Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1920-06-30
BEAUTIFUL. PARK
Now DEDICATED

CONTINUED from first page)
comfortable and enlightened civliza-
ton which was to follow them. estab-
fishing their homes in the then wilder
ness among the wild beasts and wilder
savages. No higher tribute can be paio
to these sturdy men and women than
to quote the language of General Sib-
ley himself who wrote:
THE pioneers Of Minnesota were fa1
superior in morality, education and in
telligence to the pioneers of most of the
older territories and they have left a
favorable impress upon the character
of their state. They were by no means
free from the vices and frailties of poor
humanity, but on the other hand, were
for the most part distinguished for
charity to the poor and friendless, hos
pitable even to a fault and enthusiastic
cally devoted to the interests and pros
poets of our beautiful Minnesota"
In this dedication let US acknowledge
the vision. wisdom and patriotic devo-
ton to their ideals of those men of this
day and time whose labors and unfail-
ing confidence have happily eliminated
in the realization of their dreams and
years OF patriotic effort. 1t is to these
men that we owe a debt Of gratitude
which we can never repay.
Let US also acknowledge the wisdom
of the legislature and the progressive
attitude of the board Of county commits
sioners of Kandiyohi County in making
possible the elimination of the plans Of
the promoters of this park 1t will for
ever stand as mark Of credit to every
individual who participated in any way
in making this occasion possible.
This park is located on historic
ground. These eminences which lend
so much to the beauty and interest of
y,
tiquity. They relate the story of a per-
iod in the history of the earth before
man appeared, and when much Of the
North American continent was buried
deep under blanket of ice, the irresis-
tible power of which in its steady move
ment leveled and obliterated mountains,
gouged deep depressions which later
became the thousands of Minnesota
lakes. and slowly melting strewed boul-
ders brought from hundreds Of miles
away over the face of the earth, and
deposited heaps and mounds of gravel.
rock and earth, known as moraines.
Here in this locality are some of the
most interesting glacial moraines to be
found anywhere, and this park offers an
opportunity to preserve in it's original
condition this means Of an age ante
dating the advent of the human race.
Within the borders Of this park we
now have a marvellous arboretun where
in may be found nearly every tree and
plant. vine and flower. which is native
to this latitude. Let this be carefully
and religiously protected from fires,
vandalism or despoiltment for study
and enjoyment of young and old. Let
us not make the fatal error of trying
to improve upon nature by changing it's
incompatible, natural beauty to the
formal and artificial designs of the land
scape architect. The profusion and
abandon of natures arrangement can
not be improved upon Every such ef-
fort results in failure. The trees, the
shrubs. flowers and plants found here
In such lavish profusion constitute a
part Of the real essential character Of
the park and are part of it's permanent
exhibit of America as it was in it's ORR
ginal virgin condition.
This growth of vegetation also affords
opportunity for the wild animal life of
the region to find shelter. Here is per-
manent sanctuary for the song birds and
the game varieties which may pursue
their nesting and breeding unmolested
and for the forms of four-footed Great
ures which seek shelter among these
hills and valleys. The wild creatures
are quick to recognize their friends and
This will be haven Of refuge wherein
will be preserved and protected all the
valuable forms Of wild animal life
We can well afford to be reconciled to
the possession by other regions Of such
unique and interesting features as arid
desert plains. perilous gorges and can
yons, laborious mountain heights, mi
asmatic swamps, and ruins left by for
gotten races Of men. when we are SO
fortunate rs to live among such quiet,
peaceful and Fostful Su11oundinE1 -