4 Board of Park Commissioners 
The popular demand for greater activities can not be met by 
present methods, and we would suggest for consideration the plan 
proposed for raising funds for parks in the draft of the new city 
charter of 1913. This, though brief in language, appears ample in 
scope, and we believe would meet with popular approval. 
Specializing. 
With the larger growth of the department, it became necessary 
to specialize. 
A Head Gardener, equipped by education and experience, was 
employed, with gratifying results. 
The Engineer, with his multitudinous duties, was assisted by 
detailing other officials to individual service. 
The playgrounds were apportioned to the Secretary, who could 
give them more detailed attention. Thus larger attendance and better 
service was achieved. 
Mt. Airy Forest, one of our large problems, requiring careful study 
and close attention, was placed under an advisory committee, con- 
sisting of the Landscape Architect, the State Forester and the Secre- 
tary as the executive member. Thus the Engineer is relieved from 
much detail and his whole time given to the ever-increasing demands 
of general administration. 
New Buildings. 
Five new buildings were erected this year, namely, one each at 
Washington Park, Lincoln Park, Grant and Symmes Playgrounds, and 
Eden Park Music Pavilion. An important addition, necessitated by 
increased use, was also made to the Inwood house. For this archi- 
tectural work a building superintendent was employed, who carried 
on the construction according to plans and specifications, and to the 
satisfaction of the Board. 
Rounding Out. 
Several of the newer parks were incomplete, in that their outlines 
were ragged and contained isolated private holdings. This was the 
case in the Bloody Run Parkway, Ault Park and Mt. Airy Forest. 
These blocks have been completed and their boundaries perfected. 
A 12-foot strip of ground was procured for an entrance to Wilson 
Common from Grand Avenue. This allowed the introduction of water, 
as well as access, from the main thoroughfare, which though but 50 
feet from the Common, required a detour of several hundred feet to 
approach. 
Donations of Land. 
The largest gifts of park land during the year were: 33 acres by 
Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Ault, being an addition to Ault Park, Linwood, 
making the total donation of a property of 205.003 acres. 
An 88-acre tract by Mr. J. Nelson Caldwell, on the old North Bend 
