The herald., 1896-04-12
AT present the two parks most pat
PHILOSOPHERS AT CENTRAL PARK

ronized by the public are Westlake and
Central. The former is the popular
paradise on Sunday afternon, while
Central park, between Fifth and Sixth
streets and Olive and Hill, from its
proximity to the business part of the
city, is daily sought as a breathing place
by thousands of citizens. Its small area
-four and a half acres-for it only COW
ers city block, necessarily limits it's
usefulness, but the public make the
best and fullest use of it's advantages.
At certain hours of the day, although
the park is well provided with benches,
1t is exceedingly difficult to find a seat.
From earlymorn to dusk the weary man
of business may be found here snatch
ing a few moments of fresh air and rec
reation, it is the scene of consolation
and often inspiration sought by the
anxious toiler who cannot find a job;
here, to, cOngregate the loafer and the
malcOntent, and one of the features of
the life of the park is to be found in the
little groups of men discussing the
questions of the day, abstruse doctrines
of theology, not rendered less obscure
by the discussion and general sugges-
tions for the millennium. The peripa-
tetic philosopher is found here in his
glory; a corner seat on one of the bench
es is reserved for him; he has estab-
lished almost regular school of disci-
pies; so he puffs his pipe, let's fall
words of wisdom, which are anxiously
awaited, only rarely to be combated
by some intrepid newcomer. and en-
Joys his ease and glory. Central park
is also the mecca of the nursemaids;
here their charges will rest quietly be-
meath the cool and comfortable shade;
there is chance, perhaps, of one of
their young men happening that way,
or indeed a possibility of making a fresh
acquaintance; at all events they may
IND enjoyment and excitement in the
NJ ft.a n l.
cealed in the baby's buggy. The park
1s not big enough to make playground
OF any pretenSiOns or attractions for
sthe children. who want more space for
their gambols than is found in the
walks, and there is necessarily Wig
.OrouS veto from encroachment on the
grass. The band stand does. however.
often afford the arena for romp much
to the distress of the wanderer or the
weary who are striving to seek rest on
the neighbOring benches. The daily pa
per is in tremendous request all day
long in the park, and should one leave
. paper on the bench it is at once eager
iy pounced on by some one who has
probably been watching the reader
with Jealous and anxious eyes for many
minutes.
When-alas, only on rare occasions
q band plays here, the accommoda ton
of the park is taxed to it's utmost limit
Under the shadows of the dusk the
park rules of keeping off the grass are
If not relaxed infringed Music is not
20 enjoyable when one has to stand up
in the midst of a warm and stufIy
crowd, but to one sprawling at full
length on the green sward the strains
are much sweetened. The name of any
city council that would subsidze a band
to play here twice or three times week
would be forever blessed
The park is kept in excellent order
and Is under the care of Frank Adams
ELYSTAN PARK
There are the grandest possibilities in
Elysian park, which if worthily devel-
;oped will give Los Angeles a park as
magnificent and famous as the Cen
tral park in New York, Fairmount
IN Philadelphia and Golden Gate in San
francisco The almost ideal situation
~ this tract of land should in time rem
der it the most unique and charming
feature of the city. The park is the relic
OF one of the four square leagues of
wround granted under the old treaty to
each pueblo. The important measure
flnalIy setting it aside for the city was
adopted by the council just ten years
ako.-on April 5th, 1886. The mayor at
that time, the Hon. H. T. Hazard, is
rightly known as the father of Elysian
parx for II as !; i:ss
6enp1tting energies that the council was