The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1913-05-09

under his observation until the turn
ing of some corner brings into the
line of sight a vision so glorious as
to cause him to forget all he has seen
before. To add animation to the mov-
ing scene of still life a constant cur
rent of motor cars, laden with
merry and gaily dressed passengers
passes in the opposite direction, an
indication that the lovely drive is
keenly appreciated by about every
one possessed of car, or the means
to temporarily attach themselves to
vehicle of the kind. Words are in
adequate to convey an idea of the
pleasure of a trip over the scenic
boulevard. To fully appreciate it one
must experience the sensation of a
spin over and personal view of
Seattle's great attraction.
In conjunction with the highways
and byways mention has been made of
Seattle's parks. Seattle has made lib
eral provision for public parks, which
are perpetual source of pleasure to
all classes, conditions and ages dur
ing the season when out of door rec
reation is possible There are some
1900 acres laid out in about 25 parks,
varying in size from 2 to 179 acres,
some of them close in to the built
up districts,where the city has washed
up to their borders and flowed around
them. These parks ar, scattered all
over town, and are bright oases in a
desert of houses. Large areas are
smooth, bright, inviting grass plots,
portions heavily timberad gi ing cool
and comforting shade in summer
time and cindered paths cut their sin
uous way in every direction. There
are secluded spots where one feels as
far from the glare, glamour and hustle
of city as though an hundred miles
in the hills amidst the solitude of
woods primeval There are always
fountains, and not infrequently flow
ing water. In the east a grass plot
is useless splOtch of scenic decora-
tion, made to look at and not for
vulgar use. Everywhere a mandate of
the powers that be stares the pedes-
trian in the face with the short rude
decisive admonition, Keep off the
Grass" both an insult and warning.
Any infringement of this cold, crisp
order subjects the culprit to dire pun
ishment. Grass, in public places in
the east, is substance that people
may gaze upon, but to tread its vel
vety surface is adjudged a misde-
1t is of no earthly use except
as color scheme, and no matter
how inviting it may be to the kidlet
to roll and play on or to the weary
pedestrian as a soft and springy SUBJ
stance upon which to relieve his pave
ment battered feet, the kid and the
grown up must shun the verdure, and
think hard things of those who put
it there and denied it to the public
use. 1t is different in Seattle. No
blue coated guardian in truculent
voice roars threats of dismal penalty
to those who step upon the green. The
grass is there, rich, soft, luxuriant,
for the pleasure of the people, and it
is godsend to the children and
pleasant relief from the dust and
paved ways for the older ones. These
parks are source of never ending
joy ard happiness to old and young
especially in the summer time. Dur
ing the week days there are many
visitors to these parks, and on Sun
days they are thronged, with throng
that for the nonce at least are happy
and contented. They are an unmixed
blessing to the people of small means,
and contribute very largely toward
making life happier and brighter for
those to whom expensive, and more
deleterious pleasures are out of reach
The park system is not temporary
benefit for those of the present, but
are blessing to be enjoyed by the
generations yet to come, and public
moneys are never invested to better
purpose than providing this class of
recreation places for the citizens. And
nothing for which money can be spent
will add greater beauty and attract
iveness to the city that is liberal in
such provisions. A visit to any of
the parks, great or small, around Sc
attic is well worth while, and one
visit will be an incentive for frequent
repetitions. The attraction of some
of these parks is not confined to nat
ural environments, added to by the
hand of man. In one there is large
zoo, where there is collected a great
variety of animals and birds, which
are a source of amusement and cur
iosity to sight seers. In another Is
an extensive conservatory, full Of
flowers of every description and color,
including exotic plants as we'll as
those of local habitation and a
name. Each park has it's individual
charm and attraction, and one and
all worthy of the city that has wisely
provided them for it's people. Provid-
ing paved boulevards and beautified
parks represent the expenditure of
millions, but these are permanent I'M.
provements, and as remarked above
a city can not spend money in a bet
ter or more worthy cause.
Marshal Davis gave number of
hangers on with no visible means of
O., ,nnt h1