These facts, I think, show that forests are of practical value to large Sentimental value 



recognized. 



populations. All persons recognize their sentimental worth. 



Chicago Wakens to Its Park Needs. 



I have shown by figures that our city is much behind the times in the Present activity, 

 matter of parks. However, there is evidence, in present activity, that we are 

 rousing ourselves to our needs. 



Until April, 1903, Chicago was restrained from locating new parks Restricted by law. 

 where the growth of the population required them, because the law pre- 

 scribed that new parks could be created only contiguous to existing parks 

 and boulevards. That law was amended by the last Legislature. A new 

 era in local park building is the result. 



The South Park Commissioners are creating new large and small parks, Expansion under 



° 1 new law. 



the West Chicago Park Commissioners have located sites for small parks, 

 and the Commissioners of Lincoln Park are to add a large area to Lincoln 

 Park and to buy land for small parks. The total added to the present 

 Chicago system is more than nine hundred acres, making the park acreage of 

 Chicago when work now under way, or contemplated, is completed, 3,174 

 acres. This, as stated, is the figure used in all the foregoing comparisons. 



I am inclined to believe that the Chicasro intramural park system, with Outer areas 



& , needed. 



the additions now under way, will be large enough to supply park needs 

 within the city, where much that is artificial must be introduced in public 

 recreation areas. What is needed to supplement this system is the outer 

 preserves of forest and meadowland unimproved by the art of man. 



Few of the residents of this flat- and smoky city know that near at hand Material at hand, 

 are tree-crowned hills and wooded valleys, and rivers and pure air. 



What we need to do is to acquire large tracts of these wooded lands, JestrucftTon 

 which nature has placed at our doors. Now this outlying property is cheap. 

 Soon it will be dear. In a few years, so rapid is the growth of Chicago, 

 city life will be extended into these reservoirs of health. Streets will be laid 

 out. Sewers will be dug. Acres will be cut into building lots. Trees of 

 priceless value will be hewn down or left to die from lack of water, for the 

 sewers will act as subsoil drains. 



In fact, the destruction of forest trees is in progress hereabouts to-day. 

 Soon it will be too late to secure these tracts as wooded reservations. The 

 art of man never can recreate a tangled forest, if the native trees have been 

 cut away. 



with 



Now the time to 

 act. 



Boston Shows Folly of Delay. 



A sample of the folly of delay is evidenced in the Boston movement. L essons irora th « 

 In the " History of the Boston Metropolitan Parks," published under author- 

 ity of the Boston Commissioners, occur these paragraphs : 



" The Boston parks were examples of the practical and aesthetic needs 

 of cities and towns about Boston, which were too short-sighted to provide 

 open spaces for the future when land was cheap and plenty, and too poor 

 and weak to provide them when land for recreation was costly but sorely 

 needed. 



" At the time of this movement certain picturesque tracts of wild land 

 north of Boston .... were threatened by the advance of building 

 operations which promised in a short season to extend over the entire 



Short-sighted 

 municipalities. 



Wild land threat- 

 ened. 



