DEPARTMENT OF PARKS. 



219 



for the improvement of the Twenty-sixth Ward and Flatlands 

 streets was diverted to the return bicycle path and other improve- 

 ments on the Ocean Parkway. Linton Park, included in Mr. 

 Squier's list of Parks, but not purchased by him, was acquired. 



December 1, 1896, Mr. J. G. Dett- 

 mer became Commissioner, and he will 

 in all probability be the last of a long 

 and honorable list of gentlemen select- 

 ed by Brooklyn to manage its park 

 system, as his successor will be one 

 of the Greater New York Commis- 



sioners. 



The first Board of Park Commis- 

 sioners consisted of seven members. 

 The second year it was increased 

 to eleven. In 1882 the Department 

 was brought directly under the con- 

 j. g. dettmkr. trol of the Mayor with a Commission 



of eight, the Mayor being a member 

 ex-ojficio. In 1889 the Commission was reduced to three, and 

 in 1892 the Department was placed under the head of a single 

 Commissioner who had power to select his deputy, since which 

 time the Department has been so conducted. 



MEN WHO HAVE SERVED AS PARK COMMISSIONERS. 



The list of Commissioners since the organization of the De- 

 partment of Parks is as follows : 



1 861 — James S. T. Stranahan, President ; E. W. Fiske, R. H. 

 Thompson, Thomas G. Talmage, Stephen Haynes, Cornelius J. 

 Sprague and Thomas H. Rodman ; the latter resigning, his place 

 was filled by the appointment of Thomas McElrath ; Richard H. 

 Thompson, Secretary. 



1862 — James S. T. Stranahan, Thomas McElrath, Edward W. 

 Fiske, C. J. Sprague, Conklin Brush, Thomas G. Talmage, Stephen 

 Haynes, Thomas H. Rodman, Abraham B. Baylis, Richard H. 

 Thompson and Joseph A. Perry. The President and Secretary 

 remained the same. 



