.% REPORT OF THE 



pleasure drive, although on a fine afternoon it is a favorite 

 resort for the notables of the town who own fast trottters. 

 The driving is increasing- at a very rapid rate. 



Throe-quarters of a million dollars were originally expended 

 in the construction of this drive. It is a graveled roadway 

 mixed with sandy loam, which makes a soft elastic course for 

 speeding horses. Property along the Ocean Parkway is 

 steadily appreciating in value, and with a seaside park at 

 Coney Island connected with Prospect Park by this great 

 thoroughfare it is not liable to decline. 



A large number of people much prefer this beautiful drive 

 out of the city, through the park, down the parkway to the 

 ocean, than to be whisked down in the ears and landed on the 

 beach in a dusty ride of about fifteen minutes. The day will 

 come when this great avenue of approach to the ocean will lie 

 all built up along its line with a fine class of hotels and 

 residences. The cost of maintenance is greatly increased in 

 view of the fact that it is not a concreted road. Its surface 

 has to be constantly watered in the summer and the thirsty 

 sand drinks up the water as fast as it is sprinkled upon it. 

 Some idea of the large number of gallons of water consumed 

 daily on this roadway may thus be gained. 



The bridge over Coney Island Creek on this highway is 

 rotten and in'a very dangerous condition. There should be a 

 new bridge built there, with iron girders, and stone butments. 

 The appropriation for the Ocean Parkway for the next year 

 is $15,000. 



Eastern 'Parkway. 



While naturally the main tide of travel will sweep down 

 Ocean Parkway to the sea, nevertheless there is, so far as the 

 geographical features are concerned, no comparison between 

 these two roadways. The Eastern Parkway, from the time 

 that it leaves Bedford avenue where the great crowd of car- 

 riages pours into it from the Eastern District, is an unfolding 

 series of splendid views as you rise higher and higher upon it. 

 There is nothing else like the views from this boulevard in 



