PARK DESIGN IN CITY PLANNING 



projects are the result of a previously existing appreciation of parks, 

 that this initial means of instilling interest should be fostered. In a 

 canij^aign for civic development or civic beautification, a certain gen- 

 erous per cent, of the fund raised for that purpose should be devoted 

 to tlie development of already existing and proposed j^arks, with the 

 intent of making some immediate display as a means of encourage- 

 ment. A few parks completed, which may be pointed out as the first 

 result of the city planning campaign, will serve as powerful aid in 

 soliciting further contributions to the cause. Instead of expending all 

 available moneys for the staking out of the main lines of the new city 

 plan, it will often be found to be more prudent, even if somewhat more 

 expensive in the long run, to devote a portion of the moneys to some 

 development which may be enjoyed by the present generation; and 

 the parks are usually one feature which may be conunenced in accord- 

 ance with the lines of the " big scheme " which will aid and not jeopar- 

 dise its final accomplishment. A simultaneous advancement of city 

 planning and park building is recommended. 



THE TYPE OF EXPERT SERVICE NEEDED 



The second recommendation is that adequate attention be given to 

 the designing of parks. The reports of civic experts and civic ad- 

 visers usually are concerned with the very broad aspect of the locating 

 of parks, and their recommendations are general ones relating to the 

 acquisition of sites. When the estimable advice of the expert has been 

 followed and the several potential park tracts have been purchased in 

 accordance with a mapped-out plan of the future park system, the 

 city administrators find themselves in a quandary as to the next step, 

 and often discover that what appeared to be a very comprehensive 

 report, and even one of much detail, was in reality merely a point 

 dc depart. 



The large number of ably prepared city planning reports enthusi- 



32 



