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PARKS

THEIR DESIGN, EQUIPMENT
AND USE

LANDSCAPE
ARCHITECTURE
SERIES
By GEORGE BURNAP

PARKS
THEIR DESIGN, EQUIPMENT AND USE

Frontispicce in color, 160 Illustrations, and 4 Diagrams
Quarto, Handsomely bound, slip case, 56.00 net

IN PREPARATION
GARDENS

THEIR CAUSE AND CURE

PICTORIAL PLANTING

FOR CITY, SUBURB, AND COUNTRYSIDE

LANDSCAPE ART
ARRANGING THE OUTDOOR WORLD FOR
MAN'S CONVENIENCE AND DELIGHT

Cornell University

The original of this book is in
the Cornell University Library.

There are no known copyright restrictions in
the United States on the use of the text.

http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924002854580

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE SERIES

BY

GEORGE BURNAP, BS. M.A.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT OF
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS, WASHINGTON, D. C.

LECTURER IN LANDSCAPE DESIGN, UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SPECIAL LECTURER, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY

RICHARD B. WATROUS

SECRETARY AMERICAN CIVIC ASSOCIATION

WITH FRONTISPIECE IN COLOR, 163 ILLUSTRATIONS
AND 4 DIAGRAMS

PHILADELPHIA AND LONDON

1.8. LIP PiNnGorr CUsLEAN

1916
a

COPYRIGHT, 1915, BY GEORGE BURNAP

COPYRIGHT, 1916, BY GEORGE BURNAP

PRINTED BY J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY
AT THE WASHINGTON SQUARE PRESS
PHILADELPHIA, U.S. A.

DEDICATED TO THE AMERICAN ACADEMY IN ROME,

AN INSTITUTION SUPPORTED BY PUBLIC PHILANTHROPY TO AFFORD
TO A LIMITED NUMBER OF GRADUATES IN THE FINE ARTS A PERIOD
FOR ASSIMILATION OF THE GREATNESSES OF THEIR CHOSEN PRO-
FESSION BEFORE BEING THRUST INTO THE CHAOS AND VIOLENCE
OF THE MODERN WORLD. ADMITTED TO THIS INSTITUTION AS AN
AUSTIN FELLOW IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, I LEARNED BY
INTIMATE COMPANIONSHIP WITH CO-STUDENTS IN ARCHITECTURE,
SCULPTURE AND PAINTING THAT ALL ART IS SUBJECTIVELY THE
SAME, DIFFERING MERELY IN THE FORMS OF EXPRESSION PERTINENT
TO THE NEEDS OF THE PLACE WHEREIN EACH MAN FINDS HIMSELF

INTRODUCTION
By RICHARD B. WATROUS

Secretary AMERICAN Civic ASSOCIATION

ERY much asleep is the city that in these days has not been
V provided with a park of some kind. Some cities have park
areas thrust upon them by generous donors, most cities achieve them
by purchase or legal process. Some cities race for acreage and pass
the accepted portion of an acre of park for every hundred of popula-
tion, but asa rule such acreage remains but a potential municipal asset,
and if reduced to terms of efficiency, eliminating all but the really
serviceable park areas, the acreage would fall below the desired stand-
ard. Other cities centre their efforts on the rich embellishment of a
single park, which is in danger of becoming more like a wax figure
in a glass case to be admired by the few than a recreational spot
for the many.

But there are efficient parks, many of them, and the splendid spirit
that in the past has prompted the acquisition of embryonic parks is
now interesting itself more and more in their development to meet
the needs for which such areas were acquired. With the new posses-
sions there is becoming apparent a more painstaking study to find
just the park chord that responds most harmoniously to the delight
and benefit of the greatest number of adults and children. For the
youth there has sprung up the specialised park known as the play-
ground. How far shall the average park serve as a playground? How
may the playground serve as a park? This is the sort of question that
enlists the thought of those seeking to encourage the setting aside
of areas to be devoted to recreation. Parks serve, primarily, two
functions—one of recreation, the other of decoration. Here again
arises the query, where, if any, is the dividing line between them? ‘There

are countless examples of the purely decorative park that might, with-
7

“Mr. Burnap for the past five years has held the position
of architect-in-chief of outdoor Washington, and his
influence is easily discernible in the artistic character
our parks, squares and public grounds are taking”
LANDSCAPE DESIGN FOR PUBLIC PARKS

The Washington Star

INTRODUCTION

out sacrifice to its original purpose, be added to the group of recrea-
tional or service parks, and vice versa. Consider, for instance, the
small triangles, circles or squares, to be found in many localities,
rich in shrubbery and flora, but only to be looked at. Many of them
have stood as barriers to a direct approach to a main thoroughfare or
car line. Many a car has been “ just missed” because one had to
make two sides of a triangle or swing around a half circle when there
might be a pretty straight cut through the little park. The new con-
ception of the usableness of parks is to develop these practical aids
to the general satisfaction in parks.

Quoting from an article in the American City on “ Intensive Park
Development ”:

“ The plans for the beautification of Washington have attracted
much attention, and the public is quite generally familiar with the
Mall scheme which is to furnish the great vista connection between
the Capitol building, the Washington Monument and the new Lincoln
Memorial now being designed. Simultaneously with this, however,
there is being also worked out a secondary scheme of civic beautification
that is not spectacular in its presentation but holds promise to the
every-day worker and resident in the National Capital as well as the
sight-seer and tourist there.

“ George Burnap, landscape architect of public buildings and
grounds, is making a radical departure from what has been done
heretofore in connection with the many small parks. His idea is to
make them both striking as focal points of the street system and pos-
sessed of personal and livable interest to the many residents of the
immediate neighbourhood. The one-time idea of laying out each park
according to geometrical pattern is giving way to the development of
walk lines of practical use, recognising both traffic requirements and
the desirability of location for numerous park benches. Trees and
shrubs are being planted, not for the value of individual specimens,

but for the purpose of background and setting, as elements of design
9

—

The River Drive in Potomac Park, W ashington, as it

appeared before planting. Laid out by George Burna Ds
Landscape Architect

The River Drive in Potomac Park, Washington, as it
appeared after planting. ‘‘Long rows of soft yellow
lilies, a gold line on the water's edge beneath the willows”
GOVERNMENT LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT RESPON-

SIBLE FOR CITY’S FLORAL BEAUTY
New York Morning Telegraph

“It is the intention to build here a park of the formal
type, heavily wooded, with gardens, walks, colonnades,
fountains, waterfalls, etc. The retaining wall on the
Sixteenth Street side is now being built. The estimates
for the park improvement aggregate $310,000. The
plans for the park were drawn by George Burnap”’

MERIDIAN HILL RETAINING WALL
AT WASHINGTON, D.C.

The Engineering News

INTRODUCTION

and composition. These small parks, therefore, are beginning to have
an individuality all their own, and are acquiring a character of design
that will before many years make the Washington park system unique
in this respect.” .

Mr. Burnap has not confined his attention to the intensive develop-
ment of the small park spaces alone, for Washington park areas of
all sorts and sizes which have been in existence for many years, con-
forming in location and outline with the original great scheme of the
Capitol City, are but now, through his efforts, being appreciated for
their true beauty and value. With a view to discovering the best
things that can and should be done for all parks to increase their
effectiveness both as service parks and as decorative areas, Mr. Burnap
has widely travelled in this country and abroad. With an open mind
he has caught with his camera, now here and now there, examples of
the best things in many lands.

Such a thorough groundwork of principle and wide experience
have eminently fitted Mr. Burnap for the writing of this first book of
large scope to be published upon the subject, and he has not only set
forth in the text his vision of park design but has illustrated with photo-
graphs every suggestion he proposes. Thus in his book is spread a
vista that points the way for all zealous devotees of parks to introduce
in their own particular pleasure grounds the very best that has been
achieved elsewhere. His appeal and his direct aid should be particu-
larly useful not only to members of city park boards by way of sug-
gestion and to custodians of parks by telling them just what to do
and how to carry out the suggestions made by governing boards,
prompted by Mr. Burnap’s book and its admirable illustrations, but
also to all landscape architects and those in any way interested in the
beautification and healthfulness of our municipalities. It should be
welcomed by novice and expert alike in the possibilities it presents for
the larger development of those priceless assets that are now so gen-
erally being acquired by American cities. Let there not only be more

parks but better parks.

PREFACE
ANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE is vastly more comprehensive

than is usually realised, as must appear from the scope of the
projected series which ventures upon a more inclusive and complete
exposition of the subject than has heretofore been attempted. In treat-
ing under the general head of Landscape Architecture the subjects of
Landscape Design, Planting Design, Park Design and Garden Design,
it is desired to impress the fact that the respective subjects, which are
being presented as four separate books, are component rather than
related parts of the art that Charles Elot defined as “ The art of
arranging land and landscape for human use, convenience and enjoy-
ment”; and such rules and principles as may be outlined in the
development of any one of the subjects will be found applicable and

equally serviceable in the understanding of the others. There might

even be included—and with propriety—two further volumes devoted

respectively to architectural and civic design, were there not already

able and ample books on these particular subjects,—although the
former has not always been viewed and expounded in its broadest
aspect.

It is with the unanimity of the subject material in mind that no
hesitation is felt in introducing Park Design of the series first, although
the volumes were not prepared nor originally intended to be presented
in that order. The manuscript of the book on Landscape Design has
unfortunately been interned with the author’s trunk on the border
between Germany and France, and it is feared may have been con-
fiscated and destroyed by the authorities because of the many drawings
and photographs accompanying it. The loss of a manuscript, however
distressing it may seem to the author, must appear of little consequence

and trivial in light of the great calamities that are following the progress

15

PREFACE

of the world war to-day ; and the author presumes to make no complaint
of the comparatively insignificant misfortune which has come to him.
The manuscript will be prepared anew with the reassuring thought that
such complete recapitulation of the material will afford opportunity of
revision granted few writers, and will unquestionably conduce to the
improvement and strengthening of the text.

TO CITY FATHERS, PARK SUPERINTENDENTS, LANDSCAPE DESIGNERS, AND
TO ALL THOSE WHO ENJOY AND DESIRE PARKS

The present volume on Park Design is addressed primarily and
respectfully to executives having the development of parks in charge.
Such officials are usually business men whose point of view is
naturally so practical as to be one-sided; and by the time they have
acquired a sympathetic knowledge of the subject to the point of ex-
changing a watch-dog attitude for a progressive one of city advance-
ment, their term expires and new recruits take their places. This
results in a wasteful dissipation of time and energy on the part of the
landscape architect or park designer directly in charge of the work,
who is constantly forced to go over again and again fundamental prin-
ciples of park design that may be demonstrated with greater economy
of effort by means of some book of general instruction on the subject.
Many of a designer’s best projects are hampered and often frustrated
by the difficulty of those in authority, through general unfamiliarity
with the context and with the underlying principles of the subject, to
understand and fully visualize the designs prepared.

Park administrators, through lack of available information and in
company with the great majority of people who are still unappreciative
of the progress that has been made in the art, seem to underestimate
the value of design in park building, if not prone to doubt the existence
or necessity of it at all; and there is required really what would be

comparable in university curriculums to an elementary course of in-
16

\

PREFACE

struction to demonstrate that Park Design is governed by principles of
composition and not by personal whim or caprice of the designer. The
landscape architect finds himself too often obliged to prove that which
should be accepted as axiomatic, and he is so frequently forced into a
defensive position that he eventually becomes hesitant in taking the
initiative, and the park problems are thereby deprived of his best
creative ability. Frequently disastrous personal ideas of municipal
officials are enforced without regard to precedent or precept in park
design; and it is hoped that this book may establish the fact that there

is a definite law and order to be recognised in the shaping of parks

quite as in other forms of art—laws which may not be prudently
violated or ignored.

The material presented has been confined so as to focus exactly
on the subject under consideration, with aim to make it clear and
applicable to conditions in both large and small communities. Aca-
demic theory has been avoided except in so far as it has been found by
experience to bear on the solution of daily problems. The author has
purposely refrained from summarising such occasional writings on the
subject as have come to his attention, for in nearly every case they have
been individual and limited in point of view, and usually more narra-
tive than deductive.

The introduction of plans has been considered inadvisable because
appearing in publications at so reduced scale as to discourage examina-
tion. Especially have plans of Washington parks been tabooed, as a
designer is unconsciously prejudiced in favor of the work which he has
prepared; and, being familiar with the special governing conditions
that have influenced the design, he becomes blinded to what will appear
palpable defects to the uninitiated critic. In place of the actual plans,
therefore, he has aimed to present the principles which have governed
him in their preparation. There has, however, been no hesitancy in

citing Washington examples, for all means should be availed of to
17

PREFACE

familiarise Americans with the progress being made in their capital
city; and, on the other hand, because examples in Washington are
frequently emulated when it will be seen from the text that Wash-
ington parks furnish an equal number of good and bad examples. It
is hoped, however, that the aid and influence of the National Com-
mission of Fine Arts, the members of which are giving their individual
time to the service of the Government without compensation and fre-
quently at great personal inconvenience and sacrifice, will before many
years bring the civic beauty of Washington to a preéminence that may
be safely emulated in whole or in part.

For the guidance of town and city officials entrusted with the
development and maintenance of parks; for the assistance of land-
scape architects and superintendents in the designing of parks; and

for the enlightenment of the public in whose interest all parks are : ; |
created and whose active support is indispensable to the successful . . .

realisation of park projects, this volume is respectfully submitted.

GEORGE BurRNAP

Wasuincton, D. C.,
June 1, 1916

CHAPTER

I.
IL.

CONTENTS

; PAGE
Park Design IN City PLANNING ......... 0.0.0 ccc eee eee 25
Brincine up A Park THE Way IT SHOULD GO................-. 42
PRINCIPLES OF PARK DESIGN ........ 00.000. c cece ee cee teens 56
“PASSING: THROUGH. (PARKSS « o.c.0-2-s4an,besnaea eee beau anes 78
INFIGHBOURHOOD® PARKS 4c) sre 4 oaciee tied end ata peat aged, ula a beet e 98
RECREATION SPARKS is5.95 vent aowace ieee nee ea et 116
PRAY GROUNDS. IN PARKS) diaciis con stan te chote sess pre ts oar eae toe heats 150
Erricigs AND MONUMENTS IN PARKS...... 00.00.00 cee eee 170
ARCHITECTURE IN PARKS) «toni passa AG ash Se atgllowy a vue Snteeeads 186
DECORATIVE) (USE-OF “WATER 4 424q yee vrn Seale ona eee ee 206
PGANDING DESIGN (OR (PARKS). sc4.0.00 Galle o-2k eng ans isec geese sai eeta aby 222
Park ADMINISTRATION IN RELATION TO PLANTING DESIGN ....... 238
SEATS IN PUBLIC PARKS iicaieads- tien need nee Ake a eee eas 252
DISPOSITION OF FLOWERS IN PARKS..........0.0 0000 cece cece eee 278
RAEN calceete (NS Gc 670) Bre eer ee aT eA PaO aa ar ee eT ROE 296
BA PRRIND EX aos Metra due avira easecete ae arela ise Meenas Hen neater Benes Sle shack ae saan ts 315

i GN Avon ceane re eta Caer Shep RAPES ON Ee tte RT BYE SUEY Co taD Sou me he ea Pt Pe PE rt we EE One ares 321

ILLUSTRATIONS

SMALL Park, WASHINGTON
River Drive 1x Potomac
River Drive 1x Potomac

Park, WASHINGTON
Park, WASHINGTON

Meripian Hitt Rerainrnc WALL, WASHINGTON,

Pusiic GarpENn, NAPLES
Pusiic Garpen, NAPLES
Hemincway Park, JACKSONVILLE
MaxiIMILIAN PROMENADEPLATZ, Municu
Meripian Hitt Park, WASHINGTON..........
PrazzaLe MIcHELANGIOLO, FLORENCE... .
CATHEDRAL SquaRk, Lima, Perv...
A Pusuic Square IN Miuan, ITaty
Mr. PLEASANT TRIANGLE, WASHINGTON. .
FOLKGARTEN, VIENNA
Dignan Park, JACKSONVILLE
WessTER TRIANGLE, WASHINGTON............
Srecious Drsign, WASHINGTON
Piazza Dante, RoME
Marcit Park, BupaPEsT
A Tae or Two CItres
Tue New Garpben, Torquay, ENGLAND
KARLSPLATZ, VIENNA
Logan Park, WASHINGTON...............00-5
Locan Park, WASHINGTON
Crry Hari Park, SAVANNAH
Park IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
Park Vittorio EMANUELE, RoME
Lincotn Park, WasHINGTON
Lincoitn Park, WASHINGTON
Montrose Park, GEORGETOWN
WASHINGTON CrircLE, WASHINGTON...........
WasHINGTON CrrcLe, WASHINGTON
Prazza Carto Fruicr, Torino
Pusiic Garpens, Nimes, FRANCE
Minitary Park, Newark, New JERSEY
Miuitary Park, Newark, New Jersey
Mapison SQUARE, SAVANNAH
KOonIGLIcCHER ZwINcER, DRESDEN
Dupont CrrcLe, WASHINGTON
Marait Park, BupaPsst
Miuitary Park, Newark, New Jersey

WITHERSPOON AND WEBSTER TRIANGLES, WASHINGTON ....

Tuomas CrrcLe, WASHINGTON. .
KAROLINENPLATZ, MUNICH

ILLUSTRATIONS

SMALL TRIANGLE, WASHINGTON........0-.. 00 ccc cece cece eee e eee e ee eebeeeeeeeee

Montrose Park, GEORGETOWN

NEvE PINAKOTHEK GROUNDS, MUNICH.......... 000 cece cece eect eee eee eee eeeteneanees 100
Neve PINAKOTHEK GROUNDS, MUNICH.........0.0 000 c cece cee e nee e enn e eee e ence cece eeeeeee 101
Mitrrary Pang; Newarxy -N:. Josscecenes x oy yee ocaedn 64 ocitewestia oe eg eead eae eeaueerss 103
A Prervertep Dispuay Parx, SAN DIEGO........ ce cence nner n eee e eee teeeee 105
Battery Park, CHARLESTON, 8. Co... . cece cnet ene ee ees leveeeueeen 107
HS27ERHAZY .PARK, VIENNA osoc444 acces naan bade ahadd ad BoA Re Me ease Lea OES Awol dagen 109
Bioomspuny Soquann, LONDON Saeed ce 4 cececncaneenes paren en eea ax ca Gameaee yp NeEd ee Seon: 111
Peter PAN IN KENSINGTON GARDENS, LONDON..........00000 0c cece cee cee eee ete eens 1138
UNDEVELOPED AREA, AKRON, OBIO........0.00. 0000 ccc cece ec ee tenet e nent ee nenas 115
GorpON; PARK: (CUEVEUAND th) ou sa ew aciaualelny nis cue we Sawa aoe wabaameinigidisrs, We uawa aiwle 4 cctrolylnGers 117
Farmmouns Pawn: Parva peePeths: 64 eGk oi die 000458 4044444 ROE eee Theda ads CER eee SA 119
Cxscinn: Panis FUORENCGDads kes o 54 eaecat See Ae DSS CARS O45 24 PRE ooo tee esa 44 Fea OwS 121
Pusiic. Panik DRESDEN Y i545,2 556 cee Spee nAe e OLS Laka hea ess cede ake epee aE AEA Sead 123
Perkins Park, AKRON, OHIO... 01... tenn enn t ene e nett nee eeeaee 125
Faremount Pang, PataADELPWIA.. .. ccc cc ceca eee eee tab eu ve ew rae payed ene eetsoeuunmenenins 127
GEYSER IN YELLOWSTONE PARK... 1.0... ccc cece een e eee n nett e ete eeeeaee 128
SHOSHONE RESERVATION, WYOMING..............00000 eee ee sseirtctceate dave tea th alin Sele aaa eu yon eae 129
Et: PROMENADO, LIarAs PERU .3: seit view $,8/eacx0n salateane avenqard ig mgr arene lee wea keen aber eiaanae deed 131
Grant’ Park, ATrANTA; GRORGIAS ste seu eres van cee anibis beaks e ea pra taasateeena ener 133
ToOoLOGICAL GARDEN; JLEWSICy: 027 2ycsawes unde sed bands eeaehOeeSax > oun eed Ep MINE des tes 135
Gescine; PARK) FUORENCBise. c2¥ socked ees eet pened (a4 ee aeease eneaeecadd Ueeaseneety 137
Hirropromer, BorGHESE GARDEN, ROMB...........000.0 00 ccc cece teen eee ene eens 139
GASCINE! PARK, PUOREN GB. 3:25). cucieidutuidtysier ard 48 abo 6 auhieidie ied 4 uonaidvangesaei od B46 Agab id Sunmaceee aera PS 141
MARGIT PARES BUDAPEST so) ceipshg 6 Gea hoa dvhon Gh alechck Wied lnddlouedlatGhes a wba His OA heme. Sino iann eae etele ead. 143
Mvp PARK, ONDON ej og ccnccesewtegeccn ead Ba te ney aug db oe eatery eee bight otiod cans Gath ana aoe 145
Semi-Pusiic PARK, JACKSONVILLE... 1.00.60 ccc tee eee cnet nent e eens 147
Park ar SCHONBRUNN, VIENNA o 6 60 0<0 eed deddaw dws da knee sew eeu vasind eae vag wee wad 1491
IKINDERPARK. VENI Asiass Srrtsdimccdstt iain n eew eters ora catalle sn ale RAMAN a ana oui k andmeninee S wiee ae meals 151
Hummorp? “Wood, BERLIN Gs sc cicininnanaeia vad BAS 492 EAA 1S BRO RODE EE DEES oe AMARONE 153
Sporrpranzs IDRESDEN', « we.gdss ey Syige fs Suk orks 6E44 ay Cae He HOES Fae S OT Maen he sek eee 155
Pustic GARDEN, MIBAN 6 iis eis c cies cue e er eccuwee eee duneestabveabanmesebinieeeauauas 15?
GarFIELD PARK PLAYGROUND, WASHINGTON... ........ 00 ccc eect eee cnet teen eee eeeneee 159
Wittow Trem ALLEY PLAYGROUND, WASHINGTON..........0.00 00000 c cece eee e eens 161
FRIEDRICH Woon, BERLIN..........0.00.0 0000 eee ee eee nsec een eenees 163
HOrcartEn, (DUSSELDORE s i.0340-634 aw da wee Po oseieaenediote a's eee na eaibare hale Aare eae says 165
Pantone; Court, Lizzt PARK, ‘SIENA. 255 i.4 cogiaigan didn en one eke ass aeaieenl oeyesdeada vaueek 167
Vireinta AVENUE PARK, WASHINGTON .........000 00sec cece cee tee cece ee tenet eneeenes 166
Caserna: PARK, FLORENCE: 424 52.4 22s 4849 CEBU Ee PASE EG OAT EROS LE ROSE SC aramion 17]
Piazza INDEPENDENZIA, FLORENCE.......... 00000 cece e tenn eee eees VE
Tue Butt-Mittet Mremoriat FOUNTAIN, WASHINGTON..........0 000 ccc eee e eee ee ences Vz
SPORTPUATZ,. DRESDEN. .issisdodcednd arn. preach hie atilatlevenptadel ate AiGod & Hsechuds Ache argued specoubce Ravi aANb ics “bseran annie 17%
CHILDREN’S MrMorIAL GARDEN, BERLIN... ......0..00 000 ccc ede eee eect cece ee eeeeeeeees 174
TROLEGARTEN,. VIENNA i ssiiisca: 50 60 Raced deter banners ds bE AE wie nag BR RRR Ei Tane Gioow aaa ee 18]
Joan D’Arc, Farrmotnt Park, PHILADELPHIA... 22.00.00... cece eee cece eee eee eeeceuaaes 18%
Otp Spanish MonuMENT, ST. AUGUSTINE. ..... 0.000 c cee eee cee cee eee n ne eeeenans 18%
FarrRMOUNT PARK, PHILADELPHIA........00 000 ccc cee eee e eee teen een e tees eee nteetaetenes 18:
Tue CHanet, Pustic GARDENS, ROMB..........0 0. cece cet eee n ee nennves rae | 3
PuBiie PARK, (BUDAPEST: «65 c-dcsssevssuncsions.d Socgrd8. 94 wk eo. 6 bs Satuaine ows ok See va ond pW blwLOla ele Rael owe A eu 186

ILLUSTRATIONS

Oxp Stave Market, Sr. Aucusting, FLorma.....................
Tue Rerectory, HumpBotpt Park, CHICAGO... 2.0.0.0... 0 ccc ccc cece ceuununs 193
Batn House at Betig, iste; DE ROM se ccss nae see ns eee oe SS bee ee aed olde needs

WorkKMEn’s Quarters, Pusuic ParK, Min
Bosorr Garpens, FLORENCE. .
Carrot Park, BaLtimore.
GREENHOUSE ON Private Estate... .
Tue Terrace, Centrat Park, New York
FRIEDRICHSHAIN, BeRurN

hasta hehyre cnet in ati estate is lal, St ieee in PRA NN YN nT ano ‘ .. 207
WASHINGTON: (PARK, cADBANY onde a een Wee eons 4m gue ein aee he nome ergnds ss Gatakaac ie ER BE Ot tn 209
Honea rns MUNICH. 5 8 J acai oarseeck outs § Sb Washam Sch yet DEE HOGA Regn ena Gate Paced Oe 209
Soutn-Lawn Fountain, THE WuITe HOovss..........0.0.000 00 cc eee cece en eees 211
IPARKOIMIGNGBNIU, EAIRIS phe seiner main va Geb ayab a Avie Renata aati ah a cae apemNeN een aera Oeeeccineee 213
PUBETG: GARDENS MULAN tees, «pune Bodh usraun/an me okieorty isans Sun aes Ws seine @eaeae arene tderars ont A eal eee pions Q15
RS TVAD INP MIT ee VAT BINT NEA chosen ay cex ees pct Bbc) Aletta oie isk aie yey ec bee act aN AY obs tea aromas aon 217
Park: Founts: iy Berein’-anp TORINO) ..4400 440086 hy ee boon gen s4 De RRRR DEES PELER EEA 4 219
Nalin DP Baa ay ce gs ee ae nar ea ere he Raa: At ea eee eel eomema Faee ak 221
EOUIAGD: ‘COMPOSITION: WASHINGDON *..2:505 5.2512 eeu s aheuie thins Gan © HALO bauidead wy REA ag Gur ne 223,
MONTROSE: PARK, GEORGETOWNE ¢ iinatar ncaa decade dant d aS iddaaareadatae ghana take theres 225
EV ICONICGN IAS BE HURCS cence yh mone ee Se ORNATE RE RAY hE RE OR RTE LEAMA ha ene nice 227
GORDON (PARK Cm Vib BAND So sec ne ce salt coors, seeeeceste yee BR ale worpath cs cs tert ned Seth ema a eR GPa npc 229
AT EE pre eee ech ve ee oe peta al Sho iets rca wentetiniar nd oes chon Ione aes WA 231
Pia Ta A ee he eh RE NAS OEY OS ER ORM ERS PR ERSREH URS 233
MARIA JOSHPHAC PARK: “VIRNINA Spiele ss 2 Socaccosaah aseaceeGues wed yey Hee Nae Sk 6 ese aes Hp SNe wate 235
Park on Rocuer Drs Doms, AVIGNON, FRANCE.......00.000 0000 ccc ce eee eee eens 237
Potomac PARR: WASHINGTON; c.seGr at) bd GAA ae A oad old LSU PA ate A Pe Re eae 239
Drnacep PLANTING, WAGHINGTON aa ccoc ewins oo mew eee RecENS Rae SHARE EDD ONE CHR RS ER ERS Q45
MoTitAtED Printing, WASHINGTON. 25 cos: focwennss oe scutes Uecekees eyes ox eeaue a ctdaweas Q47
Vitra Pep: (COMPOSITION: WASHINGTON. yong. 47 awe ena dewan qiyatea se ugnsecuayseieawa ve ee 249
Montrosz Park, GEORGETOWN Q51
Humsoupr PARK;, BERLIN... 54 ca eens ey eee ewe ae 3 : 253
Lizzt Park, SIENA 255
HorcartEN, VIENNA 256
Pusuic Park, Municu 257
Pusuic Park, BupaPEst. ane 5209
University’ Pranz MUNICH: <1 yascuan eo ve ee ces a ORE Pens Hae eee CR BE Ode 260
PUBLIC PAR es ZAR LOT ee eset ob ee sew ud ote Gans a sh oS eds Se SE ae aon a NRE Ses HARARE 261
BORGHESE }GARDENSY ROMBs4.2.2 tc 2 i Ad Or OOS Sulea dard i bBrelancuanehiad deem alum sh adrgusal: Seine 263
eR aCHN SA POE 2k cuca iain Baro ew ee Hae Os BRR HEOSRLIR EAF NG A ae eS 264
Piazza, INDEPENDENZTA, FLORENCE) 2s cco. occ bas Vases Ba ME REA DEGRA RaW ee Dee 265
Piniae aR, ek oo Se hyo eee Rie ee eae Paaeb esi ge ae sen eran ee i henn es 267
PuUBpLic GARpEN? GENOA S s.cid dew one hn Be BRS I Ve Pe ee ee oie nee S 268
GATARD: PRIANGUD (NEONTOE AN 5 hound Sie uiicacs near Sein aaemmmemeeaee oe aeomne etal ch maori tne hiadad ene 269
Piazza Vittorio EMANUELE, ROME.................. pace fobted ty deel atte es crim Neto Rae 271
UNTER; DEN: LINDEN} BEREING «Gicny adc abe oain cx as wens eee REE EA ese ea Mapes oe ha 273
EGREEZZA.. PARK: ELORENGE : costes, dca cp shales oda cig mitre oman nia N sane enced SaeipnNE Aton | de gt@equs ae hes Q75
BurGerwinse PsrKk; DRESDENG {yo 6444 seee arse ead ek eee Re Raa eae fo REE URE BooE SASS 277
MAxiMintan> PARK MUNICH .A0ui 5 2a. eo Ae e Gareoe Be MeL Dee Ree Smee ae goumeme tein 279
Vitus -BRELLINE: CATANTA, MUAEY 32.0246. 0oc4 24 daa orb hau cue ad wee nhs Sauna de PAGE Raa eau 281
FriepricH Karu Puatz, BERLIN .................. fie any AO Tile RUM ee Rah eee pec ld db eee me eRe 283

ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE
RiversipE PARK. JACKSONVIGGE: 2. acc.ac gs as Fasee ana Saimauilgnangn bie dda ad oa pea are areewaee VERE. 285
ULIBRGAR TEN; BERING: iowehdca-0 heisios ote ish hay itches SeVT Ah DASA LA Ge at Gaia Se tradi @ydlbve’o wa meumava pices 287
LUISENPEATZ:; “BERTING eco coca seed Rene wan naa Deca G ae Hea R ALONE AREA ieise ke bioinsolenled 288
TRIANGULAR PARK, WASHINGTON... 0.0.0.0. cece cece eee teed n nett teen nees 289
BARRAGUT PARK, “WASHINGTON 5:¢ cxaeaaeeeOi svete ies ea ead s kpulgaewe Aes eee owen 291
“LREPTOWSR) PARK; “BERUIN' 3 en ek eam a val ee OS nels n eaeek walk 4 ehenablee Deacon bene meee Ree 293
Poppies 1n Pusiic Parx, BoLoGna, ITALY..........0. 00000 cee ete een ee 295
Lattrerta, Pusric Garpren, MILAN....... ciao edod > Mieheceielah ae SORA MEE CAA RE ER RARER EGE E 297
Mitcn Haus, BUERGERWIESE Park, DRESDEN........... 000 cece cette nent teens 297
PUBLIC (GARDEN; VENIOB. . occc2cna244 barns aea.ceavaans dtd than daunva bhadeuned d iow eine ams 299
Park Caré, BUDAPEST ......0.0 00.0 c cc cece ccc cccuccsueueeeeeeueeeuseenenteteseterereers 301
Frrepricus Rinc, DRESDEN... . 2.00060 nent ete eens Vide savanna hapa 303
Piazza Virrorto EMANUELE, ROME... .....0.0.00 000s cece cece nee ete n tenet teen eees 305
LINCOLN: PARK, WASHINGTON» 92 jo 2220456444 deuvsemeeRad Ned hae cGan de Sue EEY cena gereeicns 307
LOGAN SPARKS “(WASHINGTON #5 3:24 way sous ceeeeneeenld d. ON oe ane ee ness 3 SRA ey wee aaonea see galas 309
Koenic ALBERT PARK: (LEEPSIOs #2. 242.045.5.5¢ g essing bE 4b hs FRE RRA HA OM UE MON AE TREES IA BOS 311
Potomac Park, WASHINGTON 4.460 649.c¢see0eee nn bgauuae ods aolkameE De Odea aS Sree ERE Ta 311
THE VAROSLIGET, BUDAPEST ...........00 0000 cece cee eee en nee deen een teen e ee eeeneeeeneees 313
MuILItaRy, PARK; NEWARK. 5.50.5 00¢ 8 deka tas 44 RABE a TELS eu Ce Golden dd ace ede ee 313

DIAGRAMS

PARK: DESIGN ¢-53 e-cane hoe ees Don cues Baste Maes Fe waa Ro Saw Rew ae ee ea 317
“PASSING-THROUGH (PARK Save aor axle tact g SME ee eidocwme da bee cilonlon ala gee eh ee ewiees Heawhea gs 318
INBIGHBOURHOOD! PARKS aioe cin y's ee cena eb Gi ae TA PARA SE ORE Oe POR BES ae ene 319
RECREATION (PARKS ic 9 sen 5559 2 2G-Fb VE PA AEE LESS 6 EE OS tad LG B O eee aes 320

PARKS
THEIR DESIGN, EQUIPMENT AND USE
CHAPTER I

PARK DESIGN IN CITY PLANNING

Ce planning represents a scientific forward movement in the
development of American cities. It stands for guided and
directed development rather than haphazard growth; it stands for
intelligent progress. In that sense its value is potentially inestimable.
The advent of city planning within the last few years, however, is
being hailed as a deliverance rather than a revival, acclaimed as the
first rather than the second coming. As a matter of fact, the planning
of cities has been a well-studied and applied science for centuries; and
even in America casual research reveals traces of the lost art in the
early record and existent lines of many of our cities. In that respect
city planning appears to be a sporadic science; and the increasing birth-
rate of city planning commissions and planning legislation, all destined
to accomplish a great work in the betterment of American cities, repre-

sents a renaissance and a recoming.

SUCCESS OF A CITY PLAN DEPENDENT UPON ITS PARKS

Park building, on the other hand, is omnipresent. It has been the
constant accompaniment of civic growth and development in our cities
since their incipiency; but quite as the efforts of the hardworking and
faithful pastor are outshone by the fervor of the transient revivalist,
years of park radiance are lost sight of in the meteoric transcendence
of the new movement. The unappreciative citizen fails to recognise
that park development has almost always preceded city planning, in-
variably accompanies it, and is ordained in every case to succeed it.

25

‘“ , asics
lt : sessions
Parks may lend a pro or con argument to the creed of
city planning. It is unfortunate when they express poor
organisation in line and detail
PUBLIC GARDEN, NAPLES

The same view at a later date, indicating how separate
park units can be given interrelation and civic tie by
purposeful placing of a supplementary statue

PUBLIC GARDEN, NAPLES

PARK DESIGN IN CITY PLANNING

City planning to-day is the revivalist, park development the resident.
pastor.

