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REPORT
OF THE
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Board of Park % Boulevard Commissioners
OF KANSAS CITY, MO.

EM BRACING RECOMMENDATIONS
for the
Establishment of a Park and Boulevard System
for Kansas City.
Resolution of October 12, 1893.
Kansas City, Mo.:
Hudson-Kimberly Publishing Co.
' 1893.
Iranspomtion
Library
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...BOARD OF...
Park and Boulevard Commissioners.
AUGUST R. MEYER,
W. S. GLASS,
S. B. ARMOUR,
LOUIS HAMMERSLOUGH,
ADRIANCE VANHBRU-NT,
GEO. E. KESSLER, ENGINEER.
7IL#/%é
13 OFFICE on THE BOARD OF PARK AND
L BOULEVARD COMMISSIONERS,
é KANSAS CITY, M0., October 2, 1893.
Hon. IV. S. Cowfierd, Mayor:
DEAR SIR,——We‘have the honor to report to you in the follow-
ing the results of our investigation and researches, and to submit to
you our conclusions in the matter of providing pleasure-grounds and
boulevards for this city, with which duty it has pleased you to
charge us. ”
Careful consideration of the problem before us has brought the
conviction that we must deal with it in its application to the entire
city. While the recommendation of one improvement at a time
may seem to possess the merit of conservatism, such a course cer-
tainly is open to the criticism that it does not permit, on the part
of the public, an intelligent judgment upon the value of such
improvement. The community as a whole can hardly be expected
to be familiar with the topographical and other conditions within
and about the city, or with all or even a considerable portion of
localities within the city, or in its immediate vicinity, that possess
great natural beauty. The value of selections for public purposes,
their most satisfactory distribution, and the dependence of one
improvement upon another, cannot be appreciated without a gen-
eral plan, and without a full discussion of the considerations that
have had a voice in the preparation of such a plan.
We have therefore thought it best to prepare a plan embody-
ing all improvements which, in our opinion, should be undertaken
in the near future, or the execution of which should, at all events,
be assured or made possible, and at reasonable expense, by select-
ing now, in advance of the growth of values, for public squares and
for local parks, lands of a special character, 2'. e., lands of practical
and ornamental value to the city.
While we feel that conscientious and energetic attention to the
duties imposed, and careful study of the problem before us, justify
that we express our opinions with some confidence, we realize that
we ought to call attention to the following important guiding facts
that we have constantly had before us :
.4.
First. That we are charged with the duty of developing a
plan that shall not only meet present, but future wants.
Second. That to undertake important work in a half-hearted
manner is the poorest economy, and that it is far better to plan com-
prehensively and broadly and proceed with actual construction leis-
urely, than to attempt economy in the original plans, expecting on
that account more ready assent on the part of the public, and more
rapid progress of construction.
Very truly yours, 5/
A. R. MEYER,
W. C. GLASS,
S. B. ARMOUR,
A. VAN BRUNT,
L. HAMMERSLOUGH, '
' Commissioners.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS.
GROWTH OF THE SENTIMENT IN The incorporation of a special
FAVOR 0F PARKS IN article, relating to Parks in the
KANSAS CITY. City Charter of 1889, is the first
evidence of the recognition on the part Of the 1aw~makers and
government Of this city of the demand, on the part Of at least an
important minority of this community, for what is generally but
rather loosely embraced under the term “ Parks.” The provisions
of Article 10 of the Charter of 1889, however, were not of a charac—
ter to permit and promote park work, and probably it was never
intended that they should be. The evidence available is pretty
clear that the article was inserted solely to quiet, for the time being,
an awakening demand.
The bill framed by the late Judge John K. Cravens was an
intelligent efl'ort to provide a law that would actually permit work.
The bill, after some considerable opposition, became a law. Many
of its provisions were admirable, and there can be no doubt that
the policy it advocated, of creating a separate corporation, inde-
pendent in its government as well as in respect of territory under
its control, of any municipal corporation, is best adapted to bring
about the acquisition of, and to provide a proper government for,
arge scenic parks. Such parks being designed for the use Of the
people of the entire city, or possibly of two adjoining cities, the cost
of construction and of maintenance should properly be borne by
all the people enjoying its use, and the government necessarily
must be independent Of either corporation.
The law was unfortunately declared void on account of a tech-
nical flaw—that is, on account of insufficiency Of title. That the law
was attacked, however, was due not to any fear of its being uncon-
stitutional, but to the opposition of certain classes, who were then,
and are perhaps now, inimical to the prosecution of park construc—
tion. Had this opposition been unable to make good the defeat Of
the law in the attack actually made, another would undoubtedly
have been speedily organized.
However, if proof was still wanting that the great majority of
our citizens, those who were the city’s best friends and desired her
greatest advancement, those who believed it the duty of the city
towards its mechanics and laboring men to provide reasonably for
rational enjoyment and recreation, the mechanics and laboring men
themselves, and that great body of citizens to whom life was some-
6
thing more than a mere tread-mill effort to keep~ alive, not only
desired, but demanded, recognition of the city’s need of park
improvement, that proof was forcibly and convincingly supplied
during the charter amendment campaign of 1892, and by the large
vote in favor of a more enlightened and progressive municipal
policy cast at the special election in the spring of 1892.
The charter amendment election improved the park provisions
materially. The amendment, however, which took the place of the
old park provisions, was still seriously defective, in thatfit either
compelled very restricted operations, or imposed heavy burdens.
The inefficiency ‘of the Amended Charter provisions was, how-
ever, promptly met by the presentation to the State Legislature of a
carefully prepared park bill. This bill, which has since been enacted ,
into the present law by the Legislature of 1892, is probably better
suited to the immediate needs of our city than was the Cravens
law. The objects of the two laws differ radically, or perhaps it
would be more just to say, the laws differ radically as to the results
that under them are most readily and advantageously obtainable.
The Cravens law was best adapted to the providing and govern—
ment of large rural parks, which now are obtainable only beyond
the limits of our city. The present park law, on the other hand,
' lends itself most readily and most advantageously to the internal
improvement and beautifying of our city. We will call attention
to the important features of the present park law in another place.
It will be sufficient to say here, that its provisions are particularly
effective in providing a just distribution of the cost of improve-
ments, and in spreading the payment of assessments for improve-
ments over long periods.
The forcible expression of our people at the polls ; the repeated
‘ discussions upon the subject of parks in deliberative bodies, such as
the Commercial Club; the frequent appearance of articles in the
daily press, urging the need of park improvement; the successful
efforts to secure a satisfactory park law, and the very evident senti-
ment that pervades our community in favor of park improvement,
a sentiment that is continuously and persistently asserting itself,
leave no doubt that the majority of our people not only favor park
improvement and park construction, but that they demand and
‘ insist that actual work. shall not be delayed.
The present administration of our city is in full accord with
the public, and if the experience of other large cities counts for
anything, the movement for parks, inaugurated and pushed by the
people, is not likely to experience a set-back in this city.
’7
- AIM AND JUSTIFICATION OF '_The “Park Movement” in this
PARK IMPROVEMENT. country, which has successively and
successfully invaded our large cities, began with the legislation of
1851, that led to the establishment of Central Park, New York.
Mr. F. L. Olmsted, in an able paper read before the American
Social Science As'sociation, analyzes what he calls the originating
impulse of the “Park Movement,” as follows: '
“In Whatthen shall we find the originating impulse, the aim
and justification of the ‘ Park Movement’?
“ Considering that it has occurred simultaneously with a great
enlargement-Of towns and development of urban habits, is it not
reasonable to regard it as a self—preserving instinct of civilization? ”
The healthful effect upon mind and body Of rural surround-
ings and of beautiful natural scenery is evident; to provide these
for people living in crowded cities is an imperative necessity, well
recognized by all who are familiar with the consequences Of the
continually growing tendency towards concentration of population
in cities. That this concentration of population is bound to go on
indefinitely must also be admitted.
Many Of the ills of mind and body that are the direct outcome
of life in a crowded city can be avoided or palliated by access to
surroundings completely differing from those found in the city, sur-
roundings that invite to rest and quiet contemplatiOn and the drop—
ping of all business cares. _ The business man who has permitted
his business to gradually absorb his time and his full powers, the
man and woman who by daily and unremitting toil only can supply
the most necessary wants of the family, the children who during the
most tender age are exposed to the mind- and body—destroying influ-
ences of crowded tenement-houses, all need the quiet, healing and
recreative influence of pure, unalloyed nature to reestablish and main-
tain the moral and physical equilibrium. These influences dwell
only in surroundings of a distinctly and purely rural character, and
if these are to be supplied in a reservation to be set aside, improved
and maintained for generations, that is, if they are 1 to be supplied
in a park, it is indispensable that a very considerable body of land
be selected and acquired for such purpose.
PRELIMINARY WORK OF THE The pr e s e n t Commission has
PARK COMMISSION. . been in Office since April, 1892.
During that period the Commissioners have endeavored to thor-
oughly familiarize themselVes with the duties Of their office. A
committee has visited the cities of Boston, Baltimore, 'Washington,
Brooklyn, New York, Buffalo, St. Louis and Chicago to study park
8
work and park laws, and to ascertain, by inquiry on the ground, the
advantages and results, esthetic and material, that have been obtained
in those cities from park improvement. The Commission and its
engineer have carefully and thoroughly, for two seasons, studied the
topography of the city and surroundings, have examined many local-
ities and parcels of land and have sought knowledge in many direc-
tions, in order to be able to determine upon a plan for the beauti-
fying and improvement of the city that would at the same time be
the most obvious, the most characteristic and likely to result in the
greatest benefit to the city. The Commission has consulted the
eminent firm of landscape architects, Messrs. F. L. Olmsted & Co.,
now Olmsted, Olmsted & Elliot, of Brookline, Mass, and has thereby
had the great advantage of competent advice and guidance during
the most important and critical period of its administration.
The title “Park and Boulevard Commissioners” given the
board by the charter provisions, under which the first appointments
were made, we must look upon, from our standpoint, as particularly
fortunate, Since that title no doubt exercised an influence upon the
general policy adapted by this board, by directing its first attention
to the need of improvement within the city.
The high position in the commercial world already attained‘by
our city, and the well-recognized possession of advantages that
must lead in the near future to yet greater commercial eminence,
assure here a large and densely populated city.
The providing of a large rural scenic park should therefore not
only receive consideration and attention at this time, but it would
be unquestionably the part of wisdom that a satisfactory reservation
be secured as soon as possible, in advance of the utilization of suit-
able lands for other purposes, and in advance of the growth of
values. There are to-day-~ near the city many tracts of land well '
situated, of considerable size, possessed of natural and scenic beauty
of a high character, which would form a most satisfactory basis for
a large scenic park.
While we are in the fullest sympathy with such wise and good
friends of the people as Mr. F. L. Olmsted, and willingly admit the
great usefulness of large scenic parks in correcting and opposing
the evil results of life in crowded cities, we are bound to recognize
that there exist within the boundaries of our city other special
and'urgent problems and peculiar conditions that should engage
our attention, and which, in order that we may be able to render‘
the greater service to the city, should engage our attention first.
9
Under the circumstances, we make no recommendation at this time
Of a large reservation for a scenic park, but confine our recom-
mendations to the more urgently needed public sqnares and local
parks within the city, the embellishment of certain characteristic
points, and the establishment of parkways or boulevards.
These recommendations are made for the reasons we respect-
fully submit in the following :
THE VALUE OF Lying amidst singularly beautiful surround-
BEAUTY. ings, possessing an irregular and diversified topog-
raphy that would lend itself readily to improvement under the hand
of the landscape architect, and abounding within her own limits in
charming and, not infrequently, beautiful spots, our city has not
only so far failed to make use of these advantages, but, on the con-
trary, the desire on the part of the owners of land to quickly
bring their lands into market has resulted in destroying much of
the natural beauty of our city.
There is not within the city a single reservation for public use.
Localities and land that possess natural beauty of a high order, and
there'are many such withinthe city, points that command rare and
distant views into and beyond the great and fertile valley of the
Missouri, are in the hands of private individuals; handsome cliffs
and blufi's, interesting and charming ravines, characteristic Of the
country about us, and which under the treatment Of the skillful
landscape architect would be susceptible of inexpensive conversion
into most valuable public reservations, because, by preserving in
them features of great natural beauty, they would, in a measure,
blend the artificial structure of the city with the natural beauty Of
its site, and at the same time would supply recreation-grounds, are
now themselves disfigured by shanties and worthless structures,
and in turn exercise a depressing effect upon the value of adjoining
lands, better suited than they for private uses.
There has been in our city thus far no public concession to
esthetic considerations. We are but just beginning to realize that
by beautifying our city, making our city beautiful to the eye, and a
delightful place of residence, abounding in provisions that add to
the enjoyment of life, we not only will do our duty to our citizens,
but we shall create among our people warm attachments to the city,
and promote civic pride, thereby supplementing and emphasizing
our business advantages and increasing their power to draw busi-
ness and population. In the location Of our city, with reference to
one of the largest and most prosperous agricultural sections Of this
country, or, for that, matter, of the world, in the large number of
10
important railways serving us, in our already large supply of
important business houses, and in our banks, we possess forces that
ought to, and in all probability will, make this a. great commercial,
manufacturing and financial place; but there are greater possibili-
ties in store for our city. We have it in our power to‘make her
the metropolis of that vast and fertile region, the great Southwest,
which at no distant future is sure to become the home of a large
and prosperous population; but to accomplish this result, we ‘rhust
offer more than business advantages.
To become the metropolis, that is the center, of a large and
prosperous territory that contains a large population, the city must
supply to a degree materially exceeding other rival cities, all the
results of modern progress and of modern civilization. The city
must be the center of the sum total of the thought and the activi-
ties of the people residing within the territory which the city aspires
to dominate. The city must be as well the social center, if she
desires to become, without successful rival, the business center.
The wholesale dry goods business has shown remarkable
strength and growth within the last two years, and yet wholesale
dry goods men assert that if we had one or two more wholesale hat
and cap houses, one or two more clothing houses, and millinery
houses, the dry goods business would thereby be much assisted.
In other words, by providing additional business attraction, we
would enhance the prosperity of business enterprises that we already
possess. .
Our Commercial Club, whose earnest and loyal efforts in behalf
of the city every good citizen appreciates, has brought to our city,
from time to time, people from towns and cities with which our
merchants desire to trade, endeavoring, by cultivating pleasant
social relations with towns and cities naturally tributary to us, to
advance the business interests and to enlarge the business territory
of our city. If, in addition to showing our visitors business
advantages and facilities, we Could in the future show a beautiful
city, show in our open squares, our boulevards and parks that we
pay due attention to the comfort and happiness of our people and
possess rare opportunities of enjoyment, who can doubt that we
would not only largely increase the respect for the enterprise of our
city, but that by possessing a city head and shoulders above, all cities
for a great distance about us, in beauty, a city in which it would be
pleasant and agreeable to live, we would add a powerful attraction
that would never cease to draw our neighbors, and with them would
bring their trade. Our city would then-truly bethe metropolis _ -
11
where everything is better than at home, and where many would
come each year to spend some days in the enjoyment Of its social
and other pleasures.
The conditions of modern life make it possible for many to
give great importance to advantages other than business advantages,
"in the choice of their permanent place of residence. A man who has
' been successful in the building up Of abusiness in a small town, and
after he has thoroughly organized his business, can often direct its
affairs advantageously from a commercial center not too far distant,
and as, with increase of wealth, his desire to enjoy life grows, he
will be very apt to change his residence in favor Of a beautiful city,
where he can enjoy more pleasure and greater comfort than at his
Old home. From such menis made up the capitalist class Of cities,
that class to Whose experience, ability and means the building up
of a city is always largely due. A capitalist in the broadest sense
is a man, not only of money,'but possessed at the same time of
business experience,'sagacity and knowledge. Such men are nec—
essarily the result of slow growth and the restricted territory of an
embryo metropolis is tOO narrow to raise much Of a crop. These
men must be'drawn from without. They must be furnished induce-
ments to change their place of residence. Capital from without is
hard to attract and goes always by preference into lands and build-
' ings of a reasonably secure value. To local capital falls the task to
inaugurate, promote and push new enterprises.
However, it is not only the capitalist who, is attracted by the
beautiful city that assures a pleasant and broad life. The same
attractions have their effect upon all classes, for there is probably
no man or woman that does not prefer agreeable and pleasant sur-
roundings to the reverse, and the more intelligent and cultivated,
and therefore the more productive and useful the man, the higher
his demands of life. The city that confines itself to providing busi-
ness advantages only, cannot in the long run, in competition with
other large cities, maintain an eminent position, and certainly fails
to make the fullest use of its opportunities. .
THE CITY’S DUTY. The material advantage of the city, although
deserving of the greatestattention and consideration, does not sup-
, ply. the only justification for internal improvement and beautifying.
There stands out boldly the claim also of those who are not able to
select their place Of residence, and whose opportunity to temper
the daily recurring struggle for existence with a resonable modi-
éum Of rational enjoyment and recreation depends upon the wis-
dom, not less than upon the humanity, of those who influence and
12'
direct the policy of the government of a city, and of those that
govern it. The duty to provide play-grounds for the children,
recreation-grounds and parks for the great working body of a large
city, cannot fail, and does not fail, of being admitted, and is acted
upon, in every wisely governed and civilized community. To make
the most of life is "the highest duty of the individual, and to, per-
mit and advance its fullest development and enjoyment is clearly
the first and greatest duty of every municipal corporation towards
its citizens. Life in cities is an unnatural life. It has a tendency
to stunt physical and moral growth. The monotony of brick and
stone, of dust and dirt, the absence of the COiOI'S‘inth which nature
paints, the lack of a breath of fresh air, write despair on many a
face and engrave it upon many a heart. ‘ How is the poor man‘s
boy to grow into a cheerful, industrious and contented man, unless
he can play where play alone is possible, that is, on the green turf,
and under waving trees, can take with him into manhood the recol-
lections of an innocent, joyous boyhood, instead of the impressions
of dirty, white-faced and vicious gamins, and their and his acquaint-
ance with immorality and vice.
We believe our city has reached that point where, for every
reason, the undertaking of internal embellishment and the provid-
ing of playgrounds and local pleasure-grounds, or local parks,
should no longer be neglected. The considerations which have
been briefly sketched lead us to strongly recommend that the sup-
plying of play-grounds and of local recreation and pleasure grounds
Should receive the first and immediate attention. We also advise
that there be no delay, in at least acquiring title to parcels of land
now unoccupied, or occupied by temporary structures; lands that,
in addition to serving the purpose of local recreation-grounds or
parks, would permit of retaining for all future time some of the
characteristic features of our natural scenery, and would protect
localities that possess especially fine views. There are many such
opportunities in different localities of the city. The selection and
improvement of such lands for public use, moreover, would make
what are now drawbacks to adjacent territory, and injuriously effect
the best use, and therefore the value, of adjoining property—in fact,
what are now positive eyesores—elements of particular and charac-
teristic beauty of our city. Such policy would not only make this
a beautiful city, but would give the city a special character and
beauty of its own.
EFFECT OF PARKWAYS OR BoULE- It is to the interest of the
VARDS UPON REAL ESTATE city, and of every individual
VALUES. ' within it, that all lands within
13
the limits Of this citybe as fully and advantageously occupied as
possible, and thereby become as valuable as possible. These results
i can be achieved only if lands are occupied and used for the pur-
poses ‘to which they are naturally-and therefore. best, adapted, and
if city improvements be so planned and carried out as to justify and
encourage the fullest use and the highest possible development and
improvement of all lands.
