The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-07-29

successful parks In Texas cities. in every
The requirements are, first. men Of ap
PROBATION and love FOR the work, second
knou lhnd and water, trees. shruhhery,
lower and foliage plants OF various kinds
EIaNct Tor walks and drives. lawn gras'
ana other adornments, aud. third, com,
neteht man OF men TO lay out, plant and
70 carry on the enterprise. the details Of
which VIII vary according to the conditions
anu the plans adopted, and which We can
All natural advantages shonld be fos-
tered, The soil should be thoroughly pre-
p3nren before plnnting. such as sycamore
eln' hnckherry. pecan. walnut. box elder.
the oaks for the main paintings, with
groups OF the rarer trees
Iexns nursel ymen have intclligently spent
thousands OF dollars ana mich pains Ia
determining the best trees aud flowers for
Te1as climate and soils. therefore theis
c9stai9gnss are a safe guide 10 the matter
THE COST AND HOW 70 MEET IT;
LAKE Tor example, city like sherman;
,s siSss WIN Loco sso people and an assessea
land accessible 10 trolley lines can be
bought for $1,000. also a choice tract up
t toWn easily ACCESSIBLE TO pedestrians 2oox
10 rect for $500. Improvement OF these
two tracts In npto-date park stylc with
city water supply and maintenaiiS-- for nye
Years VIII cost approximately $4,000. max.
I'VE total cost at the end ~ i've wears or
fZo,uVo when YOU would have park sys-
TEN 70 he proud Of owned and accessible
ny VII tue people at a cost OF not to ex-
TO raise this amount In such a city would
DC 2 prohlem, One, way Is by private sub
scripuons and bcquests To raise such a
ter legacy can our wealthy city fathers
leave than 10 set aside ont Of their large
estates a tract ms memorial park. adopt.
Cd. improved and maintained by the city2
Note the example of Mfr. Shaw Of ST.
Louis, who not only donated Shaw's Gar
den and Tower Grove park. property worth
~ immense sum, but provided literally Tor
snelr Improvement and maintenanre Tor
generations to come, requiring the state OF
Missouri to add its part.
Another very practicable and Just wav Is
70 Issue bonds (say to the amount of $40,
WW, drawing ~ per cent interest an.
nuahliy and redeemable one bond OF $1,000
expense of building the parks the annual
expense Of maintenance could probably he
Kept within $1,000 year and keep the
parks In fine. shape. and most of this
amount could he raised from rent OF boats
sale Of privileges. etc, II desired.
sinking fund sufficient to pay interest
on and retire the bonds would he about
AZ cents on the 500 assessment. and the
current expenses after fivo years can be
met with cents annual rate on the 500.
member of the city council would he
expected 10 act as park commissioner 10
supervise the practical gardeners and all
other matters pertaining 10 the parks.
Now. then. a man with n $4,000 huki
ness, or property. would have 70 paw $40 so
annually Cor tho pleasures OF nice parks
for his own and family use. besides helping
tho poorer people and his town In eefISfal
Experience has proven that the dividends
In healthful. eleVating pleasures and fresh
air win amply cover the outlay.
Most Of the charters Of thu smaller cities
would have to he amended to permit such a
bond issue
So important are parks and park build
ing In Texas I think there should be or
Texas. which should unity their aims and
efforts by combining into state Park as
ISOLATION, and this association should he
ono affiliated with the Texas Farmers
congress. The result If such action would
be 10 aruse and push forward this hitherto
nc elected interest