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Page 14, PHOENIX, May 9, 1974Prospect Park's Lost SplendorPark Slope resident George Guzzio displayed his excellent collection of historical postcards at the Greenwood Baptist Church last Sunday. With all the current reconstruction and renovation activity going on at Prospect Park, we bring to you this week a sampling of his postcards portraying Prospect Park in the days of yore, the days of lost Prospect Park.The collection displayed here brings to mind less hurried days, and a time when care and style were more highly valued. A Sunday might be profitably spent strolling along the waterway promenade with one%u2019s afianced. Or taking a carriage ride about the park, ending up at Michel%u2019s for a late afternoon libation. One could sit on a hillside and watch the shepherds tending to their herds, or walk through the gorge, perchance to come upon one of the deer which once inhabitied the park.But there%u2019s a sadder part to these ruminations. The postcards display some of the ancient buildings of the park, particularly the Dairy and the Farmhouse, which have long since been destroyed. The original intention of the OlmstedVaux design was to create a naturalistic setting, unmarred by pavillions and memoria, but even by the turn of the century, thisintention had been compromised. The original park buildings were of rustic design, with an organic relationship to the folliage emphasized. The stone Farmhouse and Dairy were examples of this; the only representative still standing from this period is the Vaux comfort station, which is currently being restored.Only later, with the classical revival, were the grand pavillions, such as the boathouse and the Tennis Pavillion, built. Though they are handsome buildings in their own right, and surely worth the attention they are now receiving, they were the first of many structures built at the park which compromised the original design intention.There were originally two water towers in Prospect Park. One was situated near the site of the Brooklyn Public Library, and the other (pictured here) within the park. There was once a resevior atop Mt. Prospect, the hill behind the Library, at a time when it wasn%u2019t necessary to import water from upstate.In the second and third decade of this century, the Prospect Park building boom really got underway. During this time the zoo was built, as were many of the older playgrounds and the bandshell.Most interesting of the structures constructed during this building riot was a full scale replica of Mount Vernon, which was put up for the Washington Bicentenary in 1932. Sears and Roebuck underwrote the expenses for this extravagance, which included formal gardens laid out according to Washington%u2019s own plans. Why our country%u2019s heritage required such a replica of a building that was still extant would be a question to pursue - but it%u2019s a moot point, for the replica was a thing of the past by World War 11.An historic monument now stands at the foot of Lookout Hill where Washington%u2019s troops reconnoitered for the Battle of Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Eagle postcard renders this site as a wild and wooly one, but note that while the landscaping has been changed, the main features of this scene are still visible today.Rich in history, rich in beauty, Prospect Park has been better protected from external excursion than its cousin in Manhattan. The renovation going on now will do much to bring back the splendor of earlier days, but one should keep in mind that the earliest days of the park, when the park was truly a rustic retreat, will never be recaptured.^OST PROSPECT PARK: (clockwise from upper right) The Water Tower, Farm House, Mount Vernon Replica, The Dairy, Sheep grazing (center). Postcards from the collection of George Guzzio.Mixed MallReactionsContinued From Page 2support it. It would affect Montague Street positively.%u201d (Baskin & Robbins%u2019 owner was not available for comment.)Chris of Mr. Souvlaki agrees: %u201cYes, I think a mall would be a good thing for the street. Truck deliveries would have to be worked out, but I%u2019m in favor of it.%u201dOf the three Montague Street residents interviewed by The PHOENIX, two were in favor and one felt more information was needed before a decision could be reached.Said Howard Zimmerman of 63 Montague, %u201c I am totally in favor of a mall idea. I believe it%u2019s desirable, feasible and necessary. It would be a boon to the merchants and to the community. It will make for a more livable, fun street. The most suitable location and hours would be between Court and Henry Streets from 12 to 3 p.m.%u201d%u201c In Copenhagen,%u201d he said, %u201c you can walk down pleasant streets free of traffic. Kids are outside, playing; merchants move their wares outside the shops. It%u2019s marvelous. If a mall can succeed anywhere in this borough, it%u2019s here. 1 think the residents are sensitive to this type of innovative change.%u201dJean Morrison is concerned about the mall's effect on business. %u201c The merchants%u2019 welfare would have to be considered in any mall proposal. I do not want to see anything happen that would be bad for their businesses. Of course I%u2019d love it if it were more quiet and pleasant on Montague, without horn-blowing cars. And if the street could be cleaned more efficiently, it would be good.%u201dBut another resident who asked not to be identified was more cautious: \%u2018It%u2019s a great idea.%u2019 The kids would be safe front traffic, etc. But how would it affect the stores? And would it bring a lot of outsiders into the neighborhood? These things must be discussed.%u201dBotanic Announc es Garden GuidesThe Brooklyn Botanic Garden has announced that applications are now being accepted for a pilot volunteer program called %u201c Garden G uides.%u201d After an intensive training program, these Garden Guides will provide tours of the grounds and greenhouse conservatory to school children from New York schools.Each year the Garden%u2019s professional instructors provide tours for about 15,000 school children. Many classes request tours, but the Botanic Garden cannot accommodate them with its limited staff. %u201cGarden Guides%u201d will extend the service of tours to many thousands of additional school children.The Garden%u2019s Instruction Department will train volunteers for all areas in which they will be involved. Knowledgable, dedicated people who relate well to children are invited to send an application to: Mrs. Daphne Drury, %u201c Volunteer Garden Guides%u201d , Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1000 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, N .Y . 11225.Hts. SANE Sets Talk On President%u201c The President%u2019s Power to Destroy the World%u201d will be the subject of a talk by John M. Wells at the Brooklyn Heights SANE Public Forum on Wednesday, May 15.Tn*. r * ----------- . . . u : %u201et_ c_____ : uI U C 1 V /1 U II1 , n iu v .1 1 I J n v - v , w a ilbegin at 8:30 p.m. and will include a question and answer period, to be followed by refreshments. It will be held at the First Unitarian Church, Monroe PL at Pierrepont St., Brooklyn Heights.Mr. Wells, an attorney, is a National Board member of SANE and co-authored the Wells Bill in Massachusetts. He is also minister of the Reston Community Church in Reston, Virginia..' C SUptjf Au%u00bb'(V, 0-e %u2019 %u25a0 ji________;_________ _ ____ (Jj