The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-04-11
GOOD WORK ON PARKS.
Engineering News Commends
the Action Of Commissions
in Massachusetts and
Essex County.

In our last issue we spoke of the good
Commission of Massachusetts. Since then
we have received. as noted in another coll
umn, a report which describes similar
good work being hone for Newark the
Oranges. Montclair, and other New Jer-
sey towns by the Essex County Park
Commission. says the Engineering News.
This commission was organized about two
years ago. 1t found the county, which
includes the cities OF Newark and Orange,
and a number of other rapidly growing
suburbs of New York, almost absolutely
Without parks. Certain sections of the
count were admirably suited for park
reservations, and two such tracts of land
one of / GOO and one of 400 acres. have all
ready been secured IN the southwestern
and western e~xtremities, respectively, of
the county These are rare stretches of
rocky and wooded hills, fields and valleys,
with both still and running water. From
their highest points practically the whole
of Essex county can be seen, beside large
sections of other portions Of New Jersey,
Greater New York, rivers, bays, and the
broad Atiantic. 1t is said hat from Eagle
Rock, just back of Montclair, can be seen
the homes and working places of a larger
number of people than can be seen from
any other point in the world. Turn about
and the eye ranges for miles over hills
any Valleys, with only here and there a
dwelling. A few steps westward and one
may reach almost unbroken solitude in
the woods. The contrast is wonderful.
In the southeastern corner OF the county
some 300 acres of land, including a small
pond, has been secured. Little work will
be done on these reservations except to
preserve and protect their natural feat
ures and provide a few roads and paths
IN contrast with these three rustic
parks will be ON $50 acres near the NEST
densely populated sections of the district,
much of which win be developed by land
seape gardening. A portion of this park,
together and with three other compara-
lively small parks, will be designated to
meet the needs of those who canllot cas-
lily or often go to the distant reserva-
fions. Neighborhood parks and chiidrea's
Fairgrounds will be the characteristics Of
these smaller areas.
Pathways are proposed to connect the
various parks. These would extend
through some of the more rural sections
Of the county. which scarcely need parks
yet. but which viii be. directly benefited
by the parkways. One of the proposed
parkways will pass along the very crest
Of the first range of mountains.
The almost absolute neglect of Newark
to secure parks within its limits white
land was available and cheap is being
dearly paid for now in the high prices Of
land and buildings. This experience
should be q lesson to other eonamlni-
ties.
On April u, h people of Essex County
win vote on issuing 81. 500. coo of additional
park bonds, making sf,eo8seo Q in all, to
carry on the work of h Boards. and
making allowances for local conditions,
the Essex County Park Commission has
executed its trust ably thus far. II the
park system can be completed as plar-
ned. it will be a most admirable one.
Pathways especially are needed now to
bind the parks together, and for these we
understand q part of the new apprcpria-
ton viii be used.