, 1874-04-25
ruE EouTH PARKS

TILE 5oU1d E6HhSs
From the Start the South Park Commissioners
have had the advantage Of those on the West
Side in the authority given them to construct
the Grand boulevard This drive to the park
was in good order before the park Was much
more than an incloBure. It has been most
popular drive, and the public frequenting it have
seen tho park develop through every stage Of
its beauty The West Side Park Commissioners
have been valorously putting their time and
money into rark which, though almost ready
to be opened, has yet, practically, been seen by
nobody. The South Park is becoming very
beautiful, as we'll rs very convenient, pleasure
ground. The original plans for the park were
drafted By Meesrs Olms.cd d yauS, but their
execution Was wisely iutrusted to Chicago land
scape architect, who has made come material
changes for the better The results Of his taste
and thorough knowledge OF the principles It
in the charms of Dre1el boulevard. one OF tho
most delightful carriageways in America. The
boulevard is 200 feet wide and q mile and & half
in length. The original plan comprised .
central ornamental space 100 feet wide, arranged
with paths and grass-plots, and planted with
trees and shruboery, with driveway on each
side. Year before last, the drive on the east
side had been made, and a portion Of the pro-
posed ornamental ground in the centre had been
laid out according to the original design. but,
been improperly graded, and the attempt to &C.
cure permanent gTass-sward had been unsuc-
cessful. No trees had yet boen planted The
whole design has been rearranged. The cen
tral ornamental ground OF the Oro3el nouleTard
las been graded, laid out in nicely finished
graTel-paths, and planted irresular1y With trees
and shrubs for it's whole length: the surface
being covered with 1awu-graee or ornamented
with flowers displayed in brilllant masses, On
each side of these ornamental grounds there is
1,.n
4 large force Of men are now at Work IN differ
ent parts of the park. On its western aldo,
along the continuation of South Park avenue,
the underbrush has been cleared out, winding
for 8 little lake. It's area will be about an aero
of water, and its shape is graceful and pctur-
esoue. The earth taken from this has been used
for enriching the soil in other places. Near the
lake stands the old Bailey House, whose quaint
and picturesque architecture has been familiar
sight for many years on the old Vincennes road.
This will be- renovated, and is to be used 81
casino.
The details OF this work, and other park i'm
provements, have been entrusted to Mr. William
g. Berry, Superntendent.W who has managed them
with marked ability.
Land opposite the park, on South Park ave-
nue. has recently been sold for $500 per foot.
The trees on the west side OF the park have
been so a1tistically grouped and arranged thas
feature of this park lawn Of 100 acres Of
smooth TUT. Fifty acres have already been put
in grass, and the remainder has been spaded By
hand. leveled, and soHn with grass, which will
make GOOD sod before the season Is over.
Ir. Cleveland has had difficulty to contend
with in carrying out his plans which WAS not
met with on the West Size; that is the absence
Of soil. On each side Of the Grand boulevard is
q long GRASSY belt This. his predecessor failed
tn produce, the sand obstlnately refusing to sup
rD s,o4t snv sd. The bodE, which we're aat, have
beon rounded, thlckly. o1sslda With csy, shon