The herald., 1894-03-26
HOLLENBECE PARK FEATURES
1t Has Been Transformed in
the Past Three Months.
Excellent Work Being Done By the
Park Department


A Beautiful Miniature Lake Drives
and walks Completed = Diver
sIhsd Landscape Garden
ing-The Plants.
Those of our citizens who have not
visited Hollenbeck park on Boyle
Heights for q time would be surprised at
the Transformation which it has under
gone in the past three months.
The rugged ravine which splits that
section OF the Ninth ward in twain and
cuts through the center of the park is
now filed with water, converting the
valley at the lower end into beautiful
miniature lake, from which there ex-
tends up the ravine a broad lagoon,
which follows the sinuous lines of the
ravine, and is really a portion of the
lake for q distance of 2,200 feet, while
the numerous minor ravines which de-
bouch into the larger valley have been
converted into quiet pools. Foreman
Il. ii. Berry, who has charge OF force
OF men working in the city's newest
park, is now constructing series of rus
tic waterfalls in these ravines, which
will add to the picturesquenesH of the
general scene. Three bridges are also
now in course of construction, two OF
these crossing the minor waterways
while the principal one will be across
the lagoon itself This bridge will be
tie most imposing structure of the
three, as it will be sort OF rustic repro
duction of the famous Bridge of Sighs of
Venice, and will be sufficiently high to
admit of the passage of boats under
meath.
The driveways and walks. which cover
in all several miles, are all completed.
graveled, and lined with cement drain
ways. The shores of the lake and
lagoon have been under the hands of
the landscape gardeners. and under
these artisans have been converted nto
beautiful lawns, with flower beds artisti-
cally interspersed. There will be a boat
house. on the general plan of the new
structure going up st Westlake
park, on smaller scale, at the upper
end of the lagoon, while on the promon-
tory overlooking the lake at the lawn
there will be erected a spacious band
pavilion. designed for Sunday concerts.
1t was first thought that the pavilion
would be located on the small island in
the middle of the lake, but the park
commission decided on the former loca-
tion, and the island will be covered with
water plants and trees and ferns, a rest
ing place for the swans which ths COM
mission will place in the lake.
Altogether Foreman Berry has placed
5000 trees in the new park within few
months. These are made up of sugar
gum, blue gums, gravelias, Catalpas,
pepper tress, Francisco and Phoenix
palms, um brella trees, maple pine and
cypress trees, four different varieties Of
the acacia, orange and lemon and mag
nolia trees, and many other varieties,
while weeping willows have been
planted along the lake and lagoon. In
addition to these trees 5000 shrubs,
many of Towering varieties, have been
set out. Among these are sloes, hib g.
Gus, altrothemes, laureetinas, malaluc-
cas- and other well-known ornamental
Shrubs. At many points the hillsides
have been terrsced, and the creeping
ice plant and other MOSES planted, add
ing to the verdurs of the hills. in the
matter OF flowers it ia intended to illus-
trate fully what the climate of Southern
California will do for the nurture aid
development OF the floral kingdom, and
Foreman Berry says it is his intention
to have every variety OF rose blooming
in this big garden Of the Ninth ward.
Already hundreds of La France, Borsa-
line, Marschal Neil, Lady Banksia and
other well-known varieties of the rose
have been set out, together with gera-
aiums, Gala lilies, carnations and scores
of other fourishing plants.
In a secluded nook in the central ra-
vine fernery has been located, where
it is proposed to have a complete col
lection of ferns, and altogether in few
weeks the denizens OF Los Angeles will
have another floral garden which they
will be proud to show to their visiting
friends from the east.