The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-11-30
PARKS OF THE WORLD,
Should BE No Distinction of Rank j
Public Breathing Places.

THhnS VI lie WOHlps
Should BE No Distinction of Rank
Public Breathing Places.
, Delegates from the city of Washing
) ton have been studying the park sys
, tens Of Europe with view to better
ing the aspects and conditions of tn
national capital. They are reported a.
especially charmed with Londol
parks. Before reaching hasty conclu
sions certain fundamental difference.
are to be taken into account. The
first is mode and means of acquisition
Of park grounds.
Under ancient law land in Europe
belonged to no private owner. Every.
body had the same right as everybody
else to raise food by tillage or to pas
ture his cattle upon the common es-
tate. Hence came the word common, -
which survives in limited way to
preserve it's once vast history. As
taste developed common" not needed
for cultivation or cattle was orna-
mented In simple ways for recreation
OF all the people. On the continent
OF Europe private parks became
| means Of developing artificial land
scape gardening as soon as wars and
monarchies modified land tenure and
Instituted exclusive private owner
ship.
Enclosure Of commons into private
estates in England constitutes long
chapter in its constitutional growth.
The crown appropriated confiscated
lands or allotted them to favorites and
aristocracy absorbed the public do
main until all but rare and limited
patches remained uninclosed only be-
cause rival claimants were unable to
force their pretensions to conclu-
sion. The decorative treatment of
inclosed areas was copied from the |
continent The parks of London are
spacious and attractive. "Rottor
row." a vulgarization of route de
roi," the kings route, is a picturesque
spectacle daily while fashion throngs |
its paths. Other public grounds are
extensively maintained, but in no part
OF London is there a park to which
the masses Of the people go on equal
terms. The London police would ex-
clude squalor from Hyde Park as IN
as from the sentried ap-
preach to Windsor Castle.
Continental parks are all more demo-
cratic than the parks of London, 10
matter what the form of government.
The natural and charming park on the .
margin of Berlin combines in the high
'st degree all the best qualities of a 1
public recreation ground. It is large
grove of noble trees preserved in S
1t is well watered also.
t contains ample spaces for every
pecles of sport. 1t is near enough
he city for many to walk to it's COOL
ng retreats. For those who cannot Il
yak traction is abundant and cheap. o
'arls comes next in the advantages u
I the Bots de Boulogne. 1t is beau o
ful by nature and has been judici- b
usiy adorned. 1t is thoroughly demo- v
ratio and Is near admirable attrac- Ii
ons. There is no city of the con- a
nent of Europe which lacks public
rounds. ample, beautiful and cheap II
accessible. is
Chicago's experience as to parks is
the credit Of the city when taken II
connection with Its municipal In
'uth. Its unexampled growth and the m
lty imposed upon it's industry to pro-
de annually for tide of immigra- h;
IN needing everything material and m
Vocational. The urban parks are al
enormously fiat and lack natures sh
lDellishment of waters and groves w
lth cheaper traction fare. which tn
IL come in time, the municipal park go
stem would answer its limited DIR. m
Sc fairly well, but a rural park =
'geiy designed by nature and within
cap and easy access of all the peo-
:, would be more to their delight
their health and to their ideas of a We
II park than any of the parterres We
W IN Observation-Disclosures Chronicle. of