New-York tribune., 1901-02-20
cOYEY ISLAND SPOLIATIOy.


Mr. Elijah r. Kennedy added another TO the
list Of his services 10 the public park system of
Brooklyn in his letter 10 The Tribune which we
published recently calling attention 10 the spoil
alton Of Coney Island which has for some time
been Illegally going on. and for which legal sane
tion Is now sought. New-York is unique among
the great cities Of the world In having a font
age directly upon the Atlantic Ocean. That
frontage is found I'm the beaches Of Coney Isl
and. Barren Island. ROckaway and Far Rock
way. OF these incOmpaTably the most accessi-
ble. the most interesting and the most valuable
% the general public is the first named. \
considerable portion Of il is now unfortunately
under practical private ownership. But about
a mile AT the centre is public property. and
should not only be kept such. but should he
forever protected and cherished of the
city's most precious possessions.
That bit of beach Is reached not only by
numerous trolley lines hut by the great Ocean
Parkway. one Of the nObiest pleasure drives in
the world. The Parkway reaches IL precisely
at the centre From that point fine asphalted
Concourse used to extend half a mile in each
direction. east and west, just above the shingle.
II is that Concourse, as well as the beach itself
which demands attention. West of the Park
way the Concourse still exists though 1t has
been permitted 20 fall into a shocking cond
ton of disrepair. The asphalt Of both sidewalk
and roadway recently became broken. and In
some places entirely destroyed. leaving a sur
face over which IL is difficult to drive or wheel
without serious discomfort. If not actual danger.
strip along the ocean side Of the COncourse
has been reasphalted and is In fine condition
but II is entirely too narrow for the vehicles
bicycles and pedestrians now crowded upon il
indiscriminately. What is needed is that the
whole width Of the roadway. and the sidewalk
shall be reasphalted. pedestrians confined TO the
sidewalk and a portion. say one-third. Of the
roadway set apart for wheelmen. thus practi-
cally continuing the cycle path along the Con
course. IL is urgently needed TOO, that the
Concourse he much widened at its junction with
the Parkway. AT which point IL is now in posi-
lively dangerous condition.
East of the Parkway. toward the Brighton
and Manhattan hotels. the condition OF affairs
is worst OF all. and IL is TO that part of il that
Mr. Kennedy especially invites attention. The
ocean. under the impulse Of wintry storms long
ago made sad inrOads upon the beach and de-
molished the Concourse. These ravages remain
unrepaired; and IL is a question whether they
could be repaired. save at enormous cost. Nor
is that all Neighboring land owners have ag-
gravated the injury by earting away large quan-
titles Of sand from the remainder or the beach
for their private uses. BY some wirepuing
they have nearly succeeded in having all designs
10 restore the Concourse or 10 improve that part
OF the city's property legally abandoned They
have built close to the cltys land. and, according
TO some, actually encroaching upon il, a big
bathing establishment of such preternaturaI
hideousness of aspect as must have required
absolute genius 10 design. And the evident in
tent is TO get possession OF all that is left of
that half of the city's ocean front park
Ii is pleasant and encouraging TO see that
Mr. Brewer. the Park Commissioner in Brook
lyn. is alive 10 realization of the danger hich
Mr.. Kennedy points out, and is energetically
moving 10 thwart the seheming spectators and