DEPARTMENT OF PARKS. 1 67 



contour is generally rolling. From the ridge the prospect is very 

 fine, embracing views over Jamaica Bay to Atlantic Ocean on one 

 side, and to Flushing Bay on the other. 



In the month of May the work of developing this Park was 

 commenced, in accordance with plans prepared by Messrs. Olm- 

 sted, Olmsted & Eliot, the Consulting Landscape Architects of 

 the Department, consisting of a driveway entering from Myrtle 

 avenue, near Cypress Hills Cemetery, thence running south up 

 the slope of a spar to the top of the ridge, thence following the 

 ridge easterly, crossing Trotting Course lane (a dip in the ridge), 

 thence by a bridge over the tracks of the New York and Rocka- 

 way Beach Railroad, ascending in a northerly direction across 

 Myrtle avenue by bridge, and along the side of the ridge in 

 a northeasterly direction to the new bridge across the tracks of 

 the South Side Railroad, continuing until the highest point in 

 the Park is reached at Richmond Hill, a distance of about 16,400 

 feet. 



The work was started with a force of one hundred men, which 

 was gradually increased as required until the end of the season, 

 when all were discharged. The work is of a heavy character, 

 necessitating heavy cutting and filling, the digging being very 

 hard. The rough grading of the roadway is completed for a 

 distance of about ten thousand feet. The work of grading the 

 slopes in pleasing and natural contours and covering again with 

 top soil is being done, after which they will be planted with vines 

 and shrubs, principally of native growth, in furtherance of the 

 idea of retaining and emphasizing the wild and natural beauty of 

 the forest. 



In digging out the driveway about five thousand cubic yards 

 of stones and boulders have been secured and piled up to be in 

 readiness to crush into macadam. 



SUGGESTIONS AS TO WOODLAND. 



A judicious thinning out of timber needs to be done, and the 

 work should be done intelligently. Where masses of woodland 

 are left, trees that are crowded will have to be relieved, due re- 

 gard being paid to the retention of general natural effects, as well 



