The herald., 1896-02-21
Neither Was on Hand at Yester-
days Park Session
NO NEW SUPERINTENDENT
Meserye Calls Attention TO Some Needs
at EIysian
The Work Of improvement at That Park
During the Ycaf-Echo Park Boat
House Nearly Completed

The board of park commi ssioners, as an.
ticipated by THE HERALD, made no selec-
ton of a successor to Superintendent
Elmo Il. Meserve yesterday. The mayor
did not get down to the city hall until in
the afternoon hours and Captain Cross was
absent from the meeting. Superintendent
Meserve filed a communication, which
stated that after more than one years
systematic work and careful study in and
of Elysian park, he is better acquaint-
ed with its manifold requirements, as well
as being better enabled to appreciate its
many attractions and wonderful posslbili-
ties on account of his close study of its
conditions; he felt it incumbent upon him
self to call the attention of the board to
few important points in connection with its
present needs, and future requirem ents.
Hazards burro trail has answered its
intended purpose. affording a possible
even if rough drve--into and over the
park, educating the driving public as to
the grand possibilities therein. Changes
have been made in roadways and many
suggestions made upon the line of boule-
vard work. Numerous surveys were run
and profiles made for study and future
work The superintendent graded one
large section in the true boulevard form
as an object lesson in possibilities of hill
top and side grades. and although it is DOS
sibIe to do considerable work upon the same
lines which would be of material benefit
and undoubtedly upon lines of future de-
velopments, still, at the same time, he is
more forcibly impressed every day that
before larger sums are expended in either
forestry extension or boulevard develop
ment, it would be advisable to utilize
a portion of the large balance of funds we
now have on hand in having an exper.
fenced civil engineer, who has worked
in park development. and along the
lines needed. 10 make a complete
survey of all the lands now belonging to
the park by actual ownership, as we'll as
those that are part OF the park by natural
location. in the hands of such man.
working in conjunction with the park su-
perntendent and park commissioners, the
board would have developed working
plan of the park-an intelligent map to lay
before the public, when you desire to call
their attention to the park requirements.
and you will find that the public, through
an intelligent understanding, will have
greater confidence in this park, knowing
that these moneys given Tor development
will be used for definite as we'll as
neesed improvement, and the work from
year to year will be upon steady defined
lines of actual requirements. Meserve
states that his work will be in conformity
with that of his predecessors, and his sue
cessors can follow upon the same lines,
and their combined efforts will be one of
harmony, whereas, at present, it will be
mere chance ii such conditions should pre-
vail.
No action was taken on the above by the
board.
The secretary was instructed to return
oil ba fnrf no
700 feet of pipe for Hollenbeck and East
side parks and readvertse for proposals to
be opened at the next meeting of the
board.
The superintendent reported that the
new boat house at Echo park is nearly
completed and that the work of deepening
this lake is being prosecuted with as much
dispatch as possible.
A communication was read from the
chamber of commerce requesting that the
board furnish flowers and plants for the
exhibition hall. The superintendent was
instructed to this effect.
The superintendent called attention to
the fact that the city engineer has discon-
tinued the work of surveying the line for
the proposed boulevard between Elysian
park and Echo park, owing to the action of
the city council in reducing his force of
field men. The superintendent said that
the engineer would resume the work if the
board would contribute $3.50. The matter
was taken under adyisement.
The board will next Tuesday morning
visit in a body Elysian and Echo parks.