The herald., 1898-12-09
WHAT The PARKS COST
SUPERINTENDENT CAREY FILES
HIS ANNUAL REPORT
THOUSANDS OF PLANTS RAISED
In Great Need Of More Water and
Larger Appropriations-Secre-
tary's Financial Report

At the meeting of the board of park com
missoners yesterday Superintendent A. L
Carey filed with the board his annual re
port in relation to the care and management
of the parks of the city, from December l
1897, to the same date of this year.
The superintendent states that, although
there have been many improvements in al
the parks, the progress and advancement
have not been as marked as he had wished
owing to climatic conditions and other diff
culties which could not be entirely overcome
"Taking into consideration the inadequate
amount of funds allowed with which to care
for and maintain the great area of parks,
he says, sit cannot but be apparent that the
park system has reached point where the
appropriation will barely maintain what we
now have to care for, much less to extend
improve or accomplish more work" The
force employed he commends as faithful
able and energetic men.
The defining of the boundary lines of
Elysian park, he reported, was very unsats.
factory. The fact that portions of the city Is
property is being appropriated by private
individuals is matter that should be inves-
tigated and pushed until all trespassers are
removed. Some two years ago, he says, the
council ordered the park surveyed, but for
some reason this was not done. A year
later the councils attention was again called
to the matter, and again that body ordered
the survey made, but up to the present time
nothing has been done.
Regarding the supply of water to the parks
for irrigation and for keeping the lakes in
proper condition, the superintendent COM
plains there has always been trouble and
annoyance. "The volume of water necessary
is not great" says he, "but should be so
managed that a continuous flow could be
had. 1t is out of the question to keep the
lawns, flower beds and lakes in presentabe
condition without constant supply OF
water. This condition is largely chargeable
to the poor condition of the main pipes
which convey water to the parks, and these
should be replaced by pipes of greater ca
pacity and of quality necessary to stand the
pressure"
As to Hollenbeck park, Mr. Carey report
ed there had been some extensive work, con-
sidering the funds available. During the
year lS,400 square feet of new lawns have
been sown, 10S cubic feet of soil was used
and 1900 plants have been set out.
Elysian park, the largest in the city, with
the exception of Griffith park, consists of
45O acres, $50 of which have been planted.
about 250,00O were pruned, and 800 acres
cultivated. Almost $50 palms have been set
out along the boulevard, and all are ip a
flourishing condition. "The long haul to
get water to the young trees makes irriga-
tion expensive" the report says, "and with
the cost of improvements at Fremont gate,
the planting of more forests at Elysian can
not be attempted unless the appropriation
be increased" Besides the regular appro-
priation, small revenue has been received
from the sale of wood. There has been sold
during the year l35 cords, bringing about
$3.50 per cord. In add ition to the other
improvements, some 1850 feet of road have
been built in the northern section of this
park.
At the main entrance of Elysan park,
which has been named Fremont gate, the
work of improving has been going on rap
idly. AT the gate there have been set out
$3.50 plants, all of which have done WELL
The work now under way, opening up the
steps of vacant hill side directly back of the
entrance, will be great Improvement 1t
is intended that this spot shall be made one
of the nearest tropical features of any in
tine park system.
In the nursery department or propagation
station, located in Elysian park, the city
has propagated 92 300 plants during the year.
which have been distributed to the different
parks. There are now on hand, in boxes
in the nursery, 1926 plants, making total
of l08,576 plants raised since December |,
1897. OF this total $4,000 are classified as
rose bushes, 10000 carnations and 10000 |
chrysanthemums.
In East Side park 1890 square feet of |
lawns have been planted, $500 plants have |
been set out, 2790 cubic feet of stone retain |
ing wall have been built and 1880 feet of |
pipe have been laid during the year. In |
the conservatory at East Side park l25, 900 |
plants have been propagated and grown Of |
this number $3.50 have been distributed to |
the various parks.
Westlake park has also come in for it's
share OF attention, but is now suffering for
better water accommodations. The super
intendent recommends that new pipe lines
be laid, as the expensive lawns will be un-
able to go through another dry season with
out them. The pipe lines are now in such
condition that the entire water supply is
liable to be cut off at any time.
Very little has been done in Echo park,
but the work of improvement will commence
as soon after the first rains as possible
Central park, st. James park and the Plaza
h"'o oeeH ouPpiieu dI various times with
plants and new seed, and are now in fair
condition. At Griffith park everything is
nearly ready for the work of beautifying
the spot, and work will commence as soon
as the funds are available.
In connection with the condition of the
parks, Secretary j. F. Mendenhall filed his
report, showing receipts and disbursements
for the year ending November 3Oth. This
report shows the following:
Westlake park-Receipts, $lO,549.9l; dis
$9O54.63; leaving balance De-
cember 1st of $l495. %.
Echo park-Receipts, $4O7l; disburse-
ments, $34O5.43; balance, 1865 .s2. {
Elysian park-Receipts, $ll ,SS3. SO; dis =,
$40, ,464.64; balance, $4ls.S9. {
Hollenbeck park-Receipts, $5453. .55; dis. {
bursements, $5l53.55; balance, $500.
East Los Angeles park-Receipts. Sill. e
1925; disbursements, $ll, ,295.25; no bal.
lnce.
Park nursery-Receipts, $35O7 80: dis.
oursements, $3277.52; balance, S23O.87. Il
Sunset park-Receipts $947.92; balance.
S047. .92. t
General park fund-Receipts, Sll. .565 AZ: c
disbursements, $l0,6S3.30; balance, 1852 ~.