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PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS 
 
 FOR. THE GROUNDS OF 
 
 The Buffalo Country C-lub 
 
 BUFFALO, N. Y. 
 
 REPORT OF 
 
 F. De Peyster Townsend and Bryant Fleming 
 Landscape^rchitects, Buffalo, N. Y. 
 
 SEPTEMBER, 1904 
 
REPORT ON PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT ON THE GROUNDS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 BUFFALO COUNTRY CLUB. 
 
 Original Purchase of Land. 
 
 CHE original purchase of land by the Club, comprising sev- 
 enty acres (more or less) was made in 1900. At the 
 request of the House and Grounds committee, Mr. Townsend 
 assisted in choosing a location for the club house, in determin- 
 ing upon the course of a road from Main street to the house 
 and in establishing grades in the immediate vicinity of 
 the buildings. 
 
 He was authorized to select and purchase, so far as pos- 
 sible at the Pan-American, planting material in sufficient 
 quantities to produce an attractive appearance over that 
 portion of the ground lying between the highway and the 
 northern front of the building, the purpose being to alter the 
 aspect of this area, from one of a neglected farm, to that of a 
 place under cultivation, observing with due care, certain 
 fundamental principles of landscape design. 
 
 It was desired to have the work in hand, as nearly com- 
 plete as possible, for an opening on Arbor Day, 1902. 
 
 The work of road building, as approved by the House and 
 Grounds committee, was commenced late in the autumn of 
 1901. At the earliest practicable time in the following spring 
 (1902) the work was taken up again, together with grading 
 and planting. Nineteen hundred and fifty (1950) sq. yds. of 
 macadam road was constructed, grading which involved the 
 
 s 
 
use of three thousand (3000) yards of earth for filling and six 
 hundred (600) yards for top dressing, the bulk of which 
 material was secured in grading for the road, was done. Planting 
 which necessitated the handling of three hundred and twenty 
 three (323) trees, four hundred and thirty five (435) flowering 
 shrubs, eight hundred and fifty (850) perennials, one thousand 
 (1000) hedge plants, one hundred and sixty seven (167) 
 conifers, eight hundred (800) sq. ft. of bedding, together with 
 approximately six thousand five hundred (6500) sq. yds. of 
 seeding, and seven hundred and fifty (750) sq. yds. of sodding, 
 was well on toward completion on Arbor Day, and was finished, 
 so far as superintendence was desired on the 30th day of May. 
 
 The ground under treatment had been considerably 
 improved, but owing to the desire to curtail expense, and 
 the uncertainty as to a plan of procedure, the work of 
 development was not carried further. 
 
 The Polo field, which, owing to an improper method of 
 grading and seeding, had failed to produce grass, had, under a 
 system of fertilization, become an expanse of green sward, and 
 by a system of drainage, certain wet portions of the golf links and 
 polo field had been relieved of a superabundance of moisture, 
 and the quality of the turf somewhat improved. 
 
 Additional Purchase of Land. 
 
 The purchase of additional property in 1 903 to the extent of 
 about one hundred and forty ( 1 40) acres, and the determination 
 to enlarge the Club House, necessitates certain changes in the 
 
treatment of the ground In the immediate vicinity of the house, 
 demands a different entrance from the main highway, and makes 
 the field for Landscape work in general, of much broader scope. 
 
 Location of House. 
 
 In producing a general plan for arrangement, it has been 
 taken for granted, that the decision to let the house remain in 
 its present location is final. As a site for the house under the 
 present conditions, the high land about midway on the Bailey 
 Avenue line, would be far preferable, as it is the view point for 
 the whole property ; would cause the least interference in the 
 matter of games ; is the quickest and easiest point to reach, 
 coming from any of the several ways of approach from the 
 city, and would permit of the most desirable exposures, so far 
 as the rooms of the House are concerned. 
 
 Present Road to Club House in Relation 
 to a New One. 
 
 In deciding the course of the present road, a strong 
 argument was advanced, that it should leave the Highway at 
 the nearest point of approach to the Club House. This argu- 
 ment led to the adoption of the road as against a straight 
 avenue, which was recommended, and was calculated to be 
 most effective from a Landscape point of view, beside being 
 more distinctly in keeping with the architecture of the house. 
 
