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dollars, or nine per cent. on the whole cost, accruing to the public treasury in a single year as a profit upon the invest

ment.

With the knowledge of such successful financial results in five other cities, it does not now require the same degree of courage as they displayed, to follow in a similar direction.

GENERAL INFLUENCE ON TAXES IN BOSTON.

While the Commissioners do not anticipate any such extraordinary local results from the establishment of parks in Boston, the system proposed in this report being general, instead of being centralized as in New York, and the benefit to estates, therefore, much more widely spread, theyare of the opinion, that, within a very limited period, the same general result will obtain, and the rate of taxation will, thereby, be reduced rather than increased.

The influence of these parks will be such as not only to retain citizens within the limits, who would otherwise seek their domicile in neighboring towns, but it will also be to attract people and capital from the country to the city.

It is not an extravagant proposition, though unsusceptible of proof, that more taxable capital has been driven out of the city and invested in neighboring towns during the past twenty years, for lack of a frontage for dwellings similar to that around the Common and Public Garden, as would pay for the lands and improvements of the parks located under this Act, and that within ten years after laying out the said parks, a larger sum will be retained within the city, legitimately belonging to it, than the cost of these lands and improve

ments.

These remarks are not intended to convey the impression that there is any way to secure parks without paying for them; like all additions and improvements to the city, they will represent the result of human labor, to be paid for by the proceeds of productive industries.

In a limited sense, expenitures for parks are like those made for ornamental architecture and domestic decorations, and for amusements, theatres, music halls, and other luxuries appertaining to modern city life; though, unlike these, the enjoyment of parks is freely shared by the whole community.

PARK LOAN.

By the provisions of the Act, the expenses incurred for the actual purchase or taking of the lands for parks are to be defrayed by the issue of bonds to be designated "Public Park

Loan" made payable at such time as the City Council may decide, and the redemption of said loan is to be provided for by establishing a Sinking Fund, into which are to be paid all moneys received from betterments until such fund shall, with its accumulations, be sufficient to pay said loan at maturity.

BETTERMENTS.

The assessment of betterments due to the establishment of parks is a new problem in this city, and will require careful study whenever it shall come up for adjustment. The degree of benefit to adjacent lands will vary greatly in different localities; while, for instance, it may appear that lands in the vicinity of the urban parks and the park-ways as a whole will be directly benefited, to an amount nearly or quite equal to the first cost of the land taken, those adjacent to the large suburban parks would be increased in value in a much less ratio.

As the law allows two years after the taking of lands for parks, for the assessment of betterments, it has not been thought advisable to make any estimates of them at this time. It is not unlikely, however, that the gross amounts of betterments, with their accumulations, managed as is the custom of the city with its other sinking funds, would be enough to pay the park loan at its maturity, twenty-five or thirty years hence.

EXPENDITURES FOR IMPROVEMENTS.

For the improvement of the park-lands, it remains for the Council to vote moneys from time to time, to be raised by taxation, as may seem to it advisable, and as may be recommended by the Board of Commissioners, as is customary in other branches of the government; therefore, the Commissioners do not submit at this time any plans or estimates for the improvement of the locations. Justice to tax-payers, and a wise prudence in the management of the finances of the city, will suggest that expenditures for improvements should be spread over many years.

CHARACTER OF IMPROVEMENTS.

While the improvements of locations will necessarily differ in character, none should be elaborate. Especially should the sylvan features of the large parks be rigidly protected, and all costly artificial ornamentation be excluded. Simplicity of treatment, only, can harmonize with the natural

beauties of the grounds, while any unnecessary architectural or engineering display will be both a waste and disfigurement. Many of the noblest parks in England have, for centuries, been treated in this manner. "As a general rule, each element in their scenery is simple, natural to the soil and climate and unobtrusive, and yet the passing observer is very strongly impressed with the manner with which the views are successively opened before him, through the innumerable combinations into which the individually modest elements constantly rearrange themselves: views which often possess every quality of complete and expressive landscape composition.

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On the other hand, some of the vast parks of France have been treated in the opposite, extremely artificial, style, with fountains, statuary, monuments, chateaux and gardens, probably because they were originally planned as royal residences, to meet the requirements of a highly extravagant manner of life.

But so extensive are these domains that some portions have always remained in their primitive wildness, and still give shelter to many animals in their natural state. To these splendid possessions the people of France have now succeeded.

NEW STREETS.

In locating some of the parks, it was necessary to consider the extension and widening of certain adjacent streets, already partly built, and also the laying out of entirely new ones. But the Board must not be understood as thereby trenching upon the functions of the Street Commissioners. The degree of success with which these extensions and new streets have been projected is the only claim for their consideration.

