The amendments which have been referred to the Architect embrace two propositions: one to modify plan 33, and one to supersede that plan by another of an opposite character in its general conception and detailed effect.

It seems desirable to separate these two suggestions and to speak of them as distinct from each other, although it will prevent the exact order of the amendments as printed from being followed in this report.

The proposed modifications to plan 33 appear to be, in the first place, No. 3 and 4, 11, 12 and 17. “Strike out the sidewalks for pedestrians on either side the Drive,” “all paths for pedestrians,” “the ride around the reservoir,” “the flower garden,” “the music hall, arcade and casino.” To these propositions there is no objection, as they are omissions that will not interfere with the general construction of the Park, and may, perhaps, when the work is farther advanced, be considered and determined on to better advantage by the Commissioners.

5. “Truncate the angle formed by the Fifty-ninth street with Fifth and Eighth avenues.” The reasons for avoiding in plan 33 the truncated angles in these positions were: first, that it is difficult, if not impossible, to make a dignified architectural entrance on a short truncated angle. In planning a suburban country place of limited extent, occupying an angle of two cross-roads, the idea has been developed by the writer on a small scale with a good result; but it is not recommended as a desirable arrangement for the principal entrance to a large park, because it is thought that these gateways should be designed with reference to the general architectural lines of the other buildings on the streets in which they occur.

In the case of the Fifth avenue entrance, the ground suggests the course of drive proposed in plan 33, and the entrance is arranged accordingly, and is also so planned as to leave an ante-park or square outside the boundary in which carriages for hire may wait without obstruction to the thoroughfare. It is thought that many persons who do not keep carriages will be glad of an opportunity to drive in the Park at a moderate expense, and for this reason it has been proposed to introduce the vestibule or ante-park shown on the plan. A liberally arranged Fifth avenue entrance at Fifty-ninth street on the line proposed by amendment 5, would involve the necessity of a rapid descent into the low ground shown as a lake on plan 33, or this low ground would have to be filled up for a considerable distance at very great expense, and with disadvantage to the general lines of the scenery in this part of the Park.

On the corner of Eighth avenue, the intersection of Broadway, as [194] shown on the city map, cuts up the streets and avenues into so many irregular three-cornered odds and ends that it was thought advisable in plan 33 to avoid the angle altogether, and to enter the Park opposite Sixtieth street. In point of economical construction, it would be nearly as feasible to make the truncated angular Eighth avenue entrance as any other short of the entrance near Sixty-third street, proposed to the Special Committee and recommended in their report.

6. “Strike. out the cross-drive running north to the commencement of the promenade.” This would prevent a circuit drive through the Park, an advantage which it seems desirable to retain.

14. “Strike out the sunken transverse roads.” Experience on the Park is already constantly showing the necessity for some contrivance by which direct transit may be secured across the Park for the inhabitants of the adjoining parts of the island, and much dissatisfaction is expressed with the present arrangements, the nature of which the Architect can better explain verbally.

With regard to the necessity for cross-roads that shall not interfere with the Park drives at the point of intersection, and that shall be always open, lighted at night and under the control of the city, all that can be said is included in the report on plan 33, and the designers of that plan are aware of no argument for disregarding the necessities of the case as there presented, or they would endeavor to reply to it. With regard to the detail of construction of those roads, whether they shall at all points where it is practicable be carried somewhat below the surface, or whether they shall, except at the intersections, be made surface roads as far as possible, being separated from the Park only by iron railings, is a question to be decided by a specific examination of the various circumstances of each situation. A further survey, made since the recent action of the Commission adopting plan 33, shows the feasibility and, perhaps, desirability of carrying a considerable proportion of the cross-road above the Arsenal on a level with the general surface by a slight deviation from the course represented on the map.

It is difficult to understand what advantages are proposed to be gained by amendment 14, which proposes that “passage across the Park may be made, but not with such facility of grade and level as to invite passage for purposes of trade or traffic,” because such a cross-road is only called for by the necessities of trade or traffic, there being no possible objection to the introduction of pedestrians or private vehicles into any part of the Park.

With regard to the elevated wall proposed, it does not seem to offer any advantages over the plan of more easily concealed walls pertaining to the roads, indicated on plan 33.

