New-York tribune., 1901-02-24
BEAUTIES OF FOREST PARK
SUPERB VIEWS furnished BY SPOT
N WHICH TT IS PROPOSED To
RUILD 4 RESERVOIR.

Foreet Park in which IL has been proposed 10
hufd reservoir. is a beautiful natural forest In
ne centre OF tho most delightful drives on Long
Island, and extends from cypress Hills Cemetery
20 Richmond IIill in the town of Jamaica. II h
densely covered with Of every variety, and s
filled with sonebirds. squirrels, rabbits and quail.
which have found a safe home since the pot hunt
ors have been vigorously suppressed. All sorts or
VildfoWers grow there in profuson. superb views
ri the sea and BAY on the south and Long Island
Sound the north gained from the hisE hills
Forest Park Is in Queens County, partly IN the
town Of Jamaica and partly in the town 81 New
town lts west end, however, is close 10 Brooklyn
and Kings County, and in 1885 WAS acquired by the
latter Part 81 t was purchased and part con-
demned The park lies between the dense settle
ment known as East NeW-Nork ana the suburban
village called Richmond Hill. and the whole west
cna ~ the park is bounded by one OF the wooded
cemeteries for which Brooklyn is noted. Most OF
the land near the southern boundary OF the park
hrr been ported into 25-foot lots. most ~ the
streets have been graded and many houses built
lh' park is Interesting. geographically from the
Tact that a. includes about tNo and . haf miles of
the series of ridges and elongated hills which as
they extend lonEtLv-ise through the middle OF Long
lslard. frequently described as the backbone
~ the island There Is very pronounced and
n"ary straight ridge from the western boundary
~ tAo Park eastward 10 near Woodharen ave. the
crest ot which is generally shout ore hundred and
eighty feet above the sea jas south face slopes
sieepiy and with marked uniformity TO the south
'rn boundary. and heyond lies q smooth. gently
s'oriIg plain stietching south % Jamaica Pay.
three and a half miles distant Magnificent views
are commanded ny this ridge AZ many points. The
ana north of the ridge t. irregular ana rolling.
~ has general inclination however. downward
10 the north boundary. which Is generally about
tEbty feet below the summit of the ridge
I'D the woods occasional gaps afford charming
We've. which extend across the park and the rap
dly growing city on the north and across Long
r,irf
!" iuNuTious country homes tC the hills Of Con
neciicut and Westchester County. The land IL
more irregular cast OF WoOdhaven-ave 10 the east
ern boundary OF the park. and there hills as
hgh as tho ridge west OF Woodhaven-ave. The
trees. however. are more continuous and higher.
hereby restricting the opportunities for distant
views, except az the extreme east end of the park
north slope high enough 10 command a broad
SSiew % the north over Flushing Bay and Long
The sylvan beauties Of the park in the summer
Lme attract thousands OF visitors, who drive or
slIoli through "a. picking flowers and enjoying its
hahliold attractions. Farmers 10 whom the land
much of the park and the consequent poverty OF
sst 1S so % maintain wood lots upon the highlands
islmitting IL 10 grow up again have tried TO set
tiee, % cutuNatlng even the steepest slopes and
a,shest knols. IN previous years pasturng and
Hooa hres greatly injured the beauty of the foliage
aud httle Seeding trees 10 which a great dssl ~
ana batin b f 9i me woods Is due was suppro ssed.
g We're killed, or their destruction hastened by
As The soil of the park Is mostly coarse. dry
sIaHel, mixed with light loam Il anords excellent
oliisanent for trees. but IL az adapted 10 growing
f9o luti since a dries out quickly the surface
~ - evident therefore, that the park a whole
,,.ln De covered with trees, and A has been
.olline nded that the ground now open should be
49,. aensely with timber care heing taken 20
nssnt ony the low growing sorts. since a f. ina-
FThni 20 keep the views open
A., 10 ne northern psrts OF the park the principal
1tiaoeohes from brooklyn are by way Of Union
s,.l,,I s,,s.aopoiiteg and Myrtle aves The last named
f.-.ue ~ the shortest route from Of that
r alt of Brooklyn north OF Fulton-st. and by this
ne Nle park is six miles from Borough Ram
mos direct approach from those parts Tie
fi...'tn south of Fuiton-st 20 tho southern nor
~ ne pork, ana especially the high ridge
49, SHma,ce-aye,, formerly turnpike popularity
.rl ihe janaira Plank Road. This avenue h.s
trolley railway. which takes passengers within