The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-15
MIGHT MAR BRONX A R
CHANGE IN BOTANICAL GARDEN
PLANS ADVISED.

the Park Commissioner, Declare That the
Proposed Locations or the Bulldogs wouId
Ruin the Natural beauty or tho Park.
G. s. Sargent, J. G. olmsted, Thomas Hast
ings, and Samuel Parsons, the committee APP
pointed by tho Park Board to examine the plans
for the proposed botanical garden In Bronx
Park. have made a report recommending that
the Commissioners decline to approve the plans
in their present shape. Tho principal objection
made by tho committee Is to the locations Of the
directors residence. tho museum, and tho con.
pervatory.
As We understand the law under which the
directors OF the Botanical Garden are acting"
the report says, "they are not free to treat the
land given to them for the purpose Of establish
ing their garden as II they had bought and paid
for 1t. Certain privileges are given to them by
the city, and in return they have assumed GER
tain duties toward the city and the public, II
these duties had been clearly defined by law. or
BY custom and decisions Of the courts, we should
have little to say of the fundamental principles
which should control their plan for laying out
this garden; but, unfortunately, the true pur-
poses OF public parks and the duties Of Park
Commissioners and others responsible for the
designs and uses of parks are still Vague and
generally misunderstood.
THE land in question was taken by tho city
for a public park and its use and DEVELOPMENT,
Whatever subsequent arrangement may have
been entered into concerning II, should always
be limited by conscientious regard for the beau
tiful natural features that are included within
its borders. This park is essentially a reserva.
ton of romantic and beautiful scenery. 1t is
not simply a conveniently located piece of va.
cant land to be made useful and attractive, re-
sardless of scenery and natural beauty, by tho
erection Of buildings and the establishment of
botanical collections for the entertainment and
instruction of the DubliC-
"Ifit were simply a vacant tract of land,
without features OF exceptional natural beauty,
and permission was given the director to choose
site for his dwelling, he would probably select
thigh commanding point, well removed, from
and fine trees standing at sufficient intervals to
afford extensive views from his house. He
his. mansion, find some secluded spot for his
stable, another spot for, his glass houses and
IN short, he would proceed to take possession OF
all the surrounding land and use it as a country
,sssj In nrS sssSSSisin Eo1 E site aSon for fD his ,I museum : h, he
commanding site in open land. so that all might
see the building and admire its megniieent and
handing site would be utilized for the great
This is the method which would be adopted
In laytng out a series OF house sites in an open
suburban neighborhood. but it is not the way TO
landscape and natural features are so great that
y has been the c1ntroling motive in the selec-
the landscape should absolutely control every
step in the design for fitting such land for pub
lie enjoyment and instruction;
unusually, beautiful. broad, simple landscapes
and secluded sylvan scenery of tho main portion
OF Bronx Park. 1t Is essential that the important
buildings be kept as much as possible out Of the
chaIacteristidscenery of the park, and that all
ously located. modest in size, and designed with
z simplicity that would leave the mind free to
be affected by the predominance of rural beauty.
"on the other hand. II the people are to fully
spPreciate and enjoy the important museum
Be in . formal group, that their immediia iteV sur.
roundinSs should be formal. and that each build
ins shsSi d Be s,G tmbPosing in proportion and sym,
mental artistic principle which should govern
the designer Of such important buildings is pre-,
control the designer Of the s,p minor mr'G a%r thHatI
structures, which the convenient use OF this
Bronx Park is a b%eautifni piece of country.
opportaniss to aa crow as Of persons P pe enj ago eou an
Try sights and sounds and to escape occasionally
artificial. i i had been intended to secure a
region Of 1I rocky Knobs kne Q iH.'s steep 81 hi liILiiddtssetdI dense .
woods. and noble Isolated trees would not have
iese. s %osis sa for to the be }R s1rePs a sinGe these e ts ga:
commodate architectural motives. Fortunately
there - a portion of Bronx Park that is not an
essential part OF its landscape where the build.
ings required for the botanical garden can be
conveniently and effectively grouped SO as to
nv S'Siy requirement VI dEIulltCtuTdl ltu-
lures and accessibility.
sW 81 asI the ,b Landscape and natural features
pended a great sum of money TO secure them
from obstruction. It is not only bad art, and
wasteful. to introduce into the midst Of the
landscape q big dwelling. agreat museum, and
a huge conservatory which will divide; intrrde
upon. and swamp the landscape. On the other
hand, It Is equally bad art to scatter great public
buildings. with their proper architectural ecces-
s9rles OF terraces, formal gardens, and symmet-
ricai approaches, haphaZard here and there
amid the natural features Of an extensive rural
park landscape. instead of bringing them to.
gether in an orderly. symmetrical. harmonious,
III a beautiful landscape prevails In the
wilder portions OF the park. and good architec,
ture and formal gardening occupies some tame
will fail to recogntzpe ETH The " eStra les marry na a Z Gni
CHARMS OF the one and the art Of the other. But
the big buildings, are mixed with fine natural
unsatisfactory. 1t did not require an unusually
cultivated taste on the part Of visitors TO appre.
and wooded island or the magnifcence OF the
Court OF Honor at the Columbian Exposition,
II Bronx Park is laid out with due regard to The
same principles, 1t can be made one Of The most
rural iaEdscape is Kept free from building and
.ne buildings free from rural scenery. each viii!
s serI in IT'S highest value and become celebrated
pans are ADOPTED this great opportunity Will, in
Having a firm conviction Of the truth OF
tnese simple fundamental principles, We cannot
approve OF the locations indicated on the plans
ior the directors residence. the museum, and
NE conservatory. We believe that the Park
commissioners should decline to approve the
plans as they are now presented to rs.
if this recommendation is adopted we can,
II Is so desired, Indicate in moro detail how. in
our opinion. the plans AS presented can be Inoli.
ned TO overcome our objections and increase the
neauty, OF the garden and Its value for public
use and enjoyment"
Inc report was considered in executive session
. the Park Commissioners, after which II was
nled, In the open meeting which followed
me commissioners to approve the plans for tho
botanical garden, so that the work OF laying II
OUT could be started at once. The board then
seeded TO hold a special meeting on Friday tC
take action on the plans.
Nh RICHARDS VAS JEALOUS