Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-01
THE PARK SYSTEM.
The City's PGss essions and Their Man
ngcment and ImnrOVement.

Very much has been done during the past
year to improve and beautify the attractions
and loveliness which nature had bestowed
upon the tracts of land now owned by Omaha
and used as public parks.
Years ago the city obtained title to q beau
tiful tract of CroLnd in the southwestern part
of the city, which, for want of funds to i'm
prove it, laid waste for the time and grew up
a veritabe tangled Wildwood The land,
about sixty acres, was the gift of Messrs A.
j. Hanscom and j. G.. Megeath. In honor of
one of the donors 1T was christencd Hanscom
park. 1t is delightful spot-if so large a
tract may be designated spot-one that
seekers after rest ana recreation acknowledge
a pleasurable resort from the cares of Office,
shop or home.
Scarcely two years have passed since the
park commission law was enacted and Oma-
has park commissioners. under that law, APP
pointed and empowered to act; it is less than
a year and a half ago that the commissioners
had any funds available for expenses. The
law which created the commission provided
for a three mill levy and on June |, 1889, 500
1924 was placed at the commissioners dis
posal, who at once began the work of reclaim
ing the parks. If the commissioners them.
selves are not proud of and satisfied with
their work, our citizens are, and they look TO
future improvements with confident satisfac-
tion.
Since June |, 1882 the underbrush has been
cut out and burned, trees have been felled
and banks sloped two and a quarter miles of
drive have been laid out and graded,
one and quarter miles of walks
have been established, graded and curbed;
the streets on the east, west and south have
been cut down to grade and numerous gullics
filled up, which will furnish acres of addl-
tional lawn
In the southeast corner of the park an ex-
cavation of three acres has been made, which
will be filled with water, forming beautiful
artificial lake, which will be stocked with
fish. At the lower end of this lake dam of
solid masonry six feet wide and $50 feet long
has been constructed for the purpose of re-
tanning the water atording a promenade
where the beauties OF the lake may be seen.
A short distance from the lake at point
where the old creek bed finds its way into
the lake, dam ninetysiX feet long has been
constructed Above this the ravine will be
filled with water, which will flow over the
dam, forming a cascade Of about ten feet
This water will flow down through gravel
rock paved ditch and will pass into the lake
The pavilion building begun in September
is finished, II stan Is upon the north shore OF
the LAKE, Is upon the style Of the summer
houses at the fashionable resorts in the east,
being TWO stories high surrounded by wide
piazza, and contains lunch and reception
rooms with large ballroom on the first
floor 1t is provided with all modern conven-
fences and will 90 great way towards max
ing the park more attractive,
Immediately west OF the pavilion and at
the west end of the lake a music stand, cost
ing 81, 600, is being erected. 1t will be upon
the Dagoda style and will be used next sum
mcr when the Sunday afternoon sacred con
certs are given. These, however, are not the
only improvements, as several miles Of sewers
have been laid, giving complete system Of
drainage; swings have been erected at con
venent places, and scores Of seats and tables
nave been placed under the trees for the use
Of pleasure-seekers and picnic parties A
dozen gas lamps have been located in as many
places. so that next season the park will be
far from the gruesome spot il mas been for
some time past
While this work has not all been COM