Los Angeles herald., 1910-03-01


pleted in 80 days. 1t could be so done
within that time by any grading con-
! tractor and at probably less expense
than it would otherwise cost the city.
! There is here O. convenient opportunity
| to experiment with a well equipped
well organized and well Differed con-
struction gang as part of the park
force.
The Plaza Park
This little breathing spot should re-
ceive special attention. 1t is not sur
rounded by favorable conditions, but
| for that very reason the most that
can be made of 1t should be made, so
/ as to help improve the surroundings.
! Most that can be made of it is keep
II clean and healthy, keep the beautl-
| full old rubber trees vigorously grow
| ing, the fountain clean and put the
lawns in proper condition. This park
| like Central park is in a woeful state
of neglect and dilapidation. l am in
formed that this lawn has not been
| fertilized in seven years; in fact, my
informant dates the last fertilization
to the time when La Grand was super
! intendent of our parks. Botn the
water system and the drainage sys-
| tenn are wholly inadequate. The at
tempts at shrubbery and floral culture
but help to emphasize the appearance
] OF ulldDludLlOn. oOlIe Oh lllG 5ui III
| berry along the fence is being used as
public convenience and is a nuis-
ance. outside of the park, along the
sidewalks, express wagons and teams
for public hire are given a stand.
There are many holes made by the
wheels and by the horses feet. Most
Of these holes are offensive by reason
of improper drainage. and the situa-
| tion ought to be called to the attention
/ of ha hoaIfI, nd Of tho cfrnpf dpn1 RI
ment. The unsatisfactory conditions
in the Plaza park can be remedied
with a very small expense. First of
all, the flower beds should be aban-
doned and the shrubs and the decaying
palms removed. Drainage and a CON
venient water should be provided. dead
soil and the Bermuda grass removed,
the remaining ground properly ferti-
lized and the park regarded with live
and, if possible. virgin soil. The whole
scheme Of the little park should be to
have a healthy green lawn, to keep the
trees in vigorous growth and to keep
the park and surrounding walks abso-
lutely clean. The simplicity of the
scheme would be to reduce the cost
of taking care of it.
Eastlake
This park is favorably situated and
has desirable conditions for artistic
treatment. Extending the boundaries,
as they should be extended. so as to
take in the old reservoir the wet lands
Of the late Indian Crafts ground, the
moist lands lying between the latter
and the park proper. Here we would
have a long stretch of land commenc-
ing at the point made by the Hunting
ton drive and the Pasadena Short line
of the Pacific Electric road and run
ming thence south and west to the
southerly boundary of the park. The
general conditions of this park as
outlined are aquatic and it's treatment
should be upon these lines. The soil
of the more level portions is rich, wet
and cold, while the hills forming a
splendid background are more gen
erous to plant growth. Here we have
a series of lakes and waterfalls, COM
mencing at the higher point near the
Huntington drive and terminating in
and harmonizing with the lakes which
are already constructed; the lakes 81
constructed as to make flushing and
cleansing practical; the banks lined
with aquatic plants and with water
loving trees such as the weeping will
low, and the surface enlivened by
handsome waterfowls.
Here are the requisites for a mag
niflcent display of the large japanese
iris-a display in such quantity as to
make this park famous for all time.
Here too, the water lilies and their
kindred plants could be massed and
brought to great perfection by a little
assistance In the springtime. Here
the handsome bamboos would also find
a generous home Many other features
could be mentioned if permitted. The
general aspect of this park the nwould
be stretches of water softened and
embellished by appropriate shore
planting; spacious vistas over lakes
and lawns to the green hills. there the
vista ending in screens and hedges and
foliage shutting out whatever is OBJ
iectionabIe without the park; here and
there handsome groups of trees; the
masses of iris. and aquatic plants: their
native beauty enhanced and magnif1ed
by the splendor of the massing.
This Is not imagination. The picture
can be produced in the real and so
maintained at a very reasonable cost.
In this park, by reason of it's accessi-
bility to the masses of people and of
its transportation facilities. a grand
bandstand set in a park of deciduous
trees furnishing shade in the summer
and admitting the sunlight in the win
ter. Should this be undertaken, it
should be borne in mind that picnics
by our neighbors from the east $50
called, in the nature of reunions and
social reminders of their old homes
are utCOHllIlB lIeuueHI ana popular.
Ample provision should he made for
these gatherings and all facilities for
addresses, ETC.. should be supplied.
Place for Conservatives
In this park also should be located
some or all Of the promised handsome
conservatories. In this particular I am
invading the sphere of my associate.
Mr.. O'MelVeny, who is to determine
where and what these Conservatives
are to be. 1 am confident, when COM
pleted under his guidance and watchful
care, they will be a continuous joy to
our people, and if located in that park
will be its greatest and most attractive
feature.
Let us see what we have left in this
park as beginning that will work in
with the plan that I have suggested.
We have some beautiful lakes. some
fairly good drives that can be sur
faced, many fine trees, singly and in
groups, and some fine vistas-a good
beginning for a park such as l have
suggested. The present conservatories,
as display feature, are of no use and
are too small and antiquated for any
purpose except as an adjunct to a prop
agating station. The greatest objection
to this park as now maintained is the
admixture of unsightly things with
things that are or could be made fresh
and handsome-vistas destroyed or in
terrupted by sickly or illy-kept and un-
desirable shrubbery etc. Most every
where you turn in this park, with few
exceptions, there come in view old and
misplaced buildings, piles of rubbish,
propagating houses and material, etc,