Unfortunately, the location and establishment of a city, and
frequently the attainment Of that dignity, are the result of pure
accident. The future importance Of the place, while imagined and
predicted, cannot be foreseen with certainty. There is consequently
a great difficulty in securing co-operation among land-owners,
and a development in the general interest becomes difficult, if not
impossible. Streets are laid out to accommodate either actually
existing, immediate wants, as they are at the time understood and
urged, or to accommodate the wishes and fancied needs of the land-
owners. The laying out of additions is badly controlled, if at all,
and follows the individual judgment and advantage of the land—
owner, giving no heed to the advantage or the best interests of the
community. ' -
Residences go up in remote parts of the city, near the city
limits, or in the suburbs, in order to escape the erratic tendency of
shops and small business houses to fasten themselves upon a colony
of houses that promise patronage, only, however, to draw other
small shops and business houses that seem determined to capture
local trade. After a period of this sort, the natural result is a large
sprawling combination of city and village. A sharp division of
localities, or even streets, according to use, does not exist. Uncer-
tainty as to use is a direct hindrance to improvements, and therefore
this state of aflairs has encouraged the erection oftemporary build—
ings, or of buildings of an inferior character. The conditions above
described have at some period Of their history been operative in most
of our large cities, and have produced the same general results. Kan-
sas City has not been an exception. With us an erratic and tantaliz-
ing topography has discouraged the adoption of a plan adapted to
natural conditions and from which the best results would have been
obtainable. Fifteen or twenty years ago a plan might have been
adopted that would have made this one Of the most beautiful cities
in the world. That plan would have involved withdrawing from
private use and reserving for the use Of the public many-of the
__ ravines and bluffs that are but poorly suited for private improve-
ment, but which, if improved and maintained as public reservations,
14.
would not only have laid the foundation for a magnificent park sys-
tem, but would thereby have vastly increased the value of adjoining
lands. It is by no means too much to say that had such a policy
been pursued, the assessed valuation of lands within the limits of the
city would to-day be far greater than it is. The difficulty at that
time, however, was that such a policy could not be fully appreciated,
because Kansas City was not then what she is now, and did not then
promise the future that we all now believe is in store for her, and
the adoption of such a policy would have seemed to involve heavy
burdens upon the then smaller community. The conditions that we
now actually find clearly demand that there be established, if pos-
sible, a strong tendency towards concentration and uniformity of
use. A basis must be established for future development, to
the end that every future improvement in the city may be
of a permanent character, and of a high order. The fixing and
classification of residence sections appears to be the only available
remedy to correct the evils to which attention has been called.
That remedy we believe will be found in the establishment of a
boulevard system. Such a system, if carefully planned, if it give
due weight to existing conditions and adapt itself to the topography,
avoiding as much as possible forced routes and forced construction,
will give a permanent residence character to certain sections of the
city, and will determine and fix for a long time to come, if not per-
manently, the best and most valuable residence property. It will
do more. By giving within the city some of the advantages of the
country, but better roads and better kept roads than are usually found
in the suburbs, in addition to all the advantages that city life affords,
a comprehensive, well-planned and thoroughly maintained system of .
boulevards will check the tendency to spread out and to build resi-
dences in the suburbs, by producing the opposite tendency, that is,
to build within the city.
The checking of the tendency to spread out and to build up
suburbs, and thereby bringing about the more complete utilization
of lands, and the close building up, within the city, is, under proper
conditions, not only no disadvantage, but an advantage, because it
will encourage the most complete sanitary provisions and the best
maintenance of streets and alleys. Even street car companies are
benefited by checking the tendency to build up suburbs, for a line
througha well-settled section within the city yields much greater
revenue than a long suburban line.
The best and most expensive residences will go up along
boulevards, but these avenues will exercise a decided effect upon
15
the character of residences to a considerable distance on each side.
They will, in fact, create compactly and well built-up residence
sections. ‘
The residence sections firmly established, retail business that
supplies the many and frequent wants of the family will find its
legitimate foothold, and all buildings erected for the purposes of
such business will conform to the character of the improvements
along the street and in the section on and in which they are located,
thereby further adding to, instead of detracting from, the general
harmony and unifority of improvements and helping to establish
the same more firmly. The general retail business will develop a
strong tendency tOWards concentration upon certain streets most
advantageously situated, thereby bringing about a more cOmpact
building-up of such streets. The occupation of lands generally
within the city will be encouraged and will henceforth be in accord
with the uses to which these lands are best adapted. Values of
lands within the city will reach a level in harmony with the uses to
which the lands are best suited, and those uses having been defi-
nitely established, values, instead of being variable and uncertain,
will become fixed. The condition where blacksmith shop, hotel,
store and residence dwell peacefully side by side is the condition of
the village. In the city the retail merchant will select, as the most
advantageous location, the street that contains many establishments
of the same character as his. The man desiring to build a hand-
some residence will expect to be able to select a street which is
sure to be used for residence purposes only, and for residences of
the same class as that which he intends to build. It is Such uni-
formity. of use in a restricted territory that gives special value to
lands. '
EXPERIENCE OF OTHER The experience of other large cities
CITIES. that have undertaken systematic park
and boulevard construction is in complete harmony with the con-
clusions presented above. The experience of Chicago is especially
interesting, because its boulevard and park improvements are entirely
artificial. Chicago possessed no diversified topography, had no
lands or places of a high order of natural beauty, no well-wooded
sections that possessed really good trees, to invite utilization for
pleasure-grounds or drives, and still, under these discouraging con-
ditions there has been created, by purely artificial means, though
with the employment of the very highest skill, a beautiful .and
gigantic system of boulevards and parks, which admittedly has been
of great advantageto Chicago. Chicago and her parks and boule-
16
yards are mentioned in the same breath. Without her parks and
boulevards Chicago would not be the city She is to-day; would not
possess the tremendous power of attracting men and money that g
has enabled her to assume, within a few years, her place among the
great cities of the world, and that has enabled her to plan and suc—
cessfully execute some of the most- gigantic enterprises the world
has ever known. A careful observer of Chicago’s park and boulevard -
system cannot fail to notice the illustration, on a grand Scale, of the
effect of boulevards upon the full utilization of lands within’ the city,
and upon the Sharp separation of localities as to use. Towards the
south, which is the principal direction in which boulevards and
parks have been constructed, the vacant lands between former
suburbs, such as Hyde Park, and the main city, are rapidly filling
up with first-class residences. There is not a boulevard in Chicago,
in any direction, that does not Show in a marked degree and man-
ner its influence upon the character of the buildings upon its sides.
So well is this influence appreciated in Chicago, that, even with her
already tremendous system, plans for new and additional construc—
tion are constantly under consideration, and even now are in proc-
ess of execution. On Grand Boulevard residence property sells
at $500.00 a foot, and on 'the handsomer Drexel Boulevard values
reach $1,000.00 per foot. The business sections are Sharply defined
and closely built up. The following list of Chicago boulevards and
parks, which has not been revised for some years, will give an idea
of the importance and significance of this class of city improvement
in our successful and prosperous neighbor. , '
SOUTH PARK DISTRICT.
BOULEVARDS. LENGTH. WIDTH.
Michigan Avenue Boulevard - - . - - . . 5% miles. 100 feet.
Drexel Boulevard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I % “ 200 “
Grand Boulevard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 “ 198 “
Oakwood Boulevard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . % “' 100 “
Garfield Boulevard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3. 5 “ 200 “
Western Avenue Boulevard . . . . . . . .2.81 “ 200 “
Thirty-fifth Street Boulevard . . . . . . .32 “ . .. “
Fifty-seventh Street Boulevard . . . . .03 “ 100 “
Total mileage of boulevards, 16. 37, of which considerably over
one-half, namely, 9.89 miles, have a width of 200 feet.
PARKS. ‘
Jackson Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 523.9 acres.
Washington Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371 “
Midway Plaisance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > . . . . . ., . . 8O “
Gage Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 “
Total park area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9949 “
WEST SIDE SYSTEM.
BOULEVARDS. LENGTH. WIDTH.
Washington Boulevard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.2 5 miles. 100 feet.
Central Boulevard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I. 5 “ 2 5O “
‘ Douglass Boulevard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .75 “ 2 50 “
Humboldt Boulevard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “ 2 5o “
Total mileage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5.50 “
PARKS.
Union Park . . . . . .‘ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .- acres.
Jefferson Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ., 5 % “
Garfield Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I85 “
Humboldt Park . . . .' . . . . . . .' . . . . . . . . . . . 200 ‘F
Douglass Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 “
Total acreage. .- . . . . . . . . . . .. 570- “
NORTH SIDE SYSTEM.
The North Side system, so far, cOmprises the Lake Shore Drive,
a beautiful drive along the front of Lake Michigan, ending in Lin-
cOlnPark. The length of the drive is over three miles. LincOln
Park contains 250 acres.
This partial list alone accounts for twenty-five miles Of boule-
vard and 1,980 acres of parks, or, taking the census of I890, we
have 1.8 acres of parks for every 1,000 inhabitants.
In addition to the above parks, Chicago has eleven smaller
grounds, occupying about fifteen acres each on an average.
The third annual report of the Board of Park Commissioners
of New York, I873, shows the assessed value of three wards ad-
joining Central Park to have been in I8 56—that is the year previous
to the laying out of the park—$26,429,565oo; assessed value in
1873, $236,081.51 5.00; showing therefore for the period Of seventeen
years in the three wards an increase of the taxable value of prop-
erty amounting to $209,65I,9 50.00. The rate of increase of all the
other wards in the city was about 100 per cent, and applying this
general rate of increase to the three wards for the period stated, the
___
18
natural increase without the influence of the park would have been
$26,000,000.00, which would have made therefore the total assessa-
ble valuation in 1873, $53,000,000.00, but, as stated, the actual as-
sessed valuation in 1873 was $236,000,000.00, showing‘therefore .
that there was an increase directly attributable to the influence of ‘
the park amounting to $183,000,000.00. The rate of taxation in
1873 was 2.5 per cent, and at this rate of taxation the yearly in-
crease of receipts on account of the increased valuation due; to the
expense made on Central Park amounted to $5,241,298.00. I
The total expense for construction from May Ist, I8 57, to Janu-
ary Ist, 1874, was $8,873,671.00, and the cost of land was, up to
that time, $ 5,028,884.00. The total cost of the park therefore was
$13,902,51500. f
The total annual income of taxes from the three wards, as
stated, was 8 5,241,298.00. Deduct from this the actual interest
charges on the cost of the land at six per cent, amounting to $830,-
150.00, and there is shown to have been an excess of receipts
from taxes in the three wards over interest on cost of lands, due en-
tirely to the increased taxable value coming from the expenditure
on the park, amounting to $4,411,140.00. In 1886 a Commission
selected to locate lands for public parks, in their reports to the New
York Legislature, showed that up to 1886 the city of N ewYork had
received from Central Park $17,000,000.00 over the cost of the ”
land, interest on bonds, expense of maintenance and improvement,
etc., since the law for its creation was enacted. The amount that
had been paid for landwas $6,666,381.00; construction, $9,873,844.00;
maintenance, $6, 500,000.00; interest during twenty-five years,
$20,755,925.00; total cost, $43,796; 50.00. The aggregate amount
of taxes collected in three wards during the period amounted to
$1 10,000,000.00. Deduct from this . the total expense, leaves
$67,796,150.00. Deduct from this the estimate of amount of
increase of taxes due to Ordinary causes, $50,000,000.00, and there
is left a profit of $17,000,000.00.
Another interesting experience, showing how values were
created by the park, was reported by the commision as follows:
In the year preceding the passage 0f the bill establishing Cen-
tral Park, a piece of property adjoining the park lands had been
sold for $3,000. When it was known that the act establishing the
park would probably pass, the property sold for $4, 500. ' W'hen
legislation had been secured, it sold for $10,000. Four years later
the land was purchased by Mr. Geo. Douglass for $40,000, and
twelve years later was sold for $1,2 50,000.
19
The Back Bay improvements in Boston were begun in 1877.
The Park Board estimated in their report of 1890 that I 5, 388, 567
square feet of land were benefited by the laying out of improve-
ments, and this area showed an increased valuation, in the period
from 1877 to 1890, of $23,094,549, or an average of $1.50 per
square foot. The bettermentslaid upon the lands aggregated 5.6
cents per square foot. This asseSsment, therefore, was 3.8 per cent of
the valuation of these lands in I877, while the increased valuation in
1890 was 207 per cent, or more than fifty-three times the amount
of the betterments assessed. It is stated that even then only one-
half of the betterments could be charged under the laws to the
estates benefited. The valuation of the remaining portions of the
city Of Boston, during the same period, increased only I8 per cent,
and most of this increase came from the business districts. The
increase of taxes on_this inereased valuation of land, during the
period of thirteen years, amounted'to $2,158,123 ; increase Of taxes
on buildings erected on this land in the same period were $1, 54 6,1 37;
total increase taxation, $3,704,261. If there be added to this
amount the amount of betterments assessed, amounting to $316,010,
there is shown a total income of $4,020,271, against the total
expense for parks, including interest on loans, of $6, 5 37,616.
The increase in revenue in 1890 over I877, in taxes, was, on
land, $307,157; on buildings, $243,763.
Evidences of the earning power of parks could be multiplied.
We will give, however, only two additional examples.
The Buffalo Park Commission Of I886 reports that the addi-
tional taxes received from the increased valuation of the lands in
the vicinity of the parks was sufficient to pay the interest upon the
park bonds and the full quota to the sinking fund necessary for
their ultimate payment. 1n the three wards from which the park
lands were originally taken the increased valuation Of land repre-
sents one-third of the total increase of valuation of all the lands in
the city.
The most instructive experience, however, comes from Brook-
lyn. In 1887 Brooklyn had a park area of about 900 acres. The
original cost of the purchase of 1,000 acres was $4,000,000. One
hundred acres were reserved to be laid out and sold in lots, and 100
of these lots had been already sold for $ 500,000. There remained
700 lots, on which it was expected to realize $1, 500,000. It will be '
seen, therefore, that fifty per cent of the total cost of the entire park
area will ultimately be repaid from the sale of one-tenth of the lands
purchased.
20
The foregoing clearly proves that park and boulevard construc-
tion takes high rank as an investment. The truly surprising effect
of park and boulevard construction upon the value of abutting and
neighboring property returns to those who pay the..greater part of ‘
the cost of such construction the investment thus made many times
over. The increased value of lands and the erection of buildings 1
of a high class and of a more expensive character along the boule—
vards and in the vicinity of parks will bring about a very-decided-
increase in taxable values, and thereby in a greater revenue derived
by the city. 8
The following table, which is taken from a very interesting
compilation of park statistics by Mr. W. H. Eckman, printed in
1888, will be instructive and will Show mOre thoroughly than is
possible in any other manner the importance attached to park
improvements in the large cities of the world.
NO. OF INHABIT-
CITY. POPULATION. PARK AREA. - ANTS TO
EACH ACRE.
NewYork . . . . . . ..1,500,000....... 1,111. . . . . ..'.1,350
Brooklyn . . . . . . . . . 750,000. . . . . . . 598, . . . . . . . {1,254
Philadelphia . . . . . . . 1,000,000 . . . . . . . 3,000 . . . . . . . . 333
Boston . . . . . . . . . . .. 425,000 . . . . . .. 3,300.... 130
Baltimore . . . . . . . 437,155 . . . . . .. 839 . . . . . . .. 521
Chicago . . . . . . . . . . 693,861 . . . . . . . 2,847 . . . . . . 243'
St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . 420,000 . . . . . . . 2,232 . . . . . . . . 188
Cincinnati . . . . . . . . 325,000 . . . . . . . 400 . . . . . . . . 812
San Francisco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Buffalo . . . . . . . . . . . . 240,000 . . . . . . . 600 . . . . . . .I. I
Detroit. . . . . . . . . . . 200,000 . . . . . . . 700 . . . . . . . . 286
Washington . . . . . . . 203,459 . . . . . . . 7 1,000. . . . . . 203
Albany. . . . . . . . . . . . 100,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Allegheny City. . . . 100,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . .
Cleveland . . . . . . . . . 250,000 . . . . . . . 93. . . .. . .2,688
London. . . . . . . . . . .4, 500,000 . . . . . . . 22,000 . . . . . . . . 205
Paris . . . . . . . . . . . ..2,250,000 . . . . . ..172,000. . . . .. 13
Vienna. . . . . . . . . . . 800,000 . . . . . . . 8,000 . . . . . . . . 100
Berlin . . . . . . . . . . ..1,174,293. . . .. 5,000 . . . . . . .. 235
Dublin . . . . . . . . . . . . 366,000 . . . . . . . 2,000 . . . . . . . . 183
Brussels . . . . . . . . . . 3 50,000 . . . . . . . 1,000 . . . . . . . . 350
Amsterdam . . . . . . . 350,000 . . . . . . . 800. . . . . . . . 437
Tokio . . . . ._ . . . . . ..1,000,000 . . . . . . . 6,000 . . . . . . .. 167
21
THE IMPROVEMENT OF KANSAS CITY.
TOPOGRAPHY. It would be difficult to find anywhere a
locality that can rival the topographical eccentricities of the site of our
city. Broadly speaking, the site of Kansas City consists of a plateau of
a rolling, undulated surface, that rises boldly to a considerable eleva-
tion from four deep valleys: the Missouri valley on the north, the Kaw
valley on the west, the Brush Creek valley on the south, and the Blue
valley on the east. With a few local exceptions, the plateau presents
to these valleys a bold and picturesque face of limestone cliffs and
terraces. The exceptions are graceful slopes formed of the detritus
of the limestone bluffs, and occasional banks of clay. O. K. Creek,
which drains into the Kaw, and Goose Neck Creek, which empties
into the Blue, cut into this plateau a practically continuous valley
from southwest to northeast. This valley is substantially followed
by the Kansas City Belt Railroad, except that in places the railroad
leaves the valley and cuts into the slopes to the south, thereby
establishing a number of points where the city streets that go south
on the ridges may cross the railroad tracks above grade. The valley
formed by O. K. Creek and Goose Neck Creek divides the city into
a North and South Side.
Main and Delaware Streets follow the bottom Of a deep depres—
sion from which the ground rises more or less steeply both to the
west and the east. This depression has led to the generally adopted
division into the East and West Sides. The depression which brings
about this division, however, loses itself to the south in the O. K.
Creek valley. The ravine which crosses Grand Avenue south of
the Belt Line, the heavy cut where Grand Avenue enters the territory
south of the Belt Line, and the general inaccessibility of the section
south Of O. K. Creek and west of Grand Avenue justify the distinc-
tion southwardly of the West Side.
