I'o 



large portion of New Jersey, Staten Island and Long Island, 

 with the Atlantic ocean beyond, stretching far away in the dis- 

 tance. Within the park itself, a succession of beautifully- 

 wooded hills and broad green meadows, interrupted here and 

 there by a natural pond of water, offers features of attract inn 

 which require but little aid from art to fit it for all the pur- 

 poses of health and recreation, to which it is to be devoted. 

 Nearly one half the area is wooded with trees of large growth, 

 many of them noble specimens of the oak, maple, hickory, 

 dog-wood, chestnut, and other varieties, securing the imme- 

 diate benefit of shaded drives. A fine level space of sufficient 

 extent and almost ready for a parade-ground, and sheltered 

 valleys where every description of plants and trees may be suc- 

 cessfully cultivated, complete the advantages of a site so 

 judiciously and providently selected. The most elevated point 

 within the enclosure is the crest of the escarpment which sur- 

 rounds the new Distributing Reservoir ; this is two hundred 

 feet above the level of the sea, and not only overlooks the en- 

 tire area of the park, but commands the finest view which can 

 be obtained from the grounds. The ridge upon which it is 

 situated forms the axis of the park, extending through the en- 

 tire length, and terminating in a gradual slope at the northern 

 extremity. A valley on the east of this ridge extends to the 

 easterly side of the park, and a valley on the westerly side is 

 succeeded by a low range of wooded hills, which form the west- 

 ern boundary. Flatbush avenue, one hundred feet in width, 

 runs diagonally through the park, dividing it into two portions, 

 which might be regarded as a serious blemish to the beauty of the 

 finished park, were it not for the fact that the peculiarity of its 

 location obviates the necessity of any other transverse road to 

 accommodate the traffic between the city and the suburbs ; 

 thus securing the uninterrupted possession of the remainder of 

 the grounds for park purposes. The northwesterly boundary 

 along Washington avenue, is perhaps defective, inasmuch as 

 that avenue does not cross the city blocks at a right angle, and 

 would thus prevent the lots on that portion of the park from 

 having a square front. The extension of the park to Olasson 

 or to Franklin avenue, or to a new avenue between those two, 

 would obviate this very serious objection, while at the same 

 time the topographical character of the ground in that direc- 



