The herald., 1896-12-11
THE C|TY'S PUBLIC PARKS
The Annual Report of the
Superintendent
Many IMPROVEMENTS WERE MADE
What Has Been Accomplished in
EIysian Park
SOME NEW ROADS LAID OUT
Thousands Of Trees Planted and Are Now
Progressing Nicely
The Botanical Gardens Have Also Received
Much Attention
The General Condition of All Parks Is
Highly atisfactory-Finances in
Good Shape-Weekly Meeting
SOME NEW ROADS LAID OUT
Thousands Of Trees Planted and Are Now
Progressing Nicely
The Botanical Gardens Have Also Received
Much Attention
The General Condition Of All Parks Is
Highly isfactory-Finances in
Good Shape-Weekly Meeting
of the Commissioners.

The park commissioners met in the
mayors Office yesterday morning, with
Mayor RAIDER presiding and all the men,
bers of the board present.
The superintendent reported the ad-
visibility of the watchmen in the East
Los Angeles and Westlake parks going
on duty at l p. m, and remaining until
9 p. m, which was ordered.
On motion the secretary was instruct
ed to place $500 on the dwelling in the
East Los Angeles park.
In the matter of the pipe line from
Echo park, action was deferred until
the next regular meeting.
The annual reports of the secretary
and superintendent were submitted.
and superintendent were submitted and
read and on motion were adopted and
ordered transmitted to the council.
On motion, the secretary was instruct
ed to advertise for bids for ten days for
the construction of the band stand for
the East Los Angeles park. according
to the plans and specifications on file,
and with wood or cement piers.
On motion, the matter of trees for the
Fielding avenue entrance to Elysian
park was referred to the superintend-
ent, after which the board adjourned.
THE ANNUAL REPORTS.
In his annual report Secretary Men
denhall gives detailed statement of the
park finances for the past year. All
Of the funds are in good shape, and ex-
penditures are being kept within the ap
propriations Owing to the fact that
under the charter the report must be
closed on November 30, and the time for
the payment Of taxes having been ex-
tended, an apparent over-draft of some
Of the funds is shown. This, however,
is not the case, as the money will be
on hand to meet all demands.
Superintendent Carey gives a detailed
statement in relation to the care and
improvement of the several parks. A
very large amount of work has been
done in extending the roads, walks and
drives. Hundreds of thousands of
plants have been planted during the
past summer for distribution among the
various parks, and hundreds of valuable
contributions have been made to the
botanical garden. After giving details
in the matter of the various smaller
parks. the superintendent has the fol-
lowing to say about Elysian park, "our
future great and grand park"
The work accomplished in this park
has been very satisfactory. A large
the valleys and on hillsides at too great
distance from the main boulevard to
be appreciated al present.
The young trees planted last spring
have done excellently well. The ground
was put in thorough condition and the
trees we'll planted. The several varie-
ties Of eucalyptus have grown from two
to ffve feet In height; tine cypress and
pine have made large growth, and by
thorough cultivation of the soil less
water will be necessary next summer.
There were planted about twenty
thousand (20,000) trees during March
and April last and out of the 20, 900 only
twelve hundred 12,0oo) were replaced
this summer, which speaks we'll for the
management of the foreman.
There has been constructed about
four thousand (4000) feet of new road,
thirteen hundred Q30o) feet during May
and June, which cost nine hundred and
sixteen dollars ($916) the cost of the
1000 feet was less than one dollar and
fifty ($1.50) cents per foot. Cultivated the
new groves four times, and groves of
last seasons planting three times. Haul
ed waited to the young trees in groves
twice, first from middle of July to last
OF August; second time, from middle of
September to last Of October, which was
sufficient, as no trees suffered for the
want Of water.
Have now planted about twenty-five
(c5) acres for trees this winter.
Delivered from the nursery depart
ment during the summer forty three
4S.0oo) thousand plants to the several
parks.
Have on hand eighty-one thousand,
four hundred and thirty-six (S1,4S6)
plants for planting this spring.
Built addition to the glass house, pro-
viding four hundred and eighty (4S0)
square feet more space.
Built furnace and f1ue at a cost of
twenty-seven ($2O dollars, to provide
heat for the greenhouse this winter;
blue gum stumps and prunings will be
used for fuel
Under the direction of ]. c. Harvey.
president of the Los Angeles Botanical
society, the botanical gardens have
been improved by the addition of many
rare plants.
Mr.. Harvey is authority in this line
and through his efforts there are now
many countries of the world, which in
the course of two or three years will be
very interesting feature of Elysian
park. Mr.. Harvey has rendered valu-
able services to the park in general.
There has been work necessary in Hol-
lenbeck park. East Side and Westlake
which necessitated the early expendi-
ture of money in order to accomplish
certain work, which could be more eco
nomically done before winter rains.
The grading and graveling of road
ways and walks were finished before
the first rains. and were settled and did
not become soft and impossible during
wet weather; the grading of the banks
and making fills is work that should
always be completed before winter.
All of this work has been finished, and
at less expense than could have been
accomplished during the rainy season.
In order to do this work have over
drawn the monthly allowance, believing
that in so doing we have gained instead
of sustaining loss to the parks.
The expense for the next six months
will be simply for maintenance. and
there should be no deficiency on June
1st, 1897.
Trees, both for shade and to add beauty
to the landscape, are of the greatest
Importance and should be thoroughly
studied.
In order to secure good results, the for
est should be composed of various spe-
cies; mixed forest planting has many
advantages.
In order to improve this park intelli-