House Csf Garden 
Springfield, The wooden covered bridge— 
the old toll bridge as it is still called—is 
inadequate for the traffic (electric cars not 
being permitted) and tedious in the crossing. 
A good modern bridge is needed. Ill- 
considered action has been checked, and the 
bridge question remains open. Shall it be 
built solely to meet practical necessity in the 
most economical way ; or does the situation 
demand something more? A bridge is to 
be built: shall it be regarded as an oppor¬ 
tunity—a most fortunate opportunity— 
further to accept the advantages of the 
A LAKE IN FOREST PARK 
A GLIMPSE OF THE RIVER FROM HAMPDEN PARK 
dained, the extension will be much simplified. 
'I'here would then remain the raising in 
character of this rather debased thoroughfare, 
possibly separating it from the railroad by a 
low vine-covered wall which, while offering a 
protecting boundary, would not shut out the 
river view. The perfecting of parts could be 
carried on at leisure. The immediate need is 
the acquisition of the parts—a comparatively 
simple matter now, increasingly difficult and 
costly as time passes. 
A new bridge, centrally located, is to be an 
important feature in the improvement of 
noble river location? To build a handsome 
deck bridge, perhaps of the steel and con¬ 
crete construction, with wide asphalted road¬ 
way and promenade, and suitable provision 
for the electric cars, might be expensive, but 
it would give an ample and dignified approach 
through the extended Court Square, the cen¬ 
tral feature of the park system and heart of 
the civic life. Large opportunities should 
be met in a large way. Manifestly here is 
offered an adequate and enduring solution 
of a problem that calls for breadth and fore¬ 
sight, that sees the city that is to be as well 
A SUGGESTION FOR THE NEW BRIDGE 
By G. C. Gardner 
