The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1906-03-22

River str ct. running through a near
er crowded section, and yet more con-
spicuous, should be redeemed from it's
present baroness and made attraC-
tive by the planting of row of trees
on the stream side of each roadway, at
the curb line of the present stream
side walk Those of you who know
the uuays of Paris, where the river
runs similarly between walls of mason
ry far below the level of the street
know low attractive this short space
might be made For here is a street
something like 200 feet from lot line to
lot line. with a small walled stream
running through its center, and all
the rest of the space is abandoned to
dustry sunny roads, though for vehicle
travel there would be ample prOvi-
sion with twenty feet on either side.
The balance of the street using the
strip beside the stream for the pur-
pose. should be parked. The trees
ought to be planted at once.
Continuing up the stream River
street dwindles away into a by-path
before it reaches School. Nature has
chance again. Big trees hang over
the water, and the creek sings as it
dances on it's way around the stones,
or leaps the little lodges At SCIool
streets the big masonry abutments of
the bridge almost close i'm on the
stream, leaving just room for a foot
path close to the water and making
distinct division between the creeks
upper and lower reaches. From Schol
Lea, gtr
minus, a block, there are some shacks
and patches of garden. Above, it is
breadth on each bank.
I like the suggestion or a Japanese
garden on the stream; but | suggest
that it be confined to the one block
between Vineyard and School streets
where the bridge makes the sharp divi-
sion. This will give ample room, if
put into competent Japanese hands.
for the display of very attractive
and interesting example of Japanese
| landscape art; it will be, too, so close
to the Oriental quarter that the Japa-
nese themselves can enjoy it. This
will give to it the added merit of ap-
propriateness, which it could not have
| at Kapiolani Park; and while making
a distinct and fitting park provision
for numerous class of Honolulu resi-
| dents, it will have it's own attractive
ness and interest to strangers enor-
mously increased by the spectacle Of
its actual use by japanese.
! Beyond School street, with access
from that street without the neces-
sity of going through the Japanese
garden unless one wished, and with
access from each cross street the
| banks of the Nuuanu stream should
be preserved in their natural beauty.
with "A footDath made to facilitate the
enjoyment of the scene at least as
far as the avenue on the one branch
| and as Judd street on the other. There
| are no other short rural walks ON level
ground within Honolulu and this placid
peaceful scene with its lack of views
is here more unique than sea and
mountains. The strip is lovely
natural park, now almost unknown
and it's land unclaimed for other pur-
poses.
With these additions, involving lit
tie expense except in the case of the
King street plat, which would effect
so great an improvement as amply to
justify its establishment, the Honolulu
park system would be complete in its
geographical distribution There would
remain, however, one want to round
out its social mission. This is chill
dren's Fairgrounds
d. FAIRGROUNDS.
Several of these have been establish
ed and one or two others are contem-
plated. They seem well located and
my only suggestion is that a more
distinctly playground development be
given to them. Toilet rooms should be
provided in these las in every one of
the parks-scenic, pleasure grounds
and all. They should have some sim
pie outdoor gymnastic apparatus, such
as parallel bars and travelling rings;
there should be a section hedged off
for the special use of the little chill
dren, and here the clean sea sand.
which can be so easily provided, would
be delight. Wading ponds with con-
crete bottoms are proving an untiring
source of pleasure in the newer play
grounds of the cities of the states. and
good sociological work can be done If
there be play-director.
This fairly completes the study of
the park system units, and there is
need only to connect them and bring
them into relation with one another.
To do this is the special function of
boulevards and drives.
l. BOULEVARDS AND DRIVES
1t is clear that in such city as
! NnT nl UTlNn 'NrrI,Ys
lightful driving weather from years
end to years end, and where all
classes do drive, the boulevards must
have special Importance. 1t is clear
also that in the large acreage which IT
has been proposed to dedicate to park
purposes, so much driving opportunity
is provided as to make 1t unnecessary
that the boulevards and drives should
do more than adequately connect the
parks and form of the separate units