DEPARTMENT OF PARKS. 21 



obtained at a cost of about two thousand, seven hundred 

 and fifty dollars. The cost of obtaining this water is a 

 mere nominal amount, the only real cost being the new engine 

 and pump. 



This extra amount of water distributed through the 

 Park and in the lakes would, undoubtedly be the best 

 means of purifying the stagnant waters now therein and 

 render them healthful resorts. 



As your custodians of this pleasure ground we deem it 

 our duty to call your attention to this matter, and, through 

 you, to the careful consideration of the public, that you and 

 they may be prepared to give aid and assistance in a matter 

 of so much importance to the health and beauty of the 

 Park. 



It is proposed to improve the Eastern Parkway, which in 

 its present condition is a menace to all local improvements, 

 and a disappointment to all its early projectors and friends, 

 and which now stretches in a long arid waste from the Plaza 

 of Prospect Park to City Line. Over two millions of dollars 

 were spent in the original improvement, with the hope of 

 making it one of the finest driveways in the country. 

 There was something radically wrong in the manner in 

 which the avenue was originally laid out, and after eighteen 

 years but few signs of improvement are on or about it. It 

 is hoped that legislation may be had the present session of 

 the Legislature, whereby the avenue may be improved and 

 made one of the most attractive in the world, and which 

 would consist in filling in the present centre roadway and 

 filling the same with top soil and planting with grass and 

 shrubs, and walks for pedestrians, and widening the side 

 drives on the north and south each ten feet. This would 

 give two fine drives, each thirty-five feet wide, one on the 

 north and the other on the south side, and form one con- 

 tinuous park in the centre for over three miles. 



Examples of this treatment of a Boulevard, on a limited 

 scale, are Eutaw street, Baltimore and Commonwealth 

 avenue, Boston, which have proved the most inviting and 



