PARKS 235 



streets, necessitating enormous cuts, the destruc- 

 tion of all the trees and, for a long series of years, a 

 barren, forlorn appearance. 



The destruction of streams which were once 

 attractive and which might have been made the 

 most interesting features of parkways and parks 

 has already been referred to. 



Innumerable other instances might be given of 

 the needless destruction of natural scenery, which 

 is always to be regretted, and especially so when this 

 scenery is within the boundaries of or near a large 

 city. 



From the facts mentioned above and from others 

 that will come to the mind of any intelligent, 

 thoughtful person, it will probably be conceded 

 that the main purpose of a park is to preserve, re- 

 store, develop, and make accessible natural scen- 

 ery. In some ways a park may be an improvement 

 on nature, since, by skilful treatment, it may be 

 made more picturesque or more artistic than if 

 nature had been left untouched. A park is not 

 primarily a place for play, but rather to feed one's 

 soul. Its chief purpose may be illustrated by the 

 following incident. A man who had lived to middle 

 age in an inland town visited a city with parks 



