The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-09-23
CITIZENS VISIT
CENTRAL PARK
Site of Oakland's Proposed
Pleasure Ground Appeals
to Representative Men
McLAREN GIVES VIEWS
Noted Authority ON Land
scape Thinks Location Is
an Ideal One for Project
GIVES VIEWS
Oakland Office San Francisco Call,
1016 Broadway. Sept. %.

OdhldnQ San L IdHC1SCO SdIl,
1016 Broadway, Sept. p.
Several hundred representative citi-
zens of Oakland visited the site of the
proposed Central Park this morning
to make an inspection of the tract
of land which the city proposes buying
and transforming into a public park.
Among the most notable figures in the
gathering was John McLaren, super
intendent of Golden Gate Park. The
three committees, real estate, press and
citizens, made favorable reports and
urged that the city purchase the land
at the price named.
The ground of the site was thoroughly
explored by the various committees and
other citizens interested in the pro-
posed deal. To every one, the site
semed an ideal spot for a city park.
The real estate committee compared the
VaIue OF the land to that of other dis
trlcts' and quoted figures to show
Where the valuation would increase
apnormaily within.a short time.
Inc citizens committee, in its long
report, had nothing but praise for the
tract of land and suggested that the
CITY lose no, time in acquiring it as a
site Tor an ideal park. AS to the price
asked, the committee expressed it's
opinion that $1,000 per acre was a fair
hgure to set upon such land
The committee told of the beautiful
location and the natural advantages
enjoyed by the proposed site and sug-
gested that all citizens and voters make
personal inspection of the place. The
committee was made UP as follows:
John Yule, ]. Tyrrel, Hugh Hogan
J. c. McMullen, E. r. TAFT, E. P
Vandercook, John T. Bell, William J.
IxAVmAnpR w II Gibson w al
bye, r. c. Sessions, D. c. Brown, Emil
Lehnhardt, Edwin Stearns, r. A Jack
son, c. F. Carl, Charles H. Taylor, L. c.
Burpee, A. II. Schlueter, James Maclise
+. c. Turner.
John McLaren, superintendent of
Golden Gate Park, was the special
guest of the citizens, and his opinion of
the park is favorable one. Mr. Nc
Laren was much impressed with the
location of the site and it's natural
beauties. He could find no fault with
any particular spot and suggested that
Oakland was fortunate in having such
site to choose from.
According to McLaren, the chaparral
growth which covers a portion of the
ground adds much to the beauty of the
place. He stated that this brush would
make an ideal decoration and a novel
effect in horticulture. He commented
favorably upon the location Of the pro-
posed park and paid special attention
to its charming views.
The real estate committee made q
lengthy and elaborate report, praising
the location and urging the city to
make the purchase without further
delay. Special stress was laid on the
running stream which courses through
the land, the quality of its soil and its
roadways This committee also re-
ported that the car service was good
at the present time, and when a pro-
posed new line is complete it would be
within easy access to the center of the
city.
The real estate committee also made
out table showing the comparative
value of the land and quoting instances
where other lots in the vicinity had in
creased in value with great rapid
ity. According to the report of the
committee, the land will be steadily in
creasing in value, and if the city does
not acquire it soon it will be selling at
a much advanced figure in a short time.