Report of the Park Board
Portland, Oregon
With the Report of Messrs.
OLMSTED BROS., Landscape Architects, Out?
lining a System of Parkways,
Boulevards and Parks for the City of Portland
Annual Report
-QF--
The Park Board
To His Honor, Mayor Geo. H. Williams. of the City of Portland,
Oregon.
Sir: The Park Board begs to submit to you the following report
of receipts. expenditures and outstanding demands tor the year ending
December 31, 1903, together with an estimate in detail of the amounts
ot salaries and other necessary expenses of the said Board for the
ensuing year. The Board also submits herewith an account ot the
worle accomplished in the maintenance ot the system ot parks, with
other matters incident thereto. adding some suggestions for the tuture
as contemplated by the members ot the Board.
STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS.
Present Condition-Jan. 26, 1903:
Balance received from Park Commision. . . . .. , 6.094 20
Received from taxes (delinquent and 1903).' $21.30. 78
Received trom Pacific Ry. Amusement Co....... 96 26
Received from sale of birds and animals....... 18 25
Received tram sale of wood and roses.... . . . . . . 11 00 21,430 28
Total
DISBURSEMENTS.
Warrants Wrawn-
Salary Superintendent and labor $ 9.278 50
Feed 1,597 16
Miscellaneous 3,197 40
Balance .
Total .
$26,524 48
14.073 06
12,451 43
$26,524 48
The above expenditures represent the expenses ot the Park Board
tor eleven months. The December pay rolls and claims will be paid
in January, 1904. The estimated expenditures bein~ as tollows:
4 REPORT 010' THE PARK BOARD
General expenses $ 1,448 95
Cement sidewalk on Park Blocks " 1,595 20
Grading Park Block 9, Albina Homestead...... 481 80
Total $ 3,525 95
PARK CONCERT FUND.
1,000 00
4,474 00 $ 5,474 00
Received from Park Board $
Received from subscriptions .
Disbursements: Warrants drawn-
Brown's Orchestra .
Building band stands .
Miscellaneous .
Balance .
3,635 75
1,195 65
39 51 4,870 91
603 09
$ 5,474 00
Estimate ot Resources ot Park Department tor 1904-
Avallable balance after deducting Dec., 1903, bills $ 8,925 48
Receipts from taxes based on % mill $22,080 00
Receipts trom miscellaneous source3........... 125 00 22,205 00
Total $31,130 48
ESTIMATED EXPENDITURES FOR THE YEAR 1904,
Labore~
1 Superintendent at $100.00 per month $
1 Gardener at $60.00 per month .
1 Park Pollee at $60.00 per month .
1 Teamster at $60.00 per month .
1 Animal Tender at $60.00 per month .
1 Night Watchman at $60.00 per month .
1 Assistant Gardener at $60.00 per month .
I Carpenter at $60.00 per month .
15 Laborers at $2.00 per day .
Estimated cost.
1,200 00
720 00
720 00
720 00
720 00
720 00
720 00
720 00
9,000 00
$15,240 00
Materials or Suppli_
Fuel $
Tools .
Blacksmithing, etc .
300 00
200 00
125 00
l
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD 5
Lumber .
Plumbing .
Animals .
Miscellaneous Items .
Miscellaneous--
200 00
250 00
250 00
1,500 00
$ 2,825.00
Cement walks for Park Blocks $ 3,000 00
Improvement asphalt walks, City Park........ 500 00
New greenhouse 2,500 00
Improvement Macleay Park 300 00
Improvement Governor's Park 500 00
Improvement Columbia Park 400.00
Improvement Terwilliger Park 400.00
Improvement Hawthorne Park 1,200 00
Improvement Water Co. land 700 00
Music 1,000 00
General Park Improvements................... 2,500 00
REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1902.
$13,000.00
The former Park Commission made no formal report for the year
1902. In order to present a continuous history of the parks, It seems
advisable to include at this time a brief account of the work of the
preceding Board up to January, 1903. '
Their printed report for 1901, which was widely circulated, con?
tained a summary of the history of the parks from the year 1852; a
detailed list of the parks and park blocks (about 203 acres), with an
account of title and acquisition of the sam~ by the city; and lists of
animals, birds and fiora, In the main parks. In the year 1902, besides
the routine work In the City Park. the Park Blocks were substantially
improved and cared for; Columbia Park was fenced; Macleay Park
partiaIly Inclosed and foot paths made, including a trail from this
park over the hills to the neighborhood of the City Park; Holladay
Park and Terwilliger Park were also put into good condition. The
Zoological Collection recei "ed many additions, and the quarters for
the animals and birds were much improved. The Commission carried
on correspondence with landscape architects with the purpose of pre?
paring a project for a complete park system and methods of Improve?
ment.
When the plan for the Lewis and Clark Exposition came up the
6 UPORT OF THE PAR-I{. BOARD
Commission put forth a special effort to induce the promoters of the
Exposition to adopt one of the parks as a site, or, falllng in this, to
further some plan by which a new park might be obtained for the city,
as part of the outcome of the location and expenditures of the Exposi?
tion. It seemed to the Commission that of the many advantages to
arise from this celebration, there should be obtained a site which,
after uses as an Exposition, might with the Improvements remain In
whole or in large part as a Lewis and Clark Memorial Park, thus
insuring a valuable permanent result to the citizens of Portland and
the public. Although the site finally adopted is from many points of
view an admirable one, it is to be regretted that the ground Is almost
entirely leased territory, and that most of the improvements will
either disappear or revert to private use.
In July, 1902, Honorable Goo. H. Williams became Mayor and
Chairman of the Commission. The gross receipts and expenditures
of the year ended December 31. 1902, were:
Balance In treasury December 31, 1901. .
Received from taxes .
Received from sale of guinea pigs and canary.
birds .
Disbursements :
Warrants paid and returned .
Balance in treasury Dec. 31, 1902 ...........?.
Warrants outstanding Dec. 31, 1901 .
Warrants drawn:
Labor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. $10,468 46
Feed 1,899 1~
Miscellaneous expenses........... 2,129 14
Warrants paid .
Warrants outstanding .
Warrants cancelled ..?.......................
$ 3,656 87
16,84003
23 00
14,668 31
6,9.9 68
138 30
14,496 72
14,668 33
18 75
47 95
$20,617 90
20,617 90
14,636 02
14,636 02
REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1903.
The provision of the new Charter came into effect January, 1903.
The Park Board, by appointment of the Mayor, consists of four mem?
bers: For the term or two years, T. L. Eliot and J. D. Meyer; for the
term of four years, L. L. Hawkins and Ion Lewis; the Auditor beiq
Clerk of the Board. Messrs. Hawkins and Meyer were made an audit?
Ing committee. Mr. Herman Lowitz. who had served the City
efficiently under the Park Commission for the previous year. was
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD 7
reappointed. In addition to the routine work of the year 1903, the
principal subjects calling for the attention of the Board may be classl?
fied as follows:
1. Monuments.
2. Park music.
3. Landscape architect.
4. Hawthorne Park.
5. Fulton Park.
6. Improvements and suggestions.
1. Monumental Works of Art. Section 263 of the Charter recites;
"That no work of art shall be placed In any park or In any other public
ground which Is subject to the supervision of the Park Board without
its permission." This Is construed to mean that any person or per?
sons desiring to make use of park property for monuments or works
of art as a gift to the City, shall submit to the Board In full the design
and a description of the portion of ground desired for the placing of
such monumental work, to be passed upon by the Board, before per?
mission Is granted.
There are at present two memorial works in charge of the Commis?
sion: The Skidmore Fountaln, erected in 1888, and the David P.
Thompson Fountain, erected in 1900. Three new monuments or me?
morial worKS have been proposed during the year, and their projectors
having complied with the request for plans, etc., the ground has been
assigned as follows:
. Gift of the heirs of David P. Thompson, described as a group of
statuary iii bronze, representing the coming of the white man to
Oregon, to be placed in the City Park on a site which has been selected
by the Park Board, an oval shaped grass plot 200 feet by 100 feet, 200
feet southeast of the bear pit and 100 feet northeast of the bird house.
This group of statuary is by the celebrated sculptor Mr. H. A. McNeil,
who has had the work in charge for about one and a half years, and it
is expected that the same will be completed before July 4th, 1904.
Lewis and Clark Memorial. to consist of a granite shaft twenty
feet high. The corner stone for the monument was laid by Theodore
Roosevelt, president of the United States, on May 21st, 1903. This
monument is to be located at the most prominent point In the City
Park, and will commemorate the visit of Meriwether Lewis and Willlam
Clark to the Paciftc Coast In 1805.
8 RJtPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
Monument to the Soldiers of Oregon, to consist of a shaft of
stone, surmounted by a figure in bronze representing a soldier of the
Oregon regiment during the war with Spain. This monument Is to be
erected in the north hal! of the Plaza Block bounded by Third street,
Salmon street, Fourth street and Main street.
By the will of Mrs. Rosa Frazar Burrell, deceased April, 1903, a
bequest is made to the City of $20,000.00 for a fountain of monumental
design to be placed on one of the Plaza Blocks.
2. Band Music. An efrort by su"bscription to obtain music in the
Park during the summer months, was made in 1902, but failed. The
Park Board, by an order last May, appropriated $1,000.00 towards a
Music fund, which was generously supplemented by private subscrip?
tions. A Park orchestra was organized and uniformed under the di?
rection of Mr. Chas. L. Brown, and 35 concerts were given during the
months July to October, principalfy in the City Park. These concerts
were largely attended, and it is hop~d that they may be continued as a
summer attraction. A" permanent bandstand has been erected in the
City Park, paid for out of the Music fund.
3. Viait of Mr. John L Olmsted. The firm of Frederick L. Olm?
sted & Sons, of Brookline, Mass., stands at the head of landscape
architects in America. After a prolonged correspondence between the
Park Board, the Messrs. Olmsted and the Park Commission of Seattle.
also with the Board of the Lewis and Clark Exposition. a joint arrange?
ment was made for a preliminary visit of one of the above firm. Mr.
John L. Olmsted spent the month of May on the Coast, in consultation
with the various boards, giving advice as to the laying out of grounds
and parks. He made a tour of the Portland parks and also carefully
inspected the surrounding territory of the City. His formal report has
not yet been received .? It is hoped that his visit will be of aid to the
City and citizens, in devising comprehensive. and intelligent schemes
for the future Park system. as well as for the development of the
grounds already in possession.
4. Lease of Hawthorne Park. In a communication to the Board
dated June 10, 1903, Mrs. Rachel L. Hawthorne ofrered the tract ot
twelve acres, known as Hawthorne Park. by lease of three years, to the
City, the consideration being nomir;al. and with no conditions. This
generous proposition was accepted: a keeper was appointed, and this
nobie park. with its forest trees. and beautiful stream, hlUl been open
to the public since the first of Jul;-. The cost of maintenance is
about $100.00 per month.
? See Appendix, page 13, where this report Is printed In full.
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD 9
5. Gift of Fulton Park. The owners of the tract known as Fulton,
(Chas. E. Ladd, H. L. Pittock and B. M. Lombard), situated imme?
diately south or and adjoining the Slavin Road, and adjacent to the
O. & C. R. R. on the west, have set aside about 30 acres, in the center
of said addition, as a Park, to be known as Fulton Park. The land is
in a canyon, but at some time, under proper development. will 'oe
available for park uses. This generous dedication is without condition,
and was accepted by the Park Board.
In this connection the Park Board. will quote with approval an ex?
tract from the Commission's report for 1901, as follows:
"For some time Portland may not feel the same pressure for im?
proved parks which is experienced by cities less favorably situated in
native facilities of surrounding country, but all the more important is
it for us to use the present period of our history in acquiring land in
a wild state, inviting gifts for the purpose, and, in some cases, making
purchases in order to secure the future.
"We would call the attention of holders of large tracts to the fact
that the setting apart of a considerable portion of their holdings as a
park is one of the surest ways of permanently increasing residence
values. In older communities property owners gladly assess them?
selves to secure the purchase of contiguous lands for boulevards and
park facilities."
6. Suggestions. In this connection,~t may not be. too early to
memorialize the Legislature of Oregon for such an amendment to the
Lharter as may empower the City, through the Park Board, under cer?
tain conditions, and by reference to the voters of the City, to purchase
lands, with right of condemnation, when necessary, for the develop?
ment of the Park system.
Looking forward to the im~ed!ate future, and in view of the Ex?
position of 1905, the Board earnestly invites the co-operation of every
department of the City government and of citizens individually, in
efforts to bricg our parks to the highest point of landscaping and adorn?
ment. and efficiency, \vhich shall be possible. "Y"e hope the Water
Board may be prepared at an early day to autllorize some preliminary
work. such as the laying out of reads and paths, and the planting of
trees, on the sixty-eight acre tract immediately adjoining the City
Park, with toe purpose of opening the same to the public, 'when it shall
be proper to do so. This land ,vas procured by the \VaterBoard for
the protection and amendment of the reservoirs contiguous, and ulti?
mately the intention is to add the ~ame to the Park system. The
Park Board stands ready at any time to appropriate funds tor any pre-
10 REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
liminal-y work which the Interests of the Water Company's trust will
permit to be done upon the land in furtherance of Its ultimate occu?
pation as a park; and we would urge that the present Is a time for
some action in that direction.
Because of the Exposition in 1905, we also think that some sub?
stantial work should be done in the more remote parks of the system,
namely. Governor's Park, Terwilliger Park and Columbia Park.
The Board has decided to grant no more concessions ot park blocks
or property to carnivals or fairs. Under resolution of the date of June
8, 1903, all or any uses of park property must be under the imme?
-diate control and supervision of this Board.
ION LEWIS,
J. D. MEYER.
T. L. ELIOT.
L. L. HAWKINS.
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF PORTLAND.
CHAPTER IV, ARTICLE VII.
II
Park Board-How Constituted.
Section 259. There shall be a Park Board to consist of four mem?
bers besides the Mayor, and no person shall be ineligible as a member
by reason of sex. The May~r shaB be chairman, and the Auditor,
clerk of the Board. The members of the Board shall be appointed by
the Mayor for terms of four years, except as herein otherwise pro?
vided, and may be removed by the Mayor at any time; but on removing
any member of the Board, the Mayor shall make a written report to
the Council, setting forth his reasons for such removal, and the same
shall be filed In the Auditor's office.
Upon the taking effect of this Charter, the Mayor shaB Imme?
diately constitute the Park Board by appointing two members to serve
for two years, and two members for four years, subject to removal as
above provided, and, as these terms expire, thereafter the Mayor in
office shall appoint two members to serve for four years to fill the
places of those members whose terms have expired.
Vacancies--How Filled.
Section 260. In case of a vacancy occurring in the Park Board
from any cause the same shall be filled by appointment by the Mayor
for the unexpired period of the term of the member whose place be?
came vacant.
Powers of Park Board--Qualiflcations of Members.
Section 261. The said Board, except as herein otherwise provided.
shall have the general management and supervision of all parks.
squares, openings and public grounds surrounding public buildings now
owned or hereafter acquired by the city, and also shall have power to
regulate and control the planting, trimming, growing. use, preservation
and maintenance of all shade or ornamental trees, shrubs, plants or
flowers in, upon or over any street, boulevard, path or sidewalk of the
city. No person shall be eligible for appointment as a member of said
Board uuiess he or she has been a resident of the city for at least five
years next preceding the appointment.
Rules and Regulations.
Section 262. The said Board may adopt such rules and regulations
for the use. management and supervision of the parka. squares. open?
Ings, public grounds. and grounds surrounding public buildings, bath
houses or other places of recreation, now belonging to the city or here-
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
after acquired by it, as to the Board may seem reasonable and neces?
sary;" such rules and regulations not to be inconsistent with the pro?
visions of this Charter or the clty ordinances.
Restriction on Exhibitions of Works of Art.
Section 263. No work of art shall be placed in any park, or in any
other public ground which is subject to the supervision of the Park
Board, without its permission.
Park Fund.
Section 264. All moneys, 'lonations, devises, bequests and legacies
received or donated to the city for park and pleasure purposes shall be
taken up, held and accounted for by the city separately under the name
of the Park Fund.
Employees to Give Bonds.
Section 265. All employees acting in any fiduciary capacity in con?
nection with the parks or pleasure grounds shall be placed under
proper bonds.
Park Boai'd to Hire Employee_Civil Service Rules.
Section 266. The Park Board has power and authority to employ,
hire and discharge from time to time. subject to the civil service rules
of this Charter (except that the parkkeeper shall not be subject to civil
service rules), all such workmen and laborers as It may deem neces?
sary to the proper conduct and management of the public places under
its control.
Park Board to Make Report and Estimates of Expenses; Appropria?
tions; limitation on Expenditure.
Section 267. The Park Board shall on the first day of January of
each year report to the Council in detail, the expenditures of the Board
and all outstanding demands of the preceding year, and also an est!?
mate in detail of the amount of salaries and other necessary expenses
or the said Board for the ensuing year. Said statement must show
the nnmber and class of empioyees, the salaries to be paid and the
number to be employed. The Council thereafter shall make such ap?
propriation, within the limits herein elsewhere prOVided, as it may
deem necessary to meet the expenses of the Board, and may also limit
the expenditure authorized during any month. and may also require
from the Park Board monthly estimates in advance of the expenses of
said Board. A fallure so to furnish such estimates, when required,
shall be sumclent grounds for the remo\'al of one or all the members
ot the Board.
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
APPENDIX
JOHN? CHANLES OLMSTIO ,REDERICK LAW OLMSTED, JR
OLMSTED BROTHERS
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
BROOKLINE, MASS.
December 31, 1903.
13
Honorable George H. Williams, Chairman, Board of Park Commission?
ers, Portland, Oregon.
Dear Sir: \Ve have the hODor to submit our report upon existing
parks and a proposed system of parks for the City of Portland.
In preparing our minds for this duty we were occupied more or less
every day during three weeks in going about and examining various
parts of the 'City and of the surrounding cou!ltry and In co{l!erence with
C::>lonel L. L. Hawkins and Mr. Ion Lewis, of the Park Commission,
and other Interested citizens. and we were taken upon a number of
long and interesting drives by Colonel Hawkins, besides making vari?
ous excursions by ourselves. We were provided with good maps and
other printed information. and took numerous photographs as an aid
to memory in the subsequent study and digestion of our observations
and wrote out very full notes of what we saw and were told.
INTRODUCTION.
1-lmportance of Municipal Parks.
Leading writers and other authorities on modern municipal devel?
opment agree that no city can be considered properly equipped without
an adequate park system.
All agree that parks not only add to the beauty of a city and to the
pleasure of living In it, but are exceedingly importanl factors in devel?
oping the healthfulness, morality, Intelligence, and business prosperity
of ils residents. lndeed it is not too much to say that a liberal pro-
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
vision of parks In a city is one of the surest manifestations of the
Intelligence, degree of civilization and progressiveness of Its citizens.
2--Duty of Citizens Toward Parka.
It Is constantly becoming more generally and more clearly reallzed
that every Inhabitant of a city owes to it. In return for benefits and
advantages derived from it. certain duties not specifically compulso:-y
according to law. Among such duties is that of aiding in every possi?
ble way to make the city more beautiful and more agreeable to live In
and work In, and more attractive to strangers.