If the general direction of these new lines is approved and adopted by the proper authorities, with only inconsiderable changes, the boundaries of the parks affected will readily be made to conform; otherwise radical alterations will probably be necessary. The Commissioners anticipato no difficulty in this connection.

CHARLESTOWN DISTRICT.

The Commisssioners regret that they are unable to recommend in this report any location for a park within the limits of the Charlestown district. No unoccupied land of sufficient area and appropriate character for the purpose exists. The best provision that can be made for the accommodations

of its citizens, at the present time, is to extend the Charlesriver Embankment to Canal bridge, at Leverett street, as has been done, to enable them to reach the general system of parks in the pleasantest and most direct way.

Whenever the city shall acquire territory north of the Charlestown district, it will be necessary to provide one or more parks for the large and increasing population of that neighborhood. There are elevated lands within a short distance which are well adapted for pleasure-grounds.

PARK-WAYS.

Park-ways which differ from highways, by being designed with reference to recreation and ornamentation as well as traffic, are almost unknown in Boston; Commonwealth avenue and parts of Chester park being imperfect illustrations. Good examples exist, or are in process of construction, in New York, Brooklyn, Washington, Chicago, Buffalo, San Francisco, etc.

During the past twenty years Paris has added over eighty miles of such avenues within the city and its immediate environs, varying from 100 to 400 feet in width, bordered with malls and supplied with drives, walks, seats, etc., especially adapted to pleasure purposes, though, in many parts, serving also for ordinary traffic. So much have these noble avenues added to the health, comfort and beauty of the city that most of the capitals and large towns of Europe are making similar improvements, and they are now considered as essential parts of modern city construction. Among the best known instances in Europe may be mentioned Napoleon's "Avenue de l'Imperatrice," now called "Avenue de Bois de Boulogne, leading from the Champs Elysées to the Bois de Boulogne. It is 390 feet wide, has a broad driveway, a saddle-pad and promenades, trees, shrubbery and lawn, and is bordered by elegant houses and gardens, facing the avenue, though chiefly approached by streets from the outside. All classes of citizens and strangers are attracted by the gayety and animation of the spectacle always to be seen upon this beautiful park-way on fine days.

Another similar avenue is the "Prado" at Madrid, leading from one of the main streets of the city to a garden in the suburbs. It is also bordered by fine private and public buildings and gardens, and is thronged in afternoons and evenings with carriages, equestrians and promenaders. The "Prater" at Vienna, five miles in length, has a broad driveway, with foot and saddle-paths on either side, and is the most popular promenade of that capital.

The park-ways described in this report being suburban, may, perhaps, in parts, though not necessarily, be restricted to pleasure uses alone, and still not interfere with the traffic service of the neighborhood; experience only can decide this question. The lands adjoining them will rapidly become favorite building sites, and may also be approached by ordinary parallel streets in the rear or front. The private grounds bordering upon the park-ways will be cultivated and ornamented by the owners of the estates, and thus increase the apparent breadth and general pleasing effect. They will be laid out with sufficient liberality to accommodate all varieties of tastes and habits.

Under proper police regulations as to limits and times, parts of them may, perhaps, be used for driving at speed, as has been found to be both popular and safe elsewhere. If heavy traffic is excluded, the floors of the roadways can be kept in such condition as will add greatly to the comfort and safety of driving, and do much to encourage the use of pleasure equipages. The paths will be entertaining promenades. The soft pads will renew the excellent habit of saddle exercise, which, in consequence of the hard roads of the suburbs, has nearly become a lost art with the present generation. A sketch of a park-way as described accompanies this report.

USE OF PARKS.

The urban parks have been located as near as possible to the present densely occupied parts of the city, for the sanitary reasons before mentioned, and also to serve as everyday play-grounds, where the children can exercise with safety, and as resorts for their parents at the close of a busy day.

But it is believed that the extensive suburban parks will soon be found to be vastly more popular, and that their distance will not prevent them from being thronged during the warm months of the year. The love of rural scenery is universal, and the opportunity only is wanting to prove how thankfully the people will walk mile after mile from their city homes, if only they can find fields and woods where they are free to enjoy their holiday time. The cultivation of the old-fashioned and healthful habit of walking will not be the least of the blessings to follow from the laying out of these suburban parks.

ADJACENT TOWNS.

Many of the towns and villages in the neighborhood of Boston are justly noted for their natural rural beauty, and

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