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RUTGERS UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Lyrasis Members and Sloan Foundation
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SOUTH MOUNTAIN RESERVATION.
WEST
ORANGE
CALDWELL
EAGLE ROCK RESERVATION
SOUTH ORANGE
MONTCLAIR PARK
MONT CLAIR
ORANGE
COUNTY
WATSESSING PARK
EAST
ORANGE
CANAL
NOINN
WESTSIDE PARK
X
FRANKLIN
R
BEL
L
E
L
4
CANAL
1
BRANCH BROOK PARK.
E
1
PASSAIC
RIVER
WEEQUAHIC RESERVATION
CANAL
Acquired parks and park- ways in green. Parkways as originally proposed in brown. * Central Avenue. ** Park Avenue. *** East Orange Parkway. From "American Park Systems," Phila.
EASTSIDE PARK
MAP OF A PORTION OF
Z
ESSEX COUNTY, N.J. SHOWING EXISTING AND PROPOSED PARKLANDS
ORANGE PARK
BLOOM
FIELD
COUNTY
PASSAIC
K
A
L
17
THE
First County Park System.
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE
INCEPTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE ESSEX COUNTY PARKS OF NEW JERSEY.
BY
FREDERICK W. KELSEY, Vice-President of the Original Commission.
NEW YORK : J. S. OGILVIE PUBLISHING COMPANY, 57 ROSE STREET.
COPYRIGHT, 1905, BY FREDERICK W. KELSEY.
All Rights Reserved.
588671
CONTENTS
-
PAGE
FOREWORD
7
CHAPTER I.
PLAN FOR THE ESSEX COUNTY PARKS
9
CHAPTER II.
THE FIRST COMMISSION
24
CHAPTER III.
PRELIMINARY WORK COMPLETED
39
CHAPTER IV.
A CHANGE IN THE CURRENT
57
CHAPTER V.
QUESTIONS OF POLICY
74
CHAPTER VI.
THE FIRST $1,000,000
94
CHAPTER VII.
PARK SITES CHOSEN
114
CHAPTER VIII.
SELECTION OF ORANGE PARK
135
CHAPTER IX.
MORE BONDS AND "HIGH FINANCE "
143
3
4
CONTENTS CHAPTER X.
PAGE.
EXPERIENCES WITH COUNSEL.
156
CHAPTER XI.
A CHANGE OF COMMISSIONERS 164
CHAPTER XII. 1
THE PARKWAYS.
172
CHAPTER XIII.
CONTEST FOR PARKWAYS CONTINUED.
196
CHAPTER XIV.
GOOD CITIZENSHIP HELPLESS.
219
CHAPTER XV.
TOY OFFICIALS
242
CHAPTER XVI.
A LEGISLATIVE TRAVESTY
265
CHAPTER XVII.
ANOTHER MILLION DOLLAR APPROPRIATION
281
CHAPTER XVIII.
EXPERIENCES ELSEWHERE AND RECOMMENDATIONS . .. . 290
1
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE
MAP OF THE PARKS AND PROPOSED PARKWAYS OF ESSEX
COUNTY
Frontispiece
BROOKSIDE WALK, BRANCH BROOK PARK. 24
HEMLOCK FALLS, SOUTH MOUNTAIN RESERVATION
40
VIEW FROM RUSTIC BRIDGE, BRANCH BROOK PARK
72
SUMMER SCENE BY THE LAKE, BRANCH BROOK PARK.
94
ROAD IN EAGLE ROCK RESERVATION
118
THE DRIVEWAY, ORANGE PARK.
140
FORMAL GARDEN, BRANCH BROOK PARK.
172
1
CHILDREN'S WADING POOL, WEST SIDE PARK
196
ARBOR WALK, BRANCH BROOK PARK
232
A WILLOW BY THE LAKE.
264
FOUNTAIN, BRANCH BROOK PARK.
286
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7
FOREWORD
PARKS and playgrounds are commanding more and more attention. Their creation, care and maintenance have become one of the most important of municipal functions. The increasing interest of all classes in every urban com- munity accentuates the movement toward better and healthier conditions in, and contiguous to, the centers of population. American literature on this subject has thus far mainly considered effects rather than causes; results instead of methods.
