New-York tribune., 1917-07-20
Aqueduct Memorial to
Have Amphitheatre
Seating 10000
Adorned by Terraces
MacMonnies Fountain To Be
Reproduced; Cost to
City Small

Plans 20 convert the thirty-four
acres now occupied by the abandoned
Croton reservoir in Central Park into
sunken garden, embellshed with
terraces, an smphitheatre to seat more
than 10000 persons, lagoon, jet
fountains and reproduction in bronze
OF the famous MacMonnies fountain,
were adopted yesterday by the Mayors
Catskll Aqueduct Celebration Com
mittee The cornerstone probably will
be laid October l2, coincidentally with
the beginning of three days celebra-
tion OF the opening of the Catsklll
aqueduct
The committee. which met at ths
Union League Club for final action or
the nlans, prepared by Thomas Hast
ings and approved by Mr. MacMonnics,
called attention to the fact that the
Crcton reservoir now is secluded from
the public by walls, and its opening
virtually will add that much more area
to Central Park.
The purpose is 20 create spo:
which will rival the Luxembourg Gar
dens, in Paris, everywhere regarded as
the finest formal landscape in the
world.
Expense TO City Small
The estimated cost of the improve
ment is 100000 for the MacMonnles
fountain. 100000 for construction OF
terraces, and probably less than $780,
600 for grading. All except the cost
for grading, which will be done by ne
city, will be borne by private contribG-
tion. The site is rectangular, and lies
within the lines OF Seventy-ninth
Street, Eighty-sixth Street. Sixth Ave-
nue. and Seventh Avenue. if they were
projected.
George McAneny. chairman of tho
ormittee, ard Arthur Williams, chair
man of the executive committee, issued
this statement: Three fundamental
ideas have guided the committee on
its plans: First, so 10 treat the site
with a noble fountain and water area
as to suggest the evolution of the citys
water supply system and preserve the
historical continuity OF the site; sec
ond. 10 improve the opportunity TO
bestow upon the city great art gift,
rivalllng the most famous of its kind
abroad: and. third, 20 meet in form
harmonious with its surroundings the
desire expressed in many quarters for
commodious outdoor accommodations
in Central Park for the enjoyment ~
music and other appropriate purposes.
"The design is therefore contained
entirely within the quadrangle now
occupied by the reservoir with the ex-
ception Of the jet fountain, which IS
to be placed in the upper reservoir IL
contemplates taking of several feet
from the height Of the present walls
and constructing promenade, snadei
b. trees. upon the truncated emoank.
ment. The material thus removed VIII r
be used for the work inside the great
inclosure. The bottom Of the reservoir
will be filled up with earth to a depth
Of about five or six feet, leaving IN
the central and northern portions
pool. or lagoon.
Fountain in Bronze
at the northern end OF the lagoon
IL is proposed 20 erect in bronze the
MacMonnies fountain. which WAS exe-
cutcd in staff at the Worlds Columbian
Exposition in Chicago in 1898. IL rep
rescnts Columbia, seated in a barge OF
state. with Fame at the prov blowing
trumpet and Father Time az the
helm steering. The barge is propelled
by eight oarswcmen, representing We
Arts and Sciences-ideas particularly
appropriate 10 the location or the me
mortal between the Metropolitan Mu-
scum Of Art and the American Museum
OF Natural History-snd is attended by
mcrmen and mormaids riding on sea-
horses. This fountain excited the uni
vcrsal admiration OF artists and the
public, and was the most famous
sculptural wcrk Of the exposition
Or. Edward II. Hall. the secretary,
said only the formal authorization
from the city authorities was neces-
sary 20 start the project. The land,
worth millions Of dollars, will be di-
verted TO the public's use for the mere
cost Of grading it," he said. TO I'LL
up the reservoir would cost more than
TO build the gardens"