286 FIRST COUNTY PARK SYSTEM 
mission on condition that the tract be improved and main- 
tained as one of the county parks. The formal transfer 
was made June 23, 1903. This tract, like the Watsessing 
Park, is isolated from the other and larger parks and both 
must remain in future, as now, local parks, outside of any 
connective features of the county park system. 
PARK FOUNTAIN. 
One of the local attractions in Branch Brook Park is the 
fountain in the old city reservoir. Its ecnstruction was 
authorized June 30, 1903, “Not to cost more than $2,000.” 
The water is supplied from the Newark supply mains with- 
out charge. The four-inch centre pipe throws the water 
about fifty feet in height, and the circular outlets fill the 
sides and diameter to a corresponding height and width. 
The fountain in summer is always a most attractive fea- 
ture. The same may be said of the boating in that park, of 
the flower shows during the season, of the skating in winter ; 
and of the band concerts in all the Newark parks and the 
Orange Park during July and August, which have become 
an established and popular feature each year. 
On May 23, 1904, an interesting event occurred in 
Branch Brook Park in the unveiling of a bronze bust of 
Mendelssohn, a gift from the United Singers of Newark. 
In 1902 two very important matters, vitally affecting the 
parks, were disposed of—the question of a maintenance 
fund, and another million-dollar appropriation “for com- 
pleting the parks.” Up to that time there had been no 
separate provision for maintenance, the cost having been 
provided out of the available funds derived from the sale 
of “park bonds.” Three times—January 15, September 11 
and November 26, 1901—the commission had ordered pre- 
pared by the counsel, for introduction into the Legislature, 
a maintenance bill, but, with the usual delay and want of 
attention, the matter was not attended to and it was Feb- 
ruary, 1902, before the bill made its appearance in the 
Senate at Trenton. 
The bill provided for a mandatory insertion by the free- 
