PLAN FOR ESSEX COU^s^TY PAEKS 



13 



what could be done toward carrying the suggested project 

 into practicable effect. This was soon accomplished. 



In that brief conversation Mr. Ure then called my atten- 

 tion to the fact that the ISTewark board already had a 

 special Committee on Parks; that its report two years 

 before, although generally approved in the city, had not led 

 to any more practical results than had the earlier efforts 

 toward establishing a largor park ; that the Park Committee 

 and the Newark board would most willingly co-operate in 

 any feasible plan for a much needed park system ; and that 

 anything he could do individually or in behalf of the board 

 as president he would gladly do. Both in his bearing and 

 conversation, he was cordial, earnest, direct and practical. 

 Of all the men I had met since I had been a resident of 

 Essex County, no one with whom I had up to that time 

 discussed civic affairs had impressed me more favorably 

 than did Mr. Ure. His evident sincerity of purpose to have 

 something accomplished for the public good, solely for the 

 reason that it would be for the people's interest and for 

 civic betterment, was inspiring. The conversation was of 

 but perhaps ten minutes' duration. It has always been a 

 most agreeable recollection, leaving a strong impression on 

 my mind, and, as it now comes again vividly before me, I 

 feel impelled to pay this deserved tribute to Mr. lire's 

 memory. 



At a meeting of the Orange board a few days after the 

 conversation referred to, the proposition to meet with the 

 Park Committee of Newark was explained and fully ap- 

 proved, and a special committee was then appointed to 

 attend the proposed conference. This was the committee: 

 F. W. Kelsey, chairman; Frank W. Child, E. M. Condit, 

 J. H. Baldwin and J. S. Holmes. The committee at once 

 took up the subject of "formulating a suitable plan," and 

 by the time of the first meeting of the Newark and Orange 

 committees, held at the Board of Trade rooms in Newark, 

 on April 14, 1894, a definite and complete plan had been 

 agreed upon. 



In the meantime President Ure, who was also then pro- 