THE NORTH SIDE. At its northern extremity the North Side
drops Off precipitously into the Missouri valley, leaving between the
blufl° line and the river a strip of varying width, known as the East
Bottoms. By the leveling down of the clay banks near the river,
in the early history of the town and within recent times, between
\Vyandotte and Locust Streets, and through the mouth of the large
ravine at the foot of Lydia Avenue, by way of Fifth Street, the East
Bottoms are made directly accessible from the retail section of the
city. hVith the exception stated, however, the East Bottoms lie far
below the locality known as the North Side, and since the Bottoms
are only useful for railroad and manufacturing purposes, this part Of
the city need receive no further consideration in this report. To the
22
west of Lydia Avenue, the North Side, with the exception of some
remaining clay banks, has been leveled down to the railroads and
the river, and this part of the city is occupied principally by small
business and manufacturing h0uses and the residences of the poorer
class. At Lydia Avenue one of the largest ravines on the North
Side has its opening. This ravine runs south beyond Eighth Street,
East of Lydia Avenue the bluff line becomes bold, and from here, to
the point where the bluff is cut off by the valley of the Blue, the
face of the bluff is a succession of high picturesque limestone"5 cliffs
and limestone terraces, which, however, in many places are cut into
by ravines that further enhance and diversify the beauty of the
blufl region and the face of the bluff toward the Missouri River.
These ravines are of varying length and width. The most exten-
sive east of Lydia Avenue is that which has its mouth at Agnes
Avenue. From the largest ravines, small ones usually separate, run-
ning ofi to the sides, thus adding greatly to the beauty of the lands
that extend up to the ravines, but cutting them up to such an ex-
. tent as to largely destroy their use for good residences, for which
use, on account of isolated position and fine unobstructed views,
these lands seem especially intended and well Situated. The high
lands on the ridges have in many places the appearance of promon-
tories, which, where they extend to the edge of the bluff and end in
bold limestone walls or cliffs, assume even a grand and magnificent
appearance, and inVite to utilization for first-class residences. Gar
field Avenue occupies the center of such a bold promontory... To
the west of this pointis a ravine that absorbs the space between
Highland and Woodland Avenues, throws out one branch towards
the southeast and another t0wards the southwest, thereby seriously 9
breaking up the entire section between Highland and Woodland
Avenues as far south as Lexington Avenue. To the east, Garfield
Avenue point is separated from the main plateau by a ravine which
breaks into the bluff line at the foot of Brooklyn Avenue and gives
to that street an outlet to the river. This ravine turns due east be-
tween Dora and St. John Avenues, thereby separating a high and
narrow ridge, from which beautiful views are obtained over the val-
ley of the Missouri, from the section generally known as Pendleton
Heights. This little ravine forms a charming dell between the high
ridge just mentioned and the valuable residence property of Pendle—
ton Heights. It is one of the localities, as will be seen later, which
can most advantageously be used for public purposes, and which
ought, by all means, to be so reserved in the interest of the resi-
dence section to the south—that is, Pendleton Heights. The North
23
Side, especially that pOrtion to the west of Walrond Avenue, falls off
gently towards the O. K. Creek valley, and within these limits
there is contained a vast amount of property well suited for resi-
dence purposes. Within four or five blocks of the edge of. the bluff
good land continues eastwardly for a considerable distance beyond
Walrond Avenue; otherwise, south of this high land and east of
Walrond Avenue, the territory of the North Side is pretty badly
cut up by the numerous runs that drain into Goose Neck Creek, a
tributary of the Blue. ,
THE SOUTH SIDE. The South Side is a topographical enigma.
Viewed from the North Side, and from a distance, it presents to the
eye an unbroken though somewhat steep slope towards the O. K.
Creek valley. Close examination, however, reveals a system of
ravines so intricate that a fair conception of that territory can be
secured only by prolonged and repeated tours of investigation.
Between Jefferson Street, at the west, and Prospect Avenue, at the
east, the bluff line is not unlike a rocky coast line, indented with
deep fiords. The ravines within the limits west and east, as
described, run from the south to the north, many Of them with the
head on the plateau almost as far south as the present city limits,
and with the mouth Opening towards the O. K. Creek valley.
'These ravines throw out numerous branches and make fantastic
"twists, producing a topography of an irregularity and diversity that
can hardly be imagined without being seen. This region, occupy-
ing practically the entire territory between Jefferson Street and
Prospect Avenue, and between the O. K. Creek valley and Spring-
field Avenue, must have possessed rare beauty before it was touched
by the hand of man. The attempt to place over this irregular ter-
ritory a gridiron system Of streets results in an appearance Of rag-
gedness that is all but indescribable. The ridges between the
ravines are high, isolated and sightly, and contain considerable land
admirably suited for residence purposes, and, in fact, the better of
the ridges are now so occupied. The best ridges are those occu-
pied by Holmes, Troost, Tracy and Brooklyn Avenues. The streets
that follow the bottoms of the ravines and those which, part way
up the sides, cut into the slopes and climb up towards the top Of
the plateau at Springfield Avenue and south thereof, however, are
moStly occupied by settlements that seem to have been sown by the
whirlwind. Reasonable grades to the South Side are obtainable
only on the ridges, or in the bottoms of the ravines. Between Jef-
ferson Street and Prospect Avenue the best ridges are occupied
by street-car lines; namely, on Holmes Street, Troost, Brooklyn
24
and Prospect Avenues. The country between Grand Avenue and
Holmes, and that between Holmes and Troost Avenue, is cut up
and carved up in a most surprising manner, except as to isolated
localities.
The ravine which opens into the O. K. Creek valley at Main
Street crosses Grand Avenue and divides into a west and east.
branch. The western branch runs just east of Union Cemetery,
closely following Locust Street south to the city limits. The. east-
ern branch most effectually does its work of breaking iiup the
country between Grand Avenue and Holmes Street and crosses-
Holmes Street at about 27th Street, so that there is but little desir-
able residence property left between. Grand Avenue and Holmes
Street, excepting the ridge followed by Holmes Street and some of
the country south of 27th. Between Campbell and Harrison is the
mouth of another huge ravine, which, after doing all manner of
damage to the region between Charlotte and Campbell Streets north
of 27th, destroys the continuity south, of land abutting upon Har-
rison Street, and which is of a fine character north of 27th Street.
Troost Avenue occupies a handsome ridge that drops ofl into this
ravine t0 the west, and into another more Shallow ravine that
parallels Forest Avenue to the east. Forest Avenue, although part
way down this ravine, is a handsome street, and is an exception to
the streets that out along the slopes of ravines below the tops of
the ridges. Vine Street occupies the bottom of a large ravine,
which tears up more land probably than any other. The effect ofthis
ravine is felt substantially between Tracy Avenue and Brooklyn
Avenue (eight blocks) and between ‘20th Street and the city limits.
(eleven blocks). Its ramifications produce some beautiful, isolated
ridges and sightly points, most notable among which is that upon
which stands the palatial residence of Dr. Ridge. Another handsome-
point occurs at 26th and Brooklyn, another at Woodland and 28th,
and still another at Flora and 29th. Brooklyn Avenue north of
27th Street remains on a fine high ridge, and up to that point will,
undoubtedly develop a fine residence section. East of Brooklyn,
at Wabash Avenue, is the last ravine that drains into 0. K. Creek.
At 23d Street this ravine forks, one branch running parallel t0-
Wabash south to 25th Street, and the other east of and parallel
with Montgall to a point on 25th Street between Montgall and
Chestnut, thereby making much uneven land north of 25th, between
Montgall and Wabash. South of this uneven ground and east of' ,
Brooklyn to Indiana Avenue there is a considerable area of high and
comparatively smooth land, admirably suited for residence purposes-
‘25
This land drains into the Blue through Goose Neck Creek at the
north and through Shuttle Run at the south. Between the valleys
of these two creeks and the lateral drains that meet these water-
courses extends one of the handsomest ridges about Kansas City,
on the top of which the Old Independence and Westport road winds
its way towards the valley of the Blue. This high ridge commands
beautiful views, and is swept by refreshing breezes; it extends to
the ravine system that drains into the valley of the Blue at the
eastern edge Of the plateau, and at the edge of the plateau towards
the Blue possesses some of the handsomest and most charming
views obtainable near Kansas City into the Blue valley. Between
Prospect Avenue and Indiana Avenue, on account of the less
broken condition of the land and its gehtleslope-towards the-valley
of the Goose Neck, the best grades from the North to the South Side
are obtainable. The South Side reaches its highest point and water-
shed about at the present city limits. The ridge which forms the
water-shed is not over three blocks wide and swings around to a
connection by way of Prospect Avenue with the high ridge just
described that extends to the bluff line at the Blue, between the
Goose Neck and the Shuttle Run. Linwood Avenue, just south Of
the city limits, is almost in the center of the ridge forming the
water-shed between O. K. Creek and Brush Creek. From this ridge
the drainage towards Brush Creek again develops erosions, but they
are not so pronounced and not so deep as the ravines towards O. K.
Creek. At the same time, much of the land south Of Linwood
Avenue is very uneven. The final drop into the valley of Brush
Creek, while not very great, is still in the main precipitous and
develops a number of fine limestone cliffs and limestone walls.
THE WEST SIDE. That part of the West Side so designated by
common consent is bounded by Main and Delaware Streets to the
east, the West Bottoms (low land between the Missouri and Kaw
rivers) on the west, the Missouri River to the north, and the O. K.
Creek valley to the south. As will be seen later on, the West Park
district embraces, in addition to this area, that section of the South
Side lying west of Main Street. Towards the east, the boundary of
the West Side. is not so pronounced'as other divisions that have been
described, and as the divisions of the West Side to the west and
south. From the edge of the bluff at the west to Main and Dela-~
ware Streets the slope, thanks to much artificial work, is gradual.
The West Side, as embraced in the West Park district, is divided by
the O. K. Creek valley. The slope from the north to O. K. Creek
presents no special features, except that toward the western edge,
where the O. K. Creek and Turkey Creek valleys break through the
26
bluff into the valley of the Kaw, the limestone formation is exposed
in steep, high walls. Between Main Street and Broadway the grades
from the North Side to the O. K. Creek valley are good, or fair.
, Broadway itself is brought down to the O. K. Creek valley by means
of a heavy fill across the Slope from the rim of the bluff towards O.
K. Creek. All of the streets west of Broadway have an uneven or
steep grade, and, on account of the fringing of the high land to-
wards the O. K. Creek valley, which made considerable filling and
cutting necessary, are flanked by more or less ragged 1ands,;'i:0nsid-
erably below or above grade, until the edge or rim of the bluff is
reached. The high land of the plateau reaches its most Southern
point about at Reservoir Hill, and from there winds to the north-
east in an' uneven line past 18th and Penn to about 16th and Broad-
way. All of the land between this southern edge and about 6th
Street to the north has a fairly even Slope towards Main Street. This,
however, is principally due, of course, to tearing down of hills and
filling up of holes, a process that has given rise to much ingenuity
on the part of real estate agents and that has been the means of ad- '
vertising Kansas City extensively. South of O. K. Creek, between
Main Street and the Penn Street ravine, the plateau drops off to the
north with steep slopes, which are still well wooded and picturesque.
West of the Penn Street ravine the southern plateau swings around
into the Turkey Creek valley, and its edge is cut into by numerous
ravines that produce a picturesque and wild region, abounding in
rocky gulches and ridges, steep limestone terraces and high limestone
walls. This entire region is densely covered with short timber. ‘The
entire region between Summit Street and the Southwest Boulevard,
and from O. K. Creek south, is of this general character. The high
elevation of the plateau above Turkey Creek valley, the picturesque
character of its bluff line, and the deep gorges beneath it make the
region directly east of the bluff especially suited for handsome resi—
dences. This region has, however, been muchneglected, because it
has no satisfactory outlet to the north, and, in fact, has no satisfactory
outlet to the city, except south of 32d Street by way of Grand Avenue.
This territory embraces one of the largest and most sightly regions
in the vicinity of Kansas City, admirably suited for residence pur.._
poses, but so far but little utilized.
Between this very handsome section and the other almost equally
beautiful territory between Penn Street and Grand Avenue lies the
Penn Street ravine, which has been referred to several times, and
which is without doubt one of the most charming natural spots in the
vicinity of the city. To the west, closely following the ravine, and
27
climbing up the slope of the plateau, maintaining itself on high landi
is Jefferson Street. On the east, part way up the side of the ravine,
and hugging closely a handsome limestone cliff, following in the main
an even grade, the old Santa Fé trail, or Westport road, winds its
way towards the top of the plateau at about 32d Street. The ravine
forks at 30th Street, sending one branch westwardly towards the
Orphan Asylum, the other eastwardly towards Main Street. Between
these two branches, the high land pushes forward to a point that
possesses a fine view down the ravine across to the city at the
north and over to the hills beyond Turkey Creek valley. The Penn
Street ravine undoubtedly offers the best opportunity for a really
satisfactory and beautiful connecting link between the two portions
of the West Side, divided by the O. K. Creek valley. Like other
ravines, this one also is overrun with unsightly constructions,
except as to a few homes with well-kept lawns near the mouth of
the ravine. _
The plateau north of O. K. Creek ends towards the West Bot-
toms, Or Kaw valley, in a formation of high, steep limestone terraces,
which, north of I2th. Street, have been made steeper and rougher
by the quarrying of stone. This terrace occupies the entire face of
the bluff from 6th Street to the southern edge of the bluff, where it
is cut off by the valley of O. K. Creek. This very attractive terrace
formation, full of delightful possibilities, crowned in many places
with beautiful residences, is, like other similar localities already
referred to that possess great natural beauty, overrun with cheap
and unsightly shanties, which, while they cannot entirely destroy
the natural beauty of the locality, mar it, and for the time being
make it an eye-sore.
Such is the topography of Kansas City, diversified and intricate
to a degree, abounding in many localities of a high order of natural
beauty that seem only to await the treatment of the landscape
engineer to become of great practical and ornamental value to the
city. i
Below the bluffs in the West Bottoms, and again far below the
bluffs to the north, in the East Bottoms, and to a lesser extent in
the O. K. Creek valley, are located the railroads and freight houses,
and obtain the facilities for manufacturing establishments and for
heavy wholesale houses. High above them, on the bluffs of the
West, North and South Sides, are situated the lands suitable for
residence purposes, absolutely secure from the encroachment of
railroads and manufacturing establishments. This state of afiairs
will always be of inestimable advantage. The city can grow east
28
to the valley of the Blue and south to Brush Creek and probably
beyond, covering an area suflicient for a large population, without
fear of railroad crossings, except as to the tracks in the O. K. Creek
valley, which tracks, hoWever, as already stated, can in many places be
crossed above grade. The city therefore possesses great advantages
over cities which are located on level ground, and where the build-
ing of railroads cannot be confined to certain wellsdefined localities.
The depression which finds its deepest point in Main, Street
forms a natural base line for the best class of retail business"? While
this section enjoys the great advantage of easy connection at the
north end with the East Bottoms, and at the south end with the val-
ley of O. K. Creek, and therefore with practically all the railroads
that enter Kansas City, it is still free from much of the heavy traffic
and wholesale business, because that business, owing to the great
facilities offered near the railroads in the low and level grounds
around the bluffs, will always remain in the bottoms below the city,
and to a lesser degree in the valley of O. K. Creek. By far the
greater amount of the wholesale business of Kansas City, and the
business of its manufacturing establishments, although of enormous
proportions, never sees the residence and retail business sections, but
is transacted far beyond and below them. This state of affairs muSt
add immensely to the value of the city as a residence city. From
the natural base line of retail business on Main Street, this business
does now and will continue to spread to the streets to the east and
west parallel .to Main Street, and will also follow certain cross
Streets to the west and beast, probably those which are now occupied
by street-car'linI-es and which have» already assumed, the character
of principal avenues between the west and east. Eighteenth and _
19th Streets, which have good grades, and to which the cable-lines
have also given the character of main thoroughfares and business
avenues, are located in the center of the lands least valuable for resi-
dence sections of the North and South Sides—namely, between the
sections to the north occupying the low land in the valley, and those
to the south located in the irregular ravine territory—and will be
occupied by the cheaper retail business and cheaper residences. On
account of the railroads in the O. K. Creek valley, there will
undoubtedly be in this region considerable development in manu~
facturing establishments and in wholesale business. ‘-
In direct ratio to the distance from the natural business loca-
tions that have been briefly described—namely, west and east of
Main, and north and south of the O. K. Creek and Goose Neck val-
leys —'-the character and value of residence property will grow,
29
reaching therefore, by a natural process, the highest point on the
highest lands. While natural conditions have to a considerable
degree led to a concentration of business in certain well defined
loCalities, there has been no strong and decided development of
residence sections in certain localities. Although there existed
natural conditions that furnished a guide, there is, with the excep-
tion of the West Side, and perhaps in Dundee Place, no area of
considerable size anywhere in the city that shows the tendency of a
certain class Of residences to occupy certain and extensive territory.
Our better residences are largely planted in groups, or colonies, on
certain sightly streets, and in particularly charming localities; but
these colonies have not spread out and have not grown together.
Between them, and around them, there exists much land utilized for
small residences, small stores and miscellaneous purposes. This is
no doubt due to a considerable extent, and especially so on the
South Side, to the irregular topography of our city, but it is also
due to the absence of any distinctive street development and con-
struction, which would tie the sightly localities together and make
them one. As has already been stated, the ridges on the South Side
furnish beautiful and sightly locations for residences, but the ravines
between them are occupied by cheap and unsightly structures. If
on the South Side future growth should continue as it has begun,
our city would in that direction be composed Of alternating patches
of good and poor residence localities.
PROPOSED RESERVATIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.
Beginning with the boulevards, or, as perhaps they should
more properly be called, the parkways, it would seem, after consid-
ering the facts that have been briefly stated, that the merit Of our
selections is Obvious. As a matter of fact, the Commissioners, after
repeated attempts to find better routes, for the sole purpose Of test-
ing the merit of their selections, have always come back to the
recommendations which they now make.
Before discussing the specific recommendations as to boulevards
it seems fitting that we should give a general idea Of—
Fz'rst. What construction we propose to employ on boulevards,
and why.
Second. What features we deem necessary in every boulevard
route.
CONSTRUCTION OF The report of our engineer will consider
BOULEVARDS. this subject in greater detail. For the purpose
of the general question, it is sufficient to say, that we propose,
on a IOO-foot boulevard, a division into a comparatively narrow road-





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31
way, say forty feet, and thirty feet of parking on each side, consist-
ing of turf and three rows of trees on each side, with a walk, say of
eight feet. The object of this division is to give the whole a park-
like effect, and an appearance differing radically from that of the
ordinary residence street.
Where curbing is required, it will be of one piece with the
gutter, and of granitoid. This material is at once much more inde-
structible than any other material that has been used in this city for
curbing, can be made of a pleasing design, of a uniform appearance
and character over a long distance, can be set with precision, and
can be depended upon to maintain a straight and unbroken line.
Walks, at all events within the city, will also be of granitoid,
for reasons entirely similar to those already mentioned.
The paving we propose to make of macadam. A parkway is
a special construction intended for light driving, and therefore the
paving should be of a character best suited to that purpose. No
person at all familiar with horses, or that is fond of driving or riding,
will deny that, next to a good dirt road, a macadam street is most
desirable. There has been much distrust of macadam roads in our
city, and justly so. This distrust is principally due to the fact that
the macadam roads built in this city and vicinity have not been
maintained at all. After construction was completed, the streets
were left to take care of themselves. Macadam is not more expen-
sive to maintain than any other pavement, but there is a vast
difference as to the proper manner of maintenance. While a
macadam street requires continuous attention, but, under such con-
ditions, if properly constructed in the first place, will always be in
excellent repair, a street paved with wooden blocks, with brick or
asphalt, can go for a long time without repair, growing, of course,
worse and worse under such treatment, and finally requiring the
replacing of the entire pavement at considerable expense. In other
words, the cost of maintenance of macadam streets is a continuing
one, whereas with other pavements it is periodical. Because
macadam needs constant attention, macadam streets in many large
cities, if under the care of the engineering department, are always
in bad repair, while in the same cities macadam roads that are
cared for by the park department are in excellent shape.
