32 



FIRST COUXTY PAEK SYSTEM 



committee of the boards after passing upon the various ap- 

 plicants, recommended Alonzo Church — the present secre- 

 tar}- — and he was appointed at the meeting of July 12, 

 1894. 



One of the first matters looking to results that was de- 

 cided by the commission, was as to the desirability of get- 

 ting in touch with the various governing bodies of the 

 county. It was felt that, not only was each locality entitled 

 to be heard regarding its preference or recommendations, 

 but that the board would be strengthened, and in many 

 ways assisted, by calling out the wishes and suggestions from 

 various parts of the county. It was agreed that the most 

 feasible and effectual way of doing this would be through a 

 communication addressed. directly to each of the local au- 

 thorities and associations interested in municipal improve- 

 ment. This plan was agreed upon, and on June 28, I was, 

 by resolution of the board, requested to prepare a letter from 

 the commission on the lines indicated. After referring to 

 the powers conferred by the Park act, and to Judge Depue's 

 selection of the commissioners, "two from Xewark, one from 

 Belleville, one from Orange, and one from South Orange,'' 

 the letter was as follows : 



THE C02IMISSI0X'S LETTER. 



"The outlining of a plan that will result in the greatest 

 good to the greatest number, by the most direct methods 

 and at the least cost, necessitates wide research, and the 

 fullest suggestions as to localities and their availability. 

 To these ends, and in the spirit indicated by the law, and 

 the court, we invite your co-operation in according fair 

 consideration to every portion of the district. 



"That the prompt location and acquirement of a compre- 

 hensive system of parks in this county is desirable, if not 

 imperative, for the health and prosperity of the people, ap- 

 pears to be generally admitted. Indeed, that this commun- 

 ity^ is belated in this important public improvement is quite 

 too apparent. 