 The same argument, more forceful today, is justified, 
 because of the added distance on Main Street, which makes 
 an approach from the corner of Main Street and Bailey 
 
 7 
 
Avenue, one of necessity. The distance now permits of a 
 grace of curve and breadth of treatment, which is distinctly 
 lacking in the original road. 
 
 'MifMiAvt.*^^''^ 
 
 A New Road of Approach. 
 
 This new road should have an entrance at the junction of 
 Main Street and Bailey Avenue, and carry in a long sweep to 
 
 8 
 
the oval in front of the Club House. No change need be made 
 in this oval or in the direction of the present road, leading as 
 far as the north stable entrance. This road could be opened 
 for traffic, as a turf or dirt drive, but the road bed should be 
 established on a proper gradient from Main Street to the oval, 
 in order to form a finished grade on either side, which need 
 not be disturbed when work on a permanent drive is undertaken^ 
 
 The treatment of the ground in the immediate vicinity of 
 the house is largely dependent on the plan of alterations. As 
 shown, it is, to a greater or less degree, designed to meet the 
 requirements of an enlarged house, as shown in the drawings 
 of Mr. George Gary. In its main features, such as the arbor 
 terminating in a garden on the east, the service yard, tennis 
 courts and stables on the west, it is essentially a treatment 
 which the style of the house demands, and should be incor- 
 porated in a final plan, at least in a modified form. The only 
 change of importance from present conditions, is the removal 
 of the garden, from which all material could be transferred 
 at a small cost. 
 
 In our plan, the stone house is made an integral part of 
 the stables, and could be used as a dwelling for a caretaker. 
 It is too near the stables at present, to be desirable for any 
 other purpose, and we have made ample provision in the plan 
 for cottages. 
 
 Observation Stand and Dressing Rooms. 
 
 A small pavilion, located midway on the west side of the 
 polo field, is designed to give housing facilities for polo and 
 golf players, and to serve the purpose of an observation stand 
 
 ■ 9 
 
for both polo field and golf links. The plan of arrangement 
 suggests a series of seats, looking toward the polo field, a roof 
 covered promenade, along the top, with a balcony overlooking 
 the golf course. This building can be drawn into the landscape, 
 and made less intrusive by careful planting in the near vicinity. 
 
 Cottage Sites. 
 
 The high land on Bailey Avenue must be considered from 
 every standpoint the best for the location of cottages. The 
 same reasons which have been advanced in its favor as a Club 
 House site, hold true in respect to cottages. On the plan they 
 are located so that they can be reached from the circuit 
 drive, making additional roads unnecessary. They are in near 
 proximity to the Club House, exposed to the prevailing breeze, 
 and command the finest views ; nor do they in any way interfere 
 with the proposed golf links. They can, by proper arrangement 
 of planting, be made to give as much seclusion as is desired. 
 The exact location of these cottages, their plans and the 
 arrangement of the grounds, as shown, are merely suggestions, 
 and call for special study, provided the general plan of arrange- 
 ment is adopted. 
 
 Circuit Drive or Bridle Patti. 
 
 A circuit drive through the border plantations, offers an 
 entrance to the Club grounds from all thoroughfares: Main 
 Street, two points ; Bailey Avenue, two points ; and Eggert 
 Street, one point. This path is intended to be in the nature of 
 a natural woods path, which would not require to be built or 
 maintained. Available for driving, riding, or walking, it would 
 
 10 
 
be in constant use, and in time would become a distinctive 
 attraction. The course of these roads has been governed to a 
 great extent, by the golf links. In no place do they encroach 
 on the space reserved for golf, except perhaps, in the one 
 leading from Eggert Street to the corner of the Pomeroy 
 property. The road here is made as narrow as possible, and 
 is bordered by one row of trees, which is already planted. 
 This road is, in our estimation, absolutely essential to a 
 successful general plan of arrangement. A short cut from a 
 point just south of the cottage sites, to the south stable 
 entrance, (shown in plan in dotted lines) is the only place 
 where a decided convenience to all Club members, seems to 
 justify crossing the open field. This more direct way of getting 
 to the Club House from the Bailey Avenue side, should be 
 adopted if possible, as completing the practicable arrangement 
 of roads. 
 
 Polo Field. 
 
 The polo field remains the same, a broad expanse of 
 lawn on axis of the house, being one of the best features 
 of the grounds. 
 