In this volume, the intention of the author has been to correctly indicate, step by step, the moving forces and potential facts in the development of an extended and costly park system, one of the largest, and the initial county park system of this country.
The record begins at the beginning. It deals with the inception of the enterprise, the legislation creating it; and reflects the smooth course of progress until the blighting influence of special interests and of practical politics were injected into the undertaking. Events are reflected, as by a mirror, just as they occurred. The ten years covered by this history indicate a period of rapid development of parks and recreation grounds all over the country. The growth in expenditure for park areas and attractions here are typical
7
8
FOREWORD.
of most other rapidly growing communities. The general support everywhere given by the public, and the recent awakening for better civic and municipal conditions, augur well for the future. This increasing interest in New Jersey, as elsewhere, accounts for the publication of this volume. The first publication as a serial has called forth many expressions for the history in more permanent form. The generous words of commendation received have been grati- fying to the author, and have encouraged the publishers to comply with these requests.
In the concluding chapter, the experiences of other large public park undertakings, and the reasons for recommend- ing changes in the law and in park administration here, are noted.
3
FIRST COUNTY PARK SYSTEM
CHAPTER I.
PLAN FOR THE ESSEX COUNTY PARKS.
THE inauguration of a great system of public improve- ments is often preceded by general discussion, more or less public agitation, and sometimes by party divisions, in the efforts to obtain the requisite legislation. This 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.
In New York the discussion over a proposed "outer park" in 1851 resulted in a special session of the Legislature in July of that year and the authorization made for the city to locate the park on the East River, above Sixty-sixth street, and including the tract then known as St. John's Wood. Opposition to the project promptly developed, and the property was never acquired for park uses. Two years later, in 1853, a commission was created with authority to locate and acquire land above Fifty-ninth street for what is now Central Park. It was not, however, until three years afterward that the park received its name, and not until 1859 that the lines were extended to One Hundred and Tenth street, and that that park, which has since been so much to New York and to the country, was fully and firmly established. This history of Central Park has been repeated in many of its phases in nearly every large park undertaking where the parks have not been acquired by gift from individual owners.
9
10
FIRST COUNTY PARK SYSTEM
Here in Essex County the commendable efforts made by public-spirited citizens to secure a park for Newark were actively followed for four years-from 1867 to 1871-but without practical result, although the act of April 9, 1867, created a preliminary commission of twenty-six members to select and locate grounds for the purpose. From the available records of that movement it appears that by the selection of but one park in the northern portion of the city, rival claims of other sections, especially from the southern wards of the city, so complicated the situation as to prevent further action either by the Legislature or by the city authorities.
The dedication by the Newark Aqueduct Board in De- cember, 1889, of the city reservoir property for park uses was a change of record and in name only, for nothing was done to utilize that small tract for park purposes. Its con- dition precluded this without some embellishment.
The interesting report of the Newark Board of Trade committee on parks for 1892 was apparently well received. The initiative features for carrying the project into effect were, however, wholly lacking, and the movement did not, therefore, reach the legislative stage. Nor did it give opportunity for division or objection from the different localities where the opposition had been so pronounced against the plan for a single and similar park location as made by the commission of 1867.
PLAN FOR ESSEX COUNTY PARKS UNIQUE.
The experience in the establishment of the Essex County parks has been unique in the history of large public under- takings. 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 comprehensive scope, hence open to attack if disfavored by press, party or public. The reverse condition prevailed. So smoothly and rapidly did events culminate that but comparatively few persons not directly interested appar- ently appreciated the significance of the movement, or what it meant for the future. Now that nearly twelve years
11
PLAN FOR ESSEX COUNTY PARKS
have elapsed since the inception of the enterprise, there are very many who know little as to 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. This system has now cost more than $5,000,000-a fact which shows how generous the people have been in favoring the appropriations.
Many desire to know more about the formulative steps in the enterprise and the consecutive developments since. It fell to my lot to be one of those actively identified with the subject from the beginning. Requests at various times have been made that I write an account of what has oc- curred. With some reluctance I have acceded. To my mind the public is as fully entitled to all the available information regarding the early activities and events con- nected with the parks as they are to the fullest enjoyment of these pleasure grounds, purchased and improved at the taxpayers' expense.