Take our own city as an example, and the explanation is not
far to seek. A certain, limited, amount of money is allotted to the
department of street cleaning and repairs. The amount is probably
insufficient to properly maintain all of the city streets. If the
superintendent in charge could apply all the money available to
32
only so many streets as he can properly maintain, we would have
certain streets in excellent and others in a wretched state of repair.
This treatment being, in the nature of things, impossible, and the
clamor from all sections of the city for street repairs being constant,
the result is that an insuflicient amount of money is thinly distrib-
uted over the entire city, and the natural consequence must be that
those pavements which require repairs only periodically, and which
for a considerable time remain in good condition without any repairs
whatever, are deemed the best, and, under the conditions described,
undoubtedly are, although, if the total cost of maintenance be taken
into account, they are unquestionably the most expensive. Under
the park law of this city, each park district is directly assessed for
the maintenance of boulevards within that district. Similar pro—
visions in other cities that have parks and boulevards have not
failed to produce results entirely satisfactory to the community.
Since there will be in this city, under any circumstances, certainly
as compared to all the streets of the city, but few boulevards, it
seems not unreasonable to rely upon it that the boulevards will
always be properly maintained. So far as this present board is
concerned, there is no uncertainty on the subject. It is proposed,
Should we be so fortunate as to impress our conviction of the great
value of boulevards upon our fellow-citizens to such an extent that
they will provide boulevards, that a regular force be constantly kept
on each boulevard, so as to keep it constantly, and always, in a high
state of efficiency.
It is objected that macadam streets are dusty. So they are, if
not sprinkled. Other paved streets will be fully as unsatisfactory
if not swept regularly, and the sprinkling of a macadam street
Should not be more expensive than the sweeping of other paved
streets. Here again, the small amount of work to be done and the
assessment for maintenance being directly upon the benefited ter-
ritory, good work will be insured.
FEATURES REQUISITE IN The object of boulevard construc-
BOULEVARD ROUTES. tion is two-fold; to provide agreeable
driveways, and, by giving certain special advantages and a hand-
some appearance to such avenues, to make the abutting land, and
the land near them, especially sought after for residence purposes,
and thereby to enhance the value of such lands. To meet these
objects, we have put the boulevard routes proposed by us to the
following tests :
First. The routes must offer good grades. This is necessary,
33
both in order to reduce cost of maintenance and to make driving
agreeable. .
I Second. They must be located in a naturally sightly locality.
T/zz'ra’. The lands that abut upon such boulevards must be Of
a character satisfactory and suitable for good residences.
Fourt/z. There must be. no costly natural or artificial obstacles
to remove to permit proper widening of the streets selected.
We have attempted to show that logically the highest land
is that best suited for the best class of residences. From the
description of the topography of the city it is obvious that there
are three principal localities where first-class residence sections can
be maintained—namely, on the West Side, west of the business
streets, say west of Broadway; on the North Side, again towards
the edge of the plateau; and on the South Side. On the South Side
.it will be found, by referring to the description of its topography,
that there exist the following especially satisfactory localities:
The sections west and east of Penn Street ravine; certain ridges,
between ravines, running from the high level of the plateau near
the southern city limits north to O. K. Creek—that is, the high
ridges between Holmes Street on the west and Indiana Avenue on
the east; the high ridge forming the water-shed between O. K. Creek
and Brush Creek; and the continuation of this ridge to the east by
way of Prospect Avenue and Twenty-seventh Street, following the
line of the. old Independence and Westport road to the Blue. To
this, of course, must be added considerable property south of the
water-shed between O. K. Creek and Brush Creek. This territory,
however, is beyond the present city limits, and much of it is under
the jurisdiction of the City of Westport, so that it cannot be con-
sidered in this report; but, owing to the fact that no east-and-west
boulevard on the South Side is possible until Springfield Avenue
is reached, and Springfield Avenue being one-half within the city
limits and the other half without, we are compelled to make our
selection for an east-and-west boulevard on the South Side beyond
the present southern city limits. .
_ The various possible residence sections that have been described
should, if possible, be connected by boulevards and through boule-
vards with important reservations for pleasure-grounds. These
boulevard routes must meet all the requirements already described,
and, in the nature of things, they must be as nearly as possible on
the highest lands.
.Our first selection was Independence Boulevard, and, after
completing our gabors, we find that this boulevard is absolutely and
34
unavoidably necessary to any satisfactory park and boulevard sys-
tem in the city, and we believe that our plans will show this to be
the case.
SOUTH BOULEVARD. On the South Side there is no opportunity
for an east-and-west boulevard, as already stated, until Springfield
Avenue is reached. The profiles Of the east-and-west streets on the
South Side, which are submitted with this report, will Show this to
be true. Springfield Avenue not being entirely satisfactory, and
being located one-half without the city, and on accOunt of the con-
siderable development of residence sections south of the city limits,
and the certainty Of great future growth in that section, we have-
thought it best to make a selection on the South Side that would
best meet future wants, although the route selected will be beyond
the territory under our jurisdiction. We recommend therefore the-
adoption of Linwood Avenue as a boulevard, after widening to 100‘
feet, from its intersection with the boulevard from the North to
the South Side (East Boulevard) and west to Lydia Avenue. West
to Troost Avenue, Linwood is not satisfactory, the abutting land
being uneven and not of the highest class ; besides, it seemed to us
desirable to give due weight to the important residence development
at Hyde Park and the handsome ground to the west Of Hyde Park,
including Roanoke Addition, all of which lands are sure to be used-
for residence purposes in the near future. On account of these
considerations, we have selected Lydia Avenue from Linwood to
Sedgwick or Commonwealth Avenue; we then turn to the west on.
Commonwealth Avenue to Grand Boulevard, the southern exten-
sion of Broadway. Careful-study of ~"the location of this route and.
the character of the adjacent lands will justify our selection, and
Show it to be the most satisfactory for an east-and-west boulevard-
Turns in a boulevard, such as the one on Lydia Avenue, from Lin-
wood to Commonwealth, are wise where they are made in order to
obtain positive advantages. Such is the case with the Short turn on!
Lydia Avenue south. This portion of Lydia Avenue is situated
on high land, commanding beautiful views to the south, west and '
east, and the turn secures for the entire route the best, available
grades. Moreover, the route as planned forms a natural basis for
the development of a first-class and continuous residence section.
The lands on both sides of the route are of a very high order, and,
moreover, since the route occupies the high ridge immediately
south of the ravines that drain ofi into the O. K. Creek valley, the-
development of a continuous and well-settled residence section on
the level, or top, of the plateau will draw into it, andrvconsolidate,
35
the residence sections that push out to the north on the ridges
between the ravines, and thereby undoubtedly the poorer class of
residences will be cut ofl" from spreading to the south, and will be
confined to the uneven territory in the ravines, and in the low lands
following the valley formed by O. K. Creek and Goose Neck Creek.
INDEPENDENCE What the “South Boulevard” aims to do for the
. BOULEVARD. South Side, Independence Boulevard will do for
the North Side. The route, which has already been adopted by
resolution of this board, approved by the Board Of Public Works,
and adopted by ordinance of the City Council, begins at the inter-
section of Woodland and Independence Avenues, follows Independ-
ence Avenue to Gladstone, thence north on Gladstone to St. John,
makes a curve from St. John to the east side of a large lateral
ravine that opens into the Agnes Avenue ravine, follows the edge
of this-ravine to Scarritt Avenue, and then turns east on Scarritt
Avenue to the city limits. This route substantially occupies the
water-shed between the Missouri River and the valley formed by
O. K. Creek and Goose Neck Creek. From the high land occupied
by the boulevard, the country falls off on both sides to the north
and south of Independence Avenue, and to the east and west Of
Gladstone. The boulevard as proposed unquestionably opens up,
and connects, the very best residence sections of the North Side.
Independence Avenue is the principal and handsomest residence
avenue on the North Side. It is occupied, with but few exceptions,
from Woodland Avenue to Gladstone Avenue, and for two blocks
beyond, with fine residences. The avenue is already eighty feet '
wide and practically all, if not actually all, the property fronting
upon it (with the exception of the blocks upon the north and south
Sides between Brooklyn and Park) is of considerable depth, and
beautiful. The sections both north and south of Independence
Avenue are closely built up. To the south there is no continuous
east-and-west street until Ninth Street is reached, and that street is
narrow, has a cable line, is closely. built up on both sides, and has
unsatisfactory grades. Sou~ of Ninth Street, Twelfth Street is
the first continuous street, but this street is no doubt destined
to become animportant west-and-east business street. South of
Twelfth Street the land falls off rapidly into the O. K. Creek valley.
A bouleVard south of Twelfth Street would fail utterly of having any
effect upon values of adjacent property, because it would not touch
the best residence property in the district. North'o'f Independence
Avenue the continuityof a west-and-east avenue would be inter-
rupted by the'gr‘eat Agnes Avenue ravine. Independence Avenue






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37
is the natural center of the highest land on the north side, and upon
itas a base line rest the handsome -- ridges that project between
ravines northward to the Bluff. Gladstone Avenue again occupies
the high land between the Agnes Avenue ravine and the system of
“ draws” that drain into Goose Neck Creek, and possesses on both
sides property equal in value for residence purposes to any in or
about Kansas City. It is proposed to extend Independence Boule—
vard beyond the city limits, from the city limits at Scarritt Avenue
north to the Blnfi“, and then follow the edge of the Bluff to Fairvi-ew
Avenue. Nearly all the land necessary, consisting of a strip 100 feet
Wide, has been promised, and will be deeded to the city for the pur-
poses of a boulevard. This eastern extension will afford some of the
finest views obtainable of the broad valley of the Missouri and to
the hills beyond. It will be unique in that it will occupy the
very edge of the plateau, so that it will always have an unobstructed
view towards the river. _ Two other extensions are proposed of
Independence Boulevard: one east, from Gladstone to South Wal-
rond, for the purpose of connecting with “East Boulevard,” which
is the connecting boulevard between the North and South Sides;
the other west, on Independence Avenue to Dykington Avenue,
thence south to Sixth, west on Sixth to Grove; south onGrove to
Ninth, where connection will be made with the “ Paseo,” the central
parkway, forming the link between Independence Boulevard and
“ The Parade.”
EAST BOULEVARD. Starting from the South Side towards the
O. K. Creek valley, the best obtainable grade is on. the ridge between
Montgall and Agnes Avenues. It will be seen from the description
of the topography of the South Side, that this selection of a north-
and-south route is the only logical solution of the problem- The
only streets that possibly might be used to the west would be Pros-
pect Avenue, Brooklyn Avenue, or Troost Avenue. All of these
avenues have street-car lines. Troost is compactly built up, so
that widening would be expensive; Brooklyn has steep grades
north of Twenty-seventh Street, and runs into ravines to the south.
Prospect has unsatisfactory grades in addition to its horse-car line.
Profiles of the north~and-south streets and the profiles of the east-
and-west streets “will give. a correct idea of the advantageous grades
along the proposed route on Chestnut and Kansas Avenues. The
ridge between Montgall and Agnes Avenues is not wide. The
land, _however, on both sides of the proposed route is high and
sightly, and between Twenty-fourth Street and the city limits there
are but few houses. The high line follows Kansas Avenue north
38
to Twenty-third Street, then turns to the west and follows Chest-
nut Avenue to Fifteenth Street. There is no other ridge anywhere
on the South Side that possesses such uniformly beautiful grounds
for so long a distance; that is, from Fifteenth Street to the south-
ern city limits and beyond. The widening of the streets proposed
to be used, to one hundred feet, will work no hardship, and the con-
struction of the boulevard will undoubtedly furnish not only a
most agreeable parkway, but will develop a territory that requires
only such construction to make it at once available and valuable.
The exposition building and race track north of Fifteenth Street,
between Prospect and Agnes Avenues, does not permit the exten-
sion of the bOulevard along Chestnut Street north to a connection
with Independence Boulevard, and there is no satisfactory route
available north of Fifteenth Street except to the east, by way of
Walrond Avenue. In order to make the boulevard continuous, the
connection between Chestnut and Walrond is made on SiXteenth
Street. Had Fifteenth Street been adopted, it would have been
necessary to follow Fifteenth Street withOut improving the section
used as a boulevard, thereby breaking up the continuity of the con-
struction, and thereby losing for the boulevard much of its beauty
and advantage. The connection north by way of \Valrond Avenue
.is further justified, and made desirable, because Walrond northof
Independence Avenue ends in the concourse formed by the curve
of Independence Boulevard on St. John. The “East Boulevard”
by way,_of Walrond. will have direct connection with the bluff sec—
tion Of Independence Boulevard, thereby making that section in
reality as much a part of the “East Boulevard ’_"as of Independence
Boulevard. 8 4
. We propose the extension of “East Boulevard,” south to Lin-
wood Avenue beyond the city limits, thereby completing the con-
nection between “ East Boulevard” and “South Boulevard.”
PENN VALLEY. Attention has been called to the desirable resi-
dence property on the West Side north of O. K. Creek. This locality
is more completely utilized than any other residence section of the
city. The entire territory west of Broadway, from Seventh Street to
the southern 'end of the plateau, is closely built up with residences,
and for the greater part of this area the residences are of a high
class. This high and naturally sightly locality is, however, completely
isolated and eflectually separated from other residence sections Of
the city, and from the beautiful country about Kansas City. To
the west is the steep bluff; to the east the retail business section of
the city, and to the south O. K. Creek. There is no locality in the
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41
city that is so much in need of park construction and of pleasure-
drives as this section. Owing to te conditions already mentioned,
it is clear that the only satisfactory outlet will be to the south, and
it is to the south that the open country can be most quickly reached.
Attention has been called to the existence of extensive areas
Of first-class lands suitable for residence purposes east and west
Ofthe Penn Street.ravine, and also to the inaccessibility of this
considerable area from the city. The adoption of the Penn Street
ravine for a boulevard route would at once not only meet the prac-
tical question of a satisfactory connection between the two halves
of the West Side—that is, north and south Of O. K. Creek—and
open up a large and valuable territory south of O. K. Creek, but
the treatment of this particular problem as proposed by us would
secure, at a comparatively small expense, and almost within the
heart of the city, a park of a beauty thoroughly characteristic of
our atural scenery. This park, on account of the great diversity of
the lands within it, would allow provisions for all things that are
desirable in a park, and would be useful for all forms of play and recre-
ation. On account of its close proximity to the city, a park at this
point would be! extensively used. We propose, therefore, the reser-
vationibxf all the lands between J effersOn Street at the west, and the top
of the cliff east of and following the old Westport road at the east, and
between Twenty-seventh Street and the southern city limits. This
reservation, in our opinion, would be necessary for the purposes of
a boulevard or driveway alone. The raVine between the Westport
road and Jefferson Street is now occupied by unsightly buildings
and always would be so occupied; but there is here an opportunity
to provide a highly romantic and entirely characteristic bit of con-
struction. We deem it desirable to take every advantage of
natural conditions in order to give as great diversity to our boule-
vard system as possible. The features of “Penn Valley,” of the
“South Boulevard,” which has extensive interior views over broad
rolling prairie, and of Independence Boulevard, that possesses mag-
nificent views over the steep clifl‘sfof the Bluff into the valley of the
Missouri‘River and the endless succession of“ hills beyond, are all
thoroughly different, and give a variety such as few cities could pos-
sibly obtain. For the reasons stated, we deem the acquisition of
all lands in “Penn Valley,” as above described, necessary for the
securing of an especially characteristic and beautiful boulevard
route, but since these lands cover considerable area and Offer many
advantages that would be desirable in a park, it seems the part of
wisdom to enlarge the territory above described by acquiring in
42
addition thereto the property adjoining it to the South, known as
Feld Park. This would result in a reservation of seventy-five
acres and would permit the construction of "a thoroughly satisfac-
tory park. There is no other locality so near as this to the heart
of the city thatcan offer the combination of natural beauty and
practical value possessed by this.
The adoption of the entire reservation will make the construc-
tion of a boulevard unnecessary. In its place we propose the
building of a park road, which would follow the old Westport
road. This road should pass through the park.;'at its southern
boundary and there connect with 'Grand"Boulevard,'"t-he‘ southern
extension of Broadway. We then recommend the improvement of
Grand Boulevard south to the connection with “South Boulevard.”
For a connection between the park road in “Penn Valley”
at Penn and Twenty~seventh Streets anthhe territory north of O.
K. Creek we have the following to ofler: -
We respectfully recommend to the Board Of Public Works that
it undertake the improvement of Broadway from Fourteenth Street
south to Twenty-fifth Street, of Twenty-fifth Street west to Penn,
and of Penn south to Twenty-seventh. Broadway is undoubtedly the
natural connection between the West Side north of O. K. Creek and
this section south, but Broadway is as well the highway south for
the entire West Side, and it does not seem to us, under the circum.-'
stances, that this street should be given OVer to the park depart-
ment. This street we believe Should be paved like a city street.
We recommend, however, that the construction or improvement of
Broadway south of Fourteenth Street, and also of the connecting
streets to “Penn Valley,” approach as near as it seems wise and
fitting the character of the improvements to be given to boulevards. .
We take the liberty of Offering the following Suggestions: That
the system of streets south Of Fourteenth Street for the connection
with “Penn Valley” be maintained at a width Of eighty feet, with
a roadway paved with asphalt thirty feet wide, and parking on each
Side twenty-five feet in width. The streets should have granitoid’
curbing and uniform .granitoid walks, say eight feet Wide. The
crossing of the tracks of the Kansas City Belt Line should be by an
elevated viaduct, and in such manner as to give satisfactory grades.
THE One Of the‘ob‘iriou'snee‘d's (of a large city is the poSses-
PARADE. sion, centrally lOcated, of a fairly large tract of land to
be used for the drilling and parade of local military organizations,
and for large outdoor demonstrations and public gatherings. Such
a reservation should at the same time offer opportunities of physical




43
culture and be suited for athletic sports, such as base-ball, cricket,
and tennis, which require considerable room. We already possess
such a locality well adapted to the purposes mentioned, and which
has been in part so used. This locality, known as the Gates & Ken-
dall tract, is situated between Fifteenth and Eighteenth Streets, and
between Flora and Woodland Avenues. The size Of this tract,
eighteen acres, and its location among a thickly built-up section of
the city, occupied largely by small store-keepers, mechanics, and
laboring men, permits, and makes it desirable, that there be added
to the athletic features those of a local recreation-ground. It is
proposed to combine the features mentioned in this reservation,
and we feel confident that the advantages of “The Parade” will at
once occur to our citizens.
“The Parade,” owing to its use for purposes of general interest
to the entire community, forms naturally a central point in pro-
visions for recreation and amusements. For this reason, and the
further one that the location of “The Parade” is particularly fortu-
nate, we have given it a central position in our proposed system of
boulevards and parks, and we find that by proper treatment we can
derive very much additional advantage and opportunity of beautify-
ing our city from this disposition.
