Los Angeles herald., 1909-10-02

from Hill to Grand, and would widen
the Fifth street roadway to the pres
ent park line. An advantage of this
is that it would seem to add to the
width of Fifth street as an approach,
for the line of trees now appear to cut
off the street at the curb line on that
side. and that it would make ampler
provision for the Auditorium carriage
traffic.
Suggests Promenade
within the park bounds-the pres
ent bad. sinuous walk which runs
close to the street sidewalk having
been taken out would put broad,
straight walk, leading up to the build
ings on the hill. This promenade
would be thirty feet wide and would
be separated from the curb by fifteen
feet of turf, on which would be plant
ed roses. On the other side of it there
would be another lire of roses, and
beyond the roses--the grass strip here
being thirty feet wide-a row of eu-
calyptus. planted thirty-five feet
apart. These, and a similar row be-
yond would define the drive. The
rest of the space would be tree-dotted
lawn, and here nearly all of the bet
ter trees which are now within the
park could be retained. There would
be benches along the walk, and in
time at this cultured center along the
-bordered promenade there may
be erected sculptured memorials to
litterateurs, musicians and artists.
Walk and drive would merge into Hill
street by arcs of circles. The tall
eucalyptus would produce the south
building line of the library, framing
with the tall buildings on the north
side of Fifth street the intervening
space and distinctly defining the fore
court, or approach, while the low
roses would preserve the unbroken
view up to the hilltop structures, and
from them would make a lovely pic
ture-a 'tapis vert lined with rOses-to
look down upon
Favors Formal Entrance
LAS to the plan for the south half of
the present park site, which l SAID
should constitute a distinct design, my
idea would be to put here the new band
stand. The little sketch suggests now
this plat could be developed. The band
stand would be made in shell shape
the back of 1t screened by tall planting.
1t should be some little distance inside
the entrance, and face in, so that the
auditors would be removed as Tar as
possible from the street noises, and
that the music might be thrown into
the park.
Il have suggested a somewhat formal
entrance at Sixth and Hill streets, that
would serve as a Vestibule, and the sep
aration of the concert park from the
mall by a good deal of group, or mass
planting Under the stage of the band
stand there would be storage room for
the excess of chairs and benches, and
thus when concerts were not being
given here the space would be avail
able for ordinary park uses, sum
cient number of scattered seats being
anAnph trees to
cast a shade Diagonal paths would
cross the park, as now, to offer snort
cuts.
AT the upper end of the mall l would
suggest an open space to give setting
to the buildings when one is near them
In the perspective view from the lower
end of the scheme this would not be
seen. and in the view east from the
buildings one would look over it. The
drive, it will be observed, makes a
curve at the west end of the mall and
proceeds through the parked grounds
of the library, at the base of the NIL
around the buildings and to Flgueroa
street.
"AlI this has something to do with
the boulevard system, of which | am
next to speak. 1t is sufficient to note
here that the grade by which Fifth
street reaches Grand avenue is by this
means avoided: and that by a park
road reserved for pleasure driving, free
from street cars and at even grade, one
will be able to pass from Hill street to
Figueroa-a great desideratum. If, now,
the broadened avenue which is to lead
from the station to Los Angeles street
were continued the four short blocks to
Hill swinging in at an angle to join
with the mall, what a drive would be
offered from the station to the residen-
tial section! What an impression OF
Los Angeles would be received by ar
irving strangers!
1T ought to be done. When Los An
geles has a million people, such an east
and west artery would be of incalcula-
BILE benefit; but it will be too late then
to get it,"