St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-08-09
FOR THE MULTITUDE.
Opinion Upon the City's Park
System Very Much
Mixed.
There Are Citizens Who Urge
That Large Parks Be Pur-
chased.
On the Other Hand There Is a
Cry for More Small
Parks.
Between the Two a Commits
sioneP's Lot Is Not a
Happy One.

Those favoring an enlargement of the
park system have had an army OF
recruits added to their number since the
Sizing hot weather began. Outside of
a circle of interested persons, most of
whom had park sites for sale, 1t has
been rather difficult to get up any en-
thusiasm on the subject, although the
matter has been agitated continuously
in the charmed circle all summer,
and, indeed, the previous winter.
While the weather was cool and de-
lightful, as 1t has been for several
months, the masses of the people were
contented to enjoy their own lawns and
verandahs or door step, as the case
might be, without any longing, except
an occasional outing to some one Of the
many lakes. With many, a sudden
change in this regard has been expert
enced, and thousands of people have
either quietly expressed wish, while
a great army has set up 4 clamor for
additional park privileges. They want
large. rOOmy parks, easy of access by
means of the street railway system, SO
that they may spend the warm after
moons or evenings in 4 cool, shady re-
sort and inhale the fragrance of flowers
or watch the spraying fountains. Such
a place would be delightful alike to the
nabobS of st. Anthony hill or the dwell
erS of Swede hollow. whether they be
adults or the throngs of children,
who, being free from schools, need rec
reatiOn or amusement. AS has been in
timated. those most clamOrouS for
more and larger parks are per-
sons having park sites for sale.
They express Impotence at the delay
of the park board in apprOpriating the
money in hand for park purposes and
besiege it to apply larger sum for
purchasing lands and making improve
ments. There have been enough park
sites offered, among them ranging in
prices that are fictitious, to furnish
park area sufficient for half dozen
cities the size of st. Paul.
Then there are number of eSthetic
persons who favor circling the city
with an immense system of boulevardS
and parks. Many of these are advo-
Gates through sentiment merely, al
though they have induced themselves
to believe that the people need broad
and lengthy parks to give them comfort
and enjoyment. Many of the city
fathers and taxpayers say that the nat
ural beauty of the city and the generous
supply of parks already acquired are
sufficient; that the needs of the city
do not warrant all increase of taxes; the
taxes are burdeGSome enough and the
property
Owners Would Rebel
at an increase for such purpose at the
present time. Many persons are found
who favor improving Como lake by re-
claiming the dry portion and construct
ing grand boulevard around it, as well
as converting a large area adjacent
thereto into Il beautiful park. They
then want a street car line to run to the
grounds.
Another collection of people want a
large park at the end of University
avenue, extending around to Fort SMELL
ing, and some of them even farther
down the river. Quite goodly num-
Der favor boulevard extending from
the vicinity of the high bridge along the
meanderings of the Mississippi river,
past Fort Smelling and as far as Mime
haha Falls.
The individual opinions of several
persons were secured on the general
subject, aud are given below:
Hon. c. n. Bell think there is no
popular demand for large park. L
the people want parks, they prefer
small ones-easy of access. My idea is
that we want grand boulevard. We
ought to lay out boulevard $50 feet
wide along the river front, reaching
from the fats to Fort Smelling, that
would be easy Of construction and after
a period of ten years on to the end OF
the world. 1t would be in the heart of
the city and future generations would
immOrtaliZe the promoter. Ii l were
in the city council L would order the
boulevard laid out-send the order to
the board of public works and have
them assess the property therefor for
quarter mile back. The thOroughfare
need not be built now, but the land
should be condemned, and the property
owners would have five years to pay for
it. There are no tracts of valuable land
along the river now, and doubtless
many Of the property owners would
dedicate the right Of way. They ought
to do so. at least, for it would add great
ly to the value of adjacent land.
The property is in the hands of
spectators, and very little, if any, of it
is now utilized for any valuable pur-
pose. A boulevard there would be a
grand thing. as it would in time make
one of the most beautiful of prospects
in the land, and would serve the pur-
pose OF a park. 1t does not require a
petition of property owners to proceed
in the matter of eondemning the land
for a highway, and proceedings should
be begun at once by the city council.
1t done now the cost would be compare
lively light, but when the territory is
laid out into lots and becomes a part of
the city, the expense would be so great
that the work may never be DONE"
Hon. D. o. Cullen think the ques-
ton of a large park is more
One of Sentiment
than real, as far as st. Paul is con-
cerned. In many cities large parks are
an absolute need, but this city is a
natural park and has a wide range OF
beautiful landscape with eircling bluffs.
Besides, we have large number of
small parks which seem to serve all
needs in that direction. Then there are
our suburban residences which are very
numerous. Our lakes are plentiful and
easy of access. There are White Bear.
Minnetonka and many others of minor
Importance that afford abundant recrea-
ton. Ny observation is that the people
are not asking for large parks. 1t seems
to me if we decide to add to our park
system, the demand would be in the
line of more small parks-say of ten OF
twenty acres distributed so as to be of
easy access to the several localities.
Hon. HiramF. SteveDs-I have had con-
siderable experience on the park board.
l do not desire to offer any criticism on
the present board, neither as to any
projects by persons having park sites
for sale. would like to see the Como
project carried out and think park in
the vicinity of Fort Smelling would be
desirable and fine addition to the city
from an artistic point of view. l would
also be glad to see fine boulevard con-
structed along the river. l have nc
opinion as to how the available funds
should be expended THAT is matter fol
the park board IL decide.
County Attorney Thomas D. O'Brien