Wbile there are many things. both small and great. which may con?
tribute to the beauty of a great city, unquestionably one of the greatest
is a comprehensive system of parks and parkways.
3-Parks and Park Purp06es Should Be Defined in Advance-Park
Units.
As In the case of almost every complex work composed of varied
units. economy, efficiency. symmetry and completeness are likely to be
secured only when the system as a whole Is planned comprehensively
and the purposes to be accomplished defined clearly In advance. Other?
wise, valuable opportunities may be overlooked, disproportionate
efforts may be expended In the accomplishment of particular objects
of relatively minor Importance while others more vital may be Ignored
or slighted. Limited means may be expended on the le8s important
purposes leaving more essential features unprovided for.
In order to determine upon a comprehensive system ~f parks It i8
first necessary to define and classify the various units at which the
system is to be composed, even though It may not be practicable to
carry out these Ideas In all cases. The units of a parK system generally
recognized are city squares, play grounds, small or neighborhood parks.
large or suburban parks, scenic reservations, boulevards and park?
ways.
City squares are comparatively small, ornamental grounds. usually
dominated by surrounding buildings and necessarily more or less inti?
mately related to surrounding and abutting streets. They are usually
fiat or simple in topography. 'rhey are consequently overlooked by
people In surrounding buildings and streets. are much used by people
who although they pass through them are bound elsewhere and. In
other ways. they are more distinctly ornamental incidents of dally city
life and of urban conditions than are larger parks. Hence they are
usually and most appropriately improved formally and symmetrically
and often with prominent archltec.tural and sculptural features. They
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD 15
may even be so extremely artificial as to be without trees, fiowers or
grass. That some actually are so and yet command the admiration of
people of taste Is an Indication of their essential qualities and funda?
mental differences from parks proper. Few cities have anywhere near
as many ornamental squares as they should. It Is particularly desira?
ble that a city should have several of Its principal public buIldings
facing upon a large public square, as the new custom house in New
York faces upon the Bowling Green, not occupying it as the postoffice
and municipal buildings occupy the City Hall Park.
Play grounds are primarily selected and improved for particular
forms of recreation and only such beauty and ornamentation is allow?
able as will not unduly interfere with their usefulness for their in?
tended purpose. As the noise which those who use them Indulge in
makes them somewhat objectionable to neighbors it Is orten best to
combine them with public squares in such a way as to partially separate
and screen their strictly utilitarian parts from adjoining streets and
buildings, as in the case of Charlesbank in Boston, or to locate them
in parks proper in such a way as to avoid undue injury to the main
purposes of the park as In the case of Jackson Park, Chicago.
Urban or neighborhood parks include public pleasure grounds of a
variety of sizes and styles. They may be formal In general design
and informal in some details like the public park at Dijon. in France,
or they may be as Informal as the designer can make them, like
Morningside Park, in New York, or, as Is generally the case, they may
be Informal In general design but more or less oiled with formal and
artificial details like the Public Garden in Boston. Neighborhood
parks are large enough to contain naturalistic scenery but not large
enough to enable the visitor to enjoy fully 'the feeling or escape from
city sights and sounds and of seclusion which it IS the function of the
large rural or suburban parks to encourage. Nevertheless the local park
is the more useful to the daily lite of the citizens since its restricted size
and cost enable the city to distribute them in various localities in close
proximity to densely populated sections or waere they can soon become
surrqunded by a large population. To make them as attractive and
useful as possible It Is often best to abandon the attempt to secure
simple broad landscape effects and to design them with as many inter?
esting features and useful subdivisions as practicable somewhat as a
recreation building is subdivided. It may not be possible to wholly
screen out surround'ing streets and houses. yet It will usually make
them more enjoyable for visitors to do so to some extent, In sho:t.
local parks are recreation grounds in which beauty of vegetation and
often of small scale naturalistic scenery is the first consideration, but
which, nevertheless, admits of a large amount of the formal and seml-
r6 REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
formal work of the gardener and the architect and has often much
provision for games and amusements. Drives are often inadvisedly
introduced into such parks. Unless there is some fine outlook to which
it "1s desirable to lead people in carriages, as in the case of The Front,
in Buffalo, or some bluff or river bank or lake or other landscape
feature which cannot be viewed from carriages in adjoining streets,
or unless there is a concert grove at which it is desired to provide for
visitors in carriages, or unless the local park be part of a continuous
chain of parks and parkways, or unless there is some other good
reason, a drive is an undesirable intrusion in a local park. Such a park
is worth far more for visitors on foot especially children of the neigh?
borhood than it is for visitors in carriages who may be presumed to be
better able to visit the larger suburban parks. Local parks since they
are more convenieptly and daily accessible by large numbers of people,
must have adequately wide and numerous walksanu these walks must
especially provide for short?cutting since local parks are usually
directly in the way of many pedestrians.
Rural or Suburban ParI,s. These parks are intended to afford to
visitors that sort of mental refreshment and enjoyment which can only
be derived from the quiet contemplation of natural scenery. There Is
absolutely no other recreation or amusement customarily provided for
in parks which could cot be satisfactorily accompllshed and usually
with far greater convenience to the majority of citizens in a series of
small, well distributed and properly located neighborhood parks and
incidentally with far greater benefits to adjoining real estate. Yet af
such vital importance are large rural parks in the minds of those
leading citizens who have studied the needs of municipal development
of a comprehensive system of parks that we find most large cities have
l'xpel'ded ni!lIons of dollars to acquire them even In advance of an
adequate provision of ornamental squares, health developing play
grounds and neighborhood parks. To secure the extent and charact;'!r
of landscape adapted to adequately refresh visitors in such large num?
!Jers as must be expected to resort upon occasions to a rural phrk, re?
quires with ordinary conditions of topography and situation, several
hundred acres of land, necessitating the interruption of ordinary com?
mercial traffic often to a \"ery inconvenient degree. -r:he fundamental
p'lrposes of a rural park requires the sautting off from the ipter;or of
the park as completely as possible, all city sights and sounds, and the
resolute exclusion ot mu~eUlLS and ot many exceedingly popular mean'!
of amusement from the main landscapes of the park; it usually requires
fencing and limiting .he nu~ber of entra!lces; it requires the relegation
of drh'es antI walks and p'Jblic shelters to places where they will n:>t
too seriously injure the park lilndscapes ,"-eu at serious sacrifice of
REPORT OJ' THE PARK BOARD Ii
opportunities tor those using them to enjoy some oC the scenery; it
requires that most of the area be devoted to that beautiful but com?
parath-ely tame type of scenery which is composed mainly at flat or
gently sloping or undulating surfaces covered with smooth, close turf
surrounded with an abundance at shade trees. The beauty at this type
at scenery is ruined by the introduction of numerous incongruous and
artiflcial features. Straight lines of drive or walk or water surfac~,
rows of trees, bu.ildings, monuments, fountain jets, flagpoles, and par?
ticularly formal flower beds are usually injurious to and often destruc?
tive of the simple rural beauty which is appropriate to this class at
parks.
Scenic reservations are at all sizes, and include all sorts of natural
or semi?natural scenery which is, however, it owned by municipalities,
apt to be comparatively moderate in scale. They usually difrer from
parks proper in being rougher, wilder and less artificially improved
and are usually more remote and hence less resorted to by such
throngs of visitors as require broad drives and walks and other arti ?
ficial conveniences in the parks proper. Municipal reservations are
sometimes selected to preserve one or more notable landscape features
of moderate size, such as, for Instance, the gorge of the Genesee River
north of Rochester; the Blue Hills southeast of Boston; the great trap
hills of :'Iferiden and Mount Royal of Montreal.
Boulevards and parkways are important parts of a complete park
system. For convenience, formal city pleasure drives may better be
called "boulevards," while Informal pleasure drives may be more
specifically designated "parkways," although no such distinction has
heretofore been made. Eastern Parkway and Ocean Parkway, In Brook?
lyn, are Instances of liberal and complete boulevards, In which there
Is a broad central drive devoted exclusively to pleasure drIving and
a narrower drive on each side intended for access to adjoining private
properties as well as for ordinary street traffic and separated from the
middle drive by double rows of trees with promenades between them.
Drexel Boulevard, in Chicago, is another type of boulevard (more popu?
lar with real estate men) in which there are two sidewalks each with
a row of trees, two broad driveways and a broad central ornamental
strip. The parkway called in part Fenway, in part Riverway and in
part Jamaicaway, in Boston, and Bay Ridge Parkway or Shore Drive,
in Brooklyn, are examples of informal parkways in which adjoining or
included local scenery or distant views are more important than the
decorative turf strips and shade trees,
4-The Parks of a City Should Be Parts of a System.
It a city is to have parks, a careful study of the problem will con-
18 REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
vince any student of municipal development that the parks should be
acquired in accordance with a general system. Many cities have one
. or more parks in which their citizens may justly take pride, but com?
paratively few of these cities have what can properly be called a com?
prehensive, well-balanced and well-developed system of parks, a system
which will compare favorably as to completeness with, for instance,
the system of public schools, or the system of fire protection and other
principal departments of the city government.
The backwardness of munIcipal park systems is not so much due to
lack of public intelligence and public spirit, as to a defective develop?
ment of the love of beauty, as compared with a well-developed appre?
ciation of practical, utilItarian progress.
5--Parks Systems Should Be Comprehensive?
.'\. park system should comprIse all the various units which go to
form a complete system. Some cities, Savannah, for instance, have a
liberal provision of public squares, but few, if any, play grounds, parks
Rod boulevards; some, New Orleans, for instance, have boulevards and
parks, but few, if any, play grounds and neighborhood parks; some,
Washington, for instance, have publlc squares, bOUlevards and parks,
but few, if any, playgrounds; some, Chicago, for instance, have parks
and boulevards, but few public squares and local parks; some, Phlla?
delphia, for Instance, have parks and public squares, but few connecting
boulevards and play grounds.
&-Park Systems Should Be Well Balanced.
The various social and topographical sections of a city should be
suitably supplled with the various units of a system according to their
needs and natural opportunities. It not infrequently happens that the
sections of a city In which the population Is most dense and most In
need of squares, play grounds and local parks, are almost wholly devoid
of these advantages because no well-balanced system has been devised
and carried out wEille land was sufficiently cheap and comparatively
unoccupied so that now the expense is prohibitory.
7-Parks Should Have Individuality.
Unless a special and intelligent effort is made to secure individual?
Ity in the improvement of each of the public squares, parks and boule?
vards of a city, they are liable to repeat each other too much. The
West Side parks of Chicago resemble each other to a. regrettable
degree. Each haa its little, crooked lake, its green house and ftower
beds, its little lawns, its curving level drives and walks, Its bridges and
statues, its plantations mainly of the same selection of trees crowded
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
and slim and only partially screening out surrounding houses. Only
of late years has a bicycle track and speedway been introduced into
one, a bathing establishment and an athletic ground In another. ,In
New York and Boston and Rochester, and many cities largely, perhap,>,
owing to the topographical differences the parks are strongly indi'Ji~?
ualized.
8--Parks Should Be Connected and Approached by Boulevards and
Parkways.
A connected system of parks and parkways is manifestly far more
complete and useful than a series of isolated parks. Delaware Park, in
Buffalo, is an example of a park with handsome boulevards forming
approaches from the city and connecting it with Humboldt Park In one
direction, Gates Circle in another, and Delaware Avenue and The Front
in another. Washington Park, Chicago, also has its two imposing ap?
proaches in Drexel Boulevard and Grand Boulevard and Its boulevard
connection with Jackson Park and the West Side Parks. The broad
avenues of Washington are admirable examples of boulevards becau3p.
the houses are kept back from the sidewalks by turf strips upon which
houses cannot be built, although porches, bay windows, and other pro?
jections are very properly permitted, and also because they have
ornamental circles and squares at turning points and often begin or
end at important public buildings.
9-Parks and Parkways Should Be Located and Improved to Take
Advantage of Beautiful Natural Scen'ery and to Secure Sanitary
Conditions.
Only recently has it begun to be realized wnat enormous advantages
are gained by locating parks and parkways so as to take advantage
of beautiful natural scenery. The most expensive large parks, Central
Park and Prospect Park, were located wltho'ut taking advantage of th.e
magnificent natural landscapes of the rivers and bays which distinguish
New York and Brooklyn. There are manY similar cases. Formerly
people built with the backs of their houses upon the rivers and lakes,
thus not only excluding the public from continuous access to them but
ruining their beauty. Where land along the banks of rivers or along
the shores of a lake can, in a city, be fairly well spared from com?
mercial uses, pubHc squares. parks and parkways should be located'
upon them. Extremel)' steep and rough hills and bluffs have been
occupied for dwelllngs and other buildings as at Pittsburg, San Fran?
cisco, and many other cities, that should ha'l'e been taken for pictur?
esque recreation grounds. with drives above. commandlDg magnificent
views, as at Riverside and Morningside Parks In New York.
20 REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
In addition to takIng adVantage of beautiful natural scenery, parks
and parkways may often be located so as to secure very important
aanltary advantages through the improvement of ill-drained areas,
particularly low-lying lands on lake shores or along rivers subject to
floods. Marked economy in municipal development may also be ef?
fected by laying out parkways and parks, while land is cheap, so as to
embrace streams that carry at times more water than can be taken
care of by drain pipes of ordinary size. Thus b'rooks or little rivers
.whlch would otherwise become nuisances that would some d'ay have to
be put in large underground conduits at enormous expense, may be
made the occasion for delightful local pleasure grounds or attractive
parkways. Such improvements add greatly to the value of adjoinIng
properties, which would otherwise have been depreciated by the erec?
tion on the low lands of the cheapest class of dwellings or by u~lv
factories, stables and other commercial establishments. Leverett Park,
in the Boston Park system, is an instance in point. A cat?tall marsh,
many acres In extent, where, no doubt, only the poorest class at houses,
stables and the like would otherwise have been built, was made into a
beautitul lake.
10-Park Systems Should Be in Proportion to Opportunltie..
A city having many or extensive opportunities for parks and park?
ways should promptly avail itself ot them even at serious fInancial
sacrifice. Such a city may wisely mortgage its future wealth much
more heavily by the issue of long?term bonds tor the acquirement and
preservation of beautiful natural scenery than a city relatively devoid
of such opportunities, provided there is a reasonable probability at
attracting to Itself thereby well?to-do and wealthy tamilles, because
such improvements tend to draw to the city wealth, the taxation of
which may more than repay the city for the outlay. The same is true
as to sections of a city haVing natural advantages tor resIdences.
11-Parks and Parkways Should Be Acquired Betimes.
It is particularly urgent tbat a city having beautiful local scenery
adapted for parks and parkways should secure the land betimes les~
these natural advantages be destroyed or irreparably injured by the
owners. Many of the older cities would now pay very high prices tor
land covered with the primeyal forest which the early inhabitants
destroyed and which might once ha'l"e been obtained Cor a tew dollars
an acre. Efforts are now being made in many cities to secure even
narrow and unsatisfactory boule\'ards which might have cost nothing
tor land besides being wid'er and handsomer it those who originally
determined the wIdth of the principal streets had drawn the side lines
twire as far apart, Eyen now. opportunities tor widening, at very
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD 21
moderate cost, trunk thoroughfares outside the closely built area of
most cities are being carelessly allowed to pass by. Unless parks
properly distributed, located and bounded to best preserve beautiful
local scenery and to accomplish the essential purposes they are de?
signed for are secured while the land is comparatively unoccupied by
expensive improvements, they rarely can be secured at all. To take a~
extreme case one has only to consider how utterly impossible it would
now be for the city of New York to secure on Manhattan Island ana the!"
such park as Central Park. But even if a sufficient area of land for a
park should remain vacant near the heart of a city it is almost certaih
to rise to a value that is prohibitory and this alone is a sufllcient reason
for taking parks betimes. There is still a large vacant area west of the
Boston Park called The Fens but whereas the land occupied by The
Fens cost, twenty-six years ago, only 10 cents a square foot, or about
$4,300,00 an acre, this vacant land adjoining it would doubtless cost
now consid'erably more than $2.00 a square foot on an average, or over
$86,000 an acre.
12-The Land for Park Systems Should Be Paid for by Long-Term
Loans.
There is a very commendable disinclination on the part of legisla?
tures to pass laws authoriZing long term municipal loans and In favor
of keeping a comparatively low limit on the total amount which cities
are allowed to borrow. But the case of loans for purchase of land,
especially land for a park system Is very d'ecidedly different from that
of loans for most other municipal Improvements. It Is.. unwise for
cities, as for business men and corporations, to borrow more than a
safe fraction of their marketable assets or so much that the interest
and annual sinking fund payments will be possibly greater than the
sure income applicable to these purposes during periods of Ind'ustrial
depression. Still more fundamental is the principal that money should
not be borrowed unless it can be profitably employed. In the case of
money borrowed for the acquisition of park land It should be borne in
mind that the land is an asset that will be worth more in almost every
instance, by the time the loan becomes payable, than the amount of the
loan. Moreover, as a general rule, tbe special increase in the assessor's
valuations of adjoining private lands aDd in the improvements subse?
quently erected upon them, will yield increased taxes sufficient to meet
the interest and the annual contributions to the sinking fund of the
park-land loan, Of course there should be limitations, but experience
indicates that the limits for park-land loans may safely be set very
much higher than for other municipal loans. g-:amlnatlon of the facts
by experts would be required, doubtless, to fully satisfy those In au?
thority; but It requires ,"ery little kno.wledge of municipal finances to
REPOR.T OF THE t>ARK BOAR.D
satisfy one of the general rule that parks are a better asset, when the
loan by which they have been acquired becomes paYable, than school
buildings, fire engine houses, city halls, street Improvements and most
other things for which cities borrow money, and all of which deterIorate
and some of which become almost valueless, even If they are not
destroyed to make room for better structures.
13--Park Systems Should Be Improved by Means of Loans, Special
Assessments and Annual Taxation.
The experience of the larger cities has been that by far the most
satisfactory and profitable results have been obtained by Improving
?thelr parks as rapidly as such difficult and complex work can wIsely
be etrected, usually in from three to five years after the acquisition of
the land, dependIng upon varIous circumstances, but mainly upon
the prospect of a consequent raptd rise In the values of adjoining lands.
In general, It Is sate to say that some parks and parkways or BOme
portions of them should be rapIdly improved, at least to such d'egree
as is necessary to perfect their landscape and to render them at once
available for the public to use with reasonable convenience and satis?
faction and without undue Injury to the verdure of the parks. Such
rapid Improvement cannot, as a role, be accomplished by means ot
such appropriations as can be spared from annual taxes. In certain
cases money can be raised In large amounts by,speclal assessments on
adjoInIng properties. Such specIal assessments are levied only when
the land can be shown to have derived special benefits; and only to a
less amount In each case than the estimated Increase In valuation.
:such special assessments may generally be levied first when the land
for a park or parkway Is taken or soon atter the takIng and again when
the improvements have advanced far enough to affect favorably the
valuation of adjoinIng and neighboring propertIes. In the case of land
only part of which Is taken. the benefit and damage should be consid?
ered at the same time and the award or assessment should' be for the
balance between the two only. Minor Improvements and even the land
purchases for additions or for squares, play grounds, small parks and
short or Inexpensive parkways may be paid for out of annual taxation,
especially during prosperous times.
14--Park Systems Should Be Improved Both Occasionally and Con?
tlnuously.
