New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-03


,.tsrfront which has been so wisely
~. sgde for s breathing space for the
public.
Asks Consideration for City
aTbs stockholders Of the New York
Central are locking after their own IN
,srests-something for which no one
viii blame them. Their interests IN
HE matter are financial gains; yet
ors would EXPECT some Of those who
srs citizens of New York City 70 show
utue consideration for the things
hat help TO make city and its ciu'
lsns worth while.
STbe preservation Of Riverside Park
and its waterfront is not 9 matter OF
,o.day only. The railroad corporation
Ia, laid its plans for the distant tut
ur, AT a time when It may, through
',ek Of public interest, lay its hands
mon the valuable waterfront Inc
6nmunity should likewise base its
rsn, upon the future, when the value
~ Riverside Park and its riparian
-i-bts will be a hundredfold what IL is
to-day.
Central should not be given serious
consideration. As plan it represents
orlv one side Of the question-that OF
the railroad engineers. As rsr as
Riverside Park is concerned, the plan
shows an utter disregard for the park
snd for the waterfront which IS an
insepsrable part of It. The entire
railroad right Of way ss II passes
through the park will, in accordance
with the present plan, be nothing but
an ugly terrace. making one conscious
OF the fact that a railroad is below,
and wherever 10 reaches above the
,vel Of Riverside Park it's uglineSs
will be more i'm evidence. and will shut
ont the view OF the Hudson from New
YorKs beautiful and famous drive
The rooted cover over the railroad
night Of way will create a formal ter
race entirely fore en- IN design and out
Of harmony with the present character
~ the psrk II landscape designing
is q recognized art, then the plan as
proposed is either due 10 ignorance or
q eontsmptuouS disregard OF those
rss,srpieeeS Of art IN the possession
% greater New York
This proposed elevated Fairgrounds
are nothing but barren fields, without
any possibility o. being properly en-
''lllShed and provided with the nsess-
'arY shade from the midsummer sun.
Views Of Blue Hills Closed
To intercept the view Of the Pail
.itsI and the blue hills along the
Hudson with railroad yards is incon-
tsiVsbls There seems to be ample
'paes south Of Seventy Street
''r docks and yards and the low de-
rressions Of Msnhattanville afford
splendid place for railroad yards,
Were they can be hidden from view
and not interfere with the beauty and
Character OF "a cir environments
The model plan Of the railroad on
exhibition at tho Grand Central Sta
Ton, as an example by which 70 Judge
ihi work, Is deceiving. The scale IS
% small IN relation 70 the park IT rep
Isssnts that 10 is misleading, espe-
caily 10 those who do not understand
models or plans Of that kind. There
os other means BY which the rail-
.oad may perform and carry on its
business without destroying the only
'aiuable public waterfront New York
assesses IN the way Of a park. Even
eoaid the city pay part Of the Ell
nenss Of tunDeling under Riverside
DfFe, or Of lowering the present
isess in the park, the money would
ne vel spent"
10 conclusion, Mr.. Jensen asks II the
reservation Of Riverside Park is not
matter OF national Importance. at
mere" he says, that an ancient
Feee Of river bluffs has become an in
parable part Of your city. To de-
10y this is criminal-the city cannot
'lord 10 do t."
lac league has issued also
I'nphlei iu which IL is asked u IL is
taera.ly known that the citizens Of
city will be taxed 10 restore the
4a'5, as far as that will be possible.
riverside Parks assessed value is
,l0OyOO0," says the pamphlet. "The
"sw York Central is giving the city
,-y 100000 for the restoration Of
SIe park, which will not pay for the
essuuetlon Of 1900 trees and 5000
saf1es. Do the citizens want q park
40 they want a freight yard. with
~ ~ Doors circulated through Riverside
~, sIk by huge ventilating shafts in the
'O0i over the tracks?"