124 FIRST COUNTY PARK SYSTEM 
at a cost not exceeding $65,000 the 121 acres in that tract.” 
There was considerable discussion. Two of the commission- 
ers expressed the view that, with the needs of the Newark 
and other parks then practically agreed upon, the purchase 
could not be afforded. This was answered by a reference to 
the fact that that park would be “at the very door” of, and 
directly convenient to, most of the people of the whole 
county, and would be in reality a corner-stone of the chain 
of parks, and, like Eagle Rock, the mountain key to the 
western portion of the park system. 
It was also pointed out that the whole 121 acres, extend- 
ing for such a long distance on the mountain crest back to 
the proposed South Mountain reservation, would cost far 
less than the single city block of the Branch Brook Garside 
street extension east of Clifton avenue. In view of all this 
it was asked how could we afford not to acquire it. 
As Commissioner Peck had all along been one of the most 
earnest supporters of the mountain park and parkway 
projects, it was thought by at least some of the commis- 
sioners that he would without a question of doubt favor the 
resolution. Mr. Shepard and myself were known to be in 
favor of the plan. Mr. Shepard called for a vote. It was 
lost. Two ayes, Messrs. Shepard and Kelsey; three nays, 
Messrs. Peck, Murphy and Meeker. The options were al- 
lowed to expire, and as the subject had been gone over very 
fully, it has never, so far as I know, been brought up for 
consideration since. The following day, in sending to the 
park board’s office the return of the papers, I wrote Com- 
missioner Peck as follows: 
“Nothing that has occurred since the inception of the 
enterprise has been such a surprise to me as your action and 
statements on this subject yesterday.” 
In March, 1896, the commissioners paid Mr. Child $250 
for his services and expenses in obtaining the options, and 
the proposition to acquire this most accessible of all the 
mountain locations was then most regretfully closed. The 
opportunity of obtaining this magnificent park site, the 
most direct in communication with Newark and the nearest 
