The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1924-10-23
City Palmer Bartholomew
Outlines Elaborate
Park System.
SHOWS NEED OF MORE
Points Out Significant COntri-
button of Parks to Ameni-
ties of City Life.

What Kenosha's problems are in the
relation Of rs city life to its parks
and rec1eationai needs is deliberately
treated in q report of City Planner
Harland Bartholomew submitted to the
City Planning commission. The report
treats exhaustively Of the situations
here and the need for improvement is
pointed out where it can be affected at
the least possible labor and expense to
the community.
"It is necessary in planning n func-
tiOnal system Of recreation facilities
to classify parks according to service
rendered." say Bartholomew. "The
parks Of Kenosha do not all have equal
ton requirements of the people. Size,
character, accessibility; treatment, and
similar factors all affect the useful
ness of any so-called park. 1t is q
mistake to presume that the recreation
needs Of young and old in a certain
section are properly supplied merely
because an area generally known as
a park appears in the locality.
Value Of Small Parks.
"When such q narrow conception of
the usefulness of park exists, the city
is likely to find itself being equipped
with "gift" parks or "barGainS parks,
areas which may or not be related to
the real recreational needs Of the peo-
pie. If the value Of parks in the city
is properly understood, the development
of these features will be systematic,
according to a definite formula. These
features Of the recreation system an
swer a most serious need; the city
should select the sites of neighbor-
hood parks and place them where they
may render the widest possible service.
"Kenosha has q number of small
parks. Their size and locations may be
fully studied and found to be unusual
ly attractive and do much to create a
favorable impression in the city. La
brary park is as delightful spot as
may be found in any city.
"In developing the structure of the
future city these small parks should
be introduced wherever opportunity
offers. In land subdivision it is often
very desirable to plat two to six acre
small park to stimulate interest In
what might otherwise be an attractive
group Of lots. In street improvements
such as are contemplated In the major
street plan, there may come forth odd
shaped parcels which make splendid
small parks.
Must BE Economically Useful.
"The intensive usefulness Of neigh
borhood parks makes their design a
serious problem. They cannot be mere
open spaces in the midst of thickly
builtup neighborhoods. Their design
must reflect in a measure the nature
of their surroundings. An economical
layout in needed. No waste areas
should appear. Every section Of the
area must perform some park service
Of value, must offer some attraction
to the diverse classes who will live
around the park. Automobile drive
ways are wholly out of place except
perhaps for approach to a parking
space near concert court or come such
feature. Walks should invite prone
nading and also provide shortcuts
through the area. There should be q
formal display of flowers for those
who enjoy colors, water in q fountain
and trees and lawns, play areas for
children, perhaps tennis courts and 1t
possible band pavilion and well-pro-
portioned concert court. The whole
layout Of the park should be trim and
neat and we'll adapted to interior city
conditions. 1t should lack nothing
which people forced to live under such
conditions desire for recreation and
pleasure. The superintendent cf parks
in Xenosha, F. A. Carlson, appreciates
the Importance of design and is deyel-
oping the neighborhood parks of the
city according to recognized stand
ards"
The city planner goes on to describe
other features which are suggested for
incorporation in a general park plan
for the city. These suggestions and
recommendations are to be taken up
and discussed at the next regular
meeting Of the City Planning commits
sion in the very near future.