10 



FIRST COUXTY PARK SYSTEM 



Here in Essex Count}' the commendable efforts made by 

 public-spirited citizens to secure a park for Newark were 

 actively followed for four years — from 1867 to 1871 — ^but 

 without practical result, although the act of April 9, 1867, 

 created a preliminary commission of twenty-six members 

 to select and locate grounds for the purpose. From the 

 available records of that movement it appears that by the 

 selection of but one park in the northern portion of the 

 city, rival claims of other sections, especially from the 

 southern wards of the city, so complicated the situation as 

 to prevent further action either by the Legislature or by the 

 city authorities. 



The dedication by the Newark Aqueduct Board in De- 

 cember, 1889, of the city reservoir property for park uses 

 was a change of record and in name only, for nothing was 

 done to utilize that small tract for park purposes. Its con- 

 dition precluded this without some embellishment. 



The interesting report of the Newark Board of Trade 

 committee on parks for 1892 was apparently well received. 

 The initiative features for carrying the project into effect 

 were, however, wholly lacking, and the movement did not, 

 therefore, reach the legislative stage. Nor did it give 

 opportunity for division or objection from the different 

 localities where the opposition had been so pronounced 

 against the plan for a single and similar park location as 

 made by the commission of 1867. 



PLAN FOE ESSEX COUNTY PAEKS UNIQUE. 



The experience in the establishment of the Essex County 

 parks has been unique in the history of large public under- 

 takings. Unlike similar enterprises, no hindrances obtained 

 or objections were raised. The first recommendations were 

 in favor of direct application and early action, and were of 

 comprehensive scope, hence open to attack if disfavored by 

 press, party or public. The reverse condition prevailed. 

 So smoothly and rapidly did events culminate that but 

 comparatively few persons not directly interested appar- 

 ently appreciated the significance of the movement, or wliat 

 it meant for the future. Now that nearly twelve years 



