34 
Annual Report 
There is one improvement that I deem very essential, and 
that is the enlargement of the playground area. The square is 
not large enough for both a park and a playground, and the 
present arrangement with the basin in the center obstructs the 
space that is allowed for playground purposes. I would, there- 
fore, respectfully recommend that this basin be removed, and that 
the cement be placed some thirty feet farther back, thus pro- 
viding ample space around the outer portion of the park for 
shade-trees and a border of green, which would still maintain a 
park effect, and also make the square much more useful as a 
playground. 
During frozen weather, at intervals, we flooded the play- 
ground, thus providing splendid skating, which was thoroughly 
enjoyed by all those able to participate in the sport within this 
limited space. 
Owl$^=nest ParK 
Owls'-Nest Park, one of the most beautifully-situated pieces of 
property on Madison Road, was given to the city about one year 
ago. It would not take more than five or six thousand dollars 
to place this property in park condition. 
It was given for the purpose of being used as a playground, 
and its natural topography provides in the rear for a gymnasium 
field which would be entirely hidden from the road, and the noise 
that generally accompanies recreation fields would not be heard 
from the main street. 
The slope extending down to the rear of the park provides 
a natural amphitheater, and I would therefore recommend that 
there be one hundred feet added to this property, which would 
give an opportunity to pli^e here a beautiful recreation field, 
absolutely secluded from the public view. This opportunity of 
combining park and playground would add greatly to the useful- 
ness of this piece of property. 
