St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-10-14
FOR ARTISTIC ADORhMEHT
City Parks Should Not Be Public Thor
0ughfareS.
RESORTS FOR PLEASURE.
Public Reservations Not Private Loung-
ing Places---Rr. Cleveiand's Letter
to the Commissioners.

IL. w. =. AltNcldlU. VIII Will dSSull0
charge of the park system of the city,
has presented in his report to the park
commissioners some valuable SuggeS-
tions, which if acted upon would prove
of incalculable benefit to the city. He
makes a notably good point by citing
the baneful influence which is exercised
upon the park system by allowing these
little recreation platS to become loung-
Ing places for those who have nothing
to do but sun themselves on warm sum-
mer days. or use the prettily gray
eled walks as ''short cuts" by
means OF which the pedeS-
TRANS ultimate destination can he
more quickly reached. In brief,
Mr.. Cleveland believes that the parks
should be kept up and improved to
degree commensurate with the cIty'S
growth, aud not wait until the necessary
WOIk to be done becomes so apparent as
to be executed hurriedly and at large
cost.
The report which is herewith submit
ted is full of valued suggestions, and
shows that the new appOiItee is man
of artistic ideas and fertile in resources.
Dir. President and Gentlemen Of the Park
Commission:
/ have made a cursory examination of some
of the vacant spaces within the city limits
which have been reserved for ornamental
Improvement is well as some smaller tracts,
which, though not available as places Of
recreation, are susceptible, By judlciouS
treatment, of adding very greatly TO the
beauty and attractive interest OF the general
aspect of the city. l am not prepared to give
any detailed plan of arrangement Tor any
particular point, but 1t has occurred to me
that a general statement OF the object IN
view, and the principles 10 be observed in
its attainment could not fail to possess inter
est and facilitate the progress of future work.
The present system of arrangement Of
the small parks and public squares in almost
every city involves an incOngruity which is
obviously the result of want of due con-
sideration of the object of their creation.
moments consideration OF the circumstance
of their existence will make my meaning
clear. Suppose the case OF Il single block i'll
densely peopied quarter reserved as
park. The area II comprises Is of
enormous value, which might at any
moment tie realized by placing Il on the mar
ket That value, then. is the price we pay
for its preservation as place of recreation
and rest; refreshing change from the end
less piles of brick and stone; where the
weary worker may be cheered by the sight of
trees ana grass and flowers; where women
and children may find refuge from the DIN
and turmoil OF the streets and escape the
rushing crowds for
LITTLE QUIET ENJOYMENT
of the beauty OF nature. From our proverbial
character as q race who are very careful 10
get their moneys worth i'll bargain, ii might
Dc SuppOSeU We euOuIu STE 10 IL iiidi al pay
ing such price fer place of rest We would
be very eXactiug i'll our demand that it
should be adapted to its object, and so ar
ranged as TO offer every possible facility for
relief and refreshment by contrast with its
surroundings. But what IN reality
do we see? Almost without eX-
ceDtion the arrangement would seem
to indicate that the primary OBJ
ject for which all that area is kept open, is
to afford d short cnt across for those who
would otherwise be obliged to go round the
outside of the square. Two paths cross it
diagOnally sometimes, with an effort at some
kind of artificial decoration IN a circular
space az the point where the paths intersect
each other. Every pedestrian who Is hurry
ing to or from his business avaiIs himself OF
the opportunity thus afforded to save time
and steps. The paths become simply thor
Ouchfares for the rushing crowds who would
otherwise be kept upon the sidewalks, ana
whose presence is fatal to the idea a restful
g.. refreshment No respectable person is ever
tempted 10 occupy seat if any are provided,
and there is nothing in the aspect OF the
place to lender it attractive by the tasteful
arrangement of such objects of natural
beauty as afford a contrast to the artificial
surroundings, and might induce one to
Finger and enjoy them.
I DO not allude particularly to this city, but
TO the almost universal custom in all our
cities and towns, and in view of the pro-
tessed object for which such areas are re-
served. l admit that it would be difficult to
name auy line OF expenditure OF public
funds for which We get so small return of
what we bargain for. If we mean what we
say when We speak Of them as places of rec
reation and rest. where the toilers may
find a refreshing change from the
din and hurry of the streets. We
should insist upon ii that they be so arranged
that they cannot be used as thoroughfares
No man shodld be tempted to enter them for
the sake or saving steps by short path. The
paths and open spaces should be so disposed,
as not only
INVITE TO REPosE,
but to offer no inducement to any one who
is 1T hurry, to think he can save time by
enteringit
At various points in the outskirts of the
city small areas have been set apart as parks,
and are indicated on the map of the city,
published in the report of the city engineer,
one OF which l have had mounted for my
own convenience in studying their relative
positions. They are as yet for the most part
mere open fields, but destined in time 10 be-
come important ornamental adjuncts TO
dense surrounding population. Most OF
them require more or less grazing, cutting
down or filing up before they can be made
available for public use. l venture TO sug-
gest that if in each case a tasteful plan of
these areas were now determined on the
work towards their improvement might be
gradually economically and almost imper
ceptibly going on, keeping pace with the
growth of the city and furnishing them even
tualy with all the elements of natural beauty,
which demand the lapse OF years for their
creation.
There need be no immediate or direct
work of construction, but only such deter
minution of what is eventually required as
will enable US to work towards it in the
gradual development of the adjacent terri
tory. There may be hill 10 be cut down,
the earth from which may be required in the
immediate vicinity, or a low place to be
filed which Will furnish
CONVENIENT DUMPING GROUND
to those who have earth to getrid of, and
both operations would serve TO put the
ground in the shape ii will have to assume
before il can be planted, and thus the grad
ing would become measure of economy in
stead Of a costly undertaking.
After the grading was thus completed, the
work of tree planting might at any
time be begun and thus the most important
element of natural ornamentation be in
readiness and well established by the time
the population Of the vicinity was sufficient
to warrant its completion as PARK by the
arrangement of paths and the plant
ing of shrubbery which can be
grown in q comparatively short time.
prepared plan is absolutely essential
TO the work both OF grading and planting, in
ORDER that il be properly done. If l can be
furnished with Typographical plan OF the
areas, with the grade Of the adjacent streets,
can prepare designs which can be easily
followed whenever any improvements are to
be made, and may add that nothing is more
apt TO lead TO private improvement and in
creased value of adjacent property than such
evidence would afford, that public orna-
mental improvement would keep pace
with it,
And this brings me appropriately TO
further suggestion of a class Of improve
ments which l should suppose would come
legitimately within the domain of the park
commission. | allude to the vacant hooks
and corners too small for any purpose of re-
creation, which for that reason are suffered
to become merely
OFFENSIVE DIRT HOLES
often rendered more conspicuous by their
proximity to costly private improvements. 1
cite as an illustration the hillside below Oak
WOok avenue long narrow stretch of waste