Omaha daily bee., 1916-12-31
PARK DEPARTMENT
SPENDS MUCH CASH
improvements and Mainten-
ance Cost Hundred and Sixty
Thousand Dollars.
BENEFITS GREATER OMAHA

BENEFITS GREATER OMAHA
During the year tho park depart
ment expended 100000 from the parl
/ fund proper, $4,000 from road func
and $4,000 from park bond fund
Maintenance and Improvements were
distributed over the entire system o.
Greater Omaha.
In Miller park the drivcways were
paved, a new tool and machiner,
house was erected and curling rink
established for the hardy Scots who
enjoy winter sports. Excavation for
lagoon embracing four acres in
Fontencllc was one of the important
projects started. The plan is tc
make this a popular place for swim
ming and wadng in the summer time
and skating in the winter time. Even
tually a pa 'ilion will be erected. Next
spring this lagoon will be flooded
and it is proposed to begin water
sports in this park next season.
Elmwood PARK,
Elmwood park was favored during
the year by the opening OF fine
eighteen-holc golf course, with COM
plete sprinkling system. Dressing
rooms for foot bali and base ball
players were provided at Elmwood
Citizens Of that district have re-
quested a pavilion, which will be one
OF the early improvements, probably
during 1917, although that has not
been definitely decided. At Hans
com park new heating plant was in
stalled in the pavilion and 1000 or
chids added 10 the greeneries.
The first modern concrete swim
ming pool Of the Greater Omaha
park system was opened at River
view park. This Improvement cost
$4,000 and proved popular from the
start. A pavilion and playground
equipment were placed in Mandan
park and playground equipment in
Morton and Clearview parks, new
play centers opened in the South
Side.
Flower Beds.
In connection with flower beds dis
tributed through the parks 5000 rose
bushes and other plants were appor-
toned. Forty-hvc municipal band
concerts were held in parks and play
grounds during the summer. During
the year 10000 gallons of road oil
and rs carloads of cinders were dis
tributed over the boulevards and
park drives. Fifteen hundred maple
and 500 elm trees were planted along
the boulevards,
Land was acquired for a boulevard
link from Fontenele to Miller parks,
distance Of 2,3 miles, and to con-
meet Happy Hollow and Fontenelle
boulevards. l.3 miles long. Twenty
fifth street, from Krug's brewery to
F street and thence to Spring Lake
park was taken over as a boulevard
The Happy Hollow boulevard was
paved from Farnam street to Under
wood avenue and the Paxton boulc-
ward was graded and cindered.
Considerable grading was done on
the Carter boulevard and the entire
drive of three miles was surfaced
with cinders. A suction dredge was
in operation during the summer
along the east shore of Carter lake,
preparatory to further extension OF
the lake shore drive.
Recreation Board.
The Recreation board, working in
connection with the park depart
ment, expended $4,000 in supervised
playground activities, under the d.
rection of c, H. English. superin-
tendent; new play centers were
opened at Spring Lake, Mandan,
Clearview and Morton parks, all in
the South Side. 1t is estimated that
playground attendance during the
season was 100 per cent more than
the previous summer. Pushmobile
races, pet shows. lantern psrades and
doll shows attracted considerable in,
terest in eleven play centers. A
downtown championship pushmobile
race was one of the big events of the
season.
The bathing features of the park
system. as supervised by the Recrea-
ton board. exceeded all expectations
and tested the capacity of the swim
ming places. The attendance at Car
ter lake beach was $500 to 1900 on
some evenings during the days of
excessive heat.
Life-Saving Crew.
A complete life-saving crew, with
physician, was maintained at Carter
lake. Life guards were in service at
other public swimming places. Base
ball games held on municipal dia-
monds were under supervision of the
Recreation board, with accredited
umpires at each game. For eight
base ball diamonds l,045 permits
were issued. This system avoided
clashes over rights to diamonds and
also improved the department of the
games. On the upper floor of the
Hanscom park pavilion l26 dances
were held during the year, this priv
ilege being extended to responsible
groups to whom permits were issued
Paid supervisors were in attendance
at the play centers, which were pa
tronized literally.