The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-07-15
pIrnL1c GROUNDS.

Al Mr.. Gazette: Most oi the western eVie
d arc deficient 10 public grouads-wc 100
: only to the present--proprietors Of tow
: sites throughout the West, and 10 lac
i lhrouohout tho whole Union, have neglect
i ed 10 provide for the health, comfort an'
enjoyment Of poster,y. Whilst our cue
, are small we do not feel the Inconvenience
nd tho disadvantages Of having no iare'
md airy Parks, but as our cities extend, 2
Ill vacant space becomes built upon an
linhabited, then will we feel the necessil'
lpf public grounds where we can occasion
ally assemble and enjoy fresh air, unialn'
ed by the fumes and dust of a crowded city
This is a suhjee, worthy the serious con
sidera,ion of our sCity Fathers" and 9
every citizen, il is subject that shaa's
interest those that possess property adjt
cent to Davenport. Now is the time Il
secure to our city two or three large tracts
for public Parks; our city is rapidly extend
ling its Limits, and if VIC now Neglect L
provide public promenades by purchase o.
Idona;ion, The "slmighiy dollar" will induce
Us TO seize on every vacant space, on eve
rs hill and dale and appropriate them /,
individual purposes stores, dwellings
sheds and stables, will occupy all except
streets aud alleys, and we will be imprison
ed by high brick walls, amids, hen. and
dast, and be compelled TO breathe an an
healthy atmosphere. II you would observe
The contrast. yisi, St. Louis, spend few
hours in the crowded streets, then retire L
a pleasant garden and contrast your Ieei-
ngs when in the free and open air with
what they were when within the city
walls. a free circulation Of mir is ALSO
lutely necessary to the health man place
him where the air does not circulate freely
and YOU shorten his life.
Throughout, Europe, especially in Eng
land and France, although their territory
is limited, they have seen tie necessity ior
and have literally provided public walks
aud parks. The public grounds and ptl
vate gardens a Paris are famed ihroughoaI
The world. Their attractions have donr
more towards adding 10 he health, and the
wealth Of Paris, ihan ahy other enc cause.
The parks within Paris exceed in eAtcn, al
The public grounds combined within tht
limits OF 10 the siciaity Of any faar Of ouf
Atlantic Giles. The Champs Elysees sith
ils contiguous grounds covers one ,housan6
aefes, and the Garden Des Pantes. Lax
9iniboatg, and Champ do Mars, contain
over City acres each. Paris aas also ses-
eral other public parka, all Superior ano
lafger than The public grounds Of our cas-
tcrn cities. Regents park in London con
tains three hundred and fiiy acres, Veto.
fia park two hundred aud fifty acres. The
Pratar Of Vieana contains over ,hrec thou.
sand acres.
would propose that each Of the propri
etors Of property adjacent to Davenport
set of from iige TO twenty acres fur pubic
aremenades. Where two proprieiors jim
property larger park could DO made b.
parties uni'ing, and where four prcpcrt,
loders corner, if each would contribute
i've acres it would make a fair park oil
wenty acres. This am persuaded could
30 done without ono dollars loss 10 the do
lors. Now is the lime 10 oct; what say
hose that have the power Of doing an act
hat vii! be las.ing hlassing2 a dis
ance Of one, or one and onc-half miles
rom the center OF The city will mike but .
ritlipg difference; let each Of those adjnin-
ng the city donnte in quantity as their
public feelings may dictate, ahd extend out,
wards increasing in quantity as distance
tends 10 reduce The value. | would recon
mend uaiiy Of action en- this impnr,an,
subject. Dir. lie Claire has been quite
liberal in donating iwo blocks, but future
wants viii require more extensive public
grounds. More anon. ACE.