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synopsis

Correspondence ranging from 1896-1915 reveals that the Olmsted firms advised on Delaware Park improvements for several years in addition to the work covered under jobs 00702 and 00705. In an 1896 report to the Board of Park Commissioners, Frederick Law Olmsted debates the possible consequence of adding bike paths, asking “whether it is right to still further injure the scenery of the park

Correspondence ranging from 1896-1915 reveals that the Olmsted firms advised on Delaware Park improvements for several years in addition to the work covered under jobs 00702 and 00705. In an 1896 report to the Board of Park Commissioners, Frederick Law Olmsted debates the possible consequence of adding bike paths, asking “whether it is right to still further injure the scenery of the park by introducing a whole system of special roads for bicyclers, and whether the intrusion of the silent and somewhat dangerous wheel in those parts of the park especially set apart for the use of visitors on foot would not be contrary to the principle of the greatest good to the greatest number.” [FLO to Board of Comissioners_1896-05-02_LOC-OAR-B_00719-im.5] A letter to the Board from the Olmsted Brothers 19 years later suggests a thorough thinning of the trees to ensure favorable growth of the turf.

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