N.Y. Railroad Law § 201

§ 201. Construction of park railroads in cities having a population of\none million five hundred thousand or upwards. For the purpose of\nproviding for the more speedy transportation of persons across public\nparks in the cities within the state of New York having a population of\none million five hundred thousand or upwards it shall be lawful for the\nmunicipal authorities, officers, departments, or boards having control\nof such parks to construct railroads in and upon tunnels or roads or\nways depressed below the surface of said parks in such cities in this\nstate, and to extend the same east or west to connect with any surface\nrailroads in such cities, now in existence, and with railroads which\nhereafter may be built by companies now chartered and existing, and to\ncontract in the name of such cities, with any person or corporations for\nthe construction thereof, and for the equipment and running of the same\neither with or without public advertisement upon such terms and\nconditions, including the rates of fare to be charged to persons using\nsuch railroads, for such compensation to be paid to such cities, and\nsubject to such rules, regulations and requirements as may be determined\nupon in said contract, and as the department or board, or officer having\ncharge of said parks may, from time to time, thereafter establish or\nimpose.\n