142 FIRST COUNTY PARK SYSTEM 
inclined to let Mr. Shepard and myself, as more directly 
familiar with the local situation, “get together” first. This, 
after months of earnest effort, it was found impossible to 
do; Commissioner Shepard repeatedly declining to accom- 
pany me in looking over the proposed site. 
The announcement of the final decision favorable to the 
triangle park was everywhere most cordially received. All 
the Newark newspapers, and others in the county, contained 
commendatory references to the action. The Call of De- 
cember 13, 1896, referred to the decision as one that will be 
hailed with delight, and added: “It is within the scope of 
the commission to make this park one of the garden spots 
of the county.” A prediction that has been amply verified 
by results since. 
In 1898, largely through the interest of Commissioner 
Bramhall, who had succeeded me as a member of the Park 
Board in April, 1897, the lines of the park were extended 
on the Central avenue side about 700 feet, and resulted in 
making the park, together with the finishing improvements 
inaugurated at that time, what it has since frequently been 
called, “The gem of the Essex County park system.” The 
transition from the former swail and swamp conditions 
there, to those of a completed park of unexcelled attract- 
iveness, was as rapid as the effects, to the public were 
gratifying. The low swamp portion of the tract is now a 
beautiful English park-like meadow. The attractions are 
greatly accentuated by the small lake of about one and a 
half acres, and the beautiful specimens and groups of well 
developed trees. The effective’shrubbery borders, and rising 
slopes on each side of the park, make an appropriate frame 
to one of the most attractive and restful landscape pictures 
that have resulted from modern park-making. The total 
cost for the ‘forty-eight acres of land and buildings, with 
the expensive additions of 1898 included, has been $185,218, 
and for all improvements about $115,000. 
