The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-05-16
4 DELIGHTFUL
RESTING PLACE '
By Fred P. Johnson

when geography was in the max
ing, nature began the work OF
building q park for Oakland. In
the general distribution OF her gifts the
resourcefui dame showed frank par
tiaiity toward the city on the east side
OF the bay. endowing her with beauty
spots such IS many other less fortu-
nate cities have been able to secure only
through years OF labor with artificial
means. Now the municipality Of Oak
land is beginning 10 add art to nature
IN the task OF creating the greatest
water park IN the west as the central
feature OF a system OF recreation
grounds covering the city Thanks TO
nature. Oakland will not have the
troubles which San Francisco expert
enoed IN making two blades OF grass
grow where none had grown before in
the shifting peninsula sands. Where
years OF patient toll were necessary IN
the larger city 70 make the shifting
wastes bloom for the enjoyment OF man
months VIII suffice to bring forth flower
and verdure on the Oakland side. But
81 Is no small undertaking that the
Alameda municipality has entered upon.
Il viii require several years and heavy
expense TO complete the plan. although
the most important step. the appropria-
ton OF natural park landscapes, has
been taken in the acquiring OF lands
by private purchase or by condemnation
proceedings.
Nature. as Oakland's first park
builder. began her work with a pro-
phetie eye. as well as an eye for beauty.
vshe modelled a lake or Just the proper
size. on the level side Of which might
be located the commercial equipment OF
a city, and on the picturesque hills
sloping eastward from its shores there
might be erected the artistic homes OF
nature loving inhabitants. The lake
was given a shore line possessing de-
lightful irregularities. A wooded pen
Ursula was thrust into the water at the
northern end Of its shining expanse,
hiuy promontory that Is the JOY of the
landscape gardener. Cozy inlets were
fashioned here and there, along the
borders Of which boulevards> might
wind their graceful courses.
Lake Merritt got Oakland into the
habit Of pointing with pride" It was
her first reason for boastfulness. and
good one The strangers within her
gates looked upon it with wonder and
envy. The visitor from the eastern city
sighed IF we only had that in the
middle Of our town we would do things
with IT."
It was many years before Oakland
recovered from the delusion that nature
had made such a good Job OF the lake
enterprise that man could not I'M
prove upon II. It seemed TO meet all
the requirements as q thing OF beauty
and as rowing and fishing grounds.
Upon the west shore OF its northern
arm some OF the spacious mansions
OF early Oakland residents were built
and surrounded by lakeside gardens.
(After the building Of the Twelfth
street dam the lake became a source
OF enjoyment 10 q larger number Of
pleasure and recreation seekers.
The Grand Boulevard
The first modern Improvement upon
the lake was the building Of winding
boulevard upon its eastern and north
ern shores. adding to the BENEFITS and
popularity OF the attractive body OF
water. The plan OF creating a great
water park entered the mind of more
than one early citizen. and some of the
earlier municipal administrations dwelt
upon the possibilities OF this and other
natural advantages which the city pos
grounds.
-Four years ago The city had as a be-
ginning Tor park operations a few
scattered squares sparsely covered
with grass and trees. There was not
even a park superintendent The most
exalted title which the city could be-
stow upon the man who watered and
trimmed the lawns was that Of head
gardener. As his operations were
limited the designation was consid-
cred adequate.
The remarkable growth Of the city
within the last few years made the
serious consideration OF the park prob
lem an imperative matter. The indif-
ference Of officials and citizens which
- the past had caused the city TO fail
y the effort to secure several rare
park properties in the suburbs was
partly dissipated. Under a recent bond
issue sufficient funds were set aside
to purchase valuable lands adjoining
Lake Merritt A million dollars has
been spent in the requirement Of suit
able tracts within the last four years.