Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1912-02-01

says j. B. Baker. | could easily dem.
Onstrate this fact. but we have not
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 80 to work
at once to secure these things: But
shall pass over all these good reasons
and consider for Il moment the com
mercial side of the subject From the
standpoint of the dollar, parks do pay,
and they pay big.
Kansas City is a 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 ana
business man. They quickly adopted a
plan for the city and worked out a sys
tenn of parks and boulevards, costing
100000. Already it has proved to be
profitable investment. and they are
getting back in Increased taxes. due to
the enhancement of values. 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 thnSn
on property increased in 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
lng 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 indiffer-
ent to these things. but they Simply
don't know how to make 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. 1t takes,
time. and the people should not become
impatient. | would say to all towns
desiring parks. etc.:
F'irst.-Employ good architect to
make 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 Systematically
and intelligently to beautify tine
grounds.
Fifth.-Don't expect everything to
be done in one or two years. 1t takes
time to do these things. and no doubt
mistakes will be made 1t would he
remarkable If they were not But If
the proper start be made and honest
and interested men are managing if
ahey can hardly fail to obtain good re-
suits in the end.
In conclusion would emphasize the
fact that if town expects to attract
people it must make. itself attractive
In this day and time no intelligent
man cares to live in a town lacking in
beauty and health. and the towns hat
make the best increases in population
IN the next ten or twenty Years will
he largely the ones that do most to
make themselves attractive by civic.
improvements.
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