Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-06-11
TO REARRANGE
ALL CITY PARKS
SUPT. MORLEY LAYS OUT NEW
SYSTEM
COMMISSIONER WILL STUDY
SCHEME
Urges Waterfalls for Griffith and
Elysian, an Aviary for East
lake and Many Rest
Pavilions

Park Superintendent John Morley
Yesterday laid before the park commits
sioners a lengthy report, showing au-
yisable future alterations ana improve
ments in the park system, which ne
recommends. 80,
Tbe suggestions will be carefully
considered in committee of the whole
In doing so he calls attention TO the
fact that the park system mere was oe-
yeloped at little cost, from GROUNDS
which was mainly considered Worlh-
less, below level and otherwise I'M
suited for building purposes. BESIDES
today Los Angeles has no engineers or
craftsmen or landscape architects Tor
Its park system, though every CITY OF
note has such an adjunct.
Parks here had no growth of trees to
begin with, no natural water courses
or lakes, and fast growing trees IKE
eucalyptus had to be grown because or
the lack of funds to devote to parks
and the necessity of stretching every
dollar appropriated.
on the other hand no city in the
world has in or near its limits parks
comparable with Griffith and Elysian,
both of which have canyons, mountain
peaks and views not riValed in the
wide world within the limits of any
municipality.
Changes Everywhere
Briefly Superintendent Morley recon-
mends:
Rearranging entrances to Westlake
park; that the seal pond be converted
into lily pond; that the lake water
level be lowered two feet, and that
new bandstand be erected in a diner
ent place than the old.
For Eastlake park he favors improV-
ing the neighborhood of the Japanese
tea garden with japanese landscaplng'
moving the zoo to Griffith, and erect
ing a large aviary instead; erecting
ornamental entrances at each gate,
and growing shrubs instead of trees
on entertainments to keep leaves out OF
the reservoirs. Larger greenhouses
and Conservatives are also needed.
For Central park, wider, straighter
walks are planned, modern lavatory
with an attendant, and more benches
For Sunset park, acquisition OF more
land at the northwest corner is ad-
vised: also the erection of tool mouse
and lavatory.
For Hollenbeck park, removal of the
aviary is advised and a safer slope for
entertainments.
City's Flower Garden
South park is virtually the city S
flower garden. Here it is thought a
parterre with lily ponds and rustic
bridges alternating should be installed
at the west end of the park, this being
a novelty for Los Angeles. Pine trees
are too austere and should be grubbed
out alongside palms.
Echo park would be improved If an
artesian well were bored at the north
west corner so that flowing water
could be introduced. Now copperas
must be used to keep the standing
water from fouling. The boat house
should be moved to the southwest cor
ner.
For Elysian park a general planting
of pines, cedars and similar trees is
urged to give forest hillside effect.
All roads there in future will be
aligned with shrubs, which will take
off the stiff appearance of the palms,
and also leave the edge of the roads in
good condition.
At the head of Bishop street canyon
a large waterfall and cataracts should
be constructed as soon as owens river
water is available.
A new road should be built in Solano
canyon, the Hazard burro trail should
be widened and five acres should be
set aside elsewhere for nursery so
that the Chavez raVine nursery, which
is in the bottom of a watershed, can
be moved.
Rest PaVilions
Rest pavilions in various high places
in the park are also embraced in the
scheme, as hundreds of beautiful
yistas are obtainable there.
Completion of two roads in Griffith
park one up Sycamore canyon leading
up the hills to Mount Hollywood, and
the other following the present road