Many cities are accredited with successful city planning when they
do not deserve it; many cities are remarked upon as being beautifully
designed when exactly ‘the reverse is true. And why? Because a city
poorly laid out but abounding in beautiful parks will inevitably receive
favourable comment, for the observer judges a city by its parks rather
than by its plan. The converse is equally true; for unless or until city
parks are well designed and developed, they will discredit the beauty
of the best studied city plan. A civic system, the park units of which
are no-matter-how-well disposed and distributed in relation to the city
plan, will gain but little credit in that respect until the parks in
themselves are a credit.

City planning per se has in one respect an almost negative effect;
the absence of it is forcefully deprecated, but the existence of it is
scarcely noticed except by comparison. It is the lack of good city
planning rather than the presence of it that attracts attention. That
is why the history of many cities is one of redesigning rather than one
of designing. City planning is also often so anticipatory as to bring
discredit in its initial steps. It may be so far-sighted that the purpose
of the first steps in its development will not be self-obvious, and there-
fore will frequently serve as an obstacle in the path of its eventual
accomplishment. An interesting observation in this connection is
found in Lyell’s “ Travels in the United States,” Volume I, page 111,
on the occasion of his second visit to Boston:

“ When we had journeyed eighteen miles into the country I was told we
were in Adams Street, and afterwards, when in a winding lane with trees on
each side, and without a house in sight, that we were in Washington Street,
but nothing could surprise me again after having been told one day in New
Hampshire, when seated on a rock in the midst of the wild woods, far from any

dwelling, that I was in the exact centre of a town.”
28

Parks are “city beautiful” apostles. Their tents
should be pitched in the midst of every city and town

HEMINGWAY PARK, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA

PARK DESIGN IN CITY PLANNING

Even the city of Washington, which is usually considered to have
jubilantly followed an admired plan from its very inception, was
described in 1861 by Anthony Trollope as “a mighty maze,” and in
Harper's Weekly, April 10, 1858, may be read:

“We have had many walks in the Common which they call Pennsylvania
Avenue. Mizra, whose appetite is failing, crosses the Common twice before
breakfast, and finds the exercise an unusual stimulus. Mustapha has tried to
follow his example, but finds the exercise too great; once across and back again
exhausts him. It is, indeed, a monstrously wide Common; why call it an
Avenue? ”

“WASHINGTON FROM A MOHAMMEDAN POINT OF VIEW.”
BY A VERY OBSCURE MEMBER OF THE TURKISH ADMIRAL’S SUITE.

It may be seen from this that a beautiful city plan does not imme-
diately elicit admiration and take place in the affection of the residents.
It is usually not until the parks of the city plan are developed and
begin to display the beauty of the general city arrangement that a city
plan comes into its own.

In view of the importance park design bears to city building, and
in order to put the subject in concrete form for the consideration of
city officials, the following recommendations are submitted:

CITY PLANNING AND PARK BUILDING SHOULD ADVANCE SIMULTANEOUSLY

First, that park development be regarded not as incidental to, but
commensurate with, city planning. Although fundamentally park
design is but a part of city planning and should be subordinate to it,
actual practice shows the two to be mutually dependent. City plan-
ning projects are rarely inaugurated until a certain degree of interest
has been aroused by means of park work. Cities or towns having
acquired a taste for parks, frequently in the desire for additional parks,
find themselves launched on a campaign for city planning—a reason-

able sequence. It is proper, therefore, inasmuch as proposed civic
30

Strong cohesion between park and street design is es-
sential in a well-developed city plan. The illustration
shows an architectural reinforcement of an inter-
section point

MAXIMILIAN PROMENADEPLATZ,
MUNICH, GERMANY

PARK DESIGN IN CITY PLANNING

projects are the result of a previously existing appreciation of parks,
that this initial means of instilling interest should be fostered. In a
campaign for civic development or civic beautification, a certain gen-
erous per cent. of the fund raised for that purpose should be devoted
to the development of already existing and proposed parks, with the
intent of making some immediate display as a means of encourage-
ment. A few parks completed, which may be pointed out as the first
result of the city planning campaign, will serve as powerful aid in
soliciting further contributions to the cause. Instead of expending all
available moneys for the staking out of the main lines of the new city
plan, it will often be found to be more prudent, even if somewhat more
expensive in the long run, to devote a portion of the moneys to some
development which may be enjoyed by the present generation; and
the parks are usually one feature which may be commenced in accord-
ance with the lines of the “ big scheme ” which will aid and not jeopar-
dise its final accomplishment. A simultaneous advancement of city
planning and park building is recommended.

THE TYPE OF EXPERT SERVICE NEEDED

The second recommendation is that adequate attention be given to
the designing of parks. The reports of civic experts and civic ad-
visers usually are concerned with the very broad aspect of the locating
of parks, and their recommendations are general ones relating to the
acquisition of sites. When the estimable advice of the expert has been
followed and the several potential park tracts have been purchased in
accordance with a mapped-out plan of the future park system, the
city administrators find themselves in a quandary as to the next step,
and often discover that what appeared to be a very comprehensive
report, and even one of much detail, was in reality merely a point
de départ.

The large number of ably prepared city planning reports enthusi-
32

The parks of a city cannot be left to haphazard design-
ing. The illustration shows the development of one of
the many areas labelled on the Washington city plan
as “* Site for future park.” Such civic “details” require
specialized study

MERIDIAN HILL PARK, WASHINGTON, D. C.
(Designed by the Author)

PARK DESIGN IN CITY PLANNING

astically published by various cities within the last few years, and
immediately allowed to fall into the limbo of supposedly impracticable
projects, have brought home to the city planning experts the futility
of too general recommendations; and we find many of them to-day
including quite definitely drawn park plans as a part of their recom-
mendations. Such well-meant effort on the part of others than com-
petent landscape designers is questionable, however; for, although
many civic experts have had sufficient academic training in design to
enable them to prepare park plans after a fashion, those of them who
are not architects would never attempt the comparable task of submit-
ting detailed designs for the buildings about proposed civic centres.
Exactly as the landscape architect, though capable in a general way of
advising civic boards on the design of their city, cannot rate with the
civic expert who by special training and research has fitted himself to
undertake such work, the civic adviser should not expect to undertake
actual park design without training in the subject. ;

AMBITIOUS ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS AND NURSERYMEN

Architects, likewise, who may have been successful in general civic
architecture, and have achieved some special distinction in the com-
position of civic groups, frequently set themselves up as city planners.
Cities should hesitate in accepting their advice on problems of park
design except in its architectural aspect. A reputable architect appre-
ciates that his point of view is prone to be disproportionately archi-
tectural, and hesitates to prepare park plans without the association
of a competent landscape designer; and the architect who poses as
capable in all lines is usually a jack of all trades, capable in none. Due
to the unexpectedness with which the demand for civic planning has
come upon America, a temporary lack of specially trained men has
occurred, with the result that candidates from all the allied professions

have aspired to present themselves as qualified for the remodelling of a
34

Infirmity of city plan becomes doubly apparent when
unsupported by intelligent park detail

PIAZZALE MICHELANGIOLO IN FLORENCE, ITALY

PARK DESIGN IN CITY PLANNING

city. And we read in a recent book: “ To secure the best results in
city planning, a competent civil engineer should be placed in charge of
the work and be given sufficient time to make a thorough study of the
city and its needs from expert point of view. He should evolve plans
which will meet its requirements and enable it to develop along the
best lines.”

In the confusion of the present moment, therefore, when men of
all professions, including occasional nurserymen, are presenting them-

selves as civic experts capable of designing or redesigning entire cities, —

the parks which are the forerunners and forecasters of city design are
apt to fall prey to the first man “on the job.” It behooves cities,
therefore, to guard against incompetence in this respect, for a park
thus designed is worse than one not designed at all; a design executed,
no matter how execrable it may be, is rarely changed. The second
recommendation, therefore, is that parks shall be considered as de-
manding attention beyond that accorded them in civic expert reports,
but on the other hand shall be protected against the many incom-.
petents desiring the opportunity of “ developing ” them.

PARKS ARE ORGANIC, NOT ISOLATED, UNITS

The third recommendation is that the designing of parks shall not
be allowed to drift into the hands of whatever gardener, superin-
tendent or forester may be on the staff of the department of public
works. It is too generally thought that gardening knowledge of any
sort fits a man sufficiently for designing a park. A park is not a unit
in itself, and may not be developed independently of civic design;
therefore it must be handled by one of specific training who will under-
stand the relation of park areas to the civic development as a whole.
Gardeners and foresters merely plant park areas and decorate them,
giving them no civic function. In that sense the areas are subtracted

from the city as a whole and allotted to the adjoining residences as
36

Mere display of gardening is neither park nor civic
design. Park spaces merely for planting adornment
appear superficial and trivial, without civic function
or meaning

CATHEDRAL SQUARE, LIMA, PERU

PARK DESIGN IN CITY PLANNING

yards. Many park areas are merely elaborated and adorned, express-
ing nothing in plan. A park area should not be considered an isolated
unit, but in its design should be made to express a firm relation to the
park system as a whole. It is recommended that park plans be
entrusted only to men familiar with laws and principles of park and
civic design.

ORNAMENTATION SHOULD NEVER PRECEDE CONSTRUCTION

The fourth recommendation is that after special park designs have
been prepared and approved, they shall be as rigidly adhered to in the
main lines as may be the accepted design of city layout. These plans
should be placed on file, and as fast as appropriations become avail- -
able for park improvement, should be worked out in almost automatic
fashion. By such means artistic enrichment, which more often signifies
senseless bedecking, will be impossible, at least until the general design
has been accomplished. Until a park plan has been firmly laid out
and “nailed on the ground,” as they say, all attempts at decoration
should be discouraged. In other words, ornamentation should follow
construction, and the initial expenditure should always be devoted to
accomplishing the park framework. There have been many cases in
the past where parks have been elaborated by planting even before a
definite walk system or other design had been prepared, with the usual
result from getting the cart before the horse.

BUILDING OPERATIONS AFFECTED BY PARK PLANS

The fifth recommendation is that accepted park plans be con-
sidered public property, open to the perusal of all or any that may be
interested. Intelligently prepared park design, assured of exact
execution independently of political shift, will influence the character
of building operations encircling each park and in a measure lead the

development along lines prescribed by the civic designer in his selection
a, 38

Park treatment should reveal and support the architect-
ural lines of a civic scene without disturbing or subvert-
ing the architectural plan

A PUBLIC SQUARE IN MILAN, ITALY

PARK DESIGN IN CITY PLANNING

and recommendation of the respective park areas. Furthermore, if
city planning is to be practical, the development of its parks must
prove profitable; and the parks will not confer direct pecuniary benefits
on a city unless sufficiently assured of development that the citizens
can place reliance on the character each park will ultimately have, to
the extent of launching building operations in accordance with and to
some extent in advance of its actual improvement.

SPECIAL FAVOURITISM VERSUS LOGICAL ALLOTMENT

The sixth and final recommendation is that an impartial system
of park expenditure be adopted. Projected park development will
serve as stimulus for civic growth only when the citizens have con-
fidénce in its eventual execution. The too prevalent condition of park
development being dependent upon political pull must go; sectional
favouritism must give way to logical allotment, and expenditures must
be in accordance with park requirements rather than according to the
dictates of those in power. The public mind, in turn, must be made to
understand that evenly distributed expenditure throughout all sections
of a city may represent the most illogical of all methods of park
development; that a park system is the possession of the city as a
whole, each section benefiting in proportion to its civic participancy.
An honest policy of park development, with civic betterment for its
goal, must govern its appropriations and expenditures in accordance
with carefully prepared estimates based upon accepted and published
park plans, all component and contributing to the execution of a
consistent city plan.

This thickly populated section of the Capitol City was
apparently without “influence,” for its one tiny park
area had to be procured by private subscription

MT. PLEASANT TRIANGLE, WASHINGTON
(Designed by the Author)

CHAPTER II

BRINGING UP A PARK THE WAY IT SHOULD GO

RINGING up a park in the way it should go more frequently
means bringing up people the way they should go. Citizens are
very apt to be heard from, frequently and vehemently, if in their
opinion their section of the city is not proportionately provided with
park areas or developed according to their ideas. Yet, frequently the
reason why park development is delayed in certain neighbourhoods is
because of the difficulty in maintaining parks where not sufficient
appreciation is felt, after the parks have been executed, to prevent
constant depredation.

It is surprising how little protective interest is felt by the ordinary
citizen toward a park. He considers any restriction, necessary though
it may be for the very preservation of the park, as personal affront;
his dog should be permitted to race across flower beds without restraint
because it is his dog; he should be entitled to pick a bloom from such
flowering shrub as appeals to his casual fancy though the same privilege
extended to others would strip the entire park bloom in twenty-four
hours; he should be allowed to crumple up papers and toss them away
irrespective of the fact that just such action on the part of his fellow
citizens would result in a constantly littered appearance of the parks
throughout the city. The average citizen does not want to be re-
strained in any way in his use of the park, and especially resents
criticism or reprimand; and he will retaliate in ways unbelievable if
his will is crossed in this respect.

CARELESS CRITICISM IS DISHEARTENING

If those whose duty it is to develop and maintain parks could be
rewarded with a word of commendation to the ten of criticism which

they receive, they would approach the problem of the day with new
42

This is not bringing up a park the way it should go
FOLKGARTEN, VIENNA

BRINGING UP A PARK THE WAY IT SHOULD GO

ardour. Park designers and park superintendents, fortunately for
themselves, after a time become impervious to ‘comment, critical or
otherwise, realising that it is impossible to please everybody, and that
if aman has too many masters he has none. It will be found, however,
that park designers are only too glad to confer with citizens who have
the development of park beauty really at heart; and public suggestions
might have a good deal of value could they be phrased in a way dis-
tinguishing them from the mass of destructive and complaining
criticism which comes to designers.

Two Washington ladies, en tour of inspection of some new land-
scape work in the park facing their residences, were overheard to
remark, one to the other, regarding several panels of iris plants in
choice variety, ‘“ It’s only old flag, that’s all they would give us in this
neighbourhood.” With such a spirit of suspicion and lack of apprecia-
tion pervading that neighbourhood, it is not to be wondered at that
much of the planting remarked upon was soon trampled out by heedless
children, possibly belonging to the families of these very women. The
planting grew in the estimation of the neighbourhood, however, for as
time went on, the best of the plants which had escaped the feet of the
children disappeared one by one, apparently lifted with considerable
care for transplanting in back-yard gardens.

After innumerable experiences of this kind the park designer be-
comes convinced that the first step in park improvement should be the
offering of public lectures on the general subject of park design. Only
by the “ bringing up ” of the residents, and by the enlistment of their
active codperation in the development of parks, will the best sort of
work be accomplished. As proof of this it has been found that in
neighbourhoods where parks have been purchased by public subscrip-
tion, such parks are never difficult of maintenance. Letters of appre-
ciation are received after any new improvement is made, and the

proprietary interest of the residents is so deep-felt as to cause them to
44

No One ALLOWEL
To PLUCK

UNDER PENALTY OF LAW

OWERS

It is surprising how little protective interest is felt by
the average citizen toward a park

DIGNAN PARK, JACKSONVILLE

BRINGING UP A PARK THE WAY IT SHOULD GO

refer to “ our’ park—in one sense narrowing the scope of their civic
interest but furnishing an example of helpfulness that results in ideal
park conditions in that particular neighbourhood. Parks which are
actually owned by the adjoining property owners, such as once was
Grammercy Park in New York City, and so many of the parks of
London, are never subjected to damage and despoliation.

INTELLIGENT GUIDANCE

Assured of the codperation of citizens in the desire to: facilitate
instead of to retard park development, the question arises “ just what
is meant by the bringing up of parks.” Most things need to be
brought up. Topsy “ just growed,” but she didn’t meet Miss Ophelia’s
standards, and we were never told what became of Topsy, or what
kind of a future she made out for herself. The biblical adage, “‘ Bring
up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart
from it,” holds equally true in the matter of parks. A park develop-
ment, even when started right, cannot be brought to maturity without
constant care and training to conform it to the beau ideal; also leaving
it entirely to the ministration of a gardener is merely attending to its
physical welfare; there must be intelligence in a park, something more
than bulk.

Similar to the case of bringing up children—it is the man who has no
children of his own who knows best what to advise and how to censure
in the bringing up of other people’s children. There is a striking
analogy in the fact that almost any lay person at first glance can tell
exactly what is the matter with a park and how it may be remedied.
Controlling conditions that have proved stumbling blocks and insur-
mountable obstacles to the landscape architect are ignored or dis-
counted ina moment. Moreover, the opinions of such on-the-spur-of-
the-moment designers are expressed freely so that all may hear, and

the work of the conscientious designer cast in the limbo of incompetent
46

|

If a surgical operation is the only way to correct a
park defect, perform i without hesitation or fear

WEBSTER TRIANGLE, WASHINGTON

(Relocating a Large Specimen)

BRINGING UP A PARK THE WAY IT SHOULD GO

efforts. It is hoped that this mere reciting of prevalent conditions will
reveal the uselessness, if not harmfulness, of such commonly misguided
energy. Park designs are usually developed only after labourious and
patient study, influenced by a great number of practical details which
have to be met; they are prepared with a view to overcoming incon-
veniences which experience has developed, and with a view to provid-
ing for needs which exist or can be reasonably forecast. Park design
is a greater task than one of providing pretty effects throughout the
grounds, and a certain amount of confidence should be put in those

having the matter in charge.

FALSENESS AND DECEIT EVENTUALLY UNCOVERED

The park designer must consider the growth or “ growing up ” of
a park. In the inception of the original design, he must visualise what
the development will be fifty years later and establish an ideal to which
to work. Frequently there may be seen, in parks, planting which will
appear tasteful and well composed to the artist or to the layman, but
the professional landscape architect identifies it at once as fraudulent.
A planting picture of charming effect, but composed in its minor
elements of infant trees which in fifteen or twenty years will be as
many feet tall, and in its major elements of specimens which have
reached their ultimate development and will deteriorate in five or six
years to a point where they must be removed, is not what an honest
designer calls sincere planting. Unless the planter knows no better,
such design is knavery on his part. It is bringing up a park in false-
ness and deceit which will mean a pitiable old age. Planting of this
sort is difficult to detect, but is prevalent to a large extent in both park
and private estate work. It results frequently from the desire of gar-
deners to make the planting look right for the time being, for they will
not subject themselves to the criticism which the landscape architect

stoically accepts in working for the ultimate beauty of a park. The
48

pores Ls

In principle, a single plant specimen may be used as a
centre of interest, interchangeable with an urn, fountain,
or flower bed. The planting illustrated, however, 1s
deceitful, in that the central motif will outgrow its
position and wreck the composition

SPECIOUS DESIGN, WASHINGTON

BRINGING UP A PARK THE WAY IT SHOULD GO

nursery firms—and they cannot be blamed for it in the present state of
keen competition—are bound to plant the parks, if given to them, in
such a way as to bring immediate credit to themselves. In their case
planting work which does not make an immediate showing will not
only cost them future business but may even jeopardise the payments
due them. In bringing up a park to the most desirable development,
there must be a certain amount of moral force and calibre in the de-
signer, with courage to keep the eventual welfare of the park in mind,
even if it means temporary protest and complaint. |

The tolerance of the public must also be craved during certain
periods of the park’s growth. Children have awkward ages when they
seem all hands and feet and of queer proportions; parks have to go
through this same growing age. It is not imperative that a park shall
have a finished appearance; in fact, it may have more value, provided
that it is at all times reasonably sightly, if it suggests the promise of
great beauty in the future instead of the realisation of mediocre beauty
in the present. An enforced demand for temporary display will do
more to retard the accomplishment of the best development of the park
than any other cause.

CONTINUITY OF PURPOSE ESSENTIAL

There should be a continuity of purpose in the method of maintain-
ing and gradually improving park grounds, both to achieve the greatest
beauty and convenience of the park in its completed stage and to
accomplish economy of expenditure in its progressive stages of devel-
opment. Quoting from the published report of the National Com-
mission of Fine Arts for 1914, in a communication addressed to the
Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy, we read:

“Tt is peculiarly true in regard to expenditures for the maintenance of
grounds and for minor improvements therein from year to year that the full

results are not to be obtained until after the lapse of many years. This is
50

Parks of any country while in the juvenile stage must
be viewed with tolerance. New planting in Italian
parks always appears thin and unsightly, each tree and
shrub staked to poles to secure upright growth

PIAZZA DANTE, ROME

BRINGING UP A PARK THE WAY IT SHOULD GO

notably the case where the planting and growth of trees or other vegetation is
involved, but it is no less true in many other cases. Not only is the full effect
of such expenditures slow in arriving but often the first visible results do not
even suggest the nature of the final results to which they are intended to con-
tribute. An isolated piece of grading done in expectation of some other change
which is not yet practicable may seem meaningless and even highly objection-
able to one who does not understand the whole purpose behind it. As a rule a
high degree of beauty and convenience can be developed in the grounds of a
great institution only by cumulative effect of long continued intelligent annual
maintenance work and innumerable minor improvements made from year to year
as circumstances permit, often in a fragmentary way; and where the direction
of such work frequently changes hands there is naturally a great deal of waste
through repeatedly starting on lines of development which are abandoned in
favour of other ideas before they have really progressed far enough to show
their real advantage. A tolerable plan consistently followed will give far better
results for less money than a rapid succession of contradictory plans, even

though every one of the latter be a work of genius.”

| ADVICE TO PARK PARENTS

For the bringing up of parks in accordance with the foregoing con-
ditions, three recommendations are made: First, that a definite and
explicit plan be prepared under the direction of a competent designer
for each and every park of a park system, which plan, if approved,
shall be formally adopted in its entirety, and be included in the next
published report of the town or city; or, if considered advisable, be
made the subject of a special report to be sent to all residents in the
neighbourhoods affected; that such plan be rigidly adhered to, and no
deviation in detail be permitted as jeopardising elements of design in
the future development beyond that expressed in the drawings.

Second: That the main lines of each park be laid out on the ground
immediately and established in such a way as to make a definite design
apparent to the observer, thereby both committing the community to a

62

The Hungarian parks grow up in physical whole-
someness because in the care of women who keep them
swept, weeded and cleaned, as immaculate as their
children

MARGIT PARK, BUDAPEST

BRINGING UP A PARK THE WAY IT SHOULD GO

consistent comprehensive scheme in the development, and arousing
interest and support toward its eventual accomplishment.

Third: That whenever possible the designer originally employed
to prepare park plans shall be retained in a consulting capacity even
though for but a small proportion of time per annum, to assist the park
superintendent or other executive in charge to understand the motive
of the design, advising and helping him in its execution, and passing
upon any change in the general plan which new conditions may re-
quire, thus preventing whimsical changes by those in authority, which
might sacrifice work already accomplished and jeopardise the attain-
ment of the final harmonious and esthetic effect anticipated in the
design and for which preliminary steps may already have been taken.

A park is the city’s child, needing to be nourished, trained and
educated exactly like a human being; and, in far greater degree than
many a child, may be depended upon to show thanks and gratitude for
whatever attention may be lavished upon it. It is civic suicide to forego
the raising of parks, however much trouble they may be in their infancy
and during the growing age. A park successfully brought to the full
of its powers becomes a city’s pride and joy, it establishes a precedent
of beauty, many gardens follow and property values increase. A park
properly brought up is a town or city asset, never an extravagance; a
help and support against misfortune, a rejuvenation and pleasure on
the approach of old age.

Which of these city parks is being brought up with
the more care? Which holds the greater promise?

A TALE OF TWO CITIES

CHAPTER III

PRINCIPLES OF PARK DESIGN

RINCIPLES are always considered obnoxious, whether they be

scientific, religious, or individual. There is something autocratic
and sacerdotal about them. The knowledge of them seems bound to
deter one from acting as he would wish, from doing the things he would
like to do. Principles suggest laws which must be rigidly adhered to
and disobeyed at one’s peril. It is hard to work up enthusiasm over
the study of principles.

Close application to principles is not only irksome, but frequently
reactive to the point of tempting one to “ take the dare ” and disregard
all rules and precepts just to see what will happen. In one or two
intrepid instances, however, where the writer has done this, he has
found himself formulating new rules which paradoxically proved to
be, if not exactly the same, at least very similar to the ones he desired
to evade. In short, principles are aids resulting from experience, and
not mandates or dogmas. Principles represent pioneer knowledge
which has been set down for the guidance of those who follow.

DOCTRINES, NOT DOGMAS

The principles of park design herewith outlined are not conclusive
rules; neither are they to be considered in the nature of precise informa-
tion that will lead to inevitable success in park building. They are
merely an assortment of well-tried recipes which the writer has col-
lected and formulated, and found valuable in application to his own
problems. Examples of successful park design are extremely difficult
to copy or emulate from mere surface examination, and it is only by
analysing the result, in relation to the essential factors which wrought
its shaping and contributed to its success, that similar work may be

Note—See diagram in Appendix.
56

wi i Il
a

Principles of park design cannot be outraged or ignored
with immunity
THE NEW GARDEN, TORQUAY ENGLAND

PRINCIPLES OF PARK DESIGN

accomplished. It will then be found that the analysis has revealed
not only rules and principles that governed the particular work under
observation but that there has been produced a general set of formulas
that will serve in testing unsuccessful parks, and be a basis for the
synthetic development of new parks.

BEAUTY AND UTILITY

Principles underlying the development of parks are based on the
two elements of all art: beauty and utility. A park is always con-
sidered as an embellishment of a city plan. The first park acquired
by a city is rarely considered an essential but rather a thing of display,
a mark of civilisation and culture. Therefore, since its first recognised
duty is that of radiating beauty, the first consideration in its develop-
ment is that of creating beauty, independent of any practical value
which the park may eventually assume. If civic embellishment could
be accepted as the only function of parks, their development as beauty
spots would be comparatively easy, being simply application of pri-
mary principles of pictorial composition. But it soon develops that
parks must serve many purposes of use as well as pictorial pleasure,
and the problem of designing parks becomes immediately and im-
mensely complicated. The fact that parks must meet very complex
demands of traffic, of wear and tear and public abuse, that they must
provide for public utility, convenience and comfort, rest, recreation
and enjoyment, imposes a set of conditions which the experienced
designer recognises as more exacting than those encountered in the
landscape development of private property. Much as architectural
design should express not only good composition but a satisfying of
all requisites of construction and use, so a park design must attain
pictorial agreeableness without disregard of the practical service
which it must render.

An instance of park design, composed with street archi-
tecture to express axial relationship and civic unity—
defeated in its purpose by careless placing of a
street accessory

KARLSPLATZ, VIENNA

The “mall” type of park design ts but a wide bare
area between a double row of trees. It represents maxi-
mum utility but minimum beauty

LOGAN PARK, WASHINGTON
(As Originally Constructed)

The “promenade” type adds beauty to utility. A park
which is merely convenient evades one of its most funda-
mental duties, which is to radiate beauty

LOGAN PARK, WASHINGTON |
(As Redesigned by the Author)

PRINCIPLES OF PARK DESIGN
SINCERITY OF PLAN

The first principle affecting both beauty and utility in the design
of a park is that of sincerity of plan. By this is meant that the plan
of a park should first of all meet every demand of convenience, amply
accommodating such number of people as may use it, never allowing
artistic considerations to outweigh practical necessities. Secondly, it
should perform this function in a frank, straight-forward way, never
concealing its purpose or evading the issue by a confusion of design.
The design should be the outgrowth of governing physical conditions, |
a meeting of the requirements of contour and ground formation.
Rarely does good design require extravagant changing in earthwork.
Difficult and expensive engineering problems are often the result of
an inflexible predetermined design, conceived by the artist without
proper study of existing grade conditions. Also, a plan should never
be prepared from the standpoint of immediate display which will per-
chance win plaudits in the initial stages of its execution, but will betray
the ultimate best interests of the community. Sincerity of plan may
be judged by ease of use, relative expense of execution, and beauty of
permanent display. A sincere plan will satisfy all these tests: an
insincere plan will be found wanting in some one of the three for which
superlativeness in the other two cannot be substituted.

STRENGTH OF PLAN

The second principle of park design is strength of plan. A park
design should not only express its purpose, but do so in such a positive
way that the message shall carry. There should be no doubt in the
observer’s mind that the plan was prepared with a definiteness of aim:
if it be a formal design, that there was a reason for its being formal;
if simulating rural scenery, that such type of scenery was considered
pertinent in that place; if specially enriched or ornate, that the design

demanded such lavishness. A park design should appear so decisive
62

Only with strength of design for a foundation will the
park detail appear component and vital. Formal
planting emphasises weakness of plan; informal plant-
ing conceals without redeeming

CITY HALL PARK, SAVANNAH, GEORGIA

PRINCIPLES OF PARK DESIGN

as to forestall criticism, its lines positively demarked and well tied
together so as to announce a firmness of treatment, a man’s solution of
the problem that will not brook change after the design has been
‘accepted to the point of being laid out on the ground. Only with such
strength of design for a foundation will the park detail of it appear
vital rather than superficial. Strength of design can be obtained only
by a forceful solving of problems well in advance of execution, a
getting down to fundamentals and a constr ucting of the design on an
axial two-dimension basis that will diagram simply and read clearly.
The more elaborate a park is to be, the more carefully arranged must
be the main lines of the design to provide strength for carrying the
landscape superstructure.

NEED OF UNITY

The third principle is that of unity. The design of a park must
express a certain oneness of idea. There must be a common trait in
the expression of the different elements of its design and an amiable
relation between them. There cannot be unity if there is attempted
admixture of too-widely variant park elements, and nothing will so
destroy the unity of a park and render its effect so distinctly unpleas-
ant as the bringing together of too miscellaneous features into one
park composition. To obtain unity in a park there must be a har-

‘monious relation in both the design and the material of its component
parts. For example, the introduction of a stucco building into a small
park already characterised by brick walls and a brick pergola, or the
introduction of a brick building into a park perhaps already dominated
by stone retaining walls, can be accomplished only at the sacrifice of
unity, for there will be an obvious discord of material. Again, the
grouping of a Colonial arbour, a Spanish pool and Florentine seats
cannot be pleasing, for there will be discord of design. Finally, in

addition to harmony of material and relation of style, unity of park
64

There can be no unity of design if there is no recognition
of architectural plan, no relation or coordination of parts

PARK IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA

PRINCIPLES OF PARK DESIGN

design will be found to be dependent upon strength of “tie.” Tie, in
design, means recognition of architectural plan, a codrdination and
knitting together of parts into a well organised whole according to
rules of symmetry, balance, and axial relationship.

RELATION AND SCALE

The fourth principle of park design to be recognised is that of
scale. A designer will be rendered helpless at the start by too many
fixed dimensions. He naturally must accept the bounding lines of
the park and perhaps one or two other dimensions, but beyond that
the scale of park features should be determined by the scale of the
proposed design. It is impossible to obtain design pleasing in the
‘proportion of its spaces if they are determined by dimension rather”
than by relation. It is always a surprise to the layman, in inquiring
of the designer as to the width of certain walks or the exact size of
certain pools or fountain basins, to see the designer lay his scale on
the drawing to determine the dimension before being able to answer.
It is inconceivable to him that the designer should not have known in
advance the exact dimension of the different parts of the design which
‘he composed, and yet such is rarely the case. A designer is merely
concerned that everything be “ in scale,” as he expresses it. By this he
means that the integral parts of the design shall possess a certain
harmony of size in relation to each other and to the total park area.
“A water basin or artificial pond which should usurp over one-half of
the entire area of a small park would be said to be out of scale with
that park; on the other hand, the same pool might be so small as to
appear insignificant in a very large park, and for exactly the opposite
reason would be said to be out of scale with the second park. A walk
four feet wide in one park may have reached the very limit of size
without seeming disproportionate, and yet in a park in Washington,
not so extensive as one might suppose, the design called for a promen-

66

There must be a common trait in the expression of the
different elements of the design, and an amiable rela-
tion between them. The ancient ruins and the modern
fountain link up the centuries but offend the sense

PARK VITTORIO EMANUELE, ROME

Narrow walks, devious and irrelevant, fritter away the
dignity of a park, belittling its features, decreasing its
importance

LINCOLN PARK, WASHINGTON

(As Originally Constructed)

Dignified width of walk, determined by “scale,” not
precedent, places the park in higher esteem, exalting
its features, increasing its authority
LINCOLN PARK, WASHINGTON
(As Redesigned by the Author)

\ alse

PRINCIPLES OF PARK DESIGN

ade walk thirty feet wide, which caused much alarm at the time it was
first staked out, and yet when executed appeared perfectly in scale
with the park entrance with which it composed. A formal park walk
may be changed in scale by the divisions of its marking, exactly as the
_seale of a facade is influenced by the size of its voids and the detail of
its ornament. A park, similar to architecture, must relate in scale to
the human figure but not to the same extent as must a building; it is
controlled more by the scale of its area and the scale of its surroundings.
A factor of scale that must be considered in the design of parks is
that of third dimension.{ For example, the small city park surrounded
by high buildings requires as great a foliage height as may be obtained,
in order to prevent its having an undue appearance of depression or
squattiness; while a broad expanse of park bordered by comparatively
low buildings would have a stilted, gangling appearance if planted
with a superabundance of tall-growing fastigiate trees. Scale in park
design, therefore, is ensured in two ways: First, by comparing the park
features with each other, allowing no feature to dominate others unduly
by reason of size; and second, by comparing them with the size of the
park area and the architectural scale of the surroundings, determining
_the size and height each feature may take in relation to its environment.

EXPRESSION OF CHARACTER

The fifth principle, that of character, is of importance in park work
in two respects: First, a park design should not seem anonymous; and
second, it should express the character of a park, not the character of
something*else. The design of a park should not be so intricate in its
detail as to suggest a private garden. It should not appear personal
as though owned by the residents of the adjoining properties, nor so
individual as to attract attention to the personality of the designer.
It should express a breadth of purpose, a largeness in the handling of

its masses and in the disposition of its parts, that shall make for its
70 \

kK, GEORGETOWN

made to conform to and express

uf
i PAR

(Designed by the Author)

grade
Ss)

MONTRO

gn may be an outgrowth of original conditions

1
ul have character 7

natural lines of

The des
and u

A park approach congested and cluttered presents the
park in an ignoble light and alienates it from its civic
surroundings

| WASHINGTON CIRCLE, WASHINGTON
i (As Originally Constructed)

A park approach direct and clear, reveals the park in a
cordial congenial aspect. It is the handclasp of park
and city

WASHINGTON CIRCLE, WASHINGTON
(As Redesigned by the Author)

MS ats

PRINCIPLES OF PARK DESIGN

civic character. The most desirable condition in a city is that all

citizens shall feel a proprietary interest in all the parks rather than in

the especial ones in their section; and with this in mind the designer

should avoid giving parks a private appearance, but aim to express

ce trait and character. One of the means of accomplishing this is
pointed out in the chapter on Planting in Parks.

(~ As with persons, a park which exhibits merely a certain prettiness

of appearance without intelligence becomes distinctly unsatisfying

_and even aggravating after a very short time. There are instances

where parks are not only characterless but lack even that superficial

'prettiness; and then there is little to recommend them. Character is

Ss the distinguishing mark that renders a design worthy of attention; it

| | is the combination of those qualities that will make it appropriate to

_its surroundings and to the purpose of its building; it is that quality in
its make-up or composition that receives good estimate from the
community in which it is located.

