Los Angeles herald., 1907-08-11
TO BEAUTIFY
BIG PARK
CITY CLUB HEARS PLANS FOR
AGRICULTURAL
ONLY CAPITAL NECESSARY, SAY
SUPPORTERS
Lake, Fairgrounds, Gardens for School
Children, Handsome Entrance
and Building Part of the
Scheme

Agricultural park will be made one OF
the beauty spots of Southern Califor-
mia with an Immediate expenditure of
$4,000 and an ultimate outlay of $780,
900, If present plans go through.
Formal notice of such plans was
given before the City club yesterday in
addresses by former Councilman w. M
Bowen, Architect H. d. Dwight and Dr.
W. L. Wills of the Agricultural park
board.
Bowen, who is also attorney of the
state board of agriculture, said the title
to the property belonged to the people
When a member OF the council he sug-
gested that money be raised by sub
scription for the purchase of the
grounds for city park purposes. Title
is vested in the Sixth District Agricul-
tural association, which is a state in
stitution.
Litigation Ends This Year
Action has been begun by the state
board against parties in possession
whom the speaker referred to as "the
so-called directors of a so-called pri-
vate corporation" named Agricultural
Association No. 6. The directors were
disposs essed by a court decision and
have appealed. 1t is believed that the
supreme court will hear arguments in
October and that a decision may be
looked for in January.
Because of his legal connection with
the case Bowen was unable to go into
the inside workings of the negotiations
thoroughly, but his remarks showed
the extreme value of the park property
to the city.
Architect Dwight told of the great
advantages which lie dormant in the
tract, which need only capital to make
1t spot of great benefit to Southern
California.
Speedway, Lake and Fields
The big oval speedway across the
tract will furnish a permanent driving
course
A big lake in the center three times
the area OF the West1ake park lake will
tempt those who like boating.
Two big athletic fields, one for grown
boys and the other for grammar school
lads, will furnish inspiration for school
teams and contest work of all kinds.
An ornate one-story structure with a
gallery and two wings is destined to
serve as a permanent exhibition build
ing of Southern California's products,
a museum, display hall and bureau of
information for visitors.
Space has been reserved for school
gardens, where all the schools will have
space where in turns the different
classes can be taught simple agricul-
tural and horticultural lessons with
practical demonstrations.
In one corner will be the children's
Fairgrounds, provided with baths and
all the equipment for growing boys and
girls.
In another section will be the family
picnic space.
Stately Gateway
For so great a project, Dwight said, a
stately appropriate entrance should be
provided and tentative plans for this
gateway have also been prepared.
DR.. w. L. Mills, the third speaker,
said the board was anxious that the
park be put to good use and the quick
est way in which the municipality could
win permanent privileges there would
be to lay out some form of recreation
ground at once and gradually develop
the scheme to show the earnestness of
the people.
you prove to the state that Los An
geles has faith in Agricultural park and
this park will be preserved for all the
people by the board" said DR.. Mills.