LANDSCAPE GARDENING STUDIES 



were felt to be necessary to the proper park concep- 

 tion of the situation and the peculiar character of 

 New York City. The park consisted of a territory 

 belonging to the city, bounded by 59th Street, 

 110th Street, Fifth and Eighth Aves. Within this 

 boundary were the unformed elements of a picture, 

 with suggestions of open-air joy for every citizen 

 from childhood to old age. Here was an open 

 meadow where the breezes could play on the rolling 

 surface of the cool greensward, and there a valliey, 

 and woodland and lake, with quiet country ef- 

 fects, offering rest and charm for all classes, a 

 place where on a clear, sparkling day every human 

 being could take in with delight the open air 

 undefiled. 



The problem which the first designers kept 

 before them was to take advantage of the natural 

 features which existed in this territory and so bind 

 them together with planting, grading, roads, and 

 paths as to make not only a picture of the highest 

 artistic value, but to afford pleasure, rest, and 

 comfort to all who come within its confines, to 

 give freedom and enjoyment to all without inter- 

 ference with the rights of any. Round all this 

 charm of natural scenery it was intended to 

 place a frame of foliage that should not only form 

 a fitting border for the picture, but also conceal 

 as far as possible the sights and sounds of the city. 



Yet Central Park is not completed. Before 

 he died Mr. Vaux had planned almost every de- 

 tail for the final accomplishment of the work. 

 To-day, however, there are large sections of the 



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