The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1920-09-20
BY JOHN G. WELSH,
Commissioner of Public Property.

BY JOHN G. WELSH,
Commissioner OF Public Property
Bloomington, Ill.,, Sept. 20.-On the
south side of the city Of Bloomington
lies Miller Park, one OF the city's
beauty spots and it's chief recreational
center. The park is equipped with a
ZOO Of the best type, pavilion which
has been declared to be one OF the
best in the country, a band-stand
Fairgrounds for the children, picnic
grounds with an ample supply of ta-
bles and benches which are freely
used by both the children and the
grown-ups, boating facilities and bath
houses. All these are arranged con-
veniently and attractively, and the en-
tire park is beautified with shrub
berry, plants and flowers, and in sum
mer especially presents most pleas
ing picture.
Attractive Entrance.
At the end of the Miller Park car
line one is greeted with an attractive
entrance and a flight Of stone steps
leading to the main walk. The visitor
is impressed at once with the beauty
of the place, it's large outspreadina
trees, it's we'll kept lawns and artist
ically arranged flower beds and
shrubbery. A short distance from the
main entrance is an imposing monu-
ment erected to-McLean Countys war
heroes. Further south and on the
same side of this central walk. is a
band-stand, surrounded by comfort
able benches capable of accommodate
n ing hundreds of people. During the
summer months band concerts are an
added attraction to thespark, and the
band-stand furnishes a suitable plat
form for speakers who appear on pro
grams at picnics and other gatherings
Nearby is large picnic ground, \
most popular place where picnic sup
pers are held by families, neighbors
and larger gatherings. >
Slopes Gently.
At the end OF the central walk. and
on the north shore of the lake. stands
a pavilion Nature seems to have
provided this location especially for
such a structure. The land in front
of the building slopes gently down tn
the waters edge. A wide verandatex-
tends around the entire. building. On
the south side, overlooking the lake
this veranda widens out and assumes
the proportions Of a large balcony
Here one gets wonderful view of the
lake and the south side of the park
Just off this balcony is refresh
ment room, and in the west end of it
a small museum in which are many
mounted specimens of birds and ami
mails.
A small balcony, large enough to
accommodate an orchestra comfort
ably, is built above the refreshment
room, and on the floor above is a
large dance hall with cloak and dress
ing rooms, built at the north end. In
the basement, the floor of which Is
on the level with the ground at the
south side of the pavilion, are the la
vatOries.
To those interested in aquatic sports
one of the most interesting features is
q bathing beach with it's equipment OF
appropriate apparatus. Two large
bath houses have been constructed on
the west shore of the lake, with div
ing platforms, spring boards and lad
ders. The beach extends around por-
ton of the north shore, and here a
place has been fenced off, so that the
little tots, too small to venture in any
but shallow water, may wade. In Win
ter the lake furnishes an admirable
place for skating, and thousands have
made good use of the ice for this win
ter sport. AS precautiOn against ac
cident, skaters are not allowed on the
ice until it reaches a thickness of six
inches.
f... Large Zoo.
Only short distance north of the
bath houses is the large zoo, or ami
NAL house, place which is visited
both winter and summer by large
numbers of people. The building was
erected only few years ago. 1t is
made of brick and stone, with the
cages on the south side arranged sc
that in mild weather the doors can be
raised and animals permitted to SUI
themselves. Here are housed Afri-
can and Mexican lions, leopards, tapir
llama, porcupine, ostrich, monkeys
and birds Of many varieties. Other
attractions at the ZOO are many var
ieties of bear, two species OF deer, buf'
falo, elk, angora goats, etc.
At the south side of the lake are
about twenty acres of original forest
with drives built through it. This op'
ems on a highway along which is a
blazed trail, and the coming season
the park officials plan to build an
archway with the word 'Welcome' al
the entrance and to construct ovens
so that automobile tourists may find d
haven of rest where they may prepare
their meals and camp for the night
Like other public parks, Mile,
Park has certain amount of revenue
from it's various concessions and at
fractions. This accrues from boating
bathing, fishing, dancing and electric
piano, refreshment concessions and
miscellaneous sales which include dis.
posal of various salvaged articles
This matter of revenue furnishes an
other concrete evidence of the growing