Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1910-04-08
bEAUTIFYING
OUR OWN CITY
LADIES' AUXILIARY BUSY ON
RAILROAD GROUNDS
VAST IMPROVEMENT SHOWN
Roses, Shrubs, Lily Basin, Electric
Fountain and Band Stand Be-
ing Provided.

lily, ana the barren places run
wild with woods"
So thought the women of Grants
Pass as they eyed the unsightly
grounds lying about the depot onJ
each side of the track, ground that
for years has been the dumping
place for all manner of debris. What
speaks more eloquently for the char
acter of city than the way it's pub
lie grounds are utilized? And upon
whom does 1t more naturally devolve
to make the barren places bloom as
the rose than the women Of COM
munity to whom is entrusted the un-
folding Of the beautiful?
The ladies of Grants Pass were
quick to see their duty and as quick
to act upon 1t. Working through
the Ladies' Auxiliary they secured
permission from the Southern Paci-
fic to lease the grounds at a nominal
cost and do with them as the club
wished. The services OF landscape
gardener were secured in the spring
Of 1909. The lack of funds and de-
lay in securing all the trees required
made 1t impossible for the Civic
Improvement committee to do more
than plant trees on the north siae.
A small beginning in the planting
Of the rose garden was made on the
south side. Weather conditions fur
ther hindered the work in the fall
and this spring found the parks far
from realizing the ideal the ladies
had set for them.
With the funds accumulated dur
ing the winter months, shrubs, rose
pushes and more trees were immedi-
ately ordered. With the promise OF
a new depot for Grants Pass the
question came up whether It were
wise to do further work on the south
side until the new location had been
settled upon. Another consideration
favored waiting This park is low
and must be filled in Excavations
from the new depot site would af-
ford ample material for filling in
this plot, at a less cost than hauling
It to a greater distance. It seemed
best accordingly, to center the ener-
gies on the north side for the i'm
mediate present.
The park opposite the First Ma
tlonal bank Is nearly completed. The
rose gardens are in pink and white,
250 bushes Of Madam Caroline Test
out, La France, Kaiserine Augusta
Victoria, Frau Carl Drusckl, The
Bride and other varieties being used.
A truly beautiful spot II will be FOR
the harassed business man to turn
his gaze upon for one stolen moment
OF rest and relaxation. Beyond the
rose garden different Towering and
ornamental shrubs have been planted
among the trees, Walks are yet to
be laid out along which benches will
be placed that the beauty Of grass,
trees and flowers may be enjoyed to
the full.
The park opposite will be equally
attractive, though quite different in
It's arrangements. A mass effect OF
shrubbery is being used in front Of
the back line OF trees, thus conceal
ing the bare exterior OF the Fruit
Exchange building. In front OF the
shrubbery lily basin has been ex-
cayated This will be finished In
cement and water lilies will later
lie cool and white on the surface OF
the water.
The park on the south side will
come in for It's share OF attention
when the depot is more nearly com
pleted The plans when carried out
will be such as TO warrant the seem
ing neglect that has been accorded
this plot so far. 8. s. Metzger,
landscape designer from Phlladel.
phia. has given his services freely
In formulating these plans The
color scheme OF the rose beds will