public parks 289 



There are other elements yet to be considered; but 

 those already classified and assigned to various quarters 

 of the site, contribute directly to the general and char- 

 acteristic purpose of the park and are therefore to be 

 distinguished as its essential elements. 



After studying the essential artistic elements, es- 

 pecially the poetic elements that mark and emphasize 

 the difference between a playground, a farm, a field, 

 and a park, we find these authors (Olmsted and Vaux) 

 writing in illuminating phrase and warning against the 

 employment in parks of features which, though possess- 

 ing a value of their own, do not contribute to, much less 

 enhance, their characteristic beauty: 



"Accessory elements by which walking, riding, 

 driving, resting, eating, and drinking are facilitated, 

 were also to be required in the design of the park, 

 in so far as they would be instruments necessary to 

 be used to obtain the benefit of its essential elements. 



" But if people were allowed to straggle at will any- 

 where upon the ground and if provision were made 

 for their doing so comfortably and with cleanliness, 

 all the ground would need to be specially prepared 

 for the purpose; there would be no turf and no trees 

 upon it, and it would afford no relief from the city. 

 It will thus be seen that these accessory elements of 

 the park are admissible only where and so far as the 

 advantages they offer make its essential elements 

 available, and compensate for any curtailment 



their introduction may involve in these essential 

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