PLANTING DESIGN OF PARKS 



very pleasing, and creates an appearance of naturally reproducing 

 groves and thickets. 



Favourable note was made also of the Italian method of mounding 

 up the shrub beds in small parks similar to flower beds in this country ; 

 the purpose is to increase the immediate effect of height and to dis- 

 courage the development of trespass lines through the planting. In 

 all European parks there is a much greater use of flowers in connection 

 with shrubbery than in this country, which subject is discussed in the 

 chapter of this book which deals with the disposition of flowers in parks. 



It is commended to the park designer to keep each park simple and 

 harmonious in its planting, depending for variety of material upon 

 the park system as a whole. Such a policy brings about better civic 

 conditions, revealing to those citizens who have banded themselves 

 into associations, in different parts of the city, that they are merely 

 dividing the house against itself unless as organisations they cooperate 

 for park development as a civic entity. A park should never be con- 

 sidered as belonging to any portion of the city or to any one neighbour- 

 hood, for each park is a public possession and common to the city as a 

 whole. The park planter, therefore, has no reason to treat these as 

 separate units, but as portions of a great planting system. It may 

 well be his ambition to incite remarks such as " Have you seen the 

 rhododendron display in Roosevelt Circle? " " The azalea banks in 

 Taft Park were a wonderful sight Sunday when we were over there," 

 or " You shouldn't miss the lilacs down along Wilson Boulevard. 

 They're just coming into bloom." In short, parks should be given 

 individuality of planting, and featured as a progression of stellar 

 attractions in preference to each a mediocre variety show in itself. 

 The interest of the public in parks thus designed will become keen and 

 observing, the park system as a whole will appear more inclusive, and 

 the design of each individual park will exhibit a clearer planting 

 expression. 



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