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FRANKLIN PARK COALITION 9 BULLETIN
Nov., 1981
A publication of FRANKLIN PARK COALITIONJnc. 319 Forest Hills Street, Boston, MA 02130 522-7431
THE FRffllKLIIi PARK ZOO
SELECTED REPORTS
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PUBLIC
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Property Of BOSTON REDEVELOPMENT AUTHOWtt
CONTENTS
"Zoological Gardens and Aquaria" from The 13th Annual Report of the Department of Parks (1887)
Page 3
Preliminary Report of the Board of Commissioners Department of Parks with Plans and Estimates for the Zoological Garden at Franklin Park
Page 13
1911 Plan of Winter Bird House and Flying Cage
Following Page 15
1911 Preliminary Plan of Franklin Park Zoo
Following Page 15
Arthur A. Shurtleff 's Report on His Plan for the Franklin Park Zoo
Page 16
Special Report on the Franklin Park Zoo by Arthur Shurtleff, 1924
Page 22
13th ANNUAL REPORT DEPARTMENT OF PARKS for the year 1887
ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS AND AQUARIA
In Mr. Olmsted's "Notes on the plan of Franklin Park," which appeard as supplementary to the Eleventh Annual Report of this Board, a division of the park, named on the plan "Long Crouch Woods," from the colonial name of the adjoining road (now Seaver Street), was indicated as "to be held subject to lease to a suitable organization for a zoological garden."
This suggestion was taken up by the Boston Society of Natural History and resulted in a communication from a committee of the council of the society, in regard to establishing zoological gardens and aquaria in the public parks, which was received by the Board September 16th last, and was referred to Mr. Olmsted for suggestions for reply.
To the Honorable the Park Commissioners: -
The Boston Society of Natural History has long had in view a consi- derable extension of its public service, and now begs leave to lay before the Park Commissioners an outline of its plans for the immediate future, in which it respectfully asks for their cooperation.
The Museum of the Society, established in 1830, and now open to all (free at certain times, and at others by payment of a small fee), has been built up from the first with special reference to the public benefit, and with the understanding that it shall be forever auxiliary to the general scheme of public state and municipal education. Within the last score of years it has still further developed the idea by establishing a special "New England Collection" of animals, plants, and minerals-, and, while abating in no respect the privileges of the general public, has secured by private munificence, the close contact with the Museum and its collections, of hundreds of the public-school teachers of Boston and vicinity, by means of practical exercises (with specimens of con- siderable value given away to all ), and instruction under the ablest directions, on successive Saturday afternoons.
The Society is anxious, however, to do still more, and therefore invokes the aid of the Park Commissioners in a scheme which will enable it to offer to the people of Boston opportunities at present wanting in all New England, viz.: -
By a system of zoological gardens, aquaria, etc., to offer oppor- tunities to observe, under conditions as nearly natural as possible, the broad features of the animal and plant life of this country. Furthermore,
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the plan calls for attention , primarily and especially, to the fauna of New England, both land and marine, including its indigenous quadrupeds, birds, reptiles, fishes, mollusks, Crustacea, etc., under conditions - not too restricted - such as will facilitate public observation of their habits, their native environment, their behavior at different times, their breeding peculiarities, and the rearing of their young.
The urgent need of such opportunities is proven by the fact that nowhere nearer than New York City can anything of the kind proposed be found. And it is to be borne in mind that, with the increase of popu- lation, and the concomitant decrease of the indigenous wild animals, above all with the modern excessive growth of city life, the percentage of city children (and hence of all) who may ever hope to see, and still less to observe at their leisure, the living objects of their native state .or country is rapidly diminishing. At the same time the importance of such observation and study, instead of decreasing in like proportion, is greatly enhanced. To the country boy it is of comparatively little moment whether he observes this bird or plant, or that, since he has usually definite ideas of all, drawn from frequent observations of many. But to the city lad it is of the utmost consequence that he shall be able to correct his less definite ideas - formed for the most part by hearsay, by books, or by pictures - by observation of the object itself.
Second only to its educational importance is the value of the scheme in supplying to all classes an outlet for their natural and praise- worthy curiosity, a vast store of innocent and healthy amusement, and never failing recreation and diversion such as natural-history gardens and aquaria always offer.
It appears, therefore, to the undersigned, that it is not only eminently fitting and proper, but even imperative, for the metropolis of New England to promote the establishment and control of zoological gardens, aquaria, etc., by the Boston Society of Natural History, since these will certainly not be duplicated in New England, will be in trust- worthy hands, giving them an acknowledged scientific character; and, being unique in New England, will be resorted to by visitors from far and near.
Any such plan demands at the start a considerable area of land within easy distance of the thickly inhabited parts of the city. No land of sufficient extent has been found in the vicinity of Boston, at all available for such a purpose, excepting what is under the charge of the Park Commissioners, and it is for this reason that the Committee brings these plans to their attention.
It is the purpose of the Society, if the Park Commissioners shall express their approval of the general plan (which the Committee will lay more carefully before them, if desired), and shall signify their readiness
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to place in the charge of the Natural History Society such parcels of land as may be available and suitable for the purpose, to lay these out in an attractive manner, to stock them with animals, and to establish aquaria for such creatures as inhabit the adjacent fresh and salt waters, with basins of considerable size for the larger marine animals; and eventu- ally, to furnish the visitor with such guides as will enable him to understand easily the objects he is to see.