 Tennis Courts. 
 
 The Tennis Courts, two in number, are conveniently near 
 the house. In remodelling the stable sheds, a balcony, made 
 attractive with vines and flower boxes, could be included as a 
 place of observation. These courts would be sufficient for 
 present requirements, and when additional courts are needed, 
 a part of the land where the orchard now stands, can be 
 utilized. We would recommend that for the present, the 
 
 11 
 
orchard be allowed to stand and that any planting done to 
 replace this orchard, should take into account, the possible 
 need of more courts. 
 
 Children's Play Grounds. 
 
 We can suggest no better place for a children's play 
 ground, than where it is at present, in the gully under the apple 
 trees. In the course of time, if conditions required it, a space 
 in what is designed to be woodland at the south end of the 
 property, could be used and a proper shelter provided. 
 
 Such a place would also be available for picnics, but it 
 could not be considered desirable for either, until an effort has 
 been made to produce a forest growth, which will afford shade 
 and give the grounds a more natural aspect. 
 
 Small Lake or Pond. 
 
 To take the place of the ditch at the seventh (7th) hole, 
 we would propose a small body of water, answering the same 
 
 12 
 
purpose as a hazard, and having some merit as a water feature. 
 This can be obtained by modifying the outUnes of the shore, 
 while increasing the size and planting the banks with appropriate 
 shrubbery, thus giving an emphasis to the curves along its 
 boundaries. If the natural water supply were inadequate, it 
 could be kept sufficiently fresh, by an occasional flushing from 
 the water mains. A bridge of simple design, would span its 
 narrowest part, for the convenience of golfers. This pond 
 could be used for skating in the winter. 
 
 Wild Garden. 
 
 The rough ground of an excavation, or old quarry site, 
 almost directly west of the Club House and near Bailey 
 Avenue, could be used to advantage as a wild garden. Planted 
 with material, adapted to this purpose, it would add an interest- 
 ing feature along the circuit drive. 
 
 Grading, Etc. 
 
 The matter of cultivating, grading, and seeding the new 
 land, is one which is only indirectly concerned in the scheme 
 of treatment, for the natural undulations of the ground if 
 preserved, are all that could be desired. We observe that the 
 land has been thoroughly drained, but it is nevertheless in no 
 condition to be seeded down this autumn, as is demonstrated 
 by the texture of the soil, and the weedy growth now covering 
 it. In our judgment, all the new land, covered by golf links, 
 should be ploughed and harrowed, planted immediately to some 
 good soiling crop (as winter wheat), and at the earliest possible 
 
 13 
 
time in the spring, ploughed and harrowed again, and seeded 
 down. Under such treatment, it will produce a much more 
 turfy sod, than is found elsewhere on the ground. 
 
 Planting. 
 
 The planting suggested in the plan, may be separated into 
 two groups and five divisions, as follows : 
 
 Group 1 — Ornamental planting about the house, garden 
 and stable. 
 
 Group 2 — Tree and shrub planting. 
 
 Division 1 — Avenue trees along roads and lanes. 
 
 Division 2 — Border plantation of trees and shrubs. 
 
 Division 3 — Individual trees. 
 
 Division 4 — Groups of trees in the open. 
 
 Division 5 — Reforestation. 
 
 All the planting would have to be made the 
 
 Planting Around , . ^ , • , ^ j u . „ , 
 
 subject of special study, but generally speak- 
 ing, that around the house, designed to be of a 
 finer and more cultivated nature, would include smaller growing 
 ornamental trees, flowering shrubs, perennials and vines. 
 
 Avenue trees and those designed to shade the 
 Avenue Trees. 
 
 lanes, would be for the most part, elms, with 
 
 maples, lindens, etc., where they could be used consistently and 
 
 to advantage. 
 
 In the border plantation, a great variety of 
 
 „, , . tall and medium growing trees could be used 
 
 Plantations. 
 
 including oaks, hickory, beech, basswood, 
 
 and such coniferious trees as are known to be hardy. 
 
(here could be planted the poplars now on the ground). 
 
 This planting of trees should be supplemented for the most 
 
 part by small trees and shrubs, which are found in quantities 
 
 on the ground, such as Crataegus, cherry, cornus, willow, etc. 
 