Our concern was to secure to “The Parade” proper and pleas-
ant surroundings on all sides, and to connect it with our general
system. We propose to accomplish this in the following manner:
The Woodland Avenue and Fifteenth Street fronts~ may be
depended upon to be always satisfactory. Towards Eighteenth
Street we intend to acquire property up to the alley north of the
business buildings that front on Eighteenth Street. We then pro- .
pose the opening of a street I00 feet wide, improved as a boulevard,
from Woodland to Grove Street, leaving south Of such boulevard a
strip of sufficient width to permit use for good residences. This
strip can be disposed of for such purposes if not thought necessary
for park purposes. I '
THE PASEO. A rare opportunity is offered in the narrow block
between Grove and Flora Avenues to construct a boulevard some
what after the design of Drexel Boulevard in Chicago. By con-
demning and acquiring the lands between Grove and Flora Avenues,
from Ninth to the boulevard proposed south of “The Parade,” a
broad connecting boulevard would be established between Inde-
pendence Boulevard and the handsome residence territory through
which it passes, and “The Parade.” The “Paseo” would serve the
further important purpose of a quick connection with Independence
44
Boulevard for the residence sections near to the business sections of
our city, and would divide, the residence sections east, between East
Boulevard and the “Paseo.” In other words, the “Paseo” would
become a central parkway, giving to the well-settled residence sec-
tions east of the business quarter of the city a quick route to the
boulevards and the parks.‘
In the improvement of our boulevards and the local pleasure-
grounds, we do not expect to give much attention to purely deco-
rative and ornamental planting, our intention being to provide
simple and wholesome recreation and opportunities of physical
training. We do believe, however, that an ornamented pathway, or
garden, with a reasonable amount of floral decoration, Should be
provided somewhere, both for educational reasons and because of its
pleasing qualities. The city should have some place where every-
body can see beautiful flowers, and flowers more or less rare, in
abundance and under conditions of artistic grouping or display.
The “Paseo” offers this opportunity. The space between the two
roadways will be about I 20 feet wide, and will furnish abundant space
for flowers, a lily pond, Shrubs, trees, walks and benches.
“The Parade” and the “Paseo” will undoubtedly be found val-
uable at times of impOrtant public demonstrations.
IMPROVEMENT 0F SEVEN- While the “Paseo” will cut across
TEENTH STREET. all of the important east-and-west
streets of the city, and thereby give abundant and easy access to
the boulevard and park System to all people on the North Side,
the many breaks in the streets west of Main, and the occupation of
' practically all the through streets from the east to the west by street
railways, make it desirable to secure a really satisfactory connection
between the West Side and the boulevard system on the North
Side. There is no opportunity satisfactory in every respect until
Seventeenth Street is reached. Seventeenth Street has a fair grade
from “The Parade” t0 the edge of the West Blufi'; Seventeenth
Street has the further advantage that it would give “Merriam Place”
a much-needed outlet to the east;__and, finally, Seventeenth Street
would make a good connection between Broadway and the Penn
valley route to the south, and Holly Street on the terraces of the
West Bluff, the reservation and improvement of which for public
purposes we shall propose.
Considering the above matters, we recommend to the Board of
Public Works the paving and otherwise improving of Seventeenth
Street from Grove Street to Holly Street. Seventeenth Street
being narrow, we would recommend no changes in roadway and
45
sidewalks, but suggest pavement with asphalt, and, if possible,
granitoid curbing and a uniform sidewalk the entire length, the
latter preferably also of granitoid. The improvement of Seventeenth
Street, as proposed, would add greatly to the comfort of the people
on the West and on the North Sides, and would produce, in place of
the present all but isolation of the two sections, a pleasant and con-
venient connection, largely over handsome boulevards.
With the improvement of Seventeenth Street, our recommenda-
tions as to boulevards are complete. For the recommendations
outside of the city limits, except as to the eastern extension of
Independence Boulevard, no arrangements have as yet been made,
but we have no doubt that should Kansas City construct the boule-
vards proposed within her city limits, those outside would not be
long delayed.
A glance at the map and the profile submitted herewith, and
if, at the same time, the description of the topography of the city be
borne in mind, must, it seems to us, lead logically to the conclu-
sions that have determined our recommendations, With the possi-
ble exception of the “Paseo,” there is no difficulty and but little
expense to be expected in the actual execution Of our plans. The
cost of the “Paseo” also, as compared with the many and great
advantages that would be secured from its construction. it seems to
us, would be entirely within the bounds of reason. The boulevard
system we propose will practically encircle our city; will be easily
accessible to all present or future residence sections, and will pass
through lands admirably suited for the very best improvement.
The system has everywhere the best obtainable grades, controls
great diversity of natural scenery, and we believe its expense will
be insignificant as compared with the great benefits that may be
expected from it.
LOCAL PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS.
PENN VALLEY. This reservation has already been described
briefly in connection with the park road passing through it. It
may be Well to add here a few points. Below the forks of the
Penn Street ravine, the ground of this locality is uneven, but highly
picturesque. Its improvement would have to be of a very simple
character, consisting of trees, shrubbery and shaded walks. Feld
Park contains lands well situated for large play-grounds, and there
is within this territory a lake that can be enlarged and improved,
and which would become a decidedly useful possession. If there
is any one thing that will be needed in our parks, that thing is a
liberal supply of bodies of water, for boating use in summer, and for
46
Skating use in winter. Towards the north of Feld Park the ground
projects forward into the ravine and ends in a point'between the
two branches of the ravine. From this point a beautiful view down
the valley is obtainable. It can readily be imagined that this hand-
some point, with its view upon the wooded dell beneath it and along
the parkway under the cliff to the east, crowded with handsome
equipages and ladies and gentlemen on horseback, will prove a
favorite resort and a great attraction.
WEST TERRACE. The scheme to improve the West Bluffs is
probably as old as the city. This locality, although possessed of
great natural beauty and facing the Union Depot, where thousands
of tourists annually pass through the city, has remained until now
in a condition which undoubtedly has caused much unfavorable and,
in part, unjust comment of our city.
The West Terrace, in place of an eye-sore, can be made a most
attractive spot; in fact, the chief value of an improvement at this
place would be that of advertisement. On account of the location
close to the smoke and noise of our great railroad yards, it cannot
be expected that the “West Terrace” would be very much used
for'purposes of recreation. The proper improvement—that is, a
dignified improvement—in correspondence with the importance
of our city; the necessity of having such improvement of a
character that wOnld always make it pleasing and interesting,
in all seasons of the year, and that would make it substantial and
lasting, will involve considerable expenditure. The illustration
of “West Terrace” which accompanies this report is more a sug-
gestion of what the “West Terrace” might be than an actual plan
proposed for its improvement.
There are two further reasons than the one already mentioned
that justify the construction of “West Terrace.” These reasons are:
Firsl. That for a really satisfactory local recreation-ground, of
which the West Side is very much in need, there is no satisfactory
locality except what is known as Mulkey Place, Situated between
Twelfth and F onrteenth Streets and west of Summit Street. This
tract of land we have selected for the purpose of a local recreation or
pleasure-ground for the West Side. This land is not only admira-
bly adapted to this purpose, because of its central location and
high situation, which no doubt would make it well used on our
Warm summer evenings, but this locality occupies the most promin-
ent point of the West Bluffs,towards the Union Depot—that is,toward
'the side from which strangers see our city—and, on account of its
high location, commands broadandsweeping views 0f~rare beauty.
SENT CONDITION.
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46 BIRD’SEYE VIEW OF WEST TERRACE SHOWING SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS.
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4'7
Properly improved, these grounds, perched on the very Summit of
the Bluff, would add a finish to the “West Terrace” that would make
it famous the country over; and, conversely, by selecting this im-
portant and prominent locality for a local pleasure-ground, and
then neglect or refuse the improvement of the “West Terrace”
below, would mean, by refusing the natural foil or setting, to greatly
reduce the merit of this otherwise handsome spot.
Second. That a view down into the great railway yards in the
Bottoms, upon the Missouri River, and of the great manufacturing
establishments will always be interesting and characteristic, because
such a view would give a comprehensive idea of the business inter—
ests and the factors upon which the greatness and prosperity of our
city so much depend. -We propose to provide along the edge of the
West Blufl', at the locality already described, and also at some other
suitable points on Jefferson Street, special look-outs projecting
beyond the face of the Bluff, where carriages may drive and stop to
get the grand views obtainable. M anifestly if such use is to be made
along the edge of the Bluff, the terrace below ought to be improved,
so as to add to the enjoyment of the views, and to furnish a frame
for the picture, instead of destroying and marring the distant views
by leaving in the immediate foreground unsightly Objects.
For the reasons stated, we recommend that the property sub—
stantially between the edge of the Bluff and Freight Street below,
and between Seventh and Seventeenth Streets, be acquired by the
city. It will be possible, by removing the shanties, by a little clean-
ing and trimming, and perhaps by some inexpensive planting of
vines," to immediately render- the appearence of “West Terrace”
more agreeable than now.
NORTH TERRACE. The large ravine at Agnes Avenue divides
the best residence sections of the North Side. To the west is the
high land occupied by Garfield Avenue and the locality known as
Pendleton Heights. To the east is the beautiful property along
Gladstone and Walrond Avenues, running eastwardly, parallel to
the Bluff, and north Of St. John. This section rests naturally upon
Independence Avenue as a base line. Independence Boulevard
touches the bluff line on St. John Avenue at the head of a lateral
ravine, which joins the Agnes Avenue ravine, and, as already stated,
the bouleVard follows the eastern edge of the ravine to Scarritt
Avenue. This ravine, which, for the purpose of description, and,
appropriately, on account of its wild and rugged character, may be
called “The Wilderness,” cuts deep into the BluflC south to St. John
Avenue and ,east to Walrond Avenue, and‘the‘reby separates from
48
the main plateau a magnificent point, “Scarritt Point,” which, wit
its steep limestone clifi's, stands out like a sentinel guarding tl;
entrance from the river to the city. This point is to the east of ti
Agnes Avenue ravine. From “Scarritt Point” the Bluff swing
around eastwardly parallel to the river. The entire face of the Blu
from this point to the valley of the Blue is most beautiful and pi
turesque. A natural bench immediately under the Bluff, at the fo<
of a limes tone cliff thirty feet high, follows the numerOus indentatior
in the Bluff, produced by the handsome ravines, none of which, hoy
ever, compare in size with that at Agnes Avenue. The limestor
clifls are covered with lichen and vines, and the terraces and slope
are densely wooded. At the head of a ravine, near the present eas
ern city limits, Independence Boulevard again strikes the edge of ti
Bluff and from this point the boulevard follows the edge of the Blu
to Fairview Avenue. From this point to Fairview Avenue, Ind'
pendence Boulevard and the bluff region are one. We propose tl
acquisition of the entire territory described— namely, “The Wilde
ness” and the face of the Bluff, including “Scarritt Point,” east 1
Fairview Avenue. Where Independence Boulevard turns east 0
Scarritt Avenue an opportunity is afforded to take out a drive an
bridle road, which would swing around on the east Side of, and pa:
through the thick timber of, “The Wilderness,” would then strik
the bench nnder“Scarritt Point,” and follow along the cliffs to Fai
view Avenue. From the drawings attached to this report, it wi
be seen that this “Cliff Drive” can be brought into Independenc
Boulevard at two points east of Scarritt Avenue. The “Cliff Drive
will not have its equal in many cities. It will pass through a high]
romantic and thoroughly beautiful region full Of surprises an
attractions. It will make a delightful change, and detour, from or
part of Independence Boulevard around the Bluff back to the b01111
vard. The region through which it passes is wild and secludec
There is within it but little level ground, but there is abundar
opportunity for charming walks and paths. The slopes of “Th
Wilderness” are covered in the springtime with countless violet
anemones, May-apples and other wild flowers.
The west side of Agnes ravine has its sentinel corresponding t
“Scarritt Point” that guards the entrance to the city from the nortl
This point we have christened “Prospect Point,” because of th
magnificent views it affords, and because it is Situated approx
mately at the north end of Prospect Avenue. A portion of th-
point, five acres, is now owned by the city, and this small tract is:
present known as North View Park. From"‘Prospect Point” th

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55
Bluff swings westwardly in an almost straight line to a point near
the foot of Brooklyn Avenue. At this point a ravine breaks through
the Bluff and gives to Brooklyn Avenue an outlet towards the river.
This little ravine helps to isolate and complete the handsome point
which projects northwardly from the end of Garfield Avenue, and,
turning east, forms a charming dell, which separates the high land of
the ridge to the north from the residence section known as Pendle-
ton Heights. The ridge, high above the river, has upon its summit
a triangulation monument of the Missouri River Commission, and
is probably one of the highest, if not the highest, point of the North
Side. From this ridge the views are grand and sweeping. It would
be difficult to find a more sightlylocality, and impossible to find
one cooler in summer anywhere near the city. From this ridge a
grand View is obtained of the northwestern section of Kansas City
and Wyandotte, and the meanderings and great bends of the Mis-
Souri River can be followed to the north and west for many miles,
While to the east the. river and the valley may be followed until they
are lost, below the horizon. I T he-fine views obtained from this ridge '
alone seem to urge and justify its-acquisition for public use.
By means of an inexpensive stone viaductlthe “Cliff Road” can
be brought from “Scarritt Point” to “Prospect Point,” and along the
bench below the ridge to the little ravine at the, foot of Brooklyn
Avenue, so that the charming regions on b0th sides of the Agnes
Avenue ravine, and the residence sections on both sides, can be
easily connected by a most charming drive. The regions east and
west of the Agnes'Avenue ravine should unquestionably be con-
nected and'would form the basis of a unique and beautiful park. It
Will be possible, by connecting the “Clifi Road,” by means 'of a stone
viaduct across Agnes Avenue from “Prospect Point” to “Scarritt
Point,” to make a handsome feature of the natural gateway leading
from the Missouri River to the city. In order to meet the demand
for diversity of scenery in a large park'and foropportunitiesof play
and recreation, we propose that there be added to the ridges and
bluff region described the little ravine between the foot of the west
ridge and St. John Avenue; and, moreover, that there be added the
two blocks of high, smOoth ground situated between Prospect Ave-
nue and Olive Street south of the ridge. These additions will round
out and complete the “North Terrace” as a park for all purposes, and,
by absorbing the low land between the residence section known
as Pendleton Heights and the ridge towards the Missouri River,
which low ground would only be used for cheap improvements,
a great service will be rendered the entire residence section between
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the proposed park reservation and Independence Avenue. This
section, instead of fronting upon low lands, cheaply improved, will
gradually merge into a magnificent park and will undoubtedly give
the lands in the vicinity of Pendleton Heights a commercial value
that could in no other way be obtained.
. , “ North Terrace,” with its great variety and diversity of scenery,
high and smooth lands, magnificent views and cool breezes, with its
charming “ Clifi“ Road,” and skirted by the handsome Independence
Boulevard, will prove of inestimable value to the North Park district
and the city generally. The locality selected is again one charac-
teristic of our natural scenery, and, as in case of the “West
Terrace,” there will be secured by this improvment a pleasure-
ground of great practical value, natural scenery of a high order will
be preserved, and a decided benefit and advantage will be secured
to the district in which the park is located.
PLAY-GROUNDS OR PUBLIC SQUARES.
The wisdom of providing small grounds for the frequent use
of especially crowded localities requires no argument. Such small
grounds, or squares, should be suited to, and should contain provis¢
ions for, the plays and games of children, and at the same time
should be so improved as to serve the purpose of local pleasure-
grounds where the tired parents, as well as their children, may
spend a few hours, invigorated by refreshing breezes, and encour-
aged by pleasing surroundings.
We have made three selections where these conditions have
had influence :
First. For the crowded region near the Missouri River we
have selected “North Square,” a full block, situated between Char-
' lotte and Campbell and Third and Fourth Streets.
Second. For the central section of the city we have selected
“High School Square,” situated immediately west and in front of
the High School, and occupying the entire square between Oak and
Locust and Eleventh and Twelfth Streets, excepting, however, the
ground now occupied by the Humboldt School, and the ground
occupied by business houses that front Twelfth Street. This square,
in addition to serving the purposes of local recreation and play-
grounds, will add dignity to the High School buildings, and will
serve as a breathing-spot for the scholars of the High School and
for those of the Humboldt School. _
T/zz'm’. Towards the densely settled sections to the south, in
the region traversed by Eighteenth andNineteenth-Streets, we have
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59
selected “Holmes Square.” This is again a city block, bounded by
Campbell, Holmes, Eighteenth and Nineteenth Streets.
We finally recommend two small reservations—namely, one-
half block each on the north and south sides of Independence
Boulevard, betWeen Brooklyn and Park Avenues, to be known as
“Independence Plaza,” and a strip of land between Fifteenth and
Sixteenth Streets and Walrond and Chestnut Avenues, to be known
as “Walnut Grove.” These two selections will, to local use, add
the advantageof increasing very materially the beauty and value
of the two boulevards upon which‘they are located. The two half-
blocks on Independence Boulevard are now occupied by cheap
business houses and shops, which very injuriously affect the prop-
erty on Independence Boulevard, and which, because the land on
which they stand is low and unsuited for other purposes, are not
likely to be replaced by better structures. The strip of land
between Fifteenth and Sixteenth Streets and Walrond and Chestnut
Avenues is now covered with good trees. The improvement of
this land into asmall pleasure~ground will materially add to the
beauty of the East Boulevard, and as the easterncentral part of the
city becomes more closely built up, 'will beof great value as a local
. pleasure andplay-ground. ‘
The following list gives the length in milesjof the boulevards
and the acreage of parks and pleasure-grounds proposed:
BOULEVARDS. MILES.
Independence Boulevard, from Ninth and Grove Streets to
Fairview Avenue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,4
East Boulevard, from Independence Boulevard and Walrond
Avenue toSpringfield Avenue-- .-
. 2.9
East Boulevard, from city limits to Linwood Avenue. .S . . . . . . .1
South Boulevard, from intersection with East Boulevard to
Grand Boulevard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.45
Grand Boulevard, from Penn Valley Park to South Boulevard .25
Paseo, from Ninth Street to Seventeenth Street . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
_-—_
Total...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..9.85
60
PARKS AND PLEASU RE-

GROUNDS. ACRES.
PennValleyPark.................................. 75
West Terrace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
NorthTerrace . . . . ..154
The Parade. . . . . . _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
The Paseo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1
hValnut Grove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.7
High School Square . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.7
Holmes Square . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2.8
North Square . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.25
Independence Plaza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318.4
AUGUST R. MEYER,
ADRIANCE VAN BRUNT,
W. C. GLASS,
S. B. ARMOUR,
LOUIS HAMMERSLOUGH, '
Commissioners.
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61
REPORT OF THE ENGINEER.
To Me Honoraole Boaro7 of Park and Boulevard Commissioners:
GENTLEMEN,—-In submitting this report and the accompanying
drawings and illustrations, bearing on the establishment of parks
and boulevards in Kansas City, I have endeavored to present the
subject from the standpoint of design and construction.
An intelligent study of the city’s physical conditions will pre-
sent a complete justification of all the selections made by your
Board for parks and parkways within the city, although additional
reservation will doubtless be necessary to fully meet the require-
ments of an increasing population.
