New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-12

completed, will pass directly through the middle
and constitute an important feature Of the new
pleasure ground. The Improvement has been
contemplated for long time. and last year II
decided to secure a suitable plan by public
competition. 1t is believed that this was the
first great park competition since the one for
Central Park, made fortytwO years ago. when
Olmsted & Vaux, the pioneers OF landscape
architecture in America. came to the front.
The plans submitted came from all parts or
the country. and from many landscape archi-
tects who were aspirants for the Central Park
work. The award was made to Parsons &
Pentecost. The senior member Of this firm,
Samuel Parsons, jr., was for many years part
ner Of Calvert Vaux. one Of the successful
Central Park designers, and was for fifteen
years superintendent OF all the New-York parks
and In the course Of his duties he designed and
superintended the execution of a great deal OF
the park work done In New-York during that
period either in association with Mr.. Vaux
alone after the death of the veteran landscape
architect.
POSSIBILITIES IN THE TRACT
In speaking OF the work to be done in the
new park Mr.. Parsons said
To one not accustomed to estimate the potential
possibilities for beauty and public convenience pos
sessed by such territory as that OF League Island
Park II would be difficult to convey adequate
conception Of its remarkable adaptation to the
purpose for which It Is intended to explain the
cially Of its level or gently undulating contours,
which readily lend themselves to the creation OF
The shape OF afk nd Park is
somewhat irregular square. with Broad-st; passing
be the key point and heart and assembling place of
the park whence the best distant views can be OBJ
ground details This great circle Of gardens and
assembling places contains twelve acres. and has
Ito ha tod laffaa
that should pertain to combined garden and prom
e eii II Is Intended to have gay parterres Of
artistic designs fountains. with water lilies and
outrageous arches Of LEAKAGE sitting from on high
golden bars OF sunlight This central and most
highly ornate portion of the park constitutes in it.
feet abov" the general level Of the main territory,
sigA intima ely associated or Incorporated with
the landscape scheme OF the entire treatment.
The open air gymnasiums for boys and girls will
be near by and convenient Of access
TO INITIATE NATURE.
Besides these places in the park for the chill
dren, the designers have had the general public
In mind. and their plans include a scheme of
beautiful pastoral effects-wooded slopes and
great meadows winding streams and tree shad-
ed lakes. all disposed and arranged TO suggest
remembered bits in country rambles. The
roads will be fifty TO seventy feet wide. and
will be arranged that the best views NAV he
commanded from them
1T is intended that the entire effect OF the
park shall be natural" said Mr. Parsons land
that one might. first seeing IT, fancy thar
Nature, in one Of her happier moods. had AL
lowed such an arrangement OF woods and water
to come into being for his deectation The great
sweltering masses OF humanity, mionaires
and tenement house folk alike with the
advent Of warm weather instinctively seek the
country or the nearest thing to II they can find
To work out intelligently the ideas embodied in
this League Island Park plan will require a
broad and special training for this work and
will necessitate species Of aptitude and skill
In park making In the natural style which Is
seldom found, and which stands apart from the
professions Of either architect, engineer or gar
dener"