The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-08-12
GCH|CAGO GRANDEUR
To Be Multiplied Many Fold by
a New Park
To Be Built Out Into the
Lake.
GRAND AS THE FAIR.
Court of Honor Reproduced in
Enduring Stone.
The Inner HarbOr to Be
Filled Up.

CHICAGO, Aug. 12-The plans for the
magnificent Lake Front park are COM
pleted. This park is to be made by
dumping the oetritus from the drainage
canal into the inner harbor, giving an
immense area of made land, which will
be beautified with trees and public
buildings.
Frederick Law Olmstead, who de-
signed the Worlds fair, is to be en-
gagged to create the park. The Illinois
Central railway tracks are to be de-
pressed eleven feet below the surface of
the ground The plan calls for not only
park, but grouping of public build
ings in a manner similar to the court of
honor at the Worlds fair.
The committee in its report suggests
tina what the city needs is not SO much
another park as another kind of park.
1t is proposed to have the Lake Front
park CORES pond to the court of honor,
the existing parks now are similar to the
wooded island at the Worlds fair. In
carrying out this idea of great court
of honor it is proposed to erect facade
in line with the south end of the art in
stitute and another facade at the south
end of the park. These, with the build
ings along Michigan avenue, will form
three sides of the court. The fourth will
be left open to afford an unobstructed
view of the lake. This would give an
area of $40 acres unincumbered with
buildings.
At the north end of the park are to be
located an exposition building 800 feet
by 1925 feet, and an armory of the
same size divided into two sections.
These are to be connected by a peristyle
and triumphant arch, and an amphithea-
ter seating 10000 people. The space
thus enclosed, 40Ox1, IL in size, may be
used as parade ground for the nation
al guard. The plans for the armoriss
are similar to the plans of Brigadier Gen
eral II. A. Wheeler, and similar in exte-
rior design to the Art institute.
Between the Art institute and Randolph
street should be located, the committee
thinks. several public buildings and ad
ditions to the present Art institute.
1t is suggested that the proposed new
city hall be located here. The police
and fire department and board Of educa-
ton should have another building.
At the south end of the park, facing
Michigan avenue, and cores ponding to
the Art institute, the Crerar library may
be located, Beyond the tracks the
Field Columbian museum should be
built The plans call for building 200
feet in width by nearly 1000 in length,
with an immense dome in the center
This location, it is said, is better than the
one in the center of the park. as it does
not obstruct the view of the lake.
The central feature is to be the i'm
mense lagoon in the center of the park.
The lagoon will be bordered by two ter
races, one four and the other ten feet
above the water. The upper terrace will
be on level with the general grade of
the park.
The broad foot bridge that crosses the
center of the lagoon leads to an island
formed by the two inlets. Upon this the
music pavilion, open at the sides and to
accommodate 1000 singers and 800 in
strumental performers, is be be built In
front of the pavilion is to run the grand
plaza. 40Ox250 feet, for promenade pur-
poses. Accommodations for tennis, ball
games and other sports are provided