PARK AND CEMETERY 
57 
Annual reports or extracts from ihem^ historical sketches^ 
descriptive circulars^ photographs of improvements or dis- 
tinctive features are requested for use in this department* 
The Ne’iv San Francisco 
There is every prospect that the rebuilding of San Fran- 
cisco will proceed along the lines of the broad and compre- 
hensive plan prepared by Architect D. H. Burnham, of Chi- 
cago, who spent a year studying the problem for the Society 
for the Improvement and Adornment of San Francisco. Mr. 
Burnham has been called into consultation with the builders 
of the city and in a recent interview described the plans as 
follows : 
“It is proposed to make a comprehensive plan of San Fran- 
cisco based upon the present streets, parks and other public 
places and grounds, which shall interfere as little as possible 
with the rectangular street system of the city.” 
According to his plan, the core of the new San Francisco 
is to be the civic center located at and about the geographical 
center of the city — the junction of Van Ness avenue, the prin- 
cipal boulevard, running north and south, and Market street, 
the city’s main artery, extending east and west. ' 'About the 
civic center, within a radius of a dozen square blocks; 'will be 
housed the adrtiinistrative and intellectual life of- the city, 
including the postofSce, a $2,500,000 building; the city hall 
and public library. The other proposed buildings are the op- 
era house, concert hall, municipal theater, academy of art, 
museum of art, technological and industrial school, the acad- 
emy of music and other similar buildings. 
Mr. Burnham suggests that the Union railway station be 
placed on the chief radial line from the civic center. Thus 
located it will be not more than ten minutes’ ride from the 
city’s center. As many of these radial lines are proposed as 
will be necessary for perfect intercommunication. They will 
lead to the grand circular boulevard, the “periphery of com- 
munication,” which will enclose the circumference of the 
city, a distance of thirty miles. To this embracing highway 
all streets will lead and access may be had from any one of 
them to another lying in a distant section by going out to this 
engirdling boulevard, and following it until the street sought 
for opens into it. 
The plans comprehend a treatment of many beautiful emin- 
ences to enhance both their artistic possibilities and their ac- 
cessibility. 
* * * 
The Kane county federation of women’s clubs of Illinois 
has voted to undertake the work of beautifying 30 miles of 
country road, from Montgomery to Carpentersville. This 
road leads along the west bank of the Fox river, and from 
it is viewed some of the most beautiful scenery in the federa- 
tion, located at Hampshire, Elgin, St. Charles, Geneva, Ba- 
tavia and Aurora. All of these towns, except the first men- 
tioned, are located on Fox River. The entire distance between 
Montgomery, which is the lower section of Aurora, and Car- 
pentersville has been divided into six sections and each club 
will be given a section of the work, which means that each 
club must look after five miles of roadway. Each club has 
pledged itself to raise $300 to carry on the work, so that there 
will be $1,800 gathered in to be put to good use. 
At the annual meeting of the Village Improvement Society 
of Sterling, Mass., the following summary of a few of its 
activities was given : Street signs have been placed through- 
out the village. A new piano has been placed in the town 
hall, which the town voted to buy. Prizes were given to 
pupils of the schools for the best flower and vegetable gardens. 
A public tennis court has been kept in order. The little^park 
at the north end of the village has been graded and seeded 
down. A rubbish barrel was placed at the high school build- 
ing, and two others are soon to be located near the center of 
the village. There are standing committees on sidewalks, 
public grounds, trees, street lamps, flower and vegetable gar- 
dens and new members. 
* * * 
A civic improvement association was recently organized by 
the public-spirited citizens of Kane, Pa., from which it is 
confidentially hoped that good results will speedily follow in 
promoting better conditions throughout the town and sur- 
roundings. The School-garden department, under the direc- 
tion of the principal and teachers of the public school, stimu- 
lated by the commendable enthusiasm in which they have 
entered upon the work is a very hopeful sign for the essen- 
tial educational feature of the association. Milton Craven is 
president of the association, and Miss Margaret Armstrong, 
secretary. 
^ 
The National Playground Association was formed at a 
meeting in Washington, D. C., in April. It is composed of 
representatives from various parts of the country interested 
in outdoor and athletic sports, the chief promoter of the 
movement being Dr. Luther Gulick, of New York City, presi- 
dent of the National Educational Association. According to 
the constitution of the new organization, its object is to col- 
lect and distribute knowledge of and promote interest in play- 
grounds throughout the country, as well as to seek to further 
the establishment of playgrounds and athletic fields in all 
communities and direct play in connection with the schools. 
* * * 
The Galesburg Week’s Review, an illustrated weekly pub- 
lished at Galesburg, 111 ., contains a history of the Municipal 
Improvement Society, with illustrations of the parks, other 
works of the society, a picture of Dr. J. V. N. Standish, 
president of the society, and a detailed account of its work 
for the past 5 years. The society now has 200 members and 
has long been a leader in the work of beautifying the city. 
^ jjf He 
The Press Committee of the Village Improvement Society 
of Framingham, Mass., whose energetic work in running two 
columns of live improvement matter in the Framingham 
Tribune, has been noted in these columns, has adopted the 
method of sending out reprints of this department accom- 
panied by an appeal for membership with a blank form for 
application. * * 
J. Horace McFarland, President of the American Civic 
Association, who is conducting the department entitled 
“Beautiful America’’ for the Ladies’ Home Journal has been 
publishing pictures from a number of the leading cities of 
the country, showing spots within their limits that are badly 
in need of improvement with a view to stimulating local in- 
terest in such matters. 
* * * 
Charles Mulford Robinson, of Rochester. N. Y., whose 
services have been in much demand for making reports and 
plans for beautifying cities, recently visited the Hawaiian 
Islands and prepared a comprehensive plan for beautifying 
Honolulu. On his way back he stopped at Oakland, Cal., and 
made a tour of that city with a view of preparing a similar 
plan for it. 
