NEED OF PARKS FOR NEW LONDON 



somewhat spasmodic, haphazard public action. Never- 

 theless, it has a nucleus for a first-class park system. 

 The city holds title to a number of good-sized school 

 grounds, several very valuable, because centrally situated, 

 city squares or open spaces, a beautiful little park of 

 forty acres or more on the Thames River, and a half-mile 

 strip of ocean beach which, for location, beauty, and use- 

 fulness, is not surpassed by any other small American 

 city. 



It is quite natural that the people of New London 

 should turn their attention at this time to the planning 

 of a more adequate and comprehensive park system. 

 The city is growing in population, its standards of public 

 improvements are steadily rising, it is getting a fresh 

 hold on business and commerce, it is becoming a more 

 important educational centre through the establishment 

 there of the Connecticut College for Women, and it is 

 attracting each year a larger and larger stream of desir- 

 able tourists. Every one of these forms of growth and 

 development calls for a more complete system of open 

 spaces, and every one is favorably affected by the timely 

 selection and development of the parks and playgrounds 

 now under consideration. 



Parks are no longer considered a luxury by growing 

 American cities. They are classed with streets and 

 sewers and schools as a necessity. They contribute di- 

 rectly to health and efficiency, to pleasure and economic 

 wealth. Moreover, they stir and nourish civic pride. 



There are at least four reasons why New London should 

 now act in a large way in acquiring and improving land 

 for use as parks and playgrounds. (1) Property is 

 steadily increasing in value. It is not likely to be cheaper 

 than it is now. (2) Once bought, park lands increase 

 in value. All other public works depreciate. Parks 