LIke many public Institutions, railroads and Industrial plants, the
improvement of p&rb Is aone from time to time by occasional rela?
tl\-ely large expenditures such as would be paid for by borrowed money
or by especially large appropriations for specific purposes and also
Rj~PORT OF THE PARK BOARD 23
more or less continuously out of ordinary annual appropriations. A
new park situated where it can be used conveniently by the public
should be considerably improved according to a comprehensive plan
at the outset, and presumably by means of borrowed money. There
may be a lull and for, perhaps, ten or twenty years further improve?
ments may be limited to what can be done annually by means of sm.all
appropriations and mainly by occasional moderate increase of the reg?
ular maintenance force. Practically the improvement takes place more
rapidly during times of commercial prosperity or else during times of
extreme industrial depression when it may be advisable to use the
credit of the city to provide work for the poorest class of laborers wno
suffer most from lack of employment. The loans for improvement of
parks and still more decidedly those for the purchase of land' should be
authorized during good times and expended during hard times. Since
the burden is evenly distributed over so long a period as to cover sev?
eral good times and their intervening hard times it can make but little
4difference when the burden begins or when additional burdens are
assumed, while it 'makes tremendously for economy to purchase lanjs
during hard times when land owners often are more eager to obtain
cash than to hold on for a possible future profit and it is far more
advantageous to employ common labor for park improvement during
hard times either to prevent or to diminish the sufferings of the poor
and to get the work done at minimum wages.
15--Park Systems Should Be Improved According to a Well Studied
dnd Comprehensive General Plan..
Park systems, like other large, complex and costly creations of
h Uillan intelligence, should be carefully designed by trained designers.
Like a large public building, every large park is composed of vari?
ous parts and numerous details and it Is just as important to employ
an expert designer to devise a general plan- for such parks as it is to
employ an architect to design a correspond'ingly important public ?
buitding. For reasons :rather difficult to explain there are in every city
many more persons who consider themselves competent to direct the
expenditure of public money? on parks without plans prepared by ex?
perts than there are persons who would be willing to direct the ex?
penditure of similar amounts on a large city hall, and yet, as a matter
of fact, the ability to design landscape is very much rarer than the
ability to design monumental public buildings.
The designing of a park should begin with the selection ot the site,
in doing which many important considerations of a technical nature
should' receive far more attention than they generally get from thoae
usually entrusted with this duty.
24 R.EPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
The determination of the boundaries of a park is often very Inti?
mately related to radical questions of design. The boundaries adopted
for a park are often the boundaires used by the previous private own?
ers and In the West almost all such boundaries are the straight lines
of the original government land surveys or of subdivisions based upon
them and which are generally purely arbitrary rectangular boundaries
bearing no harmonious relation with the topography except in the few
cases where the land is flat. Such arbitrary rectangular boundaries are
often hideous misflts with respect to tae local topography, particularly
if. as is often the case, the site has been selected for a park because 0f
its strongly marked topography. Such arbitrary boundaries are also
sometimes badly out of accord with certain requirements of a good
de~ign for the Improvement of the particular ground in question. The
artist painter usually selects a size and shape for his picture with
regard to the subject he has in mind. But having done this he has a
free field for his imagination to work upon, The design of a park, on
the other hand, must usually be based on more or less controlling
topographical considerations, For instance, if the local scenery led to
the location of a park in a ravine, the boundaries SJlould Include both
sides of the ravine and land enough on the top for a boundary street;
if It Is a small lake, the boundaries should include a sufticient border
of land around the lake for the framing plantations and boundary
street; If It Is a view commanding hill the boundaries should be far
enough below the summit to prevent obstruction of the view by trees
which may grow or houses which may be erected on adjoining proper"
ties, and so on. Such obvious requirements are frequently disregarded
in selecting the lands and in determining too boundaries of parks and
parkways.
It Is as necessary for good effect for a parK to be surrounded by
streets as for a public building of monumental design to be on ground
so surrounded.
A border plantation Is usually an essential feature of a park. It
frames and completes the park landscapes and excludes Incongruous
and ugly things outside the park from the beautiful things In It.
Within their framing border plantations, parks vary so much In
what they include that generalization is hardly possible, but in most
cases a properly designed park will have va.rious parts developed for
different purposes and in different styles.
There wlll often be a large section of a park devoted to a great
meadow, another section devoted' to a lake. another devoted to rough
woodland scenery, another devoted to a conservatory with ga.rdenesqne
treatment of Its surroundings, another section may be devoted to a
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD 25
zoologIcal garden, another to a botanical garden, another sectIon may
be devoted to popular amusements requiring more or less apparatus,
fences, shelters and artiflcial constructions. The beauties which should
characterIze each sectIon should be constantly kept In mind, It is, to
be presumed that those sections in which the land'scape is the main
consideration should be as nearly natural as possible. It seems suffi?
ciently obnous, therefore, that park woods should not. be planted as
regularly as orchards, that park lakes should not be shaped to asuc?
cession oE straight lines and that park meadows should not be graded
to perfect planes, surrounded by formal terraces and bordered by
rows of tre?S; but many equally inappropriate and' artlflciallzing things
are done upon parks without any real necessity owing to a common
confusion of ideas and to a defective artistic appreciation or to positlv,e
bad taste,
Even without the cultivated taste of an artist, the use of a trained
intelligence in a conscientious effort. to design and explain a compre?
hensive plan will do much to make clear what should and what should
not be donE' in each of the main subdivisions of a park. The absence
of such a general plan or a failure to comprehend and follow It will
result in the hodge-podge of incongruities too often seen in parks. The
portions which should' be natural are often artiflclallzed unnecessarily
by gardening operations or by the introduction of buildings, fountains
and all sons of artiflclal ornaments, while the portions which might, In
harmony with the uses to which they are put, be improved and decor?
ated In a fonnal style are too informal. On the other hand, in the por?
tion of a park actually devoted to extensive and conspicuous formal
beds of tentler plants and flowers, the drives and walks,'lawns, shrub?
berIes and tree plantations will often be strikingly informal. A general
plan may provide places where the beauties of formal beds of tender
plants and other gardening features may be enjoyed Individually and
collectively and places where those which are incongruous with each
other may be separated by a systematic arrangement of plantations,
whic.h, while forming contrasting or harmonious backgrounds, separa?
tions, enclosures, screens and the like, yet will themselves form part
of a complete whole.
The failure to have and to follow a well studied, comprehensive
general plan has resulted in making many parks little better than a
miscellaneous jumble of conflicting and incongruous Incidents. There
is an analogy between parks and' buildings which Illustrates the need
of combining variety into a harmonious whole. It Is well recognized
',that the enerior of a house should be designed as a harmonious
vhole. It is also obvious that the exterior walls of a house enclose
arious rooms devoted tD varlousJ)urposes and that the materials,
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
colors and decorations of these rooms would be quite out of harmony
If each room showed these things on the outside walls of the house.
So, too, In park designing there may be a long stretch of tree masses
or Irregular shape and varying tints of green corresponding to a house
wall, and designed to harmonize with the meadow or lake which It
frames, while the opposite face of the same mass of trees may be
planted to harmonize with some entirely different section of the park,
such as a formal garden or a mall upon which buildings or statues are
to face, or it may be faced with the special horticultural varieties ot
trees and shrubs which are developed by the nurserymen and prized
by the gardener for their artificiality of form, odd-shaped leaves, pecul?
iar color of foliage, conspicuous fiowers, or their decorative effect in
masses. A clipped evergreen hedge thirty feet high might be an ugly
enclosure of an informal lake, yet It might be a most effective and suit ?
able background for a collection of palms or to shelter an aviary from
cold winds.
Unfortunately it seems to happen very often that a park Is first
Improved mainly with a view to providing the beauties of landscape and
afterwards has sprinkled over it every sort of thing which people are
believed to admire. The usual result is analogous to the effect of the
interior of a curiosity shop as compared with the library of the home
of a family of good taste. The shop Is a haphazard collection of objects
many of which may be very beautiful but which do not unite with
others to form a beautiful and harmonious whole, while In the home
llbrary each object Is carefully selected and placed both with regard to
the purpose of the room and with regard to the effect of each object
seen in connection with Its surroundings.
The designer of a park should assign proper places for sundry
things for a variety of purposes and' must meet many llmitatlons and
practical requirements always with the beau~y of the whole as well as
of the parts In mind as the prime consideration.
For instance, If a meadow is to be provided as a pro~lnent land?
scape feature because of Its usefulness for strolllng and for field sports,
it must constantly be borne in mind that the beauty of a meadow con?
sists In its breadth and simplicity, In Its smooth, continuous green
sward and In its naturalness. Many things are done to a park meadow
in direct contravention of these obvious characterIstics. Its breadth is
broken by conspicuous drives and' walks, Its simplicity Is ruined by
flower beds, its greensward Is Injured by excessive trampllng or by
short-eut paths being allowed to be worn In It and Its naturalness is
destroyed by grading It to a ftatne1ls not characteristic of the surround
Ing topography, or by harsh obvious artUlcl&l ttrrf terraces, or b
planting regular rows of trees along iUi wrden_
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
If a congregating or picnicing grove Is to be grown or kept, its
trees are apt to be planted or allowed to remain so close together, or
the branches are permitted to hang so low that turf cannot be sue?
cessfully maintained owing to the dense shade and to the multiplicay
of tree roots upon or near the surface of the ground.
If a wild wood is to be preserved or created the bushy undergrowth
must be retained or planted else the wood can scarcely look natural,
yet how almost invariably the beautiful wild undergrowth is destroyed
at the earliest opportunity by those in charge of parks.
If there is to be a sheet of water in a park intended to be in a
naturalisUc style, no pains should be spared to make the water area
natural looking in location, outline, shores and bordering plantations.
It is to be regretted that the necessity for general plans in parks is
not appreciated by most people as is the necessity for a general plan
for city hall or court house. Yet a park is apt to include more
:naturally incongruous purposes and objects than a city hall. It almost
never happens that a whole park exists, like an artist's painting, solely
to be looked at, yet by far the greater portion of every park exists
primarily for landscape beauty. If large portions can be used for
recreative purposes other than enjoyment through the eyes, the park
will be worth more to the public, but it would be ruinous to let the
public use all portions to the destruction of beauty. It is one of the
purposes of a general plan to indicate certain portions of a park that
can be used and as far as possible the way in which each such portion
is intended to be used. It is necessary, ,however, to aupplement the
general plan by certain reasonable rules and regulations and for the
superintendent to resort to various expedients to accomplish the ideas
and purposes of the general plan and of the rules and regulations. If
a park has been irrtproved according to a well considered general plan
and if the park is misused to such a degr~ as to destroy much of the \
beauty for which the park was created, it is likely that the park com- "I
missioners and their employees have not had sufficient experience as I
to how the use of parks is properly guided and controlled, or else it Is
due to indifference or inefficiency or to a mistaken policy of spending
too much of the available money for less important purposes.
16-Park Systems Should Be Governed by Qualified Officials.
The proper determination and improvement of a complete park
system for a city is one of the most difficult and responsible duties that
ever comes to a city governmenL Not only is the total e3:penditur~
necessarily a very great one but a large part of the expenditure is
liable to be' as absolutely wasted, if the true objects faU to be accom?
plished, as if the money wu thrown in the tire.
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
Experience proves that the most successful government of Important
park systems is by a small board of unpaid park commissioners. There
should be not less than three nor more than five members, who should
be appointed for long, over-lapping terms and should usually be repeat?
c~ly' appointed. Park commissioners should be appointed by some
authority as little concerned with local politics as possible and yet
sufficiently widely and well acquainted with the best educated class of
citizens to be able to select those best fitted for the duties of park
commissioners. The Board should be financially Independent of the
ci~y government but should work harmoniously with other city depart?
ments. The Board should not meet normally oftener than once a
month else the ablest and most desirable men who are therefore the
bu~iest men, may decline to serve, but most matters except matters of
tastf', can be referred to committees of one or two members who can,
at their convenience examine into subjects too complicated to be de?
cided olT-hand at Board meetings and after due conference with the
principal employees of the Board can report to the Board. The Board
should hear reports from its principal employees and pass upon ques?
tions of greater importance than should be decided by an employee,
mainly questions of general policy. In general, the Board should leave
planning to competent experts and the execution of plans, including
the selection of subordinates, to an efficient and specially trained
superintendent, so far as his capacity, theoretical knowledge and prac?
tical experience makes it safe to do so. The commissioners should, at
course, keep su1nciently familiar with the work to intelligently pa88
upon all questions brought before them at their meetings, but they
should not Individually direct work nor give orders. Fortunately It is
a healthful and more or less recreative task tor park commissioners to
inspect parks.
Th~ president of a park commission should be an able administrator,
preferably a man who is In active control of many and large com?
mercial undertakings. He should have traveied enough to have galned
a general knowledge of the characteristics that combine to make the
parks of other cities beautiful. During the times when important land
deals are under consideration, the president of the Board should be a
l:Jan who has been successful in that Hne Incidentally to the establish?
ment or extension of some large commercial undertaking. A resource?
ful man, with strength of character, persistence, sound judgment, and
above all, tact, can often save a city a large percentage In cost of lanll
for parks.
But whether or not the president at the Board is both an ahle busi?
ness man and a good judge of park beauty, It Is of the utmost Import?
ance that the rest of the Board be men of refined tute and competent
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD 29
to safely decide the innumerable questions that concern the appear?
ance of the parks and of every part of them and of every object pro?
posed to be put upon them. If they are not fit for that, they are prac?
tically useless. As a rule, men of cultivated taste are most apt to be
found among those who have always been rIch or well-to-do and among
p\'Ofesslonal men more than business men and especially among liber?
ally educated men. Although it has not been customary to have women
on park boards, It would seem that as there are probably more of them
in a given city who have had the time and Inclination to cultivate an
appreciation of the beautiful in nature and art, It might be advantage?
ous to enlarge the choice of the appointing authority by including in
the park board one or two women of cultivated taste. If a park board
has an able business man at Its head, the other members should not
hamper him In securing efficient administration of the business, but
they should control hLn and all under him in regard to all matters 0f
appearance. It Is for this reason that park systems should' not be man?
aged by a single commissioner. A single commissioner may be very
proper in the case of the police department. the fire department and
others where efficiency is the main consideration and beauty incidental.
but park beauty should always be the controlling consideration, and
the two or four members of the Board who were selected primarily
because they were believed to be good judges of beauty in park matters
are certainly much more likely to judge safely all matters of appear?
ance than Is one man who has been selected for his business ability.
Since It Is found desirable that park commissioners should serve
without pay. it is important that the duties of the position should be
kept as light as is consistent with the successful accomplishment of
the business and esthetic control of the work, and that the members
of the Board should be so eminent and at the same time so genially
agreeable to each other that it will be a positive pleasure for them
to meet together. This pleasure and the intellectual satisfaction of
controlling the accomplishment of things that will be beautiful and
even monumental and that will be admired by both the most intelligent
and the most numerous classes of the community. form the reward
which enables the city to enlist the services of able men without
salaries.
17-Park Systems Should Be Improved and Maintained by Specially
Trained Men.
As in every other important class of human endeavor, the best "e?
suits wiII usually be attained by men who thoroughly appreciate the
purposes to be accomplished and who have by natural aptitude and by
long' special training the required ability to accomplish these pur-
3? REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
poses. Unfortunately the number of men who know how to make and
maintain beautiful parks is very small. Park commissioners are there?
fore apt to employ men who seem to know something of at least the
practical parts of the work, and they often flounder around In all the
vitally important matters of design, using their own taste and knowl?
edge as far as they have time and Inclination to do so and leaving the
rest to their practical men. Even those park commissioners who know
and appreciate beautiful landscape when they see it are rarely able to
select and adapt a particular type of landscape to the particular land
with which they are dealing. Perhaps they can appreciate good acting
or good music, but they would be unable to write the play or compose
the music. Yet they will order a wood cleaned of underbrush, feel
gratifled by the etrorts of the gardener in the way of so-caIIed rock
work, rustic bridges, formal flower beds in informal surroundings, and
by walks leading hither and yon without any purpose that one can
discover, and by all the Injuries which even good gardeners (because
they are mostly mechanics and not artists) wllI inflict on a park land?
scape already naturaIIy beautiful or which needs only native trees and
wild bushes in proper places to make it so. Many of the civil en?
gineers employed on park work do more even to injure naturally beau?
tiful scenery, because their operations in grading and road bUilding
and bridges are apt to be larger, and more conspicuous, and so expen?
sive that once done, it is practicaIIy impossible to change them and
because most of their training has been in smashmg beautiful land?
scape with railroads, streets, dams and bridges and other constructions,
all of which might at the same, or at moderate aadltional cost, be made
beautiful in form and location, even If wltho'ut ornament. "But the civil
engineer who should be caught by his employers spending money for
beauty, as, for Instance, by curving a road around a hill Instead of
cutting through it or by having vines and wild flowers planted on
rough railroad slopes, would be reprimanded If not discharged. Civil
engineers are not to be blamed for this. Tllelr education and experi?
ence has compelled them to It. Nor are gardeners to be blamed for
being mechanics instead of artists. If a park commission cannot lind
artistic gardeners and artistic civil engineers, the next best thing Is to
"catch them YOllng"-those who have innate artistic feeling-and help
them to become such.
1B--Park Systems Should Be Managed Independently of City Govern?
ment..
It has been demonstrated by experience in many cities that the
park system more than any other of the undertakings of a city should
be managed independently of the common couDcll or legisla.tive ~y
of the city government.
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD 31
-----------------------------
The reason for this Is, of course, that the majority of the members
of the city government is composed of practical politicians or of men
who have about the same education, the same Impulses and Ideas and
about the same taste. It should be clearly understood that, as in the
cases of gardeners and civil engineers already touched upon, no
Marne is meant to be cast upon practical politicians. It is simply a
fact that when they control the management of parks, the results
attained from the point of view of art are poor, sometimes very bad
indeed.
Parks, like public libraries and art museums, must meet the public
needs In the main, else they will lose their power for educating the
people to better things, but they should be managed by wise and public?
spirited men who have high ideals and who will strive to gradual:y
and considerately improve the public taste. The, people can be led
toward higher ideals, but they must in the main be led' unconsciously
and by force of example rather than by scolding. It Is in this direction
that the managers of parks, libraries and art museums can do much
gond or, on the contrary, can work much evil in matters of taste.
Parks should not be brought into politics not only for the important
business reasons that apply in all departments of municipal adminis?
tration, but for the more important reason that the essential require?
ment of parks is that they should be naturally and artistically beautiful
and because politicians as a class give small consideration to matters
of art and beauty of natural scenery and care less whenever they con?
flict with their business interests. The schools may not be beautIful,
but yet may serve all practical purposes; lYridges may be and usually
are hideous, but we can use them and hope for better things some day.
but if parks are not beautiful, they are very nearly useless.
Politicians, as a class, work as hard for power and pecuniary sue?
cess as any other class of business men, but like most business men,
especially retailers, they do not waste much time or money In trying to
inspire the masses with high ideals or in improving and refining their
taste. Politicians do not make good park commissioners, not alone
because they are not good judges of landscape beauty. but because they
are strongly biased in the direction of deciding every question in the
way that will gain them and their party friends and votes, and because
they will inevitably sacrifice what seems to them such trivial things as
matters of appearance to oblige people who generally have some
personal or selfish or party end in view. The number of cases that
arise In park administration in which a politician will decide contrary
to the requirements of good taste are far more numerous than anyone
who has not had lon?g experience of park matters could imagine, .1r
belIeve It told.
