New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-24
TOUCHING UP THE PARK.
A NUMBER OF IMPROVEMENTS NOW IN
PROGRESS.

THE MAIN ENTRANCE IS BEING RECONSTRUCTED
WORK ON THE ROSE GARDEN-cARTRACKs
on THE PLAZA TO BE ALTERED.
number of improvements are being made In
and around Prospect Park, but most OF them are
the carrying out OF plans decided on before the
present Commissioner came into office. Commits
sioner Woodruff finds himself in full harmony with
the ideas Of his predecessor Mr.. Squier and there
will be break In the work done In connection
with this park any of the other parks OF the
city.
Prospect PARK a whole Is looking in fine con-
dtion this spring. In respect Commissioner
Woodruff has introduced change that is pleasing
10 the eyes Of Park visitors. He has caused the
fallen leaves to be gathered up more thoroughly
than has been done In the past. even going so far
as to set at work with rakes In the more open
woods. especially those In plain view from the
drives. In consequence the Park presents an APP
pearance OF having been swept and garnished
The rose garden, which was started by Commits
sioner Squier last year. Is now nearly completed
and the basins viii be put in to make three
little ponds that will be attractive feature here
The garden is the east side OF the Park. not
far from the main entrance, and takes the place
Of the old chldren's playground. The design was
all right when playground was laid out there put
somehow the children of Brooklyn never took to 1t.
and Mr.. Squier wisely decided that the space
might De put 10 better purpose mat the rose
garden will draw many visitors TO this part OF the
Park there be doubt.
Close to the garden is the so-called Vale OF
Cashmere. in which also a number Of improvements
have recently been made, though the work Is not
fully completed. Commissioner SQuer OPP
posed to the name Vale of Cashmere. which he
considered meaningless and would have been glad
TO change 1t, but when name of this kind gets at
tached to a region 1t is easy displace IT,
The most noticeable work in the Park is that at
the main entrance, where In fact, an entirely new
entrance Is being constructed. The contract calls
for Its completion by the middle of May but from
existing Indications it Will be several weeks II
months. later before II Is finished. The od wooden
shelters nave neen torn down. ana in their place
granite structures will be erected. and these w.i
be connected by ornamental granite fence, VIII Oh
Is now well advanced toward competitor. several
years ago two granite columns were erected on the
sides OF The drive leading into the Park. The i'm
provemen;s will include the erection of TWO similar
10 carry out The design tremendously and the coll
uinns Will be surmounted by bronze eagles. The
drinking fountains. which were taken away some
time ago. Will hc replaced AZ once. "a there is
demand fcr them on The part OF wheelmen ana
other visitors 10 the Park.
diers and Sailors Memorial Arch Is be ng paved.
end will be improved IN appearance by the change
Nothing definite has yet been done toward the re-
mova OF the alleged works Of art that were placed
there is strong feeling in the m nds OF intelligent
citizens and competent Judges that they are not
WORTHY Of the conspicuous PAGES they occupy. ,,
tain on the plaza near the main Park entrance. al
though some "luaGvs Ia I were contemplated some
line ago since then eiectrlc lights have been
placed around the fountain by the BroOhyn Heights
Railroad Company. which m1'ntalns them al It's own
expense. and II believed that n VIII BE- wise
let well enough acne.
Just north OF the fountain, however. an improve
msnt IL being planned for that vii interes, con-
siderable number OF visitors 10 the Park When the
arch erected !; will he membered. the tracks
Of both the Flatbush-ave. ana tho Van ierbli- ave
cars WI ch cross the plaza were removed and
placed nearer the outer edges 81 the pnza. At the
point WHERE they emerge the plaza they actually
c.o-s a small section OF the Park aret-one OF the
three mounds that form the approach 10 the Park
and they close to the southern end Of this
mound that there IS room for sidewalk. ana
people passing there are In danger II being run
over by the cars TINT come suddenly around the
curves either side
II IL proposed remove tn. cariracks for n
distance Of stvera, rods and le' them follow the
lines Of the two avenues = rely iT:o the plaza
Leaving space on the mound side for Sidewalk, n
few trees and other things that Will improve that
par; OF the pazi \ nlan for the prpposed change
has been drawn and 1t IS understood tina; the rail
road COMPANIES Wiling T. nav" the change
made The only object on to II appsrrs To be that
two shorter curves will take tho place Of longer
ones on each OF the lines. hu, that vii. not be
a serious matter for either the companies or the
passengers they carry.