79 



Through the liberal action of the .Mayor and Common Council, with 

 whom the idea originated, a tomb for the reception of the remains of 

 the " Prison-Ship Martyrs" is included in the design, and we have been 

 very desirous to give full emphasis to this important feature in the ar- 

 rangement of the general scheme of improvement. 



The hill-side between the Saluting Ground and the exterior of the 

 Meeting Ground seems to be the most appropriate position for the erec- 

 tion of the contemplated memorial, and we have, therefore, reserved at 

 this central point a site amply adequate, not only l'orthe structure itself, 

 but for the approaches and other accessories that will require to be con- 

 nected with a work of this character. 



The monument proposed to he placed over the tomb would thus be 

 at a short distance from the Meeting Ground below, and would be inac- 

 cessible to those occupying it whenever the Park gates were closed; 

 but it would he at all times a conspicuous object, and would be well 

 calculated, in connection with the other circumstances to which we 

 have alluded, to aid in establishing the real solemnity of the duty 

 which meetings ostensibly held for political and patriotic purposes 

 should always have in view. 



With the intention of securing to visitors an agreeable walk in the 

 immediate vicinity of the square, when the gates of the enclosure are 

 shut for the night, the adjoining sidewalks are proposed to beincreased 

 in width to 30 feet, and. to be planted with a double row of trees. 



Gates are provided at the various angles, and in the center of each 

 side. 



Special prominence is given to the angular approaches, and they are 

 enlarged and symmetrically planted with trees, so that they may pre- 

 sent a more agreeable effect to visitors entering the Park, and also offer 

 facilities for an easy turn in connection with the exterior sidewalks. 



The closure of Canton street, between Willoughby street and 

 DeKalb avenue, being now made permanent by a special Act of the 

 Legislature, one-half of the land that would have been taken up by 

 the street is included within the present boundaries of Washington 

 Park, while the other half belongs to the adjoining owners. The 

 fence, as at present constructed, is carried on a line with the centre of 

 Canton street ; but this is a very undesirable arrangement, as it en- 

 tirely spoils the two park entrances that should properly occur at the 

 points where the public thoroughfare is interrupted. Under these 

 circumstances, we have suggested, in our design, a modification of this 

 boundary line which will allow of the introduction of symmetrically 

 planned park gateways where they are needed, and at the same time 



