Brooklyn park commissioners. 13 



would greatly enhance the attractiveness of the public property 

 which already provides for thousands of our citizens the means 

 of comfortable recreation without other expense than that nec- 

 essary to reach the ocean. 



EAST SIDE LANDS. 



Early in the spring of this year, it was decided to venture 

 upon a sale of these lands. Accordingly, the necessary prep- 

 arations were made for a sale on the 17th of November. The 

 sale took place at the auction rooms of Messrs. Cole & Murphy, 

 of this city. There was a large attendance, and spirited com- 

 petition was manifested in the purchase of a number of lots, 

 many of them being among the most desirable within the 

 boundaries of the property. About 300 lots were sold. They 

 realized in the aggregate nearly $600,000. During the progress 

 of the sale, a portion of the property offered was of such 

 special eligibility and prospective valuable improvement in ' 

 the near future, that an expectation of more liberal offers 

 seemed justified. The prices offered, however, were not up to 

 the value which the judgment of gentlemen familiar with real 

 estate attached to this particular property. 



The Commissioners entertaining a similar view, deemed it 

 unwise and a sacrifice of the interests of the city to continue 

 the sale under such conditions. 



On their authority the sale was suspended. Your honor- 

 able body is familiar with the further proceedings of the Com- 

 mission looking to a renewal of the sale at an early date, 

 under what they believe will be more auspicious circumstances. 



The following communications afford an explanation of the 

 purposes of the Commissioners with regard to the development 

 of the remainder of the property : 



