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FIEST COUOTY PARK SYSTEM 



inclined to let Mr. Shepard and myself, as more directly 

 f am-iliar with the local situation, "get together" first. This, 

 after months of earnest effort, it was found impossible to 

 do; Commissioner Shepard repeatedly declining to accom- 

 pany me in looking over the proposed site. 



The announcement of the final decision favorable to the 

 triangle park was everywhere most cordially received. All 

 the i^ewark newspapers, and others in the county, contained 

 commendatory references to the action. The Call of De- 

 cember 13, 1896, referred to the decision as one that will be 

 hailed with delight, and added : "It is within the scope of 

 the commission to make this park one of the garden spots 

 of the county." A prediction that has been amply verified 

 by results since. 



In 1898, largely through the interest of Commissioner 

 Bramhall, who had succeeded me as a member of the Park 

 Board in April, 1897, the lines of the park were extended 

 on the Central avenue side about 700 feet, and resulted in 

 making the park, together with the finishing improvements 

 inaugurated at that time, what it has since frequently been 

 called, "The gem of the Essex County park system." The 

 transition from the former swail and swamp conditions 

 there, to those of a completed park of unexcelled attract- 

 iveness, was as rapid as the effects, to the public were 

 gratifying. The low swamp portion of the tract is now a 

 beautiful English park-like meadow. The attractions are 

 greatly accentuated by the small lake of about one and a 

 half acres, and the beautiful specimens and groups of well 

 developed trees. The effective shrubbery borders, and rising 

 slopes on each side of the park, make an appropriate frame 

 to one of the most attractive and restful landscape pictures 

 that have resulted from modern park-making. The total 

 cost for the forty-eight acres of land and buildings, with 

 the expensive additions of 1898 included, has been $185,213, 

 and for all improvements about $115,000. 



