286 FIRST COUNTY PAEK SYSTEM 



mission on condition that the tract be improved and main- 

 tained as one of the county parks. The formal transfer 

 was made June 23, 1903. This tract, like the Watsessing 

 Pa.rk, is isolated from the other and larger parks and both 

 must remain in future, as now, local parks, outside of any 

 connective features of the county park system. 



PARK FOUNTAIN". 



One of the local attractions in Branch Brook Park is the 

 fountain in the old city reservoir. Its ccnstruction was 

 authorized June 30, 1903, "Not to cost more than $2,000.'' 

 The water is supplied from the Newark supply mains with- 

 out charge. The four-inch centre pipe throws the water 

 about fifty feet in height, and the circular outlets fill the 

 sides and diameter to a corresponding height and width. 

 The fountain in summer is always a most attractive fea- 

 ture. The same may be said of the boating in that park, of 

 the flower shows during the season, of the skating in winter ; 

 and of the band concerts in all the Newark parks and the 

 Orange Park during July and August, which have become 

 an established and popular feature each year. 



On May 23, 1904, an interesting event occurred in 

 Branch Brook Park in the unveiling of a bronze bust of 

 Mendelssohn, a gift from the United Singers of Newark. 



In 1902 two very im^portant matters, vitally affecting the 

 parks, were disposed of^ — the question of a maintenance 

 fund, and another million-dollar appropriation "for com- 

 pleting the parks." Up to that time there had been no 

 separate provision for maintenance, the cost having been 

 provided out of the available funds derived from the sale 

 of "park bonds." Three times — January 15, September 11 

 and November 26, 1901 — the commission had ordered pre- 

 pared by the counsel, for introduction into the Legislature, 

 a maintenance bill, but, with the usual delay and want of 

 attention, the matter was not attended to and it was Feb- 

 ruary, 1902, before the bill made its appearance in the 

 Senate at Trenton. 



The bill provided for a mandatory insertion by the free- 



