284 CITY PARKS. 



79th, 85t]i and 97tli streets. Completely screened with 

 trees and shrubs and seven-feet walls, spanned with fre- 

 quent bridges, these driveways afford abundant convenience 

 for traffic across the park. 



On the 85th Street transverse road are situated the 

 stables and workshops of the Department, completely hid- 

 den away. Here also is the entrance to the two great Cro- 

 top I'eservoirs. They occupy one hundred and iifty-four 

 acres of the heart of Central Pai'k. 



There is little of interest comparatively to be found in 

 the park along the reservoirs. They block up and absorb 

 almost the entire park for the distance they extend. When 

 we reach, however, the north end of the park, clear of the 

 reservoir, we come upon more charming meadow views. 



The first is a glade of a few acres seen beneath the 

 branches of noble pin-oaks, just before we reach the 97th 

 Street transverse road. Here lawn-tennis is played, and 

 the disposition of the trees is such that one can hardly 

 believe it other than a genuine woodland nook. The scene 

 is a thoroughly natural one, and far more park-like than 

 anything in the Ramble. 



Crossing over the 97th Street transverse road, and leav- 

 ing with regret the grove of pin-oaks and the forest glade, 

 we come to the great North Meadow of the park. It is a 

 wonderful effect. Only nineteen acres, and apparently ex- 

 tending miles. The illustration gives a fair idea of it, but 

 only as a picture can. The sheen of the grass, the varied 

 tints of the foliage sweeping the turf to the left, the low-lying 

 hillocks crowned with large forest trees, the great boulders 

 entirely exposed or only half submerged, the meadow be- 



