The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-10-08
PARKS WILL Be
NEXT TO BOSTON
q. M. LORING WRITES OF RECENT
OBSERVATIONS.
ssFather of the Minneapolis Park
System Describes Parks of Many
Cities Which He Recently Visited
Contemplated improvements Will
Make Minneapolis Second in the
Country.

Contemplated improvements Will
Make Minneapolis Second in the
Country. E
70 the Editor of The Journal.
Having made quite an extended tour
in New York and New England, where
i visited the parks of several cities,
it seems to me that an account of some
, of the things l have seen and learned
would interest the readers of T h e
j ourna |. ..a..'
Boston has, without doubt, the
finest park system in this country, and
this, connecting with the metropolitan
system, which includes the parks of
several of the adjoining cities and
towns, as whole, constitutes one Of
the grandest in the world. 1t includes
ocean beaches, mountain scenery, ma
tive forests, stretches of meadow, grand
boulevards, rural drives, and many fin
ished city parks that are the highest
sample of landscape architecture, l
know of no other city that has done
so much for the health, pleasure and
comfort Of it's citizens.
And now Hartford has become the
possessor of another beautiful park, the
gift of the late Mrs. Colt, who be-
queathed 100 acres of the land which
surrounded her home. These grounds
were improved by the late Colonel Colt
and the gift comes to the city as a fin
ished park in the residence district.
seemed to me that Hartford, Conn.,, ex-
cells. This city has larger park area
than any other place of it's size, and
It was very fortunate in having, Theo-
dore Wirth and George A. Parker to
develop it. Nearly all the land in the
Hartford parks was donated by citi-
gems of that city. Keney park, the
largest of the group, contains about
200 acres of heavily wooded hills and
Intelligent care of George A. Parker,
who has made it one Of the most attrac-
tive rural parks have seen. The land
for this park was donated by the man
for whom it is named, with an endow-
ment for its perpetual maintenance.
Elizabeth park was the gift of the
late Charles Oh tSs N; a Pend end who ra also
ment. The plans were made by Theo-
dore Wirth and the improvements made
under his supervision. 1t comprises
100 acres, and no more attractive and
artistic piece of park work can be found
in any city. Pope park, named for the
late Colonel Albert Pope, contains nine
ty acres, seventy-three of which were
donated to the city by Colonel Pope
This park has fine natural groves anc
beautiful lawns, sloping to the Con
necticut river.
Riverside park is unique in being thu
only park I know Of that is flooded
every spring to the depth of from six t.
eight feet, and yet it is one of the mos
useful parks in Hartford. 1t is situated
near the most thickly-settled district O.
the city, has pavilion, a house of com
fort. grove Of noble trees in which i
playground for children, a wadinE
pool and on the river bank large bath
houses. A vacation school is conducted
here by the city, and school gardens
established under the management O.
the Civic club. 1t was my good for
time to be present at the closing exer
cises Of this school, and my thought
turned to locations in Minneapolis
which I hope to see serving the sam
purpose for our young people. Bush
nell park is one of the oldest in tn
country, the land having been secure
thru many years of effort Of the Rev
DR.. Bushnell, who met with little Ell
enlargement until 1853 when the Ian
was purchased by the city, but it wa
not until five years later that any in
Provements. were made. Today it
the pride of Hartford. With its gran
memorial arch, fine lawns and nob]
elms, and the state capitol on it's higl
est elevation, it presents a picture III
surpassed for beauty in any other par
within my knowledge. It is a gran
monument to the man whose persiste1
efforts and forethought saved it for tt
pleasure of present and future gener;
tions.
= The interest of your readers will /
quickened when mention is made Of tt
fact that the master mind which has d
veloped Hartford's parks is soon
bring it's knowledge and enthusiasm
bear upon the problems which confrol
us in our large, but comparatively III
improved park system.
I have also entered into this extende
description, partly to remind our me
of wealth that Minneapolis is not tt
only city favored by generous gift
from it's citizens, and that easter
philanthropists consider there is hard
any limit to the benefit derived /
workingmen and their families, thru tt
maintenance.
Among the parks I have visited du
ing this tour are those of Springfield
Mass, whose largest park, which co
tains about 600 acres Of forest, hill al
meadow, was the gift of twenty fl
public. spirited citizens, and it is e
joyed by thousands. This little city
OU,UUU 1nnaD1JanCS mas q forester, w
. expends from $4,000 to $4,000 ye
in caring for it's 10000 trees over viii
he has absolute control. The rule
planting is fifty feet apart, and he
removing all trees that were more clos
1y planted before his office was Great
seven years ago. It would be great
to the benefit of Minneapolis if it h;
city forester who had an annual a
preparation to expend on the city ire
There is no doubt that the street tire
of a city are among its greatest
fractions and most valuable assets.
The parks of New Haven, Worcestt
Lowell and Portland have been great
improved since I last saw them and
public is more liberal in providi
means for their maintenance. Worc'
ter has recently received a Request
100000, which is to, be invested a
the income used for the improveme
of it's park system. The cities
Providence and Springfield have al
received requests of large sums for t
same purpose.
The parks of Rochester, N. Y, q
under the care of an artistic and pr;
tical superintendent, who has ma
them very attractive and useful wi
wading pools, play grounds, scienti
planting, meadows and drives.
Seneca park is on both sides of t
1 Genesee river and its natural physi
4 features are much like those of the ri1
I bank park in Minneapolis, which c
can readily see by what has been dc
here, will be our most attractive a
popular park when improved.
( [ find that automobiles are prohibit