Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-05-06
ELYSIAN PARK.
Its Inspection by the Park
Commissioners.
WHAT WILL BE DONE WITH 1T,
A Chance to Make an Attractive
Pleasure Ground for the
City.

eral inspection to Elysian Park. A re-
porter of this paper happened along just
in time to be invited to occupy place in
the Mayors phaeton, behind his spank
ing pair of thoroughbreds. In the course
of very pleasant trip some information
was cleaned with regard to this park and
the intention of the Commissioners in
the matter of its improvement, which
may be of interest to the public.
There are plenty OF citizens in Los An
geles, both newcomers and old-timers,
who do not know there is such place as
Elysian Park, or, if they do, they have
very vague ideas as to its size and loca-
ton. Several years ago, when Los An
gales was beginning to settle up very
rapidly, the City Council took an account
of stock, and discovered that the
city had large tract of land
living to the north of the main section Of
the town in tangled confusion of hills
and cafions. The unevenness Of its to-
biography had made the section appar-
entity undesirable for residence or fer
business. 1t was decided that perhaps
some part of this district could be used
for park, and the whole OF it was there
fore dedicated to this purpose.
A little later, when the adjoining land
began to get very valuable, the Council
proceeded to white off small pieces OF
this tract and dispose of them to raise
money for other purposes. About this
time the State Legislature passed law
by which it was provided that any land
once set apart in city for park purposes
should be forever consecrated to that use,
and should not be salable except by spe-
cial act. Thus, with regard to their
parks, California cities are protected
against themselves.
The Elysian Park tract contains about
450 acres. The average block, as the
city is surveyed south of First street,
contains thirty-fve acres. This makes
an area of twelve or thirteen blocks-a
very large park for city of the size of
Los Angeles. Central Park, in New
York, has 6S3 acres; Golden Gate, in
San Francisco, has an area of 1000
acres, although only about 600 are avail
able for use. Paramount Park, in Phila-
delphia, which is the largest in the
United States, contains 2,740 acres.
There is excellent opportunity, from the
location OF Elysian Park and the ma
ture of the surrounding territory, for its
extension almost indefinitely, when the
growth of the city may come to require
it. At present, as far as mere proportion
of acreage is concerned, Los Angeles is
better off in park territory than almost
any city in the Union.
AS yet Elysian Park is for the most
part district of boundless possibilities
In the way Of park development. Pre-
ceding city governments have devoted
- 4vok &C
tie tie smaller parks lying nearer to
the center OF the city; The pres
emit Board of Park Commissioners,
who will hold office for two years, pro.
pose to lay the foundations for the tIans.
formation of this unkempt wilderness
into the picturesque spot which time
and money can ultimately make it.
About three years ago twenty acres OF
the district were planted with trees,
chiefly eucalyptus. These are now scat
tered about the hillsides in groves, and,
as rule, are twenty or thirty feet high. |
A quantity of wild shrubbery, much of
it very picturesque, and not few fore st |
trees, are part of the original heritage |
of this land. The soil, which is I'M
usually rich, differing very decidedly |
from that of the adobe hills lying to the
west, of its own accord grows fine pro-
fusion OF wild flowers and trailing vines. |
Even in its present condition the park is
interesting spot to visit.
The present Board, at the outset Of its
term of office. received handsome gilt
from the State Fer ,stry Commits
sion, which it proceeded to make
use of for the benefit of this park.
1t consisted OF 81 900 young trees, suit
able for park or forest growth. Among
them were twenty-seven varieties of
eucalyptus, many Of them exceedingly
rare. There were also cypress, pepper,
live oaks, acacias, rare pines, chiefly
from Lower California, broad leaf naples
and catalpas. These we're brought up
from Santa Monica and scattered about
the park, chiefly on the slopes of the
hills, where they would not obstruct the
views from the driveways, which it is
proposed to put in later. A num-
Der of other trees, which have
been raised in the park nurseries,
were also set out, making a total of some
As 900, all of which are in furnishing
condition, and in the course OF year or
two will begin to have decided effect
on the landscape.
Besides the feature of the rich soil,
which has already been'referred to, this
park has another advantage in its excel
lent water facilities. 1t lies along the
river, from which flows zania OF 20
horse power, with a flow of 100 inches.
A turbine wheel could be put in
at small expense, which would
throw five inches in reservoir at the
very top of the highest hill. This same
ditch now feeds Reservoir No 4, in the
northwestern part of the city. With
such an elevation, power can be obtained
on the lower ground to throw streams in
fountains 200 feet high, the same water
being afterwards used for irrigation.
1t happens that the belt of land in
which the park is located, is quite FROST
less. Mr.. ]. G. Harvey, Of the Standard
Oil Company, who has made an extern
siye study of the climatology of the city,
after experimenting for some time in
different locations, finally took up his
abode in this immediate vicinity, and
has now a fine collection of orchids
and tropical plants growing on his place.
Nowhere in the world does there exist a
park for which there are such magnif.
cent possibilities, in the matter OF
variety of vegetable adornments, trees,
plants, vines and flowers, as in this fav-
ored piece of territory. 1t is place such
as an Eastern park gardener might
imagine in his dreams, where nature
will set no limit to his Efforts
The Board OF Park Commissioners Is
very fortunate to have in its employ,