New-York tribune., 1915-01-10

and special interest in the upkeep and
improvement Of the city's great PARK
properties. You enjoy TIE greatest use
Of our two most magnificent and con-
spicuous parks-Riverside Drive and
Central Park.
In a special sense you are IN po-
sition TO realize what | constantly
seek TO impress upon citizens gener-
ally-and officials in particular-that
parks are one of the city's most pro-
ductive investments. The realty
values, amounting to many million
dollars in the West End section, have
been enormously enhanced by the
parks and parkways with which they
are surrounded, intersected and
studded. The interest you feel IN the
upkeep Of these park properties attests
your real appreciation OF their value'
But. lest we should underestimate
the influence the city's park system
has had in developing this high class
residential section and increasing the
taxable resources of the city in this
great neighborhood, let us imagine for
a moment the situation as changed.
Think of Central Park filled with
tenements, such as those between
Third av. and the East River. Think
of Manhattan Square closely built up
with a factory where the Museum OF
Natural History stands. Think of
Riverside Drive lined with ware
houses, factories, lumber yards,
stables, etc, such as stretch from the
Brooklyn Bridge to the Williamsburg
Bridge, and then with all these
changes imagine what the realty
values in the West End section would
be. The contrast gives us the great
est assurance that money invested in
parks yields a high return by increas-
ing the taxable value of properties ad-
iacent thereto. Reasons Of self-in-
terest. therefore, indicate that the city
should seek further to increase its
taxable resources by extending and
improving the park system.
There have been other choice resi-
dental sections in New York. From
time TO time trade has invaded them
and they have disappeared. The latest
to suffer is the old Murray Hill section.
which is gradually being wiped out by
the encroachments of merchandising
and manufacturing. The future OF the
West End is, however, assured by the
green barriers of the park system
erected around it. It's further increase
in value depends on the manner IN
which the attractiveness OF the sur
rounding parks is maintained and en-
HANGED.
At the present time / can bring you
the glad news that contracts are soon
TO be awarded which will give River
side Drive the finest asphalt pavement
in the world. After a long struggle
have succeeded in obtaining permls-
4. ~
Viaduct, at 128th ST., the very best and
highest approved type of pavement
am also happy TO inform you that
the work of reclaiming land under
water is proceeding with great celerlty
and utmost satisfaction. | can assure
vou that the most exceptional care has
been taken 20 secure the most substan-
tial material for filling in along the
outer edge of the New York Central
Railroad tracks. As the gravel is taken
from the Drive proper. between 1l3th
e. and the Viaduct, it will be placed on
tho surface Of this fill, making tenn
norarv playground Of great extent.
have also taken up the question OF
;,,,,rovinq the roadways of Central
Park and hope soon TO have salts
| factory solution OF this problem.
great deal has been done 10 re-
claim the eroded banks OF the Drive:
Cr;bwork has been placed on the eroded
Surfaces surfaces, and by arrangement. with con
sractoye these have been filled with
good r%SjV, clean earth at no expense to the
goou The The surface has been planted
vi wiib hardy vine to prevent erosion IN
'"e Other improvements Of partieuElsr E,rar. IN,
,erest 10 you will be made al n straus
square, formerly s'1gSefsntd igS fands 'SSI' to lay
where ] am seeking tne Iu"1 Memor;al
ont walks around the straush nhsre %e am
Fountain; at Fort Horn, W. rreserye
planning a concrete wal Wv1orppiugside 70
| his historic point; ana M IA IVr an annro-
PARK. where | have seeuieu ."
| nrintion for renee