New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-05-11

shanties, inhabited by squatters of the
lowest order This has been transformed
into most charming place of resort for
the people of New York. The rich and
poor have been made happy by the
change, and the adjoining lands, that
were almost worthless, have become of
immense value. Some of the handsomeS
and most costly residences of New York's
wealthy people are now located along
the lines of the Central Park and the
avenues leading to it.
Brooklyn is also profting by splendid
system of public parks. She has laid off
one overlooking the magnificent bay of
New York, that, for extent and beauty,
bids fair to rival the famous Central Park
of the great metropolis of our country.
Chicago is another city that under
stands the value and Importance of adopt
ing broad and liberal system of public
improvements. She has several hand
some public parks. The South Side Park
was authorized by the Illinois Legislature
in 1869. It comprises an area of one
thousand acres, is elegantly laid of, and
has several grand boulevards, or drives,
leading to and through it. This is located
in the southern part of Chicago. The
Legislature has also provided for the
building of three parks in the west di-
vision, of from one to two hundred acres
each, at a cost of $3.50, 900 EACH Lincoln
Park is one of Chicago's finest parks. 1t
is located in the northern division, on the
lake shore, and comprises about two hun
dred and thirty acres. The Riverside
Park, private enterprise, is very large,
embracing a tract of sixteen hundred
acres. 1t Is located on the Desplaines
river, about six miles from the city, in a
southwesterly direction. 1t was designed
to be interspersed with walks and drives,
groves, arbors, fountains, ETC., and the work
Vaux & Co., the architects of Central
Park, New York. The Riverside Park is
delightfully."- located, and it is supposed
will be the meaDs of causing the erection
of many stylish and costly suburban resi-
dences in its neighborhood by men of
wealth. Union Park is located in the
western division of Chicago. 1t is de-
scribed as beautiful enclosure of about
seventeen acres, upon which over fifty
thousand dollars have already been spent
in the way of ornamentation. This park
has done much to improve the surround
ing land, and make it valuable as the
abode of fashion and elegance.
Most of our large cities have adopted
system of public parks, yet but few have
gone into their construction so extern
sively as Chicago, whose people seem
wonderfully gifted with the spirit of
enterprise. Enterprise has made Chicago
what it is in comparatively short space
of time. In very few years it has
grown to be large and fourishing city.
In little more than twenty years the peo-
pie of Chicago have accomplished more
in the way of building city than is
usually done in century.
If New Orleans has slept in the past,
there is hope for her in the future. Her
people are just entering upon a system of
public works that, if thought of fifty years
ago and accomplished then, would have
had most beneficial effect on the growth
and prosperity of the city. If perfect
system of drainage and public parks had
then been instituted, and a system of
levees erected to protect the city
against inundation, its commercial
and sanitary condition would have
been in flourishing condition years
ago. The swamp lands lying be-
tween the city and the lake would have
been reclaimed and built upon, and city
extended to the lake. The
Fair Grounds and City Park-or the
ground known as, a city park-in that
event would now be the centre of the city
from the banks of the Missis-
sippi to the shores of Lake Pontchartrain,
and instead of a population less than two
hundred thousand souls, New Orleans
would have at least population of five
hundred thousand The same determine
ton that lifted Chicago out of the mud |
and water could do it for New Orleans. |
And may we not hope that we have men
among us who will commence and carry |
through the work that has been so long
neglected to the great detriment of our
city? The efficient drainage of this city
established the way would be clear for
system of public. parks that
would add to the health and comfort of
'ur people as well as beautify the city,
md improve the value of property.
The Legislature has made provision for
city park by the passage of law Great
ng fund for that purpose, and making
t the duty of the Governor to appoint
,ark commissioners. Governor Warmoth
las appointed on this commission Hon.
7. r. West, Judge H. G. Dibble, Hon.,P.
3. S. Pinchback, DIR. A. W. Smyth, and
)r. NJ. A. Southworth, into whose hands
he park will be confided.
TRUE CHARITY,