San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-02-12
A PARK LOVER.
To the Daily LIGHT:

sence OF over tnlrCy-nVe years. In
that generation and three quarters
the place has, Of course, grown al.
most beyond recognition but the
browning glory OF the town, its
beautiful, incompatible little river,
still remains. 1t Is sadly marred
IN some parts, but 1t still retains
enough OF its pristine charm to
leave it without peer on earth.
to my taste and knowledge. |
know OF no city on the globe
traverspd by a stream OF it's size
comparable to it in its varied
charms. The emerald greenness
and clearness OF its water, the pict.
uresqueness due to its tortuous
course, and the varying richness OF
the foliage which adorns its
banks, all combine to give it To-
cal individuality and a beauty all
its own. There is, there can be, but
one San Antonio river.
The construction Of the sewers
now authorized will enable you to
restore to the water its native clear.
ness and purity. Then, appropri-
ate from fifty to one hundred feet
Of it's banks, where not already
built upon, as a park strip, and
maintain every feature in it's nat
ural state, unprofaned by the hands
Of ignorant, untasteful, presump-
tuous men. who imagine they can
"improve (!D on such master
pieces OF the creators handiwork,
and San Antonio will have a park
strip and a park stream which
must forever remain the despair Of
all rival parks and park waters on
this continent.
1t may seem preSumptuOuS for a
stranger like myself to give opin-
ions and advice in such matters
upon your citizens. The following
must be my apology. My past as
sociations with the town and their
memories are such that | must al
ways retain sentimental regard
for it. Moreover as an American, |
cannot restrain a patriotic pride in
the splendid achievements of its
citizens in its recent development.
But | am spurred on to this APP
peal by another consideration. The
existence of this sylvan gem is
milling in the balance. Unless
prompt and energetic steps be
taken to save it, within few short
years it will exist only as a beauti
full dream. The mad rush Of pro-
gress which will be precipitated by
the opening Of Arkansas Passage,
even ere the work upon it is fairly
begun-will sweep over this sweet
plaisance as a bosom, and there
will remain but a hideous scar, a
noisome trench.
You observe that | assume the
construction of San Antonio's
great harbor as a foregone conclu-
sion. This is the only reasonable
view to take. 1t seems incredible
that the men who have made the
city what it is could let slip this
opportunity to make her a great
metropolis.
Mere business shrewdness, and a
knowledge of what rival towns are
doing, demands the preservation
Of this natural park. A city which
aspires to the race for supremacy
must have parks-handsOme parks
and plenty of them, or she will find
herself distanced.
But | appeal to nobler motives
local patriotism, esthetic culture
but above all in the name of suffer
ing humanity, which is physically
and morally benefited by these or
namental air spaces, | appeal at
this crisis for the preservation of
this priceless treasure. And re-
member that this question affects
not only those now living, but
countless generations of citizens
especially the poor who will crowd
the streets and tenements-will in
herit the blessing.
One short newspaper article is
inadequate to more than introduce
this subject. The people must be
aroused and educated by a pro-
longed discussion setting forth the
absolute necessity Of ample park
areas DIETER many small areas
than a few large ones--especially
for the children and for the poor
who are imprisoned in our large
cities) and the wisdom Of securing
them early, when land is cheap
and the natural beauties still sur
vive. Parks are not only the lungs
but the jewels Of cities. The San
Antonio river is a whole crown of
such jewels, and il your citizens
take such action as will preserve it
in all its present beauty, future
generations will arise and call you
blessed.