The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1898-06-03
MAKE TIA THING OF BEAUTY.

Just at this interval when balminess
and beauty in nature are dispensing in
comparable charm and variegation on all
hands. her def handiwork visible upon
lawn and landscape, grove and garden.
fern and field alike, and just, too, at an
interval when a new administration of
our civic concerns is at the threshold of
a practical career full of the probability
of business and, we hope, of the promise
of public spirit, public interest and of the
advancement of public matters we say
that, just at this usually plastic and inn
questionable moment of the inauguration
of new Board of Aldermen, the CHRoN-
ICLE has few deferential suggestions to
offer looking especially to the betterment
of the condition of the park, the thor
oughfares, of the street lighting, sprink-
ling, ETC., ETC., ETC., to which, we doubt
not, the city fathers win be disposed to
lend their serious ear.
These matters, and others in this con-
nection, will be duly ventured upon from
time TO time. At present we shall have
a word to say more particularly in behalf
of the park.
This is at once the pride of Morristown
and the breathing place of many of our
people. It is more-it is the pathway of
continuous business throngs of citizens
and visitors and the promenade of women
and children. At periods Of. public cele-
bration it is the resort of the multitudes,
and at all times it is the cynosure of the
popular interest. We submit that for
these and for yet other reasons that may
suggest themselves, the city's delightful
park should, under realignment, repair.
re-embellishment and some modification,
be made "a thing of beauty and, under
special police guardianship, be kept one.
First of all, the curves and angles of the
grass plats should be newly turfed to ex-
act lines and these preserved from the
trespass of unappreciative feet. The
benches, wherever located, should be
aligned with the pathway and bear some
geometrical relationship to each other.
But by no means should they be placed
along and fronting either Of the four an
giles of Park place. These do not compose
a quadrangular park avenue, but each is
the park side of a public street. It is in
defensible. therefore, that women who
have constant need Of these walks and do
not seek them for any sort of exhibition
should have continually to pass in review
of men occupying benches on these lines.
These Park place skirting walks should
be widely and evenly tagged to width
of not less than six feet, an equal space
between curbs-the one bordering the
grass (Which ought to be supplied and
the other bordering the street already in
place -being left, bare and level, for
rain drainage.
The plats would be greatly beautified
by lowery beds in varied designs at the
centres, and gushing fountain or two,
however unpretentious, would contribute
refreshing spectacle and grateful sense.
The lighting at night is inefficient and the
arrangement of the lights irregular and
disadvantageous. Both these defects can
be corrected at triling cost.
And when this invaluable and historic
space has been made the very most of,
then some worthy, vigilant citizen of ma
ture years, OF taste, discernment and or
derby habits, should be vested with police
discretion and do daily duty in and about
the park as special officer.