The map of the city and its surroundings herewith submitted
shows, in a general way, the nature of the topography, the street and
transportation lines, and the locations of all the selections for park
and boulevard purposes.
The reservations so chosen are identified by letters and are
again shown on a large scale in the detail drawings.
These detail drawings contain sketch plans, studies, intended
to illustrate and suggest the manner of ultimate improvement of
the properties.
The profiles of certain streets and of the boulevards are shown
on three separate sheets, which very clearly illustrate the compara-
tive condition of grades. The streets shown are those running north
and south between Grand and Cleveland Avenues, and east and
west streets between Eighteenth and Thirty-first Streets.
It may be interesting to note that each of the ravines on the
South Side can be distinctly traced on these profiles.
The horizontal scale of I inch to 1,320 feet, and the vertical
scale of I inch to 80 feet, intentionally exaggerates the gradients
and cannot fail to convince even a casual observer of the impossi-
bility, for instance, of using for pleasure-driving any of the east-and-
west streets between Eighteenth and Thirty-first Streets.
The profiles, or a reference to the grade elevations marked at
each intersection of the boulevard routes, show that these have the
lightest grades of the available streets.
BOULEVARDS. The chief objects sought in making this class of
improvements are to fix for residence purposes the character of the
districts through which the boulevards lead, and to provide pleasant
driveways leading from populous centers through proper surround-
ings to points of especial interest. The boulevard routes selected
meet these requirements very fully.
62
A reference to the general map will Show that the three routes,
Independence Boulevard, East Boulevard and South Boulevard, lead
through some of the best residence sections of the city, and the
streets to be occupied are already, in part, improved by fine
residences.
All these routes are located on high and sightly ground, and
have light grades. These points are of considerable importance in
several ways: First. The pleasure of driving is greatly enhanced
where no steep hills are encountered. Second. In the necessary
improvement of all the routes selected, there will be practically no
disturbance of the grades of intersecting streets.
This point is well illustrated on the East Boulevard, and a glance
at the profiles of this route will Show this. The route lies on the
ridge from Eighteenth Street to Twenty-third Street, along Chest-
nut Street, thence crossing to Kansas Avenue and again on the
ridge along Kansas Avenue to Thirty-second Street. Had it been
extended further on either side, it would have been on the side-
hill, where nearly all cross-streets enter with considerable rise or
fall, and, in widening, a readjustment of the grades of cross-streets
would have been necessary at every intersection, adding materially
to the cost of improvement. Again, since macadam should be used
as the paving material, the cost of maintenance will be much less
where light grades offer little opportunity for the surface material
to wash off.
In accordance with plans approved by yourselves, the width of
boulevards at present selected will be 100 feet, and at no time Should
any less width be considered, since with less width it would be
impossible to secure the effect of a parkway and at the same time
give suflicient width of roadway. This space should be divided as
follows on all routes not occupied by street railways: a central road-
way forty feet wide and parking thirty feet on each side; the parked
space will be arranged with a curb and gutter combined; next to
this, turf seventeen feet wide, then an eight-foot walk, and between
this and the property line five feet of turf. On this space three
lines of trees almost equally spaced will be planted. A perspective
view and cross~secti0n, Showing exactly the division intended, is
submitted herewith.
On the Independence Boulevard, along Independence Avenue,
the cable railway tracks necessitate a somewhat different arrange-
ment. The present width of roadway, fifty-six feet, will be main-
tained in order to leave a sufficient driveway on either Side Of the
car line.
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63
The parking on each side will be made as shown on the per-
spective view and cross-section for a street occupied in this manner:
from curb to walk six feet of turf; a walk eight feet wide, and eight
feet of turf between the walk and property line. On this space only
two lines of trees can be advantageously placed.
As to materials and the methods of construction : It is generally
conceded that there is no more satisfactory pavement for the pur-
poses of pleasure-driving than a well-built and well-maintained
macadam road. Such pavement, if of the best class of construction
and material, meets all the requirements even of a very large amount
of pleasure—driving, It is almost noiseless, contains no decaying
vegetable matter, offers a firm footing for horses and does not jar a
vehicle in passing over it. It offers, in addition to its other good
qualities, an advantage that has not heretofore been taken into con-
sideration as compared with pavements that are impervious to air
and moisture. Since the pleasing effect of a parkway is largely due
to its shade trees, arching over roadway and walk, it is obviously
necessary that the vigorous growth of the trees be assisted as much
as possible, and this can only occur if the roots, in their already
artificial surroundings, be given the best possible conditions.
The macadam pavement admits suficient air and moisture to
the roots, half of which are under it, to permit a healthy growth,
while materials which form an impervious surface tend to retard the
growth, and there is danger, in connection with the many other
unfavorable conditions that obtain within cities, that trees will die
by suifocation.
The first cost of the best macadam is less than that of any other
first-class pavement, and while the cost of its maintenance is a con-
tinuous one, its aggregate is no greater than the total cost of other
good pavements which periodically require complete renewal.
Macadam pavements in this city should be constructed under
specifications similar to those that have been successfully applied
in Chicago, thus avoiding all experimental work.
The following specifications will be found satisfactory: On a
sub-grade thirteen and one-half inches below the finished grade,
when thoroughly compacted by a ten-ton steam roller, and parallel
to it, is placed a course of Telford blocks, native limestone, nine
inches deep; interstices filled with limestone, not to exceed three
inches in their greatest diameter; this course thoroughly compacted
by steam roller. (Instead of Telford base, one of crushed limestone,
compacted in two layers, can be substituted.) On this foundation
is placed a four-inch course of crushed granite two and one-half




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inches in diameter, the interstices filled with a fine bank gravel, and
when well mixed and flooded with water, it is thoroughly rolled
with a heavy steam roller. On this course a surface dressing one-I
half inch deep of granite screenings is placed, flushed and rolled to
a perfectly smooth surface.
Such a roadway should be kept moist, but not wet, and, when
well cared for, is practically indestructible.
In addition to a curb, this pavement requires a gutter, and by
using artificial stone (so-called granitoid) the two can be combined,
making a uniform finish of pleasing character and perfect alignment
throughout the length of roadway. In this, as in all the other work,
only the best construction is satisfactory and economical, and this
can only be obtained by constant and rigid inspection during the
period of construction.
These granitoid gutters will be two feet wide and eight inches
deep; the curbs eight inches wide, moulded in position where they
are to remain.
The materials used will be three parts fine crushed granite,
one part best imported Portland cement; the concrete thus made is
placed four and one-half inches thick for gutter, and twelve inches
for curb, on a foundation of not less than six inches cinders. Over
the whole surface of this gutter and curb a wearing surface one-
half inch thick, consisting of one part sand and one part Portland
cement, is placed.
The walks will be formed of the same material as the curbs
and gutters and used in the same proportions, the base to be on six
inches cinders, then concrete of three and one-half inches and a
wearing surface of one-half inch, cut into flags of large size. Where
this material has been used it has proved much more durable and
costs no more than the natural stone.
The trees used on these parkways should be of such kind as
experience has proven will serve best. Among these are elm, Car-
olina poplar, Norway maple, linden, possibly ash and soft maple;
and while it would no doubt hasten the time of thorough shading
of the streets to use very large trees, it is best to use smaller nursery-
grown trees that are much more easily established.
PARKS. In a general way, the park system of a city can be
divided into several classes: the great rural or scenic parks, which
in this report have not been considered; pleasure-grounds, reasona-
bly large parcels of land within the city, intended to supply conven-
ient places of recreation for a large number of people ; play-grounds
which provide5 opportunity for enjoyment of outdoor games and




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67
athletic sports; smaller local play-grounds. The latter class pro-
vides play-grounds for children and often a resting-place where a
tired mother can enjoy a few hours in the open air when neither
could go to the large parks.
Of such grounds a city cannot have too many. The improve-
ment of such places is necessarily simple; a convenient border
walk of pleasing outline, the plantation of shade trees sufficient
to cover a portion of the ground, and possibly screens of hardy
shrubs; perhaps small shelter buildings, a convenient sand-pile for
the babies, and abundance of seats.
Of this class four selections have been made : the block between
Third and Fourth Streets and Charlotte and Campbell Streets; one
block between Eighteenth and Nineteenth and Cherry and Holmes
Streets; all of the block west of Central High School, between Oak
and Locust and Eleventh and Twelfth Streets, except the site of the
‘ business block fronting on Twelfth Street and the site of the Hum-
boldt School. A bird’s—eye view of this property is included in the
accompanying drawings, and shows the position of the High School
and Humboldt School, and a suggestion for arranging the grounds.
The fourth of these selections, “Walnut Grove,” is shown in
outline on the drawings as reservation (“H”). It is somewhat larger,
and sufficient to serve not only for children’s play, but can be made
a pleasure-ground of considerable beauty. The ground is already
well wooded. Its improvement would be simple in form ; including
walks, arranged to lead through shady groves, and possibly some
interesting plantation of flowering shrubs around the borders of the
property, and the construction of convenient entrances, and perhaps
passages through the ground.
THE PARADE. Next in area, it is intimately connected with the
“ Paseo,” and is situated at the southern end of it, between Fifteenth
Street on the north, midway between Seventeenth and Eighteenth
Streets on the south, and between Flora and Woodland Avenues.
As it is intended chiefly to supply, within easy reach of all parts of
the city, a place for general amusement and outdoor games, for
parades, concerts and public demonstrations, in addition to its use
as a local pleasure-ground, its proposed use naturally governs the
method of improvement and would require a somewhat different
treatment than that of the local pleasure-grounds. The land is
admirably adapted for its intended use. It is nearly level; the south
half well wooded, and that portion near Fifteenth Street without
trees is large enough to furnish a play-ground for many persons-
The play-ground portion should be improved with a more or less
68
dense plantation of trees and shrubs close to the street lines, leaving
the whole of the open ground for games. Since a constant use of
this part of the ground would probably result in destruction of
grass, it may prove best to leave an earth surface over that part
most in use, or probably pave with a thin layer of broken stone and
screenings.
The wooded portion can be provided with a few walks, leading
around and through the grounds, and to such shelter buildings as
may prove necessary. The planting of some trees and a greater
number of shrubs would add much to the beauty and interest of an
already pretty ground. ‘
THE PASEO. The parkway shown on the map, along Flora
Avenue and Grove Street between Ninth and Seventeenth Streets,
forms what may aptly be termed a transition between “boulevard,”
as applied in these reports, and park. In reality, it becomes from
its position a passage (Paseo) from “The Parade” to the entire
boulevard system ; and, intercepting as it does all the good east-and~
west streets in the central portion of the city, it becomes one of the
most important and unique features of the whole plan.
Its location in practically the center of the city and its accessi-
bility from all directions would of itself seem to suggest that it
should be made a promenade of the highest order, containing im-
provements such as walks, some trees, shrubs and fountains, and
displays of flowers of an extent that would perhaps be unwise in the
parks.
The public everywhere shows a thorough appreciation of flow-
ers, and although this is often expressed only in extravagant praise
of gaudy carpet bedding monstrosities, there is excellent reason for
gratifying a well-defined desire for bright colors. This property
readily lends itself to such improvement, that would hardly be justi~
fiable in the larger reservations, where reliance for color effects
must be placed in the trees and shrubs with their foliage and flow—
ers. and in hardy herbaceous plants. The educational effect of a
tastefully arranged floral display must not be underrated, as such
public efforts will quickly find imitators, and result in a more gen-
eral improvement of private places throughout the city, an indirect
result much to be desired.
The whole width of the “Paseo,” including the two streets,
Will be 22 3 feet north of Twelfth Street, and 242 feet south of that
street. The entire width is to be divided into a parking space of
thirty feet on each side, with the same division proposed on boule-
vards --namely, a walk eight feet wide, placed five feet from the
69—89

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69
property line, the remainder in grass and planted with three lines
of shade trees; outside of this parking there will be on each side a
roadway not less than twenty-five feet wide; this will leave a central
space I 13 and 132 feet in width.
The block between Fourteenth and Fifteenth Streets, on which
the Chace School may remain for the time being, should be treated
as a local play-ground, without plantations that would interfere
with the children’s play. With the exception stated, the central
space can be arranged as a succession of flower gardens, with some
trees and shrubs, fountains, and perhaps water basins for aquatic
plants; but, above all, there should be produced here floral effects on
a liberal scale, which would do much to brighten the appearance of
the city. A different design in arranging the walks and plantations
for each block would produce sufficient variety of scene to give the
whole continuing attractiveness.
WEST In this reservation, extending from Seventh to Sev-
TERRACE. enteenth Streets, and from the summit of the western
blufl's to the foot, is included the property lying west of Summit
Street between Twelfth and Thirteenth Streets, known as the Mul_
key Place, all of which is shown on the bird’s-eye view and the
sketch plan of the reservation.
The proposition here becomes a two-fold one: along the Bluff
itself, an improvement of great consequence to the whole city,
because it will transform an ugly spot at what is practically the
entrance of the city into a place at once characteristic and peculiar;
and again, in the Mulkey Place a local pleasure-ground of great
value, not only because it will be adapted to an improvement for
this purpose, but on account of the commanding view obtained
here.
The bird’s-eye view submitted illustrates what may ultimately
be made of this property, and the features shown there are intended
mainly to present to the eye salient points of the Bluff, not a defi-
nite plan.
The chief characteristics of the Blufl are the precipitous walls
of limestpne descending from the summit to a ledge about thirty
feet below, which varies in width from thirty to sixty feet. Below
this, the stone and shale layers are again exposed to a varying depth
of from ten to thirty feet. Beginning at the foot of this precipice
is a slope to the foot of the hill, more or less steep, composed prin-
cipally of a slippery shale and quarry déérz's.
From Twelfth Street, at the elevation of the ledge mentioned,
Lincoln Street descends across the face of the slope to Bluff Street,
'70
below the viaduct of the Ninth Street cable line. In a similar man-
ner, Holly Street descends from Seventeenth Street to the foot of the
Bluff at Twelfth Street. Both are, and will remain, important traf-
fic streets, supplying the means of communication between the city
on the hills and the West Bottoms, and cannot therefore be elim-
inated from a plan of improvement. Since they serve only as
passages, however, and are not likely to be obstructed by the
stopping of vehicles along the sides, there seems little reason for
maintaining either at a greater width than perhaps thirty feet for
roadway, with a sidewalk of twelve feet to fifteen feet on the outer
or west sides.
By a reference to the illustration it will be seen that there are
certain points along the summit capable of being formed into places
in themselves of great interest, and which, when seen from below,
would lend character to the whole picture.
Beginning at the north, such a place is found at Ninth Street.
Here the continuation of this street, as represented by the viaduct
of the cable railway, descends rapidly to the west, crossing the ledge
only slightly above its general level. On the north of this incline,
and at the face of the precipice above the ledge, it is possible to
introduce a turret of stone, gradually merging into natural wall,
and, if balanced by a similar lower one on the opposite side, the
whole would impress itself as an entrance into the city, which that
point really is. The top of the higher turret could easily be reached
by pedestrians from Jefferson Street, and, if arranged with seats
and perhaps shelter, would prove one of those fine points of look-
out that will make this improvement of great service to the resi-
dents above.
On the south side of Ninth Street the reservation lines show
the use of a portion of the frontage along Jefferson Street, about
midway to Tenth Street. On this property an especially attractive
improvement can be made by forming two terraces, or hanging
gardens. The upper one a little below the level of Jefferson Street,
arranged as a parterre, with perhaps a central fountain surrounded
by flowers and walks, the outer sides planted with shrubs and the
walls surrounding the three sides covered with clinging vines. A
series of stairways might be added, which would supply means of
communication between the street above and the second terrace, as
well as with the park and the street below.
The second terrace similarly arranged and decorated, the two
would become a beautiful feature and make this a most pleasing
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'71
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By a stairway from one of the terraces to the summit a prome-
nade can be made leading to another point along the brow of the
cliffs at Tenth and Summit Streets, wherein an architectural struct-
ure, a broad plaza, could be built, forming a delightful place of
gathering, from which scenes below could be enjoyed. This would
be especially true in the evening, when the masses of moving and
stationary lights lend particular interest to the great West Bottoms.
This plaza, extending along Summit Street from Tenth Street
to a point midway between Tenth and Eleventh Streets, could con-
tain at its center a broad stairway leading to the ledge below, giv-
ing the residents above easy access to the whole Terrace.
' At Fourteenth Street and Belleview Avenue is another such
point, which, treated in a manner similar to that at Tenth Street,
furnishes again the opportunity to see the valleys of the Kansas and
Missouri Rivers. \
Mulkey Place, intended as a pleasure-ground, merges into
the Terrace so naturally that it forms a necessary part of the whole,
and thus becomes of value in addition to its value as a local park-
The. fine views obtained from Mulkey Place justify the erection
there of a pavilion to give shelter and convenient resting-places to
those who will be attracted by the broad outlook.
With convenient paths from entrances on all sides and a liberal
use of shrubs and trees, this spot can be made one of the most
attractive recreation-grounds within the city.
The ledge that extends from Seventh Street, in a line practi-
cally unbroken and on the same general level, to Seventeenth Street
will admit the construction of an interesting drive. Going south
the cliff rises abruptly to the height of thirty feet on the left, and
is almost continuous; on the right is the slope to the Bottoms.
A roadway twenty-five or thirty feet wide can be built with
macadam and skirted on the outer side by a walk of granitoid, pro-
tected by railings of stone or iron.
At Ninth Street the road would have to be depressed in order
to lead under the cable railway viaduct. At this point it would seem
necessary to build a stone arch under the viaduct, and, by a planta-
tion of trees and shrubs on either side of the roadway, to screen, in
part ,at least, that somewhat incongruous iron structure.
Passing beyond Ninth Street the ledge widens sufliciently to
admit of the arrangement of some walks to the terrace toward Jef-
ferson Street, to connect with the steps at Tenth and Summit
Streets. At Twelfth Street the cliff drive would connect with
Lincoln Street; then crossing Twelfth Street and follow the ledge,
'72
which is well defined along the entire reservation to Seventeenth
Street ; from this point communication is made with the boulevard
system by way of Seventeenth Street to the east and on Broad-
way to the south—if these streets are improved as suggested by
the Board.
The surface of the ledge is at present composed principally of
a deep layer of shale, which, in the event of planting, will have to
be, at least partly, removed and replaced by loam; without this it
would be difficult to maintain vegetation.
The face of the cliff seems to reasonably withstand atmospheric
action, and, for the present, at least, will not require the construc-
tion of retaining—walls, except at such places where the shale layer
has been exposed; there, at least, light walls must undoubtedly be
built in time, since the exposure to the air disintegrates this material
so much that the cliff would be greatly undermined, and would be
in danger of partly breaking off. This condition applies to all the
stone layers below the ledge; otherwise there is at no point any
indication of instability of the ledge.
At least for the summer season, a cheap and fairly satisfactory
improvement can be made along the entire cliff by planting a pro-
fusion of clinging vines, such as different varieties of Ampelopsis.
