Los Angeles daily herald., 1886-01-12

Project.
Few articles have been published
in Los Angeles that attracted more
public attention than that Of our clear
headed and enterprising townsman'
Judge Albert M. Stephens, In last
Sundays HEnuD in regard TO the
matter Of public park. IL was
genuine surprise to most people to be
informed, at the very time when they
were casting about for a suitable site
for a park, and our Mayor was refer
ring TO the subject in his Message to
the Council, that the city itself, inside
the city limits, still owns an unbroken
tract Of 42O acres, comprising by all
odds the most desirable features for a
public park possessed by any tract OF
similar extent in Los Angeles county,
II not in the State. As stated by
Judge Stephens, it possesses every ell
ement OF desirability-commanding
peaks, lovely little glens and valleys,
craggy preclpices and bewitching
views OF river, city and plain, with
the ocean in the distance, are all
there. Besides all this, II lies 80 that
the city can carry water to every nee
essary portion to enliyen vegetation
and render II the most beautiful park
In the world, by the marvellous growth
OF plants, flowers, shrubs and grasses
possible in our semi-tropical climate
and virgin soil. We say we believe
il was a surprise TO most OF our people
even old residents--to be told that
the city yet owns such a tract, espe-
cially those who had not given special
attention to real estate matters. Ev-
eryone knows that within a compara-
lively short period the city has virtu-
ally given away to private individuals
lots and blocks and tracts without
number. until the supply was gener-
ally supposed 10 be about exhausted.
The city tract referred to is irregular
in form, beginning between the jew
ish and Catholic cemeteries, extend
ing northeasterly in a narrow strip
along the foothills, expanding as it
approaches the river, and touching
the river bed itself, a short distance
above the crossing Of Buena Vista
street. The easterly line OF the tract
runs thence up the river to a point
about one-quarter of mile above the
bridge Of the S. 7. r. X. Here the
line parts with the river and runs
northwesterly along the base OF the
hills which overlook the river, to the
north boundary line OF the city.
The stone quarry hills and the
Chavez Ravine are within the limits
of the tract. Its extreme length is
nearly two miles, its greatest width
about one-half mile.
As already stated, the view from its
heights over the valley Of Los Angeles
river, as well as over the plains to the
southeast OF the city, and of the
mountain chains which fortress the
fair fields and gardens of our favored
county, is sublime in the extreme.
What could be more advantageous
to the city than to have u place OF
resort for its people and the visitors
who come to us from abroad, such as
this park, properly improved, would
afford? With it, there would be
place for citizen and stranger to drive
to and through, instead Of being linn
tied, as at present, to dreary stretches
of dust and ruts in summer, as soon
as the sprinkled streets are passed,
and mud and ruts in winter. With
our orange groves and snow-clad
mountains, it would form one OF the
attractions which would be advertised
everywhere.
But il may be claimed that the city
has no money TO spend in improving
parks, and that the whole scheme is
impracticable, for that reason. The
answer to this is that il will not cost
one cent to dedicate the tract for a
park. If it is once dedicated TO that
purpose it cannot then be given away
some fine morning, as all the rest has
been in the past. Once dedicated, the
nucleus will be formed, and the city
can improve the park as it is able.
Besides, our rich men are not stingy.
With this dedication, some one of
them might take it into his head to
give something towards improving the
park. Many rich men in San Fran
cisco have voluntarily contributed to-
wards improving the famed and love-
ly Golden Gate Park. Senator Sharon
at his death bequeathed fifty thousand
dollars to improve that park. Our
rich men would undoubtedly aid the
project. 1t is hoped that the city
authorities will not let this chance
slip. The tract named should by all
means be dedicated to the purposes
OF public park.
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