FELICITOUS AND ATTRACTIVE

~The final law or principle that must be observed is that of attractive-
/ ness. The design of a park should be such as to render it attractive

and inviting. The park must first of all present an appearance of

artistic charm and pictorial beauty that will justify its existence in
the public mind. Secondly, the design must be such that its attractive-
Z ness is not one-seasonal or temporary. A park inviting for one month
A of the year and dull for the remaining eleven months is a stupid affair.
“Also, if of the sort which the designer knows cannot be kept in
attractive aspect after the first few years, or so designed that its beauty
will last but for the first season or two, its eventual dishabilitation over-
shadows its short-time glory. Especially important in this respect is
the possibility of maintenance. A shabby park or one run down at the

heel, however beautiful it may be in innate design, will always be dis-
74

A park composition may demonstrate axial relation-
ship with its surroundings without taking on a formal
or tnfelicitous character

PIAZZA CARLO FELICE, TORINO

PRINCIPLES OF PARK DESIGN

credited and undervalued. It cannot be considered good design if
calling for the sort of exacting. care that demands large expenditure,
' launching the city on an expensive program of park maintenance. A
| design to satisfy conditions of attractiveness must render a park beau-
tiful and inviting, reasonably permanent and possible of maintenance
without imposing burdens of expense.
"There may be found many sorts of park design from worthless-
ness to mediocrity, to creditableness, to perfection. Along the route
from the worst to the best there naturally lies a wide range of park
possibilities. It will be found that although laws and principles are
not always agreeable company, and often appear to repress all esthetic
impulse and personal inspiration, acceptance of such guidance will
greatly aid the designer in avoiding pitfalls and help him more surely
to approach the acme of success in park development—good design.

se ay » |
anne a

ae eps ih)

>

A park is dull and tedious when it neither reflects nor
expresses beauty. Corrective principles will not supply
charm when it ts lacking

PUBLIC GARDENS, NIMES, FRANCE

CHAPTER IV

“ PASSING-THROUGH ” PARKS

ASSING-THROUGH parks are considered to embrace those
most limited in size. They comprise the park portions of civic
centres, ‘“ down-town” squares and open spaces, the park areas
located at points of street divergence or termination, and the large
number of irregular left-over areas which might be termed “ odds-
and-ends ” in civic development. Many of the parks falling in this
group are so small as to permit little park treatment other than for
the quick glimpsing of those passing through or by them; but, for that
very reason, their design and composition should be such that the
quick impression given may be a forceful and expressive one.

The term “ passing-through ” has been elected as most designa-
tive of the character of the parks enumerated under that heading. In
the early morning until the hour when most business offices commence
work, the passing of human beings through the public parks located
between their homes and the business districts suggests nothing so
much as the express service in the subways. A continuous stream
of humanity with set faces and eyes straight ahead, now in congested
formation, now in open file, passes in unbroken, undeviating lines
across the parks in several directions, the different cross lines inter-
weaving and dovetailing in a truly remarkable fashion. Any land-
scape development in the parks for the attention or enjoyment of
these rapidly moving throngs is superfluous; any park design that
shall retard their flood and ebb tide will be ill received. Such parks
must be designed for absolute accommodation and convenience of
traffic, with all other considerations secondary.

There may be permitted, however, in the development of these
parks a certain amount of civic beautification which will not inter-
fere with lines of passage, and yet proffer enjoyment and recreation

Nore—See diagram in Appendix.
78

“Passing-through”’ parks need to be designed for accom-
modation and convenience of traffic, with other con-
ditions secondary

MILITARY PARK, NEWARK, NEW JERSEY

“PASSING-THROUGH” PARKS

for the eye during the middle of the day when the passers there retard
their pace to some extent. Even the most meagre of park treatment
will seem like a green oasis in the midst of city buildings, and in-
cidentally offer agreeable contrast and attractive setting for the
abutting architecture. .

TYPE OF DESIGN RECOMMENDED

The design of such parks would better be very formal and regular,
being thereby more in accordance with the preponderance of archi-
tectural forms surrounding them. There should be avoided, how-
ever, undue recognition of any especial one of the abutting buildings,
lest the area become transformed into foreground or forecourt to
the building, and its character as a park be lost. The lines of the plan
should be kept very restrained, the ensemble such as may be com-
prehended at a glance, that being the approximate attention it may
expect to receive. Intricate designs will confuse the eye without
carrying conviction.

In Italian parks of this sort, frequently the entire areas are dis-
posed in gravel to facilitate circulation in any direction, the design
being completed by a formal furnishing of trees and seats with
statue or fountain at the centre. Such an arrangement reads clearly
and serves its civic purpose admirably. In America, however, it
would probably be considered too bald a treatment. The French

”

idea of extensive open plazas puts too much “ air” into the plan, as
an architect would express it, and tends to eliminate too great
proportion of park area.

The design of passing-through parks should aim for maximum
accommodation by means of walks and gravel spaces without losing,
however, their identity as parks. Direct cross lines, well-propor-
tioned spaces and auxiliary ornamentation is the order of design

recommended.
80

“A continuous stream of humanity with set faces and
eyes straight ahead . . . Any landscape develop-
ment for the attention or enjoyment of these rapid
moving throngs is swperfluous”’

MILITARY PARK, NEWARK, NEW JERSEY

“PASSING-THROUGH” PARKS

CHARACTER OF DECORATIVE FEATURES

The decorative features of such parks would best be kept archi-
tectural, the embellishments taking the form of fountains, statues or
urns. The design of these features when placed within the park
should be foursquare in so far as possible, for they will be viewed
from all directions. Exedra types or features with architectural
background should be placed on the edge of the park and facing out,
for parks of this variety should be considered in their street aspect.
Facing in, such would-be embellishment becomes unintelligible—dis-
figuring in that respect; and even when placed within the park,
interrupts the cross views without explanation except for a forty-five-
degree segment. For this same general reason fountains are pref-
erable to statues for the embellishment of passing-through parks, as
permitting inspection from all sides.

Water display should be dominating and forceful, suggesting the
energy and action of the environment. Idle pools or lily basins
appear incongruous in such a setting; and naturalistic water treat-
ments, as the cascade in the Public Square at Cleveland, are absurdly
misplaced in such location. The intermittently playing fountain in
Madison Square Park in New York, which keeps up a constantly
rising and falling jet of water, has perhaps a somewhat neurotic
appearance inconsonant with the idea of park repose, but in rare
keeping with the high-tension, alternating current of humanity
constantly passing through the park where it is located. The effect
of the five vertical jets in the circular basin ornamenting the south
portion of the Circus in Detroit, replacing the iron disfigurement
formerly there, is forceful without being spectacular. One also
recalls as a particularly adequate fountain for its position in a passing-
through park the symbolic Norrenbrunnen, in the Karlsplatz at

Munich. Fountains in such location need not exhibit the conspicuous
82

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Savannah, the city of “passing-through” parks, excels
in thetr treatment. Main walks in cement, cross walks
in brick, statue at centre, without congestion of seats or
obstruction of shrubs—their appearance is commendaile

MADISON SQUARE, SAVANNAH, GA.

“PASSING-THROUGH” PARKS

display of water essential to those holding focal positions in a city
plan, but they should be next of kin in character and force of water

treatment.
ARCHITECTURAL PLANTING DESIGN

In the planting of passing-through parks, the fundamental
purpose of distributing light and air in the congested district of the
city should be recognised. There should not be such density of shade
as to give an effect of sombreness during the day or to interfere with
adequate illumination of the park at night. The planting should not
be such as to enclose the park, which arrangement would interrupt
air currents and—a matter of great moment—would give the park the
appearance of isolation, an attribute of a neighbourhood or rest park.
Parks completely surrounded by high buildings might be styled civic
air wells, and in that sense the landscape planting of such parks should
not be crowded so as to exclude or to disturb the free circulation of air.

The planting of this style of park should always be kept distinctly
subordinate to the architectural plan and to the architecture of the
adjacent buildings. It should aspire to a certain regularity and
formal character. Rural scenery injected into congested business
districts always seems out of place and ill at ease; if by rare chance
it appears to be prosperous and thriving, there is a cocky braggadocio
about it as though it were saying, “ Well, here I am—what do you
make of it? ”—like the oak tree in the masonry wall at Windsor Castle.

A point of park design rarely considered is that planting should
be studied in regard to its vertical aspect, to provide such elevation as
may bring it in scale and character with the adjoining architecture.
There should be a regularity of skyline, with avoidance of snaggle-
toothed picturesqueness. Uvedale Price points out that “ irritation or
stimulus is necessary to the picturesque: in the act of speaking, for
example, a smooth and even tone of voice indicates calm and repose,

and broken, irregular accents, irritation; if buildings were to be cov-
84

NERS

Parking of an winner square designed to recognise
“passing-through” lines of the city, the planting re-
strained and formal

KONIGLICHER ZWINGER, DRESDEN

“PASSING-THROUGH” PARKS

ered with sharp, projecting ornaments, the eye would be harassed
and distracted.” Thus, jagged park planting means irritation. There
is already sufficient to irritate the eye in the average city prospect
without the introduction of a new element. With rare exceptions, an
even skyline composed of trees of regular contour arranged for cer-
tain formality of effect in relation to the buildings will best express
park and civic relationship in respect to this style of park.

The general park planting should consist primarily of tree growth
and turf—if any means is ever discovered of getting grass to grow
under city conditions of atmosphere and shade. There should be little
or no promiscuous shrubbery. Such material, if included, should be
selected for uniformity of height and texture and confined to distinct
beds almost in the nature of flowers. The planting must be so
arranged as to give strong contrast of light and shade, and so disposed
that to the greatest degree possible the shadows will fall in line value
and not be broken up into a confusion of unrelated shadow masses.
Properly availed of, foliage shadows in formal park design can be
made to render as dependable service as in architectural composition.
A row of Norway maples, for example, will give as solid a line of
shadow as an architect may obtain in his heaviest overhang of cornice,
and such foliage shadow lines will emphasise or disrupt the character
of the park plan. Shrubs in like sense will clarify or confuse a plan
and, if not to be confined to formal arrangement, as so well done in
German examples, should be omitted from passing-through parks. As
confusing the plan, interrupting the prospect, and preventing a clear
understanding of the park and civic relationship, this point that shrubs
be omitted from passing-through parks is earnestly recommended.

RELATION OF FLORAL DISPLAY TO PLAN

Floral displays in parks of this class should be very bold and

positive in character, disposed in beds strongly related and controlled
86

A“ passing-through” park on the border of a business
district forced by lack of other civic provision to serve
simultaneously as a neighbourhood park. The seats
shown along the cross walks, with their accompaniment
of baby carriages and go-carts resulted in congestion
of traffic, unrelieved until the recent addition of the
supplementary circular walk to which all seats have
been removed. A recognition of the dual character of
this park immediately suggested the remedy
DUPONT CIRCLE, WASHINGTON

eal

“PASSING-THROUGH” PARKS

by the lines of the park design, and’as large as the spaces may permit—
although, of course, not of such size as to appear heroic. The form
and extent of flower beds should be controlled by design and scale, not
by precedent or instruction. A large number of insignificant, unrelated
flower beds are a detriment rather than a decoration to a park. The
floral displays should be composed of strong-growing plants: the sort
that do not need constant pampering but are able to withstand the
buffets of the city, the varieties that represent the survival of the fittest.
Also plants which give both striking and elementary colour display
when in bloom are preferable. There need not be fear of garishness or
crudeness in this aspect, for the constantly settling dust of the city soon
tones down what at first might appear untoward brightness. No
objection is ever heard in the spring because of the clear sap-green
brilliancy of the new leaves of trees in such parks, and the fall days are
doubly melancholy because by the time of their arrival the leaves of the
trees have become so thickly coated with grime that the festive fall
colourings are indiscernible, even if the trees have sufficient vitality to
retain their leaves until the coming of frost. Great beds of purple-
leaved cannas with edging of pennisetum, bright displays of coleus
or sturdy red geraniums with edging of centaurea,:seem best fitted for
occupying positions of this sort.

Choice combinations of finer blooming things appear out of place
in these parks, and unequal to the position assigned them. Delicate
shades in flower blooms appear gardenesque rather than civic in colour,
and for that reason should not be used in parks of this type. The spring
display of pale hyacinths and English daisies in some of the down-town
parks in New York City could well be supplanted by the darker, more
intense coloured hyacinths known as King of the Blues, accompanied if
desired by crocus of the same name. The double-flowering pink and
white tulip, Murillo variety, beautiful in itself for both mass display

and cutting, was found to be inadequate and out of character when
88

This is the only type of floral design that could win
approval in many of our “‘passing-through” parks

MARGIT PARK, BUDAPEST

i
1
q
i
|
|

“PASSING-THROUGH” PARKS

planted in a focal point park in Washington. Tulips of sturdier bloom
and better colour for spring display in such parks are the scarlet and
yellow varieties, Belle Alliance and Yellow Prince, but not together.
The general subject of floral display in parks is discussed more fully
in a later chapter.

SEAT ACCOMMODATION

In strictly passing-through parks there should be few, if any,
benches, for their presence tends to clog the walks and permit loitering.
If there are encircling or secondary walks not used for through passage,
seats may be grouped along them; but the ideal solution is to congre-
gate the benches in “rest” parks slightly off the line of congested
pedestrian passage. This is an instance, however, where there must
be a certain amount of give and take; and while from the analytical
standpoint few or no seats should be placed in such parks for the

“

reasons stated, yet if there are not proper parks where seats may be
located, the existing parks must serve double duty in this respect. In
densely populated cities there may be so great demand for seating
accommodations that every bench provided will be kept continuously
occupied, as in Franklin Park, Philadelphia. In such case the ideal
must give way to the exigency of the moment—even if, as in that
instance, it means a continuous line of seats on each side of every walk.
The designer, however, may console himself that it is not a corruption
of principle in that case, but a sacrifice of park efficiency to conceal
park deficiency. It has occurred in this connection to suggest that in
congested public parks where large seating capacity as well as pedes-
trian accommodation must be provided, certain of the spaces between
the walks might well be given up to an orderly arrangement of seats.
Such close grouping is very frequently observed in the iron chairs
which are placed out for hire in European parks; their appearance is
not deleterious to the park, and the idea of sacrificing beauty of green-

sward to accommodation of needed seats is not discordant with the
90

If, through civic poverty, there is no opportunity for
seating accommodation except in parks of this type,
let there be seats as close together as necessary; confined,
however, to special supplementary walks

MILITARY PARK, NEWARK, NEW JERSEY

“PASSING-THROUGH” PARKS

ethics of park design. If considered offensive by some, it will serve as
incentive to promote the acquisition of requisite park areas for rest

parks in down-town localities.*

“PASSING-AROUND” PARKS

The park areas at street terminations and the circular areas devel-
oped at street intersections in the radial system, come more under the
heading of “ passing-around ” than “ passing-through” parks. As
an example of the close similarity between the two, there may be cited
Thomas Circle in Washington and Karolinenplatz in Munich, of
approximately the same size and similar location, the one with a statue,
the other with an obelisk at the centre, the main difference being that
in Washington the pedestrians pass around the Circle and in Munich
walks are provided in four directions for their passing through. Pass-
ing-around and passing-through parks must be considered much the
same in character of display allowed, the former, however, permitting
greater display than the latter because of greater focal interest.

When these parks come in a location where street views focus upon
them, they are then said to have focal or cynosure value, and in that
case should have especial features of civic interest. It usually happens
that such focal parks are immediately commandeered for statues.
This is fortunately one of the best purposes to which they may be put,
and thereby they render valuable service to the city plan. Such focal
points can be utilised equally well, however, by fountains or architec-
tural features which will contribute beauty as well as distinction to the
street view. Parks of this variety, when given architectural motifs,
should be kept free from planting or floral display, except as such
embellishment shall contribute to the setting of the statue or fountain.
Auxiliary planting must never interfere or compete with the focal
motif.

* See chapter on “ Disposition of Seats in Parks.”
92

The small park areas at street intersections are usually
commandeered for statues; an occupation but temporary,
let us hope, until improved taste dis possesses these spaces
for fountains, urns, and objets d’art

WITHERSPOON AND WEBSTER TRIANGLES,
WASHINGTON

A circle may be developed either as a “‘passing-through”’
or a “‘passing-around” park. The American idea is
to keep such focal points for display

THOMAS CIRCLE, WASHINGTON, D. C.
(Designed by the Author)

4
|
\

A circle cut through with walk lines loses its pivotal
character and appears sacrificed to pedestrian haste

KAROLINENPLATZ, MUNICH

“PASSING-THROUGH” PARKS

LEFT-OVER AREAS

The large number of parks which have been termed odds-and-ends
in city development, the left-over or cut-off pieces of land often found
at street convergings, are usually so limited in area as to offer small
opportunity for walks, seats or other development.

~The most that can be done with these parks is to give them a purely
decorative character, providing them with some simple motif of in-
terest, such as an urn or flower bed or small fountain, keeping the treat-
ment restrained and never so spectacular as to call undue attention to
the design. The planting must always serve purely as setting and
background for the motif of the park and be kept subdued and secon-
dary unless it is the only embellishment of the park, in which case it
may take a positive character. Planting in a small reservation of this
kind should never be of the sort to insistently demand recognition.

As a general admonition, passing-through parks should not be
overloaded with ornamentation. Too profuse display or undue elab-
orateness is derogatory and in poor taste. The park may be “ rich but
not gaudy,” and its design should express its intent and satisfy its
purpose. Although conformity to environment may appear to
threaten individuality of the park, and adherence to rule may appear to
reduce all design to standardisation, the result in each case will dis-
prove such sophistry, for passing-through parks, perforce, are abso-
lutely reflective of the governing conditions—and in civic and park
design the governing conditions of no two problems are ever found
to be identical.

The artificial spring and twin seat in a recently
developed “‘left-over” area in Washington. The ““pass-
ing-through” lines in this park have been reduced
to a minimum expression :

SMALL TRIANGLE, WASHINGTON, D. C.
(Designed by the Author) ii

CHAPTER V

NEIGHBOURHOOD PARKS
NY park dominated by a certain group of residences, governed in

its aims by desire to serve the needs of that neighbourhood, and
influenced in its design by the character and daily life of the people
who congregate within its area, may be designated as a Neighbourhood
Park. There is no intent to separate a town or city into neighbourhood
castes by this sort of park development but an aim to recognise and
serve different types of neighbourhoods as they exist. The vital pur-
pose of neighbourhood parks is the same whether they be located in
the midst of congested tenement districts, in consciously select neigh-
bourhoods of closely adjoining houses, or where the residences are
detached, furnished with private lawns and “ stylish ”’—that section
of a city enjoyed by the “ privileged” classes, as a Syracuse lady
guilelessly designated the neighbourhood in which she and her friends
lived. Parks in these widely differing localities are all for the common
purpose of service; and while not recognising the bond sufficiently to
interchange social entente, yet, in their similar relationship to the
affairs of the respective individuals of each neighbourhood and inde-
pendent of differences in the character of the neighbourhoods, the
parks will need relatively the same fundamental treatment in design.
The general aim of a neighbourhood park must be to provide the
residents in that locality with rest, outdoor enjoyment, and recreation.
The latter term in this case is limited in its application to the sort of
park development that recreates the eye and the mind rather than that
entailing considerable or excessive physical exertion. A neighbour-
hood park should permit perfect relaxation on the part of those who
frequent it. Its design and material should be agreeable and pleasing
to the eye; its convenience ample and ministering to the general com-
fort of its users. It should be sufficiently personal to make individual

Note—See diagram in Appendix.

98

A neighbourhood is fortunate to acquire an old estate
which may be converted into a park

MONTROSE PARK, GEORGETOWN
(Developed by the Author)

Areas about public or semi-public buildings not needed
for architectural setting may very properly be given
park development for the benefit of the neighbourhood

NEUE PINAKOTHEK GROUNDS, MUNICH
(Viewed from Within )

1
|

Shadeful planting about public buildings will exert a
restful influence as overlooked from neighbourhood
windows

NEUE PINAKOTHEK GROUNDS, MUNICH
(Viewed from Without)

NEIGHBOURHOOD PARKS

appeal to the residents of its own neighbourhood. These objects may
be accomplished in somewhat different ways in each neighbourhood,
the modus operandi to depend upon the modus vivendi, but the gen-
eral principles of development to be much the same.

THOSE IN THE POORER DISTRICTS

Neighbourhood parks in tenement districts should be kept ex-
tremely simple in design, of the sort that will stand harsh treatment
and not require a maximum of maintenance. Tenement dwellers
usually have not reached the point of recognising property rights,
either private or public. They appreciate in a subconscious way the
civic advantages given them and make the most of opportunities
offered, but they do not appreciate that proper regard on their part
will make the continuance of such advantages possible and bring
additional ones as well. The main idea of the design should be to
provide ample room for circulation and opportunity for the natural
playing about of children. As expressed in the chapter, Playgrounds
in Parks, tenement districts are ideal and necessary locations for play-
grounds, which will in large part take care of the children, but the
neighbourhood parks in these districts should also provide for their
presence and not exclude them. With ample accommodation of space
alone, which means to them opportunity of getting out into the open
air in the neighbourhood of their homes, the tenement dwellers will, in
the main, feel that a city is bestowing upon them a bountiful gift.

The planting in parks of this sort should be confined mostly to trees
for the sake of the shade which they will give, of strong-growing
varieties that will thrive even with the soil trampled hard about their
roots, and varieties that will not invite depredation on account of their
flowers or fruit, as for example, catalpas or horse-chestnuts. Quick-
growing varieties should be given the preference, as it is always more

or less of a problem in a park where the trees are submitted to hard
102

EERE

The screen belt of shrubbery, together with the unusually
large area of this park, gives it an erroneous neighbour-
hood appearance. Although children may play here
pleasantly enough during certain hours, it is not
conveniently located for such purpose and lacks the
security of a neighbourhood park

MILITARY PARK, NEWARK, N. J.

NEIGHBOURHOOD PARKS

usage to get a tree up to the point where it will take care of itself.
Shrub planting, while permissible, should be attempted in an experi-
mental way, with only the coarse-growing varieties that will not com-
mand special attention. It will not be possible to have much turf in
the design on account of the impossibility of maintenance, for it will be
found that the entire area will come in for pretty constant usage and
the problem will be one of sweeping the park rather than mowing it.
If flower display is attempted at all, it had better be in a concentrated
fashion, laid out in one or more beds of considerable size and frankly
locked up within a protecting picket fence. Although, in that sense,
it may present the character of something to be peeked in at like an
animal at the Zoo, it will be found that flower display in tenement
districts can be maintained in no other way.

PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL WELFARE

The character of parks in tenement districts should be very plain
and unpretentious with little ornamental display. Ornamentation will
not only be out of keeping but be in a sense irritating to the many who
may be undergoing struggles of poverty. The character of the park
should be a grade higher than that to which they are accustomed, which
will not form sufficient contrast to cause resentment, and yet encour-
age a desire in them for something better.

There may be architectural accessories such as shelters and pa-
vilions, together with necessary fences, copings, et cetera. Fountains
are sure to be used for mischief or to take the place of the bathing
facilities which should be provided by the city in proper way. If a
statue is to be lodged in one of these parks, let it be placed so as to seem
as little in the way as possible. Also let it be of an educational character
or such as will inspire patriotism and loyalty to country, preferably an
inscribed shaft or monument commemorating some notable event in the
history of our country rather than a grotesque effigy.*

* See chapter on Statues and Effigies in Parks.
° 104

“A prime necessity for the wholesome life and progress
of the modern city is the development of an inspiring
neighbourhood spirit,” prescribes Secretary of War
Baker. This does not mean the development of down-
town forums for idlers

A PERVERTED DISPLAY PARK, SAN DIEGO

NEIGHBOURHOOD PARKS

Special attention must be given to keeping these parks dry and
sanitary. Adequate provision must be made for drainage, the walks
should be of brick or cement which will be durable and remain in
good condition, and proper provision should be made for public com-
fort. The parks should be well lighted during the evening, and ser-
viceable receptacles provided in which to throw papers and other
waste to help keep the park clean and encourage the idea of orderliness
in the minds of the people there. There should be one or more sanitary
drinking fountains incorporated in the design. Above all, there must
be a superabundance of benches, of a strong, durable sort, with
arrangements made for definitely anchoring them in the places where
they are to remain. If these benches are damaged they should be
repaired or replaced with others if necessary; never should retaliation
be taken on the tenement residents by removing the benches entirely.
The same standards of conduct cannot be applied to neighbourhood
parks in tenement districts as to others, and the parks are for purposes
of ministering to their welfare, both in kindliness as well as in education.

MIDDLE-CLASS NEIGHBOURHOODS

Neighbourhood parks in what are known as middle-class districts
permit of somewhat freer development. They also, however, had best
be kept somewhat regular and formal in design, expressing the re-
straint and order which one expects when living well within the city
where each individual conforms to the laws governing the many. The
general effect should be that of simplicity and straightforwardness.
Although informal treatment may sometimes be admitted with fair
results, it will be found the exception when a naturalistic design seems
to adequately express or fulfil the functions of this sort of neigh-
bourhood park. Parks in these neighbourhoods, as in the tenement
districts, should provide for ample circulation. The park may be semi-

enclosed, but not to the extent of suggesting privacy; the planting
106

| Netghbourhood parks in quiet residential districts
may have the placid assurance of old-world gardens

BATTERY PARK, CHARLESTON, 5. C.

|

NEIGHBOURHOOD PARKS

should, as in the previous examples, be principally for shade, although
there may be more liberality in the introduction of shrubs and flowers.
A generous variety of bedding plants may be used, although for
reasons of maintenance it is well to refrain from introducing delicate-
growing or rare varieties. In the English parks of this sort perennials
are employed to good effect and require practically no expense of
upkeep after once planted.

The happiest medium in ornamenting these parks will be that of

water, which may take innumerable forms of fountains and pools. A
great opportunity is lost by any city if every neighbourhood park of
the sort described is not provided with some form of water display.
The water features usually—if not always—had best be formal in
character, in keeping with the regularity of the park design which has
been recommended. Italy offers the best examples of such use of
water in small parks, and English parks the worst. Every park de-
signer should avail himself of this most beautiful form of park orna-
mentation in neighbourhood parks where it is eminently suitable and
always highly appreciated.

There should be ample provision for seats in these parks, though
they need not be introduced in as great number as recommended for
neighbourhood parks in the poorer districts. The placing of these
seats should recognise design as well as service, which matter is dis-
cussed at length in the chapter on the disposition of seats in parks.

The especial character to be emphasised in the development of
neighbourhood parks in middle-class residential districts is that they
shall not be over-pretentious nor over-lavish in display, so as to appear
either copying after the extravagant gardens of the rich, or expending
the city’s money in a prodigal fashion. With the present tendency of
our middle classes to ape after the manner of those of larger means
and to covet their extravagancies and indulgences, the parks should

not be developed in a way to foster false ideals. Their better aim
108

poet ae y
_ Fog ~ Ae, 7,
py
Lied

Yor se Shp ft)

If lavish ornament vs desired in a neighbourhood, let it be
external and not affect the benevolence of the park within

ESZTERHAZY PARK, VIENNA

NEIGHBOURHOOD PARKS

may be to exert a steadying influence adverse to the growing tendency
to exceed income in the scale of daily living.

PARKS IN THE FINEST NEIGHBOURHOODS

It is in the neighbourhood park of the third type, those in the resi-
dential districts of the ‘“ privileged ” classes, that the greatest liberty
of design may be taken,—although by this is not meant the greatest
liberty of expenditure. The plan may be formal or informal. Here it
will be found practicable to permit the plan to take on a more natural-
istic character, although actual imitation of rural scenery should not
be attempted. There should be expressed a certain amount of govern-
ment in naturalistic design, an effect of balance and symmetry, and a
striving for pictorial composition that will give a sort of formality to
the most informal grouping of landscape elements. Often the areas
to be developed as parks will already possess attractive features of
contour or tree growth, and any existing beauty of such nature should
be conserved and allowed to colour the park scene created.

These parks may be either wholly screened so as to render the in-
terior portion very private, or they may be allowed to take exactly the
reverse character in extreme openness, suggesting centralisation of
the house lawns. Originally, in many instances, parks of this character
were actually owned by residents of the neighbourhood and were fenced
and kept locked up. Practically all of the London residential parks
are closed except to the neighbourhood residents who have keys to
admit them, and the interior portions are developed as private grounds
with informal treatment of winding walks, summer houses, and border
plantings. Portman, Bedford, Grosvenor, Berkeley, and Red Lion
Squares are examples of such London parks, and we have our own
Grammercy Park in New York City of the same private character.
Records show that Lafayette Park in Washington originally was en-

closed with a six-foot iron fence in a similar way, and not until 1880:
110

The English neighbourhood parks are still kept under
lock and key, screened from view without, and restricted
to the use of “myself, my wife, and my son John”

BLOOMSBURY SQUARE, LONDON

NEIGHBOURHOOD PARKS

had the residents developed sufficiently in grace and humanity to
permit its removal. At the present time practically all of such parks
in American cities, with but one known exception, in Syracuse, N. Y.,
have given way to the more democratic form of park which is open for
the enjoyment of all comers, and little inconvenience results to the
residents of the neighbourhood who formerly withheld the park for
their personal use.

FREEDOM OF DESIGN BUT NOT AD LIB.

Display of water in these parks may be made an especial feature.
Unlike the formal. pools and fountains of the previous type of park
described, naturalistic ponds, lagoons and small lakes are permissible,
depending upon the area available. There may be irregular lily pools
and fish and duck ponds offering all the interest of a private estate,
without disturbing the public character of the park. In such type of
water development, the landscape designer may be given absolute
freedom of expression.

Architectural and sculptural adornment of such parks should be
permitted only under the strictest scrutiny and censorship. All the
quiet residential character may be sacrificed in a moment by the intro-
duction of some grim war hero or other, and there should be the most
united and concerted action of the residents against such infringement
of their park. Decorative sculpture is the proper form which such
embellishment should take, and picturesque characters from history
or fiction such as Pocahontas or John Alden, legendary figures like
Peter Pan, and fantastic incidents such as the Salem witches, may be
portrayed in a way to stir the imagination and recreate the mind while
so placed amidst foliage and naturalistic surroundings as to enliven
and not endanger the pictorial composition.

Seats may be individually placed so as to afford the best prospects
of a park without in any way detracting from the landscape effect as a

whole. The planting may be plentiful and gracious. Trees and shrubs
112

r

Intimate companionable statues are component
| with neighbourhoods and the sort which neigh-
bourhoods will enjoy

| PETER PAN IN KENSINGTON GARDENS, LONDON

NEIGHBOURHOOD PARKS

and flowers may be used in any profusion or variety that the design
will permit; providing that an effect of display for display alone be
avoided. Efficacious planting will contribute to the value of the
landscape composition as a whole and demonstrate the best precepts
of landscape gardening. The gravest danger in the development of
neighbourhood parks of this sort is that, from the very liberty of
design allowed, no design whatever may perhaps be accomplished.
Such parks are most liable to be weak and vacillating in design,
crowded with good material but lacking in unity and correlation of
parts. Only decisiveness of plan will rescue such parks from being
characterless. It is in the development of this type of park that the
services of a competent landscape designer are most imperative and
yet most often are done without or are unappreciated when available.

DIRECT CIVIC ADVANTAGE

A city will be judged by its neighbourhood parks when being
inspected by prospective home builders. The most monumental and
impressive esplanade, the most striking array of display parks, the
most modern of great “recreation centres ” will not carry so personal
a weight with the home builder as will the appearance of the park which
he is to see daily, the one which is in the immediate vicinity of the
property which he thinks to purchase, the park which he will consider
as his park. That free band concerts are occasionally to be given in
his park during the summer months will convince him of the city’s
progressiveness more speedily than will any amount of public enter-
tainment scheduled for “down town.” Having thus caught his in-
terest by means of the neighbourhood park, and appointed him, as it
were, one of the godfathers, he may gradually be imbued with a spirit
of friendliness and good-will toward other neighbourhood parks as
well. In the course of a few years, and without alienation of affection
from the first child of his fancy, he will find himself taking a paternal
interest in all the parks of the city. It is by such means and of such

stuff that city fathers are made.
114

It doesn’t take a sophisticated mind to discern that a
neighbourhood park 1s needed in this locality

UNDEVELOPED AREA, AKRON, OHIO

CHAPTER VI

RECREATION PARKS
K,. ROUTE from Berlin to Munich during war mobilisation,

chancing it on troop trains and what not, the author found
himself one fine morning unexpectedly and unceremoniously deposited
at three a.m. in a burg designated on the station building by the abrupt
word Hof. His frame of mind upon such enforced arrival was not
mollified by finding the only two hotels of the place monopolised by
army officers, all private domiciles tightly closed for the night, and
not even a “ shake-down ” of straw available. In considerable mental
stress at such reception, and exhausted in body, patience, and vocabu-
lary, he abandoned himself to sunrise solitude in a nearby park. Now
the wonder: From a sense of personal calamity, he awakened to a
realisation that he was enjoying an opportunity. As the morning
progressed, he became so interested and absorbed in exploring this
park to which he had gravitated that he very nearly missed the outgoing
train at midday. A park that could resurrect a man’s enthusiasm

under such depressing circumstances was surely efficient and worthy
to be styled recreative.

“RECREATION CENTRES” PERVERT PARKS

The term recreation park has become of recent years a confused
one in this country, due to the extraordinary development of “ recrea-
tion” facilities in the parks of some of our larger cities, notably in
those of Chicago. These facilities, both indoor and outdoor, have been
made to include gymnasiums, assembly halls, club rooms, reading-
rooms, shower-baths, dressing quarters, swimming pools, athletic
grounds, et cetera, all of which have been assembled in what
are known as “recreation centres.” Though such facilities are un-

questionably of enormous value in the regulation of a great city and
Nore—See diagram in Appendix.

116

A recreation park is for relaxation and rest, a picnick-
ing place for children and grown-ups

GORDON PARK, CLEVELAND

RECREATION PARKS

their scope may well be extended insofar as their use justifies, the
question arises as to what extent they may be included in the develop-
ment and design of a park, without overtopping, and in a sense
absorbing, the park. The General Director of Field Houses and
Playgrounds, Chicago, frankly makes this statement in regard to
recreation centres:

“Legally these places are parks; but the treatment and equipment of
their areas resemble parks only in the presence of a limited number of trees,
shrubs, and grassy places, and flowering plants where it has been possible to
place these features of traditional park building.”

Equipment which limits “trees, shrubs, grassy places and flowering
plants ” does not belong in parks but in playgrounds, and the sooner this
truth is understood and accepted, the less endangered will be our parks.

Properly considered and so constructed, recreation parks are
those arranged for such public enjoyment as takes place under self-
direction, with no organised leadership, and having no restrictions
other than those imposed by park custodians and guardians to restrain
action that would interfere with the rights of others or bring damage
to park property. This type of park will permit and should provide
for such forms of active recreation as baseball, football, tennis, cricket,
golf, and the like, but will exclude forms of recreation that destroy
park character and require active management and the services of
instructors and directors.

