New-York tribune., 1896-03-29
JUST THE SPOT FOR A PARK.
GOVERNORS ISLAND WOULD BE sU-
PERB PLEASURE GROUND.
TURNED INTO THAT. 1T WOULD BE ONE OF THE
METROPOLIS MOST DELIGHTFUL ATTRAc-
T1oNs-gUr WOULD THE GOVERN
MENT GIVE IT UP7

Think Of ii, a park Governors Island! THINK
Of the name being changed back 10 that old romantc
title given the place by the Indians. OF Paggahck
Or better s, contemplate the restoration OF that
old name Of Nooten. Nutten Island, when the big
nut trees used TO shade the greensward of the
water-circed spot and when the Dutch boys and
maiens used to go there for picncs and 10 gather
nuts in the early days of Manhattan Islands MS
tory While intended by nature for breathing spot
for wearied souls who like old Governor Cornbury.
would like TO fy to some place OF absolute quiet ana
freedom from outward disturbance for time. this
emerald In the bosom OF the spreading expanse OF
water seems have been fated from the hgst 10 be
used in some Official capacity or other IL was the
first place occupied by the Dutch while before that
II appears to have been of deeultory abiding
Place Of the Indians According to note in the an
cient record. It used as sheep farm by the
Dutchrnen But Il remained for the redouotab.e
Wou;er Van Twiller round up sort OF executive
possession Of the emerald OF the Bay
II will be remembered by readers Of the quaint
history OF Manhat;an's early days that he was ap-
pointed 10 the Governorehlp in 1633 and four years
later he secured Pagganck for his own use 1t was
under the English period Of control that Il became
Governors perquisite. and since that time 1t mas
borne its present name Of Governors Island II
Wou.er mad only known what to be the needs Of
th;s nreseni day how differently ne might have de-
ported himself. council was held at Fort William
Henry on September 25, 1891 at which beginning
was made, IL would appear, toward giving New
York possess.on OF the Island Inc councN hecreeu
that Nutten Island Bedlow's Island. which later
vas used as the site OF Fort Wood, Ellis Island. and
q still smaller island which was afterward sub
merged be added to the county of New-York The
records examined did not give the situation OF the
unknown little island which later disappeared but 1t
sould not have been of much importance The others
Sernain intact.
RESTRICTIONS on GOVERNORS ISLAND.
Bellows has become famous by reason Of the
tat NJ
have ready access to IT, II is also true that within
bounds all classes Of citizens have the right 10 WISH
Governors Island but the little folks are not per-
mitted to roll on their Uncle Samue's grass. Ihey
cannot
ride Cockhorse
To Banbury Cross
hstride the back-muzzl, peacem2kors ofuncie sam
Iney cannot play AT Napoleon Crossing tIe APPS
among the towering pyramids OF solid shot ana fuse
less Shells nor however congenia to both the sport
might be- can they engage In that hair-ilfting game
OF Bears IN 'he Woods - with the blue-coated SEN
tries. The mere mention of such thing makes one
think OF official inquiries courts martial, and the
like.
II the council which met in Fort William Henry
oould only nave gwen the island to the city, what
Z blessing would have resulted IL the United
states Government could he Induced 10 remove It's
existing establishment. what a great and inestmab:c
oiessng might yet result to the thousands of pent-
up poor little ones who have never known the de-
"sht OF padding ABOUT Darefoo; In clean tdewater
and 10 hundreds OF larger children whose place for
summer night recreation and fresh air inbrea thing
the dingy Battery ParE?
And what dreary. dIngy spot 1t has grown to be!
Nearly once a minute up to midnight from early
morning the elevated trains rumble and roar In and
Wi The hiss OF escaping steam skaters the still
.ess which Is the prime element OF recovery for
nougat-t.red brains and labo -wearled bodies The
."oHe clouds the point like a pail. The c.nders
"'m the pa sslns engines load the air. render grny
.nd black the beautiful green Of natures garb in
we ana shrub and res,ful sod, Ill the ears with