El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-01-26


dirst impression Of FL Paso pleasing
Plots OF Towering shrubs, bloom
covered gardens, shady retreats fol
the pleasure and comfort OF work.
tired people. together with endless
color effects pleasing TO the eye and
solid expenses Of green, all suggest
70 the newcomer the wonderful trans
formation that is soon to overtake
the cactus spotted brown wastes
through which the traveller comes to
reach the city.
Fertile soil awaiting only water
ana the gardner to make II burst out
into wonderful life, has responded 70
che work Of efficient park commits
Eioners and the desire OF the people
Tor garden spots has resulted in an
abundance OF parks enjoyed by few
other cities in the United States.
Older people find recreation in them
and they are the Fairgrounds of
children Homecomers who have been
disappointed with the agricultural
prospects in this section Of the cOun-
try after the long trip to reach the
city, have quickly taken heart again
after looking over Fl Paso's parks
and magnificent lawns.
Nothing has been more potent IN
causing tourists 10 make further in
restigations concerning the soil in
this locality for agricultural purposes
than the results attained within the
city in parks It is reasonable enough
after viewing these pleasure spots to
believe that almost any plant life
viii thrive in this region with proper
treatment Of the soil
Hundreds Of Trees Added
During the last year many i'm
parks and even greater changes are
planned In fact important improve
Iuents are even now under way while
others proposed have been for the
time retarded by the urgent necessity
Of various phases Of the war cam
Daign- About 1900 trees and several
hundred shrubs have been added this
year and several lawns in the plazas
and parks improved with Bermuda
zrass where it was found that blue
grass would not thrive. Several thou
sand roots, bulbs and flowers Of many
varieties were added for upkeep and
improvement.
The most extensive improvements
made during the year have occurred
n Washington park and park com
Missioner John W Fisher has drafted
even more important additions there
which wiz be placed before mayor
LAWS and the city council for action
ir the near future
Washfnefon PARK Enlarged.
Invariably pleasure seekers hunt
lake or stream as the site Of outing
gatherings and to make more spacious
The expanse Of water in Washington
more than twice its original size. now
containing about two acres. The
work began in September and is now
almost completed It has all been
done by the regular park force win
out appropriation OF additional funds
and without extra expense 10 tax
payers.
fngton park are Of such magnitude
that they cannot be thus accomplished
=
The old grandstand and long adobe 1
building have both been RACED with /
the exception Of one wall Of the lat /
ter which viii be left standing for (
protection OF park interests. Several
years ago the adobe building was
used as a dance hall, bowling alley,
cafe and place for various entertain z
rents but was abandoned years ago /
AID has since been standing practlcat-
i uEelss, occupying valuable ground
Realizing that there is a need Of /
q building in the park for purposes /
euch as the old adobe first served and
DR. large public gatherings, park
Commissioner Fisher has planned
ne erection Of a large auditorium
z0rth Of the lake the old sites OF \
10Th the amusement hall and grand
Eand being now put IN grass, trees
nd shrubbery- It Is proposed 10
make the auditorium 2og By 1Oo feet
q the west end Of the building viii
le a pavilion North Of the latter,
xtending north and south, it is pro-
iOsed 10 erect raised concrete seats
iimilar to those Of the high school
ftadium, six in number and extending
500 feet in length East OF this will
be made two baseball diamonds and
Two tennis courts; also field Tor foot
bali Their viii be drives on all sides
Of the auditorium and surrounding
the athletic field A drive back Of
the seats overlooking the field will
lead 70 the pavilion From the north
east corner OF the lake along the
drive will be planted a hedge. This
VIII extend north on the east side OF
the field and west along the north
side TO the north end Of the concrete
bleachers. It Is probable that later
some structure viii be planned 10
take the place Of the grandstand.
improvements in Zoo Planned.
It is proposed. also, to enlarge the
animal cages. Many Of the present
RACES are but 10 by OF feet Com
missioner Fisher explains that the
animals do not thrive well in dens so
smal land believes that il viii be
economy 10 enlarge them to at least
10 BY 10 feet and put them on the
round. In the zoo are ellks, deer,
Tolves, bob cats mountain lions,
ears, eagles and other animals ma
i've to the southwest and Rocky
mountain regions AS this part Of the
park is a faVorite with the public
md viii probably always be main
aimed IL is advanced that larger
ruarters viii not only keep the ami
rails in better condition and add to
heir longevity but also permit Of
greater numbers
washington park contains 40 acres, ]
therefore, permits OF more changes
md improvements than any other Of
he city's parks. On Sundays and J
large crowds OF men, women
md children frequent this park which
ias among its attractions q play {
sround equipped with sand piles, :
wings, slides, horizontal bars,
eeter-boards and other parapherna-
ia for children which at once furnish \
port and develop the body ably :
lealtllful exercise. Many find pleas I
ure in strolling among the trees, =
ng water fowl on the lake and the 7
fish IN it. City authorities strive to !
make such improvements each year I
IS sre commensurate with means af- 7
forced for this work
ReEfful san JaeintO Plaza.
While Washington park Is the larg- r
sst and most suitable for outings, il
Is san Jacinto plaza IN the very cen 7
lei Of the business portion OF the
siE that gives rest 70 most people.
Al roads lead 70 San Jacinto plaza.
Al street cars pass il and many jitnes
esther there in orderly array to carry
lirt Of the city or suburbs. II fronts :
}. Oregon. Mills, Mesa and Main !
lreets. All sides OF the plaza and
ne diagonal walks through il are !
applied with sanitary steel benches
Dr convenience of Wayfarers VINO /
ally takes advantage of the benches
y hundreds to rest themselves a few !