The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-11
An1nlt, on CentrlI Park.


The letter Of Mr.. ROBERT B. RoosE-
WELT which we printed on Wednesday, in
defense Of the proposed encroachment
on Central Park in order 10 build broad
boulevard on the Fifth avenue side Of
the enclosure. expressed a serious pur-
pose, in spite Of It's humorous form. That
particular scheme needs only 70 be de-
scribed 20 insure its defeat at this time,
but in one form or another attempts will
continue 10 be made which have a similar
end in view, or the destruction Of the
Park according to its original plan, and
they will be pushed with increasing and
perhaps really dangerous urgency.
When, Central Park was laid out about
fifty years ago 1t was in district Of the
town little populated, Now il is in the
center Of the populous area Of New York
Business is pushing up Fifth avenue
until the region OF Fifty-ninth street,
the lower boundary Of the Park, is be-
coming, or is soon destined TO become,
a seat OF active trade. So strong Is this
movement that the project for building
a great hotel on land bought by power
full syndicate in Fifth avenue facing the
northern boundary Of Madison Square
seems TO have fallen into allegiance. That
site is left behind in the march which
has begun from Thirty-fourth street TO
Central Park; and also for a great de-
partment store il is no longer especially
eligible. At least, the project has halted.
To the west Of Central Park, through
out its length from Fifty-ninth street to
10th street, and also beyond, there is
now a large and increasing population,
with many fine residences, On the
eastern or Fifth avenue side, and far
northward, there is a denser population,
extending across the Harlem River and
70 The Bronx borough. More than half
the population Of New York on this side
OF the East River is now in the region
Of which Central Park il the center.
Harlem has become the seat OF great
business activity. Already the popula-
ton Of The Bronx is about 100000 and 1t
is increasing rapidly.
Now, Central Park, extending from
Fifth 10 Eighth avenue, constitutes
a barrier TO easy communication be-
tween the East and West sides Of the
town, both densely populated districts
Of increasing business activity. The
consequence is that the two are very
largely distinct communities, separated
by this great and beloved pleasure ground
Of S43 acres.
1t is reasonable TO expect that from
this time on there will he continuous
efforts 10 get rid Of this barrier or
to lessen It's obstruction TO trade and
intercourse across the town in its region;
and, unlike the present scheme Of few
rich men TO enhance the beauty and the
dignity Of the Fifth avenue by cutting
of slice Of the Park they will be really
dangerous. The destruction Of the
whole scheme and purpose Of the Park
by the opening Of direct streets and
avenues through and across it, as sug-
gested by Mr.. ROOSEVELT, will find more
and more advocates.
1t will be commended that the preseTva-
ton OF the Park according TO it's original
scheme will be an obstacle TO the growth
Of the town and an injury rather than
benefit 10 a great part Of its inhabitants;
and there will be many 10 join in Mr..
RoosEvELT's demand, Give us a park
further uptown" They will say that
there is imperative need for practically
cutting il up into several small and I'M
enclosed parks by running through it
streets and avenues for the accommo-
dalton Of travel and traffic. They will
agree with him in denouncing the Park
as wilderness slapped down into the
middle Of the city, cutting of the East
Side from the West Side, and therefore
a nuisance. Real estate interests will
Join in the din, and trade will add its
voice. Relatively, they will say, the
Central Park is now as central actually
as was the City Hall Park before its
walls Of enclosure were removed under
the pressure OF a similar increase In
population and trade.
The present movement for slicing Of
a piece Of the Park on the Fifth avenue
side, Of tri6ing consequence in itself is
Of importance, therefore, as a symptom,
Hereafter the desire 20 disfgure and
destroy that greatest Of public pleasure
grounds will become serious. In the
past there have been many attempts Of
the sort, but the resistance Of the public
sentiment which defeated their execu-
ton will need 10 be far more resolute
from this time forth.