236 



FIEST COUXTY PAEK SYSTEM 



great central parkway of tlie corintv accessible to the mass 

 of people; indeed, it lias been freely claimed by some that 

 yon are ready to abandon that featnre of the parkway plans, 

 and that the avenue should be given over to commercial 

 traffic — in other words, to the trolley.'^ 



The letter then refers to the frecpiency and persistency 

 of these reports ; of the embarrassment of "the friends of the 

 parks to how ''the public at large, and, indeed, every one 

 (excepting possibly the trolley managers)/'" had long before 

 considered the parkway question ''definitely settled;'' and 

 adding that as "representing a large constituency"' the com- 

 mittee wished "to know at the earliest possible moment, 

 whether there has been any change in your board on this 

 question, and what position in the future interest of the 

 parks and parkways should, under the circumstances, be 

 taken also adding: 



"We are quite aware that the board has now no money 

 to use on the parkways. ATe equally appreciate the proposi- 

 tion that the park and parkway developments are of concern 

 now, and will be in all the future. "We are content with ten- 

 tative steps. You will get further appropriations, and the 

 plans already desired may be carried later. The avenues 

 can be held indefinitely if your position remains firm in 

 your adhesion to your own plans. 



"We have stated to you briefly the conditions, and write 

 thus frankly as we consider that yoti should know the facts, 

 and have confidence that you will meet the situation in a 

 way to warrant the continued support of all, who. like the 

 undersigned and the organizations we represent, have been 

 loyal to the county park and parkway project from its 

 inception. 



"Should one of your board, especially Mr. Shepard, ap- 

 pear before the East Orange City Council, reaffirming the 

 position of the commission as to parkways, and thus set at 

 rest the rumors and reports that are sapping public confi- 

 dence in the movement, it would have a most excellent 

 effect." 



The following, under date of April 3, 1902, was the reply : 



