are realizing every day more keenly the 
value of a far-seeing and comprehensive 
plan before the work begins. In other 
words, bravely lay out a broad plan in 
view of a reasonably anticipated growth 
and then work steadily to it. Have two 
distinct treatments. For the back bone 
or central paseo of your park system, an 
absolutely formal treatment; for all out- 
lying parkways and boulevards, leave 
Dame Nature religiously alone, even re- 
fraining from formal curb and gutter and 
building perfect roadways along natural 
lines, avoiding rectangular treatment. 
Our Cliff Drive, I think, may be said 
to be a noble example of this latter. Dame 
Nature put the limestone ledge about half 
way down the river cliff. The treatment 
is simple and inexpensive. Granitoid side- 
walks, curb and gutter would almost have 
ruined it, kiliing that delicious impression 
that one is in the woods in their native 
state, far from the congested city, al- 
though really in its midst. For the shelter 
houses and the bath houses and architec- 
tural adornment cling to simple lines. 
Avoid fiamboyancy and jimcrack, and let 
all construction be simple and substantial. 
The life, growth and development of cities 
aias, is generally like the growth of in- 
dividuals, the result of chance and envir- 
onment. 
Washington is about the only American 
city deliberately laid out beforehand. Ev- 
ery city should dream and plan for the 
future with a definite ideal in view, even 
though unattainable within the lives of 
the present generation. Its citizens, 
young and old, having seen this vision of 
a more beautiful, cleaner and better city 
should focus their efforts through some 
central organization, and then ever give 
some portion of their thought and labors 
to the city of their choice. 
Civic pride is the greatest asset of a 
growing city and the municipal life of 
most cities is affected and directed not 
by its politicians and orators but by the 
sincere enthusiasm and loving labors of 
its private eitzens who want no office, 
but love their city next only to their 
homes and are glad to give to it some of 
their thought and labor. 
A motor car ride by moonlight over 
a portion of the boulevard system 
was a pleasant diversion terminating 
at Electric Park where vaudeville was 
enjoyed. 
Boston was chosen for the 1912 
meeting, wdth several invitations al- 
ready entered for 1913 and 1914 . The 
opinion seems to prevail that the 
meetings should alternate between 
the east and the west. The following 
officers were elected for the ensuing 
year: President, W. H. Dunn, Kan- 
sas City, Mo.; Vice-Presidents, C. E. 
Keith, Bridgeport, Conn., J. B. Shea, 
Boston, Mass., F. C. Green, Provi- 
dence, R. E, J. W. Thompson, Seat- 
tle Mr. W. R. Adams, Omaha, Neb., 
G. Champion, Winnipeg, Man.; Sec’y-- 
Treas., F. L. Mulford, Washington, 
D. C. 
A communication was read from 
J. W. Thompson, Seattle, Wash., sug- 
gesting the admission to membership 
of secretaries, engineers, acting engi- 
neers, etc., and recommending chang- 
ing the name of the organization to 
American Park Association. An ani- 
mated discussion followed without any 
action resulting. 
A motor car ride across the inter- 
city viaduct to Kansas City, Kansas, 
the metropolis of the sun-flower state, 
gave the visitors a hasty glance of at 
least a part of this enterprising city. 
As the motor cars entered the state 
the occupants of the cars were given 
a bunch of the Kansas state flower. 
Luncheon was served under the 
trees in Budd Park, a wooded tract 
of 22 acres, the city’s first park and 
in which there are no driveways. Here 
Mr. W. H. Dunn, accompanied by his 
physician, was able to spend a short | 
time with his friends. In a brief j 
speech he expressed his gratitude at 
having been honored by his election 
to the presidency of the association, ' 
and also his regrets at his inability to 
participate in all the activities of the 
convention. Mr. Dunn’s illness was !’ 
caused by a severe attack of rheuma- 
tism. The afternoon was devoted to 
motoring over Kansas City’s justly 
famous park and boulevard system. 
Between sixty and seventy miles were 
covered. Dinner was served in the 
refectory in Swope Park as guests of ; 
the Board of Park Commissioners, i 
during which the park band furnished 
vocal and instrumental music. This p 
was followed by a stereopticon lec- Ij 
ture on the park system of Kansas i i 
City by Mr. Geo. E. Kessler, land- j , 
scape architect. Many of the pictures 1 
illustrated scenes showing actual con- 
ditions before and after improvements , 
were made, on much of the ground 
that had been traversed during the 
afternoon, adding greatly to the 
value of the lecture for as Mr. Kess- ♦ 
ler said such things are possible in 
every city of any size in this coun- 
try. Several vaudeville numbers con- 
cluded the evening’s entertainment, 
and an electric car ride of seven miles | 
to Hotel Baltimore rounded out a 
somewhat strenuous day. 
The closing day of the convention | 
included business sessions in the | 
morning and afternoon with another j 
delightful motor ride to points of in- I 
terest. Several of the new play- I 
grounds were visited. At Holmes ! 
Square, the first and most complete- 
