House and Garden 
VIEW OF THE BEUE HILLS FROM HAGBORNE HILL 
greatest degree the natural physical characteristics 
necessary for park purposes, and requiring the least 
expenditure for subsequent development. (4) Sani¬ 
tary advantages, or the selection of such lands as 
would probably become unhealthy if neglected or 
built upon. 
In general these considerations are sound and yet 
there is danger that some of them may be mis¬ 
understood or over emphasized, 
and so stand in the way of the 
best selection of the people’s 
pleasure grounds. That the site 
should be easily accessible can¬ 
not be questioned, for upon its 
accessibility depends to a great 
degree its use, and upon its use, 
its value. As a matter of fact, 
compared with other means of 
recreation and education for 
the general public, parks are 
usually very inaccessible. This 
is due partly to their nature and 
requirements, and partly to the 
other considerations which have 
controlled the selection of sites. 
1 he first of these is economy. 
Communities like individuals 
avoid expense. But as in both 
cases there may be extravagance, 
so in both there may be false 
economy. For schools, libraries, 
and art museums the public 
money is unhesitatingly spent in 
a manner likely to serve the aims 
of those institutions, hut parks 
are too often expected to pay 
for themselves. New York City 
has had a costly experience in 
park making, and yet it is said with authority 
that the city’s outlay for parks has had the effect 
of reducing rather than increasing taxation. 
This is as unusual as it is welcome in cities’ activ¬ 
ities, yet might it not be a mistake to aim for it too 
dehnitely ^ Directly connected with this question of 
economy is the selection of sites that will not disturb 
the business of the city. This view assumes that the 
“THE COUNTRY PARK,” THE DOMINANT FEATURE OF THE DESIGN, 
OCCUPYING 334 ACRES OF THE TOTAL 527 
4 
