GARDENERS' CHRONICLE 



OF AMERICA 



THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF 

 THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GARDENERS 



Devoted to the Science of I- loriciiltni e and Horticulture. 



THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PARK SUPERINTENDENTS. 



Devoted to Park Development and Recreational Facilities. 



Vol. XI\. 



I'I'J'.RUAKV, 1915. 



No. 2. 



Spokane's Interesting Park System 



By John W. Duncan,'^' Washington. 



L»H«AR\ 



'<OTA 



The cit}' of Spokane lies in a beautiful valley among 

 the pine.s, on the western edge of the Northern Rock- 

 ies of the United States. The first settlement was 

 made in 1872, and at the present time it has a popula- 

 tion of 132,000. 



In the year 1891 Spokane's first public park, known 

 as Coeur D'Alene Park, was donated to the city and 

 for several years after the park area was gradually 



seven years of progressive administration, the city 

 has a park area of 1934 acres. 



Spokane has been fortunate in having as leader in 

 its park development, Aubrey L. White, to whose 

 broad views and untiring efforts are largely due the 

 wonderful accomplishments that have been attained 

 in the past seven years. Hampered by lack of funds 

 for several years after the creation of the Park Com- 



OPENTN'n OF SI'OKAXK'S STNUirM Tnol'S.\N|i^ '11 



increased by donations, witliuul particular regard for 

 future considerati<5n as to locality or ])uhlic require- 

 ments. 



It was not until tiie year 1907, when an amendment 

 to the city charter, creating an independent non-politi- 

 cal park board was passed, that any activity was taken 

 in Spokane's Park and Phuground System. At that 

 time, when the Park Commission assumed control, 

 there were 173 acres of park lands, and now, after 



*Supei iiiteTident of Parks. Spokane. Wash. 



in, I w ri \ I 



inr.DREN'S D.-\Y. 



missiim. it was really not tnitil the beginning of 1912. 

 when a bund issue of $875,000 became available for 

 park purposes, that any apparent activity was shown 

 in the park work. 



Although at first hampered by lack of financial fa- 

 cilities, soon after the creatinn of the commission the 

 firm of Olmsted Bros, was engaged to make a general 

 survey and report on a comprehensive park systemi 

 for the city of Spokane. From this scheme the Park 

 Commission went (juictly to work, and so thorough 