LEGITIMATE PARK IDEALS

The fundamental purpose of recreation parks is to give the people
of cities opportunity of rest and outdoor enjoyment within the city
confines. The facilities for play and amusement should be such as
conduce to exercise, of the sort that will improve health and spirits.
Many people are so dormant that they cannot be induced to participate

in anything more active than a moving-picture show. For such as
118

The large recreation park reveals Nature in her many
aspects

FAIRMOUNT PARK, PHILADELPHIA

RECREATION PARKS

ordinarily confine themselves to the two senses of sight and hearing,
the parks should be so disposed as to compel a certain amount of
exercise in reaching the various points of interest. The park, while
offering a certain amount of passive amusement, should exact some
degree of activity on the visitor’s part for the wholesome benefits he
will derive. Exercise is not inimical to rest and recreation.

Many recreation parks, because of their extensive areas and
naturalistic character, often become known as Driving Parks, a sup-
positional pleasure of the rich or of the comparative few who may have
carriages and automobiles. Such parks, if actually exclusive, are a
burden on ariy city, contributing to the enjoyment of too small a
minority to justify their expense and maintenance. They should be
immediately taken in hand, and arranged or rearranged to serve a
larger purpose. Every expedient of design should be called upon and
be made use of to convert each into a recreation ground for all, afford-
ing to everyone opportunities of outdoor pleasure and enjoyment of a
sort that will win general appreciation and approbation.

DRIVEWAYS ARE PIONEER DEVELOPMENT

The fact that a park is of large area, or that it is provided with
drives, should not stigmatise it. Driveways are always the first ex-
pedient in design for the exploitation of newly-acquired park lands,
opening up beautiful areas and revealing natural features that might
otherwise remain unknown. If the’initial roadways, having blazed the
way as it were, are soon accompanied by walk-ways and other park
development, the park will come into the universal use which is desired.
The Bois de Boulogne of Paris and the Tiergarten of Berlin are in one
sense driving parks, but they serve a greater function, meeting the
needs of all classes on Sundays and holidays when the people have
opportunity of getting out into the open.

A large recreation park involves much the same f undamental plan-
120

Walking may be made as popular as driving if given

equal dignity in the design
CASCINE PARK, FLORENCE
lo

RECREATION PARKS

ning as the comprehensive design of a park system. Each individual
park of a well-designed system is located with reference to zones of
influence, is characterised in relation to the other parks and contributes
to the effectiveness of the system as a whole. The different features
of a recreation park correspond to the individual parks of a. park
system, and follow much the same law in the reciprocity of design and
placing. Exactly as a park system aims to serve uniformly an entire
city, a recreation park should strive in the distribution of its features
of interest to utilise the entire acreage of a park, developing equally
its farthermost points, and thus serving as large a multitude of people
as possible without congestion at any point.

ENTRANCE AND CIRCULATION

_ The entrance should be spacious and expressive of the character
and importance of the park. It may be marked with gate-posts, lodges,
or other architectural structures, but provision against congestion is
of prime importance. One of the first steps in the recent project to
transform the historic Fort McHenry at Baltimore into a park has
been the acquisition by the city of adequate area to provide a forecourt
at the entrance, a wise preliminary to the construction of the memorial
gateway contemplated. A poorly composed or congested entrance
treatment often maligns a well-arranged and well-studied park within.
There should be adequate space provided for arrival and circulation,
with wide promenades leading from the entrance in straight-away
fashion. An incident of some of our recent American park designs
are esplanades and open turf panels designated as “ greetings” but
located at very nearly the centre of the park. Such greetings could
more logically be located at the main entrance, serving to handle the
congestion at that point and to distribute the crowd of visitors into the
several walks of the park system.

The main scheme or framework of a recreation park will usually
122

First impressions are often decisive. Gate ‘posts,
lodges or prepossessing architectural treatment at the
entrance win park approval in advance

PUBLIC PARK, DRESDEN

RECREATION PARKS

be the system of communication between the different parts, connect-
ing the various features of interest. - The driveways and walks com-
posing it should make an entire circuit of the park, returning without
break to the original point of entrance. There may be any number of
secondary lines with additional entrances and exits from the park,
but a trunk line or main artery of circulation is essential. The main
route should make a complete tour of the park, revealing practically
all of the features therein, or at least indicating their existence to those
willing to make side excursions. The principal driveway should be
followed closely in general direction by a system of walks, not every-
where paralleling the road in a servile monotonous fashion but recog-
nising its guidance and joining it at fundamental points of intersection
and interest. Walks which form more or less complete designs of
themselves as in small parks prove irrational and illogical in large
recreation parks; the walks have usually a definite purpose of destina-
tion rather than merely that of offering place for prqamenading, as in
small parks. There may be spur walks leading to objects of park
pilgrimage not on the line of the driveway, or deflected walks to reveal
some especial scene of landscape beauty, but the devious and random
type of walk leading nowhere proves aggravating to the visitor, decoy-
ing him from a direct route and delaying him in reaching the especial
feature of interest which he may desire to visit. Gardening treatment
along walks in large parks should not be ignored but does not demand
the same fastidious attention as the planting of walks in smaller parks;
the attention of the pedestrian is in a sense anticipatory, and intricate
planting detail is wont to be passed by unappreciated.

NATURALISTIC SCENERY

The first features to be developed for the enjoyment of the public
should be those inherent to the park; interior landscape scenes and

prospective views and vistas. Beautiful park landscape is usually the
124

Who would surmise the above scene to be the main
entrance to a large park! Only the sign forbidding
teaming prevents it being mistaken for a service roadway

PERKINS PARK, AKRON, OHIO

RECREATION PARKS

product of intent and design, rarely that of chance; primitive forests
are rich in potential scenery, but in most cases it needs be revealed
much as the sculptured figure is brought out from the block of marble.
Park lands, as Eliot points out, when first purchased are usually not
primeval forest but ugly conglomeration of vacant lots, pastures,
fields, abandoned gardens, and to-be-demolished houses. <A great deal
of intelligence must be brought to the task of converting such a hodge-
podge into an engaging landscape. The “shaping of natural land-
scape to the enjoyment of man” involves questions of composition
and design almost too technical and complicated to discuss specifically,
and the best general direction which may be given is the rule-of-thumb
one that the natural landscape be so adjusted and re-shaped as to
provide a multiplicity of scenes which will appeal to the landscape
painter or photographer.

Practically all natural features should be preserved, especially in
connection with rivers and streams, and their possibilities made the
most of. Streams previously considered as unsightly may be improved
by shrubbery planting, their banks broken with occasional beaches,
and even marsh wastes and former dumping grounds may be reclaimed
from pollution and transformed into scenes of beauty, as demonstrated
in the Boston Fenway. Occasionally the park designer is granted
waterfalls and cascades, or grade possibility of obtaining them, which
provide the scene with active interest and permit picturesque landscape
treatment. An aim in shaping the landscape of a large park is to
obtain variety; and, insofar as possible, there may be a succession of
meadows, hills and dales, so arranged and framed as to provide
pleasant contrast and varied character.

Opportunities for obtaining extensive views of distant scenery, or
bird’s-eye panorama of the park itself, may be found if there are com-
paratively high elevations within the park. Ridges terminating in

abrupt rocky points, or rugged spurs which at first seem impossible to
126

An obstacle in landscape design always results in
increased beauty if properly handled

FAIRMOUNT PARK, PHILADELPHIA

SSS

SRA

oT

Our national recreation parks abound with sublime
monuments to call men forth to the wonder places of God

GEYSER IN YELLOWSTONE PARK

| ee nan ee

Many natural features of topography are soul inspiring.
Included in great parks, they will serve for the recreation
of present and future generations

SHOSHONE RESERVATION, WYOMING

RECREATION PARKS

make contribute to park beauty because trees or other plant growth
cannot secure a foothold there, often are found to command extensive
views, and are rare opportunities for development as look-off points.

ARTIFICIAL ATTRACTIONS

The next step following adequate development of all natural
features of interest is the introduction in the park of certain artificial
features to augment its invitation and aid in attaining uniformity of
its use. In the choice of such features of interest the park builder is
offered a wide range of possibilities. It may be helpful to present an
inventory of these, reserving for discussion the particular ones which
are of special value in relation to the general design of a park or in
their individual aspect. There may be enumerated architectural
motifs of tea houses and refectories, shelters, pavilions, ornithological
and pathological exhibits, horticultural houses, zodlogical and botanical
gardens, music courts and concert gardens, opportunities for roller
and ice skating, for aquatic sports, toboggan slides for adults and
sliding hills for children, hippodromes, drill fields, baseball diamonds,
football fields, golf links, game courts of all kinds, and semi-natural
features such as grottos and cascades, water gardens, lotus and lily
ponds, deer preserves, picnic groves, and accessories for the special
amusement of children, such as ponies and donkeys and the goat
wagons which they hail with delight.

This list of features is so extensive that, if included in any one
park, it would transform it almost into the character of an “ amuse-
ment” park, not to be confused with a recreation park. In Berlin is
exhibited a noisy collection of merry-go-rounds, roller coasters, side
shows and other beach resort and circus appurtenances, all labelled
under the head of “America Park.” It is for the landscape designer
to determine what features may be incorporated in a beautiful park

without changing it into an edition of Coney Island. Features which
130

A walk may be made a park feature in itself, functional ‘I :
without having destination 1
EL PROMENADO, LIMA, PERU

\

RECREATION PARKS

submit visitors to unnecessary annoyance in the way of noise should be
tabooed, and also the features prevalent in amusement parks which
subject visitors to a constant temptation to spend money. A recrea-
tion park must have sufficient of interest to forestall such remarks as
“Tt’s a big place but nothing special there,”’ without by any possibility
offering such a multiplicity of features as to become wearisome and
confusing, and to register as a beach resort or amusement park.

APPROPRIATE BUILDINGS

Exhibits in parks should be limited to those that relate directly to,
or serve the interests of, the park. Ornithological and entomological
collections are very pertinent interests in parks, herbarium collections
properly displayed would undoubtedly attract the attention of many,
and a complete exhibition of tree pathology, including display of
modern scientific methods of tree surgery, can prove of very real
interest, as evidenced by the popular exhibition in the public park at
Greensboro, N. C. Such exhibits suitable for parks are not as ex-
pensive to get together as would be supposed, and are vastly more
appropriate in such location than historical or art collections for which
civic museums have usually already been provided.

In the design of all park buildings there should be main-
tained as park-like character as possible. The architecture of tea
houses and refectories should be of an open-air type, not meaning, by
that, fragile rustic construction, but more the sort of architecture
which has been developed in connection with country clubs, as for
example that at Norfolk, Va. Architectural suggestions for shelters
and pavilions in the parks may be found among the beautiful garden
houses that adorn many old parks and gardens in Europe, and some
of our own fine gardens. The minor shelters, of which there should be
many, may occasionally be constructed in rustic material, particularly

when given a picturesque setting in odd places among trees and foliage.
132

Picturesque embellishment of various kinds is suitable
in a recreation park. Minor shelters may be con-
structed in rustic material

GRANT PARK, ATLANTA, GEORGIA

RECREATION PARKS

Shelters in more formal placing which refer directly to lines of the
plan must, especially when of focal value, be designed with recognised
architectural dignity. As discussed in the chapter upon Architecture
in Parks, the buildings in very large parks, when unaffected by near-
ness of other architecture, may be permitted a certain freedom and
picturesqueness of style, though never to the point of appearing fan-
tastical or grotesque, or suggesting the abandonment of architectural
style altogether. The larger buildings for park purposes should
always be of a permanent material and of worthy design, and never
the cheaper sort of wooden building, excused as being temporary, that
remains for all time detrimental to the character of the park.

“GARDEN” UNITS

Zoological gardens, when included in parks, should be arranged
so as to have real landscape value, embellishing rather than destroying
the extensive area they necessarily occupy. The zodlogical gardens in
the Borghese Park in Rome and one in Verona show an arrangement
of animal exhibits in a naturalistic setting that both increases their
educational value and is in harmony with park development. The
National Zodlogical Garden in Washington is semi-naturalistic in the
placing of the different exhibits, but many cages are conspicuously
retained and arranged in some respects as to still suggest the circus.
In the parks of small cities without possibility of zodlogical collections,
there may be introduced one or two zoélogical features, such as sea
lion basins, a bear pit as at Berne, Switzerland, or open-air aviaries
that will not require extensive knowledge and expense in up-keep.
Deer preserves in large parks might well become again the feature
they used to be on private estates, such as may still be seen at
Mt. Vernon. Flocks of grazing sheep, as in Franklin Park in Boston,

serve as a picturesque and interesting note in a park landscape, and in
134

Concert gardens may be given semi-naturalistic setting
and are especially interesting when located near
botanical or zoological gardens

ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN, LEIPSIC

RECREATION PARKS

‘Washington have been found to be of especial value in keeping the
polo fields well cropped.

Botanical gardens are more difficult than zodlogical gardens to make
a part of parks, the demands of plant identification and orderly display
being incompatible often with landscape design and composition. It
is best to keep them a separate feature from park design, as the Jardin
des Plantes, in Paris. The Kew Garden in England is more of an
arboretum than a botanical garden, which allows greater leeway of
landscape design and should not be confused with the true interpreta-
tion of a botanical garden. The introduction of botanical gardens in
park areas, unless the areas are so very extensive that land may be
contributed without appreciable loss, must be regarded with doubt,
for, like playgrounds and “ recreation centres,” the chances are that
they will absorb rather than embellish the park land.

A MUSIC CONCOURSE

Music pavilions and concert courts should be considered as indis-
pensable to all large parks; they should be designed as an integral part
of the park, located with reference both to acoustic and landscape char-
acter of the surroundings, and placed to serve as large a number of
people as possible. There may be an extensive entourage of prome-
nades and walks with seats to provide for the comfort of the many
people who attend the concerts. The regular Sunday afternoon con-
cert in the Public Garden on the Pincian Hill in Rome, and that given
in Hyde Park in London, have become institutions of those parks, and
great congregations of people gather on foot, in carriages, and auto-
mobiles to enjoy them. In many European parks the concert feature
is frequently combined with al fresco restaurants where the people
gather while listening to the concerts, sometimes furnished daily by the
lessees of the restaurants. In the zodlogical garden at Leipsic there is

a curious combination of open-air restaurant and music concourse over-
136

Band concerts always prove a mecca of park interest.
Let them be held at a comfortable walking distance
from the park entrance

CASCINE PARK, FLORENCE

RECREATION PARKS

looking in one direction a horticultural display, in the other a zoological
collection so arranged that the lions are viewed apparently at liberty
in a naturalistic scene, with seal and water-fowl sporting in a lagoon
in the foreground. The effect as a whole is somewhat theatrical but
not displeasing.

PARADE GROUNDS AND GAME FIELDS

Parade and drill grounds are a suitable adjunct of the parks of our
larger cities and we may safely anticipate demand for them. The field
for military jumping in the public park at Florence is a feature of
fascinating interest and, even when not in use, contributes to the park
character. The many hippodromes of Italy vary in type from the
simple race-track idea in the Cascine Park at Florence to the more
elegant one of the Borghese Garden so often illustrated. The famous
hippodrome at Torino built in the time of Napoleon expresses more
the idea of a stadium. That at Milan is unique for the grass prome-
nade of the upper level, boasting a double row of full-grown shade trees.

Fields for active recreation, limited to the sort of sports which do
not require supervision and attendants, may be provided for as a part
of the general park layout. The fields for baseball should include
permanently-laid-out diamonds, football fields should be provided with
proper goal posts, and there may well be some inconspicuous arrange-
ment of low bleachers in each case. Game courts should be as care-
fully designed and completely equipped as those on club grounds,
never located haphazard, but made to relate to the general design both
in line and placing. Golf also is a very proper adjunct of commodious
parks. In Riverside Park, Indianapolis, there are three golf courses,
two eighteen-hole and one nine-hole, showing how quickly the public
takes to that form of sport. Ex-President Taft writes of golf: “ It is
an admirable form of exercise, it is consistent with social enjoyment, it

trains one in self-respect, it introduces one to nature in most attractive
138

The European nations justify large park areas by
utilising them for such military and official purposes
as do not conflict with park character

HIPPODROME, BORGHESE GARDEN, ROME

RECREATION PARKS

form. It has no bad results except that in the outset it may tempt to
profanity.” Golf, tennis and cricket are all desirable forms of park
recreation, and areas may advantageously be provided for them in the
park layout.

WATER AND ICE SPORTS

Aquatic sports with proper provision of boathouses and landings,
in addition to bathing-beach facilities, should be made a part of large
parks whenever possible, details of which are discussed in other
chapters.

It should not be overlooked that parks are for service throughout
the entire year, and provisions should be made for winter sports
whenever practicable. The toboggan slide in Franklin Park, Boston,
is in constant demand when in condition, and skating parties and skat-
ing festivals are popular in all parks where provision is made for them
and the season permits. There should not be overlooked the setting
apart of certain hills and slopes where the children may slide. In the
congestion of city streets, and even in the suburbs, sliding is a danger-
ous sport for the children; and though such use of park slopes will
occasionally cut through the snow and leave ugly scars in the turf to
‘mar its beauty the following summer, it is not unreasonable, if the
slopes are in a conspicuous position, to make their re-grassing each
spring a recognised part of park maintenance.

Roller skating, in both summer and winter, is a healthful sport,
and a skating circle should be provided in the parks instead of the
frequent signs prohibiting roller skating on the park walks. There is
a semi-public rink in the Tennis Club Ground of the Public Garden at
Naples, and a public one in the little town of Parma near Bologna.
The latter is located in the midst of a formal park treatment, con-
structed of cement and railed around, furnished with seats and sup-

plemented with a booth where skates may be rented. In Reading,
140

An equestrian field is an interesting adjunct of a large
park. In Washington, numerous jumps are being

added to the bridle paths
CASCINE PARK, FLORENCE

RECREATION PARKS

Pennsylvania, is a park roller-skating rink which may be flooded as an
ice rink in winter, making an admirable arrangement. Such public
rinks, located if possible in the vicinity of the park band-stand, are
sure to be patronised in large numbers, thus increasing the. park
efficiency.

DISTRIBUTION OF PARK FEATURES AND TRANSPORTATION

In regard to location of recreation features, the especial one which
is considered to be the main drawing card should, if possible, be put at
the centre of the park so as to be equally accessible from all entrances.
If the park is very large, the majority of recreation features may be
located in respect to the one or more entrances at not more than the
maximum distance of comfortable walk for the average pedestrian.

Natural features, such as look-off points, waterfalls and cascades,
gorges, springs, and places of historical interest within the park, and
to some extent the various created points of interest which have been
enumerated, are not susceptible of location and often fall beyond
reasonable walking distance. In such case, unless large portions of
the park are to serve only those who drive, some form of transporta-
tion needs to be provided. A great hullabaloo is always raised against
the introduction of busses or narrow gauge railways within parks as
destroying naturalistic character. A park is for the use of the people,
however, and it does not accomplish that purpose if limited to the use of
a few. Moreover, a transportation line may be introduced in a park
without destroying beauty of landscape character. Every part of the
Tiergarten in Berlin is accessible by bus or trolley without the beauty
of the park suffering. The island park Margit at Budapest is served by
a narrow gauge horse-car line that is a convenience without being con-
spicuous or destroying park character. The real reason why such lines
are objectionable, and have sometimes been removed, is that the need

of them has been discovered as an after condition, and their course has
142

The resumption of horse-car lines in parks will provide
cheap conveyance for those unable to walk to the various
points of interest without introducing the prevalent
tension of getting somewhere in a hurry

MARGIT PARK, BUDAPEST

RECREATION PARKS

been laid out on the principle that a straight line is the shortest dis-
tance between two points. A landscape designer, given transporta-
tion-as one of the fundamental requirements of his park problem, can
so locate the necessary lines as to be hardly noticeable to pedestrians
or those driving, carrying the lines within reach of all desired points,
and even furnishing them with considerable incidental beauty en route.

RESTFUL RATHER THAN STIMULATING

The general character of recreation parks is best not showy in the
sense of being formal. An extensive scheme of great regularity,
exhibiting preponderance of axial lines, focal points, and formal vistas
is unsuitable for the purpose, as being incompatible with the idea of
relaxation and let-down. A serene naturalistic effect is most to be
desired, the result of, rather than the evidence of, man’s handiwork.
The design should be laid out so as to appear orderly, leading the
visitor in an assured fashion to the different points of interest, conduct-
ing him to them in succession, without radical change of direction or
apparent retracing of steps. The walks or roadways which he follows
should always hold points of interest ahead, and the reward should be
sufficiently frequent to prevent thought of fatigue. This is the
strongest point in recreation park design to be recognised, and too
great emphasis cannot be put upon it. One obtains rest and recrea-
tion, often not so much by complete cessation of physical and mental
activity as by moderate exercise with complete change of thought. A
park which will hold a person’s attention so completely and lead him
from one point to another so gently that he feels no conscious effort
will rest him in mind and body, and bring him true recreation.

Such a restful park proved to be the one at Hof. The gravest
criticism against it was its entrance, so hidden away up a side street
that the stranger discovers it purely by chance. It is not a pretentious

park; some persons would call it common-place if not shabby, but that
144 .

Social parades may take place with more salubrious
effect in the freedom of a recreation park than along
the usual city avenues

HYDE PARK, LONDON

RECREATION PARKS

is as one may view it. It has been built for the enjoyment of a little
community of people, common-place folk, maybe, who go there in the
late afternoons and evenings and Sundays to loiter among its shady
walks, to meet their friends and neighbours, to enjoy the wholesome
pleasures that may be obtained there.

A MODEST EXAMPLE FOR SMALL CITIES

The main driveway leads one to an open place at no great distance
from the gate, where is located a small open-air restaurant together
with a modest music pavilion. Many inviting walks lead from this, all
of them in much the same general direction, offering the visitor variety
in point-de-départ. without possibility of missing the point-d’arrivée.
This alternative in choice of walk recurs to the very end of the long,
narrow strip of land which constitutes the park, and thus one finds that
on his return route he may in part regain the portions of paradise he
had feared to lose at the start.

The general way leads the visitor by a succession of gardens and
enclosed lawns, embellished with lily ponds and simple fountains, allur-
ing him to stay at every point. After many such intermediate places of
interest he comes at the far end to The Labyrinth, a happy misnomer,
as the walks leading within, though somewhat labyrinthine, do not
terminate in cul-de-sacs, or torture the visitor with confusing turns
and windings leading nowhere, but take him quite directly to a “ ruin ”
at the centre, fashioned on a rocky eminence from which may be viewed
a charming panorama of the countryside. The visitor lingers there
unconscious of lapse of time, entranced with the pastoral beauty of
scene, desirous to return before he has left.

One feels no oppression of distance on the way back, but continually
tarries, allowing his journey to be retarded by the park development
all along the way. Even within sight of the entrance he welcomes

opportunity to loiter in a little terraced garden, which is so humble in
146

Ponies and goat wagons for hire will attract the children
to the parks, a better place of diversion for them than
the foul-air “‘movies”’

SEMI-PUBLIC PARK, JACKSONVILLE

RECREATION PARKS

its design of flowers and fountain as to have utterly escaped notice
upon his entrance to the park so short a time before.

A visit within the peaceful atmosphere of this park transports one
from the din and turmoil of troublesome existence, creates a new vision,
instills afresh momentary thoughts of the beautiful in a world oppressed
and harassed with battle cries and sounds’ of strife. The village park
of Hof may not shine in comparison with great show parks of royal
palaces, it may not stand the test of academic design, but in bringing
relaxation to the harried visitor, and offering rest to those tired in mind
and body, the park at Hof is worthy of bountiful praise. There are
none of the great avenues of Schénbrunn, no chateau d’eau as at
Versailles, no clipped trees, no statues and fountains as at Hampton
Court, merely the quiet, restful features designed to promote recrea-
tion,—designed in scale with the lives of the people there. It is the
spirit of such parks that we should try to emulate in the building of
recreation parks in this country.

Royal parks are best visited, admired and pleasurably
remembered, but not copied in spirit or form in our
republican parks

PARK AT SCHONBRUNN, VIENNA

CHAPTER VII

PLAYGROUNDS IN PARKS

OW that we have playgrounds in America, what are we going to do
N with them? Meaning, by that, how are we to treat them in design?
An undesigned playground suggests too much the usual spectacle of
vacant lot, and an over-designed playground is like a children’s play-
room furnished in gilt or mahogany in which the child is too ill at ease—
to play or will commit damage if he does. Sec ais

When playgrounds first appeared in our midst they entered like a
lamb, and were turned to graze in some park corner. Now, behold!
they have become as a raging lion, and are about to devour the entire
park areas. Not that everyone is not in favour of giving the children a
place in which to play, but their bedlam is a bit disturbing to one seek-
ing rest and quiet in a park, and then again, one doesn’t want an entire
house converted into a nursery. On shipboard the children are con-
fined to certain decks, unless accompanied by their parents, with the
exception of German steamship lines on which the passengers confine
themselves to their staterooms,—and use more discretion in selecting

passage the next time.

PLAYGROUNDS ENDANGER PARKS

In Washington, a temporary grant was given for the location of
a wading pool and some few pieces of playground apparatus in one of
the old established parks; and in an incredibly short time, the appear-
ance of that entire park became as though the seventh year had
arrived,—the grass disappeared, and the walk lines multiplied, and
the flowering shrubs acquired queer mutilated shapes. The park
superintendent, after several Samaritan attempts at resuscitation, went
by on the other side with face averted, and devoted himself the more

assiduously to the other parks in his care. It may be accepted as
150

Shade and open area are all that the European child
needs for play. He does not expect to be amused

KINDERPARK, VIENNA

PLAYGROUNDS IN PARKS

axiomatic that a playground given one inch in a public park will take
an ell,—and in time the remainder of the park. :

What is the solution? Public sentiment demands playgrounds and
public purse-strings are drawn against the purchase of areas for their
development. There is always unanimous protest against the placing
of public buildings in park areas, but what is saved from the politician
is delivered as spoil to the child. The answer is the well-known one of
the sagacious lawyer: compromise. Establish a “ dead line”: on this
side, park; on that side, playground. The landscape designer, working
with such idea in mind, can render the arbitrary line so integral a part
of the general park design that picket duty will not be necessary. In
the particular park mentioned which had become the despair of the
park superintendent, a new landscape design was devised which
assigned ,special well demarked areas to the children, confined by
hedges and other planting. Within this area was grouped all the
apparatus and equipment for the children’s play, and made so inter-
esting from the child’s standpoint in contrast with the rest of the park
that it became a hardship for him to play elsewhere than where he was
desired. The remainder of the park was immediately freed from
depredation and has been restored to its former beauty for the enjoy-
ment of the grown-ups seeking recreation there.

MIGHT OVER RIGHT

The fundamental reason why playgrounds seek to establish them-
selves upon park areas is that land there need not be purchased but
may be obtained by right of might in almost any city. There are
innumerable other areas equally serviceable for playground purposes.
The objection that most alternative sites, proposed in lieu of existing
park areas, are poorly located seems unfounded; or is there an extra-
ordinary coincidence that parks in every case have been located exactly

in the one spot suitable for playgrounds? It seems comparatively
152

Give a child an open field chuck-full of air and sun-
shine, and he will burst into play without the aid of
a playground instructor

HUMBOLDT WOOD, BERLIN

PLAYGROUNDS IN PARKS

easy to find areas suitable for new parks when the purchase price is
available, and indubitably it is the free land rather than the park land
which causes playgrounds to covet park locations.

The requisites of an area suitable for playgrounds are but two,
ampleness and shade. Even these factors are not as important as one
would think, for shade can be provided by inexpensive shelters and
the largest playgrounds are not always the most efficient or popular.
Landscape planting, such as may-exist_in coveted park areas, is not
essentially an advantage, for with the advent_of_large numbers of
children, the. naturalistic beauty of a park is soon_worn off like the
paint from a new toy. Converting a park into a playground is like
changing horses in midstream: the park frequently is lost before the
playground is obtained. a

Beauty of natural surroundings is not of special value to a pro-
posed playground. In the Washington case already mentioned, the
section of park allotted eventually to the playground was an area con-
sidered previously the least desirable due to the nearness of a railroad
yard, necessarily noisy and unsightly. This area for playground pur-
poses, however, satisfied all requirements. It may be stated positively,
therefore, that areas of scenic or landscape beauty are in that respect
wasted when given over to playgrounds; and it may also be stated that
if a park rib must be sacrificed for the creation of a playground, the
poorest rib will do.

PERMISSIBLE IN LARGE PARKS

While playgrounds in small parks are a devastation and a sacrilege,
playgrounds in parks of ample area are not necessarily so, provided
the condition be inexorably imposed that the playgrounds shall not
trespass beyond certain defined limits and shall be installed according
to a fixed design acceptable to the park. They should never be allowed

to edge their way in, for that will mean the development of conditions
154

Extensive areas for boyhood sports instead of play-
ground gymnasiums is the German method of developing
their youth

SPORTPLATZ, DRESDEN

PLAYGROUNDS IN PARKS

which at a later time will have to be rectified. Children at play in a
park may be one of the attractions,—provided they are not allowed to
become one of the distractions. Play fields and playsteads, in dis-
tinction from what are known as organised playgrounds, are not anni-
hilative. There may be also many sequestered spots scattered through-
out the parks, as so frequently done in Germany, furnished with
seesaws and sand-piles for the amusement of the small children, where
the grown-up visitors frequently congregate to watch the children at
play. Unfortunately, we find that the larger parks in which organised
playgrounds would be the least objectionable as to encroachment are
rarely desirable for playground purposes, because usually at some
distance from the centre of congested districts where playgrounds are
most needed. It is on the small park areas existing in these congested
districts that the pressure for playgrounds usually comes. There
should be a united movement against their swarming there and a din
raised for the purchasing of new areas instead.

COOPERATION OF PARK OFFICIALS

The impression that park authorities are invariably opposed to
playgrounds will be removed if such authorities will lend their aid in
the acquisition of new land and at the same time show their willingness
to admit playgrounds into the very large parks where there may be
ample area for their accommodation. The park authorities should
take an active interest in the construction of playgrounds, even when
the playgrounds are not to be connected directly with the park.
Especially should the park designer be called upon for contribution of
his skill and taste in the physical shaping of playgrounds. When the
playground is to be one with a park, the first duty of the landscape
designer will be, as already pointed out, to impose definite limits,
defining the playground so as to permit no possibility of future en-

croachment on the park. Beyond that, his service may be purely to
156

The love of sailing boats 1s common to the children of
all countries. Let them use the park fountains to their
hearts’ content and we won't need so many playgrounds

PUBLIC GARDEN, MILAN

PLAYGROUNDS IN PARKS

suggest,—in a sense advisory to the playground director. He will
find himself endowed somewhat with the prerogatives of a censor, for
an ill-considered design of playground may be urged by him as an
added reason for its disassociation from park areas. It usually develops
that the suggestions of the park designer are welcome and his services
are availed of to the full by those laying out the playgrounds both to
harmonise the playgrounds with the parks and to render the play-
grounds agreeable in aspect.

DESIGN OF PLAYGROUNDS

There is a large range of design possible in the development of
playgrounds, dependent upon the form and extent of the area avail-
able. It is appropriate that the playgrounds be given what is known
as formal design, meaning by that an arrangement in which the lines
are well radicated and positive. Such an arrangement is most eco-
nomical of space and suggests the idea of orderliness in the mind of
the child. A generous open space should be left at the centre for free
movement and general play, and such disposition of the remaining
area may be made as will meet the desire of the playground supervisor.
The apparatus had best be so arranged as to be under the observation
of the attendant at all times. Various game courts may be provided,
depending upon the area of the playground. The introduction of a
wading or swimming pool is usually considered desirable. The in-
clusion of gymnasium apparatus will depend upon the scope of the
individual playground and again be subject to the wishes and will of
the playground director.

While a playground should not be confused with a park, there is no
doubt there is a close relationship between them, for an isolated play-
ground may be given a palpable park character without prejudicing
its purpose. An illustration of what may be done along this line may

be seen in Willow Tree Alley playground in Washington. This was
158

Playgrounds had best be designed and constructed in
a durable fashion; according to present indications
theyre to be a long time here

GARFIELD PARK PLAYGROUND, WASHINGTON
(Designed by the Author)

PLAYGROUNDS IN PARKS

a special project of Mrs. Wilson’s to transform the central portion of
certain blocks in slum districts into interior playgrounds which should
have a park character insofar as practicable. An excerpt from the
author’s report on the project bearing on the matter of the planting
is quoted:

“‘ The problem of developing the Interior Park at Willow Tree Alley has been
considered primarily from the standpoint of up-keep and maintenance. Ex-
perience in other Washington parks has taught that planting in a locality of
this kind unless protected from depredation—not only when first planted but
even after it has become established—will almost immediately be rendered un-
sightly, and in the course of two or three years become practically erased. On
the other hand, it is impossible to give a park-like character to any design with-
out a considerable amount of planting; and vegetation for beauty and shade
is the one element of park design which cannot be eliminated. Therefore it
becomes necessary in this case to make use of planting in a restricted sense, and
in such a way that it may be protected from depredation.

“It is proposed to develop this area as a combination of recreation park and
playground. The central portion is to be kept open, outlined and framed in
with a belt of trees and shrubbery. A row of Lombardy poplars at each end,
planted very closely together in a line, will furnish the vertical element of the
design and the remainder of the planting space will be filled in with a collection
of flowering trees and shrubs, with occasional shade trees overshadowing the
walk lines, and intermediate groups of evergreens for enrichment of the plant-
ing during the winter months. The effectiveness of the entire design will depend
upon the luxuriousness and density of this plantation, and for that reason it is
proposed to enclose the areas as shown with a picket fence of sufficient height
to render this area impossible of trespass. Broad entrances at each side of the
park will lead through this planting screen to the interior portion, which will
be encompassed by a cement walk at the outer edge. The central portion will
be left bare of planting except for the two formal groves shown on the plan,
which will be provided with play tables and sand-boxes for the younger children
frequenting this park.

“ All planting could well be put in of a fairly mature size in order to give an

immediate effect, and it is recommended that the twelve trees of the play groves
160

Park treatment for playgrounds may be maintained
only behind picket fences

WILLOW TREE ALLEY PLAYGROUND, WASHINGTON
(Designed by the Author)

PLAYGROUNDS IN PARKS

be large transplanted specimens so as to afford the benefit of considerable shade
at the outset. As an added feature of landscape interest, there has been in-
cluded in the plan a small sunken flower garden which will come within the
fenced-in area. This may be left open, if found practicable, but if ‘necessarily
closed, may still be overlooked from the playground walk bordering it on one
side.” ;

The foregoing is applicable to the planting problem of most play-
grounds. The illustration shows how much may be accomplished in
giving a park-like character to an otherwise bare playground, without
in any way interfering with its utility. |

PLAY AREAS AND PLAYGARDENS

The German cities seem to have handled the matter of play areas
with the least apparent or conscious effort. As already mentioned,
they have a habit of assigning all unused or left-over corners in the
parks to sand areas for the children, which they screen off from the
rest of the park and furnish with ample number of seats for those
accompanying the children. In this country we are coming more and
more to provide sand boxes throughout the parks in a somewhat similar
fashion, but the tendency is to place the sand box in the most con-
spicuous place rather than in the least noticeable.

