Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1912-03-21

says J. B. Baker. could easily dem
time here, nor do think it necessary,
as it is almost self evident Granted.
then. that parks, parkings, clean
streets and everything else that goes
to make up the City Beautiful do add
much to the pleasure. happiness. NOR
ais and health of the people, are these
not reasons enough to inspire every
city. town and village to go to work
at once to secure these things? But
shall pass over all these good reasons
and consider for a moment the COM
mercial side of the subject. From the
standpoint of the dollar, parks do pay.
and they pay big.
Kansas City is notable example of
what has been done in the last few
years. Ten or twelve, years ago the
people there realized that almost moth
ing had been done to- beautify their
town and attract the home builder and
business man. They quickly adopted
plan for the city and worked out ,sys-
tenn Of parks and bouleyards.. costing
So 600, 600. Already It has proved to be
q profitable investment. and they are
getting back in increased. ia es. due to
the enhancement ofsvalues, more than
enough to justify the outlay. In open
ing some of the first parks and boule-
Yards they had to fight their way by
condemnation proceedings. etc, but it
was soon seen that in whatever part of
town these Improvements were going
on property increased il, value. SO that
it was not long before every. part Of
the town was clamoring for such i'm
provements, In some cases even Offer
ing to pay for them. Today the people
Of Kansas City are enthusiastic over
their civic Improvements, and they say
that parks pay.
What has been the case in Kansas
City has also been true in many other
places. After studying this question
for several years am convinced that
the average town or city is not indifer-
ent to these things. but they, simply
don't know how to make q start If
only few enthusiastic. public spirited
people will get the matter on their
hearts they will soon find way.
OF course the best results cannot be
attained in one or two years. It takes
time, and the people should not become
impatient. ! would say to all towns
desiring parks. etc.:
( First.-Employ good architect to
make q plan.
/ Second: Devise, ways and means to
secure funds.
/ Third.-Secure land for parks as
early as possible. large tracts on the
outskirts and several small tracts in
the thickly settled neighborhoods.
Fourth.-Go to work systematicall,
and intelligently to beautify the
grounds.
Fffth.-Don't expect everything Tn
be done in onesor two years. It takes
time to do these things, and no doubt
mistakes will be made. It would be
remarkable If they were not. But If
the proper start be made and honest
and interested men are managing i
they can hardly fail to obtain good re-
suits in the end.
In conclusion would emphasize tho
fact that il town expects to attract
people it must make itself attractive
In this day and time no intelligen,
man cares to live in town lacking in
beauty and health, and the towns that
make the best increases in population
IN the next ten or twenty years will
De largely the ones that do most to
make themselves attractive by civic
improvements.