DEPARTMENT OF PARKS. 43 



Government property a park can be created at this point which 

 would possess a great variety of attractions. As to the quantity 

 of land to be purchased the Committee suggests that it would be 

 wise to permit the Commissioner to use his own discretion. 



Fourth — Another shore park which the Committee believe it 

 would be wise to acquire, is the piece of land known as the 

 " Lynch property " at Bensonhurst. The Committee are led to 

 recommend this, not only because of the natural advantages of 

 the land, but also because at the time of annexation the Legisla- 

 ture authorized the establishment of a park at this place. There- 

 fore they believe it would be a particular act of justice for the 

 Commissioner to acquire this land for park purposes. 



Fifth — The Committee are of the opinion that it would be 

 wise for the City to select a piece of woodland contiguous to the 

 line of several railroads, that may be used for picnic purposes in 

 order to relieve Prospect Park, which is not sufficiently large to 

 accommodate the number of picnics annually held there by the 

 various Sunday-schools, and which in consequence has been seri- 

 ously damaged for several years past. There have been two 

 pieces of woodland offered near the line of the Ocean Parkway 

 and close to three lines of railroads, either of which the Committee 

 believe admirably suited for the purpose, and the Committee 

 recommend to the Commissioner that he purchase the plot 

 which to him seems most desirable. 



Sixth — Upon the shore of Jamaica Bay the Committee have 

 found several very desirable plots, which they believe would make 

 very attractive parks, and which would undoubtedly prove very 

 popular resorts, easy of access from all parts of the city. In order 

 that the best bargain possible may be made, the Committee are 

 of the opinion that it would be better not to name any particular 

 site.- Therefore they simply recommend that a piece of land be 

 obtained at Canarsie, with a shore front, suitable for the purpose. 



The Committee have deemed it desirable to secure a number 

 of small parks in different sections of the city, which in a short 

 time will be closely built up ; and, in accordance with this idea, 

 they recommend the following pieces of land to be purchased : 



First — In the Twenty-sixth Ward, a block of ground in the 

 district known as " Brownsville," at such point as may be con- 

 sidered most advisable by the Commissioner. This part of the 

 Twenty-sixth Ward at the present time contains a very large 

 Hebrew population, and the Committee believe that the park 

 would exert a very beneficial influence upon the neighborhood. 



Second — The Committee also suggest that another small park 

 be located in this ward, near the junction of Pennsylvania avenue 

 and the New Lots road, a portion of the ward which in a few 

 years will be built up with fine residences. 



