New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-10-12
FOR BALTIMORE PARKS.
Large Sums of Money to Carry Ont
OlmSted Plans.


months ago, the city Of Baltimore is expending
large sums OF money for parks
The street railways pay the city tax Of per
cent on their gross receipts. This yields about
100000 yearly, and by law it is set aside for the
maintenance and extension Of parks There was
also an unexpended balance of 100000 from a
previous park extension fund. This has already
been expended for Wynan Park. which adjoihs
Druid Hill Park. and the new grounds OF johns
Hopkins University.
The citizens of Baltimore last May voted for an
issue Of 100000 of stock for park extension,
which becomes available January l. In the
coming year 100000 more viii he asked for.
All Of this appropriation is 10 secure a system Of
parks for Baltimore as planned by Frederick Law
olmsted of Boston. the distinguished landscape
architect Several years ago the Municipal Art So
ciety OF Baltimore decided that the city was not
securing parks in sufficient numbers to keep pace
with its population. and that such parks as were
secured not obtained in the most intelligent
manner. The society accordingly engaged the
services Of Mr.. Olmsted TO make an investigation
Of the park needs and possibilities.
The city realized the value Of this careful study
and later reimbursed the society. The scheme as
planned will be carried out in a few years, al.
though not in so systematic manner as for eX-
ample, the police and fire limits extended. But
Baltimore will have a system Of parks covering
the whole city and the needs Of its population
This system Of parks is exceedingly interest
ing one in itself and shows the value of studying
the entire city time in order that the needs
of the whole population may be provided for. AS
Of most Importance the plan calls. first for thirty
SIX small interior parks and Fairgrounds. These
parks are so judiciousy placed that all parts Of
the city will be supplied and their various needs
provided for. Some OF them will be Fairgrounds
Cor children Of school age and will be especially
adapted TO their needs. So far possible they
are 10 be near the existing public schools
Archibald A. HILL secretary CT the Metropolitan
Parks Association, in consultation recently
with Mr. olmsted regarding the latter's plans for
great park system for Baltimore In a talk with
Tribune reporter yesterday Mr.. Hill said:
Mr. Olmsted has taken the stand that it is al
most as important for the city to provide adequate
playground recommendations as it is to provide
recsntly adopted a curriculum which calls for
ninety minutes OF recreation in each scnool day for
this time is TO be spent outside the schooroom but
Be Ia the already ere street ' S
Some provision similar TO Baltimore's should be
Fairgrounds are designed for the very little chill
dren. Mr.. olmsted thinks that in each neighbor
hood there should be a space not open TO the
hurry burly of large children. where mothers may
get out Of door exercise.
F9s the young men and and youths there s., are to
cured in New-York for the use Of students in the
hg schools hoo Ihese parks are not spehG bg
IS done in order that the Park Commissioner may
a-stion, however. is made for park less than two
acres in size. and more than half are larger than
Six large parks are called for. three Of which are
aooLaoas % p ens s Para e enfo ions fn na{s3
raj boundaries and 10 shut out the sights and
these additions have TO be made in existing parks
Only recently park has been proposed in New
exactly as carpenter cuts out his work d.,
more public grounds will be the Patapsco River
Park This region is now occupied by cheap and
ing the demand for it as recreation centre. This
park win provide variety Of a1nusements' in
The estuary OF the Patapsco River is filling with
the silt brought down from the neighboring hills,
and will in time become a menace from a sanitary
point Of view. BY the construction of a weir a
a Settling basin This. however, will eventually
Ill, and the water can then be drawn Off leaving
The Baltmore parks will be connected by park.
these are the ones that follow the valleys Of the
creeks around CHE city They will form the con
beautiful driveways along the creek sides The
IN addition, there are i've large reservations sug-
gested They are wholly without the city limits;
Boston. which Is nine miles south Of the State
aose in t f oanS ONE which 59s is Ba i ne water
supply There are number OF large country
this tsrrtog p is built up the 5ty viii eventually
haye TO abandon 1t as source OF water supply
Who n large cou 1 esoe5 This region ~
by which there will be building restrictions to
ie e Of Sewage which Will render it nnoeuous
and the city will lay OUT roads and paths and &C,
the hilltops, this whole region will at once become
large and beautiful park reservation a compar-
atively little cost
The parks and parkways under this plan
distributed that when one looks at the map of
Baltimore and vicinity he finds It 70 be impossible
10 go from the city in any direction. out
sea. without passing through or across some Of
them.
In addition. all the park wants OF. the com
-nunity far the physical surroundings permt
met by these parks. From little tots to the
older people. from poor to rich, from feeble to
strong, ali will have the opportunity enjoy that
form OF outdoor exercise and recreation which they
most desire.