, 1874-04-25
THE WEST SIDE PARKS.

LIZ " CS l. 6A0G TAhh6s
BY the middle OF June. the West Side Park
Commissioners will throw Central Park open to
the public. Ever since the weather permitted
out door work, large force Of men have boon
busily engaged in making new drives aud walks,
perfeoting those already under way, planting
trees and shrubs. and completing the tasteful
arrangements which will make this one Of the
most attractive resorts on the outskirts Of Chi
cago. Contractors are now hauling into the park
scores Of large trees. which arc to be plant
ed there. Until they are out Of the
way with their heavy teams. the
final touches cannot be given to the
drives and paths. A great variety OF trees have
been transplanted lnto the park, which threo
years ago was as bare Of foliage al an old-fash-
ioned prairie. White thorn, crab-apple, three
kinds OF elms, linden, oak, nsh, Aspen, birch,
acacia, and wild cherry trees are now growing
finely, together with an innumerable variety Of
shrubs and Towering plants. Since last Novem-
in Ccntrn. Park, 1893 in Humboldt, and 1858 in
Douglas Park. Two hundred European ash,
which were imported for the parks, wero killed
by tho severe frost of winter before last
Ono Of the features Of Central Park is lake,
q beautiful body OF water, surrounded by high
grassy banks, and bordcred with graveled
beach. It has numerous inlets aud bays, which
are spanned by rustic bridges, and skirted by
footpaths. In the Winter-time tho lake will be
q skating pond. Boats have been provided,
which will be kept in the water in tho GUNNER
time.
A plan has been proposed to the Commission
ers for stocking the ponds with fish, angling for
which will afford sport to visitors who have tho
piRcatorlal vice. Blood enough could be OBJ
tanned from tho s1aughter-houses to feed and
fatten any number Of fish, and moderate
charge in proportion to the weight of fish
caught would easily Keep the sport within
bounds. The Commissioners have not decided
whether to accept the suggestion.
Tho Fire Monument designed by Mr. Jenney,
the shaft OF which is to consist Of iron safes
rescued from the fire, is under way, and Will be
pushed up thirty feet this season.
Having made ready go fine pleasure-ground
Is the Central Park, the next problem is, How
are the people OF the West Side to reach
it There are certainly no worse roads in any
city OF its size in Christendom than those on tho
West Side beyond California avenue They
make the approach to the park practically no
thoroughfare:" West Madison and Lake are in
a better condition outside than inside the city
limits The former has been graded and
grareled by private enterprise as far as May
wood, but at the point where the juris~
diction OF the Board of Public Works
begins the good travelling ends. Western avenue,
constantly traversed by q large and important
traffic and passage, is almost lmpassable. There
is no road by which carriages or pedestrians can
approach Central Park eafely or pleasantly.
The money and the pains which hare been
spent here will be virtually thrown away if q
well-graded, l1-paYed street is not constructed
from the city to the park. Nothing but the con-
seut Of the Common Council now stands in the
way OF this needed Improvement Under an act
which went into effect last July, the West
Side Park Commissioners have designated Divis-
ion street, from Milwaukee avenue westward, Al
a boulevard to connect the city with that park;
Washington street from the Northwestern Rail
road crossng as boulevard to Central Park;
and Twelfth street to Ogden avenue. and thence
to the Douglas Park, rs boulevard to this last
park. An ordinance is now pending before the
Common Council authorizing the Commissioners
to proceed With the necessary improvements in
these streets. It will come up to-mor1ow for a
vote. The cost Of preparing tho streets for
travel will be met by special assessments.
The Commissioners will spend the full appro-
priatiou OF S100, 600 the parks this year. This
is done for the benefit Of the people, but it will
be done in vain. il q mistaken or niggard1y pol
icy leads the Common Council to reject or post
pone the ordinance for improving Division and
Washington streets in accordance with the plans
of the Park Commissioners. It is especially
ndeded that Washington street. leading to Cen
tral Park, should be made fit for public use. II
the Council give permission, the Commissioners
will do the work in thirty days.
The Board have let the contract for grading
the east 81 acres of Humboldt Park to be ready
for the planting Of next season. a large nursery
and conservatory are situated in Humboldt
Park, from which the other parks are supplied
with flowers, shrubs and trees.