DEPARTMENT OF PARKS. 67 



with the heights beyond rising up in the distance. In full 

 view the noble Statue of Liberty stretches forth the hand of 

 welcome to the world, while the forts of Governor's Island 

 seem to nestle at her feet. The waters of the upper bay 

 glisten in the sunlight in front of Staten Island. The lower 

 bay is partially obscured by the beautiful arborescent growth 

 of Prospect Park. 



The view to the south in this enchanting kaleidoscopic 

 panorama is Coney Island, with the ocean in the background 

 and Platbush in the foreground. Tin 1 next to come in sight is 

 Rockaway's mammoth hotel, and to finish the circuit, the 

 whole of Jamaica Bay lies out in full view before us with the 

 beautiful Flatland scenery intervening. 



This commanding spot would make a most admirable site 

 for a world's fair. It is most time to have one, and Brooklyn 

 is the coolest and most suitable place in which to have it. 



Jlje Voncourse at Coney Island. 



This is an important subject. It has attracted considerable 

 attention and caused much comment during the past ten years. 

 It must necessarily continue to do so until it shall finally be 

 decided how the questions it proposes shall be settled. 



It has had much discussion during the year by the Park 

 Commissioners. The plan of improvement being carried on 

 there is to abate a nuisance by filling in a malarial marsh, thus 

 leaving a foundation on which, whatever improvements may be 

 decided upon as to its future development, may be readily 

 carried out. Whether or not to protect the beach from the 

 erosion or violent incursion of the waves, or to allow it to shift 

 its form at pleasure, is yet an open question. The policy of 

 several commissions has been to save it. This has now 

 become a matter of great urgency, as the recent tides have 

 made much more destructive inroads than for several years 

 past, until at last they threaten the entire east end of the con- 

 course lands, with all the hotel property lying between it and 

 the Manhattan Hotel. A natural tendency of the tides has 



