The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-12
THE PARKS OF THE CITY
ANNUAL REPORT OF sUPERINTEND-
ENT POWER SUBMITTED.
He Urges n Larger Appropriation for
Parks-M. A. Downing Reelected
Municipal Affairs.

Col. NJ. A. Downing, the retiring presi-
dent of the city Park Board. was reelected
TO that position yesterday at a meeting of
the board.
The board received the report OF Superin-
tendent and Engineer J.. Clyde Power and
signed the letter of transmittal to the
mayor. Following are extracts from the
letter signed by NJ. A. Downing. presi-
dent; Charles Z. Coffin, Isaac King and
George Merritt: 1--WE have to call attention
TO the general good progress of the work
which is now beginning to be apparent. A
large part OF the appropriation goes to
permanent improvements upon the more re-
Gently acquired parks. and. while our funds
have not been ample to make a large show
ing. enough has been accomplished to be
generally appreciated"
Referring to the new dam across White
river, the board says: This dam is SUBJ
stantielly built and is one of the handsom-
est structures Of its kind in the United
States
Attention Is called TO the four new green
houses erected in Garfield Park. In con-
GLIDING. the board says: '"The growth of q
park is a progressive study and the final
working out of the prearranged plan gives
much satisfaction to the members of the
commission and it's officers, as we'll as to
the public generally. Every year presents
new ideas which, when started in c%onjunc-
uon Win other developments, goes to make
the pleasing whole"
The report of j. Clyde Power, engineer
and superintendent, which is attached.
deals at length with the work done in
many pages filled with the names and
numbers OF plants, flowers. trees and
shrubs used In the park system.
GARFIELD PARK.
Garfield Park has been, he states, greatly
improved by the addition Of the four new
greenhouses and some loss was sustained
by the fire last fall which destroyed the
shelter house and a large number of
benches. Most OF the dead trees were re-
moved and the lawns were kept in excellent
condition. The floral displays were good.
these being made in ninety-one beds. Ac-
cording TO the figures given for each variety
OF flowers and plants used I'm these displays
the lumber used in the ninety-one beds
was 6S, 4f6.
Mr.. Power did not know the number used.
though he knew that about 10000 plants
and bulbs had been raised in the green
houses. He was much surprised TO learn
that his estimate OF 5000 used at Garfield
Park was not much more than one-half.
Relative TO Military Park Mr.. Power re-
ports that the park has been kept I'm good
condition and that an electric light has
been placed over the fountain display. He
mentions the toboggan slide erected there
and states that the vacant places have been
filled with trees and shrubs. In this park
there were twenty-six flower beds.
University Square, IL is stated I'm the re-
port. is devoid OF shrubbery, it's place being
taken by palms to give a tropical effect.
Over 1900 plants have been used in making
the floral displays.
st. Clair square was one of the plots
upon which much attention was bestowed.
1t contained twenty flower beds. IN which
146S3 plants were used. a number of trees
between the curb and the sidewalks on st.
Clair square We're removed for the reason
that heat reflected from the sidewalk killed
or injured the growth of the trees.
The Fietcher-place plot contained five
flower beds and 1.34s plants
Considerable space is taken up with the
reports regarding the work and condition
of the parks in the centers OF the streets.
and In concluding this division Mr.. Power
SAYS: These centers form a beautiful addi-
ton TO any street and there should be more
of them" There were eight beds I'm the
East Eleventh-street center park and sew
enty-two beds in the parks on New Jersey.
Alabama and Delaware streets. in Morton
Place. The other streets having center
parks are Oriole street, Fletcher avenue
and Hendricks street.
ABOUT RIVERSIDE PARK.
The report on Riverside Park Is almost;
equal in length TO that or all the other
parks combined. Reference is made 10 the
fact that the improvements there are now
beginning to be noticeable; that the dan
completed during the last year Is one OF
the handsomest structures In the United
States. and also TO the roadway running
from the dam TO ThirtIeth street. He rec
omnends an appropriation for surfacine
this roadway. Tbs island Of twenty acres
with the rustic bridge leading from tn
mainland = mentioned. n few persons
played g0lf' Is the not Oyerelthuslastlc
report following the statement that a nine
hole course was laid out and maintained at
cost OF 81. l53.
The bridge over White river at Thlrtietb
street n said by Mr.. Power 10 be dangerous
90 pedestrians, there being no sidewalks
ard he asks for an appropriation for a new
bridge He also suggests the need of a
bridge at the north end OF the park.
The trees planted this year IN the parl