Especially commendable and noteworthy in the German parks are
what are designated as Spielplatz and Kindergartens. The Spielplatz
are merely open areas, sometimes in gravel, frequently in grass when
the area is large enough to serve more as an open field, and the children
may be seen there playing familiar games, the sort that are gotten up
on the spur of the moment and require no apparatus other than the
nimble limbs and wits of the children playing. In addition to this
there has been developed the charming idea of the Kindergarten, de-
signed expressly for the children, in which grown-ups are not allowed

to enter unless accompanied by a child. This restriction is not rigidly
162

What's a sand-box compared to a sand-hill in the mind
of achiid? Such a spot would redeem any park and
need not be surrounded with pergolas and fine fixings
like the ‘“‘sand-courts”’ in many of our playgrounds

FRIEDRICH WOOD, BERLIN

PLAYGROUNDS IN PARKS

adhered to, but could well be, as is the case at the Easter Egg Rolling
for the Washington children on the White House lawn. There is a
beautifully designed kindergarten connected with the folkgarten in
Vienna where the children seem to be absolutely in charge insofar as
offensive restrictions are observable; the Children’s Garden in Berlin,
presented to them by the present Kaiser, is a joy even to grown-ups
who still believe in fairies; and there comes to mind a little garden in
Diisseldorf just overflowing with bloom at all seasons of the year which
has evidently been designed for the children if the fantastic character
of the garden seats and the great number of children always to be found
there may be taken as an indication.

Children in far countries seem to know better how to play than they
do in this country, and do not seem to make such an effort over it. They
enjoy immensely the open areas provided for them without demanding
so much in the way of special apparatus and what we know as play-
ground equipment. They also are brought up to appreciate that
parks are made for their enjoyment instead of for their depredation,
and we find them amusing themselves in a quiet, harmless fashion,
never interfering with the enjoyment of the other users of the park.
Anyone who has ever seen the continuous congregation of children in
the Luxembourg Garden at Paris playing about the Great Basin there,
or has watched the little Italian boys and girls amusing themselves in
the public garden at Milan, wonders why here in America we must
have such scientific provision for child play, such extensive organisation
and equipment. There are some few of us that managed to come up
fairly well and have very distinct memories of play long before the
present style of playgrounds was ever heard of.

PLAY FACILITIES FOR GROWN-UPS

Of greater importance in connection with park facilities appears

to be the matter of playgrounds for grown-ups who may have for-
164

There may be features introduced in parks to delight
the soul of the child without changing the park character

HOFGARTEN, DUSSELDORF

PLAYGROUNDS IN PARKS

gotten how to play. Even after a man acquires a score or more of
years, he can enjoy a more active recreation than viewing park scenery
or admiring the beauty of blooming shrubs and flowers. Give him a
tennis racket or opportunity for the less strenuous game of golf, and
if he be not too aged let him know that there are idle ball fields awaiting
his will, and soon we may find the grown-ups keeping active inde-
“recreation centres.”*

The English game of cricket could well be introduced into this
country, and could be made a part of our larger park designs. In
college circles, there is the game of lacrosse, an enjoyable sport both
to watch and to participate in, which can be played on any level park
area of adequate size. The bowling green was once an institution in
America, as evidenced by the name that still clings to the portion of
Battery Park in New York City where that outdoor game was played.
The game of pallone is a favourite one in Italy, and may be found in
progress late in the afternoon in a great many of its parks. The
illustration shows the game being played in a pallone court provided
in the Lizzi Park in Siena, which park was converted from an old
fortress, and is not great in extent. The value of game facilities for
grown-ups will be found to be very great, and there is none of the
objection to their introduction in parks that exists in the case of
children’s playgrounds.

pendently of elaborate and expensive

Game courts well designed and intelligently placed in relation to
park design do not detract from the beauty of the park; and if given
the decorative treatment frequently accorded them on private estates
they may be made to serve as a very potent element of park embellish-
ment. It may be noted in the illustration of the pallone-court in
Siena that a very incisive design has been obtained by the proper
distribution of trees and seats in relation to the already existing but-
tress walls. ‘The tennis courts in European parks are always developed
i *Sce page 116. 7

166

Give the grown-ups a chance with tennis and other game
courts in the parks. There are none of us too old to play

PALLONE COURT, LIZZI PARK, SIENA

PLAYGROUNDS IN PARKS

in a very decorative way, usually in connection with a tennis house.
Unfortunately the tendency there is to place them under the direction
of private clubs, as at Naples and Florence, which deducts that much
park area from the use of the public. Such isolation is not necessary,
as we have many instances in this country where separate tennis courts
are made an integral part of the park. In Washington, tennis courts
have been used both in groups and as separate units with ornamental
effect. A game court given a proper landscape setting may become a
meritorious adjunct to any park, augmenting its interest without
detracting from its beauty.

PARK ECONOMY

The cost of maintenance of game courts should not deter park
authorities from incorporating them in park design. Aside from the
initial expense, which is not unreasonable if considered as a part of
the development of the park as.a whole, the slight additional cost of
the park maintenance is more than compensated for in the increased
interest which will be shown by the residents,—which means increased
support for park projects.

Playgrounds are a park economy. The observation was made in
Washington that when playgrounds were provided in a neighbourhood
the cost of up-keep of the small parks in that neighbourhood was con-
siderably lessened; in other words, if the youngsters are occupied in
legitimate play in a supervised playground they have less time to be
up to mischief in demolishing parks of the neighbourhood. This fact,
however, is not an argument in favour of including playgrounds in
parks. They are a foreign element, disturbing and incompatible.
Attempted amalgamation between parks and playgrounds results
always in the annihilation of one, which in the past has never proven
to be that of the playground.

{
i

Play and display will not fraternise. Not a shrub or
flower could survive in this park until a portion of it
was converted into a playground. <A playground on
some other area in the same neighbourhood would have
served to equal purpose

VIRGINIA AVENUE PARK, WASHINGTON

(Before the inclusion of a playground)

CHAPTER VIII
EFFIGIES AND MONUMENTS IN PARKS

Ht ORINO is conspicuous among the cities of Italy for the
regularity of its construction and for the number of its
monuments.” ;

Observe the naive way in which Baedeker’s guide book employs
that word “conspicuous.” The city is not described as being famous
or celebrated or well known for its monuments, but merely conspicuous.
Yet in a following paragraph we read: “ Torino is noted for vermouth
and caramels”; in other words, its fame has spread abroad from the
least conspicuous of its products. The same is true of park design.
A park may be conspicuous for the multiplicity of its memorial statues,
but it will be noted and famed for the character of its fountains, its
belle vistas, and its shady walks.

Nothing is so aggravating to a visitor in a park as to follow an
ingratiating walk leading apparently to an especially fine bit of park
beauty only to wind up, face to face, with a portrait statue, for which
the most that can be said is ‘“ Erected in 18—.” Who is responsible
for leaving these monstrosities exposed? Why are they not put in a
Salon des Indépendants as at Paris, or in a Hall of Horrors as in the
Washington Capitol, or decently interned as at the Campo Santo at
Genoa. There is an especially lovely drive in the Cascine Park at
Florence known as the Viale del Re, the King’s Way. This beautiful
drive presents to the visitor a continuously changing scene of alternat-
ing woodland and water views, glimpses of recreation grounds, tennis
courts, and gardens. A hippodrome and cyclodrome are located along
this driveway, an army jumping field attracts interest even when not
in use, and there are all sorts of fountains and unique-looking shelters
and what-not to enhance the interest of this drive. And then at the

far, far end where one expects to find the pot of gold, there is lodged.
170

f
i
|
5

“Tsn’t this a dainty dish to set before the king?” Statue
terminating the Viale del Re (The King’s Way)

CASCINE PARK, FLORENCE

EFFIGIES AND MONUMENTS IN PARKS

in the rightful place of some choice example of landscape art a curi-
ously wrought, bedecked and bedizened panoplied statue of—but no
one is interested in knowing what it is of. The illustration of it is
sufficient. .

HERO WORSHIP VERSUS PARK IDEALS

In America, we have the horrid habit of placing an equestrian
statue to some war hero or other in the exact centre of every park,
making it the pivotal point of the park like the pin of a pin-wheel. As
a forerunner of this, the design of new parks very frequently takes a
radial form to provide for the future occupant, like preparing a tomb
against the inevitable day. It is hard to say in such case which is worse,
the park with the statue or the park in readiness for it. A radial design
without its central motive seems always held in suspense, and suggests
the house awaiting the tenant. The recognised circumstance that most
of our parks usually sooner or later “accept” a statue has resulted in
the perpetuation of the old geometrical pattern of the gardeners which
obviously provides a congenial lodging point at the centre for a monu-
ment. Those who have to use a park daily in passing to their work
and those obligated to keep up the appearance of such parks know that
a geometrical pattern of walk line provides little else than the afore-
mentioned site, and as for useful walks or lawns that can be kept from
trespass paths, such a design is worse than nil. Finally, and here is
another instance wherein the last argument might well be the first, a
park is a park and should not be made into a setting for a statue. Fiven
a large park loses its peaceful character when garnished with bronze
warriors on rearing horses.

There are two expedients for eradicating or subordinating monu-
ments when they are not acceptable to a park development. First,
by educating the landscape architect to design new parks in such a
way that “ conspicuous ” monument sites will be exceedingly scarce;

secondly, by providing an alternative or substitute for the satis-
172

Dual statues, graceless in line and devoid of distinction,
are placed vis-a-vis as the sole embellishment of this
Italian park area,—an example of even America out-
done in park prostitution

PIAZZA INDEPENDENZIA, FLORENCE

EFFIGIES AND MONUMENTS IN PARKS

faction of would-be donors. It is not difficult for the designer of
new parks to eliminate statue sites, in fact it is usually a problem to
provide place for them. Except in the case of very formal axial
designs, the need of providing a site for a statue is usually a trying and
limiting condition. A memorial statue presented in advance of a. park
development is a béte noir to the designer; presented afterwards it
changes, chameleon-like, to a white elephant. In most cities and towns
very much better sites can be found either at street intersections or in
open squares where the statues may have mass value and focal interest
without detracting from park beauty. The sculptors may invariably
be depended upon to favour the election of street venues for their work.
The author of a recent statue in Washington fixed his choice imme-
diately and unreservedly upon a site terminating a street vista which
was in every other respect vastly inferior to several park sites offered
for his approval. .

COMMENDABLE SUBSTITUTES FOR EFFIGIES

There are many better ways of perpetuating the virtue or glory
of an individual than by this physical form. Someone has said that it
is a common-place people who do not symbolise rather than record.
Let the G. A. R.’s and the D. A. R.’s and the S. A. R.’s be urged to
commemorate past greatness by fountains and water basins and garden
areas, which are sure to be gratifying to the toilers of to-day, rather
than to apotheosise their forebears in statue groups which too often
call forth little but facetiousness. In Washington a favourite sug-
gestion has gone the rounds that the nude female figure composing a
part of the pedestal relief of the Rochambeau statue, in presenting a
sword to Rochambeau, who stands with heavy army cape across his
arm, is saying, “I will swap you this sword for that cape,”—an in-
dignity to a very well executed statue group, but one that is irrepres-

sible. William Howe Downes in a critical article on the monuments
174

A portrait statue is not indisputably the most appro-
priate memorial of a great man; and from the park
standpoint a fountain expresses the commemorative
ideal in more congruous form

THE BUTT-MILLET MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN,
WASHINGTON, D. C.

EFFIGIES AND MONUMENTS IN PARKS

and statues of Boston complains likewise that “ a very worthy work of
art may be made to seem absurd to the thoughtless by drawing atten-
tion to some minor fault in a detail which, once remarked, will forever
afterward thrust itself upon the attention with an insistence out of all
proportion to its real importance. So fond is the American of his
joke, and so indifferent is he to esthetic questions, that he will remem-
ber a quip about a statue much longer than the statue itself.”

The sculptor may be counted upon to codperate in a change from
portraiture to allegory, for he will foresee and welcome greater freedom
of expression and interpretation of subject. He may soon and
speedily depart from the conscious austerity of many of our present
monuments, but the people will forgive a palpable leaning toward the
plastic ideal in sculpture in relief from the dreadful realism of portrait
statuary. Moreover, the allegorical statue which uplifts the imagina-
tion or the symbolic representation which moulds and inspires is essen-
tially the only sculpture which may properly be admitted to park
retreats,—and then not to such extent as to jeopardise naturalistic
beauty. The figure of Peter Pan in the Kensington Gardens, London,
is appropriately set in the midst of fragrant verdure, but unfortunately
it fails “to transport us from the din and turmoil of this modern
existence,” due to the awkward effort of the artist to visualise, in the
reliefs of the pedestal, the emotion which the spectator should be
privileged to experience voluntarily.

It would be a great forward step if the word “ statue ” in every
case could be changed to the word “ memorial.” How many cities
would not embrace the opportunity of obtaining richly designed gar-
dens or beautiful specimens of landscape art in exchange for several
of the statues they have on hand? Take, as an example of what beau-
tiful effect may be obtained by harmonious composition of sculpture
and landscape architecture, the beautiful Medici Fountain in the

Luxembourg Gardens of Paris, a rare ornament for any city. Then
176

6

Replicas in our parks of the Marathon Runner, the
Discus Thrower or other examples of athletic prowess
would have a healthier inspirational value for the
American youth than the usual plethora of petrified
generals

SPORTPLATZ, DRESDEN

bo

EFFIGIES AND MONUMENTS IN PARKS

there is the Memorial Garden to Kaiserin Elisabeth in Vienna, a very
lovely spot, so much like a private garden that one enters as though by
special privilege. We have read much of and seen much pictured the
Children’s Fairy Garden, in the Friedrichshain, Berlin, with its foun-
tain and pool ornamented with fantastic statuettes of Red Riding
Hood, Puss in Boots, Hansel and Gretel, and other legendary figures.
Can one imagine this delightful garden replaced with a heroic com-
posite statue commemorating the writers of these children’s tales by
personal image, recording the past instead of illuminating the future.
The MacMillan Fountain in Washington and the Butt-Millet Me-
morial Fountain are each more eloquent tributes to the memory of
these men than would have been graven images of their likenesses.
In Boston, one of the walks of the Common has been named the
“Oliver Wendell Holmes Walk,” a suggestion that could well be
followed elsewhere, utilising memorial funds and appropriations in
the actual construction of parks rather than by their subsequent usurp-
tion by monuments. The usual effigy should be banned from park
precincts.
STATUES TO SERVE AND NOT TO SUBJUGATE

In cases where portrait statues must arbitrarily be given places in
parks, especially in small parks, they should never be allowed to
dominate the design; in other words, they should not be located at the
exact centre, especially in the case of newly-acquired parks. It should
not be taken for granted that statues shall form the central embellish-
ment of the areas. There is no doubt that the obtaining of a statue
hastens the improvement of park spaces, but the precedent should be
established of placing the potential statue in a sequestered corner,
never permitting it to occupy and devitalise the central portion of the
park area. A very happy location is often found as a part of the
entrance treatment to a park. In the Lizzi at Siena, and the Montag-
nola Park at Bologna, imposing equestrian statues dominate the en-

trance plazas, and we have St. Gaudens’ statue of Sherman similarly
178

A statue is the climax of its surroundings: a garden
is a refinement of the same area. The latter ts less
forceful but more sensitive to the needs of the human heart

CHILDREN’S MEMORIAL GARDEN, BERLIN

EFFIGIES AND MONUMENTS IN PARKS

placed at the plaza entrance to Central Park. Statues thus located
seem to have a civic function, emphasising the approach to the park
and adding to its dignity rather than annihilating it. Statues may
often be made to take the form of exedras facing either on the street or
toward the park. Illustrations of the former are seen in the Shaw
Memorial facing the State House on Boston Common, or the Farragut
Statue in Madison Square, New York City.. The new Barry Statue
in Washington is an example of a site facing the street, the landscape
background of which serves simultaneously as the outskirt planting of
the park. It would be a simple problem in design to compose similar
exedras facing into the park, becoming thereby a part of the screen
or framing of the park and not in themselves the dominating motive.
The location of the statue in the Giardino della Citta in Torino illus-
trates a site which attracts attention without demanding it, an ideal
condition. The arrangement of statues along the broad walk of the
Promenadeplatz, in Munich, shows how statues may be given suffi-
ciently prominent position without destroying the park value.

PARK DESIGN SUPREME

Parks at the time they are originally designed and laid out could
well show where the addition of sculpture would be acceptable to the
design. Sculptors find that a park not originally designed for a statue
does not afford agreeable setting for their work; on the other hand, it is
impertinence for a sculptor to expect a park to be changed and laid out
anew for the reception of a statue. If the original design of a park is
so compromised that it becomes a setting for a statue it loses much of
its function as a park. This applies most forcibly to parks of small
size, but the smaller cities are apt to have small parks, and the larger
cities are so replete and overladen with statues and monuments that
even their large park areas become cluttered with them and diverted

from their true purpose and ideal. It will be a forward step when
180

It ts to be wished that we could exchange a few of our
portrait statues lacking in beauty, truth, or inspiration
for an occasional refreshing work of this kind

FOLKGARTEN, VIENNA

EFFIGIES AND MONUMENTS IN PARKS

donors come to appreciate that they are privileged to complete a park
design in presenting a statue rather than to take it for granted that
some park design will be conveniently revamped to make place for
such statues as they desire to present.

SITE TO FORETELL AND IDENTIFY STATUES

A well-regulated park will indicate, even to an unsophisticated
observer, whether or not statues were intended in the original con-
ception; and it will usually be found that statues or monuments when
called for are for purposes of accenting axial points of the design
rather than for mere ornamentation of the park. A monument should
appear inseparable from its site. The criticism was made in Congress
at the time the site was being selected for the Lincoln Memorial that
the advocates of the proposed location in Potomac Park did not care
whether the proposed Memorial should be dedicated to Abraham
Lincoln or to Buffalo Bill, just so long as a two-million-dollar Greek
Temple should be erected in the exact spot where the design called for
such a structure. The criticism appeared to be well founded in the
sense that the design did call for just such an architectural expression
as the Lincoln Memorial promised to provide, and the Mall scheme
would never reach completion until some rare structure emphasised
the site indicated on the main axis of the design. In a larger sense,
however, the design had reserved and set apart this place of honour for
just such a great man as Lincoln, and the site would not have been
recommended and urged so loyally unless it were to be dedicated to a
national figure worthy to take, in company with Washington, such
place of honour.

It is a question whether site is greater than statue. In actual
experience it is found that sites, determined in advance, impose con-
ditions upon the sculptor and influence to great extent the form and
design of statue to be placed there. Is it not reasonable to suppose

then that if statues are governed by site that sites should be selected
182

ay

hy

There are certain historical figures which seem plucked
from the world of romance. There are age-old monu- |
ments which circumstance has surrounded with mystery.

These exceptions merge harmoniously with naturalistic
surroundings

JOAN D’ARC, FAIRMOUNT PARK, PHILADELPHIA
OLD SPANISH MONUMENT, ST. AUGUSTINE

EFFIGIES AND MONUMENTS IN PARKS

first, and that the influence of a forced site in a park where there is
properly no place for a statue will be reflected deleteriously in the
design or the statue placed there?

GUARD AGAINST STATUE INVASION

It is not intended to disparage the acquisition by a city of monu-
ments and statues to glorify and commemorate its past and to symbolise
its ideals and ambitions of the future; but it may be safely asserted that
a city is becoming top-heavy with such material when the character: of
its parks is made to suffer by the too numerous intrusion of statues. It
would be drastic to eliminate all statues from parks, but let us not
erect new ones to regret. Statues in parks may be likened to jewels,
they should be sparingly used; the more beautiful the park, the less
need is there of such adornment. It will be found, moreover, that if
statues for parks are considered when the parks are being first de-
signed, they will in nine cases out of ten take different form, place and
orientation and perhaps in the other case be eliminated.

Washington is a particularly bad example of every park with its
own statue and sometimes with two or three extra ones,—statues
mostly of value for archeological interest. It is hoped that the newer
cities will not emulate its example in this respect. Congress has a
curious habit, in passing bills for the erection of new statues, to instruct
the committees in charge “to select sites on the Public Grounds of
the District of Columbia exclusive of the Capitol Grounds and the
Grounds of the Library of Congress.” This self-protective policy of
not admitting statuary into the special domains of the Capitol is an
advance step and perhaps in time Congress will extend its protectorate
over the city as a whole and Washington will cease to compete with
Torino, as it does at present, in being conspicuous for the number of
its monuments.

A city may be conspicuous for its monuments; it will be noted for
the excellence of its parks, their fountains, belle vistas, and shady
walks.

184

Naturalistic subjects, properly handled, possess both
picturesque and educational value and express a better
fitness of things in park environment than mundane
images

FAIRMOUNT PARK, PHILADELPHIA

CHAPTER IX

ARCHITECTURE IN PARKS

PNHE demand for building sites within park areas is much greater
than would be generally supposed. There are demands for
auditoriums, armouries, gymnasiums, art museums, natural. history
rooms and public buildings of all kinds. In one of the most recent
books on city planning there is made this recommendation:

“ Among the edifices which may properly be placed in the parks are mu-
nicipal banquet halls. In such halls the various municipal and semi-municipal
functions could be held, instead of in the hotels as at present. Distinguished
guests could be received in. more dignity at such banquet halls than in private
hostelries.” .

It may be seen from this that, although much has been written
adverse to sacrificing parks to buildings, the tendency to project build-
ings into park areas is not yet dead—its tail still wriggles. Central
Park in New York, especially, has been overrun with innumerable
projects for the introduction of edifices within its domain, from the
suggestion in 1872 that all religious sects should be invited to build
places of worship upon it, to recommendations within recent years that
sites be granted there for academies of design, art museums and
exhibition palaces. New York City, however, has proven itself a
St. Patrick in respect to public buildings in parks, and can be depended
upon to crush the idea of a municipal banquet hall also should it seek
admission there.

PARKS TO POSSESS ARCHITECTURE; ARCHITECTURE NOT TO
DISPOSSESS PARKS

“A park is to furnish relief and repose of mind which natural
scenery brings to those who are wearied by city sights and sounds.”
From this it would appear that no building of any kind should be

permitted within park domains, as jeopardising the effect of the land-
186

Immigrant types of architecture are admissible in parks
sufficiently large to amalgamate them

THE CHALET, PUBLIC GARDENS, ROME

ARCHITECTURE IN PARKS

scape and dispelling the illusion of “ natural scenery.” Parks, how-
ever, are not merely compositions of scenery, but, as has been pointed
out, are for utility as well as for beauty. Buildings in that sense fre-
quently are. very vital to parks. If, therefore, there is need of a
building in a park for some reason of service or for some requirement
of the park, there should not be the slightest hesitation in introducing
it there. The converse, however, is equally true: if a building is not
needed for some reason of service or to satisfy some need of the park,
it should never be granted admittance. For example, an edifice for
dining “ distinguished guests ” is not requisite to a park, for the service
can be performed equally well elsewhere and therefore such a building
should not be allowed there. The proper relation between buildings
and parks must be that of reciprocity and mutual need, each the com-
plement and supplement of the other.

The mere fact that a building is public does not justify its admission
to and absorption of park areas. Six years ago there was erected in
one of Washington’s parks the Court of Appeals building, the inter-
relation of which with park development, the purpose for which the
park was set apart, still remains a mystery. Two other buildings, how-
ever, had already been erected within that park, and precedent made
the way easy. The new building, to cap the climax, was located in
such a way as to obviously require the addition of a fourth building
for the completion of the architectural composition, showing how the
inch becomes the ell. City halls and court houses seem to be the
greatest sinners in this respect, and they lead the way for an army of
other public buildings for which appropriations are made with no
provision for site.

PARKS ARE NOT FORECOURTS
An infringement of architecture on park domains which cannot be
too strongly guarded against is that similar to the case of the Century

Theatre in New York City, in the building of which plans were pre-
188

This building for tennis and indoor sports, designed
in exposition style and located close to the water's edge
for view and composition, is an example of pertinent
architecture contributing to the beauty of a park

PUBLIC PARK, BUDAPEST

ARCHITECTURE IN PARKS

pared for appropriating that section of Central Park immediately
before it for the development of a formal foreground to the building.
Although this might seem permissible in the case of so large a park, as
a general proposition it would be extending the pale of the city within
the park instead of shutting it out, and a multiplication of the device
at intervals along an entire boundary would sensibly decrease the
apparent area of any but the most extensive of parks. In the case of
small parks such suggestions are insidiously dangerous, for, in design-
ing or redesigning a small park to bring it into keeping with some par-
ticular building facing upon it, the initial purpose of the park often
becomes lost and forgotten in the shuffle. The instigator, whose under-
most purpose is to improve the appearance of the building in which he
is especially interested, usually avows that parks must not be con-
sidered as separate units, but should be designed in relation to the city
and to their surroundings. This is true, but not in the implied sense of
relating to a particular building; for a park, to express its civic func-
tion, must eschew partiality toward any one of the buildings facing
upon it which would seek to convert it into a forecourt or plaza, and
thus abstract it from the genuine park areas of the city. Rather should
the precedent of foreign cities be followed, where ample grounds are
provided about their semi-public buildings and developed in park char-
acter—as, for example, in the public flower gardens and play areas
about the Alte and Neue Pinakothek in Munich.

COMMENSURATE AREAS SHOULD BE SUBSTITUTED

At the present time several of our cities are launched on extensive
replanning schemes in the execution of which, as in the Washington
Mall scheme, the integrity of long-established parks is threatened to
make way for civic centres or other architectural developments. The
inexorable dictum that park areas should never be converted into sites

for public buildings should not be overruled even in this case; but, in
190

Architecture may have a sentimental or historical value
warranting its inclusion in a park

OLD SLAVE MARKET, ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA

ARCHITECTURE IN PARKS

order not to block the carrying out of such comprehensive development
as may be for the welfare of a city as a whole, the give-and-take policy
may be inaugurated. The idea to be maintained is that there shall be
no diminution of park area, and it is therefore recommended that -in
the ratification of a new city plan there be inserted the conditional
clause as follows:

“ That commensurate park areas shall be acquired to offset such present
park areas as may be taken for building purposes in the new plan and thereby
become lost to the city as parks.”

Such a clause will protect the park area of a city without jeopardising
the best development of the city plan.

PARK ARCHITECTURE TO BE HARMONIOUS AND RESTRAINED ;

The character of architecture in parks will be determined some-
what by the city environment, especially when the park is of such
limited area as to bring it within the influence of street architecture.
Where, for yarious reasons, the surrounding buildings may not be
neutralised by planting, buildings required in the park should show a
certain similarity or harmony of style and material with those in the
adjoining street. This will be found to be a very difficult condition to
meet, and, like an ideal, may be attained but rarely. Instances have
occurred, however, when it has been possible to match the colour and
texture of a park building to that of the architecture immediately
across the street from it with nice effect, and there have been other
instances where the result would undeniably have been better if some
such effort at architectural harmonising had been made.

As a general rule the architecture of a small park should be kept
as plain and inornate as possible, without becoming austere or unin-
teresting. The impression that any fantastic type of architecture may
be discreetly introduced in park design is fallacious; and the architect

who conscientiously studies this problem, bearing in mind that the
192

America at present holds promise to lead in uniquely
park architecture

THE REFECTORY, HUMBOLDT PARK, CHICAGO

ARCHITECTURE IN PARKS

architecture which he creates must be to serve the interests of the park
and in that sense be subservient or incidental to the general aspect of
that park, will not find a great deal of liberty for dabbling in fantastic
styles: he will come to realise that there are principles in landscape
design, perhaps previously unfamiliar to him, holding him within sur-
prisingly definite limits. An entire park design may just as surely be
unbalanced or disrupted by irresponsible design of a component build-
ing as may an architectural facade be destroyed by irresponsible design
of an entrance door or other unit of its composition. Architecture of
small parks should be entrusted only to architects of park experience
or in consultation with the landscape architect or park designer in
charge of the park development as a whole.

EXPRESSIVE, NOT FANCIFUL

More liberty may be granted in the architecture of large parks.
There the buildings are beyond the influence of street architecture, and
therefore may be designed as units in themselves, or as relating only
to other units of park architecture. In a formal landscape scheme the
character of the architecture component to it often will be arbitrarily
determined, but free standing buildings, such as pavilions, tea houses
and park restaurants, may be left quite to the will of the architect—
provided, of course, that he is a designer of discretion. It should be
again emphasised, however, that a “ playful” type of design com-
monly considered suitable for park work does not mean fantastic or
privileged architecture. Golf and tennis houses and the buildings
devoted to the conveniences of park sports should show special dignity
of design, thus visually controverting the old-fashioned idea of their
inconsequence and triviality. The large boat houses and buildings for
sports in the parks of Budapest are imposing stone structures. The
field houses of the recreation centres in the Chicago parks are examples

of well-expressed park architecture. It is disappointing that the
194

It is regrettable when requisite architecture fails to
reflect park environment

BATH HOUSE AT BELLE ISLE, DETROIT

ARCHITECTURE IN PARKS

English have not developed their park architecture beyond the make-
shift stage, for their leadership in domestic architecture might extend
to this field and result in beautiful combinations of park buildings and
gardening.

RESIDENCES FOR OFFICIALS QUESTIONABLE

In addition to other park buildings, many of our cities have pro-
vided residences for the park superintendent, head gardener, and other
heads of the park force, either by erecting new buildings or by retaining
buildings which existed on the property when originally taken over for
park purposes. It is a question whether it is even good business policy
to have such buildings a part of a park system. If such park officials
are worthy of their hire, it is unfair to require them to accept a portion
of their remuneration in this way, for many men feel it in a sense
demeaning to be stamped by their living quarters as a part of the park
system rather than as governing it. On the other hand, mediocre men
in these positions are frequently receiving a higher remuneration than
would be approved were their rate of compensation expressed in such
a way as to show to the auditor or the taxpayers an actual accounting.
In either case it is extremely questionable whether park lands should
be devoted to this purpose, for frequently quite large areas about such
residences are actually fenced off as private, or at least given so
strongly the character of a private estate as to tangibly detach them
from park areas and, in that sense, isolate considerable portions of the
park from public use.

COTTAGES FOR PARK WORKMEN INSTEAD

A. suggestion, on the other hand, which might be given tentative
consideration is the matter of providing cottages or community houses
for park employees. The objection that this would entail even greater
sacrifice of park area than the residences of park superintendents and

other executives is not so vital in this case, because quarters for the
196

Cottages for the workmen in large parks possess possi-
bilities of utility and picturesqueness

WORKMEN’S QUARTERS, PUBLIC PARK, MILAN

ARCHITECTURE IN PARKS

workmen could be erected in what for park purposes would be con-
sidered the least desirable portion of the park, quite the opposite of
the location selected for superintendents’ houses, and would not require
large private lawn or garden areas about them.

Several advantages would be derived from such an innovation: it
would bring about a personal and permanent interest of the men in
the park work; it would tend to increase their efficiency by improving
their living arrangements; and, by making possible a certain amount
of discipline in a park force, there could be built up a working organisa-
tion in place of the frequently haphazard collection of poorly selected
and often poorly managed workmen. There might eventually be
developed a considerable esprit de corps which would raise the morale
and standard of the “ job,” and take the park force out of the category
of a political dumping ground. Though free living quarters. might
look like a “‘ plum,” they would be under official discipline and general
public inspection to such an extent as to offer no sinecure for ward-
heelers. If in addition, as in the parks of Torino and other Italian
cities, the park force were uniformed much the same as are our “ White
Wings,” but preferably in green or brown, the appearance of the men
at work in the park would be improved and, because more easily
discernible, “ loafing” among them would become less prevalent.

PICTURESQUE HOUSING

The appearance of a group of workmen’s cottages, with a com-
munity house for the unmarried men, could be made a very picturesque
element in a park scene. On a large country estate at West Park, on
the Hudson, small houses for the workmen are arranged about a court
yard in a serviceable and yet decorative fashion. There is also a row of
very quaint little houses ranged along one side of the Boboli Gardens in
Florence which really add to the charm of that portion of the grounds.

In the Public Park at Milan there are several workmen’s cottages
. 198

The workmen’s quarters in European parks are quaint
and decorative

BOBOLI GARDENS, FLORENCE

ARCHITECTURE IN PARKS

included in a service portion of the park, hidden away in an interior
court yard. The photograph, taken only after much difficulty in
finding the way within, shows a decided attractiveness which need not
have been so scrupulously concealed. Such a settlement could be
developed in a park system with the threefold accomplishment of in-
creasing efficiency in park maintenance and up-keep, of offering a city
opportunity to experiment in a small way with the social problem of
housing workmen, and of adding a feature ef interest to the park
design. The entire project is, of course, one which may be taken up
only by cities of considerable size with somewhat extensive park areas
at their disposal. The idea is advanced by the author as a suggestion
for discussion and further thought rather than as definite reeommenda-
tion, in which form he has ventured to present the other material of
the book.

SERVICE BUILDINGS TO BE DESIGNED, NOT CONCEALED

All park buildings should-be given equal attention in architectural
design, those for what is known as “ service ” receiving quite as careful
study as others of the park. The intent should never be to slight the
design of a building with the excuse that it is intended merely for
service or is to be concealed. A nicely designed service building may
be to quite as artistic a purpose in a park as any other part of the devel-
opment, and service buildings are rarely completely hidden. It is thus
in meeting the park requirements, in obtaining beauty without sacri-
ficing economy, that an architect’s ability may be put to a greater test
than in the pursuance of his usual architectural practice. A good
example is the service building in Carroll Park, Baltimore, which is
creditable in form and detail; there is no need to conceal its existence
as in the majority of cases, and such planting as may be added later
will be for embellishment and setting—and not for screen.

Greenhouses, in the same way, an absolute necessity in the main-
"200

Service buildings, trim and commendable in architecture,
will need planting merely for park character, not for the
usual purpose of concealment

CARROLL PARK, BALTIMORE

ARCHITECTURE IN PARKS

tenance of any park system, should be availed of for park interest,
rather than be considered merely as a part of the working equipment
of the park. The possibilities of greenhouse construction may be seen
in the accomplishment along this line by private estates throughout
the country, and there is no logical reason that artistic greenhouse
design should be restricted to private work. There are ample examples
of large display greenhouses in connection with parks and botanical
gardens, both in this country and abroad, but the practical greenhouses,
a necessary part of the regular propagation work in park maintenance,
are rarely made the most of in themselves as a feature of park interest.
Too often it becomes necessary to keep the greenhouses for park
systems sub rosa to protect them from politicians who would make
personal demands upon them; or, because they have already lost their
function to the extent of becoming cut-flower conservatories in place
of propagating houses, it is considered imprudent to reveal to the
general public just what sort of material is being grown in the park
greenhouses, or to what purpose it is being put.

DESIGN IS NOT TRANSFERABLE

In the design of park architecture it should be urged that existing
examples of park building, however satisfactory they may appear in
parks of other cities, should never be adopted except as a parent type;
in one instance the original designers were required to prepare a sort
of stock pattern of building which, with slight modification, could be
made to fit several sites, thereby precluding the possibility of the best
individual design. ‘Transplanted architecture often leads to incon-
gruity of style; also mistakes in plan frequently reveal themselves after
a building is in use, and a close copying of the design by other cities
will result in a repetition of these same difficulties. Such examples as

may appear eminently satisfactory should be accepted merely as a
202

Propagating greenhouses for parks may be rendered
sightly and decorative without becoming exalted into
exhibition houses

GREENHOUSE ON PRIVATE ESTATE

ARCHITECTURE IN PARKS

model or type from which further study in reference to local conditions
can frequently evolve a more applicable design.

