The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-16
CITY News
PLAN IS A SUCCESS
Prospect Park Discovers Way to
Beauty Residence Districts.
PRIZES FOR BEST KEPT LAWNS
e,ttfxens Enthusiastic Over the Idea
and suburb Ia Now Vert-
table Garden. ..

Citizens disguised with unkempt sur
roundings in various sections might we'll
emulate the example recently set oy the
Prospect Park Improvement association.
: What individual work failed to achieve,
organized effort is accomplishing In beau
Trying Prospect Park. The residents have
opened the season by free-for-all race
to see who can present the most attract
I've premises.
The inability or disiuclination of the
street commissioner to keep the streets In
good shape was originally responsible for
the organization of the association. AS an
incentive for keeping premises and sur
roundings ship shape the association de-
cided last winter to have an outdoor art
competition The association raised 500
for prizes and appointed as a committee
to watchEthe work and award prizes E. B.
johnson, chairman: Mrs. c. S. Engel-
brecht, Mrs. D. c. Moak George T.. Glot
felder,- Mrs. B. Sheldon and C. H. Peter
son. ..
This committee issued a pamphlet out
lining the nature of the competition and
the different points on which a showing
was to be made. Prizes were offered for
the best garden and the best kept lawns,
and for anything in the nature of gardens
or shrubbery that would tend to set off
the natural charms.
The $50 was divided into prizes ranging
from 81 to SO. SO as to interest the en-
tire neighborhood. The beneficial results
are already apparent thus early in the
season, Every resident puts in most OF
his spare time in Horticulture or in i'm
proving the appearance of his premises.
Even the Children Take Part.
This spirit has become so contagious
that even the children are imbued with
1t. The result is that no section of the
city can boast more pleasing streets and
~ pr~ d. ID
not content with keeping their own pri-
rate grounds in condition. Every one
makes it point to see that the street
in front of the residence is kept clean
Residents also invade vacant lots and
hire men to cut down the rank growths
OF weeds which detract from the attract
iveness of nearby lawns. 1t Is the duty
of the prize committee to keep close
watch on the progress of the improve
ments and to make suggestions.
The association will meet in the fal
and award prizes. The officers are: Pres
tdent, w. ]. Hartzell: vice president, c
W. Purple; treasurer, w. A, Adams. F
F.. Lindsay. an enthusiastic promoter o
the idea. said to -dav:
Increases Property Values.
One Of the practical results of interest i
the facility with which our organization cal
now command the respectful attention Of cit
requests and protests We're heretofore I'm
needed. Our combined efforts are no doub
greatly increasing the value of our propert
and emphasizing the attractiveness of tn
Park as a residential suburb. Later We es
pect to be able to help the park board secur
control of five acre tract which would MAX
one of the most beautiful parks in the city.
We are greatly interested in the river ban
improvements, and will undertake to promo'
rowing and aquatic sports when the con
pletion of the governments dams gives us sti
water for mile and a half below the WASH
ington avenue bridge.
Without regard to denonina tional line
the residents are now subscribing for tn
erection of Methodist chapel, work upo
which will soon be commenced. Tn
architecture will be Of a quaint, old-fast
toned style BETTING the sylvan surround
ings. AS the park grows and the deman
increases churches for other denomina
tons will be built. In the meantlm
church lines viii be obliterated and every
one will attend the Methodist church.