The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-02
PARKS OF ST. PAUL.
SUPT. NUSSBAUMER SUBMITS HIS
ANNUAL REPORT TO THE
BOAS-
GOES INTO GREAT DETAIL.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE IN IMPr~-.~=
ING THE CITY'S BEAUTY
SPOTS.
MIR. wHEELOCK WAS RE-ELECTE>..
suggestions Made by the Superin-
tendent as to What Is Most
Needed This Year.


Commissioner Aberle vice president.
Frederick Nussbaumer was reelected
superintendent of parks.
The superintendent annual report
was accepted and ordered printed.
The superintendent annual report
contains detailed and exhaustive &C
count of the park improvements dur
ing the past year, including a list Of
the trees, shrubs and eVergreens plant
ed since 1891, which a student of botany
would find extremely interesting. The
history and growth of the park nursery
are also set forth, together with an
account of the extensive planting OF
shade trees on the principal residence
streets. The report in substance is as
follows:
General Maintenance-The past season has
been very successful one in park work in
general and in patronage by the public in
particular Visitors to the parks exceeded
in number any former record, this, of course
is due to the great number of strangers
brought to the city by the G. A. R. encamp-
ment.
Indian Mounds park, although in the crude
state of construction, was outside of Como
park, the most literally ratronized park in the
city during the whole season. No record has
been kept to ascertain the actual number. The
ing the season was S67, $40.
Skating Rink-The number Of skaters dur
ing the last season has not been as large as in
former years, owing to the more unfavorable
weather, on account Of the heavy snowfall
the expense Of clearing the ice was nearly
double what it was last year. Four acres
of ice were kept clean for the skating rink
and three-Quarters Of mile, seventy feet
wide, for the race track, at a total expense
Of $1l5.2S. The warming house has been
maintained by the lessee of Lark privileges
no Cfr &c
wholly inadequate, both in capacity and
rangement, and proper police surveillance
of the premises is at times impossible.
Then follows the table showing the
number of trees and shrubs that were
planted IN the different parks since
1891. The superintendent says that the
paintings are in first class condition,
the loss on trees by transplanting
never exceeding two and one-half per
cent. According to the report sixty
seven different species of trees and
shrubs were planted, the value Of
which is estimated at nearly $1,000.
Eight species Of evergreens were
planted aggregating Slips in value.
Total number of trees. shrubs and
evergreens planted amounted to "a, 1926
Park Nursery-In 1892 the nursery was first
established; since then 1880 trees and
shrubs had been taken out ana planted in the
parks, the nursery stock has always been re-
plenished. During last season 645 elm trees
since the completion of the waterwork mains
to the nursery grounds, the expense of caring
for same are greatly reduced and the growth
of the trees very much enhanced Then
follows a list Of the trees and shrubs stand
ing in the nursery Feb g. 1897, aggregating
6,20S and representing a value of g. 332.05.
Greenhouse and Floral Decoration-With
our present greenhouse space the limit Of
raising plants has been reached. During
last season we raised 2S0,00G plants 97155
were used exclusively for G. A. r. decoration,
and for nral Narl TIO in A
the parks and minor places were literally
treated.
Lily Pond-The Como park aquarium has
proven to be a favorite with the public and
the successful growing of tropical lilies with
their charming flowers were highly appre-
ciated by every park visitor We raised four
teen varieties CT nympheas and nelumbi-
ums, Victoria Randi and V. Regia, water
hyacinths and a great number Of other water
plants and grasses, the Victorias yielded
great amount of seed, which insures their
own propagation in Como park.
Then follows a full report of the
waterWOrlIs and their extensions in so
far as they relate to the parks. Dur
ing the past season lis, $50 800 gallons
were pumped. The report continuing,
says:
consumption in the park has forced the ques-
ton Of replacing the present temporary pump
ing plant with permanent one Of sufficient
capacity for all future needs. To this end
the board ordered an additional artesian well
to be sunk, Of 10-inch diameter, and also ne
gotiateG with the board of water commits
sioners for the purchase Of two-nillion high
duty pumping engine, which will be availa-
bic this coming spring. A low service pump
for replenishing the lake has also been pur-
chased This latter is No. 10 centrifugal
pump of three million gallon capacity. This
pump will relieve tho high duty engine from
doing contrary work, it would otherwise
be required to change its work from high
to low duty five or six times day. which
cOu1d ne m ticfq w
and without great wear and tear.
Referring to the work of dredging
Lake Como, the superintendent says
that it was very satisfactory. A total
Of $1,000 cubic yards has been taken
out at the expense of 81, 500. The COM
ing season will about finish the work,
as the remaining amount Of deposits
to be removed from the lake will not
exceed, according to estimate. $4,000
cubic yards.
Como Avenue Approach-During last season
this driveway has been improved, from the
corner of Dale and Front streets TO the lake
boulevard, distance of 5000 feet. 1t required
3s5 yards of coarse gravel. s. yards Of clay
and 231 yards of screened gravel. After re-
peated rolling the roadbed was smooth and
hard. The expense was 1921. The board had
also assumed the work Of sprinkling, which
was done twice day in dry weather. The
cost was S31.
Small Parks-A great deal of extra work
was done in almost all OF the small parks.
somewhat higher than in former years. The
heavy wind storm on Aug. did great deal
of damage to trees and paintings in general.
five big trees were broken down in Rice park
and more or less damage in the same line was
done in all the parks. The small parks are
well patroniZed by the children in their re-
spective neighborhoods, and much appre-
ciated by the parents. While it cannot be
contended that small parks located in the
thickly populated districts of the city fill the
want of health giving resorts to the masses.
they must be recognized as contributors OF
pure air and to the happiness of the people
and furnish Fairgrounds for the children in
easy reach.
Indian Mound Patchwork on this park
during last season consisted chiefly Of grad
ing the grounds, drives and walks. About
four acres of lawns were finished and seeded
l. 200 feet of driveways and / 500 feet of walks
We're graded and graveled; 235 shade trees
and 125 shrubs were planted Water connec-
tons with the city water works were made
and 1000 feet of 1-inch distributing pipes
were laid. The total amount Of expenditure
was 81, 04S. 80.
IS made in establishing better approaches to
this park. The improvement of Hoffman az
enue recommended by the board of park COM
missioners to the city council would very
much enhance the beauty of that residence
district and give an easy access to the park
10 the people in carriages.
Then follows an instructive discus
sion regarding the care, cultivation and
protection of shade trees on the resi-
dence streets. The superintendent
dwells upon their Importance and adj
vantage to the health and beauty Of a
city. He says that tree planting on
| the streets by city authorities should
carry with it a guarantee of perpetual
care Of the same by the city out Of
fund raised by a very small assessment
not exceeding half a cent per front