The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-08
SEATTLE A PARK CITY
Annual Report of the Park
Commissioners.
SOME POINTED COMPARISONS.
Location for . Pleasure Ground on
Lake Washington How Parks
Mako Money for Cities.

The park commission has prepared an elsbor
ate report on the work which il has done dur
ing the year and half OF its existence and
makes some striking comparisons of the park
area OF the principal cities of the world ana the
enect OF the location of parks on the value of
ADJOINING property. II also makes recommen-
Cations FOR the location OF new parks and gives
estimates of the expenditures which IL con-
siders advisable IN the opening year.
Alter reciting the work done on the several
embryonic parks the under direction OF the
ooard the report draws comparisons, and speak
Ing OF the grounds along Lake W Arlington, says:
The woods often thrust their natural beauty
q ss t. the very
ms ribbon OF ground is easy OF
access 10 the citizens OF Seattle. and possesses
the character and the features most suitable for
htcmanUc pleasure ground.
In the comparative statement figures are
gwen going TO show that parks in a certain
sense makes great cities. Thousands" reads
the report. "throng the great parks OF the cities
anu towns the world over. Sundays and holi-
days, and are not compelled to seek demoraliz-
Ing sports and pastimes."
In figuring cost ank remuneration all the
principal cities in the United states are In
Guided 20 show the earnings: or. the report
reads, "to show the earning capacity OF parks"
In this connection the report says:
Central park in New York city contains SEA
acres. cost $1,000. The improvements cost
$l3,O1.5l5 between the Years 1886 and lS73 dur
winch time the increase OF tax In the three
wards directly concer ned. over and above the
cost OF land and improvements, was 81, All ,l40
Inc assessed valuation OF these three wards in
1856 was $40, 1855. In 1873 it had increased to
w, 0sl,5l5, gain in seventeen years OF $215-
e54.950. The natural average increase OF three
other wards of the city was s53, ,00, 900. making
period slS3,0St,5I5.
The Brooklyn, n Y, park commission has re.
ported the following figures concerning its
Prospect PARK, containing SIS acres, costing
$343s ,5l4 or &C. SO per acre. The assessed valu
alton OF three neighboring wards in 1864 was
si9,9ilS9o the same wards were assessed in 1867,
81, i52OS1; increase in three years, $4S2, 3d.
81 per cent gain. The additional tax raised from
this increased valuation was s2s0,692, while
ths interest on the whole park debt was
$Z22,2l9. showing an increased annual revenue
TO the city from these three park wards alone,
debt. of S5s,473.
parks there has been a remarkable increase in
the value OF lands in their vicinity. The in.
creased taxes fairly attributable to parks are be-
ileved TO more than meet the interest on their
cost, rs we'll as the payment OF the quota re-
by law. p'O'
In the eleventh annual report of the park
commission of Boston is a comprehensive and
exhaustive exhibit of the increase in valuation
resulting from the Back Bay improvement.
showing all increase of value from 1877 10 1885
OF 81, ,449, and yielding an increase Of reve-
nue. III 1876, at the rate of sl2 so per thousand
OF $i52.17374 The value of new buildings
created upon this territory since 1877 was 80 $685.
300. from which the city derived an income in
1855 Of sl279 81, making total increase in rev.
enue OF taxes and corresponding value of land
in 1885 of $lS0, 06
The Chicago PARK department says in its re-.
port that the immediate effect was to double
and 9uadruple property values.
Phiiadel phia- commissioners OF Fair.
mount park bear testimony follows: at is
universally conceded that the acquisition and
development OF Paramount park are foremost
among the boons bestowed on Philadei phia
As pecuDiary investment 1t has proved copi-
ously remunerative; as a sanitary auxiliary its
value cannot be overestimated, while as means
of enjoyment to the masses its benefits are in.
estimable."
The report condemns the hap-haxard laying
out OF new additions, saying:
No attention is paid to the amount OF grade to
be overcome and have them conform to a mini.
mum rather than a maximum grade, A. we'll as
to obviate the Irregular alignments making in
Vulnerable joys and disconnected streets.
The proposition of the commissioners is to
locate a grand park between Madison point
through Hunters Glen and reaching to the
peninsula on the west shore OF Lake Washing
ton. In this connection the commissioners say
the location has been selected because it Is the
link between the two great parks on Lake Wash
ington and the city, and continues:
Access to it win be through Madison street. and
then through the several branch drives connect.
ing with different portions OF the city in the
vicinity OF the bluff The territory thus ira
verund Is already adorned BY three of the most
POPULAR gardens in the city, reached respec-
i.vply by the Yesler. the James street and the
Madison street railways, and it unites these
by rural anu scenic drive and by walks, cycle
ways and rambies.
The cost of maintaining the parks in this city
last year was SD 50. Estimates for the en-.
suing year are s21,S27, divided as follows:
ESTIMATE OF MONEY REQUIRED PoR THE CITY
PARKS FOR 1895.