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

nv higher buildings than have as yet
been constructed, excepting in few
places. and by the growth of street and
other trees. The distant views make
this locality so attractive that it seems
likely to be occupied by first class resi-
dences, and if the street system could
be designed so as to include the sug-
gested drive along the top of the bluff
the proposed bluff park scheme might
be in large measure accomplished by
private land owners even without much
help from the city.
Feasibility Financially.
The park system above outlined may
seem to involve a muchc larger cost
for land than the prudent financial
MANAGEMENT of the city would justify
1t may not prove on this account feas-
ible to carry out the whole scheme, yet
I think it would be wise and entirely
feasible financially to carry out the
essential parts of the project reduce
ing rather the extent of land to be ac
uuired in each part of the city, than
emitting entirely to provide even
small park in any one of the directions
from the center Of the city described.
The experience of other cities indi-
Gates very clearly that the most sue
cessful method of securing series of
parks and Fairgrounds is that of bor-
rowing a comparatively large sum of
money sufficient to acquire a part at
least of the land intended for each
park in the several directions from the
center of the city, in which parks are
determined to be desirable. Otherwise
local jealousies, added to the general
apathy and inertia would almost GER
tainly very greatly impede if not en-
tirely prevent progress in the acquisi-
ton of parks. No matter how enthusi-
astic and energetic group of citizens
from one portion Of the city may be in
favor of a park in that portion they
will be almost surely prevented from
! carrying through their scheme at pub
lie expense by the opposition of citi-
zens from all the other portions of
the city who will feel that the local
park advocates are about to secure an
| unwarrantable share of the available
public funds for the benefit of their
particular locality.
Interesting Citizens.
Unquestionably, however. the people
who are willing to take an interest in
parks should set about interesting citi-
| zens all over the city without regard
/ to locality in the accomplishment Of a
| comprehensive scheme to which all
| sections can lend their support because
they will derive as nearly equally as
series Of parks. 1t frequently occurs,
and I think it would in this case, that
it is easier to accomplish large and
comprehensive even if costly project,
than to take it up piecemeal from time
to time. 1 suggest that a committee
composed of citizens from different
sections of the city, and having suit
able qualifications, be appointed to
ascertain and report what has been
done in the way Of parks in cities of
similar size, and as to the benefits of
such parks to the city, and public opin-
ion in those cities with regard to them,
and more particularly to report on the
equitable distribution of park areas in
different portions of this city upon the
| the best tracts of land available for
such parks, and upon probable cost of
! acquiring such lands. The committee
| should make every endeavor to secure
! offers of suitable land either without
cost to the city or at special reduction
in price in view of the benefit to the
city as a whole, and especially in many
cases to the surrounding private prop
critics. With the aid of this Informal
ton the newspapers can publish a
series of articles for the enlighten-
ment of the citizens in park matters,
lectures can be given in the churches
and elsewhere, possibly with lantern
slide illustrations and description of
a general and systematic agitation of
the whole park project can be carried
on until the necessary public opinion
in favor of parks can be aroused to
warrant the city government taking up
the matter officially and putting it
through. l shall be glad to aid the
park commission or the committee of
citizens referred to with such pertinent
information as I may have at hand at
my office.
l hope the city will soon place itself
in line with other enterprising and
progressive cities of similar size and
opportunities.
Yours respectfully,
JOHN C. OLMSTED,
Of Olmsted Bros, Landscape Archi-