The Park Governments of Chicago 173 



The sub-organization of the police, refectories, recreation, 

 and purchasing departments is discussed fully in preceding 

 chapters. 



While it is plain that the way to secure large savings in 

 operating costs is to consolidate the park governments, yet a 

 large amount may also be saved annually to each of the three 

 large districts by adopting a scientific plan of reorganization and 

 following it with economical but energetic administration along 

 the lines suggested in preceding chapters of this report. 



NEED FOR A CONSOLIDATED PARK ORGANIZATION 



For several years there has been a growing public opinion 

 that the several independent park districts of Chicago should 

 be consolidated with the city government. This plan was em- 

 bodied in the proposed charter submitted to the legislature in 

 1905, and the results of the present inquiry tend to emphasize 

 the desirability of such a consolidation at an early date. 



Aside from the three large park districts herein discussed, 

 there are seven other park districts within the city limits. There 

 is still considerable city territory not within any park district, 

 and which, although receiving park benefits, pays no taxes for 

 park maintenance. (See map in Appendix.) Extending over 

 all, moreover, the Special Park Commission of the City govern- 

 ment operates a large number of small parks, squares, and play- 

 grounds. Mr. F. J. Moulton, of the City Club of Chicago, re- 

 cently estimated the adult and child population for each acre of 

 park in the three large districts as follows: 



Number Adults Number Children 

 per acre. per acre. 



South 400 142 



West 1,419 SCO 



Lincoln 1,030 350 



These figures show plainly the unequal distribution of park 

 facilities. The figures for Lincoln Park include the new park 

 extension not yet completed. 



The three large districts fairly represent the three sides of 

 the city as bounded by the river. The chapter on "Taxes for 



