4G8 



which the present organization of park enterprise subsists. By 

 this act, after considerable litigation and the adjustment of a 

 variety of connictory interests, it was agreed that the whole ques- 

 tion of the amount to be contributed by the parties specially ben- 

 efitted, as well as of the district of assessment within which that 

 amount was to be raised, should be left to the judgment of five 

 discreet commissioners to be appointed by the Supreme Court. 



Upon the basis of this compromise, all park lands have 

 been acquired by the City, and its bonds have been issued in 

 payment thereof. It is with reference to this general policy 

 that the park has been constructed, and that all persons have 

 been dealing who originally owned or who subsequently 

 purchased land in its vicinity. To disturb this compromise, 

 especially at this late date, would be as unwise as it is unjust, 

 and, if successful, must result, not only in a violation of good 

 faith with the City and its taxpayers, but in giving to a few 

 property owners ail the advantages to be derived from the 

 City's expenditure of millions of dollars, without any adequate 

 contribution on their part. 



Since the last report of the Board, the grading of the 

 Jamaica Park Way, that great arm of the park, which is 

 stretched out for nearly two and half miles to the eastward, 

 over what was formerly Sackett street, has been brought to 

 completion, and is now about to be curbed and guttered ac- 

 cording to the plan suggested in a former report. With respect 

 to their action in this matter, the Commissioners here deem 

 it proper to refer to an explanation formerly made by them ; 

 that at an early day it was felt to be desirable that some plan 

 should be adopted, both to improve the means of communica- 

 tion from a distance with the park, and to extend its influence 

 in increasing the attractiveness of the City, and thereby ad- 

 vancing the value of its real estate. But it was feared that, if 

 the Commissioners should adopt a plan for the purpose, and 

 themselves apply to the Legislature for authority to carry it out, 

 opposition growing out of competing local interests would prob- 

 ably defeat the project. There seemed to be no objection how- 

 ever to give the suggestion a practicable form, and, without 

 recommending any particular course of action, to lay it before 

 the public, and leave further proceedings to be determined by 

 future developments. 



