The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06


 The line of sight from verandas of residences surrounding the park Is in- terrupted by the elevation at bound of park, or in other words this elevation carries line of sight across large proportion of the area before 1t reaches the park ground, even if not interrupt ed by the tree growth, as 1t mostly is. From a second story window the line of sight has a greater vertical anglo nd takes in more of the park surface area where not interrupted by tree foliage. The long views through, across and from the park are of little conse- quence but will not be interrupted ex- cept where the unattractive present or prospective view of houses obtrude on the area in a way to injure the beauty and purpose of park. The views within the park are important in determining the design of Improvements and will be mentioned later.
 It is needless to say that park In neighborhood of such character, one facing Highland avenue and one of the limited size. peculiar shape and irreg- ular characteristics as of Caldwell park should not be developed for a congest- ed playground, nor great athletic field or parade nor as a great public gathering place for rough use of all classes. Rather it should be a beauty feature of the leading residential street, a neighborhood place of quiet retreat where orderly recreation can be had in natural and attractive set ting, Il place for leisurely stroll, for reading or light recreation by adults, but above all for clean safe healthful place for small children to enjoy open air exercise amid natural surroundings. It should be developed somewhat for exclusiveness from traffic; if should contain central formal shelter set ting; there should be plenty of shade and facility for quiet rest and as much open sunny space as possible. Unfortu- nately the present condition of the area with it's rough surface overgrown with briars. cut with ditches, and the earth ridges piled above the sewer, water and drain pipes laid on surface is now impossible and useless and merely to correct these features alone would be an expensive item and after this Is done the most economical treat ment of area by taking advantage of the then existing topography and such tree growth as it is possible to save will probably not eyince the amount of costs even though great good will have been accomplished.
 For Caldwell park 1t has been aimed to make the suggestions as economical as possible. The general motive selected Tor design is circular, the reason for the pro- priety and economy of which being per fectly apparent in glance at the map of existing conditions, to be fitted to and taken advantage of.
 Material Selected
 "The material selected for architectu- ral accessories is the local vari-colored limestone to be used without copying, but rather with natural stone sides and top finish for rustic effect. The custom of building walls of this stone and finish- ing tops with flat plaster surface should be avoided The top surfaces of walls should be rough and not permit sitting upon. The seat at Highland avenue. West Belyidere, should be a concrete slab on rustic stone standards built out from wall. The steps proper should be of concrete. The platform of the entrance at Highland avenue and Twenty-sixth street should have a place underneath for the storage of caretakers' tools with an entrance on the southwest side as shown. In the walls and posts the stone should be of select ed colors, wide in range and of largest sizes procurable. especially at base, that will not be covered with planting. At such places either loose stone should be placed in semi-detached positions on and partly within the earth. giving the posts and walls the appearance of stability and of growing out of the ground. The plates and rafters of arbor should be rustic
 
 bark and should have wide overhang for vines, while the center should be covered -with tight roof almost fiat The wall around terrace court or future wading pool should be also of local stone with a concrete coping at walk grade The water level of pool should be three and one-haIf inches below top of coping, the depth of water in pool should be about six inches at edges to about 16 inches at center ald the bottom Of the pool should be ofIblack or green cement. This pool will cooly reflect the arbor and sur rounding formal planting.
 Tt is a peculiar thing that the leaf less woody branches of deciduous trees and shrubs are little apparent during the winter time1 in the Birmingham region, probably due to atmospheric conditions and the coIar of soil and Bermuda grass at that timd, Consequently. even realiz- ing that most evergreens are expensive. feel they mutt be recognized as neces-