13^ 



FIEST COUXTY PABK SYSTEM 



arcliiteets of the first commission^ and tlie nnfavorable criti- 

 cism we have thus far received since tlie location lias been 

 nnder consideration, may not be correct and well founded. 

 If the selection be not judicions, the pnblic will soon find it 

 ont as they stndy these very conditions, and the whole 

 enterprise thus imperiled. 



'^The situation is complicated, too, by the action of the 

 traction people, the Pair Association, and the speculators in 

 the adjoining property. 



"As I read the signs of the times, the people are becoming 

 very suspicious of corporate control of boards transacting 

 public business, and this of itself makes the situation a deli- 

 cate one, both as to the avenue and the association property. 



"The natural park lands, such as the Xye property to 

 the north and west, also north of Clinton avenue toward the 

 West Xewark sites recommended, appear more desirable as 

 to location and parkable features, and come nearer meeting 

 the requirements of the petition we have received: also of 

 the park system. In those locations, too, the ratables would 

 be largely increased in every direction by park acquirement. 



"These conditions have never impressed me so forcibly as 

 they did to-day. l'h\ Peck will tell you of his own impres- 

 sions, and I believe they were on similar lines. 



"I wish to act most heartily with whatever is determined 

 upon as best by the majority of our board, but I feel that 

 this is a subject of great importance and should have very 

 careful consideration under the conditions as we now find 

 them. 



"I enclose clipping giving some data showing reasons 

 why our traction friends do not feel that they ^can afford' 

 to give up these valuable and available thoroughfares. 



"Sincerely yours, 



"Feed. W. Kelset.'' 



a serious question". 

 When the practical work of improving the Weequahic 

 reservation was taken up by the Park Board, in 1899-1900, 

 a serious question a-rose as to the treatment of the lake. In 



