39 



been secured entirely with reference to the abandoned local-pleasure- 

 o-round scheme, and which was wholly undesirable to be regarded in 

 the new plan, would be disposed of in such a way as would most bene- 

 fit the city. 



The object in view in the whole arrangement being simply to secure 

 the best park possible under the circumstances, and at the same time 

 to guard, in every way against the unnecessary obstruction of import- 

 ant lines of communication through the city, it was evident that 

 the acquisition of the ground on Ninth and Franklin Avenues and the 

 abandonment of a large part of the ground on the east side of Flatbush 

 avenue, were alike logical and essential measures for the accomplish- 

 ment of this end. 



It was, however thought necessary to reserve so much of the ground on 

 the east side of Flatbush avenue as was required to prevent the erection 

 of private dwellings within two hundred and fifty feet of the basin of the 

 Reservoir, together with ample sites for any public institutions which 

 it might be desirable in the future to place in the vicinity of the Park, 

 care being taken that the latter should not stand in the way of the 

 most convenient possible street arrangements. The ground around 

 the Reservoir was designed to be laid out as a public garden ; not be- 

 cause it was wanted as an appendage to the Park, but because it was 

 a convenient way to protect the Reservoir from a too close apparent 

 proximity to possible private constructions which might suggest to vis- 

 itors the possibility of a pollution of its contents. By a foot bridge 

 over Flatbush Avenue, however, the garden was planned to serve the 

 purpose of a pleasant approach to the Park from Washington Avenue. 

 All this could be done without encroaching upon any desirable lines 

 of street communication. 



It will be observed that the advantages of the plan, as thus set forth, 

 are mainly found in conditions, the value of which will be palpable to 

 all, upon an examination of maps. The superior landscape capabili- 

 ties which we have claimed for the ground west of Flatbush Avenue, 

 may, however, be considered a matter of opinion . We shall therefore 

 attempt to briefly indicate a few of the main particulars in which the 

 Park, as now designed, appears to us to possess advantages in the 

 promise of scenery appropriate to its purpose, over any that would be 

 available in a park planned to be situated either wholly or in part on 

 the east side of the avenue. 



From many points of the drives, rides and walks, the eye will range 



