Project Details Page

synopsis

The linear layout of Riverside Park, running across a westward sloping 57 blocks, allowed Frederick Law Olmsted to design a promenade overlooking the Hudson River. His first proposal in 1873, called for the extension of the park’s eastern boundary in order to provide both a walking path and a driving road. Although his request was approved, conflict with the legislature halted all progress.

The linear layout of Riverside Park, running across a westward sloping 57 blocks, allowed Frederick Law Olmsted to design a promenade overlooking the Hudson River. His first proposal in 1873, called for the extension of the park’s eastern boundary in order to provide both a walking path and a driving road. Although his request was approved, conflict with the legislature halted all progress. In 1875 Olmsted approached the project for a second time. His revised proposal categorized the property into two sections – Riverside Avenue and Riverside Park. Olmsted’s plan called “for first, of a means of access to the property on its east side; second of a pleasure drive, commanding a fine view over the river, airy and shaded; third of a foot promenade, commanding the same view”. [FLO to HGStebbins_1875_Papers of FLO-v.7-p.109] Despite working on the project for four years, Olmsted was ultimately dissatisfied with the Park Commissioners management of the parks constructions, feelings he detailed in his article titled Review of New York City Park Department Policies in 1878. The park was expanded by Calvert Vaux and Samuel Parson Jr. in the early 1900s.

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