Furthermore, the Society stands ready to open the grounds and aquaria to the public at certain times free, on reasonable conditions, reserving only the right to provide for the proper maintenance of the establishment by charging an admission fee at other times, It is in no way intended to inaugurate or carry out the plan as in any sense a commercial enter- prise, but only to insure its perpetual support and improvement by appealing to a natural and healthful interest in living objects.
BOSTON, September 30, 1887
To Messrs. M.D. Ross, H.P. Bowditch, Thos. T- Bouve, John Cummings,
Alpheus Hyatt, Edward Burgess, Wm. T. Sedgwick, Chas. S. Mi not, and Sam'l H. Scudder, Committee of the Council of the Boston Society of Natural History: -
GENTLEMEN, - The Park Commissioners are glad to learn, from your communica- tion of the 12th inst., that the Boston Society of Natural History is inclined to extend its present means of usefulness by providing and maintaining collections of living animals, and that, preliminary to the preparation of a definite scheme for the purpose, it wishes to be informed of the views of the Commissioners on the subject.
The Commissioners have considered that such collections are a part of the proper scientific and educational equipment of a modern city; that, as customarily made in the form of zoological gardens, a considerable body of land is required; that the difficulty of obtaining suitable land, con- veniently situated, has hitherto been the principal obstacle to a satis- factory scheme for providing them for Boston.
The Park Commissioners will stand opposed to any scheme under which the City of Boston would follow the example of New York in undertaking the direct management of a zoological collection. It is the conviction of the Commissioners that the more nearly the Department of Parks is limited to the definite duty of providing the people of the city with opportunities of simply rural recreation, unmixed with other methods of recreation, and of guarding the means under its control for this purpose from being encroached upon in efforts to further other ends, the better will its funds be administered and the public served.
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As to the independent joint-stock company method of proceeding, it is to be preferred in the judgment of the Commissi onrs only upon two conditions: First, that the corporation shall be so constituted that the object of a trivial popular success - a success of the order of a circus or travelling-show corporation - shall be permanently held subordinate to that of promoting scientific investigations, scientific instruction, and sound recreative popular education in Natural History. Second, that the corporation shall be able to procure and hold land suitable to all the requirements of health and the satisfactory display of its intended collections, in sufficient quantity and conveniently situated.
With regard to this latter condition the Park Commissioners consider that Boston presents circumstances of unusual difficulty. Its territory is greatly divided by bodies of water and marsh and its dry land by rocky .ridges. Growing rapidly, tne city is for this reason extending itself in a very scattered way: ground naturally adapted to be built upon in its suburbs being seized upon and occupied much in advance of the spreading area of compact blocks. It is improbable that a corpora- tion seeking to establish a zoological garden of the ordinary type could now obtain a satisfactory situation for it except at a price constitu- ting a financial burden upon the enterprise too heavy to be carried. There has been nothing ...rresponding with the conditions of Boston in this respect in the old Dutch and Flemish towns where the independent and popular joint-stock corporation method of obtaining zoological gardens has had its greatest success. At the same time the Commissioners suggest that in turning to the mixed method the advantage which has been secured in these cases by gaining the active cooperation of a large number of small stockholders should not be lost sight of.
The Commissioners having in view the considerations that have been recited, drawing to the conclusion that only by the method in which the city would provide land to be occupied at a nominal rent for a series of years to a suitable corporation is the end in view likely to be ac- complished, have been led to reflect as follows: (1) As it is much better in a matter of this kind that a limited undertaking should be carried out with artistic completeness, finish, and moral effect, than a much broader undertaking in a poor, mean, makeshift, dragging, and slovely way, adequate precaution against the city's becoming committed to any enterprise liable to be of the latter character is the first duty of those who act in its behalf. (2) A primal condition of high success at reasonable cost in a collection limited to almost any division of the animal kingdom is that the ground it is to occupy shall be especially suited to it. (3) Examining all the territory under their supervision which could be considered available for the purpose, the Commissioners have been satisfied that all the conditions which would go to make up a perfect site for a complete zoological garden exist nowehere in con- venient association. For a considerable part of a complete collection such
conditions are to be found upon the twenty acres of land which the Commissioners have placed in reserve at the north end of the outer division of Franklin Park. Because of its sheltered south-western exposure, its excellent drainage, its fine local natural features, its charming distant outlook, its position relatively to the most popular features of the intended park, its situation between the park and the central parts of the city, and its accessibility, - it is an ideal site for the more popularly interesting elements of a limited collection such as is suggested in your communication; but for a complete zoological garden it is far from being all that is to be desired.
Pursuing the general line of reflection thus suggested, the Commis- sioners have seen that there must be a question of the balance of ad- vantages between an attempt to bring together on one piece of ground all collections which the city should undertake to promote, or to provide for a division of them. The drift of the Commissioners' judgment heretofore has been toward the conclusion which appears from your communi- cation to have been independently approached by the Society of Natural History, and they have accordingly had provisionally in view, in addition to the reservation already made north of Franklin Park, two others. One of them would be upon the seashore at City Point, and would supply not only the site for an aquarium of the ordinary type found in the largest zoological gardens of Europe, but an arm of the sea, perhaps a quarter of a mile in length, the waters of which, though enclosed would be moved by the flood and ebb of the tide. The other would be a part of the valley below Jamaica Pond, in which there would be an abundance of flowing fresh water and all desirable advantages for rivulets and pools, forming suitable breeding places for aquatic birds and other desiderata.
