PUBLIC PARKS AND PLEASURE GROUNDS. 279 



sides there would be less danger from fire should the 

 sparks fall on the grass than might result from their 

 dropping in the dry rubbish so common by the sides of 

 the track. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

 PUBLIC PARKS AND PLEASURE GROUNDS. 



• The subject of public parks and pleasure grounds for 

 recreation, is one that is destined to grow in interest in 

 this country. The making of these is now only in its in- 

 fancy, yet in view of their healthfulness and their imj^or- 

 tance to the public, there is little doubt that they will re- 

 ceiye increased attention. The limits of the present work 

 do not allow much space to be devoted to these, yet an 

 attempt will be made to give such hints and suggestions 

 as may be useful to those who consider the subject. 



BOTH PRESENT AND FUTURE WANTS TO BE CONSIDERED. 



In all cases where public gardens are contemplated, 

 the scheme should be comprehensively conceived and ex- 

 cuted. Even in initiatory discussions of the subject, it 

 would be unwise to have in view merely the present 

 needs, but a broad view of the probable future growth 

 and wants of a town should enter into the calculations. 

 The important fact that results which follow on such 

 improvements reach far into the future must not be 

 lost sight of. It is safe to assume that most of the pub- 

 lic parks and gardens, laid out and planted now, will 

 figure as important town gardens when our j^opulation 

 will, in most places, have increased many fold. How 

 quickly that time may arrive, who can tell ? Sixty years 

 ago our entire population was about nine millions, with 



