MUNICIPAL PARKS 
I 3 I 
bespeak. A few yards further, and the iron railings of 
the u Park ” come in view. The happy shrill voices of 
children resound, the swings are in full motion, the seats 
well filled, and up and down the asphalt walk, old and 
young are enjoying themselves. When the band plays 
the place is packed. tc I’ve calculated as many as nine 
hundred at one time/* says the old guardian, who is proud 
of the place, “ and as for the children, you often can’t see 
the ground for them.” Yes, this open space of four and 
a quarter acres is really appreciated. It is difficult for 
those in easier circumstances to realise what a difference 
that little patch of green, those few bright flowers, make 
to the neighbourhood, or the social effect of the summer 
evenings, when the band and the pleasant trees offer a 
counter-attraction to the public-house. For some twelve 
years this little Park has been enjoyed. Formed by the 
vestry, and kept up by the Royal Borough of Kensington, 
it greatly pleases, although it scarce can be called beauti¬ 
ful. The centre is given over to the children, and the 
boys have ample room, and the girls and infants keep 
their twenty-four swings in constant motion. A path 
twists round the irregular plot, and most of the way is 
bordered by those London-loving plants, the iris, and 
the usual groups of smutty bushes. Along the front 
runs a wide asphalt walk, well furnished with seats, a 
band-stand half way, and a fountain at one end. Some 
bedding out with gay flowers is the attraction here. A 
gardener and a boy keep it in order, while for about £20 
a year a nurseryman supplies all the necessary bedding- 
out plants. The old guardian sweeps the scraps of 
paper up and sees the children are not too riotous 
at the swings. Thus, for no great expense, widespread 
pleasure is conferred. 