All buildings should emanate from and be the result of park con-
ditions, designed in furtherance of park interests. After it has been
determined that a building is imperative to the welfare of a park and
that its presence within the park domain is for that reason justifiable
and pertinent, ample attention should be given to its design, that it be
a credit to itself and a credit to the park. If it is admitted, on the one
hand, that lands dedicated to park use should not be desecrated by the
intrusion of promiscuous buildings, it is doubly sure, on the other, that
legitimate park buildings should not be left in promiscuous hands, lest
irresponsibility in their design militate unjustly against their presence.

“ Architecture is frozen music,’ but Mme. de Stael
might have added that there ts both good and bad music.
There are also occasions when music is out of place

THE TERRACE, CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK

CHAPTER X
DECORATIVE USE OF WATER

\ N 7 ATER is used much too grudgingly in parks. There are

people who would confine the use of water to drinking, bathing
and sanitary purposes, objecting even to its use on the streets. When
such people come in charge of parks, there isn’t to be found even a
drinking fountain in their entire township.

Small towns consider themselves laudably up-to-date when arrange-
ments are made for Tom Jones to water the grass on the Common dur-
ing midsummer; the idea of having a constantly playing fountain or
consuming water in some other form of foolish display, for which the
townspeople would have to be taxed, is considered going a bit too far.
Few town officials would have the hardiness to take the responsibility
for such inanities. Cities, on the other hand, though less drought
stricken, are amazingly pharisaical: they look down upon the desert
towns and exalt themselves in pointing to the occasional fountains
within their own environs, without once letting their eyes behold the
better land beyond. Contrast what even the most progressive of our
cities have done in this line with what may be found in almost any
foreign city of equal size, and the tendency to boast will disappear.
Let the number of fountains in even our most prodigal cities be checked
up in ratio to per capita of population or to area of service, and abase-
ment follows.

ARGUMENTS FOR WATER IN PARKS

The use of water is justifiable in park development for several
reasons: as park embellishment in itself, as an indispensable element
of landscape composition, and as a means of alleviating climatic con-
ditions. In the first instance, that of ornament per se, its value is

obvious. Whether used in the form of plashing fountains, tumbling
206

Water in the form of naturalistic shallow pools may
have a decorative park value and yet serve to practical
purpose during the summer months

FRIEDRICHSHAIN, BERLIN

DECORATIVE USE OF WATER

cascades or in quiet pools and basins, it is a delight to the eye, a thing
of beauty in itself. For this reason of embellishment alone, the liberal
use of water is justifiable in park design. Secondly, active water in
brilliant jets and scintillating sprays may be depended upon to furnish
high light and sparkle to a pictorial scene as little else can.. The play-
ing water disports and revels in the sunlight, absorbing of its brilliance
and emitting flashes and gleams in a hundred directions. As a point of
radiance in the light and shadow of a park scene, water display is
invaluable. Finally, as a palliative during the summer months of ex-
cessive heat, the liberal use of water in park development will be found
directly helpful. Fountains will not freshen atmosphere nor alleviate
climatic conditions to any appreciable extent, but the sight of cool
bubbling water will tend to lessen the physical strain caused by the
heat of summer, and in that sense will mitigate suffering and promote
health. In those unfortunate park systems where bathing beaches are
unobtainable and the welcome substitutes of swimming pools are
crowded to congestion throughout every hot spell, parks abounding in
fountains will be especially frequented, the mere sight of the playing
water appearing to give refreshment. As a means of alleviating
climatic conditions, water display in parks is indispensable.

WATER DISPLAY SACRIFICED FOR SCULPTURE AND ORNAMENT

Fountains at best are underestimated. In a paper by Joseph
Hornblower several years ago, regarding statuary in Washington, one
reads: “ The site is chosen by a committee composed in part at least
of members of the association or groups of citizens whose gift the
statue or ornament may be. The whole District is laid before this
committee, and it is invited to choose, which it usually does with refer-
ence to nothing that has gone before or may come after, selecting as a
rule what it considers the most beautiful unappropriated park or circle.

If the park have a fountain, the fountain must go.” What a condition of
208

Contrast the amount of money here expended and the
relative water display. Which is preferable?
WASHINGTON PARK, ALBANY (Left)
HOFGARTEN, MUNICH (Right)

DECORATIVE USE OF WATER

things—retrogression in the guise of progression! Fountains are a
sign of civilisation and enlightenment, and once established should
never be sacrificed for any cause whatever.

Fountains are essentially for the display of water. The simplest
architectural form is often the best; and the determining factor of
fountain design should be the amount of water exhibited. Many in-
stances may be cited of fountains erected in America within the last
dozen years or so in which the water holds so insignificant a part as not
to be noticeable whether playing or not. In memorial designs the
working team of sculptor and architect seem to feel that their ability
may be doubted unless at least forty-nine per cent. of the composition
is sculpture and forty-nine per cent. is architecture. The wealthier
the city, the less water is there usually displayed in its fountains. Par-
ticularly is this true in richly ornamented parks where “ formal ”
design with its architectural and sculptural accessories frequently
crowds out even the planting.

WATER DISPLAY BEAUTIFUL IN ITSELF

A very beautiful fountain in America is the one on the south lawn
of the White House, consisting wholly of jets of water throwing to
the centre, from which confluence rise several higher jets. In this
fountain there is no architecture whatever except the coping of the
basin, in itself hardly discernible because of the fringe of iris bordering
it. Near Dupont Circle in Washington there is a fountain, petite in
comparison but amply dignified because in scale with the small park
where it is located. This latter fountain, tout compris, cost but two
hundred and thirty dollars, not beyond the means of the smallest city,
and the price could have been further reduced without materially
detracting from the effect of the fountain by the substitution of a plain
coping for the lip form used. It is only as water display is curtailed

that fountain effect is jeopardised. European parks abound in small
210

Fountains are essentially for the display of water.
Shimmering and iridescent, water possesses a beauty
in itself independent of the art of the sculptor

SOUTH-LAWN FOUNTAIN, THE WHITE HOUSE

DECORATIVE USE OF WATER

fountains of this type as well as in the grander sort so often pictured.
The four fountains in the Hofgarten of Munich, which are without
architectural embellishment of any kind, exemplify how inexpensive
fountains may be and yet excel in lavish water display. American
parks are gradually substituting such fountains for the old style iron
fantasies of fifteen years ago, many examples of which, however, un-
fortunately are still extant. It is not the less acceptable that the
change is frequently accomplished on the ground that concrete foun-
tains are more economical to maintain, there being no need of painting

in summer or boarding up in winter.

CONSUMPTION OF WATER

Fountains should not be designed so as to require so copious use of
water as to cause their remaining inert the greater portion of the year
or result in their being converted into flower beds. They should be
designed with an intelligent regard to the water supply available, so
that water may always be dripping from their brims.

If the problem of water supply is a serious one in town or city, very
good results may be obtained by means of pools and water basins which
require merely sufficient water to keep the pool fresh. The glory of
the beautiful Park Monceau in Paris is the limpid pool at the centre
which reflects across its shimmering surface the soft lines of the
crumbling colonnade encircling it. In England there are endless
examples of still water surfaces contributing to the beauty of private
gardens, but water is rarely used in park design except where areas
are sufficiently great for the development of lakes or sheets of water.
The neighbourhood parks of London are as dry of water as deserts.

In the Vienna parks are found exceptionally good examples of
small naturalistic bodies of still water requiring comparatively insig-
nificant water supply. Nearly every instance, strangely enough,

shows application of the accepted English principles of pastoral
212

Pools and basins require comparatively small water
supply, and contribute both innate and reflected beauty
to the park scene

PARK MONCEAU, PARIS

DECORATIVE USE OF WATER

design combined with a thorough comprehension of scale in land-
scape. The principles outlined by such writers as Repton or Price
in reference to large informal bodies of water, when applied without
regard to scale, will give amusing results, as may be seen in some of
the Holland parks where a single glance includes both bay and
recess of shoreline. When elements which should be held separate
are viewed thus simultaneously, the impression produced is that of
Japanese or children’s gardening. Vienna park designers appear to
have been aware of such possible pitfalls, and never to have reduced
the scale of informal water in the parks to danger of the absurd. |

INCONGRUOUS WATER SUPPLY

In this connection, water pools of naturalistic outline should never
be fed by formal playing fountains, for such combination of formal
and informal is an incongruity. If the water supply is to be featured,
it must be done by means of a natural appearing brook or cascade,
apparently coming from some flowing spring or other source, which
may be concealed to prevent close examination and yet maintain the
effect of realism desired. The most familiar illustration of incon-
gruous combination of formal and informal water is that of the Ken-
sington Gardens in Hyde Park, London, where a single fountain, of
considerable flow, to be sure, appears to be the source of water supply
for the entire serpentine lake,—and even to the lay mind suggests that
somebody blundered. In contradistinction is the lagoon of Stephens
Green, Dublin, which is liberally supplied by a waterfall fifteen feet
high by twenty wide, the source of which is invisible and the supply
pipes for which are so concealed that few observers are aware of its
artificiality. The grotto and canal feeding the lily pond in Villa
Pamphilj at Rome, although a formal inlet to a naturalistic body of
water, are not out of keeping because in that case apparently a natural

water supply has been rendered formal.
214

A naturalistic source of supply will authenticate an
artificial pond or lagoon; a formal source will challenge
its sincerity

PUBLIC GARDEN, MILAN

DECORATIVE USE OF WATER

} INTEREST FOR THE CHILDREN

In connection with the informal water treatment, the designer may
introduce many features of park interest. In addition to formal water
divertisement such as cascades and falls, there may be water garden-
ing, islands and bridges, boat houses and various other water acces-
sories. Swans and other water-fowl furnish much enlivenment to
such scenes. It is not necessary to forego water life in parks because
it may not be possible to acquire rare varieties of exotic birds. The
home variety of ducks and geese will give an equally picturesque effect
and prove of much attraction. The picture shown of children feeding
the ducks in the park in Vienna was but one of a great many taken in
different parks of that city. It is a never failing source of amusement
to children to have opportunity of feeding these birds, and after
awhile the fowl become very tame. In the Fortessa Park in Florence,
where there is a large basin of semi-formal design, there thrive great
schools of gold fish, and the quaint vendor of currant buns which the
children purchase to share with their shining friends is as much a park
institution as the man standing ready with the cones of shelled corn
for the flocks of pigeons in the Piazza San Marco in Venice. It is
just such features of interest, seemingly insignificant in themselves,
which make parks popular and establish them in the hearts of the
people. There is no reason why ponds of carp and gold fish should
not be as much a part ‘of parks in America as the squirrels we are
accustomed to watch for.

Children welcome pools and lagoons for sailing boats, the national
operations of whom may be viewed any summer afternoon in Central
Park, New York, the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris or the Public
Gardens in Milan. Frequently one of the duties of park watchmen in
summer is to keep the children from converting fountain basins into
wading pools. his of course is the result of the combination of hot

weather and their inherent love of paddling in the water, and can
216

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Ponds populated with ducks and geese which may be
coaxed afield furnish amusement and accentuate park
charm for the children

STADTPARK, VIENNA

DECORATIVE USE OF WATER

easily be avoided by providing adequate facilities for water sports for
the children. The circumstance is often used as an objection to water
basins in parks, several of the fountains in the Savannah parks being
kept turned off for that reason. Unconventional as it may seem, if
fountains are of value in that respect, what is the harm of their being
used for paddling by the children if nothing of park value is
destroyed in such use. The fountains may thus both promote health
and give pleasure.

COMPOSITION AND ARRANGEMENT

In, the introduction of water in parks, the same rules of design will
follow as were pointed out in Chapter III. Whatever its size or form,
the water feature, to appear rational, must relate very definitely in its
placing to the general lines of the park plan. Informal water should
compose pictorially with the park scene of which it is made a part.
A fountain appears to best advantage when used to accent or em-
phasise some radial or focal point of the design such as may occur at
the intersection of formal walks or at the end of promenades or vistas.
This is not an esthetic distinction but a precept, for a fountain illogi-
cally placed will inevitably appear errant and astray. A striking
example of a fountain motif placed contrary to reasons of design
exists in a little town in Massachusetts, the birthplace of the author.
Within the Common of this town, shady and felicitous, there is placed
a bronze fountain, slightly out of scale and character with the park but
especially noticeable in the irrelevancy of its location. A townsman
tells the curious visitor that the fountain was placed there so as to
come directly in front of a certain house facing this Common, the home
of the donor of the fountain, who made its placement a condition of
the gift. A professional adviser would immediately have recom-
mended against the acceptance of a gift invalidated by such a restric-

tion. The townspeople, however, have found a quainter way of ex-
218

a

If there is ample and forceful display of water, no archi-
tectural embellishment of fowntain head is necessary

PARK FOUNTS IN BERLIN AND TORINO

DECORATIVE USE OF WATER

pressing their sentiment: for some inexplicable reason no money has
ever been found to defray the expense of having this fountain play,—
reminiscent of the horse that could be led to water but couldn’t be
made to drink. a

It has been said that great examples in architecture, the most
beautiful monuments, the perfect specimens of civic art,._ will in
time crumble to ruin but that the fountains will remain. The monu-
ments of the Forum have long since gone but the gushing fountains
of Rome still play. A mortal name may be rendered more eternal by
dedicating unto it a fountain than by any other means, for the hand of
time seems to pass lightly over these symbols of peace.

There ts a sort of grandeur about water difficult to
define but which may be evoked by no other medium of
park expression

VILLA D’ESTE, ITALY

CHAPTER XI

PLANTING DESIGN OF PARKS

GG. examples of planting composition are hard to find in the
ordinary run of parks. This is due in great part to lack of
academic training of those in immediate charge of parks.
Until very recent years our parks have been in the care of men
who have grown up as gardeners, highly competent as such but to
whom the aspect of the individual plant has been of chief importance.
Their influence has resulted in plant collection rather than plant com-
position,—interesting horticulturally but rarely so pictorially. _ To
the landscape designer, composition is first; individual plants to him
are merely planting fragments of minor importance and meaningless
in themselves until, like the irregular pieces of a picture- puzzle, they
are brought together into the recognised relationship of a picture. -

GARDENERS ARE RARELY DESIGNERS

Examples from Italian gardens are offered very often as showing
well composed planting created by gardeners, men without academic
training. In some cases, yes, but most of the famous gardens of Italy
are old established creations, many of them originally designed by such
men as Vignola, Michael Angelo and Raphael, who laid down plans
of such intelligence and omnipotence as to render planting incidental,
for all time controlled by the general composition. In most cases
where gardeners are in charge of European parks and gardens to-day,
they have little opportunity for original design, their duties being
principally the up-keep of a definitely executed design, and their
creative genius limited to relatively unimportant parterres and floral
display. At the same time, these very men and their fathers before
them have been so surrounded with examples of art and design all their

lives that, where liberty of planting is given them, they are able, un-
222

There is a congeniality and charm about closely inter-
woven foliage that is lacking in isolated specimens

FOLIAGE COMPOSITION, WASHINGTON

PLANTING DESIGN OF PARKS

consciously often, to achieve real composition as the result of tradition
and instinct. American gardeners, without disrespect to their ability,
are usually exactly what the name signifies, and are therefore unfitted
to handle planting design problems that involve even the most ele-
mentary principles of mass and line composition.

It is obvious and arrant absurdity when planting design is at-
tempted or controlled by park engineers or superintendents untrained
either in horticulture, gardening or landscape design.*

TRAINING MORE RELIABLE THAN INTUITION

It has already become the practice in recent years for park organisa-
tions of large cities to include on their permanent staff a landscape
designer, one of whose duties is the design and control of park plant-
ing. In small cities and towns where it has been impossible for reasons
of expense to employ such a man annually, it has been found of great
value to retain him for consultation on proposed projects. The land-
scape expert, when intermittently employed, often assumes a “ prophy-
lactic ” relation to the work, and in later years when the projects are
developed more extensively, no waste is involved in correcting early
mistakes. In cities where the park planting is in charge of a head
gardener who has not had professional training in design, it becomes
the duty of that official either to explain to the proper authorities
the value of calling in a landscape expert from time to time, or for
him to acquire such knowledge of design as is possible by his own
efforts.

He should, as best he can, familiarise himself with the principles of
composition, pictorial and architectural, and should cultivate an in-
terest in painting and other forms of art. All of this will gradually
give him an appreciation of design. With a thorough basic knowledge
of plants and gardening already his, he will find that his very lack of

* See following chapter. ;
224

Planting should be interpretive as well as pictorial.
Rhododendrons and laurel, for example, express the spirit
of the woods. For variety and accent in the composition,
there may be intermingled hemlock and juniper, flower-
ing dogwood and shad bush

MONTROSE PARK, GEORGETOWN
(Designed by the Author)

PLANTING DESIGN OF PARKS

exact knowledge in the principles of design governing the use of such
plant material will make each new precept encountered seem applicable
to some one of his daily problems.

TOO GREAT SHADE DETRIMENTAL

Planting is done for two reasons: for shade and for ornamental
interest. Shade is usually overdone. The visitor to a park in summer
seeks the cool recesses of shady grove, but does not desire subterranean
gloom. His chief requirement is that the walks which he follows, or
the seats where he may desire repose, shall be amply shaded; the sun

( may revel over all other areas so far as he is concerned. Yet it seems
| to be a popular park doctrine that another tree shall be planted in
| every open space. Such a policy has made dismal woods of many
_ park areas, shutting out all light and air, and converting them into
_ foliage crypts.
‘a Trees, especially in small parks, had best be planted only along
| the walk lines or where a grove is desired to furnish shade for park
| benches. All other spaces are preferably left free of trees, both to
“serve as breezeways during summer weather and to admit sunlight into
‘the park. An artist knows that pictorial composition depends in large
| part upon contrast of light and shade, and the shade cast by dense trees
ina park composition needs to have for contrast the play of sunlight
upon open lawns. It will be impossible to obtain landscape pictures
without such lighting. Moreover, it is in the framing and setting of
these green lawn fragments that the plant designer finds opportunity
to create contrastful compositions of foliage and flower.

ADORNMENT, NOT GARNITURE
[ Planting of parks, though popularly done for the purpose of

| rendering them ornamental, should never appear in the character of a

display. A preponderance of vivid-hued specimens with curious leaves
226

Shoals of sunshine amid shadow depths guarantee
brilliant contrasts in the chiaroscuro of park planting

FRIEDRICHSHAIN, BERLIN

PLANTING DESIGN OF PARKS

and fantastic shapes, some inordinately thin and tall, others extraor-
dinarily branched, will give an effect of consciousness to a park, an
appearance of being trapped out in tinsel and finery as though per-
petually en féte. One is reminded of the English maid in Italy, who,
disgusted at the number and frequency of the festival days, the word
for which in Italian is “ fiesta,’ remarked to her mistress: “What a
foolish country; they are always a-festering.” aieny of our parks are
always a-festering.
- To avoid an appearance of artificiality, the planting material of
parks should not be composed of what the lay mind regards as “ orna-
mental.” Any plant that is attractive to the eye—and there are few
that are not—may be considered as suitable material for park work.
That a plant be unusual or foreign looking should not recommend but
challenge it. Moreover, ornamental plants need not be of exotic
origin. A client of the writer objected to the use of trailing honey-
suckle in the planting of steep banks bordering his driveway, for the
reason that it was “a d—n weed.” The only answer, of course, which
could be made to him was that “ Everything is a weed in its native
habitat.” The fact that a plant is exotic does not make it ornamental;
and the unappreciated indigenous material of a locality may often
possess all the elements that are needed for a beautiful planting
composition.

One recalls in this connection the amusing satire of Alphonse
Daudet, who, in describing the garden of his gentle hero, Tartarin, in
which there was to be found “ not a tree of the country, not a flower of

France,” says:

“ O le jardin de Tartarin, il n’y en avait pas deux comme celui-la en Europe.
Pas un arbre de pays, pas une fleur de France; rien que des plantes exotiques,
des gommiers, des calebassiers, des cotonniers, des cocotiers, des manguiers, des
bananiers, des palmiers, un baobab, des nopals, des cactus, des figuiers de

Barbarie, a se croire en pleine Afrique centrale, a dix mille lieues de Tarascon.”
228

Planting for mass effect and not for individual display
reflects bigness of park ideals

GORDON PARK, CLEVELAND

PLANTING DESIGN OF PARKS

Unfortunately, the smaller the park, the greater the tendency to
make the planting not only exotic but all-inclusive. The small size of
a park is frequently due to a very central location, which thereby makes
it the cynosure of many eyes, and a temptation to the planter to make
it redound to his personal glory. Let him beware lest it become like
the garden of Tartarin where “les cocotiers n’étaient guére plus
gros que des betteraves, et le baobab (arbre géant, arbor gigantea)
tenait a l’aise dans un pot de réséda.”
HORTICULTURAL SUPPRESSION
It is advisable that the number of varieties in any one park be
kept reasonably limited. No single park, unless it be of very great
extent, should serve as a horticultural garden or an arboretum. A
park scene is to be viewed, not catalogued. Also, if the kinds of trees
| and shrubs to be used in a park be kept very limited in number there
| will be less danger of their being lined up for display like prize animals
“at a country fair. A large number of varieties results in “ dotting.”
A dot is an accent, and one cannot compose with accents. It would be
ie an opera score composed of nothing but high notes. Successful
| park planting must be composed in large masses, the number of
| varieties kept limited so as to compose as a whole and not as a collec-
| tion of dots. If there is no idea of composition in a park planting,
( the effect is bound to be an insensate and inchoate jumble.

as

A surprisingly beautiful effect may be obtained in small parks
with plantation of shrubs of but one or two varieties, edged with flower-
ing perennials of low growth and strong leaf value. A very beau-
tiful park in Italy, the Lizzi at Siena, probably has not a dozen
varieties of trees and shrubs altogether; and a planting list of twenty-
five names would cover the entire material used, including the flower-
ing perennials. The result is not in any sense one of monotony, as
might possibly be the case in garden work, but wholly that of park
simplicity and unity.

230

Flowing or rounded silhouette lines suggest restfulness
and repose, a desirable park attribute in planting |

TIERGARTEN, BERLIN

PLANTING DESIGN OF PARKS
SCREEN AND EMBELLISHMENT

In small parks it is recommended that all shrubs and low-branched

_ trees, and particularly evergreens, be kept at the outer portions of the

park almost in the nature of screening, which will tend to give a feel-
ing of seclusion to the interior portions of the park, and protect it
somewhat from dust and noise of the surrounding streets. In resi-
dence districts, vistas within the park are desirable to reveal the beauty
of park scenery; therefore, there had best be only sufficient planting
in each case to give the park a feeling of enclosure without absolutely
screening out its interior beauty from view of the adjacent residences.
On the other hand, screen planting may be pene so as to be attrac-
tive from the street side.

In large parks, planting is usually for the embellishment of exist-
ing scenes of beauty, or to create entirely new ones when necessary.
Planting of parks in this larger phase is the more complex one of com-
position, involving, in addition to regulations of form, colour and

\seale, considerations of pictorial effects such as elements of distance,

relation of interest, planal values, lighting, etc., all of which has been
made the subject matter of the book of this series entitled “ Pictorial
Planting for City, Suburb and Countryside.”

UNDERGROWTH COMPOSITION

One of the most difficult problems of the park designer is that of
obtaining growth under trees, so charming a feature of the planting
compositions in European parks. So far, we seem to have been unable
to achieve very satisfactory results in this respect. There are few
plants which will withstand dense shade and contend successfully in
the struggle for existence with the root growth of trees. It is pos-
sible, however, to accomplish something in this respect. The under-
growth material of Italian parks, such as alder, elder, hawthorn, horn-

beam, and dwarf maple is already familiar to our park planters, and
232

Much of the mystery of old-world parks is the result
of hedging the avenues and isolating the different com-
partments by foliage banks of undergrowth planting

PUBLIC PARK, PARMA, ITALY

PLANTING DESIGN OF PARKS

cities south of New York can make use of the glossy-leaved evergreen
plant, Huonymus Japonica, which composes most of the hedges
lining the shady drives of the parks of Florence. The shade-enduring
olive, Osmanthus aquifolium, a recent arrival in this country, has been

_ introduced by the author into the Washington parks with success. The

{ real difficulty of planting in shade is that of contending with the tree
roots that have long had established right of way. Only by isolating
the shrub plantation by means of cinder trench or other barrier to
protect their food supply from the foraging roots of the trees, and by

' constant and generous feeding from the surface, can new plants become

_ established and the foliage undergrowth obtained.

' ~~ Too often the planting problem is that of patching up a poor
design, of attempting to supply foliage for background or other pur-
pose of composition, which plant elements should have been put in
twenty-five years previous. When the landscape designer starts with
a clear field he will not find it over-difficult to establish a composition
of trees and shrubs growing in close juxtaposition. By planting trees

_ and shrubs together at the outset—the shrubs comparatively large in
size to give them temporary right of way over the tree material—the
different parts of the planting will become tolerant of each other,
effecting the result the landscape artist desired. Such semi-shade com-
positions are of too vital moment in good park design to be abandoned
because difficult to obtain.

SUGGESTIONS AND ADVICE

An interesting notation made in Italy is that the tree planting of
large naturalistic parks is found more or less grouped in single variety,
often composed of specimens widely variant in size. This apparently
has been the result of letting existing trees indicate the suitability of
ground for particular tree growth, the park gardener augmenting

their number in anticipation of loss from time to time. The effect is
234

Phlox, peonies and other garden flowers exuberate
without debauching park shrubberies

MARIA JOSEPHA PARK, VIENNA

|
|

PLANTING DESIGN OF PARKS

very pleasing, and creates an appearance of naturally reproducing
groves and thickets.

Favourable note was made also of the Italian method of mounding
up the shrub beds in small parks similar to flower beds in this country;
the purpose is to increase the immediate effect of height and to dis-
courage the development of trespass lines through the planting. In
all European parks there is a much greater use of flowers in connection
with shrubbery than in this country, which subject is discussed in the
chapter of this book which deals with the disposition of flowers in parks.

- It is commended to the park designer to keep each park simple and
harmonious in its planting, depending for variety of material upon
the park system as a whole. Such a policy brings about better civic
conditions, revealing to those citizens who have banded themselves
into associations, in different parts of the city, that they are merely
dividing the house against itself unless as organisations they codperate
for park development as a civic entity. A park should never be con-
sidered as belonging to any portion of the city or to any one neighbour-
hood, for each park is a public possession and common to the city as a
whole. The park planter, therefore, has no reason to treat these as
separate units, but as portions of a great planting system. It may
well be his ambition to incite remarks such as “‘ Have you seen the
rhododendron display in Roosevelt Circle?” “The azalea banks in
Taft Park were a wonderful sight Sunday when we were over there,”
or “ You shouldn’t miss the lilacs down along Wilson Boulevard.
They’re just coming into bloom.” In short, parks should be given
individuality of planting, and featured as a progression of stellar
attractions in preference to each a mediocre variety show in itself.

The interest of the public in parks thus designed will become keen and
observing, the park system as a whole will appear more inclusive, and
the design of each individual park will exhibit a clearer planting

expression.
236

A park wholly withdrawn from its surroundings by
encompassing foliage may embody the spirit of poetry
in its design

PARK ON ROCHER DES DOMS, AVIGNON, FRANCE

CHAPTER XII

PARK ADMINISTRATION IN RELATION TO
PLANTING DESIGN

ANDSCAPE designers frequently find themselves so hampered
by limiting conditions of park régime as to be unable to exhibit
their best ability in planting design. This situation proceeds from
several causes, many of which are blindly championed by engineer-
superintendents without intelligent comprehension of planting prob-
lems or by supreme officials whose connection with the park system i is
for but a comparatively short time and who desire to express their
personality by immediate showy results at a minimum expenditure.
Planting policies are inaugurated without exact knowledge of condi-
tions or prescience of the dire consequences which must overtake plant-
ing design under such administration. The situation may be reviewed
as follows: ;
First, many park administrators, on the ground of supposed
economy, endorse the maintenance of park nurseries. The danger to
park design from this source is almost incalculable. Design to meet
material is predestined to failure. A landscape designer who is com-
pelled by force of circumstances to shape his planting design to meet
such variety and quantity of material as may be “on hand ” is facing
the downward path. No ideals of design can long survive an environ-
ment where the initial reason for new ov additional planting is that
certain stock in the park nursery has reached a period of its growth
where it must be “put out.” Planting design to meet planting
material is bound to be a fiasco.
Secondly, the amount of planting in park work often is determined
not by exigencies of design but by appropriation allotments and
balances. To make the planting meet exactly the amount of an annual

appropriation, instead of allowing the expenditure to be apportioned
238

A designer compelled to utilise poor varieties and ill-
shapen specimens which may be on hand in an over-
grown park nursery will be severely handicapped

POTOMAC PARK, WASHINGTON

PARK ADMINISTRATION

in accordance with the requirements of the landscape development, is
a policy which will make true planting composition impossible. Also
the frequent method of resorting to planting as an eleventh hour
means of using up the tag ends of appropriations results inevitably in
“ promiscuous ”’ planting, a particularly obvious and odious feature of
park work. Such a condition of enforced planting is enough to upset
the digestion of any park system. It is too reminiscent of the old time
park officials who, pigging for personal credit, ruined many a park
in obtaining such newspaper notices as “ Fifteen hundred new trees
planted in the parks this spring.”

Thirdly, there is a constant nagging by nursery firms to be given a
share of orders regardless of whether or not they can furnish the par-
ticular material which is desired for the planting projects on hand.
A designer, compelled either by fear of criticism or by pressure to so
govern his planting plans as to promote even distribution of orders or
to confine his planting lists to meet the commercial limitations of lame
duck nurseries, is placed under serious handicap. Also, an inferior
specimen is expensive at any price; and the malpractice of accepting,
at a reduction, previously rejected stock renders planting design a
travesty. .

FURTHER RESTRICTIONS ON THE DESIGNER

Fourthly, sentimental or protective demands are made that the
planting in American parks take into consideration the use of American
plants, on the basis that “ naturalistic treatment is impossible without
making use of our native plants almost exclusively.” This is a mis-
statement and a limiting condition. An examination of the plant
names in the average nursery catalogue reveals that fifty per cent. or
more of the material offered is of exotic origin. Whether it be home
grown or of foreign production is immaterial. Landscape designers

usually include such American varieties of plants as are suitable for
240

PARK ADMINISTRATION

their purpose, and confine their selection only in matters of hardiness
and character of growth.

Finally, there is often imposed the restrictions that no plant be
used in the design which is not self-maintaining. There is no doubt
but that it is best in towns and small communities to select material for
park planting that will be comparatively easy of culture; also, even in
cities with well organised planting departments, to use no plants which
are so delicate in constitution as to require pampering. On the other
hand, a plant which is subject merely to a well-known scale which may
be eradicated by occasional spraying, or susceptible merely to a com-
mon disease easily remedied, should not be tabooed for that reason
alone. A general policy of eliminating all plants requiring care, taken
in conjunction with a policy of eradicating all specimens difficult to
transplant, soon reduces park planting to the character of scrub growth,
exhibiting merely the survival of the fittest. It will automatically so
reduce the vocabulary of the plant designer that he will be obliged to
express himself in words of one syllable. Liberal range of material
in the case of a competent designer will not result in extravagant or
chaotic display but in simple and well-expressed design. Large plant-
ing vocabulary permits selection that will give the highest type of
planting composition.

This would seem to be a formidable array of conditions militating
against good planting design in parks, but it is not a difficult one to
disperse.

PARK NURSERIES THREATEN DESIGN

If the economy or extravagance of the public nursery policy is
not open to discussion, the making of planting plans to meet exigencies
of material may be eliminated by recommending the destruction of
stock as it becomes overgrown. The idea of cutting down or destroy-
ing plant material which has been paid for out of public moneys is

extremely distasteful from the publicity standpoint, but it is a legiti-
241

PARK ADMINISTRATION

mate and common practice in commercial nurseries to cut down trees
and shrubs which have outgrown the size of economical transplanting.
An alternative is to abandon the policy of growing general stock and
limit the function of the park nurseries to production of special kinds
of material, such as boxwood, yew, slow growing pine, and varieties
of broad-leaved evergreens which take a long period to mature, and
which represent a constantly increasing value without ever reaching
a turning point when the specimens commence to lose value for
economy of transplanting as in the case of deciduous material and
general varieties of conifers. This method will furnish the park
system with a nursery which, in the course of years when the specimens
not needed for use during that time become mature, will provide the
park designer with material for immediate effect which he could not
obtain in any other way.

The second condition, resulting in “ promiscuous ” planting, is one
which should be counteracted by public opinion. Plan must always be
superior and preliminary to planting. When planting appears to be

>

merely dumped in, the public should “ get wise’ and express itself.
The landscape architect, also, may help himself in this respect by
keeping the design for new parks as far in advance of execution as
possible, thereby thwarting erratic and meaningless planting. With
definitely prepared landscape projects at hand, those in authority
will find it difficult to make a grandstand showing by premature plant-
ing or without executing the plan as a whole, and appropriation
balances or ambition for newspaper notices will not then jeopardise
‘but will assist park advancement.

The matter of dividing plant orders among a large number of nur-
serymen, so that all applicants may have equal share, can be regulated
most easily by installing the competitive bid system, which will soon
eliminate the Jobbing firms and those which cannot live up to specifica-

tions or up to their own representations.
242

PARK ADMINISTRATION
ADVICE TO THE DESIGNER

The matter of restriction in choice of material, due to difficulties
of transplanting or maintenance of certain varieties, can be met only
by compromise if the issue is raised. The landscape designer must
aim to get the point of view of the park force whose standing depends
upon the growing condition of the park plantations, and who in self-
protection will naturally exert every effort to eliminate difficult gar-
dening requirements. Fair consideration of their problems will
prevent the designer from including in his plans, unless absolutely
indispensable to the design, material that is recognisedly troublesome
or trying to the gardener. In return the park gardeners will usually
meet the designer half way, and facilitate his design by accepting
without complaint plant varieties which may be maintained with
reasonable effort of mulching, spraying, etc., on their part.

EVENTUAL GROWTH OF MATERIAL TO BE FORESEEN

Regarding the promiscuous pruning which takes place bi-annually
in so many informal park plantings, ruining them from the landscape
designer’s standpoint, it is fitting to speak of the matter without
mincing of words. Trees and shrubs are too often selected for their
appearance in immature stages, and planted without thought of future
growth. <A rigorous shearing of a group of shrubs is prima facie
evidence that the wrong planting material has been used in that place.
All naturalness of plant growth is immediately eliminated with the
advent of the cropping process in which the gardener loves to indulge.
A great many plant masses, condemned on sight as being formless or
ugly banks of foliage, if given liberty from the shears would soon
develop into graceful compositions. Cutting back is necessary in a
great many cases to keep planting within bounds, but this is a tem-
porary remedy rather than a cure. Plants properly selected will not

outgrow their location; and there is no place in which plants cannot be
243

PARK ADMINISTRATION

maintained, of a suitable size when full grown, if sufficient attention
is given to their selection. To emphasise the importance of proper
selection of trees or shrubs for informal plantations, the following
reasons may be given against the present custom of promiscuous
pruning.
EVILS OF PRUNING

1. Loss of form. Exactly as the work of the artisan excels the
factory product in individuality and interest, so does the plant allowed
to assume free and unrestricted foliage expression excel in interest
the uniform specimens, so cropped and mutilated by the hand of the
shearer as to lose all natural identity. Subservience to the shears
means uniformity, which always means loss of individuality. Nature
has a wealth of foliage expression beyond the powers of man even to
comprehend; he should esteem and not suppress it. Once subjected
to the stultifying effects of the pruning shears, nature never again
seems capable of presenting the same beauty and intricacy of foliage
forms as before violated by the hand of man.

