St. Paul daily globe., 1890-12-20
PARKS AND PARKWAYs.
Pertinent Remarks by j. X.
Wat ers, Landscape Engineer.

Pertinent Remarks by j. X.
Wat ers, Landscape Engineer.
To the Editor of the Globe.
offer few suggestions on the ques-
ton of more open and extensive areas,
and which is one of vital Importance.
There is not large city anywhere
which is not feeling the want of more
breathing room. This expression should
seem as warning for the future. Cities
Increase rapidly in population. but their
park areas do not grow so fast. yet a
time will come when public safety re-
quireS new spaces, and they have to be
provided at fabulous cost. The most
convincing arguments that can be
adduced from theorists are weak and i'm
potent, compared with the inyulnerable
logic and practical experience of the
day. They prove beyond the poSsibil-
ity Of caYil the absolute necessity OF Sc
curing at Once-ere it is too late-all
the parks we may ever require. And
now we are brought face TO face with
this question of the means of accom-
plishing this object. How are we TO Sc
cure the area for such beauty spots?
Such places, of course, possess GER
tain money value, and we must look at
it in purely business light-pay for it.
The land belongs to lawful owners, who
are entitled to its lawful value. No
such work can be ever attempted
unless with the aid of our bitter
opponents heretofore (the capitalists)
who predict that such eXtrayagant ideas
would bankrupt the city'S treasury,
whereas, in fact, it would only add to
its revenue by judiclous landscape en-
gineering, and not be doing and undo
ing all the time. as was the case with
the Summit avenue parkways. Let the
work be well done at first, and 1t is
done forever. However. [ will not tire
you with the too oft disquisition re-
peated SO often OH this subject of great
| Importance, as of being we'll supplied
with all those pleaSurable resorts, and
offer some remarks in the hope of ad-
monshing st. Paul'S energetic and far
seeing citizens of the necessity and i'm
pUrtance of looking ahead, and keep
pace with the rapid growth. ere it may
De too late to secure any more suitable
places, and which in the near future
can't be had for ''love or money" And
| no one who takes the trouble to look
into matters, as do, needs no informa-
ton on that point; and it may be well
| to urge upon the attention OF those
anxious to improve their properties,
time, and take an intent to be able to
vie with other cities of less attractive
and natural features. (And now. in
the absence of RidgeWood park, so
lately designated for park purposes,
and after being looked upon at one
time as the most favorable resort, and
as being SO convenient to the city. easy
| of access by railroad from all parts, so
well timbered and undulating, with
It's lake, romantic mill, and all
other surroundings, its abundant sup
ply of spring water, and where the skill
of an artist has been thrown away in
| sketching designs for its Improvement.
but now are abandoned" In botanical
and geological gardens and other rare
| productions, what could be more beau
| tiful. attractive. amusing, and instruct
| i've, than the introduction of tropical
| fruits and flowers, and by all means to
secure some of our more rare wild
animals, before they are all bought up
by other countries, and become extinct
in their native land. Look at Paris,
London, Dublin's exhibitions, and
last, not least, some of our own
| great cities are not far behind in max
ing rapid projects in all those exhibits
of Well-bred stock, agricultural, hor-
ticultural and other productions: that If
| we only put our shoulders to the wheel
we may look forward for better and
happier days, and make st Paul one
of the most attractive cities in the
Union. Nature having done so much for
it already in its attractive features, that
it only wants energy with economic
outlay of capital in furthering its de-
velopment. and bringing strangers
from afar to compete with each other in
the arts and sciences and all other pro-
duetions, and which would be by far
more profitable, instructive, and anus
ing to the rising generation
than freezing ourselves in building ice
palaces in the air which soon disappear,
and so much capital lost, which, if 9TH
erwise directed to more industrial ex-
bibitionS (aS none but the immediate
citizens would avail themselves of such
frigid luxury: whereas in the other eX-
hlbltS 1t will be the cause of attracting
visitors to the city to vic with each other
in the competition of their industries.
Here we are day far behind our sister
city III park matters. Como park is too
far OFT for pedestrian travel, and | can't
see much in it by way of attractions till
the boulevard will be completed and
Lake Phalen reached at, as Como lake
is fast disappearing from some unknown
SubterraneOuS cause, so that in the end
we will have to look to other locations
AiSulOA bilC Cltf- NhbtC tAAO Iiottd Will
his family can enjoy themselves after
the din and hustle of city life. There
is most attractive site near the ''L4ook-
out" on Smelling avenue; most pictur-
esque and grand scenery to behold; the
Twin Cities and surrounding country
brought into distant and panoramic
view, where few other places can rival
nor wealth can create, and so situated
with reference to travel and every other
advantage, that if the city would but
only unite in its adornment and assist
nature in its grandeur, it will consti-
tute one of the distinguished features
by which this great and growing city
will be known to the world. Compara-
lively few of st. PauPs residents are
familiar from personal inspection with
this tract of land to form any idea of it's
undulating grandeur; and thanks to
Natures difficulties, having formed
barriers to obStruct further inspection
into its native wildness and undulating
plain of beauty, clothed with timber,
and rich IN vines overlooking magnii-
cent and rugged scenery. [ am, yours
respectfully, J. K. WATERS,
Landscape Engineer.