The herald., 1897-01-06
GR|FF|1HTS GREAT GIFT
Work of Transferring Title
Commenced
LOWER PART DECIDED TO The CITY
Others Will Follow as Soon as
Surveys Can Be Made
LAYING OUT OF THE PARK
A Letter From MajOr Clark Containing
Some Valuable Suggestions
Protests Against the Proposed Improvement
Of Bellevue Avenue
LAYING OUT OF THE PARK
A Letter From MajOr Clark Containing
Some Valuable Suggestions
Protests Against the Proposed Improvement
Of Bellevue Avenue
An Adjourned Session of the Council
to Hear Protests-Meeting of the
Police Commissioners-The
Anticipating Ordinance.

The work of TRANSFERRING the title of
GrifYith park to the city began yesterday
by the recording of deed from Mr.. Grif-
fith for the lower portion of the lands
given. The rema inirg part will be deed :
ed as soon as the city engineer can sur
vey the exterior lines, which Is no small
job in the case of something more than
5000 acres of land. AS soon as the city
has acquired title to all the park lands
steps should be taken to lay out the park
on an approved plan, and in this connec-
tion the subjoined letter gives many ex-
cellent suggestions which should be
carefully considered by the park author
tiles.
SAN FRANCISCO. Dec. 81.
Hon. G. J. Griffith, Los Angeles, Cal:
Dear Sir--Permit me to express my
arigh appreciation of holiday gift of a
park tract to the city of Los Angeles,
and to congratulate its good people Ul
the requirement of so magnificent a con-
tribution to their health and pleasure
The value of this great boon is the mora
apparent when we consider that each
succeeding year fer all time will but add
to its beauty and grandeur.
But in order to realize these attraC-
tions 1t Is impera tive that such sys-
tematic methods should be followed in
the beginning as will ensure the final
adoption of a skillfully devised plan for
the future development and permanent
Improvement of the park
In view of the Importance of the sub
ject not only to the people of Los An
geleS but also to the visiting pubic in
general, take the liberty of submitting
q few suggestions derived from my pas
experience in park treatment that may
AI~- ~ f,.y 10, t,r Il In
auguration of the work and in attain
ing the desired results
The Indispensable requirements ara.
Flrst-A typographical survey, de-
lineating all the natural features, hills,
valleys. streams, rocks. foliage etc.
made by one thoroughly familiar with
park work. and who appreciates the val
ue of bringing out not only the main
typographical features of the ground
but also all minor details which are
often so important in perfecting IN
ished plan, otherwise with only the usual
typographical survey in hand it will lie
impossible for the engineer to devise a
plan which would not be subject in
future to difficult. complicated and eX~
pensive alterations.
Second-A map of this survey drawn
on a large and exact scale forming Il
ground plan in contours. a bird s-eye
view as 1t were, of the entire tract, upon
which studies call then be made and d
plan Of treatment devised and plated.
This plan should be so comprehensive
in design, so complete in all its details,
and so thorough in its conception that
1t should be rigldly adhered to in the
future, when finally accepted by the
park authorities. At the same time this
plan should be so full and clear that de-
tailed working sheets could be complied
therefrom, which would enable any corn .
nrf cIIr TO 10 f,1It n,.l.
on the ground for actual construction
These TWO factors q typographical
and contour survey and finished plan
are the essential and primary necessi-
ties for park treatment After they are
secured the development becomes Il
question of money to carry out the i'm
provements. of a skilled gardener 20
plant and cultivate and Of time to pro-
duce the full effects desired
l am well aware that an enterprise 1f
this magnitude should rot be left to the
judgment of any one man however conf
petent ana eXpe rienced Should | be
entrusted with the work | would. there
fore, before submitting a final plan Of
improvement call in for consultation the
best talent available. as. fer example,
my friend Mr. Fred Law Olms tead. the
father of American parks. and also MI.
Robert Ulrich. who thoroughly under
stands the flora ard climate OF Califor-
mia and is favorably known Is the de-
sis'ner of the beautiful grounds at the
Hotel del Monte
AS to the expense Of this pre- parat tory
work, without more definite knowledge
of the ground, ] should estimate that
$4,000 would cover the cost of the surveys
and final plan as above indicated
The surveys should be commenced at
the earliest possible date. in order that
the final plan and working sheets may
be prepared ard completed by the time
morey appropriation can be made
available for the Improvement of Griffith
park. Very respectfully yours.
MAJOR FRED A. CLARK
THE CT1,y CoU-NCIT