10 FIRST COUNTY PARK SYSTEM 
Here in Essex County the commendable efforts made by 
public-spirited citizens to secure a park for Newark were 
actively followed for four years—from 1867 to 1871—but 
without practical result, although the act of April 9, 1867, 
created a preliminary commission of twenty-six members 
to select and locate grounds for the purpose. From the 
available records of that movement it appears that by the 
selection of but one park in the northern portion of the 
city, rival claims of other sections, especially from the 
southern wards of the city, so complicated the situation as 
to prevent further action either by the Legislature or by the 
city authorities. 
The dedication by the Newark Aqueduct Board in De- 
cember, 1889, of the city reservoir property for park uses 
was a change of record and in name only, for nothing was 
done to utilize that small tract for park purposes. Its con- 
dition precluded this without some embellishment. 
The interesting report of the Newark Board of Trade 
committee on parks for 1892 was apparently well received. 
The initiative features for carrying the project into effect 
were, however, wholly lacking, and the movement did not, 
therefore, reach the legislative stage. Nor did it give 
opportunity for division or objection from the different 
localities where the opposition had been so pronounced 
against the plan for a single and similar park location as 
made by the commission of 1867. 
PLAN FOR ESSEX COUNTY PARKS UNIQUE. 
The experience in the establishment of the Essex County 
parks has been unique in the history of large public under- 
takings. Unlike similar enterprises, no hindrances obtained 
or objections were raised. The first recommendations were 
in favor of direct application and early action, and were of 
comprehensive scope, hence open to attack if disfavored by 
press, party or public. The reverse condition prevailed. 
So smoothly and rapidly did events culminate that but 
comparatively few persons not directly interested appar- 
ently appreciated the significance of the movement, or what 
it meant for the future. Now that nearly twelve years 
