PARK AND CEMETERY. 183 
question without delay and in a comprehensive 
spirit. 
Washington Park comprises some ninety acres 
of land, very centrally located, and but for some 
private property breaking its outline at its north- 
west corner would be symmetrical. Of this ninety 
acres, sixty-five are in lawn and si.x in water. There 
are some six miles of walks and 3 miles of drive- 
ways. 
An examination of the map in connection with 
the references, will display a unique arrangement. 
Points ofpec liarinterest are notconfined to any par- 
ticular section, but are distributed so that all parts of 
tire park call for attention in their turn, affording 
a diversity of attraction, tending to distribute those 
enjoying its beauties, thus enhancing the refresh- 
ing ideas connected with beautiful natural surround- 
ings and prospects, and stimulating the desire for 
exercise. 
The active management of the Parks of Albany, 
is vested in standing committees, and the rules and 
regulations governing their use by the public while 
strict in the sense necessary to secure their best con- 
dition and maintenance are liberal in other re- 
spects. 
Art other than landscape art has not been ser- 
iously considered in Washington Park. There is 
however a fine statue of Robert Burns, by Charles 
Calverly, which was completed by the addition of 
the four bronze panels in the pedestal, April i, 1891. 
There is also a fountain, surmounted by a figure, 
“Moses Striking the Rock,” by J. Massey Rhind. 
' The references of the map give the location of these 
works of art, and it is needless to say that sur- 
roundings which they serve to adorn, emphasize 
their own merits. 
The structures about the park have been de- 
signed to harmonize with the general ideas con- 
nected with park work, and while being graceful are 
substantial and are maintained with the utmost 
care. 
The drinking fountain shelter is a structure of 
Moorish design; the superstructure is of wood 
erected upon a stone base. Its details are elabor- 
ately worked out, the dome and finial being gilded, 
and bright colors are used to carry out the effect. It 
is intended to form a cool restful seat about a foun- 
tain supplied with good cold water. 
The Refectory is a building erected for the con 
venience of visitors and for the supply of light re- 
freshment when required. In design it is of the 
Swiss Chalet style, constructed upon a substantial 
stone foundation with the roof of slate laid in parti- 
colors. The panelings of the sides and piazza 
ceilings are very elaborate. From the front piazza, 
looking east, a view of 1,400 feet opens up. 
The Lake House is a wooden structure upon 
brick piers, of pleasing architecture, designed both 
for a summer and winter building. It is sur- 
mounted by a band stand, and the grounds around 
can accommodate a large number of vehicles and 
masses of people. In the winter the building is in- 
closed, heated and opened to the public as a skat- 
ing house, and facilities afforded for that exercise. 
There are also shelter houses in other parts of 
the grounds, an excellent provision for comfort, and 
heartily appreciated. The park authorities have al- 
so made it possible for a fuller enjoyment of out 
door games, such as croquet, tennis, etc., by fur- 
nishing the principal necessities, and one cannot help 
thinking that the facilities for recreation coupled 
with fine landscape effects, opportunities for social 
enjoyment of a becoming and elevating character, 
all combined in this comparatively small area, and 
that without one feature detracting from another, 
is perhaps the prime factor in the popularity of 
Washington Park. 
After all the charm of Washington Park lies in 
its simplicity. There is nothing obtrusive anywhere, 
yet the most popular of park features have been 
introduced. The lawns are broad and excellently 
kept; the plantings of trees and shrubbery have 
been carried out to a certain extent in an ideal way. 
The aquatic garden is there, carefully improved. 
The tropical garden may be found as a special at- 
traction. The flower bed portion is not intended to 
astound by its obtrusiveness, but is quietly gay in 
its exuberance of coloring, and to crown the efforts 
of the authorities, two flower shows are held annu- 
ally, one of foliage and other plants in the summer 
and the crysanthemum show in the fall in the Lake 
House. These come in as popular park entertain- 
ment and are growing in importance. 
In reference to these displays, Mr.Wm. S. Eger- 
ton, in his report just issued says: “The exhibition 
of border plants, supplemented by special exhibits 
of specimen palms of many varieties, agaves, and 
tender stove plants utilized in some localities espec- 
ially adapted for their display, makes the exhibit 
in Washington Park somewhat exceptional in char- 
acter, and particularly attractive to plant lovers. 
“The midsummer exhibit of caladiums and other 
foliage plants was largely attended, at a season 
when many citizens are absent from the city. The 
exhibit gave striking proof of the fact that the love 
of color and form in foliage and plant life is as at- 
tractive to many as flowers.” 
The beauty and success of the Albany parks 
show care and study and the name of Mr. Wm. S. 
Egerton, Supt. of the Albany Parks, must be assoc- 
iated with them. He has been closely identified 
with their development from the earliest days. 
