out in the future Is In every way
probable.
The East side lands lie two sides OF the Mount
Prospect reservoir. adjunct to which has been
supplied in the last year or two In the handsome
and graceful stone water-tower incosng the stand
pipe that supplies water the highest parts OF the
city not reached by the pressure In the ordinary
mains This watertower is we'll worth the aUeh-
ton Of visitors Brooklyn who wish TO so up INTO
a high place and see the full extent OF the city
II is the highest point attainable In Brooklyn
and the view is OF course, commanding INls or
nate structure is likely to have notable ne'shoor
In the course of the next few years-nothng less
than the museum building OF the Brooklyn lnsu-
tute OF Arts and Sciences. site ior the struct-
ure has been selected just 10 the eastward OF Inc
reservoir, and fronting the Eastern Parkway.
The grading which Commissioner Squier IS soon
10 begin will be carried in this part OF the East
Side lands with special reference to the early De
ginning of work the museum edihce. professor
Hooper the director Of the institute t. hopes tina yhg
place early in The spring and IN that vii Snse b
laid before snow falls next winter This building
Brooklynites hardly need TO be remihHeu, Is 10 p
Sg bo wi:n hs 9he vii yd % This expenditure
was authorized by an act passed by the Legislature
The act Of 1891 provided for the sale OF bonds at
per cent but 1t was found necessary at the session
OF interest to per cent. 1t is the intention Of
the city authorities float the bonds soon and an
actual beginning on the museum pul'ui"s VIII "O'
be much longer delayed ~, , ~ ,,
The erection OF the museum VIII give an esta iii
Ished character to the East SIDE lands ana VA!
hasten their conversion into an attractive parK II
Mill be ssreea rSal Of the
consideration is the establishment OF botanical
Gal here In the mean tUe, dlltT inc sidulHb
is completed the region Will furnish an attractive
playground for the boys Of the city In its present
condition II Is used In parts for ball games and other
sports in the summer season. When graded 1t will
be far better adapted for these uses. and II Is so
easily reached thdt IL cannot IAN 10 DE !d'sciS
used.
Ultimately walks and drives will doubtless be
constructed and by means OF these a short cut 10
the Willink entrance Of Prospect Park will be fur
rIshed for the large number Of people who ride or
drive to the park by way Of Bedford-ave and the
Eastern Boulevard. The actual distance saved VIII
not be very great. WIN that be the considera-
ton that will induce people TO pass through lnst-
tu,e Park-if Il may be 50 designated-on their way
10 the great pleasure ground OF Brooklyn IL VIII
rather be for the sake OF variety for there IN IN
eyitably a certain monotony In always gong the
same way no matter how pleasant II may be-
n need not be said that the East Side lands az
capable Of being converted into a beautirui PARK
This will require time. Of course. There rs not
tree worth speaking Of In this territory and trees
cannot be supplied In a day or a year IL IL more
than a little. however. that a beginning Is az iast
10 be made Well begun may not prove 70 be nan
done I'm this case but after the sum now proViued
for has been laid out. II VIII probably not be am
cult 10 obtain a further appropriation. Coinmis-
ion OF $50 900 20 as far possible The first grad
ing will be done the triangular piece or iahd
East OF Fatbush-ave.. near the main entrance Oh /
the park This IL now covered with loose towllcrs |
relics Of the see age, when they were Drought /
hther by some great glacier. After that, pre- |
slmably the site OF the institute museum VIII De |
next attacked. and then the land further 10 'he /
south and east.