, 1876-10-08
THE APPROACHES TO THE SOUTH PARKS.
70 fhe Editor Qf The Tribune.

TO tbs Editor U IRE 1f7ou7e.
CHICAGO, Oct. For several years, and
especially during the past season, the streets
leading to the South Parks have been in such
bad condition as to detract greatly from the
pleasure Of the drive and sensib1y lessen the
number of vehicles.
This seems the more unreasonable because
the great burden Of the expense Of the purchase
Of the park property and its improvement has
been borne by the citizens OF the South Side.
OF the first $500, coo paid in, the Towns OF Lake
and HYDE Park contributed only S30,0o0 or 10
!. pcr cent, the balance having come from city
property-owners So that it is not simply a
question Of expcdiency, but right to which the
people are entitled, and which they should e1-
ercise without delay
The improvement by the Park Commission
ers OF any one Of the important avenues leading
to the boulevards (which By them and the
property-owpcrs might be agreed upon) could
not but very materially and 1aVorably Affect the
value Of the property along such street. Inc
natural approach to the park seems to be ny
the way OF Michigan avenue to Ihirt5-ht
street, thence east TO the Grand Parkway; but
Prairie avenue from Sixteenth, or Calumet ave-
nue. from Twentieth, pr South Park avenue
from Twenty-se:oud, could be made available
for the purpose The great advantage -
property-owncrs would be that the expense OF
A@1"
wholly, from the general fund, and not By
| particular special assessment upon the property
| benefited. While the Improvement OF the road
| way Of the avenue selected would be the
| first necessity. general plan u uniform trees,
| sidewalks, etc. could lie entertained and put
| into process of completion 50 last as the
wishes Of the property-owners aud the ability Of
| the Park Commissioners would permit. In an
| arrangement Of this character, 1t would per-
I haps be necessary to give to the Commissioners
| tue police surveillance Of the avenue selected,
in 50 far as the disuse Of the street by heavy
| teamB is concerned, save in such cascs as tile
| particular needs Of residents thereon might re-
quire.
of the city Of the parks and tie main depend
| cnce upon strcct-cars Of those not able to u6c
| private conyeyauccs, has kept the mass OF our
people in Ignorance of the @ vast 7n amount ,t5 Of
consequently has deprived them Of the enjoy
| ment which the enterprise was Intended -
afford; but it can readily be seen that the COP
| troll Of the avenue connecting with tue boule-
place their phaetons at the disposal Of the resi-
dents Of the city without Inconvenience TO tAcIn'
! and. If the entire tour Of the parks could De
made in these delightful conreyances at an e1-
pense of not more than twenty-five cents ior
each passengeT tne teal eoss osnsus secre "
The harmony Of the entire scheme laid; out
in the organization of this work would DC
reached If, in the event Of tue erection Lz Of
Union Depot on the ground which tue Com
mon Council has recently decided to scli,
Michigan avenue, commencing. at Monroe,
should be made the great artery leading to the
marks. It needs no stretch Of the imagination
10 picture the result which would follow the
dedication Of this thoroughfara to that purpose,
with an elegant driveway, and ult nateIy sys-
TEN Of improvements in unison with tne entue
scope Of this park enterprise. The matter Is
within immediate reach. II Michigan avenue
WIS to be used as indicated: next spring would
see the street available and in fine condition )
# the other avenues named we're seeSted, m9re
time would perhaps be required. The Initial
stems would NECESSARILY be taken by properly
owaers. While it is matter which comes PROD
erly within the province and duty Of
the South Park Commission, yet tne
work which they have already commenced
would M doubtless keep oil Of their available re-
sources employed for years to come. It's, now
ever. but fair to suppose, from tue liberal anu
enterprising spirit which they have thus lar
shown, that they would not Gully appreciate
both the Necessity and feasibility OF sucn
work, but Would also heartily cooperate wltn
tue City Government or with pr9pertg4H%;neibs 4H;n IT,
iect in view. H. ~ ~