New-York tribune., 1906-05-14
movopoL1zrNG THE WATERFRONT PARK

MGNOPOLfEIAE THE WATERFRONT ram.
There are many, we think, who will view
with apprehension and disfavOr the tendency
which is now being manifested 20 surrender TO
private and monopolistic uses the superb water
front park which IL is proposed to create by
filling in the riparian lands bordering upon
Riverside Park. 1t will be recalled that the
first proposal for such extension Of that park
was made in behalf of Columbia University,
which institution was thus TO be provided with
an athletic field, lighthouses and landings, ETC.,
extending along the river for a fifth Of a mile
directly west of the university grounds. In the
act providing for such use of the riparian lands
it was stipulated however, that Columbia was
not TO have the exclusive use Of the park ex-
tension thus created, even though the work was
done at COlumbia's own cost but that the city
authorities might establish thereon Fairgrounds
for the pupils OF the public schools. That ar.
rangement seemed reasonable and met with
little objection.
Now, however, comes another corporation the
Motor Boat Club of America, and secures the
passage of a bill, upon which there will be a
hearing before the Mayor tomorrow morning,
granting to it larger tract Of riparian lands,
to wit, a quarter Of a mile of waterfront just
south Of that granted to Columbia, for its boat
houses. piers, clubhouse, etc. The bill is prac-
tically identical, with a change Of names and
this important exception, that the clause giving
the city government the right to open the ground
20 others is omitted. Thus as the bill stands,
that great and valuable stretch of waterfront
park from 111th street to 10th street would
be surrendered exclusively to the Motor Boat
Club for it's monopolistic use. That it will ap-
pear to many, might prove to be most unde-
sirable arrangement, and might be a mischiev-
Gus and embarrassing precedent, which, If fol-
lowed out would result in the surrender Of the
whole OF that superb waterfront TO private cor
pOrations and the exclusion Of the general pub
lie from all parts OF IT,
There is, Of course, no objection to use of park
lands by the Motor Boat Club which is an
estimabIe organization. The objection Is to its
monopolizing them for its exclusive use-and
10 any private corporations doing So There
are numerous other boat clubs. athletic clubs.
yacht clubs and similar organizations, which
are as we'll entitled TO such privileges as this
one and there are other universities and colleges
which are as we'll entitled lnereto as Columbia.
Suppose each OF them asked for exclusive pos
session Of four or five blocks of the water
front The whole stretch Of Riverside Park
would not be sufficient for them, and the gen
eral public would be entirely excluded from the
river. Nor can we regard the fact Of any cor
pOratiOn's filling In the land at it's own expense
as warranting such surrender any more than
Il would be proper TO give exclusive use Of a
portion Of Central Park to some tennis club in
consideration OF its constructing and maintain
ing the courts at it's own cost The waterfront
belongs to the whole people of this city, and it
should be improved and maintained for their
general and impartial USE The city can far bet
ter afford to create that extension Of Riverside
Park at public cost, and retain entire control Of
it for the public, than to surrender any portion
Of the frontage for the exclusive use Of a pri-
vate corporation.