The Anaconda standard., 1895-05-04
NICE TO LOOK UPON
Great Falls has q Number Of Very
Pretty Parks.
HOW THE CITY GOT THEN
Hon. Paris Gibson Has Given the
Matter q Great Deal OF His
Personal Attention and the
Public is the Winner.

Great Falls. May 3.-The first view
that the stranger in Great Falls re-
ceives Of this pretty city is a pleasing
one. AS he leaves the Union depot and
gazes up Central avenue he beholds
the handsomest and busiest street in
the state of Montana. The sidewalks
are lined with pedestrians and vehi-
cles crowd the street. but the most
beautiful sight. to the weary eyes OF
the traveller, Is that afforded by ma
ture. with skilful assistance from
man.
In front of the depot is a large. cir
culaf fountain plot. The basin is
filled with water and the spray is
thrown into the air. Through this
run cement walks and the lawn looks
like a beautiful green carpet. No
statue has yet been secured to sur
mount the fountain. but the purchase
of suitable piece is not far dis
tant.
On either side Of the sidewalks lead
ing from the depot to the park is a
handsome park, each occupying a block
of land. With wise foresight the early
residents of the city prepared for the
future, and many of the trees that
were planted several years ago now
AFFORD welcome shade. Large sums are
annually appropriated for the care of
these parks and they are being con-
stantly improved. For several weeks
men have been engaged in pruning the
trees, planting live ones in place Of
the dead. and otherwise improving the
parks
To this work Hon. Paris Gibson has
daily given personal attention. To him
the people of this city owe an ever
lasting debt of gratitude. which will
increase as the years pass. 1t is his
policy that will make the entire city
of Great Falls in a few years a great
park. Every street is lined with grow
ing trees. He has advocated his ideas
against much opposition. but was VIC
torious and every spring proves his
sound Judgment.
In the artificial parks a large variety
of trees have been planted. Some arc
of rapid growth. others will require
years to become OF value. They are
artistically arranged and assiduously
attended. They are just springing
into leaf and the sight now presented
is charming.
Along the river there are natural
groves, decades old, which the city has
reserved for parks. In these swings
are hung, and beneath the trees Gro
quet grounds have been made. In the
park between Park drive and the smell
ter spur, football and baseball grounds
are prepared. In the summer. beneath
the trees. many entertainments arr
given. The city owns other parks
which have not yet been improved, bu
the future will reveal the wisdom o.
the purchases.
1t is but few years since even resi-
dents of Great Falls spoke of this cit,
as barren and unattractive and man.
expressed a belief that 1t would neve
change. They have seen the change
and are convinced. They are evel
forced to admit that they were alto
gether mistaken. They have learne'
that the hills just across the river pro
duce hundreds of varieties of flower
of rare beauty; as the city has grow
new picnic grounds and similar re
sorts were required. and 1t has bee
discovered that within almost walkin
distance of the city are many pleasan
groves. These discoveries have sur
prised some of the croakers who di
not take pains to investigate 70
themselves. but they have put quie
tus on complaints.