The Park Governments of Chicago 171 



of playgrounds of Lincoln Park should also have under their 

 respective charges all of the sports provided for the public, in- 

 cluding boating, golf, tennis, and winter sports ; that a similar 

 office be established in the West Parks, and that each of the three 

 officials be designated as "director of recreation." 



Under the proposed plan, the engineering department would 

 have charge of all improvement work and of the mechanical 

 activities. Directly under this department would be the fore- 

 man of improvement and construction work, including road 

 building and repairs ; also the engineering corps and draftsmen. 

 Under direction of the chief engineer, an assistant would have 

 charge of the electric plant and a master mechanic would have 

 charge of the repair shops, garage and laundries, and the opera- 

 tion and upkeep of all other mechanical equipment of the park 

 system. In the Lincoln Park system this department would 

 include the special engineer in charge of marine extension work. 

 The chief engineer would maintain an office, with an assistant 

 and necessary clerks, to account properly for work in the shops 

 and to prepare cost reports. 



It is suggested that the purchasing department include the 

 stores and be recognized as a separate departmental unit. 



The horticultural department of the South Parks would 

 be continued as at present organized. The suggested plans 

 for the other two systems also provide for a chief landscape 

 gardener, who would be permanently in charge of this depart- 

 ment. In Lincoln Park a consulting landscape architect is now 

 in charge, but while this is commendable when new improve- 

 ments or extensive alterations are being planned, it is believed 

 the department should at all times have a real and visible head. 

 In the West Parks the plantation, floral displays, conserva- 

 tories, and propagating houses would be comprehended in the 

 department. The organization charts shown herein do not in- 

 clude consulting landscape architects, their employment being 

 left to the judgment of the respective Boards. 



The present expense of the legal department of the West 

 Parks appears unwarranted. It includes a $3,000 attorney, an 

 $1,850 assistant attorney, a $1,200 stenographer, and special 



