The San Francisco call., 1898-09-23
MAY EXTEND
 THE PARK ID
 THE PRES|D|O Splendid Project of the Commissioners.
SEVEN BLOCKS NECESSARY
A PLAN TO CONNECT THE TWO
 BEAUTIFUL RESORTS.
Other Improvements Contemplated During the Coming Year-A
 New Use for the City
 Street Sweepings

If Superintendent McLaren and the Commissioners succeed in carrying out contemplated improvements, within a very few years Golden Gate Park and the Presidio will be connected by broad, almost level driveway, bicycle, bridle and foot paths, bordered with trees, lawns and flowers. In fact, the plan is to ac- quire land and extend the park-or an arm of tito the Government reservation.
 Seven blocks of land between Thir- teenth and Fourteenth avenues are neces- sary to the consummation of the scheme, title to part of which is already vested in the city and Is under the control of the Commissioners These seven blocks, if deeded to the city for park purposes, would form an ideal connecting link be- tween these two beauty spots, extending from the main drive to Mcdowell avenue, near Mountain Lake, making one of the most magnificent drives and bicycle rides in the country. At that point the land is nearly level, while at First avenue, the only roadway between the two places now, there is an exceedingly steep grade near the Presidio entrance. This Strip-a full block in width-would give ample space TOT TOT driveway ana a the f varlods 1a od scape effects.
 With the allowance of quarter of a million dollars allotted the park for the coming year 1t will be impossible to pur- chase this land, but the Commissioners are in hopes that public-spirited citizens will come to their aid and donate the land or purchase 1t and present it to lne park.
 Many other improvements are contem- bicycle path and brfdle road to the ocean, the cutting of a roadway at First avenue and Fulton street; erection of an electric light plant to light the eighty lamps al driveways, from the entrance to, the beach and the building of a new band stand. seats, etc This band stand will be grounds, one of the most beautiful spots in the park, and it is the intention to pro vide aceommodations for t at least east 70 go O1o will probably be. commenced during the coming winter and completed by the time electric plant will be put in Immediately. as it is the intention to have the lights turned on some time during next month. This will illuminate the drives for the whole distance and Is calculated to make the park as much an evening resort as 1t is in the day time All the wires are laid underground, while the poles are of iron and quite artistic.
 The appropriation for the park seems at first thought to be quite liberal, but it ''res requires si5o,ooo to keep up the pres ent Improvements it does not leave much for new features. Moreover, of the re. have to go for loam alone. During the past three months s15,000 has been spent for that purpose. This is neces, sary to keep alive the trees and shrubs in the western part, where the soil Is thin and requires frequent replenishing.
 For years the Commissioners have vainly tried to have the street sweepings given to the park for fertilizing pur- poses Every yard of soil costs 75 cents, but with these sweepings it would not be necessary to purchase any to cover the same amount of ground that Is now covered each year. Indeed. l. is esii- mated that the sweepings would be suf- ficient for that purpose, and to reclaim a portion of the barren sand dunes as well. But though the Park Commission CTS have vainly sought for years to se- cure this refuse the city has refused to haul it out there, preferring rather, to pay the garbage crematory to burn 1t, entailing a double and entirely useless tax upon the people. The Commission CTS will make another effort to have the city send it's street sweepings out for use in beautifying the park, and if they are successful handsome sum will be avail able for other purposes. It Is absolutely necessary that fertilization be kept up all the time in order to keep alive the trees, shrubs and flowers already fiourishing where a short time ago there was naught but drifting sand piles.