DEPARTMENT OF PAKKS. 59 



siderablv more than a mile of drive-way, connecting almost 

 directly with the nearly six miles of carriage-road in Prospect 

 Park, with its three miles of bridle-path, and afterward with 

 the five and a half miles of the Ocean Parkway ; while between 

 two and three miles of footpath are also possible in the space 

 now in question, connecting as directly with the twelve miles 

 of footpath already established in the larger Park. In other 

 words, if the plan we propose shall be carried out, Prospect 

 Park, as it exists, will be practically expanded by the addition 

 of nearly one-fifth, not to its acreage, but to its roadway, foot- 

 way and bridle-path facilities, and to its charming lawn 

 expanses ; and all this without requiring any expenditure 

 except for the small piece of land outside the city limits — 

 which is not perhaps indispensable but is very desirable, as 

 furnishing the best communication with the Will ink entrance— 

 and for the shaping of the tract to its delightful popular uses. 

 If the land were not now in possession of the city, it certainly 

 could not be purchased for less than a million and a half of 

 dollars. If it had come to be occupied by houses, even to 

 some partial extent, it would be at this time wholly beyond 

 the reach of our treasury. As it is, the city has only to keep 

 it, and improve it, to make the most important and rewarding 

 addition to our Park area which has ever been suggested in 

 twenty -five years. 



It appears also to your Committee to be a matter of no 

 inconsiderable public interest that by retaining this tract of 

 land, and improving it as a public pleasure-ground, the city 

 will be able, if it shall hereafter decide to do so, to furnish 

 really superb sites for at least two or three public institu- 

 tions which it greatly needs, and by the establishment of 

 which its people will be instructed and gratified, and its good 

 reputation in the country be advanced. Undoubtedly, very 

 careful discrimination will need here to be exercised, since 

 no institutions of a private character ought, in the judgment 

 of your Committee, to be admitted into grounds owned, 

 and used by the city at large. But when a large Public Library 

 is established, free to all comers, which is certain, we think, to 