Realizing the disadvantages of such a division, the Commissioners have, nevertheless, considered that experience has shown it not to be im- practicable; that there are, for instance, successful aquaria in Europe that have been established independently of general zoological gardens, and that there are zoological gardens containing no aquaria; and that the Ornithological Society of London for many years maintained a collection of certain classes of living birds, larger, finer, and better displayed than those of either of the two general zoological gardens.
The Commissioners have considered that it might be an open question whether a separate organization for each of the suggested divisions would be desirable rather than a single corporation, but will regard it a fortunate circumstance if the Natural History Society is prepared to un- dertake the entire business on a sufficiently strong basis.
The Commissioners believe that they have sufficiently defined their position, but in conclusion desire to emphasize two points: -
First, in any negotiation in which they may engage in behalf of the city looking to a lease of lands for the purpose in question, the Commissioners will wish to have before them a we'll -defined plan of what is
to be undertaken, with evidence that the proposed lessees are prepared to carry it out and sustain it in such a manner that, whether little or much is set about, the result shall surely be, of its kind, inferior to none.
Second, it should be clearly understood that the funds now at command, or prospectively at command, of the Commissioners, are to be used for carrying out schemes of improvement which had been adopted before the city was authorized to obtain these funds. The preparation of ground for zoological collections was no part of these schemes, and the Commissioners will entertain no proposition looking to a diversion of its present means to that purpose.
BENJ. DEAN, PATRICK MAGUIRE,
Board of Park Commissioners.
To which the Committee of the Council of the Boston Society of Natural History made the following reply: -
To the Honorable the Park Commissioners of the City of Boston:-
GENTLEMEN,- The Committee of the Council of the Boston Society of Natural History begs leave to acknowledge the receipt of the courteous and sug- gestive reply of the Park Commissioners to its communication, and to express its thanks for the same. The Committee fully concurs with the Park Commissioners in considering the plan of municipal responsibility pure and simple, alike lor foundation, maintenance, and administration, entirely opposed to the welfare both of this municipality and of the undertaking itself. It concurs also in regarding the purely joint-stock corporation plan as undesirable, partly because of the intrinsic tendency of such a corporation to sacrifice the higher aims of such an institution to temporary financial success, but especially because, as pointed out by the Park Commissioners, such a corporation would probably be fatally handicapped at the start by the enormous cost of suitable and sufficient areas of land. Moreover , the Committee would regret to see any under- taking of this sort based upon the expectation of pecuniary returns to stockholders, and does not think it would meet with commendation from the citizens of Boston. In brief, the method suggested by this Committee in its first communication to the Park Commissioners, - namely, the use of public lands at a nominal rental, and in return therefor grants of free admission to the public on certain days, as well as special privileges, when practicable, to teachers of public and private schools accompanied by their classes, with the excellence of the col- lections and the efficiency of the administration guaranteed by the character of the controlling organization, - seems to the Committee the most suitable to adopt at the outset of this new undertaking, which, though different in character, is nevertheless to be devoted to the same objects as the Society's present museum, namely, the instruction and re- creation of all classes of citizens.
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The Committee, however, fully realizes the importance of attaching to the enterprise a much larger number of our citizens than the Society itself now includes; and to this end it proposes to create a special class of members to be called "Natural History Garden Members," thus carry- ing into effect one of the important suggestions of the commissioners, "that, in turning to the mixed method, the advantage which has been secured in these cases [establi:.! nts of a similar kind], by gaining the active cooperation of a large number of small stockholders, should not be lost sight of. "
It appears to the Committee that this "mixed method," so called, is the only one by which it is possible for the city of Boston, for a very long time to come, to be supplied with the healthful amusement and in- structive recreation which consist in the observation or study of animals kept under their natural conditions, and arranged, classified, and described with scientific exactitude. From this point of view, and in accordance with the request of the Park Commissioners for a more exact and detailed statement of its plans and resources, the Committee is prepared to recommend to the Boston Society of Natural History to enter upon a system of cooperation with the Park Commissioners, for the establishment of a Natural History or Zoological Garden. But before any plan can be finally adopted by the Society, it is necessary that it should be put in a definite form, and in that form receive the approval of the Council , and also that of the Society at large. The Committee, therefore, feels constrained to request the Park Commissioners to say whether they are prepared to rent to the Society, for a nominal sum, certain areas of land under the control of the Commissioners, as already suggested by them; to wit, that portion of Franklin Park lying on the city side of Playstead and the Greeting, excepting Sargent's Field. This area would probably be large enough for the Natural History or Zoological Garden proper, and would require to be supplemented hereafter only by much smaller areas for special purposes, - such as breeding-ponds for aquatic animals, for which the region below Jamaica Pond, referred to by the Commissioners, would answer; and salt-flats and large water-basins for marine aquaria, for which the areas at City Point, described by the Commissioners, would be eminently suitable; and, probably, for some special purposes, some water space in connection with the park in East Boston. The leasing of these areas is to be upon the express condition that the friends of the Society shall raise the sum of $200,000 as a fund to guarantee the proper maintenance of the proposed Natural History Gardens; and shall also secure, for the Gardens, the advantages of the joint-stock corporation plan by enlarging the membership of the Society, through the admission of "natural History Garden Members," in order to gain the moral and financial cooperation of a thousand or more persons constituting a large and influential portion of the community; and furthermore, that the Society shall assume all the burdens of the organization, equipment, and support, of whatever kind, entailed by the undertaking of a first-class Natural History Garden. It is also to be further understood that the action of the Society is to be guided
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by the principles urged by the Commissioners, and heartily agreed to by the Committee, that "it is much better in a matter of this kind that a limited undertaking should be carried out with completeness, than a much broader undertaking in a mean and makeshift way."