It is, therefore, my purpose in this and in succeed- ing chapters to give some of the more important incidents connected with park developments in this county. As no consecutive account of the enterprise has yet been written, I shall devote some space to the inception of the movement, and to the basic principles upon which the structure of popular approval then rested; shall refer to the selection of commissioners ; and shall indicate some of the more impor- tant work of the first commission, appointed July 18, 1894.
Of subsequent events, such matters will be considered, as the change in the shaping of the enterprise, from the time of the appointment of the permanent commission in 1895; how that change came to be made; the location of the parks; the contest over the parkways; the corporate in- fluences that finally prevailed ; how the original plans have been changed and enlarged at greatly increased cost ; and a reflex of such other conditions as have a direct interest and potential bearing upon the subject-but always with fidelity to the facts.
-
12
FIRST COUNTY PARK SYSTEM
In thus adhering to the line of truth, I shall reproduce here and there letters and oral statements of those officially or directly concerned, adding, in this way, the element of personal touch and a present and live interest to the record.
For a number of years prior to 1893, I had given con- siderable attention to the development of the larger American and European parks, and had become firmly convinced of the needs and opportunities for a park system covering the interesting and varied topography of Essex County, with Newark as the central or radiating point.
On December 6, 1893, the Board of Trade of the Oranges adopted a resolution which I had presented to the meeting, urging "that legislation may obtain at an early date that will enable the growing communities in this portion of the State to provide a suitable system of parks and parkways," and authorizing copies of the resolution sent to "His ex- cellency, Governor Werts, also to the Senator and to the Assemblyman-elect from this district."
The resolutions were well received and favorably com- mented upon at the time. Very soon afterward, January 3, 1894, the first annual dinner of the board was given in the Music Hall building, Orange. Among the sixty or more guests present was President William A. Ure, of the Newark Board of Trade.
In responding to the toast, "Orange and Its Suburbs," I referred to the action that had previously been taken favor- ing a park system; described the wonderful views from Eagle Rock and other points on the crest of the Orange Mountain; noted that no such locations for public parks, with such views and overlooking such vast populations, were elsewhere available in this county, and brought out the desirability of immediate action. Later in the evening, in meeting then for the first time Mr. Ure, his generous and complimentary reference to my presentment of "the larger park project," as he termed it, led to the suggestion made at his office in Newark, a few days afterward, that the com- mittees of the two boards should "get together" and see
13
PLAN FOR ESSEX COUNTY PARKS
what could be done toward carrying the suggested project into practicable effect. This was soon accomplished.
In that brief conversation Mr. Ure then called my atten- tion to the fact that the Newark board already had a special Committee on Parks; that its report two years before, although generally approved in the city, had not led to any more practical results than had the earlier efforts toward establishing a larger park; that the Park Committee and the Newark board would most willingly co-operate in any feasible plan for a much needed park system; and that anything he could do individually or in behalf of the board as president he would gladly do. Both in his bearing and conversation, he was cordial, earnest, direct and practical. Of all the men I had met since I had been a resident of Essex County, no one with whom I had up to that time discussed civic affairs had impressed me more favorably than did Mr. Ure. His evident sincerity of purpose to have something accomplished for the public good, solely for the reason that it would be for the people's interest and for civic betterment, was inspiring. The conversation was of but perhaps ten minutes' duration. It has always been a most agreeable recollection, leaving a strong impression on my mind, and, as it now comes again vividly before me, I feel impelled to pay this deserved tribute to Mr. Ure's memory.
At a meeting of the Orange board a few days after the conversation referred to, the proposition to meet with the Park Committee of Newark was explained and fully ap- , proved, and a special committee was then appointed to attend the proposed conference. This was the committee : F. W. Kelsey, chairman; Frank W. Child, E. M. Condit, J. H. Baldwin and J. S. Holmes. - The committee at once took up the subject of "formulating a suitable plan," and by the time of the first meeting of the Newark and Orange committees, held at the Board of Trade rooms in Newark, on April 14, 1894, a definite and complete plan had been agreed upon.
