Minnesota weekly times., 1854-06-13
TUESDAY, JUNE l3, 1854.
PUBLIC PARKS.

PUBLIC PARKS.
The American people pay too little regard
those public improvements which in other cour
tries tend to attract the attention of stranger
and cause them to regret the want of such i
the land of their birth. We are emphatically
money-loving people, too much engrossed in tn
accumulation of wealth, too deeply absorbed i
the schemes of life to turn our attention to mat
ters of public character, and hence it will
observed that where new city or town, blesse
with the gifts of Nature, might have been mad
beautiful and attractive by little effort on tn
part of the inhabitants, they are generally left
an uncouth condition, which is the source Q
great regret in after years.
St. Paul occupies an enviable position. Loca
ted nearly hundred feet above the level Of tn
Mississippi, with a sufficient diversity of countr
and crystal springs to give it the charm of orien
tai beauty, it is destined to become favorit
resort for pleasure parties from the East. Besid
its commercial advantages it has other advanta
ges, the value of which are not fully appreciated
by our citizens. 1t will be the great focus, from
which will radiate the myriad of human beings
who, attracted hither by the invigorating proper
ties of our climate and the richness of our soil
will make St. Paul their rendezvous, away from
the suitry, s;ckly atmosphere of eastern ci
ties, reveling in the luxurious landscapes which
look smilingly down upon us from almost ever,
side.
In view of this fact, shall we not make som
cxertions to meet nature half way, and render oul
city ten-fold more attractive than it now is p
Shall we not turn our attention to the laying ou
and adorning of Public Parks? Will mo-
these Parks have great influence on the pros
perity of our city? These are questions of vita
will meet with a ready response Of eyes" from
our citizens.
We have already ground for three parks, but il
would require the acutencss of the s'wanderins
Jcw'' to tell where it is, unless posted up in tn.
matter. The first is north Of the Baptist church
in the lower part of the city, consisting of gu
feet square, donated by Geo. w. Harrington, Mai
Murphy, c. S. Whitney, (now of California; am
Robert Smith, of Alton, Ill. The situation is very
iine, and with little expense on the part of rea
estate owners in that neienSorhood, it could be
made delightful place. The Other square, do
mated by Messrs. Rice & Irvine, lies in front Of
the Methodist church, near the Baldwin school
almost in the heart of our city, and yet the fact
is so little known that even our citizens, as well
rs strangers, inquire if s'hose lots for sale.'
The third square, also donated by Messrs. Rice
Irvine, lies near the residences of the Messrs. Ell
felts, Rodney Parker, Ex-Gov. Ramsey and MIR.
Moss. This latter square is filled with trees OF a
few years. growth, and we are surprised that tn;
citizens have neglected it so long. The ground is
rolling and the situation is beautiful, being near
the Mississippi and in quiet part Of the town.
Now here we have ground for three lovely
Parks, and there is no earthly reason why these
parks should not be equal in beauty to any in oui
eastern cities. The soil is of such nature tn
rees and grass will flourish, while the pecul.a
formation of the land Will give the squares a
pleasing and romantic appearance.
"Wherc is your pubic square?" asked gen
tlcman Of Us few days ago, from New Haven
Connecticut, place celebrated for its beautiful
streets, shade trees and parks? ''Ilave you n,
public squarc:'' eyes, we have square, but !,
IS not yet laid OUT" 'sNot yet laid out ut!-what
with your enterprise, intelligence and refinement
n St. Paul, you have no public park laid out
planted with trees, and surrounded with a Eea
ailing?-why sir, am surprised. Tell your peo
pie that one year from this time st. Paul will b
il great place of resort in fact, sir, l think yo'
will have great rush the present summer, bul
ne year from this time thous inds upon thou
,;nds will visit your city and territory, and un
ier such circumstances you cannot TIL Of no
auch eneft public park will be to you. New
iIaven has realized thousands of dOlials direct.
from her public S iuare, and rather thin dispens
tn it tn citizens would Sc tn, city sunk. DO
impress upon your peop.e tn, necessity of car.
.ct.on relative TO yoar publ pie isurc g ound>.
''Will !ou please show me your pu 'lic squ,ne,
r:'' said gentleman from New York. &C"
ave none Sir, that is laid out" s'Iity, pi,
that city of so much natural beauty should
without public square. Why sir, wethink mo {
of our Paik and Battery in New York, than yo,.
nave any idea of, and even now the city is tlyin
20 buy land for upward of 100000, for the pu.
ose of laying out another parS. Pity sir, 70
ne no Pubic square,"
Such remarks are rather hum,,::ating, particu
arlv so when coming from strangers, but W.
trust that they VII be the mems of arousing !
u citizens to a consc business of the duty, and
hat the present summer will not pass withou,
ONE action being taken concerning our publ c
ks. =