41 



from the ground on the opposite side of the avenue, and if to be im- 

 proved as proposed, could hardly be treated in any other than in a 

 comparatively small house-garden-like way. 



It has been thought that the distant prospect over the city to the 

 harbor from the grounds on the east side of Flatbush Avenue, was a 

 point of superiority ; that part of it, however, which is proposed to be 

 retained within the Eeservoir garden commands this view much better 

 than any other, so that this advantage is under any circumstances in- 

 tended to be secured to the city. In no other part of the ground, in 

 fact, is the distant view a consideration of any consequence, because 

 from no other part of the ground can the control of it be long retained. 

 As soon as the ground east of Flatbush Avenue, now being graded 

 for building, shall have been occupied, the present view will be quite 

 cut off. The distant outlooks from points now included in the Park 

 by the extension of the boundaries on the west side of Flatbush Ave- 

 nue are not only in our estimation far more valuable and suggestive as 

 accessories of the Park, but they are not in a position ever to be cut 

 off, or even seriously injured by the inevitable march of city 

 improvement. 



It has been proposed that the ground east of the Plaza, if not thought 

 desirable to be incorporated in the Park, should be laid out as a 

 parade ground, or as an Arboretum, or as a Botanic garden, or as a 

 Zoological garden, but the site possesses no evident natural fitness for 

 either one of these purposes. Even if it so happened that it offered 

 some advantages for either, and it should be thought best to associate 

 such a ground with the Park, a site should clearly be preferred which 

 promised incidental benefit to the Park scenery^ which this would not. 

 To show how such sites might be selected, we may refer to any of the 

 special districts which are not, strictly speaking, territorially a part of 

 the public park as now planned, but which, nevertheless, besides 

 serving a special purpose, constitute a real addition to its attractions. 



The ground assigned for a childrens' garden is, for instance, so 

 placed that no visitor will enter it except by special intention. Yet, 

 following the main park drive or walk on the East side, every visitor 

 in approaching its border will, almost immediately after passing the 

 entrance, be made to feel that he has plenty of room, all at once, on 

 both sides of him. The trees on the opposite border of the childrens' 

 ground being so placed as to shut out all inharmonious exterior ob- 

 jects, and yet so that no distinct limit to the rural country on the left 

 will be discernable. 