32 REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
A political park commissioner will be apt to favor the determina?
tion of the number of and the selection of sites for parks that wlll gain
him or his party the mOl't votes, or that will please pecuniarily In-ter?
ested persons or corporations. He will usually prefer to decide all such
questions without expert advice, knowing that without such guidance
he can surely decide according to his own Interest and that of bls party,
while with it he may be hampered in securing what he wants done_ He
wlll favor the employment at experts it they must be employed, who
will be subservient and "easy to get along with," and he will prefer a
superintendent who will purchase supplies from the "right" dealer.
He will want to grant llcenses for all sorts of amusement concerns
regardless at the park landscape, provided only they are likely to be
popular and are run by the "right" men; and so on. As they know the
public admire gaudy effects, they cover the park lawns with the most
brilliantly colored foliage plants and park buildings with novel and
conspicuous details painted with showy and contrasting colors. Natur?
ally, with park commissioners of this type of mind, the higher beauties
of nature and ot art in the parks stand very little show to be pre?
served or created.
Parks should be kept out at polItics not only by not having politic?
ians appointed as park commissioners, but, remembering that "money
is power," by taking the power of making the annual park appropria?
tions from the city government by means ot a law giving the park
commission a certain minimum and maximum percentage ot the total
of the assessors' valuation of the taxable property In the city. and
providing tor long-term loans tor land purchases and short-term loans
for improvements, each based on a percentage of the total of assessors'
valuations at taxable property In the city and requiring compulsory
issue by the city government in some cases, after they have been a~
proved by a referendum in some cases. Additional voluntary appro?
priations by the city government may also be. permitted by law.
TOPOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS AFFECTING THE PARK
PROBLEM OF PORTLAND.
Some of the conditions which control the problem ot providing"
complete system of parks and parkways .tor the City at Portland- are
as follows:
The city lies on both sides of the W1l1amette River, which is
spanned at present by four bridges. The smaller but older portion ot
the city is west of the river and occupies gently rolling ground, which
rises with moderate rapidity to the base of high, rugged and very irre?
gular hills. This base of the hills forms almost a straight line and
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD 33
runs nearly northwest from the mouth of Marquam Gulch Canyon to
the mouth of Balch Creek Canyon, and continues In the same general
direction for some mlles further down the river. Up the river for some
distance beyond Marquam Gulch, there is a narrow margin of moder?
ately flat land between the hills and the river; which, however, Is not
large enough to provide for any considerable Increase of population.
Down the river from Balch Creek much of the space between the base
of the hills and the river is occupied by Gulld Lake and other lakes
and slougus and almost all of it is subject to being flooded by the river,
so that there is little opportunity for the city to expand In this direc?
t;on. The greatest width available west of the river for ordinary city
development is a trifle over one and one-quarter miles, the average
width about one mile and the length about two and' one-halt miles.
East of the river there is practically unlimited opportunity for the
expansion of the city, the only limit being the Columbia Sloughs, which
are about two and one-half mlles from the Willamette River at the
Portland Flouring Mill, and about six miles on the line of Sandy Road.
East of the river, the land from Sellwood to the Columbia Sloughs is a
plE.in, slightly rolling, and intersected by gulches, but on the whole
rising gently from the bluffs at the river to a low ridge parallel with
the Colum~ia Sloughs and about halt way between them and the
Willamette River. This ridge Is about two hundred feet high near
the bluffs overlooking the Portland Flouring Mill, rises grad'ually to a
height of about two hundred and fifty feet at Sandy Road, and con?
tinues some miles to the eastward. Directly east of the heart of the
city, the land rises similarly, but more rapidly and Is ~ore rol\lng.
Mount Tabor marks the eastern limit of this section of the city. South?
ward of Mount Tabor the land, while rising similarly, Is gentler.
GROWTH OF THE CITY.
The i..rconvenlence and expense of extending the city between and
ol'e:- the rugged hills west of it have already checked the growth of
tuis older part of the city, and is causing in it a marked Increase in the
density of population. The expansion of the city In the way of develop?
ing new subdivisions is going on almost entirely east of the river, and
ob\'iously must in the main continue to do so. The part of the city
west of the river is already provided with two parks of considerable
size, while the vastly larger section of the city east of the river has
only one park that Is more than a square----Columbia Park-and this,
being flat and uninteresting and remote from any densely populated
area is likely to be little more than an exaggerated square of interest
almost solely to the Immediate neighborhood.
34 REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
PRINCIPLE LANDSCAPE FEATURES.
In the selection of parks the first consideration should be to locate
thp.m so as to secure within them as great natural ad'vantages as
practicable, or so they will command the best possible views of what?
ever great landscape features there may be In the vicinity, or both.
The most notable landscape feature that is conveniently accessible
to the greater part of the population is obviously the river Itself.
Unfortunately the requirements of commerce prevent any considerable
ar3a' being set aside tor park purposes In connection with the river
until one reaches Ross Island, above the city, and Swan Island below
the city.
Other great landscape features within convenient reach of the pres?
ent population especially by existing electric car lines, are the series
of great hills, with intervening canyons, south and southwest of the
western section of the city; Mount Tabor, east of the eastern section
of the city, and Rocky Butte, northeast of the eastern section of the
city. There remains one other great landscape feature, the sloughs of
the Columbia, and beyond them the river itself.
From almost all parts of the city that are fairly open and from all
the high hills extremely beautiful views are commanded of- the distant
snow-clad mountains and' especially of the five great snow-clad peaks:
Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, Mount Hood, Mount Rainier and
Mount Jelrerson.
The city Is most fortunate, In compllorlson witn the majority of
American cities, In possessing such varied and wonderfully strong and
Interesting landscape features available to be utilized In Its park
system.
SYSTEM AND POLICY AS TO LAND ACQUISITION,
The city ought surely to adopt the polley of securing II,':., tI1uch as
it can of lands which Include these features within or adjoining Its
boundaries, and where it is impossible, owing to financial limitations,
to secure them at once or soon, It should use every endeavor to prevent
them from being occupied In such a way as to render it Impossible for
the elty to take them at some time in the future, and to Qrevent the
destruction of the forest growths existing upon them,
The second consideration in acquiring land for parks Is that much
will be gained' by the city it a cl?:arly defined, well-balanced and com?
prehensive system ot parks and parkways Is aimed at and If a can?
slstent polley Is followed, keeping In mind always the need of strict
economy both in cost of acquisition of lands and In the cost of can-
RENRT- OF THE PARK BOARD 35
struction and maintenance, and at the same time having regard for the
very important matter of betterments, especially In Its broader senge
of the general increase in taxable valuations likely to result from the
acquisition and gradual Improvement of parks and parkways.
A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM OF PARKS AND PARKWAYS
FOR PORTLAND.
A comprehensive system of parks and parkways for Portland may
be briefly outlined as follows:
West of the Willamette River and south of Riverview cemetery
there would be a large forest reservation, from which an informal
picturesque parkway would pass east of Riverview cemetery leaving
the west bank of the river at Fulton. It would keep along the hillsides
to a connection with the City Squares. would continue on the hlllsides
to City Park, would keep on the hillsides to Macleay Park and woul<J.
proceed thence along the hlllsides to another large forest reservation
on the hills northwest of Mountain View Park Addition. Attached to or
in widenings of this parkway there would be areas which could be de?
veloped as neighborhood parks and play grounds. This hillside park?
way and the two forest reservations would preserve some of the
characteristic hill landscape west of the city, and afford fine views of
the sn,owy peaks.
.East of the river. If railroad ownership of needed lands does not
prevent, there would be a river bluff parkway from Sellwood. where It
would be connected by a bridge with the parkway west of the river at
f'!'\ton, along the top of the bluffs to the 'louth end of Grand avenue.
There would' be another river bluff parkway east of the river from a
point north of the Oregon Railway &. Navigation Company's machine
shops (if the company will sell the portion of the bluff they own) to a
blu!! park west of Portland University.
These two liver bluff parkways would preserve beautiful views oJf
the river.
There would be a great meadow reservation among the Columbia
::;Ioughs east of the electric railway to Vancouver to preserve the beau?
tiful bottom land scenery.
There would be Mount Tabor Park to preserve hill scenery east c.f
the river.
A mainly formal boulevard would connect the upper river parkway
with Mount Tabor Park.
RltPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
Another boulevard from the center of Ladd's AddItion to Mount
Tabor Park would afford a direct pleasure approach to the latter.
Another boulevard mainly formal, would connect Mount Tabor Park
with Columbia Slough Park.
Ross Island' Park would preserve a liberal amount of river scenery.
Swan Island would be a desirable additional reservation of river
scenery.
The above system of scenic reservations, parks and parkways and
connecting boulevards would, if supplemented by an adequate number
of neighborhood parks, play grounds and ornamental squares, form an
admirable park system for such an Important city as Portland Is
bound to become.
A MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SUGGESTED
PARK SYSTEMS.
For convenience we shall assume that the word "parkway" means
an informal pleasure d'rive (with walks), Including strips of varying
width of land preserving existing woods, or to be planted picturesquely,
while the word "boulevard" will mean a pleasure drive with walks and
planting strips of uniform width, to be improved In a formal manner
and usually not so wide as a parkway.
PARK SQUARES.
These existing square&-twenty in number and most of them 100
feet by 200 feet-have great value not only for the possibilities which
they present for recreation and for local decorative effects. but also
owing to the Improvement which they effect, in the city plan as forming
two strong ornamental features of formal character interrupting the
monotonous succession of city blocks and creating two nuclei similar
in character to those created In New York by Union Square and
Madison Square, Thirteen of these squares and a half one form a con?
t inuous row extending In a south southwest direction from the heart
of the densely populated part of the city west of the river to the foot
of the high hill known as Portland Heights, These thirteen and a half
squares. with the two streets between which they lie. correspond
closely in effect to Commonwealth avenue in Boston. and It is practic?
able to similarly extend a continuous system of parkways and parks
outward from tbem. Many of the largest and bandsomest public and
semi-public buildings ought hereafter to face upon these squares.
I
I
R..ltPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
NORTHWEST HIl.l.SIDE PARKWAY.
.,..,
JI
Beginning at the southwesterly end of the row of park squares, it
would be practicable and exceedingly desirable to layout a parkway,
which, bending first to the south and soon turning abruptly and running
in a generally northwesterly direction, and rising rapidly to get above
existing houses, would pass one of the city reservoirs situated in a
gulch or small canyon at the southwest end of Tenth street. Continuing
to rise, in a northwesterly direction, the parkway could probably be
Illade to reach a remarkably prominent view point, alread"y well known
and much resorted to by the citizens of Portland Heights and the
neighboring parts of the city, situated on the line of Seventeenth street.
which is here on paper only, and half way between Hall street (also
on paper only) and Montgomery street, and about one hundred feet
east of Terrace road. This view point is well worth preserving as a
local park, even if it be found Impracticable to carry out the proposed
parkway. Turning abruptly southwesterly into the ravine and then
northwesterly the parkway could be made to reach a higher, larger anq
locally more attractive view point, known as "Smith's View Point,"
which is almost on the line of Market street, and three blocks west of
Chapman street, upon which Is the cable Incline. Both of these view
points, and, In fact nearly all of the parkway between them, would
command unobstructed views of the city, which, from Its close prox?
Imity, would be very Interesting to examine In detail, and at the same
time the distant views are among the finest to be commanded from any
of the hills about the city. From no other points will It be possible to
view the city so close at hand, and at the same time so high above It,
with so little possibility of obstructions, which would detract from or
block the view, being created" hereafter.
From "Smith's View Point" the parkway could be made to bend
along the hll1slde forming the southeast wall, of the canyon of Tanner
Creek. The hll1slde is exceedingly steep, and some special devices
might be required, such as retaining walls and splitting the drive into
two narrow drives at different levels. If sufficient land could be
secured on the spur northwest of "Smith's View Point," it might be
cheaper to construct the drive in several zig-zags. In either case, the
d'rive would be carried across Tanner Creek by a bridge, high above
the bottom of the canyon, to the ridge between Tanner Creek and the
proposed addition to City Park, and across this ridge on a winding line
to the corner of the addition to City Park at Carter street (which forms
the boundary between the park and West End Addition). Within the
park the drive could be continued' up the ravine formerly occupied by a
cable railway Incline, now abandoned'. Bending back westerly Into the
ravine and there turnIng sharply, the drive would run In an easterly
UPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
direction to a very flne ,(,;'10 point directly west of the lower reservoir
in City Park. Although not commanding so broad a view as the other
view points already mentioned, the prospect from. this view point Is
exceedingly picturesque, because of the masses of forest trees on each
s~de of the ravine. From here, the drive could' be made to ascend to
the northwest corner of the park on Kingston avenue. A branch would
descend and connect with the existing drives In City Park north of the
upper reservoir. North of the park the parkway would bend westward
and ascend along the steep south side of the canyon of Johnson Creek.
and crossing the brook would turn abruptly and run In a northeasterly
direction up along the north side of the canyon to toe sharp spur In
KIng's Heights. At this point there would be a fine view If the present
young trees and bushes which obstruct It were sufficiently removed.
A tract of several acres which, for convenience, may be called King's
View Point, should be acquired at this point, which should be cleared
of trees, except low-growing sorts at the lower end. It would serve as
a local pleasure ground, but its main use would be to keep the view
open from the parkway. From this point. the parkway should be ex?
tended nearly west to Macleay Park. This portion could easily be
made so nearly level as to admit of <!rIVing at a trot, although Its
narrowness and Its necessary crookedness would prevent Its use for
fast drhlng. It would be exceedingly desirable to take, In connection
with this parkway wherever practicable, all the steep land below It,
and also a fairly wide strip above It where there are woods enough
above it to make possible the effect of driving through woods. Where
there are woods, occasional glimpses could be openeu \}p of the dis?
tant landscape, thus affording a succession of picturesque effecta con?
trasting with the broad open views to be obtained from the more
prominent open view points. If the city can do nothing else In the way
of acquiring parkways, It should at least secure the land' needed tor
the eventual construction of this hillside drlve, for In proportion to Ita
cost It would be far more valuable than any other parkway possible to
be laid out in the city, because of the views which it would command
and the romantic local scenery which could be associated with It, and
because It would be so characteristic and so conveniently accessible.
The drive within Macleay Park forming a continuation of this
parkway might gradually descend In a direction a little north of west
to a junction with Cornell road somewhere near the west boundary ot
Macleay Park. or it may be necessary, In order to secure proper grades
without excessive cost of construction, to extend the drive beyond the
park higher up the canyon, and more or less parallel WIth Cornell n?.d.
In this case, the park should. if possible, be extended westward to
include both sides of Balch Creek, to such point as it might be con?
venient. for the parkway to cross the creek. The drive should then
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD 39
turn and run in an easterly direction and climb on moderate grades to
the crest of the northeast spur of the hill north of the present boundary
of Macleay Park, where there would be a remarkably fine view point,
which may be called "Macleay's View Point."
Suitable enlargements of Macleay Park, it will be seen, will provide
for this extension of the hillside parkway to a sufficiently satisfactory
terminus or objective point, for, of course, such a drive should lead to
something worth while as well as being provided with features of
ir.terest along Its route.
It may be necessary to be content, in the matter of hillside park?
ways, with this one from the Park Squares to Macleay Park, and it
surely would be such a grand and unique parkway that the people of
the city would be able to boast of it for all time; but the project of
extending this hillside drive both above and below the city is so ex?
tremely attractive and at the same time apparently so well within the
bounds of the financial possibilities of the case, If taken in time and if
assisted by the cO-<Jperation of land owners, that its extension sbould
be very carefully studied by your commission, and every effort made
to secure the land for it.
The Northwest Hillside Parkway could be continued from Macleay's
View Point as many miles as can be afforded along the north fiank of
the hill, either up to and along the top of the ridge where it wouid
command views in both directions, or nearly on a level in the midst of
the woods, bending into the ravines and out around the spurs, with
!lretty glimpses between trees of the distant landscape and of the
snow-capped peaks, or what would be better still, both routes could be
developed. A parkway following as nearly as possible the crest of the
ridge in a generally northwesterly direction north of and roughly
parallel with Cornell road, could be made to develop a considerable
number of extremely attractive sites for country residences. The two'
roads might be connected so as to provide a loop drive extending as far
from the city as may be thought desirable.
MACLEAY PARK.
The city is most fortunate in possessing this park containing part
of tbe deep, romantic. wooded ravine called Balch Canyon. Few people
know and love this beautiful sample of tbe magnificent timber which
formerly covered all the hills and ravines in the city. Aside from the
luxuriance of the woodland vegetation there is tbe added cbarm of
seclusion to a degree rarely found in a public park. The steepness of
the sides ot the ravine and the narrowness of its bottom make it availa?
ble for a comparatively small number of visitors at a time. One narrow
ILEPOR.T OF THE PARK BOARD
walk or trall, perhaps dividing and reuniting at dltlicult places, Is all
that should ever be attempted as a way along or neac the brook. A
drive there would be ruinous to Its natural beauty. Bridges, seats,
steps, handrails at dangerous places, and any other absolutely neces?
sary constructions should be substantial, but extremely simple and
countnfted. They should be mainly such lUI a woodsman bullds at
places remote from civilization. Cornell road should be kept narrow
and care should be taken not to throw earth or rock tram it down the
steep slope, whenever It Is further improved. Retaining walls should
be used instead of slopes. It may sometimes cross the little side?
ravines by means? of TWltic stone arches. There may be a narrow hill?
side path or two along the hillside forming the north side of the ravine
whlcn runs about northeast. The boundanes of thiS park are. very
msappomting, being very lll?related to the essential Character of the
park which Is [(leant to preserve a noble wooded ravine. The park
should be extended down the ravine at least to Thurman street and
preferably to the St. Helens road. There should? be a boundary street
on each side of the ravine, connecting with Thurman street, both on
gracefully curving lines to fit the contouT of the ground. That on the
south side of the ravine should connect with the. Cornell road. That
on the north side should rise with a moderate grane to a connection
with some street in Mountain VIew Park or In AddItion No. 1 to that
subdivision. The other bonndaries should also oontorm to hl1lside
streets with suitable grades. The undergrowth should never be cut olf
under any consideration. Large picnic parties shouln be prohIbIted
and there should be no provision for popular amusements. Tributary
to tlalch Canyon and southwest of thIs park are two ravines, the sIdes
of whIch are so exceedIngly steep and so broken that It would seem
that It would be good policy to add them to the park, although the
woods in them have been much damaged by wood-cboppers and fires.
FOREST PARK.
For about 8 mlla northwest of the hill north of Balch Canyon the
woods have been so much cnt and burnt that they are not nearly as
valuable as they are on the steep blllsides beyond the spur southwest
of the northwest or broader arm of Guild Lake. From this spur north?
westerly there are a successIon of ravInes and spurs covered with
remarkably beautiful primeval woods, which have at present relatively
little commercial value. The Investment of a comparatively moderate
sum In the acquisition of these romantic wooded hillsides for a park or
reservation of wild woodland" character would yIeld ample returns In
pleasure to taxpayers and to those dependent on them, while to a
large part of the poorer duses a visit to these woods would alford
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
more pleasure and satisfaction than a visit to any other sort of park.