In the meantime President Ure, who was also then pro-
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FIRST COUNTY PARK SYSTEM
prietor of The Sunday Call, had been active on lines looking toward immediate results. On January 21, 1894, the fol- lowing editorial appeared in The Call:
"The park question has been brought forward again by the Orange people, and we hope they will keep at it. The County of Essex is made up of cities and towns whose people are without opportunity to get near Nature or enjoy any open-air recreation, excepting on the public highways, or by trespassing upon private property. There is available for public park purposes at moderate expense the finest park site known near any Eastern city-the slope and crown of Orange Mountain. Delay will remove it from possible use as a park, for it is being rapidly occupied by residences. The appropriation of a suitable tract, at almost any point from Maplewood west to near Montclair, is now feasible, and it will not be so a dozen years hence."
STRONG SUPPORT FOR PROJECT.
This article indicated that at least one of the leading county papers would favor the movement, and with the two Board of Trade organizations actively interested in the work, there was every encouragment that strength and en- larged influences would be rapidly added from all portions of the county. This prediction was very soon verified, as the sequel of events will show.
In order to insure interest and co-operation in legislative circles, a copy of the resolutions which had been adopted by the Orange Board of Trade favoring a park system was sent to Senator George W. Ketcham, then the representa- tive of Essex County in the State Senate, to which, on March 31, 1894, he replied :
"Your communication of the twenty-fourth instant, en- closing resolutions relative to public parks, is duly received.
"The subject is a most important one, and has my sym- pathy. Some weeks since the New England Society sent a similar letter, and my suggestion was that Assemblyman"
15
PLAN FOR ESSEX COUNTY PARKS
Storrs, of the district covered by these natural parks, should formulate a bill, which could be supported in both Senate and House of Assembly. If your board will suggest some particulars, naming, for example, certain areas to be set apart, I shall take great pleasure in urging the matter upon the attention of the Legislature. The time seems to be propitious for a movement of this kind. I shall be glad of any suggestions which the Orange Board of Trade may be pleased to make."
The resolutions of the New England Society had been adopted at the March (1894) meeting, and, while favorable to the park project, did not outline any definite plan of procedure. The plan was not for certain mountain areas as was evidently in Senator Ketcham's mind, but rather for a comprehensive scheme of parks and parkways for the whole county. These responses, however, indicated that the legislative coast was apparently clear for favorable action there, and, therefore, all that was needed was a concise and readily understood plan that would not only unify all inter- ests throughout the county and districts more directly affected, but would also directly appeal to the Legislature, without the action of which no plan, even of the most at- tractive outline, could be carried out. With an appreciation of these underlying conditions, the Orange committee went quite exhaustively into the subject, as to how the desired results could best be accomplished.
The formulative plans and accompanying legislation of many established park systems were considered. The in- tent was to select the more desirable features of each, based upon practical experiences elsewhere, to simplify the most effective and practicable, and then to formulate a plan that would be in every way adaptable to the municipal, taxable and topographical conditions, and unified into one system for our "home county."
Our committee from Orange was, therefore, in a measure at least, prepared for the meeting of the joint committee on April 14, above mentioned, notices of the conference having
16
FIRST COUNTY PARK SYSTEM
been sent to each member of both committees April 12, 1894.
The committee from the Newark Board of Trade con- sisted of Messrs. Cyrus Peck, A. Q. Keasbey, J. S. Higbie, T. S. Henry, S. J. Meeker, S. S. Sargeant, E. S. Ward, J. E. Fleming, A. B. Twitchell, P. T. Quinn, Edward Schickhaus, G. W. Wiedenmayer and President William A. Ure, member ex-officio.
COUNTY PARKS' PLAN OUTLINED.
Most of the members of both committees were present at the meeting. Almost the sole topic discussed was what would be the most desirable plan for inaugurating the park movement. There was no dissenting voice as to the need of having something done, and that directly. The Orange committee, while having in mind its definite plan, stated that it would be glad to first consider any plan or suggestion from the Newark board, which represented a much larger district, and a very much larger and longer established membership. To this proposition came the response that they had no special suggestions to make at that time; that no action had been taken by them since the report of the committee of two days before; that they had understood the meeting then in session "had been called at the suggestion of the Orange committee;" and that they would therefore be glad to know what we had to suggest. As chairman of the Orange committee, I then proceeded to outline the plan as given below, stating that our committee were unanimous in favoring it; that it was, however, submitted in a tenta- tive way, for suggestion, for improvement or amendment, or such changes as might make the plan better serve the purpose which all desired should be accomplished.