Below the ledge and throughout the length of the terrace the
ground will be somewhat difficult to treat. The greater portion of
it is composed of quarry a’éérz's, containing also a large quantity of
shale, all thoroughly saturated with water, and consequently very
slippery and hard to hold. At such portions of the terrace where
slopes are very steep it will probably be necessary to expose the
face of the rock layers below the ledge to such an extent as will
bring the slopes below more nearly to an angle of the natural point
of rest. This could also be brought about by building a compara-
tively high footing-wall along the bottom of the slope ; and of course
any treatment of this property must include a thorough system of
drainage in the earth, and particularly back of any walls that may
be built. Except where absolutely necessary in order to furnish
communication between the upper and lower portions, there should
be no paths. I
The slope should be turfed and in part covered by a judicious
planting of trees and shrubs. It would be difficult to establish a
great variety of vegetation on this property, inasmuch as it is
exposed to very large quantities of soot and gases emitted from the
locomotives in the railway yards below. Again, during the summer,
the exposure to the western sun produces great heat and dry atmos-
'73
phere, and in the winter time the alternate freezing and thawing
will be detrimental to a very large class of plants.
NORTH TERRACE. The selection of the property shown on
drawings as “North Terrace” will undoubtedly supply one of the
most useful and beautiful parks within the city. The reservation
includes all the property within the boundaries shown on the detail
drawings. It is naturally divided into two great sections, east and
west, by the great ravine occupied by Agnes Avenue. Both sec—
tions contain property characteristic of the Bluff, with its beautiful
views, and also suflicient of fairly level surface for play-grounds.
The western section includes the five acres in Pendleton
Heights now owned by the city. Along the north slope is the
ledge which forms part of a cliff drive that will make this park
famous for its beauty and variety of scenery. The summit above
the clifl furnishes opportunity for most extensive views both along
the Missouri River valley to the north, and to some extent of the
city to the south. Here opportunity should be aflorded, by conven-
ient but separate drives and walks, to reach the highest points,
where suitable resting-places, in form of concourse for vehicles and
shelter buildings for pedestrians, can be constructed. The high
promontory at the western end of the reservation should be used as
one of these points; another lies between Wabash and Prospect
Avenues. By a judicious planting of shrubs and trees screening
portions of the valley below, and forming in some places vistas
through frames of foliage, a great diversity of scene can be
produced.
South of the western promontory, and between it and St. John
Avenue, lies a pretty dell, capable of being formed into an attract-
ive feature of the park, with a small pool, sufficient to furnish room
for boating in summer and good skating in winter. Dora Avenue,
which now leads through this dell from the East Bottoms, can be
narrowed and slightly changed in location; it will then make a good
park roadway and will give the residents below easy access to the
park. From St. john Avenue at Brooklyn Avenue, a roadway
curving to the northwest and crossing Dora Avenue roadway near
the western boundary of the reservation will supply direct connec-
tion between the residence district around the western promontory
to the cliff drive.
As shown on the sketch plan, but few roads or paths are needed
in the reservation; they should be constructed only where absolutely
necessary to furnish convenient communication between different
points of interest, or passages to the entrances.
'74
That portion east of Olive Street and lying on the higher open
ground is admirably adapted for a play-ground and should be treated
as an open lawn, with some shade trees along the borders and occa-
sional shrubs to break the bare surface of the lawn. Owing to the
street grades through some of this property, some grading will be
necessary in order to avoid abruptibreaks. At the head of Prospect
Avenue, and at the eastern portion of this section, is a narrow ridge
running out toward and overlooking the Agnes Avenue ravine.
This ridge is shown on the drawing as “Prospect Point.” Here a
lookout is obtained that suggests the erection of a turret of moderate
size, sufficient to provide seats and shelter for those who will
undoubtedly enjoy the romantic surroundings. Stone construction
would seem in keeping with the cliffs and rock exposed in the numer-
ous quarries. Across the ravine, at “Scarritt Point,” the eye rests
on a beautiful and well-wooded slope which terminates at the cliff.
Below this is the cliff drive that will wind its way around the brow
of the cliff through the “Wilderness” of groves and tangle of native
shrubs to the Independence Boulevard above. I Lower down is the
slope.to the bottom of the ravine at Agnes Avenue, and there other
quarries expose rock, which should be covered with masses of vines.
The present condition of the property at both “Points” is illus-
trated in the views presented herewith.
From the lookout at “Prospect Point,” walks, and perhaps
stairways cut into the rocks, should lead to the ledge and cliff drive
below, and to the stone viaduct across Agnes Avenue that will lead
to the cliff at “Scarritt Point.”
From “Scarritt Point” the cliff drive is continuous throughout
the length of the park and Independence Boulevard. With the
latter connections on easy grades can be made at several points.
Some of the views that accompany this report are taken from
the cliff drive. In addition to the drive, a bridle-road can be built
, along the slope below, greatly enhancing the value of the park for
equestrians. The northern exposure of the park, protected as it is
from the heat of the summer sun, results in a luxuriant growth of
vegetation on the cliffs, and it will be possible to produce a far
greater profusion of plants here than will be possible, for many
years, on the “West Terrace.”
Aside from the many beautiful views obtained along the east-
ern section of the “North Terrace,” this reservation possesses a
number of places with fairly level surface that will make handsome
play-grounds. The most prominent of these are the “Scarritt Point,”
with its gentle and shady slopes, and quite a large area north of



















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'75
Independence Boulevard and immediately west of what is known
as “Burge Park.”
The “Wilderness” of native trees and bushes, the property
lying north of St. john Avenue and west of Walrond Avenue, is also
an excellent play-ground. Its variety of contour in gentle and
steeper slopes will permit the construction of a series of paths that
would lead through shady groves and open into broad vistas of
great interest. This portion of the park is bounded on the south
and east by Independence Boulevard, which forms at its intersec-
tions with St. John and Walrond Avenues a wide concourse where
many vehicles will have room to stand, permitting their occupants
to enjoy a view of rare beauty to the northwest, over the “Wilder-
ness” in the foreground, and between “Prospect” and “Scarritt
Points,” to the river and valley below. At this point the line of
the boulevard crosses the head of a deep ravine, necessitating a
considerable earth-fill, and this in turn will require a high wall of
several hundred feet in length. By building a wall of rough-faced
rock, and partly covering it with vines, it can be made an attractive
feature entirely in harmony with its park surroundings. By a
liberal provision of seats placed perhaps in recesses in the wall on
the level of the boulevard, this point can be made of great value to
pedestrians.
From Cleveland Avenue east, Independence Boulevard skirts
the park throughout its length, making it accessible at many points.
Throughout the park there is an excellent growth of native
trees a ‘ “1"” s, and it will require comparatively little additional
planting to make the whole a handsome park. Along the north
line of Independence Boulevard at the edge of the Bluff it will be
desirable to make some plantations of shrubs in order to screen
from view some of the present and possibly future factory buildings
in the immediate foreground in the East Bottoms below.
PENN VALLEY. Like the other large park reservations, the
property included in this seems intended by nature for park pur-
poses.‘ On the south is high land far above all the surrounding
streets, and to the north the deep valley.
The Penn Street road, which bounds the property on the east
and has easy grades throughout, should be made the park road.
By avoiding the use of continuous and formal plantation of
shade trees along the road, using instead groups of trees, the valley
will become what it really is intended to be, a park drive; from it
Several roads will lead into and through the park beyond, making
all portions easily reached, and from all sides. The extensive val-
'76
ley in the northern half of the park will require but little improve-
ment beyond partly leveling the lower ground for a general play-
ground, giving place for nearly all the outdoor games. The whole
of this property, when well turfed and planted with clumps of
trees and shrubs along the slopes, will become a most delightful
place of recreation. On the east side of the valley and within the
park is a cliff and ledge similar in character to those along the
“West” and “North Terraces,” and here also a short cliff drive will
add much to the interest and usefulness of the property. Above it,
between the cliff and Jefferson Street, the western boundary, is high
land. Along this summit a path would lead to all the points from
which the best views to the west, north and east can be obtained.
At these places seats and shelter will be desirable.
The south half of the park is, in character and topography, the
opposite of the north portion. It is in the main a high, sightly
plateau, beginning near Thirteenth Street, where a promontory is
formed by two small ravines that drain the eastern and western
sides of the park, and that converge in the valley below.
On a level slightly below the plateau, a driveway leading from
the east at Thirteenth Street around the promontory to Thirty-first
Street and receiving into it the cliff drive from the north would
supply communication between the residence districts on each side
and connect with all drives and paths into the interior of the pro-
posed park. The high point of the promontory, which commands
a fine view of the densely populated hills of the city to the north,
is an excellent site for a pavilion. A small lake now on the prop-
erty could be enlarged, and, with paths to and around it, would add
much to the beauty of the park.
A main driveway “can be arranged to enter near the center of
the southern boundary, really continuing the South Boulevard, and
pass through the park toward the city, connecting in the park with
its roads and paths.
In the three larger reservations, to a less degree in the “Penn
Valley,” however, there exists the condition that, aside from the
areas of pleasure-ground provided, the principal and most attractive
feature lies in the wide range of views obtained from summits in
the reservations. This fact at once controls the designs for location
and the direction of the greater portion of roadways and paths that
lead to points of vantage, to the end that every view will be seen at
its best, and that each will awaken interest and expectation as to
the next to follow.

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'77
In some cases great breadth of views is not an unmixed advan-
tage, as they often include spots and objects not in harmony with
park scenery which the designer would like to screen from view.
To accomplish this, plantations of trees and shrubs can be disposed
in the immediate foreground to cover undesirable objects and to
form frames of foliage for the pictures left exposed to view. These
plantations can often be so arranged as to appear to incorporate
distant objects of interest and make them seem portions of the park,
although actually far beyond and out of control.
The construction of roadways and paths need not in any case
be costly. They should require very little grading, as they will in
all cases adhere as closely to the natural surface as the shape of the
ground and condition of surface-drainage will permit. There is no
apparent need for drainage except such that will care for surface
water. The roadways, built on a base of eight inches broken stone
covered with gravel, will bear all the driving that can go upon them,
and the paths will probably not need more than four inches of stone
and gravel. Both will, in most cases, require gutters of permanent
material (small cobble-stones seem best), as they form the natural
surface drains. As these can not be large enough to carry great
quantities of water, sometimes for long distances to natural outlets,
underground drains will in some instances be needed.
A suflicient number of buildings for operating purposes as well
as for convenience and comfort of the public must be provided for
at convenient and proper places.
As all such structures, however, are artificial and more or less
out of keeping with natural scenery, they should, therefore, never
be permitted to become conspicuous either in design or color.
The climate here permits the use of a great variety of decid-
uous trees and shrubs and herbaceous plants, making it possible to
have during the spring and autumn months a great profusion of
flowers, without resorting to an excess of bedding plants for color
effects. In autumn foliage we are not so fortunate, as there are
only a few trees that produce clear colors, and then for a very short
time only. The dry summer months seem to limit the use of
coniferous trees to a comparatively small number of kinds, but
among these are the most valuable of the pines, firs, spruces, and
arbor-vitaes for park planting.
For the lawn, the light of the landscape picture, the blue-grass
(Poapmz‘ensz‘s) is unquestionably the best. It seems able to bear
continual trampling and will make it possible to permit almost unre‘
stricted public use of the lawns.
r78
Before any park improvement is possible it is indispensable
that a nursery or nurseries for trees and shrubs be provided.
It will be impossible to do satisfactory work without nurseries
under direct control of the Park Board.
GEo. E. KESSLER,
Engineer.





































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































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Pages 79 to 84.




AMENDMENT TO THE CITY CHARTER IN RELATION TO
PARKS AND BOULEVARDS, ADOPTED JUNE 6, 1895.
ARTICLE X.
SECTION I. There is hereby established within the city an
~xecutive department to be known as “Board of Park Commission-
:rs,” which Board shall be composed of five persons, freeholders
Lnd electors of the city, well known for their intelligence and integ-
ity, who shall have resided in the territory embraced within the
:ity limits at the time of their appointment for a period of at least
ive years before the date of their appointment, and who shall be
[ppointed by the Mayor without confirmation, and whose term of
>flice shall continue for a period of two years; provided, that the
irst appointment of such Commissioners hereunder shall be for a
erm ending at the end of the fiscal year of 1896. Said Commis—
sioners shall serve without compensation, and any one of said Com-
nissioners shall be held to have vacated his office in the event of
1is accepting a nomination or appointment to, or becoming a candi-
late for, any political oflice.
N o more than three members of said Board shall belong to the
.ame political party. One of the members of the Board shall be desig-
1ated in the appointment as president thereof; and vacancies in
.aid Board shall be filled by appointment by the Mayor for the
inexpired term only. Any member of said Board may be sus—
>ended or removed in the same manner and for like causes as other
lppointive city oflficers.
SEC. 2. The president of said Board shall give a bond to the city
n the sum of ten thousand dollars, and each of the other members
shall give a bond to the city in the sum of five thousand dollars for
he faithful performance of his duties as such Park Commissioner.
tAll bonds required to be given by the provisions of this article shall
>e approved by the City Comptroller.
SEC. 3. Said Board of Park Commissioners shall keep a record
>f its proceedings; shall adopt a common seal, and shall appoint a
:ecretary, who shall not be a member of the Board, and who shall
101d office at the will of the Board, and shall receive such salary as
he Board may determine, and shall give bond to the city for the
aithful performance of his duties in the sum of five thousand dol-
ars. In the absence or disability of the secretary, the Board may
lesignate one of its members to act as secretary pro tempore.
86
SEC. 4. The president, and in his absence or disability any
other Park Commissioner appointed president pro fempore by reso-
lution of the Board, is authorized to sign, execute and acknowledge,
in the name of the Board, all maps, plats, contracts, warrants or
documents of any character required or authorized by this article;
and three members of said Board shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business, and an affirmative vote of a majority of
the members of the Board shall be sufficient to authorize any act of
said board.
SEC. 5. Said Board of Park Commissioners shall have power,
and it shall be its duty, to devise and adopt a system of public parks,
parkways and boulevards, for the use of the city and its inhabitants,
and to select and designate lands to be used and appropriated for
such purposes, within or without the city limits, and to select routes
and streets for boulevards, and to cause the same to be opened and
widened as hereinafter set forth, and, by and with the approval and
authority, by ordinance, of the Common Council, to lease, purchase,
condemn or otherwise acquire,in the name of the city,land for parks,
parkways, boulevards, or public squares, and, by and with the
approval and authority, by ordinance, of thefCommon Council, to
establish, change or re-establish the grade of any boulevard or park-
way, and to require any railway upon or across such boulevard
or parkway to be brought to the grade so established, changed or
re-established.
SEC. 6. Said Board of Park Commissioners shall also have
power to superintend, control and manage any and all parks, park-
ways and boulevards belonging to or under control of the city, and
such other public grounds and thoroughfares as may, by ordinance
of the Common Council, be placed under the control and manage-
ment of said Board, and to improve, adorn and regulate the same
in such manner as it may deem best, and to establish the width of
sidewalks on all boulevards and parkways. And the Common Coun-
cil shall have power, and it shall be its duty, upon the recommenda~
tion of the Board of Park Commissioners, to pass ordinances for the
regulation and orderly government of such parks, parkways and
boulevards, and to prescribe fines and penalties for the violation of
such ordinances.
SEC. 7. The territory within the present city limits, so long
as said limits remain unchanged, and until such park districts may
be changed as herein provided, is hereby divided into three park
districts, to be known as “ \Vest Park District,” “North Park Dis-
rict.” and “South Park District,” whose boundaries shall be the
8'?
same as those heretofore established by ordinance of the Common
Council, numbered 4910, and approved on the 4th day of March,
1893 ; which division of the city into park districts under the pro~
visions of said ordinance is hereby ratified and confirmed, the
boundaries of which districts are as follows:
Of the West Park District: Beginning at the intersection of
the western city limits with the northern city limits; thence east-
wardly along the northern city limits to the intersection of said
northern city limits with the center line of Delaware Street pro-
jected northerly; thence in a southerly direction along the center
line of Delaware Street to the intersection with the center line of
Ninth Street; thence eastwardly along the center line of Ninth
Street to the intersection with the center line of Main Street south
of Junction of Main and Delaware Streets; thence in a southerly
direction along the center of said Main Street to the southern city
limits; thence westwardly along the southern city limits to the
western city limits; thence northwardly along the western city
limits to the place of beginning.
Of the North Park District: Beginning at the northeast corner
of the West Park District, as herein defined, that is, the intersec-
tion between the center line of Delaware Street projected north-
wardly with the northern city limits; thence in a southerly direc-
tion along the eastern boundary line of the said West Park District
to the center line of Fifteenth Street; thence eastwardly along the
center line of Fifteenth Street to the eastern city limits; thence in a
northerly direction along the eastern city limits to the northern city
limits; thence westwardly along the northern city limits to the
place of beginning.
Of the South Park District: Beginning at the southwest corner
of the North Park District, as herein defined, thence in a southerly
direction along the eastern boundary line of the West Park Diss
trict, as herein defined, to the southern city limits; thence east-
wardly along the southern city limits to the eastern city limits;
thence in a northernly direction along the eastern city limits to the
center line of Fifteenth Street; thence westwardly along the center
line of Fifteenth Street to the place of beginning.
Whenever and so often as the city shall extend or change its
limits, the Common Council shall have power by ordinance, upon
recommendation of the Board of Park Commissioners, to divide
the added territory into new park districts, or to add the same to
the districts already established, or to divide the whole territory
88
within the city limits as extended or changed into two or more
park districts.
SEC. 8. It shall be the duty of the Board of Park Commission-
ers to provide at least one park in each park district, and to pur-
chase or otherwise acquire with the concurrence of the Common
Council, as herein provided, real estate therefor; and the Common
*Council is hereby authorized and empowered to provide by ordi-
nance for the purchase, condemnation, or otherwise obtaining of
land within the city limits, and for the purchase or otherwise of
land without the city limits, for public parks, parkways and boule-
vards, and to establish the same, provided the acquisition of such
land for such public parks, parkways and boulevards and the
establishment of the same be first recommended by the Board of
Park Commissioners. And whenever said Board shall select and
recommend to the Common Council any acquisition of any land for
parks, public squares, parkways or boulevards, it shall be the duty
of the Common Council, upon such recommendation, to proceed
forthwith, by ordinance, to provide for the establishment and
acquisition by purchase, condemnation or otherwise, as it may
deem best, of such lands for parks, parkways or boulevards as may
be selected by said Board of Park Commissioners. Payment for
any such land so selected and acquired, whether within or without
the city limits, may be made out of the general fund, or by the
issue and sale of bonds of the city as may be provided by ordinance
of the Common Council subject to the constitution and laws of the
State; or payment for land so selected and acquired for such pur-
poses within the city limits may be made as hereinafter provided.
SEC. 9. The parks, parkways, public squares and boulevards,
established in any park district or districts within the city limits,
whether acquired by purchase or condemnation, may be paid for
by special assessments upon the real estate situated therein found
benefited thereby as hereinafter authorized. Such special assess-
ments may be made payable in such manner and at such time or
times as may be provided by ordinance of the Common Council
upon the recommendation of the Board of Park Commissioners.
If the Common Council, with the concurrence of the Board of
Park Commissioners, shall, by ordinance, find and determine that
the establishing of any park, parkway or boulevard is a benefit to
more than one park district or part or parts thereof, the cost thereof
may be assessed upon the real estate found benefited in such park
districts or parts thereof.
