Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-04-08
THE VALUE OF
PARKS AND DRIVES.
Sets Good Pace in Public Work.
4 Record of Activity.

! Public parks and drives in Madison,
the capital city of Wisconsin, have eX-
cited the admiration and praise OF many
visitors. For the results accomplished
in making Madison one of the most
beautiful cities In the State credit be-
longs to the Madison Park and Pleasure
association which, for upward of severn
teen years, has been an agency for park
and drive improvement.
Through this association more than $500 =
0O0 have been contributed and expended
upon the city's parks and driveways. the
average contributions amounting to sl3.-
4l4 year one of the best evidences of
the general interest taken in the work Of
identifying Madison Is that, with n popu-
laton OF 25,Go0. the subscribers to the
Madison Park and Pleasure Drive associ-
atiCn numbered m re than 500. according
to the 1905 report OF the organization
OF these, 800 contributed IS or less
The association has worked in various
ways, not only for the Improvement OF
existing park areas but for the extension
of the city's pleasure grounds. 1t not on
ly has planned and collected the money
for various improvements but. with the
consent of the municipal authorities, has
supervised the work. In addition. the
association has planted more than 10. 900
trees and shrubs in the last seven and
half years.
n addition to the aid given to the asso-
citation. the citizens of Madison have CO.
operated enthusiastically in the work Of
improving their city. This is shown not
only in the interest displayed by property
owners who benefited directly by the i'm
provements, but in the gifts to the city.
In land and money, amounting to $153, ia
in the last five years.
In his last yearly report OF the work Of
the Madison Park and Pleasure Drive as
ISOLATION. President John NJ Olin said Of
the policy Of the association:
1T was the conservative opinion Of tho
citizens OF Madison qualified to Judge
that. two years ago the work Of this ASSOC
citation had added not less than s.. 0C0, 900
to the assessed valuation of the city
That is there Is now being turned into
the city treasury. in increased taxes by
reason of this work. not less than sos 900
and the greatest financial benefit from the
establishment of our drives, parks and
Fairgrounds has yet to come.
"At the close Of sixteen years Of work
It may be said, and in no boastful spirit.
that tho work. judged by results, has been
successful When we commenced this
work in 1892. we had no drives, either in
side or outside the city, except the one
short drive within the limits of the uni
versity grounds and the drive upon the
Raymer farm, generously thrown ope
to the public.
Now the association owns or has IN
der its control and management betwec
twenty and twenty-five miles Of drivo
TT.
TO unfold and advertise the unusua
beauty of Madison and her surround
ugs.
Up TO 1899 this city had not expende
q dollar to obtain lands for parks a.
Fairgrounds 1t then owned, as its sol
possession for public parks. Orton Par
formerly cemetery. comprising
acres. in very neglected condition.
"When the present parks are cor
peted the city will own within Its limit
not less than $50 acres Of lands for par
and Fairgrounds. we'll situated and 81
selected as to serve Justly all parts o
the city. No other city Of Its size II
Wisconsin will be better provided witt
parks and open spaces, so situated a
to combine In an unusual manner tn
uses Of both land and water"
In proof Of its work, the Madison Parl
and Pleasure Drive association Issues
yearly a report containing a strict ar
count OF money received and expended.
hnc Of work done. One of the most In
teresting features Of the report IL the
collection OF Photographic illustration
Of the beautiful rives an enchanting
PARTS Of its parks. That the fame OF
Maison and the efforts Of It's citizens has
A1s L. oh Akn
every year. there are a thousand appli-
cations from outside persons interested
FOR the report OF the association.