The plan as outlined was heartily approved. Its present- ment in writing, and publication, was requested. A. Q. Keasbey and myself were then by resolution appointed as a sub-committee of two to prepare for prompt introduction
17
PLAN FOR ESSEX COUNTY PARKS
into the Legislature a bill drawn on the lines of the plan as presented.
After the meeting I wrote out, as requested, this plan. It was in the form of a letter addressed to the chairman of Committee on Parks of the Newark Board of Trade, and was dated April 16, 1894.
As this communication and plan soon became the founda- tion upon which the superstructure of the movement for a county park system and the favorable legislation that soon followed rested, the letter is here given in full. It is as follows :
"Agreeable to the understanding at our meeting Satur- day evening, fourteenth instant, I note below the principal features of the plan unanimously approved by all the mem- bers of both committees then present, as being the most feasible for establishing a system of parks and parkways :
"First-That action be taken by a special commission, authorized by legislative enactment applicable to Essex County.
"Second-That such commission be composed of five members appointed by the resident judge of the Supreme Court, and that an appropriation be provided by a direct charge upon the county for requisite expenses, surveys, plans, etc., the commissioners to serve without compesation.
"Third-That the commission be strictly non-partisan, its members selected for fitness, with the sole object of devising the very best scheme for a system of parks that is practicable for the entire district.
"The more we consider this plan the more simple, direct and effective it appears. It provides for immediate action. It admits of comprehensive treatment for the whole section from the Passaic River to the Second Mountain, without complications or delay incident to so many local governing bodies attempting to solve the problem. The method of appointment, free from political or speculative interference, should at once enlist the confidence and support of the com- munity favorable to the enterprise.
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FIRST COUNTY PARK SYSTEM
BENEFITS OF A PARK SYSTEM.
"A bill, simple in its provisions, providing for the carry- ing out of this plan, and affecting only counties of the first class, could hardly meet with reasonable objection in the Legislature. Every one recognizes that a well-devised pub- lic park system for this great Essex County population would be not only of great benefit and value to every local- ity, but of immense importance to the State as well. Every home in the entire section would be more attractive and valuable; every piece of property share in the improvement ; and the cost be largely or fully compensated in this way.
"Should your committee and board, upon further con- sideration, concur in the general plan stated, or suggest any other providing for similar results, we shall be happy to meet you again in conference at an early date with the view of arranging further details and the drafting of a bill that can be with confidence submitted to the Legislature and the people.
"Very truly yours, "FREDERICK W. KELSEY,
"Chairman Committee of Parks and Public Improvements of the Board of Trade of the Oranges."
The plan met with immediate popular approval. The leading papers favored it. Various civic organizations passed resolutions commending it, and public-spirited citi- zens in different portions of the county wrote personal letters favoring its prompt adoption.
There was no longer any doubt that the time had arrived for prompt action. When Mr. Keasbey and I met soon afterward to prepare the desired legislative bill, we were entirely agreed upon all but a single point. The plan as favored by the joint committee on April 14 was to provide by legislative enactment for a permanent commission, re- lying upon future legislation for authority to enlarge its needed powers and to provide the requisite appropriations. This conviction, I believe, was shared by all the members present at that meeting. In preparing the bill Mr. Keasbey
.
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PLAN FOR ESSEX COUNTY PARKS
expressed to me the view that in law it was "inconsistent to provide by legislation for a permanent board to perform a temporary act." As the duty of the commission first ap- pointed would be to map out and report on a plan for the park system, he contended that the term of authority and life of the commission should therefore be for a limited term only, and be provided for in the act itself. To this view I acceded, although some members of the committee felt that, owing to the uncertainties of future legislation, the provision for a permanent commission was preferable. On April 20, 1894, W. A. Ure expressed this view in a letter which I then received from him:
"Replying to yours of yesterday, I would say that the Park Commission plan you outline seems to meet all the requirements.
"As to making the commission permanent, I think that would be necessary in order to accomplish permanent bene- fit. At the outset, however, the joint committee, which is composed of gentlemen competent to consider the subject, might formulate a general plan to be submitted to the peo- ple of the county, the details of which, if ratified, to be afterward supervised and controlled by the commission."
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