Los Angeles herald., 1910-05-03
Municipal Affairs
PAREINSON'S PATRIOTISM
TO BEAUTIFY CITY PARK
Prominent Architect Submits His
Plans Gratis, and Commits
sion Will Follow Them

From pure patriotism and with
knowledge that there is mighty little
hope of his ever gettin5 anything out
of it except the sense of duty well per-
formed, John Parkinson, one of Los
Angeles most prominent architects
has prepared plans for the beautifica-
tion of Central park, and submitted his
ideas to the park commission yester-
day. These ideas were not formally
adopted, but the park commission eX-
poets to do the work of improvement
along these lines.
These are Mr.. Parkinson's sugges-
tions:
At each corner of the park form
a quarter circle of about thirty feet
radius. From the center of this
quarter circle extend diagonal
paths through the park twenty feet
wide; forming quarter circles at
corners makes it possible to center
the paths on the corner direct with
a balanced arrangement on any
other plan.
Extend a path from Hill to Olive
street through the center of the
park. All paths intersecting at the
center. There construct a fountain.
The lower portion to be filled with
water, about twenty feet wide IN
the clear; surrounding this to be
six feet of grass or flowers, with a
curb at the outer rim, thus pre-
venting the public from access to
the tank and to the water. The up
per portion of the fountain could
have a projection of twelve feet.
On the under side Of this suspend
lamps at about two-foot centers.
The water to flow from the recep-
tacles above to beyond the OUTSIDE
of the lamps.
The lamps would serve for light
ing the central portion of the park,
and would be a very effective fea-
ture of the fountain, and as well
of practical use.
I would suggest that comfort sta
tions be provided-one at the end of
the Hill street path in the center of
the park for men. and one at Olive
street end for women.
The entrances to all pathways
from the streets and at the angles
to be treated with a parapet wall.
Those at the comfort stations to be
wide enough to cover the ends of
the comfort stations and treated in
an effective way architecturally, so
as to make a neat. effective en-
trance, and yet not to be too con-
spicuaus or seriously obstruct the
view into the park.
Between these entrances, would
suggest a low curb, projecting
twelve or fourteen inches above the
sidewalk.
All of the curbs. entrances or
fountains to be made of real or. ar
tificial stone, cast accurately true,
and set on a very solid concrete
foundation, so as to he a permanent
and solid construction throughout.
believe that the suggestion
which has been made to cover the
paths with brick and tile at the
ends and around the center would
be very suitable treatment.
The comfort stations should be
low. so as to project above the par
apet wall of four feet from the
street, and covered with a sidewalk
light roof, and with stairways lead
ing down to the rooms. The rooms
should be of white enameled tile,
and would be below the street level
In the center of the paths from
the angles to the center. q would
suggest that fountains be placed
two in each path at the sides, and
of the continuous running fountain
type. obviating the use of drinking
cups. etc.
Would suggest that the cannon
be entirely removed from the park.
This is hardly suitable, nor is the
park large enough to properly serve
as a place for such a relic. This
could be removed to Elysian park
or some other park where it would
be suitable; for instance. on the
very high part of Elysian park
overlooking the valley, it would be
most suitable and effective.
Would also suggest that the SOL
diers' monument be removed from
Fifth and Hill streets to the center
of the park between Hill and Olive
streets, near the Sixth street end.
A future monument could he placed
in a like position on Sixth street,
and there are places for two monu-
ments or statues on Olive and Hill
street ends in a central position
between the entrances to the paths.