CHAPTER XI
JANUARY 1882-MARCH 1882

This chapter marks the completion and publication of The Spoils of the Park, Olmsted’s parting shot concerning Central Park and his final effort to win support for its proper administration. The “Central Park Circular” that he wrote at this time to enlist testimony from qualified experts was never circulated. The final letter in the chapter, to his old friend Charles Loring Brace, reviews the effect of The Spoils of the Park and expresses his pleasure at living and working in the new setting of the Boston suburbs.

Other documents in the chapter describe important ongoing design work. The letter to John C. Phillips explains the importance of forest planting on his country estate and stresses the need to avoid “the ease of a costly commonplace result.” The report to Edward H. Rollins accompanies and explains a sketch-view of the U.S. Capitol with the proposed terraces as Olmsted strove to secure funding for their construction.

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