Amendment number 16 proposes to strike out the designation for places for parade ground and play grounds. There are obvious advantages to be secured by the adoption of the proposition with regard to the parade ground. It is questionable, however, if the point of concentration for play, suggested in the lower part of the Park, should not be reserved and put in order as soon as possible; all [195] the other situations for play grounds may conveniently be left open for further consideration.

It is difficult to form a judgment on a design for laying out a large park without any illustrative plan and a careful examination of the site with special reference to the leading features supposed to be introduced. The new design roughly indicated in the amendments Nos. 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 13, 15, necessarily assumes, so far as the portion of the Park above the new Reservoir is concerned, an extension of the boundaries to One Hundred and Tenth street, and as this has not yet been surveyed or mapped, it is impossible to say what would be the best plan for its improvement. The addition of the extra length would lead to some alteration in any plan restricted to the present boundary lines. It is not necessary, however, to consider specifically the upper part of the Park, as proposed to be amended, as it seems to be a repetition, as far as practicable, of the conception for the lower Park.

The leading idea of the plan for the lower part of the Park is a straight promenade avenue from near Fifty-ninth street to the Reservoir, with entrances at Sixth and Seventh avenues. Two rows of trees of this length would unquestionably be a beautiful feature in itself, and the reason why the avenue on plan 33 is commenced and terminated at the points indicated, is because, in that situation and with the limitations there assigned to it, it will interfere but little with the present lines of the landscape; while, if extended in either direction, it will destroy scenery at great cost, which a few months’ labor may render far more refreshing and agreeable than the constructed avenue would be after a growth of fifty years.

The introduction of the suspension-bridge at the point indicated, merely for the sake of getting across the comparatively slight depression occupied by the lake, would, it is considered, have a forcibly artificial look that would be out of harmony with the present character of the scenery, which would consequently have to be demolished and made artificial so as to correspond with the new leading feature that is proposed by the fresh plan to bisect it. The wire bridge, with its towers, although doubtless intended to be of elegant design, would destroy the appearance of expanse and the breadth of effects which at present make this part of the Park so agreeable. If a more rapid and direct communication with Vista Rock is desired than is shown on plan 33, a light bridge can be at any time thrown across at as low a level as possible, between two points a little west of the line indicated by the amendment, but it was designedly omitted on the plan so that the hill to the south of the reservoir might always remain more retired and rural than the ornamental and highly-dressed grounds on the other portions of the site.

A simple and unartificial treatment with variety and some degree of intricacy, seems to be preferable in a City-Park to straight lines of trees or stately architecture. These belong not to parks for the people, but to palatial gardens. A tolerably direct continuous walk from the lower end of the Park around the two [196] reservoirs to the upper part of Bogardus Hill, if thought necessary to be introduced, can be at any time arranged without a sacrifice of the present scenery of the Park, or a division of the landscape into two parts by a prominent architectural structure crossing the ravine at Seventy-third street. This could be done in such a way as to avoid bringing the pedestrian in contact with the drives or rides.

The walk around the reservoirs is unobjectionable, but it seems undesirable to accept them as important objects for the walk, because they must always be disappointing. They are tanks or cisterns on a large scale, it is true, but perfectly comprehensible and uninteresting after one or two visits of examination. It is considered that they are unfortunately situated, because it is one great purpose of the Park to supply to the hundreds of thousands of tired workers, who have no opportunity to spend their summers in the country, a specimen of God’s handiwork that shall be to them, inexpensively, what a month or two in the White Mountains or the Adirondacks is, at great cost, to those in easier circumstances.

The time will come when New York will be built up, when all the grading and filling will be done, and when the picturesquely-varied, rocky formations of the Island will have been converted into foundations for rows of monotonous straight streets, and piles of erect, angular buildings. There will be no suggestion left of its present varied surface, with the single exception of the few acres contained in the Park. Then the priceless value of the present picturesque outlines of the ground will be more distinctly perceived, and its adaptability for its purpose more fully recognized. It therefore seems desirable to interfere with its easy, undulating outlines, and picturesque, rocky scenery as little as possible, and, on the other hand, to endeavor rapidly, and by every legitimate means, to increase and judiciously develop these particularly individual and characteristic sources of landscape effects.