New-York tribune., 1905-01-09
TO SAVE BRONX PARK.
CITY CLUB PROTESTS.
ELeUated Line There Would Spoil
Beauty Spot, 1t Declares.


Up in arms because. as IT declares, the pro-
posed route of the Rapid Transit Commission
for an extension of the elevated railroad through
Bronx Park would destroy the most beautiful
park scenes in the city practically spelling
Bronx Park the City Club is planning a war to
the death against the scheme. Enlisted with the
City Club are number of other organizations,
whose representatives will attend the public
hearing on the routes outlined TO be held by the
Rapid Transit Commission on Thursday pre-
pared to enter a most vigorous protest against
the seizure of Bronx Park simply because it
offers a straight route" to the populous Will
iamsbridge district.
The plan Will never be carried through. the
City Club asserts, for it is illegal According
the Rapid Transit Act of 1891 no public
park may be occupied by any corporation
formed under the provisions of that act to con-
struct railway In the park. A special of
the legislature would be necessary to legalize
railway through Bronx Park such is pro-
posed by the Rapid Transit Commission.
Instead of the route outlined by the Rapid
Transit Commission the City Club would have
a line from the end of the subway extension
across the Bronx River at West Farms; then
along the eastern boundary OF the Park to Pei
ham-ave.; from there along the White Plains
Road laid out by the Rapid Transit Com
mission. This route would make less than
minutes difference in time TO the people In the
Mount Vernon section. it is asserted, while it
would open region. the Van Nest section.
which is growing rapidly. and will have
a population of 10000.
The City Club has called a conference of the
organizations interested in protecting the park
against this incurson. Representatives OF
these organizations viii meet at the City Club
tomorrow afternoon. to formulate plans for op-
posing this outrageous proposition" They will
attend the meeting of the Rapid Transit Com
mission in full force.
Lawrence WELLER. secretary Of the City Club,
declares that organization in this hight TO the
finish. The City Club took the lead In the op-
position to Mayor McClellan'3 plan TO take over
the small parks for temporary schools. and it
viii not let this great park be seized for
rrivate enterprise. he says. He went on:
am surprised that such a plan is put out with
the sanction of the Rapid Transit Commission II
would be bad enough if some corporation planned
to seize the park for its benefit but when the
representatives of the people. TO whom we look for
which would deprive the people of the beauties OF
its wonderful park it is indeed a great shock We
think that when this phase OF the AFFAIR is called
10 the attention Of the Rapid Transit Commission
comes, the club and all ats allied organizations
unalteTaby opposed 10 this route. and, while
few people up In Williamsbridge favor It, the great
body Of the citizens must be protected against
those who would sacrifice thOughtessly the b
ties of Bronx Park.
The plan which Mr. Parsons proposed just be-
fore he severed his connection with the Rapid
Transit Commission was for continuation Of
the extension of the subway from it's present
terminus al One-hundred- and ehtieth-st. and
The Boston Road through the southern portion
of Bronx Park, entering the park descend
ing gradient One-hundred- -and-eighty sec
ond-st and the Boston Road. The line would
pass beneath The roadway leading from the
principal entrance the Boston Road and
thence beneath the surface of the park TO
northerly limits at the Bronx River The river
would he crossed on an ornamental bridge, and
thence the railway would again be taken under
ground beneath the Pelham Parkway and, by
making of private property and a suita BILE
incline. 10 pass from the subway TO the ee-
waited, and so over the White Plains Road TO
the city line"
This route. according 70 the engineers of the
Rapid Transit Commission. would be of ad-
vantage In that il would be the most direct line
10 Wakefield and Wfliamsbrdge districts cry
ing for rapid transit 1t would be a benefit also
the commission declares. because it would con-
vey people directly to the points of interest in
the Geological Gardens.
To run railway through the park according
TO this route however. would wipe out the buf-
falo range and that portion of the park set aside
be destroyed. and powders. with which that sec
tion is sprfnkled. would have TO be blasted. The
railway would run the Glen" one OF the
most beautiful spots in the park, completely
spelling its ideal sylvan beauty. the City Club
thinks The construction OF the line would
leave "A great bald scar on the face OF the land
scape which could not be hidden for years.
Even In summer the leaves Of the trees would
disguise It with difficulty. The noise from the
trains could never be shut out, II is asserted.
According TO calculations made by W. w
N,ues of the North side Board of Trade, and
DR.. Ho-naday of the geological Society. extend
ing the railway through the park would mean
,erhaus one-half minute less time To Williams
bridge than If the route around the park were
taken. on the other hand, there is popula-
ton of 1000 or 5000 I'm the Van Nest section
now. which 10 get downtown quickly must pay
a., cents because II cannot obtain transfers
ts,ween the surface cars and the elevated or
subway roads. An extension Of the subway sys-
Continued on second