It is true that some people look upon such woous merely as a trouble?
some encumbrance standing in the way of more profitable use of the
land, but future generations will not feel so and will bless the men who
were wise enough to get such woods preserved. Future generations,
however, will be likely to appreciate the wild beauty and the grandeur
of the tall fir trees in this forest park or reservation, as it would per?
baps better be called, its deep, shady ravines and bold view?command?
ing spurs far more than do the majority of the citizens of today, many
of whom are familiar with similar original woods. But such primeval
woods will become as rare about Portland as they now are about
Boston. If these woods are preserved, they will surely corne to be
regarded as marvelously beautiful. With the exception of the top of
the ridge, the land is either so steep and broken or so inaccessible IlS
to be wholly unfitted for occupation by dwellings of a good character,
and for a cheap class of residences, the expense for streets and other
improvements would be out of an proportion to the ultlmate value of
the land. No use to which this tract of land could be put would begin
to be as sensible or as profitable to the city as that of making it a
public park or reservation, leaving out of it, if it should be found
necessary for economy, the top of the ridge, which might come to have
a special value for country residences, and may, therefore, have a
greater present value for speculative purposes than the steep hill?
sides.
SOUTH HILLSIDE PARKWAY.
The hillside parkway extending southelrSterly from tire south end of
the row of city squares presents a more difficult problem, In the matter
of land acquisition, than the parkway extending northwesterly from
Mac1eay Park, yet, if it should prove possible to secure, with the co?
operation of land owners, the needed right-of?way and sufficient land
below it to ensure command of the views, this parkway would have
great value both to the people using it and to the owners of residence
properties which It would make agreeably accessible. It should be
carried through to Riverview cemetery, or even further to a forest park
on the beautiful ridge south of the cemetery. This parkway would be
a feature of which the city would justly be proud, and it would almost
certainly be a paying investment through the increased taxable valua?
[ion which it would give to the high land along its course, much of
which will become a'l"ailable for high-class suburban and country resi?
dences. Macadam street, running nearly parallel with the river. below
the steep hillsides south ot the city, has come to be regarded as, per?
haps, the principal pleasure drive leading out ot the city. At any rate
it Is tbe best one leading in a southerly direction. but it Is necessary to
IUtPOllT OF THE PARK BOARD
drive a long distance through city streets, turning several right-angled
corners and passing over disagreeably. It not dangerously. steep grades
to get to It, and even If It were put In good condition as to Its paving,
It must Inevitably, from Its location, always be used by heavy wagons,
which make It almost Impossible to keep the roadway in good condition,
and. if numerous. greatly Inconvenience pleasure driving. It seems to
be perfectly obvious that this street can only be regarded as a tem?
porary expedient as a route for pleasure d"rivlng. A reasonable consid?
eration of the urgent requirements of the future In the matter of a
pleasure drive southward from the city, forces the conclusion that the
southern pleasure drive should be laid out on gentle grades above the
electric railway, and as soon as possible, lest its best course be Inter?
f~ed with by the erection of dwel1lnga and by rising values of the land,
especially near the city.
NORTHWESTERN RIVER PARKWAY.
St, Helens road, In tha low land at the base of the steep hills north?
west of the city. Is nearly level, and commands at present exceedingly
beautiful scenery. It has therefore come to be valued as a pleasure
ltrlve. It begins at Thurman street, whence It descends along the east
side of Balch Canyon to a safe level above fioods. The approaches to
It through the city streets, although Indirect owing to the absence of a
proper diagonal avenue through the rectangular system ot streets, II
decidedly better, both with respect to grades and to the character of
tbe occupation of the land adjoining, than the approaches to Macadam
street. the present southern pleasure drive. ' It does not Seem likely
that the tramc on St. Helens road will be as heavy as on Macadam
street for some years, and if it were properly macadamized', It might
be po~sible to keep It In fair condition, but such a trame street cannot
be properly regarded permanently as a parkway or boulevard. To make
It sucll, It would be necessary either to greatly widen It, and to have
two roadways In It, one of which would be reserved exclusively tor
plea,>ure driving, or else there must be two separate streets provided
with space to be occupied by houses between them, and one of these
streets Ipresumably the higher one) could then be reserved" exclusively
for pleasure driving. If the solution of this problem is laken In hand
and accomplished within a few years, a very fine, nearly level pleasure
drive could be secured. Owing to the steepness of the hillside, the
pleasure drive next to It would have few interruptions from the en?
trance ot side streets, and by reserving a border of land along the
uphill side so that houses could only be built along its downhill side,
It would be possible to arrange suItably for a nearly level speedway a
mile or so long, at reasonable expense, There seems to be no other
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD 43
places where a speedway could be so suitably and safely Introduced
which would be at the same time so convenient to the part of the
city where the majority of those able to have fast horses would reside,
and this condition seems likely to continue for many years.
LOWER RIVER BLUFF PARKWAY.
Along the east side of the river, unlike the west side, there are
bluffs of considerable height, both above and below the city, Long
stretches of these bluffs yet remain covered' with more or less of the
original forest growths, and the local scenery although somewhat
injured by the construction of railways, for the most part is still ex?
tremely beautiful. This opportunity for a picturesque pleasure drive
and walks for the especial benefit of the residents of the large portion
of the city east of the river, ought not to be allowed to slip by until it
becomes impossible to make use of it through the growth of Improve?
ments and through the increasing land values. Below the city. begin?
ning at Cook's subdivision just north of the Oregon Railway & Naviga?
tion Company's car shops, a drive can v:ery readily be laid out along
the top of the bluff, all the way to the Portland University, and further
if desired. A considerable portion of the crest of the bluff Is already
occupied by WllIamette boulevard, but no land seems to have been
secured between the boulevard and the ground along the river liable
to be flooded to ensure the preservation of the views and the trees
and wild shrubbery. By far the most important portion of this river
bluff parkway Is that from Cook's Addition to a junction with the
'WIllamette boulevard. The drive in this portion may either follow the
edge of the level land around the ravines which Intersect the bluff, or,
in some cases, it may span these ravines by bridges. The former
method would undoubtedly be the more economical at present, and has
the great advantage of making it certain "that after straight streets
have been suitably Improved In the vicinity, heavy traftlc will not often
use the parkway because it wllI be so crooked. All the land between
the driveway and the low land subject to be tlooded should be secured.
but this will be impracticable without the consent of the Oregon Rail?
way & Navigation Company which has recently acquired a good deal
of It. It would undoubtedly be wise to take a few acres of the levei
upland In connection with this parkway, in order to provide a locai
pleasure ground and play ground for the large district adjoining, wblch
seems destined to have a great population. An arrangement should be
made with the trustees of the Portland University for extending the
drive to the tIne commanding view point In their grounds.
44 REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
UPPER RIVER BLUFF PARKWAY (OR SELLWOOD PARKWAY).
A somewhat similar picturesque parkway can be laid out along the
top of the bluff from the south end of Grand avenue to Sellwood, It
land values have not already risen too high to prevent It, and if other
difficulties can be overcome. The principal difficulty Is that a new
railroad company has acquired much of the land which will be needed
for this parkway and indeed the laying out of the parkway will be
impossible without the consent of this company. The construction of
this railroad has badly damaged the bluff and Its close proximity to the
pleasure drive will detract somewhat from the value of the latter.
This railroad, like that below the city east of the river, has greatly
injured the views. where It has been run over the low mead'ows and
tIats between the bluff and the river south of Holgate street. From a
little south of the last mentioned street, a considerable stretch of the
crest of the bluff Is occupied by Milwaukie avenue and an electric
street railway. To secure a suitable arrangement. it would be neces?
sary to move the avenue and street railway far enough back. from the
bluff to enable the pleasure drive to be laid out where the street now
is. It the necessary land for the widening should be secured, the
actual moving of the electric street railway and avenue might be poet?
poned for many years. Another diftlculty occurs at the new crematory
which has been built 80 close to the bluff that there Is no room for a
pleasure drive. Unlel!s the crematory can be moved. the d'riv8 would
have to pass back of It. Here and again just BOUth of the crematory
the electric street railway occupies the crest of the bluff and would
have to be moved back. From the last mentioned place to Sellwood.
there are no physical ditllculties, but most of the land is owned by the
new railroad. It will be desirable to construct eventually a bridge acroM
the river, which would afford a desirable connection between the
southern hillside parkway and the Sellwood' parkway at a point between
the village of Fulton and the north end of Riverview cemetery. The
elevation of the bridge could be established at a height Buftlc!ent to
carry It over both the railroads and to render It'unnecessary to open the
draw for t.ug boats and ordinary river steamers. Such a bridge wi)}
doubtless ultimately become a public necessity without regard to the
question of parkways. but it would be well In locating and designing it
to keep in mind' its possible use as a necessary connecting link In a
system of parkways.
SELLWOOD PARK.
It the needed land can be obtained of the new railroad company
now owning all the open tract north of Sellwood. a local park large
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD 45
enough to contain ten to fifteen acres of the level ground in addi tion
to the bluff and some of the river front, ought by all means to be
secured, even if nothing is done to improve it for many years. The
population in this part of the city is now small, but some pleasure
ground of this sort is certain to be needed, and will be very desirable
as a terminus to the proposed river bluff parkway. After the sug?
gested bridge is built across the river at Fulton, and after the popula?
tion shall have grown up on both sides of the river, this little park
will come to have greater importance than it is easy to realize at the
present time. If a meadow park cannot be secured here, it would be
very desirable to secure a sufficient tract of flat land east of Milwaukie
avenue for a park largely devoted to field games.
MOUNT TABOR PARK.
There seems to be every reason why a portion, at least, of Mount
Tabor should be taken as a public park. It is the only important land?
scape feature for miles around, and the population in its vicinity is
destined to be fairly dense. It is already a good d'eal resorted to by
people for their Sunday and holiday outings, and it will be better
known to and more visited by the citizens as time goes on. It has been
sufficiently cleared to open up all the important views from one point
or another of it, yet there still survive considerable' groves of the
original growth of fir trees, including many tall ones, as well as other
trees and shrubs. There can be but little doubt that public sentiment
will cordially support the city government in acquiring considerable
land on this prominent and' beautiful hill. It will hardly be possible
to take too much land on the hill, but financial restrictions may compel
the curtailment of the park area to a comparatively small portion of'
the hill. In order to attain the purposes of the park. it will be abso?
lutely essential to take the residence now occupying the highest point
on the hill, and it win be necessary to take land in all directions from
this point far enough do'wn the slopes to enable the park commission
to prevent the growth of trees which would eventually block the views.
The summit of the hill has an elevation of 645 feet but some good view
points are lower than this. South,,?est of the summit the slope is so
steep that it cannot be very valuable. and here it will be well to taKe
down to the base of the steep slope. East of the summit it would prob?
ably be necessary to take down to Conkling avenue (extended). North
of the summit, it may prove necessary to limit the taking by Belmont
axenue, but north,,?est of the summit it will be very de5irable to take
the secondary peak and its steep slopes north ward down to the electric
railroad. West of the summit ridge, it may be impracticable to take
any considerable areas except in the ravines, which apparently have
lLEPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
little value for realdentlal purposes, and yet are very picturesque and
would make attractive features In a public pleasure ground. In some
cases It would seem that their preservation as part of the park ought
to be worth 80 much W the owners of the adjoining higher lands that
they could afrord to gIve the land' in the ravines to the city. Belmont
avenue would form an ad'equate appnlach to the summit for many
years. but adequate provIsIon should be made tor an approach drive
with easier grades from the southwest also. So much has already been
done In the way of clearing that It would cost but little more to put the
ground In suitable condItions tor use by the public. The existing resi?
dence on the summit and Its stable should be sold for removal. and a
suitable public shelter should be erected at the summit. Arrangements
should be mad'e for the sale of the purest possible milk at this shelter,
as nothing is better for many of the hot weather troubles of Infancy
than absolutely pure milk and plenty of fresh air.
COLUMBIA SLOUGHS PARK.
The remaining great landscape feature of the city is that of the
Columbia Sloughs which border the east?rn part of the ctty on the
aorth. ThIs regIon Is low and distant from the city and seems to be at
present comparatively valueless for any other than farmiD.g purposes.
It Is therefore to behoped that a much larger park of the meadow type
than can elsewhere be afrorded will gradual1y be acquIred here by the
city. It Is Important that the ftnt purchases should be made along
Slough road (now called Columbia boulevard) from the Vancouver
electric railway eastward and also north along the railway to and In?
cluding Swltzler's Lake, and If the upland margin of the'sloughs can
be secured as tar east as the present eastern boundary of the city, It
will prevent occupation of this land by numerous small residences
which would otherwise be likely to occur In time. With thIs frontage
secured, It might be safe to leave the acquisition of land further north
for another generation. It may seem to your cItizens a decidedly fool?
ish proposition to secure large areas of land for a park In the Columbia
Slough district. and some explanation of the purposes to be accom?
plished is therefore cal1ed for. If the city acquires the hills and river
frontages as suggested It will have an exceedingly valuable serIes of
public pleasure grounds. but in none of these grounds Is It possible to
provide that entirely different type of landscape which Is made up of
great stretches of meadow land bordered' and diversified by groves of
trees. No other form of park bas e~er proved so attractive and so
useful to the masses of th~ people as the meadow park, partIcularly
when there can be assoclat~d with It long reach~B of still water as a
landscape attraction and for boating purposes. There Is a surprisingly
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD 47
large number of people who win go upon a shallow park lake who will
not go, or who do not tully enjoy going upon such a ri ver as the
Willamette, where they fear being interfered with by steamers or
carried away by the current if they drop an oar, and where they do not
feel at home. To most expert boatmen the park lake would be a
foolish little thing, but the great majority of visitors to parks are not
experts, and can only thoroughly enjoy a stretch of water which ap?
pears to be ?very easy and safe to navigate. The broad mead'ows In
such a park, with their open groves and scattering trees, atIord oppor?
tunity for many thousands of people to enjoy themselves and each
other in such a way that they can do little harm to the ground and
interfere but little with each other; whereas, in the steep hillside
woodlands such great crowds of people would soon destroy the greater
part of the undergrowth and ground covering and make the ground
bare and ugly. To properly provide for the future in the matter of a
meadow park, it is necessary to secure many hundred, if not sever3.1
thousand acres and it does not appear that there is any better or more
economical place to make this provision in the neighborhood of the
city than along Columbia Sloughs. All the comparatively level areas
within the city boundary have either been subdivided and are more or
less occupied by houses, or they have already- attained a speculative
value which would make it impracticable tor the city to acquire more
than one or two quarter sections at the most, and such an area would
be entirely inadequate to the future needs of the city in this direction.
The same amount of money spent at the Columbia Sloughs would pro?
vide a far larger area of meadows adapted to field sports, and would
have the further great advantage of providing for boating lakes and
waterways, which are much needed' in such a park as a local land?
~cape attraction to supplement the beauties of the meadows and
groves. It seems almost impossible for any driving park association to
survive many years, yet the citizens who enjoy owning and driVing
last horses are an influential class, and their pleasure, it would seem,
ought to be provided tor in one of the public parks, if it can be done .
without unduly sacrificing the best interests of the majority of the
visitors to the park. Assuming that gambling can be prevented, a race
track would be a decided attraction to many visitors in addition to
those who use it for driVing. In addition to an oval track where
horses can be properly trained for racing, there might be a straight
speedway of any desired length. In no other part of the city could a
wide, long, level speedway be provided at less expense and with less
inconvenience by the interruption of crosswise traffic than at this
place. It is possible that golf may not retain its popularity Cor so many
years as to need to be permanently provided fOf, yet as this large
park would provide the only thoroughly adequate and suitable opper?
REPORT OF THE pt\RK BOARD
tunIty for golf links 80 that considerable numbers or people couid play
at once, It seems another good reason for securing It.
ROSS ISLAND PARK.
Another landscape feature of considerable importance to the city,
the value of which in this respect Is realized by but few people, Is Ross
Island and adjoining Islands. It these islands can be obtained at a
reasonable price by the city. their acquisition will unquestionably
prove In the long run a very profitable Inv?estment. Although these
islands are almost wholly covered by the annual fioods, they are not
Injured by this to any appreciable extent. and during the summer,
when people most resort to pleasure grounds of this character, the
ground wl1l be in fit condition to use for field sports and other recrea?
tlon, and the groves of trees on this island w1ll be a source of pleasure
to all who live, or have to pass, within sight of It on both sides of the
river. No doubt, In time, the Island could be made accessible tram
both sides of the river by one or more bridges, but meanwhile It would
cost but little to maintain a terry. There Is a margin around the
island between the land which is sufficiently elevated to be permanently
covered with good grass and the low water shore line of summer that
Is more or less bare or weedy. This objectionable condlUon can be
remedied (when it becomes feasible to go to the expense) by deepening
the water along the shore and using the material to raise the banks.
Long stretches can be left steep and be covered with willow bushes
and other plants which w1ll endure fioodlng; In Bome places they may
be covered with rip-rap, and in other places It may be des\rable to use
bulkheads or walls. The people, however, w1ll derive a vast deal of
enjoyment from the use at this Island as a summer pleasure ground
tor a good many years without any such Improvements.
SWAN ISLAND PARK.
Swan Island Is less desirable as a pleasure ground than Ross Island.
because turther from the center of population and more often and more
completely fiooded. hut it is equally valuable as a beauty spot In the
landscape from considerable portions of the city. If this Island can bi!
purchased at a DJoderl,lte expense, it should be secured. It would
undoubtedly prove a very "aluable asset to the city hereafter. It Is to
be hoped that It may become profitable eventually to run a line at
pleasure steamers at a very low rate of fare up and down the river,
and these steamers would make It very easy for a great many people
to reach these Islands In summer time even without ferries or bridges
maintained by the city.
REPORT OF THE PARK. BOARD
ROCKY BUTTE RESERVATION.
49
Rocky Butte is another landscape feature of considerable import?
ance, which, if it can be obtained at a sufficiently low cost, will be
profitable for the city to secure, rather with a view to its value to future
generations than to people now living. It is so tar from the center of
population, and so comparatively inaccessible, at present, and its
beauty has been so much injured by cutting and burning much of the
woods upon it, that it has less value as a public recreation ground at
present in comparison with the far more attractive Mount Tabor and
the other sites for parks and parkways which have already been men?
tioned. Still, the far side is fairly well wooded and there is a romantic
ravine just beyond it so that, if preserved, it will eventually make a.
valuable reservation of scenery.
SOUTHEASTERN BOULEVARD.
