Plans for Parks in Manhattan, the Bronx, and staten island
One hundred years ago today … Francis D. Gallatin (Parks Commissioner, Manhattan and Staten Island), discussed big plans, including:
Draining the York Hill Receiving Reservoir in Central Park and replacing it with a meadow. (This eventually became the Great Lawn.)
Aerial view of Manhattan including Central Park. The York Hill receiving reservoir is the rectangular shaped body of water immediately south of the larger reservoir. Photo by the Keystone View Company ca.1920. Library of Congress.
Creating a pier in Riverside Park in the West 80s or 90s that would be suitable to greet dignitaries arriving at the City by water. (The Boat Basin was built instead, in 1937.)
Creating more parkland in Staten Island.
Ask Van Cortland Site (Followers of Harness Racing Want to Install A Half-Mile Track. January 13, 1920. The New York Times.
Building a harness racing track in Van Cortland Park, the Bronx
Read more from The New York Times , January 13th, 1920:
