74 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Riverside Walk. — Having received from the Board of Estimate 

 a sum of money to be devoted to the protection of the Zoological 

 Park east of the Bronx River, and the making of certain nec- 

 essary improvements therein, the Society hastened to improve the 

 opportunity to provide a Telford macadam walk throughout the 

 whole length of the Park along the eastern bank of Bronx River 

 and Lake. This walk was laid out by Mr. H. A. Caparn, land- 

 scape architect, and the work of construction was performed under 

 the direction of the Chief Forester, Mr. Merkel. In addition to 

 the construction of 4,500 lineal feet of Telford macadam walk 10 

 feet wide, following the contour of the ground, two bridges were 

 constructed — one 30 feet in length, the other 50 feet. 



For very nearly its entire length this walk follows steep hill- 

 sides. The difficult character of the surface involved a great deal 

 of costly rock filling and also blasting through rock. The curves 

 of the river bank were followed as closely as practicable, and 

 the contour of the ground was adhered to as nearly as was con- 

 sistent with the construction of easy grades. 



The bridges were built of oak logs and finished with rustic 

 guard-rails. About 3,300 feet of this walk was made ready for 

 its top-dressing of trap-rock screenings, when work had to be 

 suspended on account of winter weather. The entire walk will 

 be finished early in the spring, and when completed will un- 

 doubtedly be much appreciated by the large number of visitors 

 who find enjoyment in the beautiful forest and water-view in that 

 portion of the Park. 



Eastern Boundary Fence. — For many months past the depre- 

 dations which have been committed upon the forest growth of 

 the eastern portion of the Park, and the practical impossibility 

 of preventing such depredations by means of watchmen, have 

 emphasized the absolute necessity of a boundary fence which will 

 form a genuine barrier to timber thieves. Accordingly the first 

 step taken in the development of the eastern portion of the Park 

 was the erection of a high boundary fence of extra heavy Page 

 wire topped with a double overhang of barbed wire supported 

 on iron arms. To meet the demands of the situation 5,000 feet 

 of boundary fence was erected, and it is reasonably certain 

 that from this time on those who wish to cut fire-wood in that 

 portion of the Zoological Park will find it extremely difficult, 

 if not impossible, to do so. 



Removal of Old Houses. — A very important improvement 

 during the past year was the demolition and removal of five old 



