178 FIRST COUNTY PARK SYSTEM 



In the discussions, however, favoring the reverse policy^ 

 the parkway subject was occasionally mentioned; but it was 

 not until the summer of 1896, after the commission had 

 been in existence more than a year, that the question came 

 up officially and directly before the board. At the meet- 

 ing, June 4, Commissioner Shepard brought up the East 

 Orange boulevard, or parkway project. A delegation from 

 East Orange had appeared on December 19 previous, and 

 urged that a local park or ^^speedway" be laid out within 

 the limits of that city. No action was then taken. 



August 25, 1896, I wrote Commissioner Peck that, com- 

 pared with the natural reservations of the (Massachusetts) 

 Metropolitan Park system, "We have still greater oppor- 

 tunities in Essex. A crest boulevard or parkway, as origi- 

 nally suggested by Mr. Haskell, with the mountain acquire- 

 ments already outlined, will give a feature of mountain 

 park attractions not excelled, if equaled, in any other large 

 parkway system so accessible to a great center of 

 population." 



On October 19 Commissioner Meeker introduced the 

 resolution which the parkway-avenue controversy has since 

 made historic. All the commissioners not being present, 

 the resolution was entered upon the minutes for future ac- 

 tion. On November 12 following, at a meeting held at 

 Commissioner Murphy's residence, the resolution was sec- 

 onded by Mr. Shepard, and was then, by unanimous vote, 

 passed. It was as follows : 



"Whereas, It appears to the Park Commission to be de- 

 sirable that the avenues hereinafter named should be under 

 the control of the commission as part of the S3^stem of parks 

 and parkways, 



"Resolved, That the counsel be directed to obtain, if pos- 

 sible, from the Board of Chosen Freeholders of the county 

 of Essex a transfer of the care, custody and control of 

 the avenues as hereinafter designated, to the Essex County 

 Park Commission ; as also from the other municipal cor- 

 porations in the county a transfer of the same, so far as 

 may be necessary, under the statute. The avenues now de- 



