PARK AND CCMETCRY 
the influence of parks on the community, before 
the Academy of Sciences, at the time the subject was 
first agitated, very exhaustively discussed all the 
features touching upon the question, detailing the 
physical conditions affecting Chicago and warmly 
advocating a generous policy in this direction. 
Among other things he said; “We need parks to 
induce out-door exercise, and for the pleasant in- 
fluences connected with them, which are so benefi- 
cial to our over-worked business men, to dyspep- 
tics, to those affected with ner- 
vous diseases, and, particularly 
to the consumptive. We need 
parks for our school children, 
as we have no places to which 
they can resort for out-of-door 
play, and where they can ob- 
tain healthful recreation, with 
the exception of the limited 
grounds surrounding the school- 
houses. ” 
“The moral influence of 
the parks is decided, man is 
brought in contact with na- 
ticLilar attention has been paid to landscape art, in 
the views and effects which form a charming pano- 
rama of beautiful vistas and arrangements of plants 
and shrubs at every turn one makes. Here before 
one stretches an expanse of well kept lawn, broken 
here and there to give character by clumps of choice 
bushes and bounded by groves of various descrip- 
tions of trees according to the well matured design. 
Another path will gracefully turn among a dense 
collection of handsome shrubs and trees, which af- 
THE LAKE, WASHINGTON PARK. 
AQUATIC GARDEN, WASHINGTON PARK, CHICAGO. 
ture — is taken away from the artificial conditions 
in which he lives in cities; and such associations 
exercise a vast influence for good.” 
All this is absolutely true and is being realized 
the more appreciably as the intelligence of the peo- 
ple expands; and that the people are enjoying the 
privileges they have created is measurably dis- 
played by the constantly increasing numbers who 
betake themselves to the parks for recreation. 
In the development of the improvement of the 
territory comprised in Washington Park, more par- 
ford many a cool and secluded 
nook for refreshing rest and 
reflection. Magnificent trees, 
evidences of culture and care on 
every hand, yet nothing set and 
formal; nature copied and en- 
couraged to assert her delight- 
ful characteristics for the en- 
joyment and education of man, 
are the governing features of 
Washington Park. 
The work of improvement 
is carried out on the line of ad- 
vanced ideas in landscape work, 
both in the matters of general 
results, and the grouping and massing of shrubs and 
trees to produce fine effects both in form and col- 
or; so that through the seasons nature may contri- 
bute by her infinite variety of expression, to the 
higher pleasures of man’s existence. 
At the western entrance climbing plants have 
been freely used to show what picturesqueness may 
be obtained, either in the graceful covering of tall 
tree stumps or the training over paths in arch -like 
naturalness. Towards the eastern side is the flow- 
er garden section, near which are the extensive green 
