42 REPORT OF THE 



Committee not only the advisability but the positive necessity of 

 at once acquiring land for new parks, and an additional argument 

 in its favor was that the land could now be purchased at reason- 

 able figures. 



The location of the parks was comparatively easy, owing to 

 the magnificent opportunities presenting themselves on every 

 side. The Committee decided that several parks along the 

 shores of Jamaica and Gravesend bays would be very desirable, 

 owing to the fact there is a peculiar charm in water scenes 

 greatly appreciated by the people, and they would also afford 

 excellent facilities for boating and sailing. The Committee also 

 deemed it very desirable to obtain as much high land and wooded 

 country as could be consistently obtained in view of the appro- 

 priations to be made for the purchase of parks, and with this 

 idea in view they have visited all that section of the ridge of hills 

 lying between Highland Park and Richmond Hill. They found 

 this territory had uncommonly fine distant views of sea and land- 

 scape, which could never be closed owing to its elevation. They 

 also found that it was covered with well-grown trees, in open 

 groves and dense woods, while the land was agreeably diversi- 

 fied. In addition to this they found it was accessible by electric 

 and steam railroads, and could be easily connected by a parkway 

 with the existing system of parks. 



The Committee has therefore decided to recommend to you : 



First — The purchase of between five and seven hundred acres 

 of land along this ridge of hills, believing that it will afford a fine 

 breathing spot, especially for the residents of the crowded sections 

 of the Eastern District of Brooklyn, besides giving to the city of 

 Brooklyn one of the finest natural parks in the world. 



Second — Upon New York bay the Committee suggest to you 

 the purchase of the " Bliss property," at Bay Ridge, between 

 Sixty-sixth and Sixty-eighth streets, and between First avenue 

 and the shore. They believe that this will make a very fine shore 

 park owing to the magnificent view obtained from it and the 

 improvements already existing there. The cost of acquiring this 

 property will be comparatively small, inasmuch as a large section 

 of it has been designated as a part of the Bay Ridge Parkway. 



Third The second park upon the bay shore suggested by the 

 I ommittee is the " Dyker Meadow" property, adjoining the 

 Government property at Fort Hamilton, as has also been sug- 



'■ d by Mr. Olmsted. From this point there is a magnificent 



ibstructed view of Gravesend bay and the Atlantic ocean. 

 Ill'- land possesses a fine sandy beach, nearly half a mile long, 

 which would afford unlimited pleasure to the people visiting it. 

 By tin- List of dredges a beautiful lake could be produced at a 

 comparatively small expense, and taken in connection with the 



