The San Francisco call., 1910-04-23
HOW SCENIC SITES
MAY BE IMPROVED
Conversion of a Waste of Sand
on HarbOr's Bluffs Into SpIen=
did West Clay Park
Homes on Palm Shaded, Ter
raced Streets Command View
of Ocean, Bay and Hills

of Ocean, Bay and Hills
So many interesting features are
connected with the rebuilding Of San
Francisco that the entire subject of
reconstruction Is important for its
revelation Of the enterprise and pro-
gressive spirit Of the Individual ciJi-
zens
First. it was clear that the types
on leading thoroughfares would be
superior 10 their predecessors on
the same sites.
Then il was seen that certain i'm
portant streets, by the mere logic
OF the changed conditions and the as
surance of greatness for the city,
would lose their residential character
and become lined with costly bust
ness buildings, office structures and
manufacturing enterprises.
Then the question Of bringing back
the people 10 san Francisco who had
gone elsewhere after the FIRE Of 1906
became a live issue. AS the last two
matters alluded to are already in
process of realization, and there Is
stiI q great amount Of unoccupied
space suitable 10 residential uses in
the city. the matter OF increasing the
population is the paramount local is
sue in relation TO real estate. What
has been done in this direction and
what may be done are topics Of prime
interest.
A. TO RESIDENTIAL PARKS
81. The most striking feature of the
situation is the tendency toward resi-
dental parks. In the absence Of
: building line ordinances that might
compel house builders to refrain from
infringing on the rights OF neighbors
when a house is 10 be erected by shut
ting out the sun and air Of the ad-
Joining home. the only way IN slghJ
= 10 secure for home builders permanent
conditions relative 10 view, 10 sun
and 10 air. is seemingly through the
institution of residential parks
There are so many scenic locations
in san Francisco that great advan-
taEes in addition TO uniformity Of
building lines are easily secured, and
these advantages. in truth. a largely
a factor in furnishing reasons why san
Francisco is q desirable place for resi-
dence.
There are certain sections Of the
CITY. notably in the northern part. in
the region beginning with Pacific
heights and extending westward TO
Preside heights, the Preside wall
section, the scenic thoroughfare known
as Lake street and Bakers beach, that
have characteristics Of the charming
natural sort that makes them particu-
- lsrIv eligible for handsome home sites.
But even in these neighborhoods
some Of the early comers who con-
structed costly residences commanding
beautiful views have been shut out IN
part from the enjoyment Of the land
scare by the erection Of projecting
houses on adjoining lots.
THE ONLY REMEDY
Only in the residential parks is
there 2 certainty Of uniform building
lines and settled favorable conditions,
for in other places each purchaser OF
real estate is practically a law unto
himself Hence, TO make the city resi-
deutialiv attractive, speaking in gen
eral and large way, the method may be
found in the establishment Of residen-
tial parks
Scenery is not indispensable TO such
marks In many cities that are fat and
devoid Of natural charms Of contour
and view there are inclosed parks,
protected by private enterprise and IN
habited by those who seek 10 control
their immediate surroundings, IN which
The estimated values Of building lots
sre double those Of the surrounding
tots although the latter are, excepting
restrictions that bring advantages,
every whit as well situated Tor nome
purposes.
other eastern cities in the United States.
Building lines and other restrictions
calculated TO maintain the character Of
the residential neighborhoOd, by means
Of provisions inserted IN deeds 10 the
lands. are often, of course, the prin-
cipal cause OF the advanced prices Tor
lots in inclosed parks.
rASTERNERs LEARNED LESSON
The lesson that profit viii come from
making parks has not been Iost on east
ern land owners.
The lesson is not lost in san Fran
cisco. But here II is a matter for the
future. because there are scores Of
acres Of lands that are scenic, facing
The ocean or the bay, that can be
marked TO individual and municipal
nroft The land owner makes better
r~af+ when he sells his lots, and the
77unicipality profits by having places
in which residence is eagerly sought
and which. because Of the costly i'm
movements made therein, swell the
nroperty roll for purposes of taxation.
Jordan park, founded wisely and well
some years ago by the citizen after
whom Il was named and which is locat-
eJ where the western addition and the
Richmond district adjoin. is an example
Of enhanced and permanent values.
which have been achieved without any
snecfsI scenic feature, but mainly by
the enactment and rigid adherence to
certain provisions that have made Jor
dan mark one Of the choice residential
portions Of san Francisco.
The Preside park was next in order
~ tine. That has been practically all
settled. This enterprise was promoted
ard directed by the skill and energy Of
Baldwin & Howell.
Pakers beach was built on similar
lines and the result is & charming
neigh borhood.
LATEST IN PARKS
The latest Of the residential parks is
known as West Clay park, and this
park may be considered the precursor
OF other residence parks, as the idea
has taken firm hold Of San Francisco
and also because there viii be many
areas for some years to come that can
be proftably parked
West Clay park. being the latest of
the series 10 date. embodying as il does