SEATS IN PUBLIC PARKS 



a park seat, we may put first in order the matter of shade. They say 

 in Mexico that only dogs and Gringoes walk in the sun; we must 

 eliminate even the latter when it comes to sitting in the sun. Except 

 for a few early days in Spring and late days in Fall, when the warmth 

 of the sun feels really good, a park bench located in the sun is a thing 

 set apart from usefulness. Benches should therefore always be placed 

 in the shade, or at least so as to enjoy the protection of shadow for a 

 good part of the day. 



Secondly, when possible, park benches should be endowed with an 

 attractive view. This may be comprehended conversely by stating 

 that the many beautiful scenes of a park may be emphasised by seats 

 placed at the best respective places of vantage. In a well or properly 

 designed park, these points will indicate themselves and usually are 

 the places where the observer unconsciously pauses for a moment in 

 pleasant contemplation. Especially desirable are seats overlooking 

 water scenes, and the various vistas may be individually studied with 

 reference to such seating places. In the neighbourhood of all points 

 of interest, such as fountains, architectural features, and floral dis- 

 plays, it is well to have ample accommodation of seats. The seats in 

 the vicinity of the play areas for small children in the German parks 

 are occupied with real pleasure, quite at variance with the park seats 

 in the vicinity of the riotous American playgrounds; but with this 

 exception, we may follow the example of the European park design 

 in congregating seats about centres of interest. 



PROTECTION AND SECLUSION 



Thirdly, as many seats as may be are well given a sequestered 

 aspect. This is not possible in small centrally located parks, but in 

 the larger parks, seats are desirably placed in sheltered positions, in 

 nooks and coves of the walks, where they will be more or less free from 

 scrutiny except of the occasional passer-by. In English village parks, 



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