18 FIRST COUNTY PARK SYSTEM 
BENEFITS OF A PARK SYSTEM. 
“A bill, simple in its provisions, providing for the carty- 
ing out of this plan, and affecting only counties of the first 
class, could hardly meet with reasonable objection in the 
Legislature. Every one recognizes that a well-devised pub- 
lic park system for this great Essex County population 
would be not only of great benefit and value to every local- 
ity, but of immense importance to the State as well. Every 
home in the entire section would be more attractive and 
valuable ; every piece of property share in the improvement ; 
and the cost be largely or fully compensated in this way. 
“Should your committee and board, upon further con- 
sideration, concur in the general plan stated, or suggest any 
other providing for similar results, we shall be happy to 
meet you again in conference at an early date with the view 
of arranging further details and the drafting of a bill that 
can be with confidence submitted to the Legislature and 
the people. 
“Very truly yours, 
“FREDERICK W. KELSEY, 
“Chairman Committee of Parks and Public Improvements 
of the Board of Trade of the Oranges.” 
The plan met with immediate popular approval. The 
leading papers favored it. Various civic organizations 
passed resolutions commending it, and public-spirited citi- 
zens in different portions of the county wrote personal 
letters favoring its prompt adoption. 
There was no longer any doubt that the time had arrived 
for prompt action. When Mr. Keasbey and I met soon 
afterward to prepare the desired legislative bill, we were 
entirely agreed upon all but a single point. The plan as 
favored by the joint committee on April 14 was to provide 
by legislative enactment for a permanent commission, re- 
lying upon future legislation for authority to enlarge its 
needed powers and to provide the requisite appropriations. 
This conviction, I believe, was shared by all the members 
present at that meeting. In preparing the bill Mr. Keasbey 
