The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-19
WORLD'S-19O4-FAIR.
PUBLIC PARKS.

The extension of the electric railway for interurban
and rural service has produced advantages, of rela
lively equal benefit, for the metropolis the small town
and the country district. Villages and farms are
closer to the city and the city is to the woods,
fields and streams Husbandmen may be cityfed and
city denzenS ruraized for the good of boh through
more intimate relations.
One of the results of rural railway extension is,
from an urban standpoint the greater popularity Of
small public parks and corresponding loss Of favor
for large public parks. The throngs that formerly
frequented the big free recreation place may now be
seen among the hills, in the groves, along the fishing
and in the hunting grounds out in the rural
solitude away from the bustlng city else in subur-
ban amusement resorts at the termini of electric rail-
way lines The poorer people for whom public parks
are maintained prefer, when they spend care fare
BIZ adieu for the day TO the of work and enjoy
both nature and entertainment.
Conditions multiply to popularize and necessitate
the establishment of small parks in large cities
In the future millions Of dollars will be expended for
small parks against thousands for large parks.
Large parks are, principally, for the wealthy class
while small parks are, owing to their number and To-
cation, for those who need resting places and play
grounds in their immediate environment The small
park is a necessity, the large park luxury
Forest Park, comprising 1872 acres, Carondelet
Park, comprising $50 acres, OFallon Park, compris
Ing anu Grove Hdrk, comprising ZUI
ncres, their combined area aggregating more than
1900 acres, meet all requirements for the present. and
most probably for the future in the matter of large
parks for ST. Louis There is comparatively large
park for every section of the city.
Should 1t not seem like treason suggestion might
be made that one more of these parks be divided
the divisions sold and the great sum derived there
from be used for laylngout dozens Of small parks
improving the educational system
Notwithstanding that large parks fail to afford all
OF the conveniences desired expected they are by
common WISH essential features of metropolitan life
Besides being beauty spots for the city, they nculcate
civic pride and stimulate interest in elaborate park
systems. Without them big city would be nearly
as inviting TO the visitor nearly interesting to
tho resident citizen. Without them city would lack
In hne residence districts and there would be less RI
valry in insisting upon the highest type of archtec
ture in mansions and residences.
What the large park does for the rich and for the
whole city indirectly, the small park does for the
poorer people and the middle class, but in greater
degree The small park is useful to the point of neces
sity. Its utlitnriah and moral advantages many
and they constitute the necessity for small parks But
it has also aesthetic virtues that not be over
looked If municipality establishes small parks and
maintains them properly, they will surely develop the
surroundings and ultimately make better and happier
homes The small park is the desderatum of the
time.