New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-21

Frank Forester had his hermitage for years at the
Cedars, the Passac. near Bellevihe, and he
sang Of the beauties OF the river and other famous
writers made the river banks their resort. The
recklessness Of municipalities and factory owners
In converting the stream into open sewer has
marred its beauty and spoiled its attractiveness,
but the scenic features remain.
The Commission appointed by the Governor TO
have the county surveyed for public park system
ard to repor; plans included the Passaic
essential feature OF the proposed system and pro-
vded for making a parkway OF the whole west
river front from Woodside to the Passac County
line. The foul condition OF the stream and the
indsposition OF Paterson and the Legislature to
do anything practical to cleanse It induced the
present Park Commission to postpone all work on
the river front until the nuisance in the river is
abated This policy strongly protested against
by people in Bellevle and Franklin townships
and recently largely signed petition from New
ark citizens was presented to the Commission for
the Improvement OF the river front.
PROPOSED BOULEVARD ON THE PASsAIC
The Commission is now favorably disposed to
carry out this part OF the park plan. The treat
ment to be employed will he the construction OF a
broad boulevard close to the river the reservation
OF the banks which will be beautiied and the
building OF small parks at intervals 1t is expected
that the Passac County Freeholders will continue
the boulevard from the county line to Passaic and
Paterson. after Essex shall have constructed its
portion, and that there will be similar treatment
Of the water front the east side by Hudson
County
BRANCH BROOK PARK
The bulk Of the work thus far done is at Branch
Brook Park. In Newark the object OF the Commits
sion being first to finish the parks within the
crowded centres Of population. Branch Brook
Park contains $50 acres, some Of it having been
given by private citizens About 81 500 900 has been
extended N M,ch hos
getting titles TO land. but this is now pretty well
cleared up The work on the park is divided into
completed S ID, while Of the other two about quarter
given out for shelter houses for use This summer
and they will be erected at once.
large part of the incompeted sections was
swampiand and needed expensive drainage In
the middle section the contractir struck quick
int work na SO costly that
the work This involved delay. great amount OF
Until the drainage is finished roads can be con
strueted The southern section Is now freely used
ported from Holland, made in the hower-bcds
fortnight ago.
OTHER PARKS IN NEWARK
There are three other parks in Newark. besides
the old parks in Broad-s The East Side Park thlr.
teen acres. bounded by Allen. vanburen. Walnut
and Oliver SITS, is now completed, and the West
Side Park, twenty-three acres bounded by Six
teenth and Eighteenth ayes. Fourteenth and Six
teenth SITS. Is approaching completion The park
IL on the slope OF the mountain At the top is a
long Walk covered by an arbor. and steps descend
70 the lower area. where there ia a running track
ssandstand, Fairgrounds and wadng-po for
chidren and other features
FEATURES OF wEEQUANTIC PARK.
Weequantc Park is the name given 10 a beautiful
tract near Wavery. within the city limits II will
include the Waverly Fair Grounds recently DUR
chased by the Commission. the whole being 30,
acres. Here are some OF the finest oaks chestnuts
ana 6eeehes IN the country; and they will be pre-
erng eighty acres. will be about the centre OF the
park. The lake is fed from springs and the water
Is as cool as ice-water and clear as crystal The
supply from the springs Is 100000 gallons daily
The lake is shallow. and full of vegetable growth
ana IL Will be cleaned out and deepened and tn,
old banks arranged to facilitate boating.
The park improvements at Waverly have a.
ready started a real estate boom in that section
ana property has consider ably advanced In price
while farm lands are being cut up into building lots
This is true also of land near the other new parks
where values have increased by several millions
FOUR MILLIONS FOR THE WORK
The first appropriation for the Park Commission
was p50oO00. and last fall the people voted an ad
ditional $4,000 Most Of the original appropria
ton used up in the purchase of land and az
the balance will be used for park building in New
ark Orange and perhaps along the Passaic Tn,
mountain reservations at South Orange and Eag,
natural parks. and at present do not need embelsh
ment. The Commission deemed II a wise policy I,
acquire the land while II could be had at low prices
AT Eagle Rock there are good improved roads, anI
the Commission will provide seats and shelter
restaurant accommodations and other needed con