204 



PARKS 



PLATE No. 93. PRELIMINARY PLAN, WARINANCO PARK, ELIZABETH, N. J. 

 (Plan by Percival Gallagher, Olmsted Brothers, Landscape Architects, Cambridge, Massachusetts.) 



The total area of this property is 207 acres, distributed as follows: Playfields, including ball fields, children's 

 playground, tennis and athletic field, 39.50 acres; meadows and other turf areas, 41.40 acres; woodland and planta- 

 tions, 85.50 acres; lake, nine acres. The park contains 3.05 miles of drives, 1.95 miles of bridlepaths and 8.33 miles of 

 walks. "The purpose of Warinanco Park, according to Landscape Architect's report, 'is to provide near the center 

 of population of the County a pleasure ground of sufficient size and character that will possess the best elements 

 of a park of pastoral landscape.' Ample facilities for games and sports have been provided, so located as to 

 interfere as little as possible with the desired 'pastoral landscape' effect. This park being the most accessible 

 from all parts of the County contains the administration building, the stadium and fully equipped athletic field. . . . 

 One of the most important features is a moderate-size lake for boating and skating. In the heart of a park and 

 immediately west of the proposed lake and occupying the rise of land, there is proposed a series of groves and 

 picnic grounds distributed along a straight, broad walk or promenade called the 'Mall.' The central feature of 

 this region is a semicircular terrace upon which two sections of the Mall converge. Below the terrace, forming the 

 center of the scheme, is a circular plaza with seats and a decorative fountain. This focal point gives access to the 

 lake below it, while above and extending westward is to be another sitting place or overlook, slightly raised 

 above the general level of the ground from which views over the open landscape to the west may be had. The 

 stretch of ground between the two is to be planted with a special collection of evergreen and flowering plants to 

 form a feature of special interest and enjoyment. A music grove is also a feature of the design. 



A driveway with an accompanying bridle path makes the circuit of the park. One of the principal points 

 from which to view the length of the park landscape is the elevation of land on the northerly side where the 

 circuit-drive gives access to a proposed refreshment building, from the terrace of which one may enjoy the views 

 of much of the interior landscape of. the park. Another part of the circuit-drive on the westerly side traverses 

 the length of 'Spinning Woods,' an existing growth of old trees which adds materially to the beauty of the 

 park. Midway in these woods, and yet convenient to the driveway and the playfield lying beyond on either 

 side, is located a proposed field house with toilet facilities for the use of the public. 