If the Society enters upon this agreement it is to be also further understood that it will lay before the Commissioners, within a reasonable time, "a well-defined plan of what is to be undertaken, together with evidence that the Society is prepared to carry it out and maintain it in such a manner that the result of whatever is undertaken shall surely be, of its kind, inferior to none."
The Committee requests the Commissioners to state whether the proposals above made meet with their approval.
Boston, December 3, 1887.
Upon receiving the above communication, the Board passed the following vote, which has been sent to the Committee of the Council of the Boston Society of Natural History: -
IN BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS December 30, 1887.
Voted, That the Board of Park Commissioners has received with pleasure the proposition of the Committee of the Council of the Boston Society of Natural History, for the establishment of Natural History Gardens in the public parks, and assures said society that it shall have reasonable facilities for its undertakins; and that when said society shall have raised the guarantee fund of $200,000, and performed the other things set forth in said proposition, then this Board will give what authority it has to said society to occupy lands at Franklin Park, and in the Park- way below Jamaica Pond, and at Marine and Wood Island Parks, at a nominal rental, to enable said society to carry out its purposes of establishing Zoological Gardens and Aquaria; and if such authority be not deemed suf- ficient, the Board will apply to the Legislature for authority to make such arrangements with said society as will enable it to carry out its plans substantially as set forth in said proposition, and such as may be hereafter mutually agreed upon; which arrangements, so long as said society shall comply with the conditions thereof, shall be exclusive; re- serving however, in all such agreements, the right of this Board to determine all questions as to said facilities so far as they relate to the laying out and occupying of said grounds.
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37th ANNUAL REPORT DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT. John A. Petti grew
TO ROBERT S. PEABODY, JAMES M. PRENDERGAST AND DANIEL H. COAKLEY, Commissioners:
GENTLEMEN,- I herewith submit a report of work performed in the department under the direction of your Board during the year 1911:
Early in the summer, the plans being ready, work was started on the construction of the Zoological Garden in Franklin Park. A contract was awarded to John A. Rooney for a group of five bear yards and dens. These are located in Long Crouch Woods and are of an imposing character. The walls are completed and the ironwork and flagging of the yards are well under' way. Each yard contains a commodious pool. Beeches and oaks have been planted in openings among the old trees to provide shade for the concourse in front. A contract was also made with the New England Structural Company for the construction of an aquatic flying cage, 190 feel long, 60 feet wide and 60 feet high, with a swell at the back, 40 feet by 14 feet. This work, too, is well advanced, requiring to complete it only the outside wiring and the wall and pools inside. The water and sewerage for these constructions have been laid in and connected with the city system by the employees of the Park Department. A portion of the Refectory carriage shed has been impressed into service as a temporary home for newly received animals. A group of thirteen cages has been built there by Park Department employees.
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Preliminary Report of the Board of Commissioners Department of Parks
With Plans and Estimates for The Zooloaical Garden at Franklin Park - 1910
City of Boston
Park Department, October 5, 1910
HON. JOHN F. FITZGERALD, Mayor, City Hall , Boston:
DEAR SIR, - The Following order of the City Council approved by you has been transmitted to the Boston Park Commission:
City of Boston
In City Council, May 2, 1910
Ordered, That the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) be appro- priated from the income of the Parkman Fund, to be expended by the Park Commissioners, with the approval of his Honor the Mayor, for the purpose of obtaining plans and estimates for a zoological garden in Franklin Park and for incidental expenses connected therewith. Passed, yeas 7, nays 0. Approved by the Mayor May 4, 1910. A true copy,
Attest: (Signed) W.J. DOYLE,
Assistant City Clerk.
Also we have received an order of similar tenor appropriating a similar sum to obtain plans and estimates for an aquarium at Marine Park.
In accordance with these orders the Boston Park Commission presents to you herewith a preliminary report, and with it letters from Arthur A. Shurtleff, landscape architect, and William D. Austin, architect, describing in detail respectively projects for the Zoological Garden and for the Aquarium; t>lso letter of advice from William T. Hornaday, director of the New Yoi k Zoological Garden.
Our studies for the Zoological Garden led us at first to certain conclusions which we will describe though they were later modified. We perhaps primarily looked at the subject as somewhat experimental, and, again, as the area available for the purpose was rather limited between the "Greeting" and Seaver street, and as we surely did not wish to infringe on the broad expanses of the park, we were inclined to start with
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a limited program. We therefore planned for hardy animals only and such as could live out of doors all winter and without heated houses, except that a heated house was to be provided for migrating birds. As such a limited program could not embrace wide ranges of natural history we were inclined to present one branch in a scientific and thorough manner (perhaps the birds as they would require less area), and have the other exhibits less scientifically thorough and more in the nature of popular attractions. We also have been of the opinion that, if for no other reason, the fact that the Garden formed part of Franklin Park rendered it desirable that the arranqement should be picturesque and attractive rather than simply have the look of a labeled collection. Mr. Shurtleff and Mr. Pettigrew tried therefore to arrange every yard or den with a background so that the animal would show as in a picture. In short, the system employed in the Paris Jardin d'Acclimatation is used rather than .that in the Jardin des PI antes.
