The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-02-07
THE CITY PARKS.

1t would seem that not a cent Of the money
derived from the pasturage fees OF the city
parks comes into the city treasury. The parks
are placed In charge Of officials with the I'M
derstanding that they are 10 collect the fees
and keep the fences in repair at their own ex-
peBse. Under the circumstances 1t is not pos
sible to say how much this revenue amounts
to, with the view OF considering the avaiia-
bility Of the amount which might be applied
to the gradual Improvement OF these places
OF public resort-or rather should be places of
resort.
The plan recently suggested to the coun-
Gil which, by the way, has never been made
public) by one of our distinguished financiers
does not appear to meet with particular favor
after mature study. 1t was In effect that the
upper or Crescent City Park should be divided
off into squares and lots, each alternate lot
to be sold to the highest bidder, who would
obligate himself within given period 10 con-
struct building upon the ground purchased
out successfully, relieve the city of the ex-
penses OF the last payments ON the park, and
improve the tax lists. leaving still to the
credit of the city one-half the lots laid out In
necessarily. have required the authorization
OF the Legislature. Grave doubts, however,
have arisen as to the successful accomplish
ment of the plan, owing to the indispostion
of people to build whilst there are as yet
unoccupied. Then the innumerable judg-
ments which are recorded against the corpo-
ration might preclude the city from seeking
to convert the character OF the property
from public use" to uses not considered such
In law, and which would render the lots liable
to seizure for the payment Of these recorded
judgments.
In conversation with q gentleman OF this
city recently on this subject Of the parks, he
said that he and others whom he knew felt
great interest In the Improvement, particu-
larry Of the up town park, and from what he
had read In thss papers. such as immediate
donations Of $500 Of flower plants, ornamental
trees and other contributions, he was satisfied
that commission OF wise and influential
men without salaries) could In few years at
no expense to the city metamorphose this
the working classes, especially, who have no
places Of resort on holidays where to take
themselves and f8mily for an hour or so
OF recreation.
Another suggestion has recently been made
which, Ii carried out, would prove an additional
and important source of revenue. 1t would
be the establishment OF
RACE-ooURsE
on the tract Of land on the plan of the course
of the Bots de Boulogne OF Paris, which
would In 10 way encroach upon the utility OF
the park, but would add to its ornamentation
and attractiveness. or course the park
would, even during the racing season, re-
main open to the public free OF charge, there
by affOrding an amusement which few can
indulge In, where the race-course Is within an
enclosure and the lowest price OF admission Is
fifty cents. The fastidfous and those who
are able and willing to pay for extraordinary
comforts would, however, have to pay for adj.
mission to the quarter stretch and grand
Standard this Is whence would come the
compensation Of the enterprising association
who would undertake to build the stands and
lay out the racing track.
The matter seems to be worth the while of
looking into. In the meantime, In order to
encourage the city administration 1t would be
well for those private individuals and cor
porations who have already made offers to
assist in improving our parks, to repeat
them. for the letters addressed to past ad-
ministrations or many Of Them have either
been destroyed or mislaid, and therefore can
have no effect upon the determination of the
present city officials.