If it can be accomplished at no distant date, with the co.-operation
of the land owners, it would certainly be exceedingly d'esirable to con?
nect the parks and parkways east of the river by means of broad
boulevards. There is so much open land between Sellwood and the
Southern Pacific car shops, and from this district all the way to the
south end of Mount Tabor, that there seems to be nothing to prevent
the laying out of a broad and handsome boulevard on good grades
connecting the proposed river bluff parkway with Mount Tabor. The
value of this boulevard' would depend largel,y upon the ac~ompllshment
of the river bluff parkway, to connect it with Grand avenue, and the
bridge at Fulton would connect it with the proposed hillside parkway
west of the river. Such a boulevard would be valuable, even if it were
only 100 feet wide, but it would be far more valuable to adjoining land
owners if it were made 200 feet or more in :width, so that there might
be some ornamental grounds through the center. ConsiderIng that
both sides of the boulevard would offer most excellent house frontages.
it is obvious that the whole cost of such a parkway ought not to be
considered as a ma.tter of luxury, so that even if It should prove a dis?
appointment for many years to come in the way of increasing the value
of land fronting upon it to a sufficient degree to equal or more than
equal its excess of cost over that of an ordinary street, no serious 108S
would have been incurred. So far as the adjoining land owners are
concerned, while their land remains vacant, the area assigned to
boulevard would save them the expense of taxes upon tbeground
devoted to this purpose, while the cost of construction need not be
incurred until It is obvious that it will be profitable to undertake it.
50 RltPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
MOUNT TABOR BOULEVARD.
A far more valuable boulevard, and one which would unquestIon?
ably become Immediately profitable both to the city and to the adjoin?
Ing land owners, would be trom the center ot Ladd's Addition to Mount
Tabor. Much of the land along this route Is at present unsubdlvlded.
and even where a tew subdivisions of small extent have been adopted
and some lots sold, it would not be at all a costly matter to get thiS
boulevard through. If the owners of the greater part ot the land
through which this boulevard would be carried do not think that the
time has arrived for its opening, implying as It would a rise In value
ot the lands adjoining, with increased taxes, it nevertheless would be
wise for them to unite in dedicating the necessary land to" the parkway,
so that at any time In the tuture that It might be thought desirable and
profitable, its construction could be undertaken. Unless the land Is
t.hus assigned to the purpose now, It will become Increasingly dimcult
Lo get any such boulevard through. At no other point would it be so
easy to bring a broad, handsome boulevard so near to the center ot the
city. Its width undoubtedly ought to be 200 teet, If the highest value
to the adjoining land and to the city and public at large Is to be con?
sidered, and It certalnly ought to start at the circle In the middle of
Ladd's Addition, since this would form at the cltyward end a dignified
nnd attractive terminus. It practicable, Ladd avenue and Elllott
a"enue ought to be somewhat wider from the circle to East Twelfth
!\treet. Ladd avenue Is already a great deal used by heavy tra1llc, as
It Is an extremely convenient diagonal line, which ought to be extended
In a northwesterly direction through Hawthorne Park to. or as near as
possible to Morrison street. Elliott avenue also ought, if practicable,
to be extended to a connection with the proposed river bId parkway,
crossing the Southern Pacific railway by a bridge.
NORTHEASTERN BOULEVAR~
Another desirable boulevard, In case the suggestion of a great park
at Columbia Sloughs Is carried out, would be from Mount Tabor to
Sandy road at the point where it rises steeply over the low bluff which
bounds the city topograpblcally on the northeast about bait way be?
tween the WlIlamette River and Columbia Slougbs. It should then
follow the top ot this bluff, becoming tor a mile or two an Inform'"
parkway-that Is. on cun-Ing lines to fit the top of the bluff, and
hroad" enough as to landtaklng to include the slope so that the views
may be permanenlly kept open wherever desired. After leaving the
bluff this boulevard may be continued northward on a straight line to
Columbia Slougha Park. The number ot land sabdlvislons and houses,
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD 51
ailO consequently Increased values In lands between Mount Tabor and
Sandy road, may make it difficult to get a suitable boulevard through
thi:: section of the city, but from Sandy road to the Columbia Sloughs,
there are no such difficulties to be encountered'. As much of Sandy
road passes through a quarter of the city which, not being provided
with an electric railway, has not been fully subdivided and is not
rl'3nsely populated, It might be practicable, as It would certainly be
desirable. within a few years, to widen this road sufficiently to provide
two driveways, one of whiC'h could be devoted permanently to pleasure
driving. Such a boulevard would form a valuable feature by itself, but
would be worth much more in connection with the proposed boulevard
from Mount Tabor to Columbia Sloughs.
NORTHERN BOULEVARD.
One other boulevard is needed to complete the system, namely,
from WlIlamette boulevard to Columbia Sloughs Park. There are sev?
eral different routes, the choice between wh!<'h would depend largely
llpon what land owners are willing to do. The one which would ap?
parently be the easiest of accomplishment would leave Willamette
houlevard at the west end of Portland boulevard', which should be
widened from 100 feet (its present width) to 200 feet as far as the
east side of Goodmorning Addition. The proposed boulevard would be
continued thence to Columbia Sloughs, crossing Columbia boulevard at
the point where it is crossed by the Vancouver electric railway. A
desirable variation on this route would be to ha..e the proposed'
boulevard leave WllIamette boulevard at the point near the bluff
where the old county road intersects Willamette boulevard, and run?
ning across Day's Addition and Park Addition, proceed on curved lines
:0 the southeast corner of Goodmorning Addition. From this point to
Columbia Sloughs the route ot the previously suggested' boulevard
would be followed. Another desirable varIation would leave the pro?
posed park above the bluff at the south side of Lynn subdivision and
run north through the middle of the Riverside Addition along the line
of Concord street and then on curving lines to the southeast corner of
Goodmornlng addition. Or It might follow the line of Patton avenue.
A firth alternative route would run north from Willamette boulevard,
past the east side ot Columbia Park and thence on curving lines
diagonally northeastward to Columbia boulevard, which ought to be
widened so as to provide two driveways eventually. as it will inevita?
toly become an important traffic road, and would theretore. unless pro?
..Ided with two driveways. be unsuitable as a pleasure drive. There are
&everal so-ealled boulevards In the northern part ot the city, but none
of them appear to be over 100 feet wide. Hence they are not enough
Jt.EPOJt.T 01" THE PARK BOARD
wider than ordinary avenues oi iiberaj width or enough hand80mer to
entitle them to be properly designated llll boulevards. Moreover some
of them are 80 located that they are convenient In direction tor heavy
trame. and It wll1 therefore be exceedingly difficult to prevent heavy
teams trom using them. For these reasons. BOme of these so-called
boulevards ought to be widened so that two driveways can be provided.
one of which can be reserved exclusively for pleasure vehicles. To
properly carry out the essential idea of beauty in connection with
these boulevards. there should be agreements, between tile property
owners and the city. restricting the adjoining lands to prevent houses
from being built within certain distances from the side Hnes ot the
boulevard. If this bullding?limit Hne Is only ten teet from the boulevard
it will add materially to the value of the latter and wll1 be practically
no Injury to the value ot the land; but In general the bulldlng-Hmll.
line should' be twenty or thirty feet from the boulevard, and wherever
the owners can be induced to arrange for deeper lots. the buildlng?
limit Hne should be forty. or better. fifty teet from the boulevard. T~18
Is an exceedingly Important matter, and ought to be carried through at
once. while the lands are still generally owned in large tracts. Many
of the finest and most expensive boulevards in the country are now
being seriously Injured In appearance, and some even ruined, by a
failure to act in this matter. Stores and apartment houses are being
hullt right out to the Hne adjoining residence properties where the
houses are set well back from the Hne, but whose owners have no
recourse against this outrageous damage to the beauty of their sur?
roundlngs. In the City of Washington the same purpose bas been
accompHshed. not by means ot restrlctlons. put by tbe abljOlute owner?
ship of tbe front dooryards by the city as a legal portion of the streets.
L1cenges are tben granted from time to time to the lot'owners to fence
in and occupy these areas between the sidewalk and the fronts of the
houses as front dooryards. but In sucb a way as not to be injurious to
the effect of the street as a whole or to nel~hborlng property owners.
This method of accomplishing the purpose In view has the great merit
of obviating any possible objection on the part of the owners or pur?
chasers of land or their legal advisers. which might be raised against
such a restriction iI\. a deed. It is easily applied where parkways or
avenues or streets are laid out through cheap lands. but when land
becomes valuable it Is usually easier to carry out the restriction
method.
GUILD LAKE.
In the main this lake presents an attractive natural landscape
feature. well adapted to be converted Into a park. It is. however. a
fair question whether this area may not eventually be dyked and
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD 53
drained and filled and used for manufacturing and other commercIal
purposes. Such apparently waste lands have come to be used in this
manner in other cities, and considering that there are plenty of other
opportunities for parks, and that especially in the case ot steep hill?
sides, it will be a positive gain to the wealth of the city to take them
out of the market, whereas in this case there is at least a question as !
to the ultimate financial benefit of so doing, it seems inadvisable to
press the matter at present. In case it should be determined that it
would be essential for commercial occupation to fill the area to a heighl(:
that would be safe from floods, and that this amount cannot be done
with any chance of profit, it may become reasonable to take this area
for a park. If suitable drains or ditches at a sufficient height above the
floods could be provided, by which the storm water from the country
southwest of the lake could be carried independently to the river and
the lake and its margins thus protected from storm water other than
the rain which would tall upon them, and assuming that the railroad
is, or can easily be made to be a sufficient protective levee, it would be
an easy matter to fit this area for park purposes. The lake could be
held at a uniform height and where the shores are ugly, as on the side
towards the sawmill, and along some portions of the railroad, some
filling could be done with material dredged "from shallow parts of the
lake, and these banks could be planted. Tne neck could be connected
'with the mainland by a bridge, and would be a most enjoyable pleasure
ground. Here and elsewhere there are areas which could be very
readily adapted for use as play grounds. In this respect alone, aside
from the natural beauties which the lake and its borders would have.
the cost of fitting this area for public use would, no doubt, be amply
justified at some future time, when the population should have become
more dense in its vicinity.
NORTH FULTON PARK.
North of Fulton, in the southern part of the city, between the rail ?
road and the river, is a beautiful stretch of low but undulating grassy
land, well furnished with broad-spreading deciduous trees, among them
the oak (which is decidedly rare elsewhere in the city) which would
be a most desirable site for a local park and play ground. ~!ost of the"
land is subject to be flooded at rare intervals, and a good deal of it is
flooded annually; hence it is entirely unsuitable to be occupied by
dwellings, and it is so far from the center of the city that it seems
unnecessary for the financial interests of the city to reserve it for
manufacturing or commercial purposes. If it is not taken as a park
and becomes occupied gradually by cheap dwellings and small com?
mercial enterprises, it is probable that the city will be put to enormous
54 lUtPOB.T OF THE PAllK BOARD
expense some day in raising all these buildings and filllng the streets
and private lands, as has been done repeatedly. In simIlar Instances
by other cities. It enough of the right bank of the river is taken in
connection with the suggested Sellwood Park, these two parks would
mutually benefit by being located opposite to ea.ch other.
THE PLAZA BLOCKS.
This pair of squares situated in the heart of the city are of the
lltmost value as giving distinction and character to a part of the city
where important pubHc and semi-publlc buildings may be grouped. It
is difficult to over-?stlmate the gain to a building of imposing propor?
tions and handsome architectural design due to a frontage on attra.c?
tive public squares such as these. It is to be hoped that these squares
may be completely surrounded, in time, by buIldings worthy of such
fine urban sites.
GOVERNOR'S PARK.
This little hill park (as might be expected in the case of a. rectan?
gular block of land on a steep and broken hlll) is exuemely unscien?
tific in its boundaries. It crosses the ridge line, the slopes below which
are so steep that It seems probable that a traftle roadway will have
to be permitted to cross the park along the ridge. to doni reasonably
convenient access to private properties. It may even prove that a
second traftlc roadway will prove to he necessary aerou the steell
northern part of the park. North of the ridge line Is a v&1ley which
quickly deepens into a little ravine. The spur east of it Is outside of
the park, but part of the crest of the spur west of the ravine III in the
park. The west boundary should be altered to include more of this
spur so there can be a view-eommanding spur walk. The most deslra?
ble addition to this park, however, would be, a strip to Include the
ravine down to the suggested reservoir park. Winding down this
ravine there could be a. charmingly secluded rustle path In the shade
of the existing fir trees, which would not only greatly enhance the
value of this park to the citizens generally and to those Hvlng within
easy walking distance of It In the thickly built-up portion of the city
north of It, but would afford to residents on the ridge a more delightful
and decidedly more convenient means of walking down and up the hill
than exists or is likely to be made in the vicinity.
TERWILLIGER PARK.
This 1lve?acre tra.ct extends nearly three blocks up the bill from
Macadam street. Besides having a rapid general slope its surface Is
..
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD 55
sufficiently varied and sufficiently turnished with torest trees to be
Interesting. It Is cut In two by Kelly street, which is regrettable, and
It has no trontage upon and only a narrow and crooked entrance tram
Corbett street, which has an electric railway and is the most bUilt-up
and most important street in the vicinity. Its west boundary has the
rears at a row ot houses backing upon It and its south boundary Is
against private property, both ot which conditions are unsuitable and
untortunate. It is to be hoped that it will be tound practicable to buy
the lots south ot this park to secure a trontage on Bancroft avenue
within a tew years and that eventually the park can be extended to a
trontage on Corbett street.
STATION SQUARE.
A liberal open space is needed in tront at and about every large
public building, and a railroad station Is no exception to this rule.
The railroad station, particularly it a union station, Is one ot the most
Important buildings ot a city. Great numbers of people arrive and
depart tram it, and theretore not only should the building itselt be
large and dignified (as it tortunately Is In this case), but, in addition,
it Is exceedingly desirable that Its surroundings should be commodious
and handsome. The present provision of open space southwest of the
station Is not liberal in effect, and will undoubtedly, In time, become
quite Inadequate to meet the requirements ot convenience. But aside
from the mere matter of convenience a favorable Impression ought to
be produced upon strangers leaving the station for points In the city,
and everyone having occasion to use the station WQuld derive a great
deal of pleasure and satistactlon trom having a public square In tront
of It.
The square In front ot the Union Station of Portland, bounded by
Johnson, Irving, Sixth and Seventh streets, Is at present partly cov?
ered with a comparatively cheap class of buildings, mostly one-storied
stores. It will be a comparatively expensive piece of ground to acquire,
yet Its acquisition would repay the city in the long run better tban the
acquirement ot any other similar tract of land.
ADDITIONAL PARK BLOCK.
The halt block north of the northernmost park square Is at present
unoccupied. and ought to be acquired by the city to complete tbe row.
It seems probable that the Northern Pacific t{atlroad Company, which
owns this half block, would be w1ll1ng to transfer It to the city.
especially It It can obtain another piece of land suftic!ently desirable
tor the purposes ot the railroad.
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
LEWIS AND CLARK SQUARE.
If the LewIs and Clark memorial building Is erected just north of
Wilson street and upon the line of Twenty-eighth street, and If the
land between It and St, Helens road cannot be otherwIse secured, It
would be very desirable for the city to take a block of land there. It
will be a particularly agreeable site for a local pleasure ground, If the
view over Guild Lake remains unobstructed by factorIes and other
commercial buildings, and its location in connection with the ground
of the Lewis and Clark memorial buildIng would' enhance the value of
both, since they could be used In common by the people as a local park.
LITTLE RESERVOIR PARK.
Whether the proposed hllIside parkway is accomplished' or not, It
would be very desirable for the city to acquIre a few acres of land for
a little local park at the southwestern end of tDe row of Park Squares,
which at present terminate abruptly and unsuitably against unsub?
divided private property, It would always be pleasing in the vistas
looking southwest through Park street and West Park street and
tlJrough the Park squares, to have a pleasure ground wIth picturesque
plantations for the eye to rest upon, rather than to have some crooked
arrangement of private buildings. Moreover, some handsome termlnu8
to such a long row of formal squares Is need"ed as Il. matter of 'dignity
and propriety. This pleasure ground should connect wIth the reser?
voIr grounds, and if possible be extended (even If narrowly) up the
ravine In which the reservoIr Is located, to a connection wIth Governor's
Park, ThIs ravine strip would be used only for a path, but thIs path
would be a very convenIent and agreeable short-cut to and from resl?
dences at or near the top of the hill, and would very greatly enhance
the value of Governor 8 Park to the public.
RIVER SQUARES.
Before the land fronting on the river becomes too valuable, the cIty
ought to acquire a block. or at least a. halt block on each side of the
river. as near the center of the city as practicable. These little rlver?
tront squares would become, in time, exceedingly valuable as pleasure
grounds, particularly to the large poor population which wl1l always
congregate in the lower and most densely populated parts of the city.
Two most desirable locations, having regard to the needs of the
future population, would be between the Morrison-street bridge and' th~
Burnside-street hridge, but there should be others. ..\ comparatively
cheap style of Improvement would serve well enough until the city
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD 57
could alford to do better. It would be hardly worth while to arrange to
prevent every portion of the square from being flooded. The mos~
sHviceable arrangement would be to have a succession of terraces,
each one with a walk and a row of trees, under which benches could
be placed. The trees would be but little (i'amaged by floods, and some
such arrangement would accom!llodate the greatest number of people
in the small space available. Provision should be made for a band?
stand, for a floating boat-letting establishment, and for sand?pits,
swings and other amusement apparatus for little children in the higher
portions.
HAWTHORNE PARK.
The existence of a ravine, with a very large spring in it, and at?
tractive groves of large flr trees, makes it very desirable to secure at
least a small park In this locality, if the cost be not unreasonable. It
is a good site also with regard to distribution of local parks and
proximity both to the large and increasing poor population on Its west
and to a district on its east already partly filled with a good grade of
n:sidences. The suggestion has already been made that Ladd avenue
be continued across this locality, and If this is done, it might be well
to make this park triangular instead of square.
IRVINGTON SQUARE.
A neighborhood park or at least a lar~e square should be located
with due regard to a suitable general distribution of parks, In con?
Hnlent proximity to Irvington. It might be connected with the slIg?
gested northeastern boulevard.
MULTNOMAH PARK.
This Is a small area occupying a commanding headland southwest
of Multnomah subdivision, lying west of Montana street and south of
Fremont street, and extending southwest of St. Johns county road. It
would combine the purpose of a local ornamental square, local play
gIOund and of a park commanding comprehensive river views and
hence would be more than usually valuable. Although the population
:s not dense in this neighborhood, it is evidently destined to become
so, as the car shops of the O. R. &: N. Company are located here, and
are likely to be extended so that a great many workmen wl1l be em?
ployed. If the suggested river bluff parkway along the east side of the
river below the center of the city Is carried out, this little park with a
view-commanding carriage concourse in It would form a worthy
terminus.
58 RllPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
UPPER RIVER PLAY GROUND.
If a tew acres at bottom land can be secured from the O. R. .I\: N.
Company, west ot the lower end ot the wooded part ot Ross Island,
it would be a wise provision for tuture requirements In the way of a
[.Iay ground and airing ground tor a portion of the city which Is ap?
parently destined to become densely populated by comparatively poor
p~.ople In connection with the manufacturing establishments likely to
spring up along the river, and would be needed as the starting point
for a ferry to Ross Island and the east side ot the river, and It would
he useful as a boatlng headquarters. As in the case of other riverside
I..arks, it would not be necessary to ftl1 this ground to a height which
would make all ot It above all floods, as it would be used mostly during
the summer, when there Is little danger ot ftoods, and It could be Im?
I:roved in such a way that occasional floods would cause very slight
Injury to It.
WINDEMUTH PARK.
