REPORT ACCOMPANYING 



DESIGN FOR WASHINGTON PARK. 



To the President of the Board of Commissioners of Prospect 

 Park, Brooklyn : 



Sir : — In accordance with your instructions, we have prepared, 

 and herewith submit, a design for laying out the public square known 

 as Fort Greene, or Washington Park. 



The ground to be improved — over thirty acres in extent — is in 

 the heart of the city, and is mainly elevated above the adjoining 

 land. The rise in parts is so considerable that the surrounding 

 buildings are overlooked, and interesting views are commanded, 

 extending far up the East River, and down the Lower Bay. We 

 also find that even in the hottest weather of summer, and when the 

 air in the adjoining streets is disagreeably close, a refreshing 

 sea-breeze can often be enjoyed on the higher levels of Fort 

 Greene. 



Owing to the advantages it thus offers of fine prospect and pure 

 air, combined with extended and varied character of surface, the 

 ground suggests a more complete and interesting arrangement of 

 accommodation for popular recreation than can often be attempted 

 in the public squares of large towns ; and yet it is altogether too 

 restricted to be properly laid out as a park. 



The general treatment which will be likely to give those who 

 frequent the grounds, during the day, the greatest enjoyment, must 

 be of a somewhat rural character ; but it is undesirable, with refer- 

 ence to public morals and the general police of the city, that grounds 

 laid out in this way should be left open after dark, or that they 

 should be used for the assemblage of public meetings, the display 

 of fireworks, or for other incidental purposes which bring together 

 large crowds. 



Such public needs may be considered in the preparation of the 

 general design, but they must not be confused with the objects 



