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If wo now proceed to consider the two main divisions of the 

 Park separately, it will be found that the reservoir encroaches 

 seriously on the smaller section east of Flatbush avenue, and 

 really subdivides it again into two portions of somewhat insignif- 

 icant dimensions for park purposes. The Reservoir itself, although 

 very interesting as an engineering work, with its sloped bank and 

 formal lines, is not capable of being made a landscape attraction, 

 ami it must therefore be treated as a separate matter altogether. 

 Its upper level, however, commands extensive views in every 

 direction, and for this reason, if for no other, it is desirable to 

 retain it as a promenade for the enjoyment of visitors to the 

 Park. The larger subdivision, west of Flatbush avenue, is in 

 many respects well suited for its purposes, but the formation of 

 the ground is such that the eye naturally looks in the direction 

 of B. almost immediately after entering the Park domain at A. ; 

 and, as the boundary in this direction is soon reached, an appear- 

 ance of contraction and limitation is a necessary result. The 

 present outlines of this section include much that is interesting, but 

 they do not appear to contain any portion of ground that can be 

 readily converted into a skating pond of liberal dimensions, and this 

 is, I think, a serious disadvantage, for experience seems to show that 

 if sufficient skating facilities are provided, a park may in this latitude 

 be made as attractive to visitors in winter as in summer. 



The principal entrance to the Park will unquestionably be near 

 the point where Flatbush avenue is intersected by Vanderbilt and 

 Ninth avenues ; and it is evident that the approach in this direction 

 should be especially inviting and attractive. The present boundary 

 lines in this vicinity seem to me to be very awkward and irregular, 

 and I think it is hardly possible to retain them and at the same time 

 obtain a dignified general effect. 



Having for some time entertained these general views in regard 

 to your Park, I was glad to learn, when invited to look over the 

 property with you some few weeks since, that the subject of increas- 

 ing the dimensions of the site to the south and west had of late been 

 occupying the attention of your Board, and that a proposition to dis- 

 card the north-easterly section altogether might perhaps be favorably 

 entertained. It is without doubt highly desirable that the high 

 ground south of the present boundaries, which I then visited for the 

 first time with you, should be added to the Park domain ; for this 

 formation, known by the name of Vanderbilt Hill, is both interesting 

 in itself and it also commands a fine open view of the sea, which can 

 hardly be enjoyed so completely from any other spot in the vicinity. 

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