IV 

 A SEASIDE PARK 



At the foot of Ocean Parkway, fronting on 

 Sea Breeze Avenue which bounds the bathing- 

 beach at Coney Island, is a park completely ex- 

 posed to the ocean. The whole side of the park 

 bordering Sea Breeze Avenue is affected by the 

 spray for a distance of a hundred feet into the 

 park. On the west side are situated all the 

 celebrated buildings for amusement, including 

 Luna Park and Dreamland. For many years 

 this park was a waste where only a few stunted 

 trees and shrubs managed to live. 



About seven years ago this waste land was 

 covered from one to one and one-half feet deep 

 with good top soil well supplied with clay brought 

 from neighboring farm lands. The original flat 

 surface of the ground was made more attractive by 

 long flowing undulations by means of carefully 

 managed grading. In low places, and especially 

 where shrubs and trees were expected to stand, 

 the layer of soil was deepened in some cases a foot 

 or more. The original soil being nearly pure 

 sand and the exposure most unfavorable to vigor- 

 ous plant growth, this liberal supply of strong top 

 soil was necessary. 



The theory of the design of this park was to 

 [22] 



