New-York tribune., 1907-10-10
CENTRAL PARKS DECAY
TO REBUILD, S2,576,75O.
Parsons appeals to Board of Esti-
mate for Funds.

Central Park is 70 he practically rebuilt il Acting
President Parsons Of the Park Board can in
duce the Board Of Estimate and Apportionmeat
10 give him the necessary money 10 do the work
It will cost $2.576.750. he said yesterday
There had been talk for several years that Cen
trail Park is falling into a decay, that its soil
needs renovating with fresh mould and 4 great
deal more manure. and that the trees and shrubs
having. in many cases lived their natural term OF
life. need renewing TO take the place OF decrepis
or dying ones" Mr.. Parsons said In view OF
this, I have decided 10 prepare a statement OF
what I concede 10 be necessary for reasonable
renovation of the park
President Parsons IS the landscape architect of the
parks. His report will be sent 10 the Board OF
Estimate to-day. In il he says,
desire 10 bring 10 your attention the condition
o. Central Park The park is now more than hlIy
passed their maturity. The greater part Of The
park is OF rock formation close 70 the surface, with
were badly constructed, meeting the needs OF the
present time without an 'GnWarraHted expense Of
maintenance. The roads should be entirely recon
The water supply was meagre when the park was
falls short Of ng the requireT1ents OF the
lawns, and plantations. The work OF renoy4tion
should IN my opinion, be taken up at once. have
caused careful estimate TO be made OF the ap-
Wl.GL W nave DIVIDED INTO lWo SroupS n tne oroer
OF their Importance the first group containing such
accomplishment of the work as a whole. and re-
spgcLtully urge that the I9nds required De pro-
such manner your honorable board may deter
mine be distributed over a period of either three
i've years. may be found consistent with the
finances OF the city, we'll the practical Organl
ZdJi0u Of the work. such fund when provided 20 be
entirely separated from all other moneys apprO-
priJJed the parks.
While I DO wish give confirmation 70 all
the reports and published statements 70 the con-
dtiCn OF Central Park, many OF which have been
Greatly exaggerated, il S my intention and desire
impress upon Your honorable board the prOpriery
and wisdom of giving serious consideration 70 the
question at this time, in order 70 guard against
conditions which would justify such statements. and
also take up a proposition which must ultimately
be faced If the beautiful Central Park is 70 remain
the pride OF the city and the leading park or the
country
The groups and items Of work 70 which have
referred and upon which my estimate IS based. are
follows:
Mould. 600 cubic yards S656. 80.
Manure. 1900 cubic yards. at g a cubic yard.
Sl5oueo.
Shrubbery and trees. S15.o0.
Sod. Lutp.QOo square feet furnished ana laid az
two cents square foot, $4,000
Labor and -eSuTfaCIne. $4,000.
Completion Of water supply Sl0O,OOO-
StCraEe yards. 9Ith street. $4,000.
Reconstruction of drives. SSOo.0tO-
New asphalt walks. $4,000.
Cleaning lakes, $4,000
Reconstruction OF bridle roads, S5S,0l0
Improvement OF park sidewalk, Central Park
West. $500
Trunk sewer from Arsenal building. SSS.Na
Remodel;:ns entire draining system. SSOOOJO
Total, $2.os6.t50.