 These copses and hedge rows as they exist. 
 
 Copses and , , , , 
 
 „ . „ should be thinned out so as to lose their 
 Hedge Rows. 
 
 identity as such, and the material used for 
 
 other planting. 
 
 These, if collected from the copses and 
 Material Found 
 
 „ , hedge rows, which should be modified in such 
 
 on Ground. ^ 
 
 a way as to be drawn into general border 
 plantations, would be found sufficient to make a very substan- 
 tial beginning of planting as proposed, beside affording an 
 endless stock of material for starting a nursury. 
 
 For groups of trees in the open, and 
 
 ..... . ' . individual specimens, the elm, oaks 
 
 Individual Specimens. 
 
 and maples, should be used principally. 
 
 All trees in groups, and individual trees (as on plan), are 
 
 located with regard to a sense of the beautiful in 
 Vistfls 
 
 nature, with regard to vistas formed, and with regard 
 
 to the importance of golf. 
 
 In the reforestation, proposed for the extreme south of the 
 
 grounds, a well selected mixture of all the 
 
 Reforestation. , _ u j • *u- u u i. 
 
 forest trees, hardy in this region, should be 
 
 planted with native forest .shrubs and trailing vines, as an under- 
 growth and ground cover. The required shrub growth could 
 be largely obtained on the ground (as above suggested). Here 
 eventually should be located a rustic summer house or shelter. 
 
 IS 
 
All avenue and boundary line trees are planted 
 Avenue and , , _, , , , , j , u 
 
 „ . _ forty feet apart. Those already planted (old 
 
 road of approach excepted) could be allowed 
 
 to remain, as they are making excellent growth. 
 
 All old trees now standing can be preserved, and in the case of 
 
 those which show signs of decay, immediate 
 
 Standing , , 
 
 „ steps should be taken to stimulate them, by prun- 
 
 ing, filling holes with cement, and cultivating the 
 ground at the roots. 
 
 The present orchard, north of the Club House, should be 
 preserved as long as possible, the trees being re- 
 placed as fast as they die, by ornamental trees, 
 following a certain well defined idea of planting. 
 
 Plans and Specifications. 
 
 The plan submitted, is in no sense to be considered a 
 working plan ; it is in the nature of a study, suggesting the 
 improvement of the property as a whole. A general plan, of 
 measured accuracy, based upon these suggestions, should be 
 adopted before any work is undertaken, and such expenditures 
 as are made by the Club on out door work, should be carried 
 on with such a general plan in mind, and under the advice of its 
 originators. In this way only, can the work of development, 
 be made one that will produce satisfactory results. In a broad 
 sense, such a plan as above outlined can be followed, but in 
 certain instances, as about the house and stables, gardens, 
 
 16 
 
cottage sites, water, entrances, etc., special plans and specifi- 
 cations, and experienced superintendence would be required. 
 The cost of the work, in part, or whole, can be figured with 
 
 "}Tmmrm:"' •■■■ ." 
 
 moderate accuracy, from such a general plan, and in the case 
 of special work, as above outlined, the necessary expenditure 
 could be made the subject of exact figures. 
 
 17 
 
Conclusion. 
 
 In conclusion, we would say, that this report is not intended 
 to be exhaustive in any degree, and is offered only as an explan- 
 ation of the plan, and as showing its designers' ideas in general 
 for the improvement of the property, along lines approved in 
 landscape design. 
 
 The members of the Country Club have only to consider 
 the development of their park system, to appreciate that 
 certain fundamental things are required, to bring about radical 
 betterments on open ground. First, an approved plan ; Second, 
 a dominating influence over the development of the plan, by 
 one whose authority is recognized ; Third, the proper expendi- 
 ture of funds ; Fourth, co-operation and patience. If these 
 conditions are met with by the gentlemen of the House and 
 Grounds committee, and the members of the Club in general, 
 results can be obtained which will serve to make the members 
 proud of their Club, as representing the best that nature and 
 art can produce, the grounds in themselves affording every 
 opportunity for most successful treatment. 
 Respectfully submitted, 
 
 TOWNSEND AND FLEMING. 
 September, 1904. 
 
Cornell University Library 
 NP 5125.T74 
 
 Proposed Improvements for the grounds of 
 
 3 1924 020 604 553