The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-28
THE OCEAN PARKWAY.
Yot Another Feature or BrookIyn That Mas
Impressed q Stranger Pavorabiy.

Yet Another Feature or Rrooklyn That Mas
Impressed = Stranger Favorabiy.
To n EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir: Even IN
Now Zealand I had heard of the cycle path in
Brooklyn. and that was one of the things that I
expected to soc when I came to this country. I
have been to SEQ 1t, and I find it a part Of some.
thing that interested me very much moro than
the cycle path itself. namely. the Ocean Park.
way.
The Ocean Parkway is a broad boulevard ex.
tending from the southernmost entrance o.
Prospect Park in Brooklyn to the ocean beach at
Coney Island. and covering a distance of about
i've miles. 1t runs, l should say, In a southwest.
erly direction for a quarter OF a milo from its
starting point at the park. then pretty nearly
due south straight away for four miles, and then
in a southwesterly direction again through the
final stretch to the shore OF the ocean. The
country through which the Parkway runs 10
level; In fact, with the exception OF one broad
undulation. which, however. has a rise OF a
few feet only. it might be described as fiat. Itis
The Ocean Parkway is very wide, $50 feet, I
should say, perhaps more, and IL Is OF a uniform
width from end TO end. There is a central drive
way, which may be seventy-tive feet in width,
on either side, stretches a broad space originaily;
intended for a promenade. Outside oftheses spaces
rover roadway for business vehicles, and OUT.
sue OF these roadwa!s, on either side, there is al
s walk o fof pe sSGsnGnsass f Ths sh Psr PtSEswa y s a s side;
by rows of planted maple trees and by forest
trees, also. where il traverses wooded sections.
Inc eye o paths, for there are two cycle paths,
one used in one direction. the other in the other,
lie In the two broad, tree-shadcd ribboLs OF
drive OF tho Parkway. and designed and orig.
inally used as promenRdes. These spaces have
concentrate here by way Of ProspSct PSSrS' no
through a funnel; who ride to Coney Island,
and then back to Prospect Park thence again 10
The cycle paths are coated with very finely
crushed stone. which gives out a sound as lie
OF a thin film, OF ice. This cracking ripple is a..
most always heard. for there are bicycles alnos.
yet ! saw there fewer bicycles than expected 10
see. expected to see the path swarminE with
the present month .nJ June rstS oT n fs 9R S 4 S" bct I'm u
4 and g 7. NJ. ] walked from the park 10 ne
ocean; saw many bicycles, thousands OF thrm,
tho Boulevard in New York.
The Ocean Parkway, runs through what must
effect a rural country, which, in considerable
degree. it is still. But the old ']huildtn.- are now
interspersed with newer onr- ami here and
there are To be cen whole bunrhr~ afn,N houses
that mark centres OF growth; ana H. rs Eeneral
aspect the district would now =" deScfloea as
SUBURBAN. AZ a matter OF tlci, ! imagine that
the entire district is now within the limits OF
the city of Brooklyn.
houses, including some old hos!olr'es; among
the newer esta 0lishmcnts here Is one At least
" cltShnCe. Az All lNflt ~ hliplo hnou room
Tor horses, the sheds bong. AS Is customary, back
a little from the road; while at nearly all OF
them bicycle rack, are found. these being usually
at the front OF The house, or contiguous 70 il. ~
sout houses i''s riChs are extensive, afford
ing spaces for scores OF bicycles.
The sheds at the various roadhouses con-
thined far fewer horses than ] expected TO SEQ
In them. and at most o. the houses there were
IN the bicycle racks far fewer wheels than !
should have looked for there. There were many
people driving. but not nearly 90 many as ! OK
pected 10 see. II may be that ! WAS there ~ the
wrong, hour OF tho day. fancy. however, ih,t
] should learn uTon inquiry that spring and ttl
are tho PRINCIPAL driving seasons; that the
spring season Of driving 10? the present year $
now largely past, and that tho present time Il
the year Is Il season of comparative quict.
l have boioro written something uOn,, ru.ug
Prospect Park. whose beauty grow IN my r'al
as dwell upon i; that Is Indeed a nohl" NJ
beautiful park. The Ocean Parkway lacks no
note OF piCtnreSQurnes that ChartCleriZcs Z So
peCt Park; need II would 10 pretty Dir 80 %
cndow with piClurcsquCness u straight street
through a ttat country. 1t lacks as yet H. f'
islIod. perfect appearance OF the park; but
Nur' .iohle and u charming avenue, Of ~ 20
~ Of Prospect Park. lirOor!yn mas ~ 20
proGd; anf iiS beauty MIll Increase lr. p,
grand usefulness become more and moro l- .ar
ent astle years roll by. NEW I~EAlANIra