274 CITY PARKS. 



ceptions, along the lines laid down in the original plans, 

 nearly all being executed during the first twelve years. 



Messrs. Olmsted <fe Vaux together, or either one alone, 

 supervised this work, for the most part ; and the confidence 

 of the municipality having been won by Mr. Green, he was 

 enabled for nearly thirteen consecutive years to successfully 

 manage the finances and administration of this vast and 

 complex civic enterprise. I feel, therefore, that it may be 

 said with truth that Central Park could hardly have been 

 built as it is to-day without the devoted interest, high ad- 

 ministrative ability and artistic discernment displayed by 

 the Hon. Andrew H. Green, at all stages of its develop- 

 ment. 



In order to secure some general idea of the treatment 

 of Central Park, we will consider for a few moments its 

 arrangement as it appears on the map. It is an awkward 

 territory to treat, narrow and long, with about one hundred 

 and fifty acres of Croton Reservoir occupying nearly the 

 entire centre, from 85th to 97th Street. The clearly defined 

 motive of the park is to secure a pleasant secluded country 

 strolling ground directly in the heart of New York City. 

 Perhaps the most difficult part of the park to design was the 

 road system. It was, as all roads and walks are, a necessary 

 feature, that would not in any case add to the beauty of the 

 park. But opportunity for viewing the park must be secured, 

 and so roads and walks were laid out on such lines as would 

 exhibit the park best and mar it the least. 



The main entrance, at Fifth Avenue and 59th Street, 

 with its great after addition of the Plaza, was made at the 

 corner of the park, extending in at an angle. This is always 



