DEPARTMENT OF PARKS. 15 



noblest public works by insullicient appropriation. Valuable 

 work and costly structures have both been lost by' such a mis- 

 taken course. Such buildings will have to be rebuilt and 

 such, work all done over again. Nor is lliis all. The shape 

 and health of many of the trees have been so injured for the 

 want of timely care that they cannot be regained. The neglect 

 of the shrubbery for so long a time is particularly unfor- 

 tunate. 



Some very important things for the development of Pros- 

 pect Park were asked lor, but were not allowed by the Board 

 of Estimate, viz: the building of a bridge, started more than 

 fifteen years ago, over the middle channel of the Lullwater, 

 and the drive over it, connecting Breeze Hill, near the pedes- 

 trian concourse, with the west drive by the way of the well at 

 the head of the large lake. These improvements would have 

 been a great acquisition to the park, and should not be delayed 

 any longer to the driving public. They will be referred to and 

 recommended more in detail hereafter. Another item asked 

 for was a section of a commodious greenhouse, located aear 

 the new drive just alluded to, on wdiat is known as the penin- 

 sula between the large lake and Look Out Hill. The old 

 greenhouse is located close by the stables. It is in a very 

 unsuitable and inconvenient place for the public, beside being 

 in the last stages of decay. The amount asked for these con- 

 structions was #70,000. 



Lullwood Bridge, near the boat-house;, is in an unsafe condi- 

 tion, and a new one was asked for. We hope that this matter 

 will not be much longer delayed. 



ricnic ^Grounds (fin/ Ihcir issociations. 



Picnicking in a public park is peculiarly a Brooklyn 

 institution. No large city has given such encouragement to 

 private parties, schools, and Sunday-Schools, to enjoy a jaunt 

 in the w T oods or on the meadows of its parks, as Brooklyn has. 

 The pleasure of spending a day in the open air, with guar- 



