New-York tribune., 1907-01-05
THE BRONX RIVER.

Inc announcement that work Is 10 begin ,t
once on the Bronx Valley sewer will provoke
some dlsquiet, unless it appears that due atten
lion Is 10 De given TO the preservation of the
Bronx River and the execution Of some sucb
plans as those recommended by the commission
which has just reported upon the creation of
bronx valley Park To destroy the Bronx River
between White Plains and Wakefield bv trans
forming its bed into a sewer as has been nro-
posed would be to inhict an irreparable iDiurv
not only upon this city but upon its northern
suburbs. 1t is to be hoped therefore that haforo
anything material is done on the sewer nroiact
the report OF the commission will be most care
iuAy considered, In respect both to the pronosal
10 make park driveway of singular beauty and
attractiVeness from this city to the Westchester
lakes and hills, and to the urgent demand for
the redemption Of Bronx Park, the BotsnicoI
uardens and the Geological Park from actual
aouee anu rroIn The menace Of impending nui-
sances OF an intolerable nature.
The Bronx River Is divided ,n+> +broo die
dnct reaches. The lowest which 10 tida1 ov
TENDS from the East River to West Farms. II
Is susceptible, through dredging widening and
emoanRlng, or being made of considsra BILE com,
meflai value. We do not know that IL reuuires
any further attention than that. ercanttno
that OF course, 1t should be kept from noIln-
tion as far as possible, and not be put into tho
condition OF the GOwanus Canal or Newto1vn
OreeK. Inc second reach extends from West
paIms 10 the upper end Of Mount Vernon or
10 1uckahoe. For q short distance In the upper
part OF Bronx Park, it Is Of unioue beoutv bnt
Tor The rest OF the way 1t Is chiefly sluggish
uninteresing stream, resembling crooked
ditch, bordered with low, fat lands subject IN
oVernow at freshet times. The third reach
from Iuckaboe to and above White Plains "a
or exquisite sylvan charm, and Is In n htqh
degree adapted to be the central feature or
rural park and driveway
1t is with these second and third reaches that
The report Of the commission chiefly deals
ana lt Is upon them that metropolitan interest
centres That second reach save for the nor
ton In Bronx Park, might not be worth rescu
Ing or protecting from deflement were II not
for Its essential relation to the health and
comfort OF populous region and to some of
our nnest pleasure grounds. If that part of
ths river were to become an open sewer as
the Passaic between Paterson and Newark has
long been, it would be a gross offence If NOT
peril, to the inhabitants Of the adjacent parts
OF New York and Mount Vernon, and II would
make what is now the loveliest portion OF
Bronx Park q place to be Stunned In disgust
For the sake of that park with the Botanical
GARDENS and geological Park, and Of the health
and comfort of a populous and rapidly grow
Ing community. that part Of the river. while it
may never be made beautiful, should assuredy
be kept clean and decent
AS Tor the third or upper reach these same
important interests require 1t also to be kept
clean, and, indeed. to be made much cleaner
than it now is. But In addition, the future de-
veopment Of the metropolitan district may not
merely justify but demand the creation sf
parkway along its shores. Those who have ad-
mired the lovely Wissahickon and Schuylkill
drives In Philadelphia, and the parkway along
the Charles River In the suburbs OF Boston.