It the upper river bluff parkway east ot the river, already sug?
gested, proves to be impracticable, either by reason of the refusal of
the Oregon Water Power .I\: Railway Company to give or sell the neces?
sary land, or because ot lack of funds for the purpose, at least a small
park should be secured at the south end ot Grand avenue. This park
should Include the bluff and at least a narrow strip ot land along the
top ot the bluff, but might desirably be extended eastward to East
Sixth street. This land contains some fairly expensive dwelUngs.
which may prevent more than a narrow taking along the top ot the
bluff. This little park would be valuable because at the views at the
river which It commands, and It would have an especial value as head?
quarters for boat livery and boat club houses, and for a terminus tor a
terry which would alford access to Ross Island and to the proposed
Upper Riverside Square. Ross Island and the two little riverside
parks would be more valuable In the aggregate than either would be
alone.
ALBINA PARK.
This growing section ot the city Is remote trom any existing or
proposed park of any considerable slae and should be provided with a
local park of considerable size. If located In the subdivision between
Albina and Irvington. where there was tormerly a race course. It
would serve tor both these centers ot population.
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
SQUARES AND PLAY GROUNDS.
59
In addition to a comprehensive system of parks and parkways, the
city should provide, from time to time, for an adequate number and
suitable distribution of local squares and play grounds. In a few in?
stances, some squares have been provided by the owners of large
tracts In connection with the subdivision of their land; but the Dumber
of owners who have, and who will hereafter recognize the benefit from
a commercial point of view sufficiently to make such dedications, is
very small, and this method cannot be relied' upon to provide a city
with local parks and play grounds. Tbe matter is so intimately bound
up with the question of land values, and with local public opinion and
other local conditions, that it can only be properly investigated and
decided upon by your Board. JUdging by what has been done In other
cities, either the city should purchase several such squares from the
proceeds of a bond Issue in the near future, and then, ten years or so
later make another purchase of squares in a similar manner, or the
policy should be definitely adopted of setting aside out of funds raised
from current taxation. a reasonable sum every year to be applied to
the purchase of play grounds. It the latter policy could become so
firmly established that it could be relied upon, It would undoubtedly
prove a good one. from a business standpoint as there would' be more
likelihood of competition among land owners In the otrerlng of land.
During periods of depression in business when sales of land often come
nearly to a standstill, many owners would make much more reasonable
terms than during periods of business actlvity, which are the periods
when It Is usually easiest to obtain authority for an issue of bonds.
But in either case, the general polley should be to secure for play
grounds the cheapest possible lands that are adapted for the purpose,
and that are properly distributed, and for ornamental squares and
neighborhood pleasure grounds those tracts. the Improvement of which
would oe the most benefit to adjoining property. In some cases, the
two purposes can be combined to advantage by taking much larger
areas, and devoting the borders or the higher portions to ornamental
purposes and the lower or the most level portions to play?ground
uses. It should be borne in mind that baseball playing and football
playing and play grounds are almost certain. sooner or later, to be
strenuously objected to, In small parks adjoining good neighborhoods,
and that they are most necessary and most used In localities occupied
by the poorer classes.
Additional squares. suitably dlstrl,buted about the city. should be
secured from time to time as the expense can be atrorded, or as the
owners of subdivisions are wllllng to dedicate them.
60 REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
CITY PARK.
The name of this existing park Is not distinctive. It might be called
"Explorers' Park" or "Lewis and Clark Park," to honor Lewis and
Clark. the early explorers, or "Settlers' Park," in commemoration or
the early settlers who bravely endured many hardships that their
descendants might possess a beautiful and prosperous city of their
own. "Pioneer Park" would be a more euphonious title. but might be
thought to be imitating Seattle.
This park Is an illustration of how valuable for purposes of recrea?
tlon additional large areas of hillside land southwest of the city would
become In the course of time, as the population grows. Already the
capacity of City Park is taxed to Its utmost upon holld'ays and pleasant
Sundays lu summer.
Lack of due appreciation of the problems of park development,
combined with insufficiency of funds applicable to the purpose, have
prevented the securing of proper boundaries of this park. The park
should have included the steep land along the south side of Barnes
county road eastward from the present park boundary to a point at
Ford street. Buildings and high land values now prevent this exten?
slon of the park, but it may be possible to take suffiCient land back or
the lots facing on Barnes county road to provide for a drive and walk
and suitable planting borders. It would be essential to have a screen?
Ing border plantation along the downhill side of this drive to hide the
rear premises of the lots above referred to, but not necessarily along
the uphill side as the proposed drive could be made to serve as acceaa
to lots facing upon Ita uphill side. A slight but apparently easily
accomplished modification of the lot lines of Cedar Hill Addition would
doubtless prove to be necessary. Possibly a few of the westerly loll
facing on the county road might be added to the park without undue
expense.
The main driving entrance to City Park from the east ahould be
from the end of Park avenue. The existing drives near thlB entrance
answer well enough for the present, but eventually they should be
moved further frum the boundary, which should then be concealed by
evergreen shrubbery. One of the drives leading from the Park avenue
entrance to the concourse north of the upper reservoir should eventu?
ally be widened. The southerly of these two drives seems to be the
more desirable for this purpose.
Another entrance drive which will become more Important In the
future. Is that from Jefferson street. The plan of this drive should be
improved, so as to secure better grades and less sharp turns, and so 8!J
to provide for a mod'erate Widening. The principal drives In this park
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD 61
ought eventually to be at least twenty-four feet wide, exclusive of gut?
ters, as this is the least width which would permit a rapidly moving
carriage to be conveniently driven by a slowly moving one occupying
the middle of the road.
Before long, a drive should be extended from the north side of the
upper reservoir to the flne view point west of the lower reservoir.
There should be a widening or concourse at this point, where carriages
could turn comfortably, and to encourage people to stop and enjoy th'e
view. From this concourse the d?rive could be extended diagonally
up the hill t.o Kingston avenue near the north boundary of the park.
If a portion or the whole of the Poorhouse Farm Is added to the park,
a drive could be extended on a winding course to a view point on top
of the ridge. Another drive may be extended from this concourse west
of the lower reservoir, southwest along the side of the ravine, amI
turning at the bottom of the ravine near the abandoned foot bridge,
may be extended' easterly on the south side of the ravine to a junctio'll
with Carter street. If a drive of adequate width can be carried over
the darn of the upper reservoir so that one could drive from the Jefl'er?
son-street entrance conveniently to the concourse at the north end of
the upper reservoir, the system of drives thus outHned would seem to
be all that is likely to be necessary in this park. The narrow drive
running up the hill southerly from the northwest end of the lower
reservoir seems to accomplish no purpose not better accomplished by
the drives above suggested. The grading which has been already done
for this drive is not wide enough for a drive and the crosswise slope is
so steep that it would be difficult to widen it, but It can be used for a
walk. The same Is true In regard to another narrow drive heretofore
.projected to run southerly up the hill from the west side of the upper
reservoir.
If It can be obtained at a reasonable price, it would be well worth
while for the city to acquire the point of llmd where Canyon road joins
Jefl'erson street. This point of land is partly covered with native
forest trees, which form a valuable feature of the view from the pro?
posed high concourse west of the lower reservoir, whereas If left in
private ownership, it will almost ineVitably become an eyesore. For
I he same reason it would be desirable to take a strip. including most
of tbe steep land from the east boundary of the park south of the lower
reservoir around the spur along Canyon road, at least about 700 feet.
The present site of the greenhouse and other administration build?
ings in this park is too conveniently accessible from the city side of
the park, and therefore too "aluable for the use of visitors to be per?
manently occupied for its present purposes. The green bouses, barns,
etc., ought eventually to be moved up to tbe terrace along the east side
It "
JlItPORT OF THR PARK BOARD
of Kingston avenue, particularly the northern part ot this terrace,
leaving, however, ample room for the drive to Kingston avenue already
suggested, and tor planting borders. The south end ot this terrace,
commanding as it does the extremely fine view down through the
ravine, ought to be reserved for a large public shelter, with broad
verandas and terraces. The greenhouse would probably best be set
with its greatest length north and south, parallel with Kingston avenue,
yet tar enough back trom it to leave room for working yards, cold
trames and the like, which should be screened from view by high
hedges. A double-span greenhouse with the ridge running north and
south is the best for park propagating purposes. If It Is desired to
torce roses and the like, there might be a three-quarter span house
arranged as a wing facing south at the north end of the main range.
The heating plant and potting shed would, of course, be at the north
end ot the range, with ample yard room north of It. Further to the
north on the terrace, If there is rQOm enough, there may be the park
stable with a range ot yards between it and the greenhouse yards for
storage ot various constructon materials, and such sheds as may be
necessary. The barn should be constructed in accordance with a pleas?
ing design, but in the cheapest possible manner, as, for instance, with
vertical boarus and cleats, both rough and stained merely. For a great
many years it would be an extravagant waste ot money to put up
costly structures because every dollar of available park funds would
much better be expended In the acquisition of lands, and for the long
but economical drives and walks needed to make them available.
For the same reason, the animal houses,' pavilions and other struc?
tures should be picturesque In design, but simple and economical in
coniltructlon. All effort at what might be called handsome archltec$?
ural etrects, such as mouldings, !luted columns, pilasters, capitals and
the like should be avoided. The desirable effect should be obtained
rather by the general form and by means of pleasing color stains, used
In a broad, simple way.
Considering that prudent business management requires the acquisi ?
tion ot additional park lands while they may yet be had without hav?
ing to pay tor expensive improvements, it would be wise to considera?
bly reduce the amount ot tender bedding and formal flower displays,
but if it be considered Impolitic to do so, they should be transferred
to the tormal terrace already graded east of Kingston avenue. These
garden decorations could be made handsome and appropriate features
it treated In the formal manner which would naturally tollow the occu?
pation of these terraces, but they are exceedingly Inappropriate, and
one may almost "ay offensive to persons of refined taste, scattered
about as they are on irregular slopes and In the midst of wild forest
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
trees. A moderate amount of flowers can be maintained in connection
with necessary buildings, such as the animal houses, shelters and the
like, but the existing beds of tlowers elsewhere in the informal por?
tions of the park ought, as a rule, to be obliterated. Trees and tall ?
growing shrubbery should be planted about the buildings wherever
possible, as they are at present unduly conspicuous and usually not in
themselves agreeable. Even where they are pleasing in design, they
are incongruous with the wild character firmly established by the
numerous fir trees and other forest trees. Fences, wherever neces?
sary, should be screened by shrubs and vines, except where walks are
carried to or along them to enable visitors to see the animals. In case
of enclosures, the animals in which would destroy the vines and' shrub?
bery, the planting can be kept far enough outside of the fences to be
safe, or there may be an additional inconspicuous wire fence. Unless
there is some important reason to the contrary. the use of white and
very light colors should be avoided in the informal parts of the park,
and even in the formal part of the park all buildings not of good
classic design, should be painted or stained a dark and inconspicuous
color. This rule is particularly applicable to the greenhouses, which
though conspicuous, are not handsome architecturally.
The scattering about of small coniferous evergreens which are by
nature, or are made by clipping, noticeably dense and formal, should be
avoided, and many such trees already planted should be removed to
tne more formal portion of the park or eliminated. It is stlll more im?
portant to do away with clipped shrubs and hedges, rows of trees or
shrubs and formal or narrow beds along the drives and walks in the
old, informal portion of the park.
A rockery composed of picturesque stones, with the crannies tllled
with interesting plants, may, in some cases, be picturesque and' agree?
able, but certainly the rockery bullt up with small stones on level
ground at the junction of roads near the npper reservoir in this park
is questionably good to look at in itself, anD. certainly utterly out of
place. Such an affair should be worked into a steep hillside or small
ravine where there is not too much shade, and in a situation where it
can only be seen close at hand, or where it can be screened from gen?
eral views by informal plantations.
Grass in the form of clipped turf is particularly adapted for lawns
that are to be walked upon, but on steep banks it will not stand this
usage. Hence on level or gently sloping land turf suggests strolling
and Is there appropriate. while on steep slopes it is usually inappropri?
ate because it is not proper there to suggest or invite strolling. More?
over, well-kept turf is notably smooth and therefore appropriate on
level or gently sloping land. whereas on irregular, steep slopes It Is in-
JUU>OIlT OF THE PARK BOARD
appropriate. Few gardeners seem to discriminate In such cases. They
are apt to extend turf all through wild woods and even over steep
slopes where they do not want the public to walk. On most of the
steep slopes In the park, It is extremely desirable to cover the ground
with vegetation of a more varied and more picturesque character than
grass, Where planting has been done more or less with exotic trees
and shrubs, there Is no better plant for this purpose than the dwarf
periwinkle, especially If used as a ground covering among rhododen.?
drons and" other evergreen shrubs. The English Ivy Is also very useful
as a ground cov~ring plant In dense shade where It wlIl not cause
too much trouble by cO'l"ering and smothering shrubs. On the other
hand, where the wild native trees and shrubs prevail the Sallal, ever?
green huckleberry and other native plants should be used as a ground
cover, although not so easy to transplant as periwinkle and English
Ivy. Among the comparatively inexpensive improvements which can
be made In this park, there Is none more pressingly needed than the
substitution of low bushes and creepers for turf on steep slopes.
In general, tbere should be more shrubbery, especially such as will
endure shad'e, in the wooded portions of this park. High, dense shrub?
bery Increases the dlMculty of properly policing the park, so that it
should be used rather sparingly, but this objection does not hold
against shrubbery that Is little more than knee high and low-growtng
Rhrubbery can therefore be used freely wherever the formal, smooth
elrect of turf should be avoided.
There are too many trees on the old portion of the park to remain
permanently, and It wlIl be much better to remove a considerable num?
ber now than to allow them to grow up so crowded that they wlIl be
mere poles with a tuft of foliage on top, or one-sided, ugly specimens
when thinning shall have been done hereafter_
Where high screens of foliage are desirable, they should usually be
of comparatively low-growing, moderate-sized trees. It Is noticeable
that besides being crowd'ed. the trees are trimmed up for the most part
to a uniform height from the ground. This produces a very monoton?
ous effect which should be remedied wberever possible by tbe addition
of shade-enduring shrubbery,
It Is likely to produce the most agreeable elrect If a comparatively
small selection of trees and shrubs is used for the greater part of the
planting, so that without monotony there will be a prevailing elrect of
unity and continuity. ThOlle treea and shrubs which are Introduced
for the sake of ,ariety and because of their Individual interest, shouli1
be used "ery sparingly. and most of them should be placed where they
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
will harmonize with their surroundings, and not stand out as consplc?
uous spots, either because of the color of their foliage, bloom or shape.
At a regrettable sacrifice of green sward, all drives should be some?
what nearly accompanied by paths, wherever there is the slightest
temptation for visitors on foot to walk upon the drives. It is neither
agreeable nor appropriate to mix these two classes of traffic.
The use of steep ground for paddocks for elk and other animals
liable to destroy the turf should be avoided. In the case of elk, the
problem Is a particularly difficult one, and probably the only satisfac?
tory solution is to have a number of paddocks and to transfer the elk
from one to another so often that the grass will have a chance to
recover from the trampling.
The use of clipped hedges In the informal part of the park should
be avoided. There are some places where they can be replaced by
mixed plantations of compact growing shrubbery. In other cases where
there is not room for shrubbery, fences covered with vines. varying the
sort at intervals, can be substituted.
Particular pains should be taken not to plant, or, where they are
growing, to eliminate all trees which will eventually grow so high as
to obstruct the distant views, especially those from points in the ney,'
part of the park, and it may be necessary to cut down some existing
trees of considerable size to properly open up these views. It Is to be
presumed that In such cases the views are worth more than the trees.
City Park should be extended on the west to form a good connec?
tion with the Poorhouse Farm, a portion of which may be eventually
annexed to the park, or through which it may be found desirable to
extend from the park a pleasure d'rive for the purpose of reaching
some of the high hill tops. where, In addition to the views over the city
which will be commanded from many points, the beautiful rural views
to the westward could be enjoyed.
COLUMBIA PARK.
The principal value of this existing park will consist in its use for
field sports and for a local pleasure ground. A considerable portion of
it at the east end Is opened, but has been more or less obstructed by
the planting of young trees. It Is very proper to? have trees around
the border, but all those which would Interfere with the use of the
open field for baseball and other games requiring considerable space
should be removed, and probably the open area should be extended Into
the young IIr wood to the west. This piece of fir wood should be very
much thinned to properly fit It for public use. To do this intelligently,
66 UPORT OF THE PARK BOARD -,
It will be necessary to have some plan. There wlll have to be walke
eventually. and some of these must necessarily be arranged as short?
cut paths. No doubt it wlll be advisable to open up a separate lawn
for little chlldren. so thllt they will not be Inconvenienced or endan?
gered by the rougher play that Is to go on In the maln ball field. Some
form of shelter wlll doubtless be desirable. If not necessary eventually.
and Its location should be considered in planning the grounds. Some
central feature, such as a fountain basin. may also be needed to
create Interest. considering the flatness of the ground. This may. if
desired, be given a depth and construction suitable for a wading pool,
a feature which has proved to be exceedingly popular with llttle
children at Buffalo and other cities. Large boxes of sand have also
proved a source of happiness to still smaller children. In general. the
main Idea to be accomplished in the thinning Is to arrange for a con?
tinuous border. so that surrounding houses will not be unduly con?
splcuous. and for the longest practicable views In various directions
within the grounds over narrow winding lawns, or low masses of shrub?
bery. The fir tree Is so suggestive of wildness that It Is III adapted to
remain permanently in any considerable numbers In such a formal
public park or square. To look well It should have its lower brancttes
spreading upon the ground, In which case the turf would' be destroyed
on too large areas. Wbile young, groups of llttle fir trees are extremely
beautiful and Interesting, but due consideration must be given to the
future. It Is probable that with the exception of three or four groups
In which the Individual trees should be twenty feet to thirty feet or
more apart. the existing llttle fir trees should be almost entirely
cleared. Occasional fir trees may also be 'left In the borders. spaced
Irregularly, from tblrty to forty to one hundred feet apart, but the
border plantation should bp composed mainly of shrubs and slow?
growing trees of moderate height. with a few tall-growing d'ec1duous
trees In groups. to vary the sky?line of the plantations. A suitable
fence will always be necessary about such a park. approached as It Ie
by various streets and surrounded as It will be by houses. A reason?
able number of entrances should be proVided, say six, or at the most.
eight. Without a fence and such llmlted number of gates. people
would take the shortest possible route from the abutting houses and
streets to the nearest stopping places of the electric cars, and' vice
versa, so that there would come to be short-cut paths by the score.
Without a fence. therefore, the beauty of the lawns would eventually
be greatly injured, If not almost destroyed, by these numerous short?
cut paths running In all directions. The fence which has just been
put up Is ugly and should be covered with vines. Eventually it will be
desirable to erect a plaIn Lron picket fence, which should, of course,
be concealed by vines and lK'reened by shrubbery,
REPORT OF TH? PARK BOARD
HOLLADAY PARK.
The problems presented in this existing park are very similar to
those mentioned In the case of Columbia Park, and the same remarks
with regard to thinning trees, opening up long vistas and open spaces
for play field>s and little children's lawns, and other means of providing
recreation for children apply here equally well. No fence has been
erected about this park, but unquestionably there should be one. It
there happened to be Indications that neighbors would make an outcry
against the fence, It would be well to begin by planting a border of
shrubbery, leaving the fence to be added later when the need becomes
more obvious.
