REPORT OF THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER.

PARK DEPARTMENT,

33 BEACON STREET, BOSTON 9, January 31, 1922.

To the Board of Park Commissioners, City of Boston: DEAR SIRS, - I respectfully beg leave to submit a report of work performed under the direction of your Board during the year 1921.

BOSTON COMMON.

On account of the abandoning of the war camp huts on Boston Common, it was necessary to reloam and grade a considerable area extending from Park street to Boylston street, and a contract was given for the loaming and grading of that area. The amount of this contract was $12,118. Considerable planting of young trees was done during the year to carry out the former plan of tree planting as outlined by the commission.

On account of the great number of people being interested in the noon-day concerts held at the Parkman Bandstand, it was deemed advisable to provide additional seating capacity. A contract was let to provide for 2,000 feet of seats. The amount of this contract

was $12,455.

For a number of years the ball field on Boston Common has been unplayable. It has been repeatedly studied by the landscape architect and the members of the commission. The latest plan of Mr. A. A. Shurtleff was accepted by this commission and a contract was advertised and let to regrade the ball field, raise the Charles street mall and put additional concrete walks on the Common. The amount of this contract was $55,660.

PUBLIC GARDEN.

During the winter months a number of trees were moved and planted in different locations; a large amount of shrubbery and tree planting was done in the spring. The usual summer bedding and fall planting of bulbs took place. During the year a new flag pole, to commemorate the men who died in the World War, was

erected. This pole, the largest single stick in the city, was of Oregon pine. The cost of same was $990.

FENS.

The contract for resurfacing macadam road, bituminous pavement, between Gaston square and Peterborough street, was let, amounting to $28,784.25.

A change at the Westland avenue entrance, which has always been a very dangerous place, has been made. It necessitated the relocating of the entrance roads and eliminating the dangerous corner. The contract was

let, amounting to $16,032.75.

Considerable improvement was made around the Burns statue, calling for a relocation of walk on account of the erection of same. Contract was let, amounting to $1,100.

A large amount of material was received from the Sanitary Division for the North Meadow.

OLMSTED PARK.

The roadway between Huntington avenue and Willow Pond road was resurfaced with a bituminous surface. Contract was let, amounting to $29,290.90.

FRANKLIN PARK.

A large amount of work was started and completed in Franklin Park during the past year. The Greeting was extended and completed as far as the Elephant House. A contract was let to the amount of $3,850. In the Zoological Garden it was necessary to place permanent walks, sewer and water pipe; contract was given for same, amounting to $7,668.75. The new Lion House, started during the year 1920, was completed on January 11, 1921, at a cost of $61,335. At the Refectory Building the large retaining wall was in a dangerous condition. Contract was given for the rebuilding of same and work was completed in December, 1920, at a cost of $2,526. This building, which has been sadly in need of repair for a number of years, was entirely renovated during the year 1921. Contract was given early in July and work was completed on November 1, at a cost of $12,860. The work of restoring Ellicott Cottage, which was destroyed by fire, was finished May 1. The amount of the contract was $10,450. The rear entrance to the Refectory Building

was changed to permit the golfers to go directly into the club house. This contract amounted to $3,470.

DORCHESTER.

At Ronan Park a heavy galvanized wire fence was erected on the easterly boundary wall, and a contract was let at a cost of $1,305.

Permanent seats were placed on McConnell Park and Gibson Street Playground for the use of the spectators at the various ball games.

At Edward Everett square and Richardson square there have been two very dangerous corners at street intersections; contract was given and the work was started in August, 1920, finished in September. The amount of the contract was $1,802.75. The work consisted of the rearrangement of lights, widening of the roadway and removing dangerous curbing at park.

WEST ROXBURY.

The large area of land purchased at the corner of Ashland and South streets has been named the Irving W. Adams Park. The contract for grading and concrete work was started on October 22, 1920, and completed May 1, 1921. The amount of this contract was $16,910.

ROSLINDALE.

At this playground wire fences were erected to inclose the tennis courts. This work was in conjunction with the wire fences erected at Wood Island Park; a contract was given in June and the work completed in August. The amount of the contract was $4,093.40.

ROXBURY.

Land was taken for playground purposes at Mozart street which was developed during the year 1920; contract was given for grading, drainage and building retaining wall which will permit of the enlarging of the playground surface work; work was started August 16 and completed September 25, 1920 $9,195.

Contract was let for the construction of a field house and shelter; work was started in April and completed in October; amounting to $16,445 at Mozart Street Playground.

Contract was given for the regrading of the Mission Hill Playground for the purpose of enlarging the present ball field and fences for running track; work was started May 10 and completed July 24, 1920. Amount of contract was $5,105.45.

JAMAICA PLAIN.

Contract was given for the erection of a fence on the boundary lines at Arnold Arboretum and work was completed during the year 1921. Amount of contract, $4,715.

The large area connected with Carolina Avenue Playground, which has never been utilized by this department for playground purposes, was made useable by the tearing down of the buildings, and a contract was given which started on October 4, for the enlargement of the existing playground and construction work necessary for same.

SOUTH BOSTON.

The old iron fence surrounding Thomas Park, which has been disintegrating for a number of years, was entirely rebuilt; contract was started on May 1 and completed June 16, amounting to $1,840.50.

At Marine Park the Head House was added to and completely altered. This work consisted of a new bathhouse and new pier; work was started September 29, 1920, and completed for the bathing season in June, at a cost of $133,675.

BRIGHTON.

On the Allston Playground the erection of a new field house was started on November 18, work was completed May 1; the cost of same was $20,875.

CHARLESTOWN.

A contract was given for the construction of wooden lockers at the Dewey Beach bathhouse to take the place of the former metal lockers which were in a dilapidated and unsafe condition, due to the salt air. Work was started May 22, 1920, and finished June 15, 1920, and amounted to $3,990.

A contract was also given for a new roof on the Charlestown Heights building. Work was started August 11 and completed October 22; it cost $4,771.

EAST BOSTON.

A contract was given to construct a playground on the old Eagle Hill Reservoir, not used for a great many years and turned over to this department for playground purposes. Work was started June 28, 1920, and completed May 21, 1921. The amount of the contract was $32,245. Contract was also given for the erection of a field house and shelter at the new Eagle Hill Playground, work on which was started August 3, 1920, completed January 15, 1921. The amount of the contract was $36,784.

A contract was given July 22, 1920, for the building of oak seats with concrete posts on playgrounds and parks; on Wood Island Park 440 linear feet was constructed; Eagle Hill, 200 feet. Work was completed on November 1. The amount of the contract was $2,750.

SOUTH END.

Randolph Street Playground: This playground on which no work has been done for a number of years, was put in first-class condition by resurfacing, erecting pipe rail fence, repairs to fence, repairs to building and shelter and the erection of concrete seats. The contract was given and work was started on July 21 and finished on December 16. The amount of the contract was $5,465.70.

CITY GREENHOUSES.

The new greenhouses were added to by the construction of a storage shed; the grounds were graded and the walks and drives were improved, and the buildings are now housing the entire plants of the cemetery and park divisions.

BEACHES.

The various beaches throughout the city were sanded early in the spring. A great many repairs were needed on the L Street building, also at North End Park building.

On account of the extremely hot season during the summer months, the beaches were heavily patronized. Not a single life was lost on any of the beaches under the jurisdiction of this department.