New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-04-01
PARK SOIL ALMOST DEAD
Expert Says Recovery OF Central
Will Take Years.
MORNINGSIDE BEYOND HOPE
Trampling of New Grass by
Children and of Lawns by All
Glasses Caused Destruction.

G. g. Maynadier. the soil expert of the
Department Of Agriculture, who has been
Investigating the soil in Central PARK saiu
Yesterday that II would years before
certain parts of Central Park would oe
able to recover from the effects OF the
usage to which II was put ,ast summer ana
in some of the previous years. AS Tor
Morningside Park. the destruction Is com
plete. and the soil expert says the Wh"ie
park will have to he replaated. and that
il will take years and the expenditure oi
q large amount OF money to bring II UP 10
a first class condition
The samples Of the soil MIR. Maynadier
secured by his borings in central farR
have been sent to Washington for analysis.
II Will be ten days or two weeks peloie
the findings are returned 10 New 10TH
Perhaps thirty samples were sent on from
all sections Of the park. II was whlle en-
gagged in his borings that the SOIL expert
under took a study of the general use ol
the park by the public, and what he founG
was. in his own words. A total disregard
for all rules established to maintain "A
II.
hillsides by hundreds of children at time
when the grass was beginning to come up
and TO a trsmpling Of the large fields ana
lawns by persons who seemed Indifferent
to the consequences he found two fea-
sons for existing conditions.
II Morningside Park is practically ruined
some parts OF Central Park are almost In
as sorry plight. The scene of last year
greatest destruction-that part OF the park
on the northeast side from 95th to l0sth
street-will not for three years, according
TO the soil expert, be in proper condition.
II was in that area that the people dehed
the police and disregarded the warnings
and rleadings Of the Park Commissioner
last summer Shrubs and trees were in
jured also, and will have To he replaced by
new ones.
When Mr. Maynadier submits his findings
to Park Commissioner Stover he will make
an emphatic statement that II a large play
ground is placed in central Park II viii
ruin that section i'm which Il is placed and
will break down what regard the children
of that part of town now have for the
PARK Mr.. Maynadier has already told
Commissioner Slower this. and his report
will. il is said. show in detail that if Cen
trail Park Is 10 remain "A park IT VIII not
admit of the usage of part Of II as a play
ground. and unless the people let go OF
the idea that the park IL to be popular
ized" the expenditure of large sum 10
resoil il and renovate it will do little good.
II was after conference with Mr..
Maynadier as 10 the damage resulting
Of that
Commissioner Slower sought to find places
for youthful ball players TO vent their
energy. He row advises the use of West
street. from the Battery 10 Gansevoort
Market for such a purpose TO protect the
parks in the lower part Of the city. In
this Mayor Gaynor Coincides. Police Com
missioner Cropsey. after communicating
with Park Commissioner Stover has is
sued orders to the police 10 stop all tres
pa ssing on park lawns. Mr.. Maynadier has
advised June Il as the earliest time for
the use of the lawns by bail players. but
commissioner Stover has SGT the date as
June / Heretofore. May II has seen many
ball games in Central Park.
Mr. Maynadier expects To complete his
report to Commissioner Slower hy May t.
That il will open the eyes 81 the public
as - the gradual deterioration Of Central
Park is apparent to all VINO have come I'm
touch with him i'm his work In his OVID
words il is suffering from popularity and
needs rest" as well as q great deal of
protection
Commissioner slower said yesterday that
West street would be the scene Of Sunday
baseball. and that he hoped in time to
ty tradesmen. into a playground.