The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-02-08

the city should not have block of land
for its city hall and associated munic-
ipal buildings, at least as large and as
well located as that occupied by the
late to change the site determined
upon for the new city hall, but it is
reasonable to suppose that in the
course of time even the new city hall
will have to be replaced by larger
and a better one, and in view of this
possibility it would be wise to secure
now a block of land for such future
city hall. 1t would gain greatly by
being located in a block adjoining the
court house.
While it may not be financially prac-
ticable for the city at this time to I'M
dertake a system of parkways and
pleasure drives of sufficient extent to
be adequate for the requirements of
those citizens who drive for pleasure,
yet it may be worth while to stuly out
a scheme with a view to enliSting the
active cooperation of those who would
be interested in such an Improvement
and to secure in many cases donations
of land which would form portions OF
such a comprehensive parkway system
I have not been able in the time at my
disposal to investigate the subject suf-
ficiently to make very definite recon-
mendations. but may record such ideas
as have occurred to me.
Attractive Points.
Attractive points to drive to in the
near vicinity of the city appear to be-
first. the United States military reser-
walton southwest of the city; second
the fair grounds south of it, third, the
cemetery southeast of it; fourth, the
city park: fifth, the borders of Mill
creek above the city; sixth, the ele-
waited plateau north of the city; sew
enth, the penitentiary grounds, with its
fine view of the mountains south and
southwest Of the city; and eighth
the proposed park On Mill creek in the
seem logical, therefore. to devise a cir
cumferential pleasure drive which
would connect all or most all of these
attractive features, and to reserve GER
tain streets having a more or less rad
ial direction, free form heavy traffic
and street car tracks, as the best avail
able means of approaching these vari-
Gus outlying features and pleasure
drives connecting them.
Poplar street would form an excel
lent parkway approach from the heart
of the city to the United States gov
eminent reservation.
Second street is the present APP
proach to the cemetery, but this is oc-
cupied by street car track as far as
Whitman street, and in any case will
always be much used by funerals, anC
by farmers entering and leaving the
city in that direction. Probably by &
slight adjustment of Catherine street
or Park street, or both, could be adapt
ed to form a pleasure driving road out
of town in this direction.
Route for Farmers.
East Alder street running eastward
from the city is, 1 understand, to be
| occupied by car tracks, and in any case
is an important route for farmers an6
others having heavy traffic. 1t APP
pears there are several streets west Of
city park, but none of them connect as
=; Ill
heart of the residential district, which
seems to be divided pretty equally by
East Alder street. 1t appears to be
necessary in this case to provide two
roads for pleasure travel. If the con-
ditions in other respects are good
Newell street appears to be the most
desira BILE street south of Alder street
for this purpose, since with the eXcep-
ton of Whitman street which is Occu-
pied by street cars, it is longest. North
of Alder street the proposed drive
along Mill creek would be the most
desirable approach to city park, but
it's connection at Clinton street is no,
altogether ideal. By using Boyer ave-
, liue cast VI SOllCSC avenue uldhlllS
a connection southwark from Division
street a more comprehensive line of
approach will be secured. Whether it
will be feasible to withdraw Boyer ave-
nue. from use by farmers, and other
heavy traffic east of the city is very
doubtful. If the traffic referred to can
be diverted to East Alder street the
restriction of Boyer avenue to pleas
ure driving and for access to residence
properties facing upon it as is custom
ray in case of similar parkways, would
be justifiable.
For pleasure driving access to the
top of the bluff north of the city no
particularly satisfactory road appears
to be available west of Division street
because Of car tracks and necessary
heavy traffic. Although Division street
is not strictly radial street it would
be very desirable to widen, extend and
improve it as parkway to connect
City park with the plateau north OF
the city
One of the interesting Typographical
features of the vicinity of the city, as
already mentioned, is the plateau with