Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-03
HONOR CITY'S WAR HEROES
W77H"LIBERTY BOULEVARD"
Memorial Avenue Linking Fumount Park and University Campus
" ith Arch Of Triumph at Terminus Outined-Interna
honal Exposition Also Suggested
By GEORGE Z. NITZSCHE
Recorder Of the University Of Pennsyivs


Many suggestions have been made for
a memorial in Philadelphia to our re-
turning troops. all inspired by the
thought that Philadelphia must leave
nothing undone that will make our boys
realize that we fully appreciate the sac
rinces which they have made. and that
We intend ultimately to erect per-
manent memorial as a fitting tribute to
those who gave all
Such memorial should not only be
one that is useful, BIZ. one that will be
tribute worthy Of the Grade Of Lib
erty"-a shrine which hereafter will
have a new meaning 10 all nations. we
should, therefore. provide memorial
that would attract Worldwide adrira-
ton.
The plan I have in mind is one which
believe would not cost more than rev
million dollars. which grateful PhiIadel-
phans should consider privilege 70
subscribe within a few days oei'eVe
It could be made a 100 per cent SUD-
scription FOR every one in Phiiadelphia'
The plan is as follows:
Fa armount Park has gradually oeen
spreading out so that its southern boun-
Diary along the west banks Of the Schuyl-
kill is now almost within a mile Of the
campus Of the University OF Pennsylvania
a stretch about the same length as
that of the Parkway, which has brought
City Hall to the edge Of Paramount
Park II is this connecting link which ]
wish to suggest as a part Of the general
plan for a memorial, in which might be
included the Arch Of Triumph. war
Museum" and ether useful institutions
| n w
II would bring the University to the edge
Of a park of more than 5000 acres OF
landscape as charming as any in the
world and would also provide West
| Philadelphia with wide north and
! south street. for which il has been clam
oring for years. At present there is not
single wide street this side OF Fifty
second street.
Properties Involved Not Valuable
The plan would be TO condemn and
demolish all property between the Uni
versity campus and Paramount Park
along the east side Of Th!rty-fourth
street and west side of Thirty third
street. and replace it with boulevard
about 500 feet wide. making ii contin-
uatior of the present drive in Fairmount
Park between Mantua avenue and G!rard
avenue. The distance between these
two points Is Just about one mile. ano
not many of the properties which would
be involved are very valuable The only
large plants in the district are the Phila-
delphia Traction power house. the Rush
Hospital and the Bartram Apartments
and II necessary the boulevard might be
diverted somewhat TO the west at Race
street so as to exclude these for the
time being
The project as a whole II carried out
within the next few years. would cost
only a fraction OF what the Parkway
has cost. besides enhancing the value of
contiguous real estate.
At Spring Garden street, running at
right angles with the proposed boule-
ward. there would be a small connect
ing boulevard of two squares: and. as
at present. "a bridge over the railroad
yards and the Schuylkill River. thus
connecting the main boulevard with
East Park, the Park Boulevard, the
new Art Gallery and other great insti-
tutions 10 be constructed along that
thoroughfare. The Spring Garden
bridge, IL widened or rebuilt has Won
derful artistic possibilities from an ar
chitectural viewpoint. and would become
a. monumental approach from West
Philadelphia to the Art Galleries on the
old reservoir hill.
Ideal site for Memorial Arch
The Parkway is probably not an ap-
propriate place for a permanent tri-
umphal arch. since it would mar the
vista. 1t might be wise to build tem-
porary arch there for the returning SOL
diers, but a pivotal site elses'here should
be selected 6pr the permanent structure
Such an arch of triumph would fit in
splertlidly with the scheme for the boule-
ward have here proposed, placing it on
the plaza suggested for the end of the
Boulevard just before entering the
Park at the southern end of the Zoolog-
ical Gardens
Along the walks and drives leading up
to this monument from either side might
be planted memorial trees to those Phil
adelphians who gave their lives for the
liberty of the world, and on either SIDE
OF the soulevards such memorial halls,
buildings. public institutions as private
citizens might wish to dedicate to sons
who lost their lives in the great war or
to such purposes as hereinafter desg-
mated.
Suggests International Exposition
| would also suggest that movement
he cta In, phila do