New-York tribune., 1912-04-07
TIE NORRIS CANAL PARkWAi

THE NORRIS CANAL PiRh WAl.
The failure OF the New Jersey Legs-
lature 10 enact the abandonment OF the
Morris Canal or 10 make any new dispo-
sition Of that neglected waterway nas
given renewed opportunity for the pro-
motion OF novel and decidedly interest
ing scheme which. If executed. would be
Of interest to other states. namely, for
the state TO acquire possession Of the en-
tire canal, or at least of Its rural
stretches, and some additional land along
its banks, and transform the whole into
q parkway. That would not mean Inc
plan which Governor Wilson Is said 10
regard with favor, Of draining off the
water and converting the bed OF the canal
into roadway for automobiles. Dut
rather the retention of the canal as n
waterway for skiffs. canoes, motor boats
and yachts. and also for houseboats. and
the construction of driveways along It's
banks. perhaps on one side for automo-
bilcs and on the other for horse yehlcl =,
caucstrians and bicycles, with enough
land 10 give the whole an agreeable set
ting of shrubbcry and shade trees.
The suitability of the canal for such
purposes is conspicuous. II runs rOr
scores Of miles through regions Of rare
picturesque and scenic charm. az well as
of considerable historic interest For
long stretches this artificial waterway
has the appearance Of natural river.
winding through glen and forest. with
inspiring. vistas Of mountain and valley
lis water supply IL copious and exccp-
tionally pure. II runs sufficiently near
TO important towns and railroads to he
readily accessible. even at the points
where il seems 10 he most secluded. 1t
has long been a favOrite resort Of those
who know its beauties, even in its pres
ent almost uncared-fo for condition, and the
improvements which are now suggested
would doubtless make IT. one Of the fa-
vorite recreation and pleasure grounds
Of the whole region tributary to the mo
tropois. II would be susceptible Of utili-
zation in every season Of the year. even
in mdwinter affording such facilities for
skating and seighing AS are scarcely
elsewhere TO be found within easy dis
tance from this city.
The business aspects Of the case must
he considered, and II Is probable that
many will oppose the scheme as an ex-
travagance and will ask why the state
should go TO considerable expense for the
creation Of park when IL might instead
get large sum Of money by turning the
canal over TO one OF the corporations
which are so eager to acquire II. That
point OF view IS not 10 I've ignored. But
neither Is the possibility that even from
the pecuniary point Of view the parkway
might be the more profitable disposition
of the canal. The practical value cf
such pleasure ground as means OF
attracting visitors and residents to the
state and Of increasing the value OF ad-
jacent property is not likely TO be over
estimated. II has come to be recognized,
as 1t has been judicially declared. that
scenic beauty and attractiveness have
definite and considerable value as tangi-
bic assets. IT, therefore. the Morris
Canal has indeed outlived Its usefulness
as highway Of commerce, 1t may be
that as minister to the pleasures OF the
people Of both New Jersey and other
states 1t can be restored to permanent
utility.