New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-19
THE GREEN MEMORIAL.
Erection Proposed at 7th-aUe. En-
trance to Central Park.

The project to erect in this city a suitable
memorial in honor of Andrew H. Green, 1.-THE
Father of Greater New-York," has taken def
mite form through the submission of plans to
Commissioner of Parks John ]. Pallas by the
Andrew H. Green Memorial Association. The
association desires permission to erect memo
rial entrance to Central Park at 7th-ave. and
11Oth-st., at estimated cost of about 100000.
Either granite or marble could be used effective
ly say the promoters of the project. The gem
eraI plan provides for the erection of two py-
Ions of clustered columns abuttng the ends Of
the wall at either side of the 1JO-foot en-
trance to the park. Between these pylons a
semcircuIar colonnade of detached columns
will curve back into the park, forming a court
of honor. The main portion of the memorial is
to be placed in the periphery of the semicircle
opposite the entrance. With the knoll at that
point as a background, it will be In the axis Of
7th-ave., terminating the vista from the north.
It will consist of a fountain and drinking pool
just above the level of the roadway, thanked on
either side by stairways leading to a second or
main level, the background of which will be a
FACADE containing a niche for a bust or statue
of Mr. Green, if this is deemed desirable. This
is in turn to be thanked by another set of stair
ways leading to balconied terrace above the
memorial and communicating with path lead
ing to the historic old Blockhouse to the south
west and with other park paths leadlnS 10 the
southeast.
1t is pointed out that the columns of the court
of honor be used as electrolers. They VIII
be so placed as to facilitate traffic on the park
driveWays from east to west. 1t is said for the
whole entrance scheme that it was designed
with the idea of making it an invitation to the
park rather than a barrier, like so many monu-
mental entrances. 1t is desired that it should
typify Mr.. Green's character by its dignity and
simplicity.
The plan has been made the subject OF some
criticism on the ground that it spoils a spot in
the park the rugged beauty of which is so rare
that it should be preserved at all hazards. The
plan to use bust statue of Mr.. Green in
connection with the entrance decoration has
also been criticised the ground that Mr..
Green, Commissioner and Controller of Cen
trail Park during many years of its formative
stage, was himself always opposed to the cree
ton of statues in the park. holding that mon
umental statuary should be confined to the park
entrances. 1t is held that the proposed use of
his statue or bust is not in exact accord
with his ideas this score.
on the other hand, the promoters of the
memorial project contend that the proposed en-
trance will add to rather than detract from the
natural beauty of the park, that it is only fair
that the upper end of Central Park should re-
ceive this establishment, since there are many
artistic ornaments to be found in the lower part
of the park. while there none at the upper
end 1t is argued also that the form of memo
rial proposed will in no sense conflict with Mr..
Green's views park entertainments and that
personally he had a high conception of the SYM
bolism of park entrances, as shown in his elab-
crate plan for the ornamentation of and naming
of those in Central Park. 1t is said by the MEM
bers of the committee that the entrance at 7th-
and 1lOth-St is destined TO become the
principal paSsageway to and from the park,
and is the most worthy site for the memorial OF
all those considered.