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

do it is my firm conviction that II
would be extremely bad policy for the
city to sell off the whole or any por-
/ ton of the present city park. I am
certain from my knowledge of what
. happened in other similar cases where
land in the possession of cities that
was suitable for parks has been sold
slider the sale of any portion of this
park to have been extremely short
sighted. The sum of money obtained
would in such a case appear to them
ridiculously small. 1t is almost always
matter of great difficulty to secure
the money for acquiring park lands.
and as the city already has this prop
erty, and as it is admirably located
with reference to future development
IN that side of the city, it is bound to
people. 1t is only two blocks from the
new electric street railway on Clinton
street, so that even the people of the
remote portions of the city tapped by
this street railway and by other street
railways which will hereafter connect
with it, can easily and cheaply reach
this park, which with the additional
park lands recommended along Mill
creek, which should be considered as
an extension of this park, will prob
CT the city. This will be the place
where large numbers of people can
best gather to see baseball, football and
other field games, as well as to enjoy
park scenery and especially the ponds
and water courses, and also where they
can best have the pleasure of seeing
each other, which is often one of the
principal inducements for people 70 go
to parks. In developing a system Of
drives it would be desirable to have a
Clinton street with additional entrance
drives from Division, Hope and other
streets north of the creek, and drive
connecting with the system of drives in
the present city park. Thus the city
park itself will not only be enlarged
but become very much more attractive
through it's extension to and along
Mil creek.
Plenty Vacant Lots.
| In a city of this size it is inevitable
| that there will be a great many citizens
| who have had little or no occasion tc
be impressed by the benefits of parks
in other cities, and who have felt fol
themselves and their families little OF
no need of parks. At present anc
doubtless for some years to come there
will be plenty of vacant lots whose
owners will permit children to play
upon them. also the streets are wide
| green turf area, commonly called
parkings, the custom of building resi-
oenCes on lots considerably wider thar
The houses, and with fairly ample from
and back yards as yet prevails to {
marked extent even in the case of com
paratively cheap dwellings. Undoubt
eddy therefore the argument that chill
dren can play in their yards, and thu
general effect of the city is sufficiently
open and parklke to obviate the neces-
sity which exists in solidly butt III
cities for local squares, playground
ard small and large parks. All who ar,
disposed to advocate parks and play
grounds must recognize the strength o
this argument, and must have goot
reasons for urging the city to go int
the somewhat large expense involved
in the acquisition, improvement ant
maintenance of public squares, play
grounds and parks
Important Argument.
Perhaps the most important argu
ment in favor of parks is that of pro
viding for the future. When a CITY
gets to the size of this city and ha!
such a remarkable growth in the mum
Der of it's inhabitants. it is clear tina
there must be fundamental condition.
which make it reasonably certain tina
the growth will continue indefinitely
If the city is to grow in population il
will unquestiOnably result in increased
Hand values, with the consequent sub
division of lots which are now ample
for one residence, and a gradual in
crease in the density of the population
and of building until there will be con
siderable areas in and about the city
where the present pleasing condition:
of openness and verdure will no Longer
exist. If therefore the question O.
parks and Fairgrounds near the centel
of the city is postponed until the neet
of them becomes obvious owing to the
increased density, that very condition
will make it practically impossible tt
secure parks and Fairgrounds of AIDE
Quate size except either at such a dis
lance from the dense part of the popu
lation as to greatly lessen their use
fulness, or else at such a remendOu:
cost for land and buildings as to great
lily delay their acquisition, and to com
pei them to be much smaller than the.
should be- 1t is true that a great man,
citizens consider only the condition
and requirements of their own times
and of the immediate future, and ar
willing to let the more remote futur
take care of itself. This is not. how
). ever. an attitude which can be com