As one of the original designers of Prospect park, and as having been re-employed by you, presumably to assist in completing and perfecting the original design, I feel it my duty to record my professional opinion against changing the space intended to be devoted to a children’s playground into a rose-garden. In the written agreement made by you with the firm of Olmsted, Olmsted & Eliot it is agreed that no work affecting the landscape of the Park [930]shall be done without at least giving this firm opportunity to report upon the proposition. The scheme of the rose-garden was never definitely laid before us, and we have never reported upon it. I was consequently much surprised when I lately found the gravel area hitherto reserved for another purpose under a process of construction with a view to superseding this purpose. I am told and I read in the newspapers that you are further intending to introduce considerable architectural constructions into the dell which has been absurdly named the Vale of Cashmere. I beg leave to ask you to pause before making such a questionable departure from the established design of the park, and in pursuance of your contract with us, to permit us to examine your plans and to report thereon.

Yours respectfully,