At this point we sought the advice of Mr. Hornaday, the distinguished director of the Bronx Zoological Gardens. His views are given in detail in his letter attached hereto. Though he approved of our scheme as far as it had gone, he convinced us that none would be really satisfactory that did not provide for future growth through gifts or public interest, which he deemed inevitable. Besides, he told us that a complete inclosure of the Zoological Garden was indispensable, and all this meant that to get increased acreage the grounds should extend beyond the Greeting, and that hence the Greeting as well as the zoological exhibits would be within the inclosure.
We have always valued the Greeting as an integral part of Mr. Olmsted's design for Franklin Park, in fact, as the culmination of the whole scheme of the city parks. We were puzzled as to its treatment if the Zoological Garden extended beyond it and inclosed it as Mr. Hornaday desired. We finally determined that by slightly changing its nature the Greeting might be made the backbone of the design of the Zoological Garden; that if it were made a promenade for pedestrians instead of for carriages it might without detriment be within the inclosure of the "Zoo"; and that this promenade with the Music Court and the Zoological Garden and the Herbaceous Garden that is already well established all opening upon it, the whole would combine to make a more important and alluring culmination of the park system than has hitherto been thought of. Moreover, in all essential features Mr. Olmsted's original desiqn is adhered to.
The plans now presented embody this scheme. It is not necessary to carry the work at present any farther than any present funds we may be intrusted with will permit. Gradual extension will be possible on the well established lines as often as gifts or interest in the subject may render it possible or advisable. At present we should advise no permanent large building except the house for migrating birds and the
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bridge that will permit the inclosing of Long Crouch Woods with Sargent Field without stopping the avenues that open upon Seaver street. Both of these have been designed by Mr. Austin and their cost is included in Mr. Shurtleff's estimate for the preliminary zoological garden. No other large buildings are included in the estimate, but sites for permanent heated houses are provided to be built as the future gives opportunity.
Mr. Shurtleff's and Mr. Pettigrew's estimate for the work thus described, which would result in a satisfactory and interesting zoo for the present, is $341,700, and the mall of Greeting would cost inside of $200;000. As regards the latter we should at first expect to do such work as would permit the planting of the trees and the rest might follow slowly, and it would be two or three years before the whole of this sum were expended. Any permanent heated building other than that for the birds would be a subject for future discussion.
In the study for the aquarium building Mr. Austin, our architect, has visited those at Detroit and New York, where are the best American examples, and has had the benefit of the kindly advice of the directors of those institutions, and such other authorities on these matters as we could reach have also been consulted.
The drawings explain themselves and show a building large enough, we think, for present purposes and capable of indefinite expansion. It will make a very attractive addition to Marine Park. The two large ponds in its immediate vicinity can be used for summer exhibition of various sea animals under the care of the aquarium staff. Mr. Austin's estimate leads us to think that we should expect the building to cost $100,000.
On May 13, 1910, at your request we conferred with the Public Grounds and the Music Departments as to the possible disposition of the Parkman Fund income, and, in accordance with the opinions agreed to at that meeting, asked you to place half of the income of the fund at the dis- posal of the Park Commission for them to expend upon the Zoological Garden, the Aquarium, the Music Court and Greeting, and certain loam in Franklin Park, and that it be left to our discretion as to the dis- tribution of the sum between these objects, as one may advance more rapidly than another. We now again renew this request on the under- standing that the money shall be spent on advancing the work described in this report. We would, however, point out that the more money we can be spared from the funds on hand the farther we can go with the work we have outlined in this report.
Yours truly,
ROBERT S. PEAB0DY JAMES M. PRENDERGAST DANIEL H. C0AKLEY
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Arthur A. Shurtleff, Landscape Architect, 89 State Street, Boston, Mass., September 29, 1910.
Boston Park Department, Board of Park Commissioners, ROBERT S. PEABODY, Chairman, Boston, Massachusetts:
DEAR SIR, - In the plans for Franklin Park prepared by F.L. Olmsted in 1886 a parcel of about 80 acres of land was set apart near the borders of Seaver street to accommodate a zoological collection, a Deer Park, a Music Court, a Little Folks' Fair, and a concourse or alamada, called "The Greeting." Although these features were regarded as important adjuncts to the great "Country Park" which occupied the larger portion of the remaining 450 acres of Franklin Park, their construction was postponed for lack of funds and for want of an active public demand. In the lapse of thirty years the "Country Park" has been brought to a high degree of completion, but these popular adjuncts have remained almost wholly undeveloped. In other parts of the Boston park system, however, a variety of popular recreative attractions of a similar kind have been created in late years, which tend to reduce the number of persons seeking the quiet scenery of Franklin Park. Time has proven in Boston and in other cities that extensive pastoral and wooded parks, which make their appeal through the enjoyment of great landscapes, require secondary amusements of just that kind offered by a zoological garden to enable them to hold their places in competition with seashore reservations, bathing beaches and the modern highly-developed playground. The disappointing attendance at Franklin Park shows clearly that the moment has arrived when the development of the secondary attractions of this plan must be accomplished if Franklin Park is to hold its recreative pre-eminence in the park system.
