DEPARTMENT OF PARKS. 



217 



In 1891 legislation was sought for to extend the Parkway from 

 its terminus to Ridgewood Reservoir, from which point a magnifi- 

 cent view can be obtained of Jamaica Bay and the ocean. Very 

 little was done until 1895 when a law 

 amending the act of 1891 was adopted, 

 and the route was laid out upon which 

 work is now being done. 



Another extension of the Eastern 

 Parkway has been obtained by an act 

 of the Legislature passed in 1895, and 

 amended in 1896, which goes through 

 the Twenty-sixth Ward, terminating at 

 the new City line, which is coterminous 

 with the County line at Eldert's lane, 

 and affording a connection with the 

 macadamized roads of Queens County. 



In 1869 a proposition was made to 

 convert City Park into a public market ; 



but fortunately for the welfare of the community in which this 

 park was located, the suggestion was never legally adopted. 



In 1870 Tompkins Park was added to the parks under the con- 

 trol of the Department, and plans for its development were then 

 started. Between that date and 1889 the only additions to the 

 Park system were the sections purchased to alter the form and size 

 of Prospect Park. 



In 1889 ^ le Board of Park Commissioners, then consisting ot 

 three members, purchased Winthrop Park in the Seventeenth 

 Ward. In 1890 the Department was placed under the charge of 

 a single Commissioner, and George V. Brower was appointed such 

 Commissioner. During his term of office he purchased Red Hook 

 Park in the Twelfth Ward, Sunset Park in the Twenty-second 

 Ward, Bushwick Park in the Twenty-seventh Ward, and Ridge- 

 wood Park in the Twenty sixth Ward. 



FRANK SQUIER. 



THE PARK AREA WAS DOUBLED. 



In 1894 Commissioner Frank Squier entered upon the duties 

 of Park Commissioner, and during his term, of office, covering two 

 years, accomplished a work for the Department equaling in ex- 



