DEPARTMENT OF PARKS. 77 



one, as the building of this mural wall and embankment is in 

 no way an experiment. It. has been accomplished at numerous 



points on the sea coast. Even if it were expensive, however, 

 the best and most permanent things are always in the end the 

 cheapest and most satisfactory. This Committee would most 

 earnestly urge that no time be lost in its completion. The 

 above result can be also obtained by piling up stone into 

 a massive shore protection, making what is known as rip-raps. 



This broad embankment, projecting well out to sea, would 

 be a favorite resort and the eight acres reclaimed would be 

 worth as much as the cost of the undertaking. 



The protections already alluded to would present two points 

 open to criticism. First, that they would destroy in a measure 

 the beach and the breakers; and second, that they would 

 to some extent obliterate the grand spectacle of a natural 

 ocean shore. 



The sea park could lie securely built by retreating inland 

 to a safe distance, thus allowing for all shif tings of the shore, 

 and at the same time high enough to be insured against 

 inundation. 



Inasmuch as the ocean front of the concourse grounds is 

 limited, it is therefore necessary, in order to the thorough 

 completion of any system of coast protection, that adjoining 

 property holders on either side of the concourse front should 

 co-operate with the city in the construction and carrying out 

 of such a system. 



The value of a sea side park to this great city, as a sani- 

 tarium and pleasure ground is too well known and admitted to 

 make it necessary for us to argue in its behalf. Brooklyn is 

 more than fortunate in her location, and has more advantages 

 than any other large city, the greatest of which is its close 

 proximity to the ocean and other water surroundings. Brook- 

 lyn ami San Francisco are the only two cities on this continent 

 that have sea parks. New York is ambitious in this direction 

 and feels proud that it has secured a site on the narrow part of 

 the Sound. In Europe Stockholm appears to be the only city 

 that has .1 sea park, and it of course is on an inland sea. 