2. Loss of light and shade. Besides destroying the delicacy and
grace of natural plant forms, a uniform shearing accomplishes at once
the effect of a poster compared to a landscape painting. By clipping
plant foliage to a smooth surface all refinement of light and shade is
eliminated, the nice differences of tone disappear, and there emerges a
bald two-value composition of high light and shadow. It is an ab-
surdity to permit the park gardener to destroy uncensured the soft
values of a foliage composition, which the landscape designer visualised
and hoped to produce.

SACRIFICE OF BEAUTY

3. Loss of colour. A painter knows that the colour of an object
depends not only upon atmospheric conditions, but upon angles of

light reflection. A uniform surface presents none of the incidental
244

Shearing-back of foliage coarsens and stunts plant
growth, destroying all sense of freedom and buoyancy

DEBASED PLANTING, WASHINGTON

PARK ADMINISTRATION

variations of colour that the intricately modelled surface displays.
Contrast the monotone of a hedge or closely trimmed shrub with almost
any free growing plant. Branches represent merely the framework
or structure upon which colour harmonies of foliage are displayed,
and Nature seems to be satisfied with her second best in foliage colour-
ing when the branch growth is held to rigid planes. ee a

4. Loss of motion. There is always something dull and dutiful
about trimmed deciduous plants. Asa part of a formal, regular garden
design, sheared specimens undoubtedly have a place, contributing as
line or accent to the synthetic composition. Used in the open, however,
as a part of natural scenery, mingling with the very atmosphere and
thrilling to the touch of every passing breeze, there is a grace and
freedom to living trees and shrubs and flowers that trimming seems
tocurtail. Swaying branches with trembling leaves join the individual
plants in a fusion of foliage that expresses a living composition.
Shearing back of foliage to prescribed lines coarsens and stunts plant
growth, removes the slender supple branches that contribute to the
nebulous movement and rhythm of foliage masses, and thereby destroys
the buoyancy of a plant composition.

HARMFUL RESULTS OF CROPPING

5. Cause of disease. It is argued that a plant is kept young and
blossoming by constant pruning. Such is true when the removal of
old wood is for replacing with new. In nine cases out of ten, however,
the annual or semi-annual cropping back of shrubs in parks means the
removal of all new wood, the growth of the previous months, with the
result that the plant finds itself back where it started, minus the energy
expended in the process of natural development. During this period
of set-back, many plants are very susceptible to parasitic attacks, and
diseases ordinarily thrown off obtain a foothold, eradicated later with

difficulty. The plants are kept always dependent upon old wood and,
246

Rigid banks of foliage, af given liberty from the shears,
will soon fuse into a graceful chmposition. 1 'f of too
rampant tendencies, other varieties may easily be sub-
stituted

MUTILATED PLANTING, WASHINGTON

PARK ADMINISTRATION

before their time, become decrepit and infirm. Even if able to with-
stand the harsh treatment, their appearance, as seen in many cases of
Hydrangea paniculata, becomes distorted and gnarled like that of an
overworked labourer of the fields. Cropping, the exact opposite of
pruning, is a cause rather than a prevention of disease.

NEEDLESS EXPENDITURE

6. Annual cost. At the present day, when increasing demands in
park management are raising the cost of maintenance to a point which
discourages new work, any means of holding down the annual ex-
penditure, even in comparatively small items, is welcomed. Semi-
annual shearing of a large proportion of the park plants represents a
considerable item of expense, especially when it is neither necessary
nor desirable. If, as has been stated, continual cropping is necessary
to keep rampant planting within bounds, it will be cheaper in the long
run to remove it entirely and replace with plant varieties which will
not outgrow their location. From the standpoint of beauty, health or
park maintenance, the usual expenditure for semi-annual cutting back
of park shrubs is profitless and should not be permitted.

HARMONY BETWEEN CO-WORKERS

In general, it may be said that a spirit of compromise between the
co-workers of a park system is imperative, if friction is to be avoided
and the best interests of the work served. In cities where either the
park superintendent or the landscape architect is in full control, in-
stead of the more ideal arrangement of equally divided responsibility,
the one in charge should constantly be on guard lest his autocracy lead
him to underestimate and disregard the phases of the work with which
he may not be conversant. The park superintendent cannot for his
own interest disregard the importance of good planting design, nor can

the landscape architect overlook in the preparation of his designs prac-
248

The prevalent cropping process in which the park
gardener loves to indulge will derange a foliage com-
position and falsify the work of the designer

VITIATED COMPOSITION, WASHINGTON

PARK ADMINISTRATION

tical considerations of economy in execution and maintenance. In
our present formulative state, there are also occasional instances in
park systems of men of the younger generation holding positions of
minor importance under park superintendents who have not had equal
advantages of university training in design. These younger men
should not show disrespect nor discontent in being denied opportunity
to display their knowledge in design, but should make the most of
their chance to acquire the practical knowledge in which the older park
superintendent excels, so that when the deferred opportunity comes
and they are put to the test, they will not be found lacking in the
practical essentials which will protect them from counter-attack, and

the criticism that their ideas are over theoretical and visionary.

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CHAPTER XIII

SEATS IN PUBLIC PARKS

I sat on one of the benches, at the other end of which was seated a man in
very shabby clothes. We continued to groan, to hem, and to cough, as usual
upon such occasions; and at last ventured upon conversation.

“T beg pengeus Sir,” cried I, “ But I think I have seen you before; as face
is familiar to me.’

“Yes, Sir,” replied he, “ I have a good familiar face, as my friends tell me.’

T WAS in this manner that Oliver Goldsmith met the “ Merry

Andrew ” at dinner time in St. James Park; and in similar fashion,

by means of the park bench, many another friendly conversation has

been started between otherwise strangers,—and the democratic spirit
of the country thereby fostered.

If one would study the people of a country, intimately and at first
hand, there is no place where he may be sure to find so representative
a gathering for his purpose as that congregated on the park benches
almost any afternoon. Which would go to show that park benches
are a national institution, of equal importance with parliament build-
ings and the houses where the representatives of the people meet. The
park benches are where the people themselves meet. In the creating
of parks, therefore, let benches neither be omitted nor be given scant
attention in their design and placing and number.

First of all, let them be comfortable. Not by that is meant that a
park bench should be given the ease of a Morris chair, for they are not
primarily for lethal purposes. In humanity’s name, though, and until
the lodging problem of the cities’ destitute can be adequately solved,
it is less heart-rending that the forsaken ones shall have at least the
hard comfort of a park bench to turn to at nightfall, as in the park
squares of New York City, than that they shall huddle together in
misery, sleeping actually in the gutters, as may be observed any night
in the great city of London.

252

It ts flagrant neglect or civic poverty which
park scenes such as this

HUMBOLDT PARK, BERLIN

occasions

SEATS IN PUBLIC PARKS

SLABS, BENCHES, AND SEATS WITH BACKS

A reasonable per cent. of the park seats should be designed with
backs. Throughout Italy the stone-slab bench is almost universal,
found in many forms and invariably good in proportion and design.
It is the simplest expression of a park seat and always has a decora-
tive character, no matter how placed. In Italian parks, furthermore,
the benches are invariably Jocated with intelligent regard to artistic
effect, placed to emphasise and accentuate the lines of design in a
general plan. They, therefore, appear doubly decorative. The Italian
people seem to accept the adamantine quality of a stone bench without
protest; and if stone can be less hard to the feel in one country or
climate than another, it must be confessed that the stone bench in
Italian parks and gardens never seems as unimpressionable or cold as
when encountered in other countries.

If an Italian desires a seat with a back, he indulges in the luxury
of a private chair, made of iron, and for which he purchases a ticket
at a charge of five centimes, which amounts to one cent in our money.
These chairs, however, are occupied only during the band concerts, or
by Americans who wonder why all of the separate chairs are so con-
veniently vacant, until called upon by the woman attendant to con-
tribute the required pittance.

As one goes North, the form of the park benches remains much
the same, though the slab forming the seat is sometimes given a cover-
ing of wood, as shown in the illustration of the seat in the Folkgarten
in Vienna. In Germany we find the stone slabs replaced by wood
entirely, and occasionally the supports also are of wood or iron. The
illustration of the bench used along the Unter den Linden is of that
found generally throughout the Berlin parks. At the same time there
are many benches with backs quite similar to those we are accustomed
to see in America. They are undoubtedly welcome for comfort, but

one mourns their lack of picturesqueness as an element of park scenery.
254

The stone slab is inherent to Italian parks,
proportion and design, a decorative element

LIZZI PARK, SIENA

good in

Stone benches may be constructed with a wooden top
which renders them less chill without detracting from
their decorative value

HOFGARTEN, VIENNA

The flat form of bench may be obtained in light and
serviceable wood and iron construction

PUBLIC PARK, MUNICH

SEATS IN PUBLIC PARKS

The majority of German benches are very comfortable, and the paid
benches found there seem to have no other reason than one of class
distinction. A comfortable and at the same time beautiful bench is
used near the fountains in the park treatment before the University
of Munich, a double seat arrangement with single back, combining
stone and wood in a very choice design. A curious example of a
reversible seat is shown in the illustration of those used in Zurich,
Switzerland. Other examples of European benches are shown, which
may prove suggestive to the designer of park benches in this country.
An exceptional design, particularly unique in park work in Italy, is
that used in large number along the main promenade of the water-
front park in Naples. It is of stone, massive in size yet graceful, and
has somewhat the character of an exedra seat. This design, in sim-
plified form, was executed in cement by the writer several years ago
with good success. The design of park benches must always of course
be more or less dependent upon proposed location and use,—especially
in relation to formal design in parks.

SEATS TO BE PLACED INTELLIGENTLY

The placing of park seats should not be left to happenstance.
Neither should a senseless system in their disposition be adopted and
adhered to without investigation of the subject in the first place and
discerning observation ever after. In the Tiergarten Park in Berlin,
the rule apparently is that on all straight lines the seats shall be
vis-a-vis; on curving walks the seats shall be isolated. With what
result? In the early afternoon, every lone seat is taken, but only one
each of every pair of seats. Without exception, the other seat of each
two placed opposite is as empty as if bearing the sign “ Wet Paint.”
Later in the afternoon, the remaining seats are taken, for Berlin parks
are not over-generous in the number of seats provided for the throngs

that visit them; but it is clearly evident that single seats are considered
258

Simple wooden benches are sightly and seemly. Note
their correct location on one side of the walk only

PUBLIC PARK, BUDAPEST

Double seats are economical of construction, and find
suitable location along the centre line of broad walks

UNIVERSITY PLATZ, MUNICH

cegmrersion

A movable back permits a seat to be reversed in direc-
tion, an ingenious idea originating in Switzerland

PUBLIC PARK, ZURICH

SEATS IN PUBLIC PARKS

preferable to seats vis-a-vis. This occurs, moreover, in the early after-

9

noon, not in the evening when “ pairs” are expected to gravitate to
single seats and only early comers and those with previous experience
can hope for isolated seats.

Who doesn’t feel sorry for the young couples nowadays, for whom
secluded shady lanes are no more; who, seeking the solitude of a park-
bench in the evening dusk, find it either preémpted by a dog in the
manger, or else fully exposed to the glare of an n all-revealing seCHne

light. One would wish for them again:

“ The hawthorn bush with seats beneath the shade,
For talking age and whispering lovers made!”

It does not seem desirable to leave our parks as inadequately
lighted as most European parks, but it is possible to be a little less
harsh in spot-lighting the benches. .

There is another reason why single park seats are always more
popular than seats placed opposite each other: people don’t like to be
stared at. Also, when they go out to the park, they in turn don’t want
to stare across a walk at other people, but wish to enjoy a prospect of
park scenery. In the Berlin Tiergarten of all places,—where the
lovely woodland views charm and recreate the eye, and the ear is lulled
with distant hum of voices intermingled with the murmuring of leaves
and the floating sounds of music from the many cafés of the Weg den
Zelten, where the royal cars of state signal their coming with the
echoing notes of the bugle-like hiibe,—it is there that a park bench is
endowed with meditative value and should not be depreciated by being
faced with another bench of gaping mortals.

SHADE AND SEAT VISTAS
Generally speaking, seats should be located with several very
definite objects in mind, and with several very definite objections to

be minded. To enumerate the desirable requisites for the placing of
262

For emphasis of a park rond-point, the continuous seat
is a sumple expedient and seems integral with the design

BORGHESE GARDENS, ROME

| The stone bench may be used to accent and strengthen
the park design

CASCINE PARK, FLORENCE

Seats may serve for architectural expression without
losing their purpose of use

PIAZZA INDEPENDENZIA, FLORENCE

SEATS IN PUBLIC PARKS

a park seat, we may put first in order the matter of shade. They say
in Mexico that only dogs and Gringoes walk in the sun; we must
eliminate even the latter when it comes to sitting in the sun. Except
for a few early days in Spring and late days in Fall, when the warmth
of the sun feels really good, a park bench located in the sun is a thing
set apart from usefulness. Benches should therefore always be placed
in the shade, or at least so as to enjoy the protection of shadow for a
good part of the day. zi

Secondly, when possible, park benches should be endolwed with an
attractive view. This may be comprehended conversely” by stating
that the many beautiful scenes of a park may be emphasised by seats
placed at the best respective places of vantage. In a well or properly
designed park, these points will indicate themselves and usually are
the places where the observer unconsciously pauses for a moment in
pleasant contemplation. Especially desirable are seats overlooking
water scenes, and the various vistas may be individually studied with
reference to such seating places. In the neighbourhood of all points
of interest, such as fountains, architectural features, and floral dis-
plays, it is well to have ample accommodation of seats. The seats in
the vicinity of the play areas for small children in the German parks
are occupied with real pleasure, quite at variance with the park seats
in the vicinity of the riotous American playgrounds; but with this
exception, we may follow the example of the European park design
in congregating seats about centres of interest.

PROTECTION AND SECLUSION

Thirdly, as many seats as may be are well given a sequestered
aspect. This is not possible in small centrally located parks, but in
the larger parks, seats are desirably placed in sheltered positions, in
nooks and coves of the walks, where they will be more or less free from

scrutiny except of the occasional passer-by. In English village parks,
266

Photograph by H. W. Peaslee.

The Swiss parks abound in examples of wood and
cement seats, combining the two materials in decorative
and durable forms. The seats are always located with
reference to view or other feature of the park design

PUBLIC GARDEN, GENEVA

ciemeiacamaecateat

There is a solid substantial look about a stone bench
that gives an appearance of stability to park scenes

PUBLIC. GARDEN, GENOA

Parks too restricted for development can still offer seat-
ing accommodation

SMALL TRIANGLE, MUNICH

SEATS IN PUBLIC PARKS

the seats are sometimes sheltered with a hood and closed in at the back.
They appear very snug and comfortable. Examples of this type of
seat may be seen in Franklin Park, Boston, but it is an expensive type
to build and much the same sense of screen at the-back of the seat may
be obtained by means of planting. Such planting gives the added
advantage of shade and shadow, as well as demonstrating the fact that
the view lies before the observer and for the enjoyment of which. the
seat has been expressly placed. Se).

Fourthly, and in particular relation to small city parks closely
confined within encompassing streets, seats should always: be placed
facing into the park area. One seeks a park more or less as a retreat
from the irritating bustle of the ordinary city street. He-wishes to
close his eyes to the cinematographic review. In the Battery Park
at Charleston, S. C., there is a long row of seats, comprising more
than half the entire supply in the park, placed facing away from view
of the park and with back to the water view as well; an absurd arrange-.
ment. Seats are best located at the outer portion of the park, facing
toward the interior, to allow the eye to behold the full extent of park
scene and to conceal from it, as much as possible, indication of the
street life adjoining. With this same object in mind, it was recom-
mended in the planting of small city parks that there be border plant-
ings to shut out sound and view of the bounding streets.

GAPERS AND LOITERERS

Fifthly, seats are advantageously placed only along secondary or
ramble walks, and never bordering main or cross-line walks. This
cannot be too strongly emphasised, and holds true for any and all size
of parks. What is more disconcerting to the average pedestrian than
to be obliged to run the gauntlet of a double row of gazing idle spec-
tators, if the walk chance to be narrow, and few other pedestrians are

passing his way! He feels like the white captive who for freedom
270

§

There may be pleasant originality in the construction
of park seats when unusual elements are at hand. Note
that the seats face within the park, a virtue self-explana-
tory in this case

PIAZZA VITTORIO EMANUELE, ROME

SEATS IN PUBLIC PARKS

must pass through a rain of flying tomahawks. Many a woman, to
avoid the inevitable comment, prefers the long way round to the short
way through such a lane of seats. Especially in the evening is it apt to
be the rendezvous of “ mashers.””; and some parks, supposedly well
policed, are often frequented by characters of a sort that make it
dangerous for a woman to pass through unattended. Without park
seats placed along these main cross lines, there can be no excuse for
loiterers, and an annoyance by day and a danger by night will be
eliminated. ot

Furthermore, as already pointed out, no average person likes to sit
one of a row of people, with another row of people directly facing.
There is enough of this sort of thing in the street cars! It’s a wonder
even in street cars that the seats shouldn’t be arranged back to back
down the centre, allowing the passengers to look out of the windows
instead of at each other or at the row of already memorised advertise-
ments. If there is room enough on top of an omnibus for such an
arrangement, why isn’t there room enough inside for the same?

The one exception when seats may properly be placed opposite
each other is in the case of promenade walks. There they are located
for formal effect in the design and for the gratification of the park
visitor. Such seats, when used, are more or less like box seats at a
theatre,—the occupants are to see and to be seen. It is evident, there-
fore, that in this case the elementary purpose of the seat is not that of
rest and relaxation, and its arrangement may not be taken as con-
tradicting the general rule. Generally speaking, if seats are to fulfil
their purpose of offering a place for rest and quiet, they must be
placed only along the secondary lines of the park plan.

AMPLE SEATING ACCOMMODATION

There is but one other point to be emphasised,—let there be seats

enough for any and all that come! It will not be necessary to speckle
272

MITT,

CC RO MR us

Seats along promenade walks may be placed vis-a-vis,
for the occupants have no aversion to being stared at.
Such seats should be ample in number to prevent
crowding and to meet the demand

UNTER DEN LINDEN, BERLIN

(Compare El Promenado, Lima, Peru. Page 131)

ae

SEATS IN PUBLIC PARKS

the entire park with seats, if the seating problem is considered as a
part of the design of the park and not as an after-thought. An
especially flagrant example of seats treated as an after-condition,
rather than as a fundamental factor in the design of a park, may -be
observed in Madison Square Garden, New York City, where every
walk, by dire necessity, has become outlined with a continuous row of
benches on each side, an obvious example where the design of the park
should be re-studied to free the main cross lines from such disturbance,
at the same time providing more ample and adequate accommodation
for the very great number of seats undeniably needed in that park.

The single continuous bench for secondary walks, designed as a
unit in itself and yet as an integral part of the park as a whole, has
been used in King’s Park, Gibraltar, with good effect. The illustra-
tion of a similar seat in the Fortezza Park in Florence shows a clever
combining of a low retaining wall with steps and seats. The picture
was taken in the early morning and the one small boy giving scale to
the picture would not have been posed there in the sun except on the
promise of ample remuneration. In the late afternoon, however,
when this long seat becomes shaded, it is thronged with people watch-
ing the iridescent rainbows of the beautiful fountain and the pretty
scene of children absorbed in feeding the schools of gold fish in the
water basin. It is then that every inch of this seat is occupied and all
have repeatedly “moved up” until there is scarcely room for one
more. ‘This seat extends the entire length of the large water basin and
yet is so much a part of the park design that it does not appear exag-
gerated. The effect is far more restful than would be obtained by a
great number of closely crowded, end-to-end park benches of the
ordinary type.

There is a striking arrangement of stone benches in the Piazza
dell’ Independenzia, Florence, where a great number of benches are

placed in a formal line along the outer edge of the park in the nature
274

Low retaining walls may be constructed in the form of
seats, thus serving to double purpose

FORTEZZA PARK, FLORENCE

SEATS IN PUBLIC PARKS

of an architectural barrier; they serve to all purposes of utility and
yet appear very trim and decorative. In Dresden, the park benches
are constructed in sections in such a way that any length may be
obtained that the design calls for, an advantageous arrangement. In
all European Parks the benches of the type which we use in this
country are made considerably longer, and by being constructed in a
somewhat more substantial fashion, the proportion still appears to
be good. We might well emulate this heavier and longer type of
bench, for the added accommodation.

Whatever style or length of a bench we use, let the supply equal
the demand. A park, like a church, must be made attractive if people
are to attend. What a woeful attendance there would be in the
churches, and even in the theatres for that matter, if all were assured
before arrival that they would be obliged to stand the entire time while
there. Let the assurance be the other way about,—that there will
always be a best seat for every comer.

|
The sectional settee conforms to eccentricities of the |
park design |

BURGERWIESE PARK, DRESDEN

CHAPTER XIV

DISPOSITION OF FLOWERS IN PARKS

HE French landscape gardeners adorn their lawns with flowers
T in the form of scrolls, the Germans in bands and straight lines,
the Italians in all sorts of curious shaped beds, the English plant in
masses and natural growing borders,—but the Americans still cling to
that first of all conceived form, the circle! Professor John George
Jack, of the Arnold Arboretum, once said to a class of students, pos-
sibly in a spirit of jest, that he could identify most twigs with his eyes
shut, from the sound of their swish through the air. Anyone can
identify an American park with his eyes shut at the first stumble into
a round flower-bed. Not that occasional round flower-beds may not
be found in European parks, but nowhere has the plague taken hold
in such virulent form as in American parks.

Why is a round flower-bed anathematised by the landscape de-
signer and enthused over by the lay observer? Because the one sees it
violating lines of design, the other rioting in colour. Just as the
savage admires a bright stone or a shining bit of metal or the gleam-
ing teeth of the wild beast, and adorns himself with them for their
glitter and sparkle, so our people of advanced civilisation, by a strange
reversion to primitive taste, adorn parks with the flower-bed for its
gaudy brightness. Moreover, as the savage will discard his primitive
jewelry for a flaming bit of calico, so will modern man discard the
heliotrope and ageratum for the flamboyancy of the scarlet salvia.

EMPHATIC NEED OF DESIGN

The trained eye sees a circular flower-bed as a spot of design which
in line and mass should relate to all other lines and masses in its sur-
roundings. It is similar to a button on a jacket. A button is a circular

spot of design, which relates at least to the buttonhole, or vice versa;
278

A round flower bed has no more reason for being
this composition than the wheel-barrow

MAXIMILIAN PARK, MUNICH

nN

sie eas | eae Ze ST

DISPOSITION OF FLOWERS IN PARKS

and when used for ornament only, is governed in its placing by certain
existing lines in the design of the coat or other garment which it is
supposed to embellish. Let but three buttons be attached to a woman’s
gown at random, and she will become an object of curiosity; let them
be placed with mischievous intent and she can be turned into an object
of ridicule; let them be of three different sizes and colours,—but why
continue the sacrilege! And yet nine out of ten American parks have
not only three but a half dozen or a dozen similar circular spots of
all sizes and every colour deposited like random buttons over its
green areas.

Round flower-beds are usually scattered much as seeds by the
sower; some fall in the shade, and perish for want of sun; some on
poor ground, and wither and die from lack of nourishment; and some
on good ground, and they blossom forth amazingly. Would they
were all like the chaff which the wind bloweth away!

But to return to the former simile, a button is placed not only in
reference to lines of design, as for instance in the second row of buttons
up the front of a man’s double-breasted coat when only one row is
needed, but even in form has a meaning. A button is round, because
in that form it is most easily passed through a button-hole; square or
triangular, it becomes like the camel and the needle’s eye, as any man
knows who has struggled with angular-shaped cuff buttons. A flower-
bed, on the other hand, has no particular reason for being round. It
could just as well be square, or hexagonal or diamond-shaped, so far
as usefulness is concerned, for it has no use. It has no better reason
for being round than a cookie!

NO LIMIT IN PROFUSION

“ But are we to have no flowers in the parks?” someone will ask.
Assuredly yes, for these are not Calvinistic times, when a flower is a

sinful thing. We may have flowers and plenty of them, but placed
280

Guard against floral pox, an eruptive disease which
disfigures park areas in a frightful manner

VILLA BELLINI, CATANIA, ITALY

DISPOSITION OF FLOWERS IN PARKS

with some relation to the laws of the Universe, and not like the comet
“in the infinite meadows of heaven! ”

Undoubtedly the loveliest way to use flowers, at least the old-
fashioned hardy perennials, is in riotous profusion along the edge of
shrubbery borders, enlivening the depth of the shadows and accenting
the points of high light. The Maria Josepha Park in Vienna is unex-
celled in planting composition of this sort; and the grace and natural-
ness with which hollyhocks and phlox and tall-growing lilies seem
merely to happen to be in just the right spot in the foliage compositions
suggest the technique and finesse of the painter more than the hand
of the gardener.

The English gardeners, while excelling in composition of perennial
borders and while adept in combinations of hedges and flower gardens,
do not seem to have realised yet the possibilities of shrub and perennial
flower composition. For that matter, they apparently have little
estimation for shrubs at all,—‘ brush,” as one Englishman called it.
A park from the English viewpoint has but one interpretation: that
of trees and open lawn arranged in what is known as the pastoral
style,—shrubs and flowers belong to the garden. When there are
flower displays in English parks, as along the main drive in Hyde
Park and the various walks of St. James Park, they appear heedless
of design in their arrangement and without relation to their surround-
ings, presenting merely a vividness and brilliancy of colour.

In the parks of Naples, shrubbery plantations are customarily
given a formal edging of annual flowers, kept in one variety and very
uniform and trim, which gives the planting a somewhat smart effect,
but at the same time a high-collared, manicured look. In like respect,
the pansies and English daisies edging the rhododendron beds in
Central Park, which are decorous blossoms in themselves, give a dandi-
fied appearance to the otherwise naturalistic and beautiful mass effects

there.
282

Hardy perennials which will bloom several years with-
out replacing may be economically substituted in many
of the park flower beds planted annually

FRIEDRICH KARL PLATZ, BERLIN

DISPOSITION OF FLOWERS IN PARKS

Annual flowers, known as bedding plants, cannot be combined
happily with shrub masses. They are too temporal in character, and
always appear to be substituted for some more permanent growing
plant. They should be planted in beds by themselves,—and here we
are back at the round flower-bed again. One almost wants to cheer
as at sight of the national flag after a long time away.

THE FORM OF FLOWER-BEDS -

If not circular, what form of: flower-beds should we have? 'The
answer is that flowery beds should not be disposed in arbitrary form.
They should not take form, but conform. In the triangular area left by
three intersecting walks, the consistent form for a flower-bed is a
triangle; in a long rectangular space between two parallel walks, the
flower-bed naturally becomes a rectangular panel; in an approximately
square place, a square bed or some simple knot or straight line parterre
is appropriate. ‘The odd-shaped areas left between curving walks may
sometimes, as in Spanish work, be entirely converted into flower plant-
ings, giving the effect of a floral carpet instead of a planting for display.

The surest recourse in laying out flower-beds is to repeat or parallel
some dominant line in the design of the park, or to accentuate some
existing feature. A continuous bed of flowers along each side of a
driveway, as shown in the illustration of Riverside Park, Jacksonville,
is a harmonious arrangement. The grass strip frequently left between
a water basin and the encircling walk can often be converted into a
flower display. Flower-beds can be made to follow lines of balus-
trades as at the entrance to the Berlin Tiergarten shown in the illus-
tration. Almost any straight line walk can be accompanied on one or
both sides by a series of beds paralleling its general direction. Also, 2
well-defined central or axial line of a park will permit and become
agreeably emphasised by symmetrical flanking beds of flowers. The:

usual mistake is to locate flower-beds on the axis line. The attention
284

Flower beds paralleling walks and driveways are kindred
and contributory to the design

RIVERSIDE PARK, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA

DISPOSITION OF FLOWERS IN PARKS

is thereby distracted from the fountain or architectural feature or what-
ever is the real point of interest beyond.

RELATION TO THE PARK PLAN

A flower-bed may in itself be the main point of interest, and, as a
matter of fact, could well replace many a frightful statue occupying
the position of honour in a park. In such case the flower-bed may be
round, as in that position it becomes a dominating element, and the
other lines of the park will in a sense conform to it. Unless the flower-
bed be the feature or focal point of interest, it is a disturbing element
of the design when admitted to an axial position. This may be stated
as arule. To prove that it is a good rule, we need but mention that
there is an exception to it: a flower-bed may adorn the axis line, if the
axis line be what is known as implied rather than expressed, if the view
be a very extended one, and if the flower display be kept in the very
near foreground. This is a set of conditions, however, not for the
amateur to dabble with, for the lines of the flower-bed itself must ex-
press some recognition of its dispensated placing. The Johanna Park
in Leipsic handles this particular placing of flower-beds so well as to
appear almost indifferent to it; and spreads out intricate floral pat-
terns, close under the feet of the observer, in the foreground of almost
every view. The pattern lines, however, are always well studied to
carry the attention through and beyond, and there is never the slightest
competition between floral display and offscape. The view from the
central terrace of the Royal Castle in Charlottenburg on the other
hand illustrates an instance where a round flower-bed emphatically
interrupts the line of sight to the view beyond.

Flower-beds of all kinds are best kept associated with the more
formal parts of park design. They are particularly suitable for the
smaller parks of a town or city, especially those near the centre which

have been classified as display parks. There is no type of flower-bed
286

Flower beds that follow structural lines of the park
design will appear orderly and never erratic

TIERGARTEN, BERLIN

Floral bands which outline in a general way the grass
areas of a formal design will endorse and strengthen

the park plan
LUISENPLATZ, BERLIN

Floral bands may be executed with considerable in-
formality of material without loss of park emphasis

TRIANGULAR PARK, WASHINGTON

(Designed by the Author)

DISPOSITION OF FLOWERS IN PARKS

so creditable for this purpose as that exhibited in the many small
parks and squares of Berlin. The grass areas of the formal academic
park designs are usually outlined with simple floral bands, varying in
width with the scale of the park. They are kept slightly back from the
walk line with a strip of grass. The planting of these bands is always
very low and restrained in character, with few and well considered
vertical accents. The effect is neither ostentatious nor cold, but rather
what the architect speaks of as good mosaic, meaning that the floral
bands serve as secondary.or supplementary lines endorsing and
amplifying the fundamental lines of the general plan.

' VALUE AND CONTROL OF COLOUR

After the location and shape of the bed, it is colour which counts
for park effect rather than interest of individual bloom. Consequently
the closer the flowering plants may be set without injury to their
growth and the denser the trusses of bloom which may be obtained,
the more commendation the planting beds will invariably receive. The
bloom of the single hyacinth, for example, with the flowers loosely
arranged about a pliant stalk, is considered more graceful in individual
aspect than the stiff, unyielding double varieties whose flowers are
thickly set about a rigid stalk, but there are more individual flowers
composing each bloom of the latter and therefore more colour for
display in the park flower-bed.

In regard to selection of colours, and it can be expressed almost in
a word, let good taste prevail. The less colours are mixed in park
display, the better satisfaction will be given. A jumble of colours,
even if harmonious of themselves, will appear displeasing. Avoid
inharmonious combinations. Until one is absolutely sure of himself in
this respect, a good rule to follow in the use of bedding plants is to
confine the display, in small parks at least, to one colour and white.

Certain colours are so insistent as to appear quarrelsome even though
290

A flower bed intercepting the line of sight to the focal
point of the park picture will irritate the spectator unless
the bed is composed to lead the eye through and beyond

FARRAGUT PARK, WASHINGTON
(Designed by the Author)

DISPOSITION OF FLOWERS IN PARKS

separated and relieved by white. Even when colours which jar are
not actually within sight of one another, the retina of the eye or sub-
conscious sense retains the previous impression for a moment or two,
like the last chord of a harmony, and expects a proper sequence of
colour as of key. Most to be tabooed are bedding plants which com-
bine many and vivid colours in the same actual flower, as the case of
the Parrot Tulip, which, for other reasons as well, fortunately is losing
favour with park planters.

If a combination of colours is desired, it is best to obtain it by
assembling different varieties of plants, such as white hyacinths bor-
dered with purple pansies, rather than by an assortment of different
colours of the same plant. In floral combination, Berlin again offers
the best examples to be found in park work. Few colours are used
and always in plain washes, as the artist would say; that is, in broad
expanses of slightly contrasting tones, and never mixed together in
small dashes of violently contracting colours as in impressionistic
painting. Also, in Berlin, the colours are approximately all obtained
by flower bloom, without recourse to bright-leaved plants, such as
used in America, to coloured stones and gravel, as found in the French
parterres, or to the dry and artificial looking cactus employed in the
Italian patterns. That most difficult colour for summer bedding,
yellow, is obtained with matricaria and lantana hybrids.

ONE-COLOUR EFFECTS

The simplest colour displays are usually the most pleasing. That
the public has a liking for single and separated colours has been proven
in Washington by the enthusiastic comment on the recently-introduced
one-colour effects in the tulip and pansy beds after a Joseph-coat régime
of many years. The growing fondness in America for Cannas is a
healthy sign, for though lacking fineness of detail in leaf and flower,

the plants are good in colour and rarely discordant with park scenery.
292

A beautiful effect may be obtained by framing a bed
of perpetual blooming roses in a narrow border of
heliotrope separated from the former by a strip of grass

TREPTOWER PARK, BERLIN

DISPOSITION OF FLOWERS IN PARKS

Such varieties as Uncle Sam, King Humbert and Richard Wallace,
with simple edging of Pennisetum grass or white-leaved Centaurea,
are vastly preferable to the beds of speckled-leaved tropical plants
in evidence throughout the parks less than a dozen years ago.

The public generally is found to have a liking for fresh and clear
colours such as vermilion red, canary yellow and intense blue or
purple,—all of which colours may be obtained in plant bloom and which
make effective colour display. There is also a reviving affection for
that glowing first emigrant to American soil,—the Red Geranium. One
has but to see it in its pride and glory in Holland and throughout the
Rhineland, to honour it for all time. May it come more and more into
its own in this country,—but given a formal and dignified bearing,
free from the insignificance and impertinence of the round flower-
bed, which can demean the most royal and rare of floral colour display.

In large parks it is not necessary always to confine
the flowers to trim and formal beds; daffodils and nar-
cissus and even field daisies may be allowed the freedom
of certain grassy places without hazard to park dignity

POPPIES IN PUBLIC PARK, BOLOGNA, ITALY

CHAPTER XV

PARK UTILITIES

F the roof of a man’s house continually leaks, of what use is the
I house to him as a habitation, be it ever so beautiful?

