32 REPOBT OP THE 



At the earlier period, when the greater part of the park con- 

 strue! ions had just been completed and were in good order and 

 required comparatively little attention, this fund was a fair 

 provision for the purpose for which it was intended by law. 



That this class of work lias not been more thoroughly done, 

 therefore, has been due to the double responsibilities which 

 have been imposed upon the Commissioners, to partially recon- 

 struct important portions of the park which could not be longer 

 left to deteriorate and at the same time make provision for a 

 greatly increased public use to which the parks have been 

 gradually, year bjr year, subjected. 



Our appropriations applicable to the maintenance of parks 

 aggregate $L35,000. Out of this is to be deducted about 

 $50,000 for the support of the keeper or police force, a service 

 quite essential in the scheme of caretaking and general super- 

 vision. As this fund is applicable to the care of all the parks, 

 widely distributed about the cit} r , viz. : Prospect park, Fort 

 Greene, Tompkins park, Carroll park, City park, City Hall, 

 the enclosure at the junction of Cumberland, Greene and 

 Fulton avenues, Washington, Atlantic and Underbill avenues, 

 Throop avenue andGwinett street, it is possibl}' quite apparent 

 that an average monthly expenditure of about $7,000 for labor, 

 supplies, &c, is a very moderate one. This monthly average 

 of $7,000 is really the minimum amount needed for the least 

 exacting month of the year, while the requirements of the 

 spring and summer mouths would properly involve in reason- 

 able expenditures the use of an amount two or three times as 

 much. 



With an increased appropriation a great many things can be 

 done from year to year by which not alone a satisfactory resto- 

 ration of many features of work can be brought about, but at 

 the same time the comfort and pleasure of our citizens still 

 further contributed to. The estimates which accompany the 

 report of your committee indicate the work to be done in this 

 connection and the amount of money that will be needed for 

 the purpose. 