The lower branches of the fir trees have been trimmed up to a
uniform height in this park, producing an ugly and very monotonous
el'fect. A severe thinning out of the fir trees would tend> to remedy
this defect, but in addition masses of shade-enduring shrubbery should
be planted among the groups of fir trees that are left. Although the
fir trees are beautiful in themselves and el'fective In masses, it is too
monotonous to have so many of them upon so small an area and as
before explained they are inappropriate in such flat formal public
squares because they are known to be the principal tree characteristic
of the wild woods of the region, and wildness is not the appropriate
effect to aim at in the midst of rectangular blocks of fiat land occupied
by houses. The cutting out of fir trees, therefore, ought to be some?
what radical, so that space may be secured> for planting deciduous an.d
broad-leaved trees. Among the latter, the evergreen magnolia is one
of the best, yet it seems to have been but little used in the city. It
has to be planted of very small size, and therefore the sooner it can' be
planted the better.
In order to distinguish this park from llolumbia Park and other
similar local parks whicb are fiat and rectangular in shape, it might be
well to adopt a formal plan for the whole or> a portion of it. It a formal
design for walks is determined upon, considerable ingenuity should be
exercised to avoid a commo~place arrangement, yet to have one which
will be perfectly convenient for short cutting. Unless this require?
ment is thoroughly well provided for, the work will prove a failure>
Considering the character of the neighborhood, a formal fiower
garden might be designed, which would be Interesting and appropriate,
and, if it should Inclu'.l?e a considerable proportion of turf, it need not
be very expensive to maintain. It would be most effective if enclosed
by a border of evergreen shrubbery. The formal fiower garden may be
either at the center of the square, leaving the two ends In grass, one
end to have shade trees and> to have Its center marked by a bandstand
68 REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
and the other to be an open field tor ball and other field sports; or the
garden may be in the center of one halt, leaving the other half to be
partly a shaded lawn with a bandstand and partly a lawn for tennis
and other quiet lawn games and partly an open ball fleld. The choice
would depend upon the relative areas desirable to be assIgned' to the
several purposes and upon whether neIghbors should object to base?
ball and other somewhat noIsy field sports.
FORMALITY AND INFORMALITY IN PARKS.
In designing all future improvements for the parks and parkways,
the dIstinction between formality and Informality, which Is a radical
one, ShOUld be constantly borne in mInd. There seems to have been
heretofore a good deal of mixing up of the two. The informal style of
design should be ad'opted In almost all cases where there are natural
woods, or where the topography Is varied and irregular, and especially
where It Is rugged, and where It would be in bad taste or too expensive
to improve the land In the formal style. When a drIve or walk is laid
out upon curvIng lines with the object of fitting the topography, It
should be considered that the Informal style has been adopted. and the
Introduction of straIght pIeces 01 drive or walk for no other reason
than that It Is easier for the surveyor and gardeners to lay them out
and execute them. should be carefully avoided, since such straight
lines are generally incongruous with the lnformaf'Unes adopted else?
wllere. Formal teatures may, however, be adopted In Informal desIgns
at particular places where the circumstances obviously justify It.
About a building, for Instance, the lines may properly be formal, the
more so the more formal the architectural style of the building. The
popular love of flowers and bright colors may be gratified In park
designs, but it should always be done formally or informally In accord?
ance with the style of the locality, Most gard'eners. owing to the nature
of the trainIng which they have had, incline more or less unconsciously
and almost Inevitably to formality. Such gardeners should therefore
eitner be kept out of informally-designed parks, or else theIr work
should be directed by a superintendent having a wider grasp of the
subject.
CARE OF SMALL PARKS AND SQUARES.
In the ordinary routine care of outlying parks situated at a consl~?
erable distance from administration headquarters, the prInciple of
having a responsible man In charge Instead of merely sending a man,
or a gang of men once In a while to clean up, should' he worked out In
accordance with the means a\'allable, SometImes a neighbor may be
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
engaged to labor an hour or two a day on the park and to "keep an
eye on it" merely the rest ot the time while working on his own place.
STEEP LANDS UNDESIRABLE FOR SMALL LOTS.
Having pointed out the extraordinary opportunities possessed by
your city for picturesque parks and parkways, and having Indicated
other possibilities as to pleasure grounds, parkways and boulevards
needed to complete a proper and comprehensive system ot parks, some
comment may be worth while on the peculiar conditions which make
it desirable to take for park purposes a much larger amount ot land' in
narrow strips and small pieces along the western hilly margin of the
city than would be desirable in most other cities. The broken hillsides
between Portland Heights, and the comparatively flat portion ot the
city below, are at present the most particularly observable by the larg?
est number of citizens. Those who have no interest in the ownership
ot these lands, can hardly tail to agree that they are neither econom?
ical nor desirable as building sites for crowded residences; yet people
are attracted to them, and some houses have actually been built on
these steep slopes because of the views which they command and be?
cause of their convenient proximity to the center ot the city and
because ot the good class of the neighborhood. At present, the custom,
ot building in a cheap and flimsy manner Is so flrmly established that
tew people who build in these difficult places are put to any very extra?
ordinary expense tor retaining walls, terraced slopes, toundatloI18.
steps and all the other constructions which would cost enormously, if
the custom ot building substantially, as fn older and wealthier com?
munities, was ftrmly established. At present it is not a very notable
expense to put flfteen or twenty teet ot trestle work under a house:-at
times thirty to torty teet may be required~and so the process ot
occupying these steep declivities proceeds with comparatively little
deterring influence on the score of cost, but some at these houses will
be too inconvenient, too flimsy, too uncomtortable, too much out ot
tnshion and too ugly to remain. Pressure ot population wlll eventually
put higher values upon the land, and future owners will undoubtedly,
unless some method is adopted to prevent it, spend in the aggregate
enormous sums of money on these hillsides, by tar the greater part ot
which will be an absolute waste as compared with the conveniences
and beauties which the expenditure ot the same amount would bring
upon 5~'Dtly sloping land. It is not too much to say that by the time
people begin to spend trom ten to twenty thousand dollars in the
erection ot thoroughly convenient and handsome residences in these
localities, they will often, if not generally, be obl1ged to spend on the
average ebout half these amounts in retaining walls, stepe and otber
REPOlI.T OF THE PARK BOARD
constructions which would be entirely unnecessary on gently sloping
land. The money thus spent Is to all practical Intents and purposes,
so far as the benellt to the community is concerned, absolutely thrown
away. II it had not been spent in this way, the chances are that It
would have been spent in some way that would have had more rental
and taxable value and would therefore have been worth more to the
community. Speaking in a general way. it would certainly be a very
profitable Investment for the city, therefore, to take these lands out
of the market for residential purposes, and use them for pleasure
grounds for the benefit of the citizens at large, and for the particular
benefit of adjoining properties above and below. In that case all those
who would" otherwise have built houses on these uneconomical sites
will build them elsewhere, and with easier conditions will build hand?
somer and better houses, or more of them, greatly to the benefit of the
taxable valuation of the city. Little account Is usually taken by asses?
sors of retaining walls, steps and such like constructions by whIch
steep grounds are fitted for use; hence money so spent practically
esca-pes taxation, to the loss of the city and without any particular
gain to the owner. But, aside from the ditncultles of litting such land
for those who build residences upon them, there is to be consIdered
the enormous and disproportIonate expense of preparing such lands,
by means of streets, terraces, etc., eIther by the original owners or by
the city. and the subsequent great expenses Incident to malntalnlnj:
streets on such necessarily steep grades. If many of the streets
are made with such steep grades as have already been adopted In
many Instances, as seems certaIn to be the case so long as they are
originally laId out by the property owners, there wlll be for all time
to come a vast amount of inconvenience, and not a llttle danger to
people usIng the streets. and a great. although Indefinite cost In wear
and tear of vehIcles and horses. Moreover, such streets are extremely
ugly in the way that almost anythIng that Is Ill?adapted to Its purpose
is ugly.
There Is another valId objection to buildIng on such steep lands
where the sub?soll condItions are Such as they prove to be on some of
these hillsIdes. namely. the liability of landslides. The landsllde whIch
occurred back of and partly In City Park, covered many acres and
ruined for building purposes a good deal of land which had already
been prepared at consIderable expense by grading and otherwise for
sale in small lots. Is only one illustration well known to the cItizens
of what Is llable to occur at many places on these steep hlUsldea as
soon as the natural conditions begin to be Interfered with extensively
by the grading of streets and terraces. This objection to steep lanel
ought to weigh much more strongly with Intending purchasers than
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
it seems likely to trouble the minds of the individuals interested in the
sale of the lands in small lots, but at any rate it is unquestionably a
serious matter, and one whi<:h ought to be considered by the city gov?
ernment and by the citizens at large as one of the strongest possible
reasons in support of the idea of taking these steep hillsides for public
pleasure grounds.
It should not be assumed that the improvement of these lands. If
taken by the city, need necessarily involve any very great expense.
There is no reason why they should be improved in the smooth and
semi-formal tashion adopted In the City Park. Untll the city has
greatly increased in wealth. all that will be necessary would be a com?
paratively narrow mountain drive and a few narrow trails. In some
places, trestles or bridges might be required to carry the drive across
gullies or canyons. but tor a generation or two. these might be chiefly
built of wood. For some years. at any rate, the drive would answer
quite well enough It surfaced with earth. Being intended for light
pleasure vehicles only. a hard. heavy macadam surface is not essential,
especially if the .drive is closed to use during and shortly atter wet
weather.
It seems reasonable to suppose that atter a thorough examination
and discussion of the matter. many at the large landowners would ~
wllling to give these steep hlllsides to the city tor park purposes, or,
at any rate, to sell them at comparatiyely low rates. There will
remain, doubtless, numbers ot owners of small pieces of land needed
to complete the system, who wlll have purchased it at relatively high
prices in times past. and without much thought as to the cost of 100- I
proving it for occupation by dwellings, and who will decline to sell .
their holdings at prices considerably less t~an they have paid for them. I
Unlike many business men. especially the more successful ones. who .;
very frequently have to make up their minds to sell their goods at a .
loss in order to avoid the expense of carrying them longer, with the
probability of Increased loss In the future. or who can use the money
at a greater profit in new purchases, these owners of small tracts gen?
erally seem to have the idea that there Is practically never any loss in
holdIng land it It Is held long enough. Times of depression In the
prices ot land they know are generally followed by times when prices
rise again, but there are unquestionably many exceptions; indeed when
one comes to estimate carefully the sums paid out tor taxes and
assessments and other expenses incident to the ownership and manage?
ment of land, there are a vast number of cases in and about every city
in which the ownership of lands has not proved profitable, especially
to those who, like the majority of owners of small tracts. have been
tempted by the general prevalence of a feeling or bopefulness during
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD
prosperous times, to purchase their lands at or near the top prices.
Many such land owners will continue to pay taxes on their little hold?
ings for many years and will d'ecllne to sell them at the prevailing
market price if it does not show a profit above the cost of the land.
It there should prove to be only a moderate number of such cases, the
usual procedure of condemnation might reasonably he followed, leav?
ing the juries to determine the real market value of the land; but
where these cases are very numerous, and where the amounts to be
paid out would be likely to be very large in the aggregate, It may be
advisable to proceed more cautiously. It there be no legal or moral
objections agaInst It, It would seem to be business-like for the oIDclals
of the city to approach these land owners, and if possible obtain from
them a written statement of the price at which they would sell their
holdings. It this price be considered to be more than a fair market
vn!ue, let the assessors pursue the polley of raising the assessed valua?
tion of these properties to somewhere near the values claimed for them
by their owners. The Increased taxes thus secured may be set aside as
a special fund for the purchase of these lands, The increased burden
or taxation will gradually bring more and more of these owners to a
rea~jzation of the uselessness of continuing to pay taxes on lands
which have proved to be unsaleable at the prices they may have de?
~Irec to obtain for them. In that case some may conclude to sell to
the city at a reasonable price, and others may even, before many years.
let the properties be sold for taxes, in which case the city may bid them
In, paying for them from the special tund's above referred to. There
may be some cases where it would not be wise to delay the purchase ot
lands for some years, lest they be occupied by more or less expensive
Improvements. This Is I1kely to occur in the vicinity of electric ran?
way!>. In the neighborhood of already settled districts, and in the case
or lands owned or managed by particularly enthusiastic and pushlng
rpa! estate dealers and agents. Another danger to the beauty ot these
landK still more to be teared is that owners. will cut the wild' woods
upon them, or permit them to be destroyed by fires. It should be made
the duty ot someone (presumably one of toe Park Commissioners) to
kcep careful watch of all wooded lands intended to be taken as part
oC the park system, so that the city may act with the utmost prompt?
r.ess to prevent such destruction. It might even be arranged so that
condEmnation proceedings could be begun, and injunctions served on
the owners of such lands with extraordinary promptness. Usually this
prom pt action will effect the desired purpose. and the owner can then
be negotiated with and often the case could be settled out ot court.
Aside from the steep lands which have been mentioned &8 desira?
ble to be taken tor the hlllslde parkways, or in connection with these
parkways. there are conaiderable areas ot exceedingly steep land
REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD 73
fc.rming the sides of the big ravines or canyons. Considerable parts
of these canyons are at present very wild and exceedingly beautiful,
and if the matter can be arranged in such a way that the city can
alfC'TCl the expense, these steep slopes ought generally to be preserved
as ~erts of the park system. Nevertheless, It must be acknowledged
that so far as the interest of the citizens at large Is concerned, it is
far more important to secure the continuous vlew-eommanding hill?
side parkways, with fringes ot woods and strips of land below to ensure
control ot the views. In other words, the ettort and cost ot securing
thf canyons ought not to be Incurred until atter the proposed hillside
drives have been secured, unless It should be found feasible to do bot.h
with the available appropriations.
In the case of the hillside parkways, of course the essential thing
Is to obtain a continuous drive. It cannot be considered absolutelY
essential nor always desirable to secure allot the steep slope above
and below this drive. Moreover, there are undoubtedly little ridges
here and there which attord attractive house sites, and which may be
made accessible 1.>y narrow and presumably curving drives, essentially
private drives or private rights-of-way to a few houses, and It may be
necessary, owing to the flnancial limitations, to except these available
house sites tram the land takings. So, too, In the canyons, there may
be widenings of the bottom available for building purposes, and which,
being accessible from the highway in the canyon may be left in private
ownership. Such breaks in the continuity ot the public ownership are
likely to prove blemishes, and should be avcrided wherever practicable;
but It the city, as Is altogether probable, /las an entirely inadequate
sum with which to work, it will practically be obliged to make such
exceptions from the takings in order to carry the scheme through with
a sufficient degree of continuity and completeness to accomplish the
main purpose.
FOREST RESERVATIONS.
Incredible as It may seem to many citizens who have grown up with
the idea that after the best timber has been taken out ot the woods,
all that remains is to destroy the rest oy clearing the land tor pastures
or other agricultural purposes, it might be possible tor the city to
acquire considerable areas of woodland with a view to tuture proftL
If such land can be obtained at a sufficiently low price, there is llttie
doubt that in due time and with proper organization, a revenue could
be obtained from it which would go tar toward paying the Interest on
the cost of the land. Many ~rman towns own such forest reserva?
tions, which, by systematic management are made to yield from 2 to 3
per cent. on the cost at. the land. This income in some Instances il
74 JUU'O?.T OF THE PARK BOARD
sufficient to pay the whole of the municipal expenses, and the forest
reservations In all cases provide steady employment to a desirable
class of citizens. In addition to this, these forest reservations afford
very enjoyable recreation places, and there is very little doubt that if
the city should secure a large reservation of this sort now, or soon,
the citizens a generation or two hence, when the city has greatly in?
creased In population and wealth, would consider It a most wise and
profitable investment. It may be objected that besides the burden of
the Interest and contributions to the sinking fund in connection with
the debt which would be incurred for the acquisition of these lands,
there would be the loss ot taxes which would have been collected had
the land remained in private ownership. This Is only a short?alghted
view of the matter. The purchase money for such lands is not thrown
away, and, except In rare cases Is not consumed In living expenses.
Mainly it is reinvested and presumably, therefore, continues to be taxed
and to be a source of wealth to the community. Frequently such
money is reinvested In such a way as to be decidedly more profitable
than when It was Invested In these wlld woodlands. It the city could
eventually net 1 per cent. or 2 per cent. from the scientific management
of the forest on these lands, It would be a satisfactory Investment con?
sidering the other benefits the citizens would derive from them in the
way of health and pleasure. Where money Is raised by taxation for
interest and sinking fund on a debt Incurred for the wise purchase of
land, It is a kind of forced saving by the people, not an expense, as Is
necessarily most of the money spent by a municipality. It would be
perfectly reasonable and much more scientific to have a law permitting
tile purchase of land by a municipality for park and other suitable pur?
~es on long-time bonds. This has been recognized by law in some
states, ahd the park bonds of several cities run for sixty years. It
would also be reaRonable that debt Incurred for the purchase of land
should be left out of consideration In determining the debt limit of
municipalities very properly established by law to prevent thoughtletls
extravagance In municipal government.
CO?OPERATION OF LAND OWNERS.
Owing to the location of the topographical features which It is
designed to take advantage of and owing to the large amount of terri ?
tory already subdivided, or made valuable by the rapid growth 01
population, the system of parks suggested is necessarlly unusually
l!pread out, and therefore involves unusually long parkways and boule?
varda. The various outlying parks and reservations suggested are In
extent adequate for a population several times larger than the existing
population of your city, and if the land needed for these parks could
,REPORT OF THE PARK BOARD 7S
hereafter be secured at a reasonable price, and If the trees now grow?
Ing upon It could' be preserved from destruction, and If the land could
be prevented from being occupied by expensive improvements, It
would no doubt be well to postpone for another generation the acquire?
ment of some, if not the most or these areas; but judging from the sad
experience of other cities In providing themselves with adequate sys?
tems of parks and parkways, there is no doubt that it would be an ex?
ceedingly wise and prudent proceeding for your city to acquire the
suggested areas for parks and parkways, or most of them, within the
next ten years, the construction of improvements to proceed gradually
as the finances of the city will justify. Having regard to the present
and future requirements of the city in the matter of parks, and' with
full consideration of the financial limitations, it seems perfectly rea?
sonable that the city should proceed cautiously hut speedily to the
acquisition of some such system of parks and parkways as has been
outlined above, but bearing in mind always that the attempt will prove
a failure or wlll fall pitiably short of the Ideal result without the
cordial and liberal co-operation and assistance of the land owners
whose properties are needed for or will be aJTected favorably by the
proposed improvements. If these property owners could visit the park
systems of other cities, and study the Increased valuations which the
lands bordering upon the various parks and parkways have in most
instances acquired, no doubt most of them would be convinced of the
advisability of giving to the city the land required for park purposes
in all cases where the owners have enough land lett to be benefited,
and to sell them at extremely low prices, and to reinvest the money In
adjoining lands, In cases where the whole' or the greater part of their
holdings has to be taken for the parks or parkways. If the public
sentiment can once be roused In favor of a comprehensive system of
parks, and if the land owners will co-operate cordially, it seems rea?
sonable to assume that the greater part, if not the whole, of the system
above suggested, or the equivalent of it, Cl1n be accomplished without
undue strain to the finances of the city.
Respectfully submitted,
OLM8TED BROTHERS.