Beauty presupposes utility, as Van Pelt has said. A broom with a
richly carved handle is not more valuable as a broom, although it may be
more beautiful. It is of less value, on the contrary, if so much atten-
tion has been devoted to enriching the handle that none has been paid
to the fastening in of the straws, and they consequently fall out. The
“silver handle ” shaving brush usually moults after about the second
application of hot water, and before New Year’s the old hard-rubber
handle brush is back in service again. Beauty without utility is vain.

In the design of anything, the use to which it is to be put should be
of first consideration, and this is especially true in the matter of parks.
The average person guilelessly believes that parks are more for orna-
ment than for use, and therefore that the first consideration should be
of art rather than utility. The artistic development of a park, how-
ever, cannot be stable unless based upon recognition of the funda-
mental principle of utility. As pointed out in Chapter III, on Prin-
ciples, strength of park design is always dependent upon utility, and
weak design cannot be concealed by any amount of ornamentation.

- A park will depend for enrichment upon the amplification of its
facilities—upon the number and character of its appurtenances, rather
than upon the elaborateness of its design. Useless elaboration of
design will be distinctly annoying, if essayed for that purpose alone.
What a park is for must always be the governing thought in its de-
sign; and the most certain way of jeopardising the beautiful in a
park is to forego adequate consideration of its requirements.

What are the utilitarian features of a park? The answer will be
296

The milk booths in European parks are quaint and
picturesque, and serve to far more healthful purpose than
do the American soda fountains

LATTERIA, PUBLIC GARDEN, MILAN
MILCH HAUS, BUERGERWIESE PARK, DRESDEN

PARK UTILITIES

the Yankee one, “ What are the uses of a park?” Parks are pro-
vided, not only for recreation of the mind, but to promote health and
comfort of the body. The facilities, therefore, which administer to the
needs and convenience of visitors may be called the utilities of parks.
Seating, provisions for shelter and public comfort, refreshment places,
receptacles for the throwing of rubbish, and means of lighting all come
under the category of park utilities. None of these can be omitted
without inconvenience to visitors and peril to the practical success of
the park. Upon the nicety of their design, moreover, will depend
the artistic finish of the park. -

SEATS AND SHELTERS

The need of seats in parks is obvious; it is expected that they shall
be provided, and it is presupposed that they shall be substantial and
reasonably good-looking. Their appearance and the manner of their
placing have usually been a discredit to parks, a matter which is con-
sidered of sufficient importance to justify the presentation of the
previous chapter on the subject.

Provisions for shelter are an indispensable adjunct to parks,
especially so in those of such extent that considerable time is required to
reach the exits in the sudden advent of showers or inclement weather.
Such provisions for shelter may take a variety of forms, but simple
designs in rough-hewn timber or field stone are preferable to exotic
palmetto shacks or pagodas. Whether shelters are provided for shade
or to furnish protection from sudden change in weather, the park
designer need not fear the inclusion of too many in a park, provided
they are not so uniform in design as to appear monotonous, or so
within sight of one another as to appear crowded. The matter of their
location will be governed by conditions, and is so controlled by the
general design that no independent direction may be given for their
placing.

298

Lunching at tables in the open is a pleasure of Euro-
pean parks which might well be Americanized

PUBLIC GARDEN, VENICE

PARK UTILITIES
PLACES OF REFRESHMENT

One of the well-developed facilities of European park design
which should by all means be introduced in this country is that of
places of refreshment. The great open-air cafés and eating pavilions
of foreign parks, such as those of the Pincian Gardens at Rome, the
Bois de Boulogne, in Paris, the Tiergarten, at Berlin, and the Stadt-
garten, of Vienna, are always favourite haunts of Americans abroad.
It is too soon to hope that such fine establishments may be made a part
of American parks, but smaller places of refreshment are possible of
immediate realisation. In American parks, soda water and indigestible
notions must be accepted in substitute for wholesome edibles by those
who may have neglected to bring lunches or had not intended to re-
main for any considerable length of time. It would be very desirable
if wholesome refreshments could be obtained in several! different places
within a park and at a reasonable price.

One of the fine features of European parks in this respect are the
booths where milk may be obtained with some simple form of cracker
or small cakes. They are of inestimable value, not only to the chil-
dren, but to the grown-ups; and a drink of warm or cold milk, as
individual taste may prefer, is a splendid substitute for the sweet soda
drinks of this country. In the Public Garden at Milan the Latteria
has been made an especial feature of interest by being designed as a
model dairy on a small scale; one may look over the serving counter
directly to where the cows are being milked, and everything is kept in
such a state of spick-and-spanness that one drinks cool milk there on a
hot day as though it were a special nectar. The walks of the park are
led by the open windows of the cow stanchions and serve as a never-
ending source of excitement and interest to the great numbers of
small children always congregated there. Similar milk houses, though
on smaller scale, are to be found throughout the parks of Germany and

Austria, and the fact that a generous glass of milk may be obtained
300

i
i
|

There should be places of refreshment in all large parks,
well established and attractive—not merely peripatetic
lunch carts or pop-corn wagons

PARK CAFE, BUDAPEST

PARK UTILITIES

for two cents, only twice the price of obtaining a sanitary cup in this
country, means that this park luxury is within the means of all. There
is no real reason why this feature should not be introduced in every
American park, and the only reason appearing at present to prevent
it is the lack of some park official with courage to take the initiative.
In the New York City parks there are five milk stations, operated by
the Nathan Straus Pasteurised Milk Laboratory, a private philan-
thropic venture, at which milk is sold at one cent a glass, but the writer
knows of no American park board which has yet given such a project
recognition or support. .

COMFORT STATIONS

Of the greatest importance in the matter of park facilities is that
of the public comfort station. This is a park need that can be neglected
only with grave peril. There have been two conditions in the past
which have conduced to its omission in park design: first, the old ques-
tion of false modesty, which is outraged at having conveniences of this
sort provided in parks; and, secondly, the inadequate attention which
has been paid by park designers to the location and appearance of
these necessary buildings.

It is not a matter for argument that such buildings are a public
necessity, and that parks are often the only available and the most
serviceable place where they may be located. It is unreasonable to
expect hotels and department stores to provide such conveniences for
the public, and dependence upon them often incurs embarrassing situ-
ations for the individual. In this country it is demanded that comfort
stations be built underground, an expensive proceeding and beyond
the means of many municipalities. The inability to make such dis-
position of the problem has in many cases resulted in dodging the
issue by leaving matters in statu quo, which usually means either in-

adequate provision or unsightly and often unsanitary conditions. Even
302

Comfort stations in Germany are often supplemented
with newspaper stands and open stalls for the sale of
cigars and souvenirs

FRIEDRICHS RING, DRESDEN

PARK UTILITIES

in a park of small area, it is possible to provide a public comfort build-
ing that shall be in every respect inoffensive, and may be made ex-
tremely decorative, contributing even to the park beauty. It is a
matter of design. The very effective treatment of the entrances to
the underground stations in the park at the Public Library in New
York City, well studied and choice in design, has been contrasted with
the miserable structures in Madison and Union Squares and used to
substantiate the argument for underground stations. The contrast is
striking, but is more applicable in the sense that the former is an
example of good architecture correctly placed, while the latter would
be condemned both for wretchedness of architecture and for incorrect-

ness of location.

LOCATION AND DESIGN

In regard to the locating of comfort stations, they should ae
be kept away from the centre of the park. Toa ae son looking within
a park, all objects within the range of his vision will come in for a
share of his attention; and any building, no matter for what purpose
erected, will attract some of his interest. In that respect a comfort
station located well within the park area becomes an object of interest,
for there may be both agreeable and disagreeable objects of interest.
As a general rule to be observed, no building in a park should be
located where it will command attention as a foreign element; for
while it is not the purpose of park design to create any illusion of
naturalistic landscape transplanted to urban site, it is within the
province of park design to render park scenery as naturalistic as
possible in agreeable contrast with the usual architectural scene. It
is, therefore, desirable to place such building where it will escape the
attention of a person looking within the park. This necessarily means
either at his elbow, as it were, or at the far side of the park from which

he may be entering. In other words, public comfort stations should
304

Comfort stations are best located to compose with the
general framing of the park. They may be separated
from the street by planting or courtyard treatment

PIAZZA VITTORIO EMANUELE, ROME

PARK UTILITIES

be placed on the outskirts of parks, and in that location will rarely be
found to appear conspicuous or obtrusive.

In design, they should be made to assume a character which will
compose with the general framing of the park, and, as pointed out in
the chapter on Architecture in Parks, their architectural style and
material should be influenced both by the character of the park and by
the architecture of the encircling streets. It is always desirable that
such a building be kept low, subdued in colour and restrained in | design.
It is not necessary nor desirable that it be heavily screened with ‘plant-
ing. Often the most certain way to attract attention is to attempt
concealment. Rather let the building frankly express its purpose,
with no attempt at subterfuge. The approaches may be designed in
such way as to lead very close to the buildings without announcing it
as their sole destination, with minor walks leading to the building by
which it will be possible to enter without any cause for embarrassment.
Such a building should compose with the planting of the park, rather
than attempt to hide behind or within it.

INCONSPICUOUS: BUT NOT CONCEALED

In connection with the planting recommendation that certain parks
should be more or less enclosed and protected by mass plantations
along the edges of the park, it will be found that the comfort station
may be made a part of the framing mass of such park and serve to
augment it. In Rome there are two examples of comfort stations
thus placed which do not attract attention from one direction or the
other. They are designed as part of the street boundary, set back
slightly by means of a forecourt, heavily shaded on the park side,
though not screened, and appear in no way conspicuous. Such build-
ings, however, may face toward the park equally well, as in the case of
several comfort stations recently erected in Washington, and will not

attract attention, but rather direct attention within the park. If the
306

From within the park, a comfort station may appear
incidental and decorative. It is a matter of placement
and architectural design

LINCOLN PARK, WASHINGTON

PARK UTILITIES

interior arrangement of a comfort station is properly designed and
maintained, the building will not be found to be utilised only by
prowlers, as has been asserted. The new comfort stations in the
Washington parks are constantly being made use of by- the general
public. :

In European cities the comfort stations are sometimes designed
and supplemented with newspaper stands or open stalls for the sale
of cigars, post-cards and souvenirs. It has been suggested for this
country that if, in addition to the ordinary service, there were provided
telephones, city directories, and facilities for checking bundles, etc.,
the buildings would prove less objectionable. This appears, however,
to be merely a subterfuge and evasion of the problem, and while it
might be desirable to add such a service to comfort stations, such addi-
tions should be made in response to a demand for them, rather than
for the purpose of making a comfort station appear in the guise of
something else. In the Washington stations, locker rooms have been
provided for the park watchmen and a storage yard added to the rear
of the buildings, which have thus increased their usefulness.

DRINKING FOUNTAINS

Drinking fountains in parks should be numerous and of the
modern sanitary type. Many appliances are offered to the trade for
rendering the old style fountains hygienic. In design and material,
park drinking fountains should appear suitable for outdoor use.
Cement or unglazed terra-cotta should be substituted for the white
vitrified bubble-fountains which are rapidly gaining place in the parks
and appear disturbingly like betrayed bathroom fixtures. A con-
certed demand from park authorities for outdoor character in the
material and design of the modern type of drinking fountains will soon
encourage terra-cotta manufacturers to enter the field for supplying

this park accessory.
308

A bubble fountain in terra cotta converted from a sun
dial pedestal. Few manufacturers are yet offering drink-
ing fountains of this type in material of decorative out-
door character

LOGAN PARK, WASHINGTON

PARK UTILITIES
PARK LIGHTING

Lighting, without doubt, is a matter of park necessity. Park
lighting should always be ample, though that is not to say it need be
offensively glaring—there is no reason why a park should be lighted as
brilliantly as a street, where all shadows must be dispelled to prevent
collision of vehicles. A certain sense of duskiness within a park pre-
cinct is very desirable of a summer evening, and could well be allowed
in as far as may be found compatible with order in the park. The
placing of light standards should be determined in general with regard
to even distribution of light and at the same time with reference to the
lines of the park design. It is obvious that a light should not be so
placed as to interfere during the day with view or vista, and thus
become a detracting element in the park design. In formal work, in
fact, they may be made to serve as very helpful accents of the design,
and should be used for this purpose by the park designer much as light
standards or other fixtures are used by architects in the composition
of their buildings.

It is a foregone conclusion that in a park which is to be developed
to the highest artistic standards, appurtenances of the park should be
designed for beauty of individual detail. In the intensive develop-
ment of parks in foreign cities, even the receptacles for the depositing
of waste paper are designed conscientiously, as may be seen in the
illustration of the refuse baskets in the parks in Budapest. Light
standards, even more, should exhibit intelligent design, pleasing in
proportion and line. They should never appear over-ornamented.
Much has been accomplished in our cities within the last few years
toward the improvement of street lighting fixtures, but the good work
has rarely extended to an improvement of park lights.

PARK UTILITIES OF SUPREME IMPORTANCE

It will be found that any of the facilities enumerated cannot be

omitted without detracting from the success of the park. One need
310

Vines are one expedient to bring light standards into
park character

KOENIG ALBERT PARK, LEIPSIC
POTOMAC PARK, WASHINGTON

PARK UTILITIES

never fear that adequate recognition of the utilitarian requirements
will jeopardise the beautiful in park design. The danger lies the
other way about. It is predestined that a park well cared for will be
beautiful; in most instances it is created with that avowed purpose,
and ample attention will always be lavished upon that phase of its
development and maintenance. Inadequate attention to the utilitarian
features, with lack of consideration for human health, comfort and
convenience, will automatically render parks unworthy of the effort
expended in their acquisition—“ bubbles bought with a whole soul’s
tasking.” .

Part
pau
eect

There may be an expression of design even in receptacles
for waste paper and refuse

THE VAROSLIGET, BUDAPEST
MILITARY PARK, NEWARK

APPENDIX

PARK DESIGN

BEAUTY

STRENGTH -

SINCERITY

UNITY * SCALE «AT TRACTION

COMPOSITION

LAWNS

LAND ~ DRIVES
WALKS
FOUNTAINS

WATER ~ POOLS
LAKES
SHADE

FOLIAGE ~ ORNAMENTAL
GARDENS

FLORAL - BEDS

DISPLAY PARTERRES

SCULPTURE~ MOTIFS
EMBELLISHMENTS

ARCHITECTURE~ SETTINGS

BUILDINGS

UTILITY

CONVENIENCE « COMFORT
RECREATION « EDUCATION

SERVICE

ROADS
PARK WALKS
REQUIRE ~ SEATS
MENTS SHELTERS

REST HOUSES
FACILITIES CPVECTS OF

OF INTEREST:

GAMES AND

ENJOYMENT cea

ADMINISTRATION BLDG-

SERVICE YARDS
& BUILDINGS

MAINTENANCE pp opacaTiNG

GARDENS

Copyright 198 by George Durnap.

“PAS SING-THROUGH PARKS

SQUARES &EDOWNTOWN PARKS

DESIGN

FORMAL
COMPREHENSIVE
SIMPLE

DRIGHT & CHEERFUL

EQUIPMENT

UNOBSTRUCTED THROUGH WALKS:

ACTIVE GFORCERUL FOUNTAINS

VERY FEW OR NO SEATS: NEVER ON
THROUGH WALKS:

REGULARLY ARRANGED TREES: LITTLE
OR NO SHRUBPBERY > OCCASIONAL
EVER GREENS:

COMMEMORATIVE STATUES
UNODSTRUCTIVELY PLACED

DOLD FLOWER. DISPLAY EMPHASIZING
LINES OF DESIGN:

DISPLAY & FOCAL~POINT PARKS

DESIGN

FORMAL
STRIKING
INTENSIVE
SINGLE MOTIF
CIVIC RELATION

EQUIPMENT

WALKS CONVENIENT DUT SECONDARY

LAVISH FOUNTAINS IMPRESSIVE STATUES

FEW SEATS & ONLY WHEN RELATING TO DESIGN
LANDSCAPE GARDENING AS SETTING FOR MOTIF
RICHNESS JIN EVER GREENS G FLOWERS

LEFT~OVER AREAS

DESIGN

FORMAL OR INFORMAL
INCONSPICUOUS
INTERESTING

NEAT & ORDERLY

EQUIPMENT

WALKS ONLY SUCH AS TO PREVENT TRESPASS
SEATS ALONG SIDEWALK IF A WAITING SPACE

DECORATIVE ARRANGEMENT OF TREES G SHRUBS:
SIMPLE FOUNTAIN ,URN OR FLOWER BED

Copyright igi by George Durnsp-

NEIGHROURH@D PARKS

TENEMENT DISTRICTS

DESIGN

SIMPLE + FORMAL UNPRETENTIOUS:
SUDSTANTIAL G EASY or MAINTENANCE

RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS
DESIGN EQUIPMENT
RESTRAINED - PROMENADES FREQUENT SEATS

MODERATE DISPLAY
FORMAL on SEM]~FORMAL

SEMI~ SUBURBAN:

DESIGN

FREE DUT IN G@D TASTE:
INFORMALor INFORMAL FORMALITY:
NATURALISTIC BEAUTY

EQUIPMENT

LARGE OPEN AREAS IN GRAVEL
AMPLE SHADE: SUBSTANTIAL SEATS
EDUCATIONAL STATUES:
DRINKING FOUNTAINS -

LAWNS: FOLIAGE COMPOSITIONS,
FLOWERS:

DISPLAY FOUNTAINSP@LSGDASINS

ARCHITECTURAL EMBELLISHMENTS

COMMEMORATIVE SCULPTURES
(ALLEGORICAL VS PORTRAITURE):

EQUIPMENT

ENCIRCLING WALKS

LANDSCAPE GARDENING

DECORATIVE SCULPTURE

OCCASIONAL SEATS

LILY PONDS DBR@KS
MINIATURE LAKES

Copyr ght 19/€ by George Burnep.

RECREATION PARKS

DESIGN

NATURALISTIC ASA WHOLE:
TRUE TO GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF PARK DESIGN >
EXPRESSIVE OF LOCALITY AND REQUIREMENTS:

EQUIPMENT

REFECTORIES -

REQUIREMENTS~ SHELTERS -

REST HOUSES

RECREATION FACILITIES ~

PASSIVE

GARDENS ~

SCENERY ~

EXHIDITIONS —

PERENNIAL
ROSE

BOTANICAL:
ZQ@DLOGICAL*
CONCERT
COMPOSED
PANORAMIC -

HERBARIVM
COLLECTIONS

DENDROLOGY&

TREE SURGERY-

ORNITHOLOGICAL -

DRIVING FACILITIES ~

PORTIONS FORMAL:

ADMINISTRATION
BUILDING.
PROPAGATING
GARDENS -
SERVICE BUILDINGS.
WORKMEN HOUSES:

MAINTENANCE ~

ACTIVE
WALKS AND BRIDLE PATHS

GAME COURTS -

GOLF COURSES:
BASE-DALL € EGDT-BALL-
CRICKET, LACROSSE & POLO:
DRILL & PARADE GROUNDS -
BATHING G BOATING

WINTER. SPORTS -

Copy rigat 1 By george Surnep

INDEX

INDEX

Amusement parks, 130, 132

Architectural accessories in parks, 104

Architectural design not transferable,
202; that in parks not to be entrusted
to promiscuous designers, 194, 204

Architectural embellishment, 33, 109,
112, 122, 123; rustic, 132, 133; com-
parative examples, 205, 213; threatens
water display, 210, 220

Architectural plan, 65, 66, 80

Architectural planting design, 84

Architectural reinforcement of landscape
design, 31

Architecture, a part of landscape, 15

Architecture, design of, in parks, 192-
195; style and material, 134; immi-
grant types, 187; character, 192-194;
to reflect park environment, 194, 195;
an outgrowth of conditions, 202, 204;
harmony with street architecture, 192

Architecture in parks, 186; for service,
188, 200; for ornamentation, 205; for
official residence, 196; for workman's
residence, 196-200; historical value,
191; often structurally necessary, 12,
109

Architects, untrained in park design, 34

Ball fields, 130; equipment of, 138

Bathing facilities, beach, 140; wading
pools, 207; swimming pools, 158, 208;
paddling, 218

Botanical gardens, 130, 135, 136

Children’s amusements, 130; hills for
sliding, 140; roller skating, 140; ponies,
147; sand piles, 156, 163; sailing boats,
157, 216

Children’s gardens, 162, 164, 178,
179

Children at play, an attraction, 156

Children, opportunity for play, 102, 151,

164;

apparatus for play, 152, 158; interest

in parks for, 165, 216, 217

Children, wading pools for, 158, 207

153; natural ability to play,

Citizens, lack of protective interest, 42,
45; careless criticism by, 42, 44, 46;
need of exercise, 120; selfishness, 110-
112; to arouse interest of, 236

City plan, judged by its parks, 28;
unpopular in initial steps, 28, 30

City planners, untrained in park design,
34

City planning, campaign for, 32; de-
pendent upon parks, 30; parks an
argument for, 26; an aid in, 32; pre-
ceded by parks, 25; renaissance of, 25;
untrained “‘experts” in, 34, 36; at
expense of parks, 190, 192

City planning reperts, 32, 34

Civic beautification, emphasis on parks,
32; parks, a first expression of, 58

Comfort stations, importance of, 302;
location and design, 303-308

Concert gardens, 130, 135, 136

Concerts in neighbourhood parks, 114;
in recreation parks, 136, 137

Deer preserves, 130, 134

Design. See Park Design

Drill and parade grounds, 130, 138,
141

Drinking fountains, 308, 309

Driving parks, 120, 145, 170

323

INDEX

Effigies and monuments in parks, 170;
jeopardise park ideals, 171-173; de-
sign of park compromised, 180; means
of .eradication, 172; commendable
substitutes, 174-178; protection
against, 184; historical monuments,
183. See Statues

Engineers, untrained in park design, 36;
untrained in planting design, 224

Equipment of parks, 296-312

Exhibits in parks, 130, 132

Features in parks, 130

Floral bands, 278, 288-290

Floral colour, elementary, 88; brilliancy,
278; value and control, 290; combina-
tions of 292; one-colour effects, 292, 294

Floral combinations, 292-294

Floral disfigurement, 279, 281

Floral display, in middle-class districts,
108; in “‘passing-through”’ parks, 86,
88-90; in tenement districts, 104

Floral reinforcement, 287-289

Flower beds, form and placement, 284—
286; meaninglessness of round beds,
26, 278-280; a senseless arrangement,
57; relation to park plan, 31, 286-290;
never to interrupt line of sight, 94, 286,
291

Flowers in parks, need of design, 278,
280; profusion, 280, 282; hardy per-
ennials, 282, 283; annuals, 284; grow-
ing wild, 295

Foresters, incompetent in park design, 36

Fountains, drinking, 308, 309

Fountains for water display, 210-212;
location for, 82, 93; placement of, 218;
preferable to statues, 82, 174, 175, 178,
220; sacrificed for statues, 208

Game courts, 166-168; design and equip-
ment of, 138

Gardeners, untrained in park design, 36;
untrained in planting composition,
229

Gardens in parks, rock garden, 8; box
garden, 99; flower, 162; water garden,
112, 130; botanical, 130, 135, 136;
zooblogical, 130, 134, 135, 188; concert,
130, 135, 136; children’s play garden,
162

Golf links, 130, 138

Greenhouses in parks, necessity for, 200;
illegitimate use of, 202; design of, 203

Gymnasiums in parks, 116, 155, 158

Hippodromes, 130, 138, 139, 170
Horticultural display houses, 130
Horticultural suppression, 230

Inspiration in parks, natural features,
128, 129; historical monuments, 104,
183; famous sculpture, 177

Labyrinths, 146

Landscape and park designers, projects
hampered, 16; initiative, 17; destruc-
tive criticism, 44, 48; comparative
competency, 36; limiting conditions,
238-241; advice to, 242, 243; codpera-
tion and harmony, 156, 248

Landscape architecture allied with other
arts, 5; comprehensive scope of, 15

Left-over areas, 96, 97, 269

Lighting of parks, 310; light standards,
310, 311 .

Memorialsin parks, 175-178; sites for, 182

National Commission of Fine Arts, 18, 50
National Parks, 128, 129
Neighbourhood parks, 98; to serve and
not to segregate, 98; purpose of, 98;
combined with “passing-through”
park, 87
324

INDEX

Neighbourhood parks in finest districts,
110; general character, 110, 112, 114;
planting of, 110, 112, 114; water dis-
play in, 112; provision for seats in,
112; floral display in, 114

Neighbourhood parks in middle-class
districts, 106; character of design,
106-109; planting of, 108; floral dis-
play in, 108; water display in, 108;
provision for seats in, 108

Neighbourhood parks in tenement dis-
tricts, 102; planting of, 102-104;
floral display, 104; character of de-
sign, 104; ornamentation, 104; sani-
tation, 106; benches, 106

Nurseries, commercial methods of man-
agement, 242

Nurseries for parks, the evils of, 238;
endanger park design, 241; special-
ised type, 242; a false economy, 238,
239, 241

Nursery-firm methods in park planting,
50

Nursery importunities and
240

Nursery material, inferior stock, 240;
poorly grown, 239; native
exotic, 240; competitive purchase, 242

Nurserymen, untrained in park design,
36

criticism,

versus

Park acreage, 7

Park administration, 238-240; danger of
unenlightened or opinionated, 16, 17

Park administrators, unfamiliar with
design, 16; whimsical changes by, 54;
disastrous policies, 238; desire for
newspaper glory, 240, 242; arbitrary
rulings by, 239, 241

Park annoyance, 270, 272

Park beauty, 58, 61; presupposes utility,
296

Park-building popular, 32

Park building, 130; design of, 132, 194;
vital, 188; for residential purposes,
196-200; for park service, 200-202;
service buildings to be designed, 200-
203

Park care, 53, 55, 74, 76

Park comfort, 298-312

Park Commissioners, recommendations
to, 52, 54

Park construction, 38

Park conveniences, 308

Park depredation, 42, 44, 152

Park design, principles of, 56; sincerity
of, 62; strength of, 62, 63; unity in, 64,
65; relation and scale, 66, 69; dimen-
sions in, 66, 68, 69; harmony, 67; char-
acter, 68, 70, 71; attractiveness, 74;
orderliness, 144

Park design, value unappreciated, 16;
academic theory, 17; training in, 34;
incompetence in, 36; confusion in, 62;
deceitfulness in, 48, 74; solving of
problems, 64; discord in, 64; en-
dangered, 238-240; the outgrowth of
conditions, 62, 71-96; governed by
principles, 17

Park designer, specific training of, 36;
glad to confer, 44; must be true to
ideals, 44, 48, 50.
Aid

Park detail, harmony in, 64

Park development, commensurate with

See Professional

city planning, 30; professional aid in,
13, 32, 38, 52, 54, 114, 224; relation
to politics, 38, 40, 41; public lectures
on, 44; constant supervision required,
46

Park display, temporary, 50, 74; 1mme-
diate, 62

325

INDEX

Park economics, pecuniary benefit of
parks, 40; social welfare, 102; civic
poverty, 115; burdens of maintenance,
76, 108, 212; expensive construction
often unnecessary, 62; effect on home
builders, 38, 114; playgrounds an
economy, 168; nurseries, a supposed
economy, 238

Park equipment, for comfort and con-
venience, 296-312; for active recrea-
tion, 118, 138, 166; for passive recrea-
tion, 120, 124, 130, 136

Park examples, suggestive, 56

Park forerunners of city planning, 29, 30

Park influence on building development,
38, 40, 114

Park maintenance, expense of, 76, 108;
aid in, 168; mistaken economy, 238;
needless expenditure, 248; beauty

sacrificed to mistaken efficiency, 244—.

251

Park ornamentation never to precede
construction, 38; superficially, 74;
irresponsible flower beds, 88

Park plan, sincerity of, 62; strength of,
62, 63; unity in, 64; decisiveness’ of,
114

Park plans, individual, 17; to be rigidly
adhered to, 38, 64; continuity of
development, 50-52, 54; publication
of, 52

Park revision, 47

Park sites, acquisition of, 32; develop-!

ment of, 33

Park superintendents.
tendents

Park system, 32, 122, 236

Park treatment of public building
grounds, 100, 101, 190

Park units, interrelation of, 27, 36, 122;
planting of, 236

[ P

See Superin-)
NF

Park utilities, 296-313; to embody
beauty without sacrifice of usefulness,
58, 296, 298; utilities of supreme
importance, 310

Park violation, 43

Parks, more and better, 7-13; an aid in
city planning, 32; civic beautification,
58; importance to city plan, 25, 30;
interrelation with city plan, 36, 72, 73;
apostles, 29; recommendations of city
plan, 114; interrelation with street
plan, 31, 35, 39; interrelation with
street architecture, 59, 70, 75, 188,
190; geometrical pattern impractica-
ble, 9; practical details of, 48, 58;
purchase by public subscription, 41,
44. See Park Development and Park
Economics

“ Passing-around”’ parks, 92, 94, 95

““Passing-through” parks, 78; areas
included, 78; accommodation and
convenience supreme, 78, 79; decora-
tive features, 82; planting of, 84-86;
floral display in, 86; seat accommoda-
tion, 90-92; type of design recom-
mended, 80, 83

Pictorial value of parks, 58; pictorial
beauty expected, 74; pictorial charm,
110; rule-of-thumb composition, 126

Planting appropriations, 238, 240

lanting composition, 232; light and

shade, 227, 244; accent, 235; colour,

246; character, 225, 229, 231; sacri-

ficed by pruning, 244-247, 249

Planting design of parks, 222; composi-

tion superior to specimen display, 222,

223, 229; requirements of shade, 226;

desire for display, 226, 228; screen and

embellishment, 232; undergrowth
composition, 232-234; general char-

acter, 236; design endangered, 238-

240; services of landscape expert, 224

326

INDEX

Planting expression, in passing-through
parks, 84-86; in neighbourhood parks,
102-104, 108, 112, 114

Planting for unanimity of city, 74

Planting, Potomac Park, Washington, 11

Planting, selection influenced by existing
growth, 234; restrictions on, 241, 243;
foresight in, 243

Planting, without function, 37; never to
precede design, 38; collective, 222,
228, 230; interpretive, 225; auxiliary,
92; artificiality in, 228; deceitfulness
in, 48-50; “‘indigestion,”’ 240; promis-
cuous and erratic, 242; lack of fore-
sight, 243; “‘ornamental,” 226, 228;
formal planting reveals weakness of
plan, 63; along walks, 124; for screen
and seclusion, 232, 237; in shade, 232-
234; maintenance of, 241, 243; prun-
ing, 244-248

Planting vocabulary, 241

Play facilities for grown-ups, 164, 166-
168

Play gardens, 162

Playground coéperation, 156, 158

Playground design, 150, 158-162

Playground equipment, 155

Playground planting, 154, 160-162

Playground relation to parks, 152, 158;
endanger parks, 150, 168, 169; destroy
naturalistic beauty, 154; seek free
land, 152, 154; permissible in large
parks, 154; a redeeming trait, 168

Playgrounds, a specialised park, 7;
location for, 102, 103; requisites of, 154

Principles of park design, 56; the result
of experience, 56; cannot be ignored,

17, 57; aid to amateur and professional,
76; promote beauty and utility, 58;
will not supply charm, 77. See Park
Design

Q
oO

Professional aid in park development,
13, 32, 38, 52, 54, 224; especial need
of, 114

Pruning of park foliage, evils of, 244-248

Pruning of park plantings, needlessness
of, 243; extravagance of, 248

Public buildings in park areas, 152;
threaten parks, 186; dispossess parks,
186, 188; commensurate areas to be
substituted, 190, 192

Public opinion, careless expression of,
42; “common scolds,’ 44; tolerance
required, 50, 51

Recreation centres, 116, 136, 166
Recreation parks, 116-149; a demon-
stration, 116, 144, 146, 148; purpose
and scope, 117, 118, 120; value of
driveways in, 120, 145; incentive for
walking, 120, 121; distribution of fea-
tures, 122, 142; entrance, 122, 123,
125; circulation, 122, 124; transpor-
tation, 142, 143; naturalistic scenery,
124-130, 135; artificial attractions,
130-132; appropriate buildings, 132-
134; garden units, 134-136; music
concourse, 136; parade grounds and
game fields, 138; water and ice sports,
140; general character, 144, 149
Refectories and tea houses, 130, 136;
architecture of, 132
Refreshment facilities in parks, milk
booths, 297, 300, 302; open air
restaurants, 136, 299; cafés and eating
pavilions, 300, 301
Restfulness in parks, 117, 144, 148
Roller skating, 140, 142
Rubbish baskets, 298, 310, 313
Rural and naturalistic scenery in parks,
84, 110, 119, 124-130, 144; architec-
ture inimical, 186, 188, 205
27

INDEX

Sculptural fountains, minimise water
display, 209-211

Sculpture in parks, 112, 176, 181, 185;
secondary to park design, 180; site
for, 182

Seat depreciation, by lack of seclusion,
258; by glaring light, 262; by errone-
ous facing, 270; by unpleasant pub-
licity, 270, 272

Seat design, 254-261, 263, 267, 268, 271,
Q7T4277

Seating accommodation,
needed, 272-276

Seats in parks, importance and value of,
252, 298; slabs, benches and seats
with back, 254-258; location of, 258—
262, 270, 272; elements of design, 255,
263-265; advantage of shade, 262; of
view, 266, 267; of interest, 266; pro-
tection and seclusion, 266, 270; in
passing-through parks, 87, 90, 91; in
neighbourhood parks, 87,106, 108, 112

Sheep in park landscape, 134, 136

Shelters and pavilions, 130; need of, 298;
variety, 298; architecture of, 132.
location of, 132, 134

Shrubbery in parks, 86, 104, 235, 236

Souvenirs, 308

Statues, fountains preferable to, 82, 220;
fountains sacrificed for, 208-210

Statues, in neighbourhood parks, 104,
112, 113; in passing-through parks,
92-94. See Effigies

Statue portraiture in parks, 174-178, 181

Street architecture interrelation of
parks, 59, 70, 75, 80, 84, 188, 190,
interrelation of park architecture, 192

ampleness

Street plan, interrelation of parks with,
31, 35, 39

Superintendents, untrained in landscape
design, 36, 38; in planting design, 224;
point of view of, 243; codperation by,
248, 250; residence for, 196

Toboggan slides, 130, 140
Tree surgery, 132

Walk lines, practical requirements, 9;
for convenience and beauty, 41, 61;
for recreation, 124; the promenade
type, 61, 131, 186, 272, 273; memo-
rial, 178; width determined by scale,
66, 69, 97; questionable, 95; popular,
121; terminal interest, 144; relation
of seats, 270, 272

Water, composition and arrangement,
218; naturalistic, 212, 214, 215

Water display sacrificed for sculpture,208

Water gardening, 8, 112, 130

Water in parks, decorative use of, 206;
value to parks, 206-208; beauty of,
210-212; consumption of, 212; supply,
214; design of, 218; medium of park
expression, 221

Water jets, 219; for passing-through
parks, 82

Water, ponds, lagoons, and lakes, 112,
210, 214-216

Water pools and basins, 108, 212, 213

Water sports, 140

Winter sports, 140

Zoological gardens, 130, 138; landscape
value of, 134, 135

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