New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-24
LOOKING AT THE NEW PARKS.
TOUR OF INSPECTION ALONG THE
BACKBONE OF LONG ISLAND"
LINCOLN TERRACE HIGHLAND PARK. FOREST
PARK AND TWO SMALL. SQUARES VISITED
SUCCESS OF THE COUNTY PARK SCHEME
ACTIVE WORK GOING ON EVERY
WHERE MANY ATTRAC-
TIoNs IN THE BIG


WHERE - MANY ATTRAC-
T1oxs IN THE BIG
FOREST PARK
Few Brooklyntes who have not taken special
pains 10 familiarize themselves with the new parks
that are In process of establishment In various
parts of the city can have any comprehensive Idea
of the large amount of work being done for
the comfort and enjoyment OF the community as
whole Some OF the parks may be regarded
as pleasure grounds for the special benefit of GER
tain neighborhoods but most of them are for the
common
Especially fortunate Is one who has the oppor-
tunity to make a tour among the new parks under
the guidance OF an experienced park Official VINO Is
In close touch with all that is going on. This good
fortune fell to the writer yesterday. and inner
day for such q trip could not have been provided
The guide in this Mr.. Pettigrew, the
Iandscape architect Of the Park Department, and
the means Of conveyance was a top buggy ira"n
by a spirited horse. The start was maze at the
Wilink entrance Of Prospect Park ana the driVe
covered fifteen more miles over some OF the
worst pavements the city can point to as evidence
OF the low point In CIVILIZATION winch u mas III '
tain respects attained
AS a short cut to the Eastern Parkway, Washing
ton-aye was chosen There Is 10 be q good orcK
pavement here some time in the future; the con-
tract was made by the Department or city WORKS
several weeks ago, but yet the contractors nave
done little to indicate that they are I'm earnest to
get the Job completed. AZ present "ashihstoh-
ave. is poor apology for country road, but In
this state II is 10 be preferred the miles OF cob
blestones found later on.
IMPROVING EASTERN PARKWAY.
rho first work TO be seen under the direction Of
the Park Department Is the Parkway, near
Nostrand-ave. For distance east OF that ave-
nue. the middle Of the roadway has been provided
with a good macadam surface and between NOS
trand and Rogers preparations are being
made for similar treatment. The Park authorities
would be glad to carry this improvement the entire
length of the Parkway, but the money at their
disposal will not permit that. The surface OF the
road Is badly In need OF betterment In many Places
and something will be done 10 put 1t in better
shape before the completion OF the Glenmore-ave
Improvement when the Parkway will be much
used by bicycle riders. The macadam work mere
IL somewhat experimental as Superintendent Petit
grew Is of the opinion that three and half inches
of granite cubes. with top dressing OF crushed
limestone Roa Hook gravel. just sufficient 10 MI
in the interstices. will make a good and durable
road that can be easily cleaned and kept in good
condition
Proceeding along Eastern Parkway, at Roches-
ter-ave, the work on Lincoln Terrace the hrst OF
the new county parks to be inspected. comes into
view This park lies between Rochester and Bur
falo AYES. and the Eastern Parkway and Presi-
dentist is about 100 feet long and 90 feet Wide
The work now In progress consists in the grading
of the avenues the western and eastern ends
and filling In where necessary with the material
obtained from the cuttings made. President-st
also IL yet be laid and graded
LINCOLN TERRACE
The park Is finely situated on undulating ground
with general slope to the south. and ia natural
features will be conserved far possible There
are some pretty slopes and curves that readily lend
themselves 20 effective treatment Near the centre
al a good elevation. Is small plateau which Will
afford a good site for shelter. With room close
BY probably for tennis courts. There are few
shanties on the park domain but they to I've
removed by their owners Some struggling trees
are here and there, but few II any OF them
will be allow ed remain in the completed park
Where filing in ia going on the natural features
OF the park will be conformed TO as nearly az
may be
From this point II is a distance Of three miles. by
a circuitous route over poor pavements and through
mud and loose earth. to Highland Park. Turning
out Of Jamaica-ave., not far from Bushwick-ave,
climb up a sharp hill brings one 10 the begin
ming of Highland Boulevard. II is not much OF
boulevard yet. but 1t has great possibilities. With
It at the western end will connect the extension Of
Eastern Parkway. forming splendid drive TO the
eastern side Of the city. and connecting with the
drive through Forest Park. which will be mentioned
later
Highland Park is adjacent TO the Ridgewood Res
ervoir and Is situated between It and the ltle
reservoir of the Long Island Water Supply Com
pany. which figured in unsavory scandal when
Alfred &. Chaplin Mayor OF Brooklyn. This r.
Il city park properly speaking. and Is not one of
those established by Park Commissioners Squer
der the law providing for county parks. IT
prises about sxty-seven acres OF land the high
ridge above what used TO be East NewYork and
soping down toward that part OF the city. Work
Is being done to complete the main road Highland
Boulevard) and also another road that takes
curve through the fine woods 10 the northwsrd
Ground is being prepared for the plantations that
will surround the park on its southern side, The
park area. which commands many fine views.
south side az far as Force Tube-ave rudimentary
street az yet, which takes its peculiar name from
aS the East 'Gs
into the reservoir at the top of the hill lie
A rapid descent into Jamaica-ave is necessary for
one who intends TO go from Highland Park to For
is neared OF those astonishing survvals OF the
past in nineteenth century city-a togate-is
passed. and the sum of two cents handed over for
the privilege Of using road which be truth
fully described by no less emphatic an adjective
Truant School. with Its wekept grounds is seen
and soon after little lane that winds up the hill
side is taken to reach Forest Park.
FOREST PARK
Brooklyn has been left behind. Forest Park is in
Queens County. The lane has quaint and interest
ing features. being Just wide enough for n single
vehicle to get through the boushs of the overhang-
Ing shrubs brushing violently at times against the
buggy top 1t is the backbone OF Long Island"
that climbing-the ridge which Green
wood Cemetery and Prospect and Highland Parks
are situated. The climb is not hard one. and the
view from the top is rewarding at almost any
point
Along the top OF the ridge work is being prose-
cuted what is TO be the main drive through For
Park. Only good start has been made thus
far but already II il evident that of the finest
drives around Brooklyn Is to be provided here. Ad-
vantage has been taken Of the LAY of the land"
and the drive swings in and out through the trees
In the most charming way. At various points out
looks through the trees will be provided those on
the south affording a view OF Il broad stretch OF
landscape dotted with the roofs OF nnumerable
dwellings and factories. with the snuous windings