Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1915-07-30
PRESENTS FIRST REPORT
MIR. RICKLI MAKES SUGGESTIONS
TO IMPROVE PARK.
Location Ideal for Public Playground,
But Considerable Money Neces-
sary for Development.

| eF 10 WnOm mas Deen entrusted the
preparing of plans and specifications
for the improvement of the city park,
an undertaking proposed by the Civic
section of the Woman's club, support
ed by that organization, and appar-
emily favored by the entire commune
ty, has viewed the lay of the land
and submitted a preliminary report
to the committee charged with pro-
noting the betterment, of which Mrs.
| Conrad Stafrin is chairman. The re-
port does not deal with the probable
cost of the improvement, that feature
of the project remaining until the de-
tails in connection Herewith are more
fully worked out. 1t is more along
the line of suggestions, and is as fol-
lows:
In compliance with your request I
have the honor to state that / have
made a sufficient examination of the
city park grounds to warrant an init
ial report. find that the park is adj
mirably located the sombre wooded
range to the west furnishing an ideal
back ground and that on the whole,
the tract will lend itself fairly well
to improvement without too many
distractions involving considerable
expense. In this connection would
respectfully call your attention to the
fact that the creation of park is
chiefly a question of money and how
much of that Indispensable commod-
ity is available A city with unlimited
financial resources could make a
complete and magnificent park out
of this very ground inside of two
seasons.
Unless am mistaken. however, the
city of Dallas, although making
most creditable showing, is in mod
crate circumstances only. In view Of
this condition / have the honor to
suggest that this park be developed
through the loyal cooperation of all
the people of Dallas and Immediate
vicinity each according to their
means. We should be strong for the
faithful support and encouragement
of home talent in music, literature,
Horticulture, landscaping or any other
noble and laudable endeavor in which
our community might find occasion
to indulge. The process of making
the city park "a beauty and a joy
for ever" must under existing condi-
tions necessarily be a slow one, but
neither was Rome built in day. The
gradual Developments snaorenvsr. has it's,
advantages Tam convinced that even
to-the expert professional iandseaper
some of the most valuable IDEAS and
features assume definite shape only
as he goes along and becomes thor
oughly familiar with the topography
and nature of the ground under treat
ment. One of David Crockett's "a He
ro Of the Alamo) sayings was. "Be
sure you are right, then go ahead"
This impresses me as an excellent
motto for the city park venture. In
other words the essential factor in
solving this park problem successfully
will be to attain best results with the
least possible expenditure of money.
While you cannot expect all poor
people to give their time and labor
free gratis for nothing, I have had
occasion to observe that too frequent
ly the wage demanded is entirely dis
and in excess to the
quality of the service rendered. New
ertheless in this connection respect
fully beg to report myself as poor
man with the hint, however, that no
need apply to participate
in the building up of our city park.
/ will not try your patience with
any further general remarks and from
now on confine myself briefly to the
technical and practical aspect of the
park problem. In view of the devei-
opment work ahead ] would respect
fully invite your attention to the fact
that the sweepings off our city streets
are too valuable for our purposes to
be diverted and suggest that conven-
lent portions of the city park be des-
ignated as a depository for such ma
terial without unnecessary delay.
That section of Academy street be-
tween Levens and the Chinaman's
laundry should be improved and fur
nished this season. The laundry
building should be removed and part
Of the site occupied by the approach
md a rustic gateway appropriate to
our conditions and situated at the
terminal and center of Academy
street. / cannot lay too much stress
IN the importance of having noble,
picturesque and effective approach.
With this end in view I shall causef
The Junior member of my family td
prepare a drawing of this proposef
yateway, subject to your approval
me OlQ gaze OF COuESt Will Dc ~
sorbed in this more elaborate N
suitable affair. A considerable
will be necessary to the left of
present roadway after the bru5
tut away southeast Of the prf
An undulating or
slightly curving driveway is td
rom the new entrance to thej
northwest, merging into the
a little beyond "
where now located. This a
would. roughly speaking. v
,oard walk to constitute
land margin Of the newt
cave ample space TO blanY
he unsIghtly prune drye7
nd shrubbery. Above COZ
ion No. of contemplaf
nents. Section No.
graded continuation Of
o the center. merging
to 10 foot graded d 4
n rear of the band 81
ng within the circle
Irranged in front al
his central circular
IS was able TO ju3 n,
: feasible WfthouM