The herald., 1898-04-09
About Planting Griffith Park

To the Editor of The Los Angeles Herald:
Recently noticed in the papers that the
good people Of Cahuenga had offered to
plant 100 acres Of Griffith park with banana
plants, and that the park commissioners
have accepted the offer. understand that
bananas do not flourish here, and In thai
fact lies my principal hope that the park
will be saved.
Another little township will perhaps Of
fer to plant ten, fifty or 100 acres with
onions, and by the time all the little town
ships In the vicinity have exercised their
philanthropy we shall have no longer
park, but huge market garden. Having
arrived at this stage of prosperity, the next
best thing, to complete 1t, will be to rent
1t out to Cinnamon and post up notices at
all available points warning the public to
keep out.
The park commissioners will be singu-
larly lacking If they do not seek the SER
vices of some intelligent landscape gard
ener, for here at Griffith park is a splen-
did field for him. The interesting canyons
nearby, then a wide stretch of broken fore
ground, then the foothills, then ridge upon
ridge of delightful mountain scenery. What
could a landscape gardener better desire?
Nature has done so much, surely he can
do the rest. But not upon the lines of Ely
sian park. Here likewise was splendid
opportunity for a landscape gardener, but
the man who laid 1t out utterly failed to
seize 1t. Elysian park is place of roads.
1t is a misnomer to call it park. There Is
nothing of interest in the so-called park,
thanks to the layer-out, whose only con-
ception Of beauty is an infinite sameness.
Nature, when left to herself, delights in
infinite variety. But even as a place Of
roads Elysian park claims my interest and
attention, for from these roads I get de-
lightful views of the valleys round about,
and with the distant mountains there Is
even an air of mystery, as Ruskin has
somewhere said. In justice to the head
gardener and men employed at Elysian
park l may mention that they have done
their BEST under the adverse circum-
stances, to make the park attractive.
The park commissioners will do well to
take warning and see that the blunders
that have been committed in Elysian park
shall not be committed In this extensive
new area handed over to their charge.
My notions of a park, II I may be allowed
to offer them to the commissioners, are
wide stretches OF turf, with clumps Of trees
planted here and there of picturesque va
riety; of knolls that may be likewise util-
lied for trees and shrubs; Of avenues,
planted in zig-zag fashion and with a va
riety of trees; of the avoidance Of straight
lines everywhere. whether 1t pertains to
trees or pathways. Lastly, water is an
ever-present charm in park, for 1t gath
ers all that Is beautiful to Its breast. There
Is an abundance of water running to waste
in the park. This, understand, could be
damned up. at an expenditure of some
$500 or $500, and an extensive lake formed
that would cover a wide stretch of sand
The banks could be planted with willows.
as has been done at East Side park. An ef-
feet of sameness need not be feared with
this, the most charming and picturesque
of all the dropping trees. for every willow
possesses its marked individuality.
There are hills in the park that range up
to 1900 feet above sea level. A graded road
to the summit would ensure wider stretch
of view than is to be found anywhere near
Los Angeles.
All this, know, requires time and money.
NY only object in writing is to throw out
a suggestion that the money may be en-
ployed to the best advantage when 1t is
forthcoming. -ft~.
One word more: I have heard an ILL
natured comment on the gift of the park.
namely, that the donor had given 1t to the
public In order to benefit his own property.
I understand that he has retained only 800
odd acres for himself. Looked at from a
commercial point of view, man who gives
away 3015 acres in order to enhance the
value of 300 acres has done transaction
about as brilliant as giving away the good
ship in order to sell the cargo. Looked at
from publlc-spirited point OF view, the
motive of the gift can be appreciated and
understood.
If ultimately some benefit accrues to the
remaining portion Of the donors property
I, for one, shall be very glad. 1t will prove
to me that the law of compensation is not
altogether eccentric in it's workings. But
whether 1t is or is not, the fact remains
that great gift has been made to the pub
lie for all time. Yours, etc., G. F. j.