The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-04-23
PARK SITES
OF BISMARCK
POINTED OUT
Judge ChristiansOn Discussed
Subject of Providing
Recreation Places
SlBLEY ISLAND ONE
Quotes Prof. WaIdrOn as Say.
ing Bismarck Has Many
Natural Advantages

Proposed sites for parks are to
some degree a matter Of individual
judgment although certain locations
might have such superior advantages
as to render them the choice of all.
said Judge A. NJ. Chrstianson in
Bismarck to the students at William
Moore school. The school children
are expected to use the material
which Judge ChristiansOn spoke to
them about in writing essays for tn.
Arbor day and preservation of na-
tive life week essays.
"The first essential of a park sys.
tenn is n definite plan. 1t is as es
sential if not more so, than plans
for the construction of building"
continued the speaker. when there
is Il definite plan, whatever construc-
tion is done in any one year, how
ever little it may be, counts in the
end. Then every shrub or tree plant
ed fits into the part of a harmonious
whole.
"A modern park system consists
Of parks of varying sizes and de-
signs, each adapted more or less for
the particular service it is intended
to render. In a general way, parks
increase in size in proportion to the
distance from the business center.
Parks may be grouped into several
classes, but for the purposes Of this
discussion only three different
classes will be considered:
Types Of Parks.
First, large, natural parks, where
little besides building of roads, and
approaches, and clearing out of un
dcrbrush. Here would be placed the
Sibley Island grant of the U. s., gov
crnment to the city of Bismarck
Judge Christianson was most enthu-
siastic in his description of this
beauty spot of nature, just within
driving distance of the city, where
birds are more plentiful than in
other vicinities, where deer and less
er animal life abound, and where
plant life, such as magnificent old
elms and oak are twined in bitter
sweet and wild grape vines.
Approach to Retreat
treat of nature would be the most
sdrious consideration. the speaker
said. A pontoon bridge would per-
haps be the least expensive means Of
crossing to the island. so closely /;
connected with the early history Of
our community.
The speaker quoted Professor Wal /
dron as saying that one of the sites /
along the Missouri river bluffs be- |
yond the Country Club Gncluding |,
among other features the we'll de- |
veloped outline of former Indian
village), is one of the most desirable
park sites in the state, both as Nto(
view and ease of approach. Various
Missouri river sites were recommend
ed as excellent natural park projects.
One of these would include Appia
creek for swimming and wading.
There has also been some sugges-
tion that a park of considerable size
might be developed beyond the Mis-
souri, river as an inter-city park.
lying as it does between Bismarck
and Mandan.
A second class of parks are those,
perhaps more useful to the public
because of their proximity to famil.
les and individuals, namely the small
er plots Of ground, comprising few
acres or less, such as "Custer Park"
Small Plot ParkA
1t was suggested by the speaker
that triangle of ground adjacent to
Custer park could be added for
Fairgrounds with adequate equip
ment.
Reference was made to the, five
acre plot in Lincoln addition, pre-
sented to the city by Henry Tatley.
Another bit Of recreational ground
suggested was one on Hay Creek
some three miles northeast of the
capitol grounds where there now
exists swimming hole" The pres
ent site of the baseball park adja-
cent thereto is another possibility.
Judge Christianson advised the Sc
lection of other tentative sites by
the members of the junior high school
in their proposed essays on the sub. ,
ject of parks for Bismarck.
A third class of parks are those .
already existing, such as school .
grounds that are calling for land
scaping and development. These, in
with the extensive Cap. !
itol park, with it's already proposed ..
plan of beautiful landscaping, could
be an all important group in the fu.
ture city park system of the city.
Lay Plans Now.
The answer to the question "when" {
should this park program be insti-
tuted, the speaker continued, is
''now" This does not mean that
huge expensive program should be
at once, and large tax
burdens added; but it does mean
that there should be a beginning
now; that park commission should
be chosen; that definite policy
should be formulated, and a system
planned, SO that even if only one
tree is planted it fits into the ulti-
mate whole. 1t takes time to de-
velop parks. Great buildings may q
be constructed in months. but ma
5ure takes years to construct shrubs
and trees.
Continued on Page ~ j