The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-11-28
NEW TROLLEY PARK GRAB.
DEsTR UoTIoN or THREE MR. rs OF
FINE DRITEWArs PROPOSED.

Franchise Asked TOR . naiiroad THROUGH Pei-
ham nay Pnrk-The Present Transit Pa
ciiiiies Adequnte-Presidrnt mcmillan or
the Park Department Deneunces the Scheme.
Tho application to the Board Of Aldermen for
a franchise TO run q trolley road through Pei
ham Bay Park has aroused much opposition
from the Department Of Public Parks and from
citizens living in Wcstchester county. Tho Rail.
road Committee Of the Board Of Aldermen will
give n hearing on the application tomorrow
afternoon. and 1t is expected that the opposition
will take definite form.
The franchise asked for, II granted. would
result In the ruin Of three miles of the best roads
in this country, built by the Park Department
in tho last two years at a cost of over 100000.
Tho contemplated road would run from New
Rochelle, down through Pelham Bay Park, along
the Shore road, across the Pelham Bridge and
along the Eastern Boulevard, and thence down
into West Chester, presumably connecting
with the Unionport trolley line. thus max
ing an all-trollcy route to the Harlem.
The men who are back of tho scheme
are the controllers OF tho City Island street car
road which runs from Barlow station in Pelham
Bay Park to City Island. This road connects
the New York, New Haven and Hartford depot
with the island. 1t was in existence when the
city condemned all the property thereabouts for
park purposes. Cars arc run emily to connect
with trains.
The Eastern Boulevard. which It is proposed
to gobble, runs from the lower end of the park
to the Pelham Bridge. 1t is 100 feet in width,
with a 30.foot Telford strip in the middle. and
Is approximately a mile and u third in length.
1t was completed within n year, and is consid-
cred dom one Of the finest driyeyeys in the vicinity
have declared that there is nothing in Europe
that surpasses it.
Acroaa thn DoIhap, nridro bor;oa a. Cha..
road. extending toward New Rochelle. To the
north line OF the park, n distance of almost two
road. There is a 30-foot strip of Telford formin z
the driveway, and on on either size is a line Of
ali Is not Much iif more ihs H half b st, Of r ths E SNsr
laid along it it will result in either tho destruc.
ton OF tie 30-foot Telford strip or the cutting
down OF the trees, neither OF which alternative
Is pleasant for the lovers of fine parks and
has been completed within two or three weeks.
It is argued by those opposed to the trolley
transit facilities. The park is longer than It is
railroad, alishtiqs ct wos!! Chester. Bay ches;
these except West Chester one can get into the
park at once. The distance from West Chester
station Is excellent for either wheels or car.
riaRes; 1t is suggested that should 1t be deemed
way might be granted the trolley company
through the park. but away from the new
roads built at such cost to the city and OF so
much value to thousands Of wheelmen and
owners of horses.
President Mcmillan of the Park Board is
bitterly opposed to the franchise.
1t would mean simply the absolute ruin Of
those roads," he said yesterday, "if this COM
pany secures the right Of way. No language Is
too, strong 10 denounce the proposition, and I
really do not think the Board of Aldermen will
consent to II. 1t seems too bad that after all
this. money has been expended in getting good
roads 1t should become necessary to fight in
order to prevent their destruction. The roads
In Pelham Bay Park are one of the accomplish
ments in my administration Of which 1 have
been most proud"
Even though the Board Of Aldermen should
grant the franchise, it would be necessary for
the trolley company to get permission from tho
Park Board before tho tracks could be laid in
the park. 1t is reasonably certain that so long
as the present administration Is in control this
permission will not be granted.