The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-09-27

TuE third of a series of public discus
sions under the auspices of tho Com
mercial Association took place at the
rooms last night, Colonel Lewis in the
chair The subject under discussion
was parks and Boulevards." and DR..
e. A. Parsons made the address. lie
spoke as follows:
MIR. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN:
The boulevards of Paris are cello
bratcd, and arc of great service as open
spaces promoting tho circulation of air
amidst the dense mass of habitations.
Some parts OF them present very daz-
cling spectacle, and as Il whole they af-
ford a striking exhibition Of the life and
character OF the French capital in all
the different classes of society.
Tho Boulevard dos Italiens is partic-
ularly known as tho rendezvous of the
fashionable and the Boulevard do Tenn
pie as The place whore the small thea
tres arc to BIO found which arc fro
quented by the common people and the
inhabitants of the suburbs.
We learn the above from that unlver-
sal friend of the essayist-tho encyclo-
pcdia-and further that boulevard was
the name given in Franco to tho old
towns or portions of them were or still
are surrounded.
In France and Germany these ancient
works have generally been leveled, the
bitches filled up and the spaces thus OBJ
tanned employed for tho formation of
parks, promenades and streets lined
with trees. Those in France still bear
the name of boulevard. With tho char
acteristic license of Americans, and
especially the great American boomer
we find that the ancient walls of custom
have been lcveled, to the extent that
the term boulevard no longer applies as
once accepted. or as oven now in France,
but that any highway may be or is
called boulevard, provided said high.
way is dignified by greater width
than the surrounding streets.
strict Interpretation of the word
boulevard, however, embraces parks as
we'll as drives, and yet for tho sake of
custom let us separate the two and pro-,
coed to consider them in the order
named.
First. Boulcvards or wide streets in
the suburbs or "inter-urts" have occu-
pied fair share Of attention in this
vicinity during the past two years, and
some excellent plans have been formu-
lated, as also some foundations laid for
future work in the form of driveways,
notably the West End Boulevard. the
Melrose Boulevard, the Belmont,
Buena Vista. Gas and Water Company,
Crystal Spring, and others that might
DO named. All If these must and wi
be eventually improved and somo of
them are so far reaching in magnificent
distances as to form good county roads,
thus solving veXed question.
Tho most extensive enterprise of this
character under consid Grafton at this
time. and that most promising as de-
veloper and as Il permanent benefit and
attraction to the entiro county of Roa-
nokc, including the cities OF Salem and
Roanoke. is the proposed grand road be-
tween Salem and Roanoke. Much
thought has been devoted to tho pro-
posed "Appian Way" and, when com
pleted, if the plans contemplated are
carried out, it will BIO tho most noted
highway i'll the State, with tho excep-
ton of MI. Vernon avenue. which is to
be constructed between Washington
and Mt. Vernon, tho tomb of the great
soldier and statesman.
This avenue is destined to become
the most magnificent accom- plishmcnt
of modern times, approaching nearest
the boulevard Of European conception
than any highway in America, mas
much as there are to DO parkings on
either side of tho main drive, memorial
bridges, triumphal arches, colossal
statues, commemorative shafts, and
elch State and territory is to be invited
To contribute to Il separate section the
various material growths of foliage,
plants, flowers and trees, together with
The building and ornamental stones
peculiar to their localities
Thus may be seen the vast possibili-
ties developing through the simple
suggestion of driveway between
two prominent points, and we
also see the opportunities for
our own boulevard or avenue stretch
ing, as it will, DER hill and dale through
the famed valley OF the Roanoke. afford
ing ready access to villa sites unsur-
passed in the world and forming
Siamese link through which may flow
tho milk of human kindness and the
honey of golden promise as between our
good friends at Salem and ourselves in
grand old Roanoke.
Now as to parks-there will never
again appear moro opportunc time in
the history OF our city in which to gain
access to suburban property for parking
purposes. There are now many Spots
near the city limits accessible by drives
and street cars which could be- pur.
chased at reasonable cost, but which, il
left short while longer, will be out of
reach because Of price.
or course we have all thought of these
matters, but though thoughts said to DO
cyclone, yet the mental disturbance.
like the roaring wind, may so n so high
above the earth that no appreciablc eff.
feet is apparent, hence let us Tonight
come to IL conclusion; memorable our
city fathers to appoint Park Commits
sion whose duty it will be to look after
these great public needs