| Merkel’s general parkway development plans were well underway by 1915. He noted that plans were developed section by section through "constant consultation" with the individual commissioners and Downer.(166) BPC meeting minutes confirm this and demonstrate that the commission was heavily involved in planning the parkway. BPC policy specified that the parkway drive location would be formally reviewed and approved by commissioners after field inspection. In 1915, the commissioners began considering the general layout for the drive and parkway. One of their earliest decisions was approving a proposal to use Bronx Boulevard as part of the parkway drive. Incorporating the boulevard into the parkway would save money and provide additional land. The commissioners made numerous inspections on their own or with Downer and/or Merkel to better assist in planning the parkway. To determine the appropriate width for the drive, Grant and Downer visited Central Park and measured its west drive above 80th Street. Though it was only 30' wide, they concluded, "this would be ample for the Bronx River Parkway for some time as the drive in Central Park was, of course, subject to very heavy traffic." Considerable discussion focused on the width of area boulevards, but a final decision on the width of the parkway drive was deferred so that Niles and Cannon could visit and further study existing drives in the New York metropolitan area. Downer also visited parkways in various other eastern states.(167) Throughout the course of parkway development, the commissioners toured various parkway sites and made numerous modifications to the plans. The location of the drive, as well as the design for every bridge and structure in the parkway was "formally studied and passed upon" by the commissioners. Many times, after plans were presented to the BPC, the commissioners deferred approval until they could make an "on the ground inspection." Cannon and Downer accompanied Merkel on a tour of the parkway between Bronxville and Bronx Park in 1915. Although they generally approved Merkel’s plan for this section, the BPC wanted to acquire another small plot of land in order to improve the road’s location near 233rd Street. After inspecting the White Plains area, the commissioners decided that both Hamilton Avenue and Main Street should be carried over the parkway drive by grade separations to avoid congestion. After considering the details of Merkel’s landscape proposals, the commissioners commented that the plans were "substantially" improved but suggested adding more paths to provide better access to the parkway from the Chatterton Hill area. They also ordered that the road north of Hamilton be relocated further east to allow for ample screening between the drive and Central Avenue. In the case of approving road layout or bridge design, the BPC would order the roadway staked out for its site inspection.(168) After Madison Grant made an inspection in 1916, he suggested that the drive should be moved 6' to the east to preserve trees in the area between Bronx Park and Gun Hill Road. Although the BPC reported it held 706 formal meetings, it did not enumerate how many inspection trips commissioners made over the parkway.(169) Meeting minutes confirm the numerous site-visits commissioners made over the parkway during the course of development and indicate they were hands-on participants in the design process. Commissioners toured the parkway by auto and on foot, often working on Saturdays. Grant was particularly active, inspecting the parkway alone, with other commissioners, and/or with Merkel and Downer. When he believed it necessary, Grant revisited the entire parkway, worked on Saturdays, and on occasion, walked the parkway in its entirety. In 1917, the BPC purchased a canoe for its own use, which was used to make inspection trips on the river.(170) |
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| (166)Bronx
Parkway Commission, Report, 1917, 61. |
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