398 



improved land on the west side, in addition to the large re- 

 served section bordering on the east of the avenue, before they 

 will be allowed to touch any of the residue which shall in the 

 meantime have been sold by the Commissioners. 



With so complete a protection to the purchaser, independ- 

 ent of the city's covenant of indemnity to be embraced in the 

 conveyance, the Commissioners do not apprehend any difficulty 

 in making a fair sale of the property, after they shall have ma- 

 tured a plan for its improvement. Nor do they believe that so 

 unsubstantial and technical an objection will operate to the 

 prejudice of the sale in the estimation of any considerate person. 



In their last communication to the Common Council, the 

 Commissioners stated that they had reached the limit of expend- 

 iture authorized by law for park improvement, and that a 

 considerable portion of the park, mainly that which had re- 

 cently been acquired, yet remained to be improved. This sug- 

 gestion having been made to the Legislature, further facilities 

 were at once granted for carrying on the work by the passage 

 of an act authorizing an expenditure of five hundred thousand 

 dollars in each year, for four successive years. As soon as the 

 requisite municipal action could be obtained under this law, 

 and funds necessary for the purpose were secured, active opera- 

 tions on the park were resumed, and have since been vigorous- 

 ly prosecuted. But it was not until the season had advanced 

 far beyond the usual time for commencing spring work, that 

 the Commissioners were enabled to command sufficient means 

 to justify them in proceeding with the rapidity which had 

 hitherto characterized their movements. 



A large amount of work, however, has been done during 

 the year, and Prospect Park is fast verging to completion. 

 The coming season will, in all probability, see the lake, with 

 the entire drive around its margin, finished ; an ornamental, as 

 well as useful, shelter erected upon the carriage concourse ; 

 and an enlarged and much improved pedestrian concourse, with 

 seats, for the convenience of visitors, on the eastern side of the 

 lake. For a full detail of operations upon the several parks 

 under the charge of the Board, up to the close of the year, 

 with a description of several interesting works now in progress 

 thereon, reference is respectfully made to the subjoined reports 

 of our landscape architects and engineers. 



