THE FIRST COUNTY PARK SYSTEM IN AMERICA—I 
By Frederick W. Kelsey* 
/ T V HE inauguration of a great system of public 
improvements is usually preceded by a general 
discussion, more or less public agitation, and some¬ 
times, in the effort to obtain the requisite legislation, 
by party divisions. 1 bis has been not infrequently 
the case in the selection and acquirement of lands for 
public parks, which, owing to the great cost usually 
involved, becomes at once an important factor within 
the community or the areas affected. 
The experience in the establishment of the Essex 
County, New Jersey, parks has been unique in the 
history of large public undertakings. Unlike similar 
enterprises, no hindrances obtained or objections 
were raised. The first recommendations were in 
favor of direct application and early action, and were 
of such comprehensive scope, that they were espec¬ 
ially open to attack by a disaffected press, party or 
public. As a matter of fact the reverse conditions 
prevailed. So smoothly and rapidly did events 
culminate that comparatively few persons not directly 
interested apparently appreciated the significance of 
the movement, or what it meant for the future. Now 
that nearly twelve years have elapsed since the 
inception of the enterprise, there are very many who 
know little as to the details of the original plans for 
the acquirement and development of the parks, and 
many more who know even less about the causes and 
conditions which have led to the present status of the 
county park movement. But the fact that this 
system has now cost more than $5,000,000 is con¬ 
clusive evidence of the generosity of the people in 
favoring the appropriations for a scheme, whose 
general principles they understood and approved. 
1 he comprehensive scope of the plan included a 
scheme or chain of parkways for the entire county, 
including Franklin parkway in the northeast and the 
South Mountain reservation on the southwest, with 
Montclair park on the northwest and the Weequahic 
reservation and East Side park, Newark, on the 
southeast. 
The legislative coast was apparently all clear for 
favorable action, all that was needed, therefore, was 
a concise, easily understood plan that would conserve 
and unify all interests. 
BRANCH BROOK PARK 
* Courtesy of the J. S. Ogilvie Publishing Company, 57 Rose Street, New York 
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