The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-04-06

munities have ho parks or are made quateiy supplied. In addition. we should have at least one large as sembiy park, probably two, within the city limits and readily accessible by street railway.
 For the immediate present wo need not less than 500 acres of addi- tional parks to compare favorably with other cities in our class. For 1 the future, at least 200 acres of land susceptible of future development should be acquired at once. The value of such property now ranges from si5o0 to 5000 an acre, depending on the location. Assuming an aver . age of 5000 per acre. We need S09 acres at total cost of I.600, GOO. T have such faith in the immed- fate growth of Birmingham that am sure the value of this same land will exceed SS,oOo,oO0 if postponed 10 years.
 The 600 acres of land above re- ferred to would permit us to add to our present holdings one park of 400 acres or two of 200 acres each and l5 community parks of 10 to 15 acres each.
 The development of these parks MOulu GgSl 0u per cent Ql InGlI PuI chase price if the lowest estimate is taken or not less than sl,500, 900 for the total of 1000 acres proposed for immediate development From 1 these figures it can be seen that we need s3,000 900 for parks ard play grounds Instead of the s75o.000 sug- gested.
 Parks in Other Cities. As to the cost Of maintenance and operation the city of Nashville, lls,- GOO population, expended last year S161,I00 on 462 acres of improved parks, some part of which seems, however to have been used for new construction.
 The city of Louisville (population 235, ,000) expended for maintenance and operation s156,295.4s in 1921. Her park area is 1851 acres, of which 600 acres is improved woodland.
 "A one mill tax for parks in Bif- mingham would yield $14o,o00 app proximately and would almost meas ure up to our needs.
 T note Prof Glenn's statement as to school needs but do not agree with the school authorities as tp the most pressing need for Birmingham chil- dren and young people.
 sCGIlS tO iiS u k0 s1 NNh dency to educate the head at the expense of the body and it Is my opinion much more desirable that the children of all ages and eircum- stances be given not only the place to enjoy open air recreation but the guidance of trained social workers and athletic supervisors.
 'In my opinion no one step could be taken in this city for improve ment in the morals particularly of our young people as properly su- pcrvised and maintained system of parks.
 We now have approximately $4,- 250 900 invested or on our hands for investment in public schools and our total revenues for school purposes are sl,425.0OO per year. This reve- nue which is derived from several sources is the equivalent of 10 mills on the assessed valuation of Bir- mingham The appropriation from the general fund for parks and play grounds this year was s40.000, sum entirely inadequate for the present rarks, and equal to one-quarter ot enc mill.
 No Assurance for Future.
 There is no assurance that even this appropriation will be available next year with the many increasing calls on the general fund.
 Tn the face of this, does it not seem unreasonable to provide for total investment of s9,250,000 for schools and approximately 12lz mllls of revenue devoted to schools while parks and playgrounds are left with a total investment of less than s1,. to0.000 and with practically no funds.
 "The committee on parks of the Kiwanis club will be called together and ii is probable that representa- tions will be made to the city com mission requesting that $1,25o,0oo be deducted from the school program and added to the parks and play grounds issue and that one of the three mills tax to be voted be ap- piled to the maintenance and opera tion of the parks.