New-York tribune., 1909-06-06
PLAN 2,OOO-MILE PARK.
Union Pacific to AdOrn Way from
Missouri to Ocean.

Omaha, June 5-Union Pacific Railroad officials
have begun a more stupendous campaign for beau
tfying its right of way than any other road in
this country has yet undertaken. Briefly the
scheme is so 10 embelIIsh and adorn its route that
the passenger trains will travel in a continuous
parkway from the Missouri River to the Pacific
Ocean. distance OF nearly two thousand miles
To carry out this project will cost hundreds OF
thousands OF dollars but when completed the Har-
riman officials expect the Increased traffic soon TO
repay the outlay. Some Of the benefits which will
accrue to the passengers via the Overland Route
viii be an absolute absence Of and the pleas
ant sensation of riding days through a beauti-
ful park-a park in which the passenger will
see as he is whired along ali gradations OF
scenery. from the placid farm meadows of East
ern Nebraska TO the dark canyons OF the Rockies
and the tremendous waterfalls OF the Cascades
Years Will be required TO carry out and complete
the scheme. but great railroad system pays little
attention To time in work of this kind Already
work on the project has been commenced. Kearney.
Neb., being the starting point from which the
parking will be carried forward
A recent Supreme Court decision gave the Union
Pacific a 400-foOt right of way through from the
Missouri River at Omaha to the Great Salt Lake
at Ogden The same contentious will. when
brought before the courts obtain for the Southern
Pacific similar right of way from Ogden to San
Francisco At present the Union Pacific and the
Southern Pacific tracks in the centre Of a 100
foot right OF way, and the court decision gives
these $50 additional feet on each side OF the
tracks. This is the tract which it is purposed to
park and which will when completed be the long
est park in the world. although by means the
widest.
Along the first six hundred miles Of the park that
portion extending from Omaha to Cheyenne il is
arranged to the ground in alfalfa a plant
which becomes green early in the spring and re-
mains until late IA the f2Il. This forms a
thick sward and IS better able 10 withstand dry
hot weather than any Other grass. AS for trees.
there will be double line bull pines alternating
with elms. These t-ees will be planted every two
rods 'on the edges the 4OO-foot right Of
way.
Down the centre OF this parking will run the
double tracks. which are balasted with gravel from
Sherman Hill Wyo. This gravel is disintegrated
red granite and the contrast of the red band
against the background of green grass and trees
Will be a continual delight the eye the pas
senger.
Through the mountains there will be attempt
made TO change the natural surroundings, but
rather to preserve them I'm their original beauty
and simplicity Underground will not be cut except
from close to the tracks There will be a special
corps of worzmen who will have the care of the
park system. and 20 these will fall the duty Of
keeping the park In good order.
'AlI this is going to take time-years in fact-tO
complete" says Mr.. LOmax. general passenger
agent OF the Union Pacific. but when il is finished
we will have the prettiest and most magnificent
railroad park in all the world. There will be abso
lutely no dust contend with: the air will be
cooler and the scenery will be most pleasant In
time expect birds to get used to trains as they
always do, and wthen the trees in our long park
will be filled with feathered tribes