| The BPC practice for bridge design was to divide the work between engineers and architects while insisting that both parties worked in close collaboration. BPC engineer Arthur Hayden maintained that this approach ensured the best combination of engineering and aesthetics, observing that "scientific minds and artistic minds" were "rarely combined."(162) The parkway’s bridges were generally designed by staff engineers working in collaboration with consulting architects from the private sector. There were some exceptions to this policy. Independent engineer Guy Vroman, served as the consulting engineer for the viaducts at Broad Street and Woodland Place, while BPC landscape architect Gilmore Clarke provided the architectural treatments for several bridges. Park departments often contracted out bridge design and Downer reported that parkway staff appreciated their role in planning the bridges. A number of prominent architects and architectural firms collaborated with the BPC, including Charles W. Stoughton, Thomas Hastings (Carrere and Hastings), F. L. Hoppin (Hoppin and Koen), William A. Delano (Delano and Aldrich), and the firm of Palmer and Hornbostel. The commissioners insisted on formally studying, reviewing, and approving all bridge and structure designs. Architectural designs were reviewed at BPC meetings, where the commissioners often suggested revisions. In many cases, the commissioners decided that field inspections of the sites and plans were necessary. In several cases, commissioners requested that models be constructed so they could better understand the proposed designs. Delano’s innovative design for the Scarsdale Bridge was a subject of particular concern. The commissioners insisted on viewing a scale model before granting their approval. While the vehicular bridges garnered the most attention, twenty-one timber footbridges and one stone footbridge were also designed in the same manner.(163) Other parkway elements were also designed with a rustic appearance. When the BPC discovered that none of the available lighting standards harmonized with the naturalistic appearance of the parkway, it designed its own lighting standards using rustic cedar posts with natural bark. An underground wiring system was installed for the parkway lighting system to avoid the intrusion of overhead wires. Guardrails were built with locust posts and log rails. For dams, retaining walls, and river bank and slope protection, Merkel used rock work rather than concrete retaining walls.(164) The BPC’s Role in DesignCommissioners played a very active role in parkway development and landscape design. In 1914, the BPC directed Downer to determine the general location of the drive through the BRPR. The roadway was to be 40' wide, with a provision that it could be increased to 50' without undue injury to the surrounding topography or trees. By the end of the year, Downer reported that the general plan had been prepared, showing the approximate location of the drive and proposed river diversions. The plan, Downer reminded the commission, was very preliminary as the topographical surveys and maps had yet to be completed. Merkel was instructed to begin working on the landscape features for Sheet No. 1 (from Bronx Park to Gun Hill Road), where surveys were almost completed. He continued formulating a general plan for the rest of the parkway as well.(165) |
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| (162)Arthur
G. Hayden, "Two Parkway Bridges Planned by Engineer and Architect,"
Engineering News Record 95, no. 1: 16. |
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