The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-10-18
CITY PARK SYSTEM
SUGGESTION BY THE FAMOUS
WORLDS FAIR Park DESIGNER.
Mr.. Ohmstead VIII Submit n Plan to
the Park COmnsfssi0ners-PIeas-
ant Chat with Him.

Mr.. j. c. Ohmstead. son of the famous
landscape gardener of the worlds fair
grounds. is in town and will to-day meet
with the park commissioners to secure their
views as to the extent Of the proposed park
system of the city. Mr.. Ohmstead is a
man of less than the medium height. Of
fair complexion and slender build. but with
an intelligent. artistic face. He talks
readily and pleasantly about his chosen
work. which Is that OF his father, being a
member Of the landscape gardening firm OF
Ohmstead, Elliott & Ohmstead. Mr.. Ohm
stead has recently spent a week on the
grounds Of the Vanderbilt estate at Ash
land, n. c. Coming from the mountainous
and picturesque spot, he was. no doubt,
excusable last night in giving unconscious
evidence of his appreciation that Indianap-
oils is rather an unpicturesque place and
not very rich in available situations for
parks having scenic effects.
A ride about thesncity yesterday was
taken on a blackboard in company with
Messrs. Perry. Leedy. Allen and Holt, men,
bers Of the Park Commission. and Clyde
Powers, the superintendent of parks. The
day was a pleasant one and invested the
city's open spaces with as much attractive
ness as they ever have. The first stop was
made on West Michigan street, where a
view OF the stretch toward the river was
taken. Mr.. Ohmstead was provided with a
camera. with which he took snap shots,
making the compass directions on q map OF
the city. The party followed the stream to
the north and east, taking views wherever
the trained eye OF the designer caught a
glimpse of an available spot for a park.
Mr.. Ohmstead was seen at the Denison
Hotel last night and asked about the trip.
| He said:
I'VE did not finish the inspection of the
city's available sites for parks, but will do
so as far as possible this morning. There
Is not much Of the picturesque about what
we saw, and have not yet seen any place
that seems to me to present the opportunity
for scenic effects .sat are so essential In
great parks So far I4nave found nothing pre-
so that the loeation-ofthe parks may not
be hampered by the extravagant IDEAS of
the property owners whose lands are
wanted. II the owners OF the lands needed
are liberal and ready to assist, there are
opportunities to give the oity a very fair
system of parks. There is plenty of water
creek. Pogue's run and Pleasant run. The
greatest difficulty is that the sites for parks
a arsek teo a mgc suS eat VI witn Of si resl e,t rai!ros ID
seems to me that the additions OF the city
were not laid out with proper regard for
The city needs the services of an engineer
of frst-rate ability who would take the
city as a whole and give 1t an engineering
system-something IT has not had as. yet.
saIary a man, s sGwe 70 5000 @Ui a r years a large
Mr.. Ohmstead said the ponds or lakes in
the parks to be designed should, IL possible,
be out of the course Of the running streams,
SO as TO escape the devastations of floods.
drsas idea es acres Of = e smd h "a Gns q sq landscape e of a
mile, so that people may drive within its
boundaries a considerable time. He wants
1t a place where people may spend a half
day. His conception amounts to preserving
in natural beauty the primeval environ
view, however, he says. is one toward
which the city must grow. The first con-
Germ Is to give the people small parks for
breathing places within easy reach OF the
city, and then enlarge the scope OF the
The city of Boston. he said, has only re-
Gently secured any considerable park prop
erty. The movement TO this end began In
1876. and 1t was not until 1885 that Frank.
lin Park. containing 900 acres: was opened tc
i'm the city limits. ? This has been accom-
pljshed at the expenditure of $12, coo, Coz
raised entirely by taxation.
The city of Hartford, Mr.. Ohn1stead says
In making rapid STRIDES toward a magnifI
Sent parn of private citizens. Mr.. ohm
stead thinks indianapolis is gaining a size
which makes Ii Imperative not TO put of
securing ground for a park system mucf
longer. He is already SATISFIED that yer,
much may be done Tor the city on the small
plats of ground now in It's possession. blu
his intention is to devise a system worth,
If the cjty's future greatness. He is onl,
taking data at this visit. and he will worl
out the details in his ONCE In New forl
city. He expects to leave yo-night for TIT
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