The original plan for Franklin Park and the notes that accompanied it explain at length the need of maintaining heavy plantings of woodland and under-cover to screen the quiet landscapes of the "Country Park" from the unrelated views of the proposed "Greeting" and zoological collection. The contour of the ground, fortunately, assists this barrier of trees (now well developed) by interposing also a number of hills, ridges and valleys. Fortunately these inequalities of contour contribute at the same time to the needs of the several features contemplated b y the plans - the rocky ridge of the Long Crouch Woods and its extension furnish almost ideal conditions of soil, exposure and drainage for the zoological collection and for deer ranges; the hollow basin of Sargent's Field, with slight excavation, can be made to accommodate the ponds of an herbaceous garden and of an aquatic flying cage for birds; the long contours of the flat-bottomed valley between Deer Hill and the ridge proposed for the Music Court can be readily molded to the formal outlines of the proposed "Greeting."
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Fol lowing your request I have made a careful study of the original plans and notes for Franklin Park and I have examined the grounds in the vicinity of the site of the proposed Zoo in detail with topographical maps. I have conferred at length with your chairman, with the superin- tendent and with the engineer of the Park Department, together with Mr. William T. Hornaday of the New York Zoological Park. I beg to submit the accompanying preliminary plan and estimates as an outcome of these studies and conferences.
The plan includes six main features: Long Crouch Woods, the Herba- ceous Garden, Deer Hill, the Greeting, the Music Court and the Little Folks' Fair. These parts are all intimately connected with one another by ample paths, well shaded by existing woodlands, and they are unified by the great central mall or Greeting which would form the main avenue of approach from the car lines of Blue Hill avenue and Seaver street and from the main driveways of the park itself. No better location for a zoological garden with regard to existing lines of approach, both within and without the park, could be found or desired.
LONG CROUCH WOODS
The rocky character and the southern aspect of this wooded ridge suits admirably for a collection of native animals requiring little shelter in the winter season. Among these animals might be included bear, lynx, raccoon, fox, badger, hedgehog, squirrels, otter and beaver. Figs. No. 3 and No. 4 illustrate the appearanceof the inclosures proposed for this vicinity. Each inclosure is to be viewed only from the front by the public, the sides and rear being planted to form a background suitable to display the animals to the best advantage with the most characteristic environment and with the least possible exposure of cage-work. The floor of each inclosure is to be carefully built of concrete with a naturalistic surface insuring cleanliness, with the least appearance of artificiality and with the minimum cost of upkeep.
The district would be approached by two or more gate entrances having turnstiles to record the number of persons entering and to form the headquarters for local policing. As indicated upon the plan one building will be required to shelter small mammals other than those which are inured to the severity of our winter. This building would not be needed until the Zoological Garden as a whole had attained a high state of development.
A bridge would be required to carry the crowds of people from the Long Crouch Woods section across the line of the Old Trail Road to the vicinity of the Herbaceous Garden.
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HERBACEOUS GARDEN
This garden already started successfully (see cut No. 7) would be devoted partly to a collection of interesting and attractive herbaceous plants, flowering shrubbery and trees, and partly to a collection of aquatic birds. Certain of these birds would roam at will in the ponds and pools of the garden, but a large proportion of them would be kept in an ample flying cage (see cut No. 5) provided with independent pools and trees of its own.
A bird house should also be provided, to which all the less hardy birds could be withdrawn in the winter season. As the Zoological Garden gained in importance this building would be used to accommodate rarer species, which would need its protection in summer as well as winter. The plans and perspectives of this building (illustrated in Fig. 2) indicate the building in its fully developed condition, and show its relationship to the bridge and to the flying cage, as well as to the margins of the Greeting. Adjoining the Herbaceous Garden, upon a favorable ridge of land, a wistaria arbor would be arranged to form an agreeable point from which to view the garden. This arbor would be of considerable size and would separate the Herbaceous Garden from the lion house upon its southern side. While the arbor might be built early in the history of the garden, it is to be expected that the lion house would form an ultimate development which could be added without disturbing either the Herbaceous Garden or any of its adjuncts.
DEER PARK
The Deer Park occupies the eminence immediately east of the Her- baceous Garden. The highest point of ground would be occupied by an antelope and deer house, having radiating inclosures upon all sides, allowing their occupants to enjoy the sunlight and air in fine weather and to enter the building in inclement seasons. Inclosing the antelope house and its runs a semicircular path would give approach to a series of unattached inclosures intended for deer, elk and bison, as shown clearly upon the plan. These inclosures would be comparatively large in size and of favorable depth, according to the requirements of the animal to be corralled. All these inclosures would be separated carefully from one another to afford proper backgrounds for the animals and to screen the cages and the animals themselves from the park boundaries. (See Fig. 6).
