18 



FIRST COUNTY PARK SYSTEM 



BENEFITS OF A PARK SYSTEM. 



"A bill, simple in its provisions, providing for the carry- 

 ing out of this plan, and affecting only counties of the first 

 class, conld hardly meet with reasonable objection in the 

 Legislature. Every one recognizes that a well-devised pub- 

 lic park system for tliis great Essex County population 

 would be not only of great benefit and value to every local- 

 ity, but of immense importance to the State as well. Every 

 home in the entire section would be more attractive and 

 valuable ; every piece of property share in the improvement ; 

 and the cost be largely or fully compensated in this way. 



"Should your committee and board, upon further con- 

 sideration, concur in the general plan stated, or suggest any 

 other providing for similar results, we shall be happy to 

 meet you again in conference at an early date with the view 

 of arranging further details and the drafting of a bill that 

 can be with confidence submitted to the Legislature and 

 the people. 



"Very truly yours, 



"Frederick W. Kelsey, 

 "Chairman Committee of Parks and Public Improvements 

 of the Board of Trade of the Oranges.^' 



The plan met with immediate popular approval. The 

 leading papers favored it. Various civic organizations 

 passed resolutions commending it, and public-spirited citi- 

 zens in different portions of the county wrote personal 

 letters favoring its prompt adoption. 



There was no longer any doubt that the time had arrived 

 for prompt action. When Mr. Keasbey and I met soon 

 afterward to prepare the desired legislative bill, we were 

 entirely agreed upon all but a single point. The plan as 

 favored by the joint committee on April 14 was to provide 

 by legislative enactment for a permanent commission, re- 

 Ipng upon future legislation for authority to enlarge its 

 needed powers and to provide the requisite appropriations. 

 This conviction, I believe, was shared by all the members 

 present at that meeting. In preparing the bill Mr. Keasbey 



