PARK AND CEA\ETERY 
51 
PARK NOTES. > 
Glens Falls, N. Y,, has no public park but is agitating the 
question. 
plants of each tree, shrub and vine that will prove hardy in and 
adapted to this climate, each plainly labeled with the scientific 
and common names. This will be warmly welcomed by all in- 
terested in botanical matters, and especially helpful to the pub- 
lic schools. 
Wilmington, Delaware, is authorized to borrow $50,000 for 
park improvements. 
* * * 
Peabody, Mass., is the fortunate recipient of gifts of land 
for park purposes from the Misses Walker and Miss Proctor. 
« * * 
The total expense of maintaining Lincoln park, Chicago, for 
the year ending March 31st, amounted to $185,672. Permanent 
improvements cost $45,000. The revenues for the present year 
will amount to $246,659. 
* » * . 
The deaf and dumb citizens of Illinois have offered to pre- 
sent to Lincoln Park, Chicago, a duplicate of Daniel French’s 
statue of Thomas H. Gallaudet instructing the deaf and dumb 
girl, now in Washington. 
By special act of the legislature of the state of New York, 
the common council of the City of Newburgh is authorized to 
borrow f 10 000 more, by the sale of twenty-year bonds, to con- 
tinue work on “Downing Park.” 
* * * 
The Metropolitan park system of Boston comprises thirty- 
seven cities and towns. The commission appointed to apportion 
the cost to these towns reports an actual cash expenditure up to 
April 1st, on account of the Park Act, of I746, 500.87, and on ac- 
count of Boulevard Act, $35,321.86. 
* * 
The manager’s report of the City Park Association of Phila- 
delphia, shows that twenty-eight plots of ground have been des- 
ignated by ordinances for park purposes since 1888. The action 
of the board of education is commended for opening school yards 
in the crowded districts of the city in midsummer. 
* * * 
The Queen Victoria Niagara Falls Park Commission has 
taken formal possession of the tract of land at Queenston 
Heights, turned over to it by the Dominion Government. On 
this tract stands the well known Brock’s monument, and some 
magnificent views are here to be obtained. Electric cars run to 
this new addition to the Niagara Falls Park system, and when 
proposed improvements are carried out, it will be an attractive 
spot, and the journey to it a delightful one. 
# # # 
A Liberty tree was planted last month in Golden Gate Park, 
by Sequoia Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. 
The soil placed around the roots of the tree was collected from 
more than one hundred and fifty historic spots, among them be- 
ing Lexington battle field, the tomb of Washington, the graves 
of Lafayette, Thomas Jefferson and Francis Scott Key, the 
trenches of Valley Forge and the base of Bunker Hill monu- 
ment. If kindness does not kill the tree, it should certainly 
thrive in San Francisco. 
# # # 
The Commissioners of the West Side Parks of Chicago have 
established at Union Park, a Botanical Garden of hardy herba- 
ceous ornamental flowering plants, systematically arranged, 
combined in groups representative of the flora of the different 
countries of the world, and especially that of the United States. 
They have also in contemplation the formation of an arbore- 
tum in one of the larger parks, in which will be placed specimen 
According to the report of the Park Commissioners of New 
York city, more than 5,134 acres of land are set apart for public 
parks. Below the Harlem river there are some 1,172 acres of 
parks, most of them developed. Central Park alone covering 840 
acres. Above the Harlem there are undeveloped park lands ag- 
gregating 3 962 acres, acquired a few years ago, and destined, 
undoubtedly, to become the splendid playgrounds for the city. 
In one of them will be placed the botanical gardens, for which 
the endowment has been raised. But besides all this, the city 
is about to spend more money for park purposes. Mayor Strong 
was elected on a platform which called for the establishment of 
more small parks. 
» * » 
Preparations for the new botanical gardens in New York 
City are rapidly progressing and the question of location in 
Bronx Park is under consideration. But very little money re- 
mained to be raised early in the month before the actual work 
of making plans for the buildings could be begun. Professor 
N. L. Britton, secretary of the Board of Managers, has outlined 
the plans of the projectors as follows: Two hundred and fifty 
acres of land will be set apart for the use of the gardens. Then 
the city will issue the bonds for $500,000 for the construction of 
the buildings. The principal buildings will be the large muse- 
um building, which will contain rare specimens of all kinds. 
There will also be five greenhouses erected. 
* * * 
Plans and specifications for an Art building to be erected in 
the Park, are called for by the commissioners of Fairmount 
Park, Philadelphia, Pa , until October i, 1895, for which the fol- 
lowing prizes for the various successful plans will be awarded. 
Six thousand dollars for the plans and specifications of the build- 
ing that shall be adopted; three thousand dollars second prize; 
two thousand dollars, third prize; one thousand dollars, fourth 
prize. These plans and specifications must be complete in all 
respects, and comply with the general requirements and specifi- 
cations which may be obtained of Russell Thayer, Chief Engi- 
neer and Superintendent, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. The 
plans and specifications for which prizes are awarded will become 
the absolute property of the commissioners. 
* * * 
In an article 01. “Beautifying Public Thoroughfaies,” Mr. 
Geo. R. Knapp, in Ainerican Agriculturist, briefly describes 
the difficulties which have been overcome in improving the sum- 
mer resorts on the New Jersey coast, and the results in the 
main avenues, and concludes with the following very suggestive 
paragraph: “Many of our smaller towns are devoid of suitable 
spaces for parks, but scarcely any have not wide enough thor- 
oughfares that may be treated in a similar manner, or, at least, 
there are spaces or plots at the intersection of streets which 
might easily be decorated with trees, shrubs or plants. Indiv- 
iduals are oftentimes slow to respond to the trend of affairs in 
their own personal properties, but experience has shown that 
they will wax enthusiastic over a contemplated “public good,” 
when the expense may be made nominal by reason of its divi- 
sion among many. Good roads, well kept walks, shaded streets 
and bits of landscape architecture in public places, are as valua- 
ble to the town or village as are tastefully arranged and well 
kept grounds to the individual. Such improvements have 
reached beyond “improvements for improvements’ sake,” and 
are on the solid rock of “improvement to increase value.” 
