New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-12
FUSION'S RECORD.

PARKS Tor the of the people" has been
the motto Of the Park Department under Com
missioner William r. Wilcox Not only have
all the existing parks been put into the best
conoition but four new parks have been opened
and others are under way. This. too, has been
done on an annual appropriation Of $4,000 less
than was used in 1900 and 1901 The Park De-
rartment OF this city Is setting the pace for
similar institutions ali over the couatry. Com
missioner Willcox's idea Of park is funda-
mentally different from that OF his Tammany
predecessors. The parks he believes are for
the people to enjoy. He has worked for that
END Before the fusion administration came
into power public Fairgrounds in the parks
were unheard of. while gymnasiuns with In
structors TO teach the young slum dwellers how
TO play, would have been considered the height
OF romantic folly. Yet to-day there are play
grounds in eight Of the small parks with well
equipped gymnasiuns which delight and benefit
thousands Of children. In Central Park three
tunes as much space has been allotted for pub
lie Fairgrounds ever before while In other
parks. where Fairgrounds have not been es-
tablished whenever conditions permit space
is thrown open for the public
Central Park has been completely redeemed
from the disreputable condition into which It
had fallen under Tammany. Working with the
Health Board, the Park Department cleaned
the lakes thoroughly. Many of tie public COM
fort stations had been allowed to drain d.
Tectly int the lake. AS II stands to-day how
ever, the VIII be no more danger from stag
nant green. scum covered water. Following out
the recommendations of the committee of ex-
perts which reported to him, the Commissioner
went TO work at the trees. which sadly needed
attention. They had grown too thfckly In
places. and in others had become rotten. Ill
CFnr
much attention paid TO the chronological de-
partrent- The tussock moths which had over
run everything In sight, were completely routed
last summer.
The chief aim OF the fusion board however
has been to create and maintain well the small
parks. the little green spots set down into the
heart Of the tenement house districts where the
people who could get to the large parks per-
haps only once week are able to go each day
Hamilton Fish Park, as laid out by Tammany.
gas failure. Commissioner Wilcox recon-
structed IT, building a playground. gymnasium
and kindergarten. More benches were put In
and adequate protection was given to the trees
Early in 1902 buildings were torn down for
De Witt Clinton Park and the building OF the
park begun. It here that the children had
their gardens last summer. from which they de-
rived great pleasure and some practical benefit
proudly took to the Commissioner.
William H. Seward Park probably the best
equipped Of the small parks, was finished this
year. II has the playground. the swings for
little ones and their larger brothers and sisters
flying rings. basketball court, a nine lap track
a gymnasium with a good equipment of ap-
paratus lawns and flower beds with a shelter
containing baths. locker rooms and a comfort
station.
When to the Park Department was given the
care Of ell the trees in the city. many old and
diseased trees were removed and new ones
Trees were set out along the mark
way streets There are to-day more trees and q
better stock than ever. The purchasing agent
OF the Park Board travels through the entire
country TO select the best trees There is COM
para lively little vaadalisnl-wanton breaking Of
branches and cutting of OF bara-now undar
the system OF inspection the board has and the
arrangements dc with the Police Department.
All guy ropes have been removed from ti,s ,rees.
end arrests are made If any violations he
ordinances are discovered.
When Il came to Commissioner a f,l,..
notice that the --aterfront of Thomas Ie.. -.
Park was being used FOR no rental. h,. e. . .
proceedings which brought from the NeN-Y.t.
New-FIaven and Hartford Railroad. SG.5o..:
This was turned over TO the city treasury The
hands OF the Tammany political "grafters."
The fusion administration took charge. dismissed
the staff OF "Colore e. Jones. and turned the
institution over TO the New-York Geological
Society, which manages It without politics. and.
has made valuable educational
feature of It
Last year. the bride path. which was IN poor
condition was entirely resUrfaced, and this year
the East Drive was done over. In a week or
two the contract viii be let for repaving West
Seventy which, because Of dust and
mud, has given great annoyance Of late Much
attention has been paid TO the paths and road
ways A new entrance was built st the Circle
The roadway OF Riverside Drive was repaired
and resurfaced.
An these improvements have been made. II
must be remembered, at much less expense than
IN Tamnany times Under Tammany Central
PARK even becoming dlapidated as il was was
cNlceo INTO seven sections with foreman in
charge OF each, at salary OF 500 q month
Oon1IilissioHer WILCOX reparceled IL into four
sectons, saving thereby $500 a month So il
mas been in all the branches. In 1900 and 1aoI
the budgets were $4,000. For 1902 and lana
the money asked was S433 SD for labor main
tenance and supplies ~
IN The Bronx there have been enuaIlv ,-rea,
improvements. The golf links I'm Tanmany
lures te~ III placed holes, is now q we'll laid
out, wen kept course. What was a swami 81
lhceTDrue mas become under Commissioner
kustLs beautiful German garden. with 6ne
Walks ana hanasone flower beds There was a