REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 69 



ble to prevent such accidents with the means at disposal. It is hoped that funds 

 may he soon forthcoming for the construction of separate houses for hirds and for 

 pachyderms. 



Considerable attention has heen paid to the improvement of the grounds during 

 the year. Near the eastern entrance to the park a culvert has heen huilt to accom- 

 modate the little stream that enters here and feeds the swan pond, the openiug 

 being concealed by rockwork and shrubs so as to present the appearance of a natu- 

 ral spring. Below the bridge on the main road a large number of bowlders have 

 been placed in the creek to present the appearance of a natural ledge, thus raising 

 the water some 3 or 4 feet. This very greatly improves the stretch of water below 

 and above the bridge and permitted the introduction of aquatic and semiaquatic 

 plants along the edges of the stream. It has also the effect of raising the level of 

 the water in the large pond for aquatic animals situated to the southward of the 

 meadow. 



A rustic footbridge has been thrown over the ravine that enters the park at 

 Ontario avenue leading to the stairway by which the public pass to and from the 

 electric-car line. The wing walls of the main bridge have been completed by the 

 addition of rustic coping, which very much adds to the appearance of the structure. 

 The banks of the creek above the bridge are now strengthened and protected by 

 lining them with loose riprap and planting them with willows and other quick- 

 growing shrubs. 



The roads have also received considerable attention. The main drive to the north 

 of the animal house has been widened to 50 feet, and greatly improved by laying a 

 telford pavement. The main road has also been properly graded and improved 

 between the elephant house and the buffalo house, and about 1,000 feet of it treated 

 with macadam, making a suitable drive. Macadam has been laid on the road behind 

 the elephant house and on the main drive from the eastern entrance to the bridge, 

 and the large ellipse in front of the bear dens has been completed by the addition 

 of finely pulverized stone. 



The road leading into the park from Woodley road has been commenced, the work 

 under a preliminary appropriation of $2,500 being done by the District authorities 

 and the remainder by the park under an appropriation for $5,000. The funds on 

 hand have been sufficient only to make a 6 per cent grade from Woodley road down 

 to the banks of the creek. In order to make this road practicable it .should be 

 treated with macadam and a sidewalk be provided. 



The water supply has been extended so as to supply the office of the park and the 

 garden in which vegetables are raised for the animals, and additional drinking 

 fountains have been put in. An additional sewer has been constructed, by which 

 the toilet rooms, the elephant house, and the hippopotamus tank can discharge. 



A temporary fence has been built around the pond for aquatic birds, and the 

 fences of the buffalo and elk paddocks have been strengthened. These fences, 

 although apparently of great strength, are found in practice to need constant 

 watching, as the powerful attacks of these animals cause them finally to give way. 



Some small plantations of shrubbery have been made from time to time as the 

 funds at the disposal of the park would permit. These are principally in the vicinity 

 of the buffalo and elephant houses and in parts of the park where it seemed neces- 

 sary to seclude certain parts from the direct view of the public. 



