. 



most sanguine anticipations of the Commissioners, who had the 

 satisfaction of receiving through an intelligent public press, as well 

 as, by the general voice of the people, a hearty approval of the 

 design which had been thus offered for criticism. No material 

 objection was made to any of its prominent features, although valu- 

 able suggestions were made, which the Commissioners have since 

 gladly availed themselves of; but the main question had been put, 

 and affirmatively decided, by an overwhelming majority. The 

 tired citizen had here evidently found, his beau-ideal of recreation 

 and refreshment ; the hopeful invalid, his coveted supply of balmy 

 air ; the successful man of business, his quiet afternoon drive ; and 

 the artist, the speedy gratification of his taste for the picturesque. 

 Even the landed proprietor found in it an immense addition to the 

 value of his surrounding acres ; the economist, an opportunity of 

 increasing the taxable property of the city, and the consequent 

 reduction of individual taxation ; while all classes saw clearly the 

 honor and the eclat which must inevitably result to our city from 

 the consummation of so noble an enterprise. 



The popular judgment was so obviously in unison with their 

 own opinion, as well as with that of their professional advisers, 

 that the Commissioners felt assured that the scheme thus adopted 

 was just what the occasion required, and they at once took meas- 

 ures to carry it forward to a full completion, with all the powers 

 entrusted to them. One portion of the plan, it will be remembered, 

 required an important change in the outlines originally fixed upon 

 for the boundaries of the Park, involving a considerable enlarge- 

 ment of the premises, both south and west. The dotted lines on 

 the progress map annexed to this report, will show the extension 

 made, and to be made, in these directions beyond the original Park 

 limits. Application was accordingly made to the Legislature to 

 authorize the proposed change, and a grant of about two hundred 

 and fifty acres of very desirable land was obtained. Commissioners 

 for valuing the same, and for awarding to the owners any damages 

 they may sustain by reason of the entry of the city thereupon, were 

 appointed by the Supreme Court, and have now nearly completed 

 their proceedings. 



The Commissioners, however, failed to obtain a portion of the 

 land referred to, consisting of twelve blocks of land between Ninth 

 and Tenth avenues, extending from Third to Fifteenth streets. A 

 o-lance at the map will confirm the suggestions made in the report 



