The Park Governments of Chicago 149 



In order to obtain both stone and black soil at a reason- 

 able price a farm of 107 acres situated two miles east of Le- 

 mont, Illinois, along the Drainage Canal, was purchased. The 

 soil which is from four to six feet deep is excavated from the 

 farm. The rock taken from the canal during its construction 

 and piled on its banks is obtained free. 



The extent of the operations involved in this park exten- 

 sion has caused the development of a very complete and expen- 

 sive handling plant. The investment in plant to date will exceed 

 $300,000, of which sum $174,240 has been expended for the 

 dredge Francis T. Simmons and appurtenances. This dredge 

 operates twenty-four hours per day with two shifts of men and 

 solid material is deposited at a cost of about fourteen cents per 

 cubic yard, for material measured in place, as shown by the 

 reports of the engineers in charge. 



Regarded as a portion only of the anticipated parkway along 

 the North Shore to the city limits, the investments in land and 

 operating plant have been well made. 



III. MARQUETTE PARK 



Marquette Park is located in the southwestern part of the 

 city between 67th and 71st streets and the Grand Trunk Rail- 

 road and California Avenue. It is under the jurisdiction of the 

 South Park Commissioners. The land for this park was pur- 

 chased by the Park Board in 1903 and 1904 at a cost of $267,- 

 733.35. 



As a general principle the purchase for park purposes of land 

 in a new district somewhat in advance of the tide of population 

 to that district is sound, because the land can usually be obtained 

 much cheaper then than later. The Bureau contends, however, 

 that the land having been purchased, the development thereof 

 as a park should wait upon the population and the accompanying 

 demand for park facilities. The South Park Board did not 

 pursue that policy, but proceeded at once with the development 

 of the park. The records show that during the fiscal years 1904 

 to 1910, inclusive, $305,943.57 was expended in improvements, as 

 follows : 



