New-York tribune., 1905-11-26
GOSSIP OF THE BOROUGH
Shore Road TO Re ImproUed-
History Of Its Inception.

IN connection with the appropriation Of *.65.-
COO by the Board of Estimate and Apportienment
on Friday for the Improvement of the Shore Road,
the recolections of Elijah r. Kennedy. who was
president of the commission appointed to add this
driveway 10 the park system Of Brooklyn, are
timely. The first time he ever went over the drive
now known as the Shore Road was about thirty
four years ago. while he was visiting a friend in
Brooklyn. They were driven down the Ocean
Parkway, which was then new. Then they cut
through the woods to Fort Hamilton and up the
rcad along the shore.
'T was enthusiastic the beauties of the
place" says Mr.. Kennedy, land asked why the
city while it laying out the Ocean Parkway.
did not connect with this beautiful rural seaside
drive and forever preserve for pleasure driving,
instead OF. allowing IT TO degenerate into drive
alongside Of such buildings already lined the
shores of Brooklyn for several miles have since
learned from Frederick Law Olmsted that while
at work on the design for Prospect Park he was
living Staten Island and used frequently to
bather eS the idea of devotine this road to the
pubic pleasure and health originated with him
i am not able to say. 1 had no idea at the time
of my drive that should ever live in Brooklyn.
sioner of the city, the project came up in my mind
at once
But it was not until after Mr. Kennedy's term as
Park Commissioner that the bill authorizing the
Shore Road Commission went through. This was
in the administration of Mayor Body. At Mr..
made chairman. The other members. in addition
TO Mr. Kennedy. Were William Brown. John Con-
don and George Ingram The number of the COM
mission being increased from five to seven during
the administration of Mayor Schieren the follow
ing year, the latter added to the body S. w. john
son and Simeon B. Chittenden. The entire plans
for the Shore Road were made by Frederick Law
Olmsted, his and MIR. Eliot his partner. The
amount expended then for purchasing property was
s3.17z672.
In 1896 on General woodwards death, Mayor
wurster made Mr. Kennedy president Of the COM
mission and added TO it ex-Park Commissioner
Frank Squier Owing to delay in getting appro-
spring Of 1897. and 1t was well toward the close
OF the year before the part that 1t was decided
believed that with the appropriation of last Fri
day the entire plan conceived by Mr.. Olmsted
may be carried out When the first part was done
in 1897. Mr.. Kennedy was anxious to have g park
at the northern eni-S7th-St.-as there was one at
the Fort Hamilton-ave. end. Lack of money pre-
vented the acquisition of square block there then
q fulfluaent OF his ideals will be brought about
by the acquisition Of Owls Head, the handsome
estate of the late E w. Bliss, for which money
has been appropriated.
Under the charter of greater New York the care
and completion of the Shore Road devoiye upon
the Park Commissioner, and the commission of
which Mr. Kennedy the head ceased TO exist
a movement TO complete the drive was begun by
Park Commissioner Young than three years
ago and Park Commissioner Michael J. Kennedy
ST the completion of his term has the satisfac-
preparation OF 81 S75.oo0 which is said to be the
largest lump sum appropriated for the Park De-
partnent in many years One of the men who
viii rejoice most at the completion of the Shore
Road is Elijah r. Kennedy. who. by the way. is
related in any way TO the present Park Com
missioner.