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ing been swollen into a flood of unusual depth and power by very heavy rain storms, did, much damage, washing away a large section of the Park land with the fine plantation of trees and shrubbery adjacent to the dam. The dam withstood the force of the flood, owing to the repairs it received in the previous Spring. Usually at the time of year that the flood occurs, the dam is removed for the Winter.

To prevent a recurrence of another washout at this particular place, a large concrete wall has been constructed fifty feet in length and ten feet high, the bottom of which was sunk about eight inches in the bed-rock, and reinforced with one-inch square rods sunk four feet in the bed-rock at intervals of six feet. The sloping shore line from the top of the wall has been heavily riprapped with large stone and boulders.

The section of land and the plantations washed away will be restored again during the present year.

The expectation that a new iron fence would be erected along the north line of the Park on the side next to Seneca Street to replace the old wire one is evanescent. The appropriation for the same was cut out and we will have to do without it.

The addition of five electric lights in the Park last year have been so greatly appreciated by the public that we hope that more lights may soon be added.

As is well known to Your Honorable Body, there is nearly thirty acres of unimproved land on the easterly side of the Park. Several years ago plans for the improvement of this section of the Park were prepared by the Messrs. Olmsted, landscape architects, and accepted by the Park Commissioners, if we remember aright, and no effort has been made to secure an appropriation to improve this land.

We express the opinion that some action should be taken in the near future to secure money with which to

improve this piece of land according to the plans mentioned above and make this beautiful Park still more attractive.

During the latter part of the past year the manner in which the Lake has gradually been filling up with sediment and gravel for several years past has received serious consideration. A plan has been conceived for building three dikes to cut off the south channel (in which most of the accumulation has been deposited), using these same deposits to build the dikes, thereby cleaning and deepening the Lake to its original condition, and by the reason of the dikes, preventing the lake from again filling up, and by holding the water in the space, about eight acres, enclosed by the dikes to provide a skating pond in the winter season.

The money for this work is in sight and we feel quite sure that the work will be completed the coming year.

The general condition of this Park is good. Its roads and walks are excellent and are so by active care and attention.

The fine growth of its plantation is making this comparatively new Park more beautiful each year.

SOUTH PARK.

South Park, under the able direction of Prof. John F. Cowell, is much improved in condition and beauty. For details see report of Director Cowell.

HUMBOLDT PARK.

This important Park on the east side of the City is fast growing in favor with the residents of that section of the City.

Many improvements have been made and others are contemplated. Much of that work has been completed the past two years as the appropriations have.been supplied, and the work will be continued the coming year.

During the year just ended there were twenty Welsbach lights installed in the Park, making a total of fiftyone lamps and six electric are lights altogether.

The large fountain basin, one hundred and seventy-six feet in diameter, received a new concrete foundation.

The moulded granite top was removed in sections; the old brick foundations were dug out and a new substantian concrete foundation wall was built and raised one foot higher than the old wall. The massive granite coping was then replaced.

Upward of a thousand feet of new sewers and six new silt-basins with receivers were built, thereby adding to the effective drainage of the ground.

Preparation is being made to remove the large Bandstand from its present location in front of the Propagating houses to a new location in the large grove. The change will be made to make room for contemplated improvements in the topography of the Park, and to place the Band-stand in a place more in harmony with the landscape surroundings.

The new Propagating houses built about two years ago, are proving to be a success in supplying that section of the City with the necessary plants, etc.

Three of the entrances to the Park were improved by building new walks and changing the iron fences to better and more graceful lines; about two hundred feet of new iron fence was used in making the changes; one useless entrance was abandoned and closed up.

Upward of one thousand lineal feet of new granolithic walks eight feet wide were built in the Park the past year.

The roadways in the Park have been improved and kept in excellent condition by the application of oil.

Considerable new planting of trees and shrubbery was made and more is contemplated when certain pending changes in the topography of sections are finished.

the necessary repairs to buildings were made.

FRONT AND PROSPECT PARKS.

The Front Park has always been much favored by the public owing to its near vicinity to the Lake and Niagara River. Situated on high ground, the view is extensive over the river and lake.

The new Water-works now building will occupy a portion of the south end of the Park between the Erie Canal and the river, the works extending out in the harbor to the United States channel.

The buildings and the valve tower of the Water-works will be of ornamental architecture, and with the Park roadways and walks, and the plantations of trees, wil present a fine and effective appearance and will be an additional interesting feature to visitors.

Some improvements have been made to the sewer system, and more are intended to be made, the coming year. Porter Avenue bridge crossing the Erie Canal was painted and is in good condition.

A new Shelter-house and Lavatory of good size, and of fine architectural proportions and finish was erected and put in commission, in Prospect Park, during the past year.

The maintenance and care of the plantations and roads have been attended to and the general conditions are improved.

The large Band-stand was painted and some repairs. made on the buildings.

RIVERSIDE PARK.

Outside of maintenance of grounds and plantations and repairs of the buildings, few minor improvements were made.

In the early part of the year permission was granted by Your Honorable Body for the erection upon the Park

grounds of a range-light tower connected with the lighthouse system of the new Ship Canal now under course of construction by the United States Government.

The tower is of goodly proportions and its appearance is not unsightly. Around the tower trees and shrubs have been planted.

Arrangements are being made to rebuild the foot bridge crossing the canal to the river shore this present year.

One of the approaches to this Park is through Tonawanda Street which has been widened and paved with brick. This improvement will now give the public who desire to drive to this Park a fine smooth pavement, which has been much desired for a long time.

TERRACE PARK PLAYGROUNDS.

With the coming of each year the playground is more and more in demand. It is enjoyed by a large number of children.

Those in charge of the grounds are efficient and justly popular.

Some not very costly additions have been made to the apparatus and all the repairs have been made that were needed to keep it in first-class condition.

MASTEN PARK.

The work in this Park has consisted of the care of the grounds and plantations. No additions or improvements have been made.

This Park is finely located on high ground. The strip of land facing on Michigan Street, and running from Best to North Streets, if added to this Park, would be a great acquisition. The Park would then be bounded by a street on each of its four sides.

It is to be hoped that some action will be taken to secure this land and thereby make Masten Park complete

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