THE GREETING
The original plan prepared by Mr. Olmsted for the Greeting, and shown upon the early plans for Franklin Park, contemplate a series of parallel drives, rides and walks, having a total width of 300 feet and
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and extending from the vicinity of the Blue Hill avenue entrance to the Playstead, a distance of approximately half a mile. It was intended to form a great concourse, allowing persons approaching the park on foot, by carriage and on horseback, to meet one another and to enjoy promenading before entering the park itself. During the years which have elapsed since the design of the park was made many radical changes have taken place in methods of transportation, and the necessity of such a concorse for the use of carriages and riders is less than it was, but long avenues of trees and a long stretch of greensward can never go out of fashion or be other than beautiful. The Zoo to be orderly and attractive needs a main avenue, and if the Greeting were somewhat transformed in character to make it a great sylvan avenue intended wholly for persons on foot it would make a most impressive and most useful concourse for the Zoo. The Zoo thus made orderly and imposing will form a noble culmination for the many winding roads of the park, and Mr. Olmsted's design will be retained but adapted to the most modern conditions. This modification of the design would also reduce the cost of construction of the Greeting by the elimination of large surfaces of macadam, which would be replaced by extensive areas of greensward. Instead of the $275,000, which is the estimate for the original Greeting, it would cost in the proposed modified form about $200,000 or less. In its transformed condition the Greeting would provide a natural line of communication for foot passers between Columbia road and the Playstead district, and would make a magnificent frontage for zoological structures on either side. The plan contemplates buildings near the Columbia road entrance for administration purposes and for housing primates, elephants, reptiles, etc., as shown clearly on the plan. These buildings should not be of so monumental a character as to allow them to become conspicuous throughout the park. They should be comparatively low in height, nestling among the trees, and only visible from the Greeting or its nearby approaches, The circles terminating the Greeting would be ornamented with fountains or other features to make them acceptable foci for such important vista points and points of congregation.
MUSIC COURT
The Music Court shown on the original plans for Franklin Park is carefully retained, but is reduced somewhat in size and moved slightly toward the east, by which it is made to occupy a position immediately opposite the antelope house and its flanking buildings. The sloping surface upon which the Music Court would be built would contribute much to its good appearance.
LITTLE FOLKS' FAIR
The Little Folks' Fair is to be devoted to childish entertainments including swings, seesaws, marionettes, goat carriages, donkey courses and
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amusements to which it was to be originally devoted under the Olmsted plan. Its proximity to the Zoological Garden would also render it available for persons wishing to ride elephants and camels, as is customary in most zoological gardens.
THE REFECTORY
The nearness of the Refectory to the Zoological Garden is especially fortunate. This building is already designed to accommodate a restaurant and has closely associated with it a shed for the accommodation of vehicles. Up to the present time the Refectory has not secured patronage enough to make it a success, but with the presence of the Zoological Garden so near at hand its success would undoubtedly be assured.
BOUNDARY FENCES
All portions of the Zoological Garden should be inclosed with a fence to form a barrier against dogs likely to frighten or injure the animals. By the absolute exclusion of dogs in this manner it becomes possible to effect a considerable saving in the cost of fences around the individual inclosures. May inclosures for wading birds, for instance, can be made only two or three feet in height, provided there is no danger of dogs jumping into them. The border fences are also essential to prevent cross- cutting through the Zoo grounds and to make it possible to concentrate all entrances and exits at the regularly appointed turnstiles. It is becoming the universal practice to inclose all zoological gardens in order to effect these very desirable controls and if necessary collect tolls on certain days of the week.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PLAN
The plans show a complete zoological garden of large size. It is not expected that all this would be built now. Much of it might never be built, but provision is made for its possibility. It would seem best to begin work in the vicinity of Long Crouch Woods, the Herbaceous Garden and the Deer Park. These portions would form a self-contained unit independent of the execution of the entire scheme for their success In addition to this work as much could be done towards the Greeting and Music Court as funds would permit.
ESTIMATES
Estimates have been made of the Cost of the first portion of the Zoological Garden project, including Long Crouch Woods, the Herbaceous Garden
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and Flying Cages, the Bird House, Arbor and the Deer Park. These figures amounting to $341,700, are approximate, and furnish a basis upon which the general cost of the work may be fairly judged. The cost of the Greeting should be reckoned as $200,000.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR A. SHURTLEFF.
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Boston, December 1, 1924
Hon. JAMES M. CURLEY,
Mayor of the City of Boston:
DEAR SIR. The Park Department submits the following report, which reviews the relation of the Park System to recent park developments. The report also describes important plans which are now under construction or which are to be carried out in the near future in the Fens, at the Zoo, at Castle Island, in the newer playgrounds, and at Colombus Park and else- where. Inquiries are constantly made of this Department regarding the future development proposed for the open spaces of the City, and the parks and playgrounds included in this report have been the subjects of special public interest. This review of the plans and the purposes of the Department will assist in giving desired information in convenient form, and will also make a useful permanent record for future reference.
The Department is making good progress with a special report on the future development of the Park and Playground System of the City. This material is being studied with the growth of the industrial areas and the residence areas, in order to make an intelligent forecast of the probable needs of the next quarter to half a century. Further reference to ihis work is given in the appended report.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES B. SHEA, Chairman.
