PARKS 237 



marily for convenience, for use. The lawns and 

 water are primarily for beauty, but, incidentally, 

 the water may be used for boating or skating, or, if 

 conditions are favorable, for swimming, and the 

 lawns for tennis, croquet, and certain other games 

 or sports. ' 



It will thus be realized that while parks exist, 

 as has been stated, primarily for beauty, they give 

 at the same time opportunities for delightful exer- 

 cise as well as rest and enjoyment. The trees 

 furnish shade, the flowers color and perfume, the 

 space freedom and grateful breezes. The lawns, 

 the trees, and shrubs also give interesting and 

 pleasing compositions in color and outline. 



PLANNING A PARK 



With parks fulfilling the purpose which has just 

 been named, it will be seen that they can be of 

 almost any size or shape. Their location will be in- 

 fluenced, first, by existing natural objects. Forests, 

 hills, especially if wooded, river banks, the shores 

 of lakes, ravines, springs, streams, and rocky ledges 

 are all desirable features, and a city where such 

 features exist is indeed fortunate if it can secure 

 the land they occupy for public use as a park. 



