16 Chicago Bureau of Public Efficiency 



It was in 1869 that legislative action was secured looking to 

 the creation of the three large park systems, one for each divi- 

 sion of the city. The seven smaller park districts, comprising 

 territory within the city, but not under the jurisdiction of the 

 South, West or Lincoln Park Boards, have come into existence 

 under authority of an act of the Legislature passed in 1895. 



By legislative action of the late 50's and early 60's Chicago 

 was dealt with as three divisions for street railway purposes. 

 This was a serious mistake and has been productive of great 

 harm, as the community now realizes. Pressure of public opinion 

 is being exerted to force the unification of local transportation 

 lines. The separation of the city into park divisions by the legis- 

 lation of 1869, following close upon the harmful example set by 

 the street railway legislation of a few years before, was likewise 

 a mistake. Chicago, for park purposes, as well as for trans- 

 portation purposes, should be treated as one community, not 

 three or more. All the park governments should be merged with 

 the city. 



Park revenues and benefits ought to be distributed over the 

 community more equitably. Under present conditions the South 

 Park Commissioners have more money than they know what to 

 do with. They carry excessively large balances in the banks and 

 expend funds wastefully on a large scale. The West Chicago 

 Park Commissioners, who are wasteful in petty ways, really 

 have not the funds with which to make adequate provision for 

 the park and playground needs of the territory under their 

 jurisdiction. 



It is estimated that unification of park activities under the 

 city government would mean a money saving of $500,000 a year. 

 This is about four times the amount of the appropriation for 

 1910 of the Special Park Commission of the city, and over 

 two-thirds as much as this body has spent during the entire ten- 

 year period of its useful existence. The sum that might be 

 saved each year by consolidation is approximately half as much 

 as the annual tax levy of the Lincoln Park Board, and one-third 

 that of the West Park Board. 



