St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-12-10


her park system, and expressed his be-
lief that, by system of arteSian wells.
Lake Como could again be restored 10
her pristine glory as one of the most
beautiful lakes in the country. The eX-
pertinent of Minneapolis in the case of
Central park was cited.
c. NJ. LoRING's SPEECH.
Minneapolis great park advocate,
Park Commissioner G. Nj. Loring, was
next introduced by President MOnfOrt.
Mr.. LOring began his address on the
same topic with humorous StUry, illus
trating the early rivalry between
St. Paul and Minneapolis. which
was told exceedingly well. and
was heartily enjoyed by all. MIR. Lor-
ing then produced his manuscript in
the shape of large map, illustrating
and showing the park system of the
Twin Cities, and then proceeded to 6 We
an entertaining and vigorous lecture,
advocating views much the same as
those advanced by Mr.. Wilson.
II can't understand how the own
erS of property around Lake Como he
said, ''can afford to allow that lake to
remain as it now is. BY donating its
shores to the city for park purposes
the park commission will take care of
it, and the value of all their other prop
erty Will be greatly advanced. When
the Lake Harriet park was made III
Minneapolis a strip 100 feet wide
all around the lake was donated
for park purposes. AT that time
land in that section was worth 5000 per
acre. After six months work Oh the
park it Was worth $500 per acre. and
now lots anywhere around there are
worth 81 200 each, or over 5000 per
acre. Before the park commission took
hold OF the Lake of the Isles it was as
much
WORSE THAN LAKE COMO
as can lac imagined. 1t was a marsh.
BY dredging, the low land was raised,
and land that was then dear ut S2,O0
per acre, is now held at 500 per front
foot for lots fronting the park. and no
lots i'm this addition can be bought for
less than $4,000. and "Kenw0od'' is the
finest suburb of Minneapolis. Ken
wood boulevard. leading from Central
park to the Lake of the Isles park, was
opened by the owners of property
through which it passes, $25.O0G was ex-
pended by them in grading. and then
they donated it to the city as a park
way. Owners of property on Mime
haha creek have donated from 200
W ObU ICfD vi llO wv
ley leading to Minnehaha park. This
grand parkway it is hoped will he graded
next season. then the park systems OF
the Twin Cities will have reached the
banks of the Mississippi. Now we must
COMPLETE THE SYSTEM,
and it is hoped that it may be done by
securing the proposed Hiawatha park
by beautiful bridge, and the river
banks, to Summit boulevard, and by a
boulevard on Lexington avenue to
Como park. University avenue should
be pianked its entire length. thus
affording short and pleasant
route home from either city after the
grand drive has been accomplished.
How long before we shall be able to
make the grand round?-COmo avenue
to Como Park; Lexington boulevard to
Summit boulevard; Mississippi terrace
to Hiawatha and Minnehaha parks;
Minnehaha park way to Lake Har-
riet boulevard, Lake Calhoun terrace
to Lake of the Isles park, KenwOOd
boulevard to Central park, Hennepin
avenue to University avenue--h0m me.
Was there ever before such drive
within the limits of great city?
Nature has been very kind to US, but
are We quite sure we fully appreciate
her favOrS? Much has been done with
in the past five years by both cities. but
there is much more TO be done before
we shall have fulfilled our obligations
to posterity.
The most valuable acquisition to our
our park system is Minnehaha. 1t is
equi distant from the center of both
cities. and from St. Paul. the route to it
by boat OH the river is one of the
most beautiful to be found i'll any land.
But one OF its greatest charms may he
destroyed if the river banks opposite are
not secured, and there is not a citizen of
either city who, if he saw the trees re-
moved, would not
CONDEMN THE POLICY
that permitted it. We urge upon the
honorable park commissioners of st.
Paul the necessity for prompt aetian in
this important matter. Hiawatha Park
should be secured at once. A park
system for the Twin Cities would be in
complete without it.
The Fort Smelling military reservation
lies between Minnehaha park and the
Minnesota river, where this and the
Mississippi join. 1t is connected with
st. Paul by bridge and is in full view
from that city. The larger portion of
the reservation, as we all keow, is in the
same wild state as when the fort was
built more than sixty years years ago. Ii
is the only military reservation near a
large city that has been so long neglect
ed. The officers who are. and have
been in command are not to be blamed.
as the government has not provided the
necessary means for more than to build
quarters and keep them in repair. Ought
not the Twin Cities to unite in asking
the government to appropriate sum to
protect the river banks, build a few
roads. plant trees, subdue the prairie
and sow it to grass? 1t is dine the
brave soldiers stationed at the old
fort, and to their families, that their
surroundings be made As pleasant as
possible, and 1t is due every citizen of
the country that the few historic mOnu-
mentS we have should be protected and
preserved by the general government.
Many changes have already been
made at Fort Smelling that are re-
GREETED by all old citizens of
the state. We, who saw the no
bic army of young men mustered there
and sail away for the South more than
a quarter of century ago. ask that this
spot so dear to all Minnes0tanS, be pre-
served for their children and their chill
dren's children. The completion of the
Twin Cities DARK system VIII MAKE 1t
more accessible, and it should be kept
as green and fresh as are the memories
of the heroes who have occupied it."
sMALLEY ON WATER.
GA Joint Water Supply for the Twin
Cities" was the topic assigned E. V.
Smalley, and, although the gentleman
was limited as to time by the fact that
the Minneapolis contingent had to
make their tram at 10:42, right well did
he treat his subject. After referring
to the fact that the two cities
were closely united in inter
es,s, and must if necessary
pull together in order to prevent other
rivals from intruding on the territory
tributary to them, Mr.. Smaliey said:
s'There are two things, at least, upon
which we can and ought to unite at
once, and they are park system and
water supply. We ought to go to the
legislature at the next session and ask
for the appointment of COM
mission to survey and report all
the available sources of water
supply. While st. Paul now has an
abundant supply of good water, the