Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-05-19
TEXAS DAILY PRESS LEAGUE


There can be no controversy as to the necessity
which exists for the various improvements the city OF
Brownsville now has underway or proposed. which
are to be financed by city warrants-the construction
Of a clear water well at the city water works, estab-
ishment Of a downtown electric substation, erection Of
q central fire station, paving, etc. But there is one
Improvement the city has to a great extent neglected to
finance-city parks.
Meager amounts have from time to time been ad-
vanced for this purpose, and the commissioner Of
parks, B. E. Huxley, deserves commentator for what
has been accomplished in this department with the
funds available. But they have been wholly insrffi-
cient to more than start on what might be termed a
foundation.
Brownsville looks forward to the future with great
confidence. 1t is generally recognized that the city
occupies a strategic position; that il is destined tc
become an international port Of major impor,ane );
that the opening Of a deep water harbor at Point Isabel
will make this the main gateway to northern Mexico
and the logical location for numerous industrial and
commercial enterprises. The time will come in the not
far distant future when Brownsville will take its place
among the majof industrial and commercial centers Of
the South. and the way to assure that development is
to make the necessary preparations.
The city is providing the necessary pavements,
sewer. water and electric extensions, but is not pro-
viding the parks and recreation centers which are
fully as essential in the development Of a modern city.
Pavements or water extensions can be put down in a
few weeks or months; development Of a park system
s~Af ~N ANbNNh VI kHAo EoNAAAd ANdAAtt al
city planning will prove costly in TIE future.
Brownsville is extremely fortunate in the fact that
the city now owns some excellent park sites, and that
others could be secured at moderate cost. Nature has
been generous in providing sites which could, at small
cost, be transformed into beauty spots. The city
resaca, which for many years has been utilized merely
as an outlet for the storm sewers, could be made one
Of the city's greatest assets, an asset which would
play a very important part in promoting future
growth.
1t is not necessary that the city expend large suns
at this time. The sites should be surveyed BY q COM
petent landscape engineer, a comprehensive plan for
Identification and improvement formulated, and the
initial paintings Of trees, ornamentals or other -equi-
sites to park Identification made at the earliest posi-
bic date. The annual budget should carry sufficient
funds to gradually develop a system Of parks and
driveways, thereby assuring that within comparatively
few years Brownsville will have an attraction that will
prove a valuable asset in promoting industrial and
commercial development.
Modern industrialists are fully cognizant of TIE
value Of parks and recreation centers. They arc
averse TO enterprises in cities which lack these essen
tials. They are fully cognzant Of the fact that their
employees must have the most ideal living conditions
possible 10 obtain, and that the efficiency Of their
plants depends upon satisfied employees. Their frs.
der which their employees would be required TO 1--we.
the attractions offered for their hours Of recrcations.
and the city without parks or recreation centers has
practically no chance q interesting a modern indus
trislist or commercial leader.