CHARLES A. COOLIDGE, Commissioner
MYRON P. LEWIS, Commissioner
WILLIAM P. LONG, Deputy Commissioner
DANIEL J. BYRNE, Secretary and Chief Clerk
ARTHUR A. SHURTLEFF, Landscape Architect
PARK DEPARTMENT, SPECIAL REPORT December 1 , 1924
THE ZOO
Great importance should be laid upon the point that this special tract devoted to a collection of animals and to the Rose Garden and its adjacent Herbaceous Garden, to the Mall and its terminal colonnade at the Peabody Circle, should not be made a part of the landscape of the great naturalistic "Country Park" which is the controlling composition of Franklin Park. The most precious landscapes of the Park System and of the countryside about Boston are in Franklin Park. There is little chance
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that these landscapes will be excelled. The Zoo is a unit which must be kept within the topoqraphical and landscape bounds which now define it. If it were allowed to encroach upon the "Country Park" or if amusements which are appropriate to the Zoo were allowed to find a place in the heart of Franklin Park, very serious harm would result. The heavy and high screening plantations which border Glen Lane were deliberately designed to protect the landscape of the "Country Park" from the irrele- vant and, therefore, disturbing attractions which were permitted to find a place on the ground now devoted to the Zoo. Similarly, the heavy woods north of the Playstead were maintained at their full height and density to screen from the landscape of the park a collection of native animals which it was thought might find a place upon the ridge among the trees. Fortunately the bounds which frame and screen the Zoo are ample for the accommodation of a thoroughly satisfactory and reasonably extensive collection of animals. There is nothing in the size or contour of the ground or in the location of this tract which can handicap it in becoming one of the most important Zoological Parks of the country, or to justify trespass upon the great "Country Park."
The Zoo is confined to the limits of ground described above, and it uses the border screens of trees which are essential to the "Country Park" as a useful background and shelter plantation. Buildings of low height and quiet color are used in order to present a group of structures as inconspicuous as possible when seen from without. Interior plan- tations of trees are an important element of the plan of development. They are arranged to reinforce the present boundary screens, to provide shade between and within the enclosures, and to give a sense of space and separation. (See Plate VIII.) Trees are to be planted in naturalistic groups except along the Mall, which is an adaptation at less width of the original formal "Greeting," intended to be used as a great entrance esplanade for the accommodation of horse-drawn carriages, riders and pedestrians. The exhibits of animals, birds and flowers are arranged in symmetrical groups where they are associated with the Mall, but elsewhere they are placed in conformity with the rollinq and ledgy contour of the ridges and hills. Buildings of picturesque type are used wherever a departure from regular forms has been possible. Temporary buildings for housing deer, elk and bison are built without attempt at picturesque effect, and the simplest materials and methods of construction are used. In erecting permanent structures, the Board has aimed to provide buildings which are best adapted to the health of the animals, and which will give the greatest satisfaction to visitors to the park. It can be said without hesitation that each permanent building thus far erected is the best of its kind in this country and provides shelter for exhibits which are not excelled elsewhere.
THE ROSE GARDEN
Over two years ago his Honor Mayor Curley brought to the attention of the Board the growing popularity of rose garden displays in City parks.
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Near at home, in Springfield and in Hartford, displays of this kind attract great crowds to the parks on Sundays and holidays, and bring flower lovers to these centers from all parts of New England. The time seemed ripe for the creation of a garden of this kind in Boston. After thorough study a satisfactory site was found near the Herbaceous Garden in the Zoo at Franklin Park. General public approval of this project followed, and much interest was shown by the local flower and garden clubs, horticultural societies, and by organizations and cities in the West. Working plans were consequently prepared and the garden hai, now become an accomplished fact. (See general view on Plate IX.) To save a season's time, the first installation of roses was made in the spring of 1923, as soon as the ground was graded, but before the walks, trellises, fountains and the walls of the garden were built. These structures were partly completed during the following summer, and thousands of visitors evinced their interest by visiting the work to see the roses during the period of construction. The rose arches, the gates and other details of the garden were finished during the followinq winter, and the garden was opened in completed form last May. Over seven thousand roses will find a place in the garden. The best roses which can be grown successfully out of doors in this climate will be used. Pillar roses, climbers, standards, dwarf and other types will be grown. Upwards of eighty-four varieties have already been set out.
In form the garden is oval. The central panel is sunken and is approached by four flights of steps. In the center is a circular water basin and fountain. Trellises resting on a curtain wall of concrete, and interrupted by massive concrete piers, form the enclosure of the garden. Upon these trellises and walls, climbing roses are grown. At the four cardinal points of the oval, attractive concrete niches and arches are built to give points of ascent, and to provide gateways. Permanent construction is used throughout the garden and it cannot fall into ruin through need of repair1: in the wooden panels of trellis. Around the garden flowering shrubbery and trees have already been planted.
The general location of the garden is at the westerly end of the lagoon proposed for the future extension of the Herbaceous Garden. (See the general bird':, eye view, Plate X.) Shelter from the wind and a southerly exposure to the sun have been found here on ground which lent itself to the form and the extent of the garden and to the need of well drained soil. A natural background of large trees was also present. The main path system of the Zoo leads to the site, and near it are placed the most important exhibits fo the Zoo, including the Bears' Dens, the Bird House and Flying Cage, the Elephant House, the Lion House, and the collections of deer and elk.
It is estimated that the number of visitors to the garden during the season of construction was in the neighborhood of fifty thousand.
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A Targe element in the successful development of the Zoo has resulted from the constant adherence to the general plan of layout which was adopted when the first exhibit (the bear dens) was installed. Im- provement of the details of the plan has followed special study devoted to each new acquisition, but the general plan has not been the subject of change. Consequently, the Zoo has taken form rapidly. Public attendance has increased far beyond expectations. The recent development of the elk and deer ranges, the extension of the much neeced Mall plantations, and the construction of the Rose Garden (see Plate IX) have awakened new public interest and enthusiasm for the Zoo. It is hoped that the grading of the Mall can be completed before another season. This improvement will greatly assist in handling the crowds of sightseers, and it will form an important scenic addition to the work already completed.
Arthur Shurtleff,
Landscape Architect
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