, 1876-12-17

.Es pClVDA L. bGSLN1I)1lA
years, the seeming impr1ctlcabillty Of the sub
ject only served as an incentive.
The eastern division forms the main porl1of
! OF the grounds, comprehcnding roo n:res. IN
like the western portion, it abounds IN elcva
tions and groves, and Is centerel, tor tho mos
part, by low swanp-lands. Along the 'ses1
edge extends . slight ridge, increasing II
! altitude towards the north, while the eastern
boundary is formed by the sandy shores Of Lakt
Michigan. This portions extends southWaru
| from Futy-sixth to Sixty-seVcnth street II i
1e< miles long, thrce-Quarters Of . mile wide Ut
the north end, and ~ at the south.
/ IN ITS NATURAL STATE
| 1t was considered y beautiful park. This. fn
fact, on accotnt Of its size, position, nno or1sl.
| nal adaptability, is destined to constitute the
great resort Of the public. aud. although now II IN
| q somewhat aboriginal state, WILL soon t2hc Inc
| lead OF the upper park. ...
| The west park has been nearly completed 50
far as labor Is concerned. Over $50 acres have
| been titled, seeded down, and planted with
young forest trees.
| THE FIRST OBJECT
| to be attaaned WAS the drainage OF Grand anu
] Drexel boulcyards and OF those portions Of tic
| park to be iirst reclaimed. This was accom-
plishcl at large expense, aud SO thoroughly, 1t
is believed, that it will lust permanently Ihe M
eame plan proved Of great value on Fnty-hltn
sion also Joined with the Village OF Hyde ParlS
in the expcnsr OF building the Fifty-irst-strcct
sewer, which, owing to the ycxatious delay Of
the contractors to whom the work Was let, cost
$40, ,000 more than the estimates.
Sewers have also been constructed along For
ty-third aud .Forty-second streets to serve as
outlets, for the lower houIcyarls. ..'
TIE enterpris:ng Village of Hyde Park, more
over, recently attempted to let contract Tor
$4,000, although the Commission offered to
sell the one already there, and which is suf-
Gsient for ten Yeas to come, for only SG,Wa1;
but for once the property-owners would uot be
dctrauudsed,, aud the contractors had to "eone
Good, strong sewers have been built along
Grand, DrcxeI, and Pavilion boulcvarls, and
Bayard and South Park ayenucs. Up to Dc
cember, 1875, the Commissioners had built
FIFTEEN MILES or GOOD pRA1Hs.
THIS year several, miles more were added.
was the construction OF Grand and
Drcxel boulevard. This was done in order to
furnish the people Of Chicago, wtoaare always
impatient, an immediate attraction, and has SO
far succeeded that the parkways are more fre-
puentcd tlap any others in the city. and are CT
foiled as loudly by visitor as by oar own bretil-
ren.
Grand boulevard is the fashionable thorough
Lower South Park avenue and Douglas arenuc,
it runs directly southward for distance Of two
miles, connecting with Drcxcl boulevard on the
north by Oalswood boulevard, and at the south
by Baya:d avenue. 1t has . flty-jve-foot centre
roadway, bounded on both sides by planting
spaces twelve. feet wide, aud which
contain in all thirteen acres. Beyond
these spaces are side~driTes hankcd on
the outside, by. ,"ce'nent sidewalks;
With the exception of the stretch on tue east
street, and q block or two On the west side,
the side drives have not been grare]ed. The
former portion is paved with one block OF
asphalt and the remainder Of Joliet gravel.
tipg-course, and OIL Saturday, Tuesday, and
Thursday evenings, the visitors are very numer-
GUS, aud "brusIlcs y On the road quite lively. 1t
is here that the great moving masses Of fashion,
able turn7outs congrcgate i'll such numbers
exercise Of the admirable driving regulations.
Drcxel boulevard extends from Oakwood
boulevard south to Flfty-frst street, there con-
Meeting with Bayarl avenue. It consists Ut two
drives, forty feet each in width, separated W q
magnificent planting-5pace 100 feet wide.
Winding walks interlacc themselves in this
lawn, and many
THOUSANDS OF pRrGnr-EYED POWERS -.
and graceful p1ants and shrubs have been set
out for the admiration OF tue thousands Of
taneurs who seek relaxation from the turmoil
OF the city. The beauty aud fragrance ct its
adornmcnts haye won for this driveway an en-
viab1c reputation.
The cast roadway has been long since complet-
ed,and chat on the west is mucadanllzcd from FIJI
few months Nlr. Fred krantz, the gardener, has
introduced many new forms and arrangements
among the horticultural embellishments which !
haVe attracted much attention and afforded |
great pleasure. Among them are the name |
"South Parks" worked out with various spc-
cles of flowers upon the lawn, md IN artificial !
mound handsomely decorated. Many neat bask- /
cts and nrns have also been set out, and literal |
II covered with vines mud flowers, and at the |
southern extremity many small trees have found !
IN anchorage,
Bayarl avenue is finished u distance OF two |
aud d half miles, completely encircling what is |
known as the South Open Green. The portion !
along the north end is formed Of Joliet gravel
tue remainder, tue Commissioners brought into
practice their system Of economy, which is |
noticeable and pleasing feature OF their admin
llstratton, by using >akc-shore gravel with
gut successfully, for while it produced fully as
rood q road as that in which Joliet gravel was |
she principal ingredient, the object was accom-
olished at half the cost. The same plan has
therefore been used upon other by-ways.
Pavilion boulevard originates near the centre
II the West Park, and stretches westward to
Western avenue three and 4 half miles distant.
t resembles both Grand aud Drcxet boulcvards, |
he length between State and Reuben streets
icing similar to the former, and the remainder
~ /
las n centre roadway fifteen fect wide A. single
oadway has been built through. the entilc
ength, and the property otherwise improved.
WESTERN AVENUE. l..
xtcnds from Pavilion boulevard north to the
illinois do Michigan Canal. It has been COM
,lcted and Is arranged similar to Drcxcl boule- !
ard, which it equals in every respect. This
driveway Should be connected by the West Park
Commissioners with the West Side Park system.
This connection, together with short link on
he North Side, is ali that Is now necessary for
be completion Of drive Of sonic twenty-five
niles entirely around the three land sides Of the
ity.
When finished it mny be asserted without ex-
ggcration that Chicago possesses one Of the
NEST and most extensive chains Of bouleVards
D the world.
Oallwood boulevard runs east aud west be-
wecn the northern extremity Of Drexel and
;raud bou1eyards. Up to the present year 1t
onsisted simply Of single forty-foot road.
Vatcr and gas-pipes have been laid on this
venue by tile Village Of Hyde Park. During
he past four or five months the entire appear
nee Of Oakwood boulevard has been chnngci.
is plan now consists Of q 1ifty-foot ccntrcwav,
ordered on each side BY two seven and half
Get planting space, interycned with teu-fect
cment sidewalk This is Somewhat peculiar
obstruction, and its present appearance pre-