PRINCIPLES OF PARK DESIGN 



civic character. The most desirable condition in a city is that all 

 citizens shall feel a proprietary interest in all the parks rather than in 

 the especial ones in their section; and with this in mind the designer 

 should avoid giving parks a private appearance, but aim to express 

 civic trait and character. One of the means of accomplishing this is 

 pointed out in the chapter on Planting in Parks. 



As with persons, a park which exhibits merely a certain prettiness 

 of appearance without intelligence becomes distinctly unsatisfying 

 and even aggravating after a very short time. There are instances 

 where parks are not only characterless but lack even that superficial 

 prettiness; and then there is little to recommend them. Character is 

 the distinguishing mark that renders a design worthy of attention; it 

 is the combination of those qualities that will make it appropriate to 

 its surroundings and to the purpose of its building ; it is that quality in 

 its make-up or composition that receives good estimate from the 

 community in which it is located. 



FELICITOUS AND ATTRACTIVE 



The final law or principle that must be observed is that of attractive- 

 ness. The design of a park should be such as to render it attractive 

 and inviting. The park nmst first of all present an appearance of 

 artistic charm and pictorial beauty that will justify its existence in 

 the public mind. Secondly, the design must be such that its attractive- 

 ness is not one-seasonal or temporary. A park inviting for one month 

 of the year and dull for the remaining eleven months is a stupid affair. 

 Also, if of the sort which the designer knows cannot be kept in 

 attractive aspect after the first few years, or so designed that its beauty 

 will last but for the first season or two, its eventual dishabilitation over- 

 shadows its short-time glory. Especially important in this respect is 

 the possibility of maintenance. A shabby park or one run down at the 

 heel, however beautiful it may be in innate design, will always be dis- 



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