The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-05-23
SEATTLE'S BIG PARK.
Possibilities Presented by the
Forty-Acre Tract.
UTILITY NO LESS THAN BEAUTY
The Proposed Ornamentation-AR eser-
vOir Formed Like n Lake-An Ex-
position Of Textile Plants.

The most important park in Seattle not
only as TO area but i'll view OF possibili-
ties, is the city park on the top of the
ridge which runs through the city from
north to south. 1t comprises forty acres,
and is endowed by nature with all the at
fractions OF a delightful resort. Even in
its present state OF uucultured virginity it
abounds in beauties. Not only does it
command fine views of the Sound and of
Lake Union. but the hardly less charming
scenery to the east. At points it affords a
view of Mount Rainier, whose grandeur
can hardly be exceiled. The aspect pre-
scented to Seattle is far more magnificent
than that from Commencement bay, be-
cause the spur to the east is brought clear
ly into outline The scene at early morn
ing during the summer months is almost
sublime. when the yet unseen sun sends
forth its courIers who mantle the noun
tain monarch in the resplendent robes of
dawn. The matchess pink of sunrise and
whose tint IS not obscured by the haze
which gathers toward the close of day.
The evening hours are the best, how
ever, in which to watch the glories of the
Cascades, because the western sun lights up
the distant valleys and ravines, displ aging
the varied hues of green and throwing up
against the darkening SKY the weird
shapes of the rocky monsters. The SER
rated lines become a series of succeeding
hills, tapering up to the tarthermost range
In whose bosom lies vast treasury Of
mineral wealth.
But in the park itself the nearer beauties
are no less attractive. and the possibilities
seen by the student of the picturesque are
llmitless. The underbrush crowds out the
native flowers, but wild honeysuckle, the
goiden-yeilow genesta and the red buckle
berry give promise of the future.
The flora Of Washington is as varied as
as that OF England, and the freedom of the
temperature from the extremes to which
that favored island is subject make it pos
siDle to acciimatiZe almost all the floral
beauties of the TEN Derate and sub-lropical
zones.
Superintendent Schwagerl is planning
gu, a glorious future for the city park. His
HIS idea Is to make it an exposi-
ton OF the marvellous variety
and beauty of the state hora
and proof Of the capacity of the state to
develop plants OF a textile value. He
thinks that tobacco, ramei and other
plants having great commercial value can
be grown, and that development of plant
life can be promoted which has no equal
anywhere.
At present the park is only nursery.
That is 1t has crude dollhouse and two
or three acres OF nursery beds, but he does
not think 1t advisable to make that the
nursery. The need OF a carpenter shop, of
gias5-h OuSeS, Greenhouses, q boiler room
and other accessories OF artificial iiori-
culture would take up too much room and
mar the effect park should produce. He
hopes soon TO submit plan for nursery
IN a less exposed position, with view not
only TO picturesque results, but to better
propagate the more delicate plants.
1t Is part OF the plan of the city's water
supply system to have reservoir in the
park. Mr.. Schwagerl will endeavor to
persuade the authorities not to have a
square cement tank. but to make lake on
the eastern side of the slope. If the present
plan is adopted, it Will destroy a beautiful
ravine such as would be considered
great advantage in ornamental grounds.
The nursery contains few rare plants yet,
the demand being so great at lrst for the
pretty, but hardy, plants which forms the
staples of park decoration. There is,
nevertheless, much Of interest A YER.
fine maneria, the Norwoy spruce in its
miniature immatucity, and other tree
seedlings are watched with care, and de-
liGhttul hour may be spent by lovers of
nature among the moses and ferns.
The plans for the city park are only in
the initial stage. 4 Typographical! chart
Is being prepared, and upon its lines will
be based the general design. With such
promising material only year or SO Will
be needed TO make the park a charming
resort and source of great advantage to
the states Industrial Development.