Having been advised by you that the project of a reservoir had been fully adopted, to be situated on the meadow of the Smith property, originally intended to be included in your park, I prepared a study of an outline to the same such as I thought would best suit its necessarily close relations with the park, while fully meeting the requirements of the Water Works. This study I requested Mr. Picton to submit, as a basis of discussion to Mr. Lesage. Mr. Lesage, last week, wrote me expressing his satisfaction with my suggestion and stating that he had recommended its adoption and that it had been definitely adopted by the Water Works Committee. As it lies wholly within the property now held by your Commission, and as in determining its form I had in view a highly important feature of the Park, I shall expect, in due time to submit the whole project to your Board.

Its adoption will involve a change in the general theory of design for laying out all the upper part of the mountain. The element, which I have hitherto considered a very important one, of a piece of truly park-like ground, broad, simple, quiet and of a rich sylvan and pastoral character, forming a harmonious, natural foreground to the view over the Western valley and all in striking contrast to the ruggedness of the mountain proper, must be [207]

Plan by Olmsted for upper Mount Royal without reservoir, c. April 1876

[208]

Either by opening a broad road from the Reservoir to the Cote des Nieges road East of the Cemetery or by some other expedient yet to be devised, it will be necessary that the City guard strenuously against the erection of any building by which the view might be cut {off} or disturbed, which in that direction is so very lovely and distinct in character from all others to be enjoyed from the mountain.

I have proposed an outline to the reservoir adapted to admit of the construction about it of a grand promenade half a mile in length which will include driving, riding and walking ways, nearly level in grade. Accommodations of this class can thus be provided much better and at less expense than on the upper part of the mountain and, situated here, they will have several advantages, each of no little value.

First, as a place of social gathering, the locality will be a mile nearer the City than that previously proposed to be similarly used.

Second, it will be a safer place for the congregation of large numbers of carriages and horsemen.

Third, it will be available for its intended use with comfort earlier in the spring and later in the autumn, being sheltered from northerly winds.

{Fourth}, horses having had a mile less of up-{hill work} to do will reach it in fresher condition, {and} visitors will find it a pleasant relief to {turn} out upon its level course on their way to the “Crown of the Mountain.”

Fifth, the material excavated from the reservoir, and not required in the construction of the promenade around it, will materially help to mend the defects of the road from Bleury Street up the mountain.

Sixth, having provided a much more satisfactory course for horsemen than was previously practicable, there will be no need of constructing one in the upper part of the mountain, which will leave the latter a much safer place for the rambles of women and children.

Seventh, the addition at this point of a broad, level promenade drive, will justify a reduction of width, and the use of steeper grades and more frequent and rapid changes of course in the drive of the upper part of the mountain, the natural features of which will thus be less subject to injury, while the road will be more harmonious {and in}character with the scenery.

I shall as soon as practicable submit a plan presenting the whole project in definite form which I have little doubt will receive your approval. Inasmuch, however, as the introduction of the grand promenade will make little essential difference in the course of the circuit drive of the upper part of the mountain, which has already been surveyed in and which you have informally approved, I have given Mr Picton instructions for such modifications as will be desirable in the preparation of the working plan upon which, when [209]

Plan by Olmsted for reservoir and promenade in Glades section of Mount Royal, c. July 1876