89
SEC. IO. Whenever the Common Council, upon the recom- \
mendation of the Board of Park Commissioners, shall provide by
ordinance for the purchase or condemnation of any real estate
selected for a park, or for the opening, widening or extending of
any boulevard or parkway, or part thereof, or for constructing and
maintaining any viaduct or bridge for public use on any parkway
or boulevard, or for establishing, opening, widening, extending or
altering any route or right of way for a sewer or a channel of any
watercourse necessary to the maintenanCe of a park or park system
in whole or in part, and it becomes necessary to take or damage any
private property for any such purpose, said Common Council shall,
by ordinance, describe the private property to be purchased, taken
or damaged; and in case the same is to be paid for by special
assessments upon real estate, shall designate the time and mode of
payment of such assessments, and shall also prescribe the limits
within which private property shall be deemed benefited by the
proposed improvement, and be assessed and charged to pay com-
pensation therefor, which benefit district may include one or more
park districts, or part or parts of such district or districts. And in
said ordinance, separate descriptions of each piece or parcel of prop-
erty shall not be required, but it shall be a sufficient description of
the property to be purchased, taken or damaged, to give a descrip-
tion of the entire tract by metes and bounds, whether the same shall
be composed of one or more than one piece or parcel. Thereupon
the City Engineer, or his assistants, shall make out and deliver to
the Board of Park Commissioners a statement by map, plat or oth-
erwise, containing a correct description of the several lots or par-
cels of private property to be purchased, taken or damaged, and
containing also the names of the owners, so far as known, of such
lots or parcels of land, if any, to be taken or damaged, or of any
estate or interest therein, who may be such at the time of the tak-
ing effect of the ordinance providing for the taking or damaging of
such private property. The proceedings for the taking or damag-
ing of such private property for public use as herein provided and
the assessments of benefits to pay for the property so purchased,
taken or damaged, if the same is to be paid for by special assess-
ments upon real estate, shall be heard and determined by the Cir-
cuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri, at Kansas City.
SEC. II. When the Board of Park Commissioners shall file or
cause to be filed a certified copy of such ordinance referred to in the "
preceding section, in the Circuit Court, or with the clerk thereof, (
90
such court shall thereupon, by order, appoint a day and place for
empaneling a jury to ascertain the compensation for the property
taken or damaged, and, if the same is to be paid for by special
assessments upon real estate, to make assessments to pay for the
property to be taken, purchased or damaged, as the case may be;
which order shall recite such ordinance, or the substance thereof,
and shall be directed to all persons whom it may concern, without
naming them, notifying them of the day and place fixed for the
empaneling of a jury, and for the ascertaining of the compensation
to be paid for the property to be taken or damaged and the amount
of benefits, if any, to be assessed to pay therefor or for the property
purchased.
A copy of such order shall be published in a newspaper at the
time doing the city printing, for four successive weeks, the last
insertion to be not more than one week prior to the day so fixed for
said hearing. The court may, at the time of making such order,
or at any time before the hearing, further order that the parties
owning or having an interest in the real estate proposed to be taken
or damaged, be served with a copy of said order, either by deliver-
ing to each of such owners or parties interested at any time before
the day fixed therein for the hearing, a copy of the order or by
leaving such copy at their usual place of abode with some member
of their respective families over the age of fifteen years; and, in
case of corporations, by delivering a copy to the president, secre-
tary, or some managing officer thereof, or to any agent of such
corporation in charge of any ofiice or place of business of such
corporation.
If service of such notice can not be made on any or all of such
parties as above described, within said city, when personal service
is ordered by said court, the return on such notice shall so state,
and thereupon an alias order specifying a different date may be made
by said court, if deemed advisable, notifying such unserved parties
of the facts as in case of the original notice above provided. Said
cause may be continued or postponed from time to time asin civil
causes in said court. It shall not be required in any case to bring
in any person other than the owners of the property or those inter-
ested therein, who were such at the time of the taking effect of such
ordinance; and the parties claiming or holding through or under
such owners or parties interested, or any of them, shall be bound
by the proceedings as fully as if they were brought in; but any per-
sons having an interest in the real estate to be affected by said pro-
k‘\ ceedings may, upon application and entering their appearance, be
91
made parties thereto; but no notice of said proceedings shall, in
any case, be necessary to the validity thereof, except the publication
of the order as herein provided. Notice so given by publication
shall be sufficient to authorize the court to hear and determine the
cause and to make any finding or order or render any judgment
therein as fully as though all the parties interested at the time of
the taking effect of such ordinance, or thereafter, had been sued by
their proper names and had been personally served.
Aflidavit by the publisher, manager, or any person connected
with the newspaper in which such order was published, accompa-
nied with a printed copy of the notice, shall be prima facie evidence
of the publication of such order as herein required.
The service of such notice or order, when so ordered by the
court, may be made by a policeman of the city, or by any constable
or oflicer authorized to serve judicial writs; and any return of ser-
vice by a policeman, constable or other officer shall be evidence of
the facts therein stated.
SEC. 12. If any incorporated company, which may be inter-
ested in the whole or in any part of the land to be taken or dam-
aged by the said proceeding, be entitled, under the law of the land,
to trial of its claim for compensation therefor by a common law
jury of twelve men, it may at any time prior to the day fixed as
herein provided for empaneling a jury, file in the oflice of the clerk
of said court a petition, in which it shall state the description of the
property owned or claimed by it so to be taken or damaged and the
amount and nature of its claim therefor, and may further state that
it demands a trial before a common law jury of twelve men of its
claim for compensation therefor; and if any such incorporated com-
pany shall not so file such petition before such date, it shall be
deemed and taken to have waived its right of trial by a jury as
aforesaid of such issue. And if any incorporated company, which
may under the law of the land be entitled to a trial by a jury as
aforesaid, shall file such petition, then the court shall cause such
jury to be empaneled for the trial of such claim; and the issue to
be tried by such jury shall be the actual value of the land of such
claimant taken, if any, and the amount of damage to the land of
such claimant not taken, by the public use thereof, and by the use
of the land taken for the purposes for which it is taken, including
all that the city may, from time to time, do or cause to be done in,
with or upon the private property so taken or damaged. If two or
more such incorporated companies interested in land to be taken or
damaged as aforesaid be entitled to trial by a common law jury as
l
l
I
92
aforesaid, and shall make demand therefor as aforesaid, the court
may, in its discretion, as may appear expedient, order that all such
claims shall be tried at the same time before one jury; and said
cause or further proceedings in the same shall be continued from
time to time by the court until such issue or issues shall have been
determined by the verdict of said jury:
Provided, that any party to such issue which may feel aggrieved
by the verdict of said jury may, within four days after the rendi-
tion of the same, file its motion for a new trial and in arrest of judg-
ment, and said motion or motions shall be heard without delay,
and after hearing the same the court may overrule the same or may
order a new trial of such issue or issues on good cause shown ; but
no appeal from the judgment of the court overruling such motions
shall be had therein until the final judgment of confirmation of the
entire proceedings by the said court as hereinafter provided.
After the rendition of the verdict of such common law jury of
twelve men, and after the hearing of the exceptions thereto on the
motions for new trial or in arrest of judgment, if any there be, or if
no such jury trial be demanded, then upon the day fixed by the
order and notice aforesaid for empaneling a jury, or upon any day
thereafter to which said cause may have been continued as afore-
said, the court shall empanel a jury of six freeholders and the cause
shall proceed before such jury of freeholders empaneled to try the
same as set forth in the next succeeding section.
SEC. I 3. Said court shall, upon the day fixed therefor, or upon
some subsequent day to which said cause may have been continued,
empanel a jury of six freeholders of the city, who shall not be inter-
ested in the property to be taken, purchased or damaged, who shall
receive the same compensation as other jurors in said court; and
said jurors, upon entering upon their duties as such, shall make
oath before the clerk of said court that they will faithfully and
impartially ascertain the actual damages or just compensa-
tion to be paid in each case separately, as well as the bene-
fits, if any, to be assessed, under such instructions as shall, after
hearing the parties, be given them by the court. The parties inter-
ested may submit evidence to said jury of freeholders, and such
jury may examine personally each piece of property described on
such map or plat furnished as aforesaid by said City Engineer, or
his assistants, to the Board of Park Commissioners, and all property
claimed to be damaged; and such jury may examine personally the
property, if any, to be assessed with benefits, and the City Engineer,
or one of his assistants, may accompany such jury for the purpose
93
of pointing out the property aforesaid; and the court may continue
the proceedings from day to day, or adjourn to a future day. The
party owning any property taken may remove any improvements
thereon.
SEC. 14. The jury shall ascertain the just compensation, to be
paid as follows :
First, for each piece of private property taken, when the pub-
lic use thereof shall be such that the city must have exclusive pos-
session and control thereof, as in case of a public park, public square,
parkway or boulevard, the actual value of the property taken;
provided, that in case any claim for compensation shall have been
tried and ascertained by a common law jury as provided in Section
12 of this article, any jury of freeholders in said proceeding
shall accept and adopt the valuation or assessment of damages for
any land taken or damaged as assessed by said common law jury,
and shall so recite the same in and as apart of any verdict thereafter
rendered by any such jury of freeholders.
Second, for each piece of private property taken when the pub-
lic use thereof may be such that the city need have only such pos-
session and control as shall not wholly exclude the beneficial use
thereof by the owner or owners, as in the case of a viaduct, bridge
or route for a sewer, and right of way therefor, the actual damage
from the public uses specified in the ordinance.
T/zz'm’, for all damages to each piece of private property not
actually taken so as to give the city possession or control of the
same, the actual amount of damages such private property may
sustain from the use of the private property taken for the public
use for which it may be taken, including all that the city may from
time to time do or cause to be done in, with or upon the property
so taken.
SEC. I 5. If the land to be purchased, taken or damaged as
aforesaid is to be paid for by the assessment of benefits upon real
estate, whether the land acquired is to be condemned or purchased,
the jury of freeholders, to pay compensation for the land purchased,
taken or damaged, shall estimate the amount of benefit to the city
at large, inclusive of any benefit to the property of the city, and
shall estimate the value of the benefit of the proposed improvement
to each and every lot, piece and parcel of private property, exclu—
sive of the buildings and improvements thereon, within the benefit
district, if any benefit is found to accrue thereto; and in case the
total of such benefits, including the benefits assessed to the city at
94.
large, equals or exceeds the compensation assessed, or to be paid
for the property purchased, taken or damaged, then said jurors shall
assess against the city the amount of benefits to the city as afore-
said, and shall assess the balance of the cost of such improvement
against the several lots and parcels of private property found bene-
fited, each lot or parcel of ground to be assessed with an amount
bearing the same ratio to such balance as the benefit to each lot or
parcel bears to the whole benefit to all the private property assessed.
SEC. 16. The jury of freeholders shall render a verdict which
shall show:
First, a correct description of each piece or parcel of private
property taken, if any, and the value thereof, and of each piece or
parcel of private property damaged, and the amount of injury
thereto; and in case the property to be taken or damaged is to be
paid for out of the general fund, or out of the funds belonging to
the park district in which the same is situated, or from the issue
and sale of bonds of the city, and not by the assessment of benefits
against real estate, no further finding of the jury shall be necessary.
Second, if the property purchased, taken or damaged is to be
paid for by the assessment of benefits upon real estate, the verdict
. of said jury shall also show, in compensation for the property pur-
chased, taken or damaged, the amount, if any, assessed against the
city, which shall stand as a judgment against the city, and shall
show the amount of benefits assessed against each piece and parcel
of private property found benefited within the benefit district.
The City Engineer and City Assessor, or their assistants, shall,
when required, aid said jury of freeholders to put its verdict in
proper form; and said jury may use the books, plats and records in
the office of the City Assessor for such purpose, and if the jury
shall find that any number of tracts or parcels of land within the
benefit district are benefited ratably in proportion to the assessed
value thereof as shown by the books of said Assessor, they may so
assess the same; and said jury shall not be discharged until its
verdict shall have been reviewed by the court and is correct in
form. Said verdict shall be signed by each of said jurors, and the
verdict of said jury may be reviewed by said court, and said jury
may be required by the court to correct any errors of description
or other clerical errors; and the court may on its own motion, or
may on the motion of the city, or of any party interested in the
proceedings, filed within four days after the rendition of the verdict,
for good cause, set aside the verdict of said jury of freeholders, and
thereupon, without further notice, may appoint a new jury of free-
95
holders to make a new appraisement or assessment, and fix a time
and place for empaneling such other jury and for a rehearing of
the whole matter; provided, that the verdict of any common law
jury theretofore rendered in such proceeding fixing the compen-
sation to be paid to any incorporated company shall be accepted
by such new jury of freeholders as part of its finding.
SEC. 17. The verdict, unless set aside as aforesaid, shall be
confirmed and judgment entered thereon that the city have and
hold the property sought to be taken upon payment of the com-
pensation assessed therefor, for the purpose specified in the ordi-
nance providing for said improvement, and that the city pay the
benefits assessed against said city, that the city recover the respect-
ive amount assessed against the private property, and that the
several lots and parcels of private property so assessed to pay
compensation by the verdict stand severally charged and be bound
for the payment of the respective assessments and the interest that
may accrue thereon; and if said assessments are, by the ordinance
aforesaid, made payable in more than one installment, the judgment
shall so recite. Such judgment shall be by the clerk docketed and
indexed in the books used for that purpose. And if such assess-
ment, or any portion thereof, against any tract or parcel assessed,
or any portion thereof, be not paid and discharged when the same
becomes due or collectible, and shall be in default as hereinafter
provided, the collection of the same may be enforced by special
execution or executions against the lot, tract or parcel of land
charged with the lien thereof; and such execution or executions
shall issue upon the filing of a statement of the City Treasurer with
the clerk of the court, showing what assessments are unpaid and
collectible, and against what lots or parcels of land and the amount
or amounts due and collectible thereon.
The proceedings under such special execution or executions
shall, as far as practicable, conform to the proceedings under special
executions on ordinary judgments foreclosing liens on lands, and
any such execution herein authorized shall be deemed sufficient if
it recites the date of the judgment, the amount assessed remaining
unpaid against the tract or tracts described in such execution, states
that such tract or tracts were assessed to pay compensation for pri-
vate property purchased, taken or damaged for public use as pro-
vided in the ordinance ordering such improvement, giving the title
and date of the taking effect of such ordinance, and commands the
Sheriff to sell each tract or parcel of property described in said exe-
cution, or so much thereof as may be necessary to satisfy the assess-
96
ment, interest and the costs of such execution and sale. And any
number of tracts and parcels included in one judgment may be sold
under one and the same execution and at the same time and in pur-
suance of one notice of sale, in which case the costs of such execu-
tion and sale shall be apportioned against the several tracts and
parcels in proportion to the number of the same included in such
execution; but on any such judgment execution may, at the
instance of the city, issue against one orimore tracts separately at
different times, or two or more tracts may be included in one
execution.
Upon sales made by the Sheriff under any such special execu-
tion he shall issue to the purchaser a certificate of purchase setting
forth the substance of such special execution so far as it relates to
the property described in such certificate, the date of sale, the pur-
chaser, the property sold and the amount bid. Such certificate of
purchase shall be delivered by the Sheriff to the purchaser on pay-
ment of the amount bid, which certificate shall be executed and
acknowledged by such Sheriff before some oficer authorized to take
acknowledgments of instruments affecting real estate, and shall be
filed for record in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of jackson
County at Kansas City, within six months after the date of the
same. If the property so sold be redeemed within one year from
the date of such sale by the owner of or a party interested in said
property by payment to the Sheriff of the amount due on said judg-
ment, together with any taxes that may have been paid by the pur-
chaser after such sale and before redemption, including interest on
said amounts at the rate of fifteen per cent per annum and costs up
to the date of the redemption, no deed shall be given by the Sheriff.
The holder of said certificate of purchase, prior to the redemption
thereof, shall have the right to pay general and special taxes and
special assessments against the property described in said certificate
of purchase when the same are due and payable, and shall deliver
the receipt or receipts therefor to the Sherifi‘, and any redemption
by the owner or party interested in such property shall include the
amount of such payments with interest thereon as above provided.
Upon such redemption as herein provided of any lot or parcel of
land sold under such special execution, the Sheriff shall give a certifi-
cate of redemption describing said lot or parcel and acknowledging
receipt in full of said judgment, interest and costs, which shall be
executed and acknowledged by such Sheriff before some officer
authorized to take acknowledgments of deeds to real estate, and the
cost thereof shall be included in the cost of such redemption. If
97
the lot or parcel of land so sold be not redeemed as herein provided,
a deed shall be given at the end of one year from the date of said
sale by the Sheriff to the holder of said certificate. Such deed may
be given to the original holder or his assignee, and shall vest in the
grantee all the right, title, interest and estate in the lot or parcel so
sold.
SEC. 18. Any party aggrieved by any verdict and judgment
aforesaid may take an appeal therefrom by filing such affidavit as is I
required in the appealing of civil cases and filing a bond in such
sum and with such security as may be approved by the Circuit
Court or judge thereof, conditioned that the party appealing, should
the judgment be affirmed by the Appellate Court, or such appeal
be dismissed, pay all the costs of such appeal. The bond and
affidavit for such appeal, however, shall be filed within twenty days
from the rendition of the judgment of confirmation of the verdict,
and the appeal shall be perfected within sixty days from the date
of said judgment, unless further time be granted by the court. In
case of appeal, the judgment shall stand suspended until the appeal
is disposed of, and no interest shall be allowed or collected on the
judgment or on the assessments until such judgment be aflirmed
or appeal be dismissed. No writ of error shall be allowed. The
clerk of the Appellate Court shall put such case on the docket for
hearing at the next term of that court after the appeal is allowed.
No error nor defect not afiecting the rights of the appellant shall
work a reversal of the judgment.
SEC. 19. The Common Council shall have the power with the
concurrence of the Board of Park Commissioners, at any time
before any of the parties assessed with benefits shall have paid the
amount so assessed, to repeal the ordinance ordering the proposed
improvement, if such repeal be deemed for the best interests of
the city; and in such event the judgment for compensation and
benefits shall be void.
SEC. 20. After the judgment of confirmation of such verdict
and proceedings, the clerk of said court shall certify, under the seal of
said court, to two copies of said verdict, one of which copies he
shall deliver to the City Treasurer and one to the City Auditor; and
said assessments and benefits, if any, against private property shall
be a lien from the date of the taking effect of the ordinance in pur-
suance of which said assessments are made and said proceedings
instituted, and shall attach to the several lots, or parcels of land so
assessed with benefits as aforesaid; and said lien shall continue
98
against each lot or parcel assessed until the assessment against such
lot or parcel has been paid or collected in full, both principal and
ipterest. N 0 assessment shall be defeated or affected by any irregu-
larity affecting any other assessment or from the rendering of any
other assessment invalid in whole or in part.
SEC. 21. Said assessments shall be payable in one installment,
or in such number of annual installments as may be determined
by the Common Council upon the recommendation of the Board of
Park Commissioners, such determination to be declared in the ordi-
nance of the Common Council under which said proceedings are
instituted. All assessments confirmed by the Circuit Court during
any year ending with the thirty-first day of March, if payable in
more than one installment, shall have their first installment due on
the thirty-first day of May next following, and the successive install-
ments shall be due on the thirty-first day of each succeeding May,
until all shall have been paid, with interest, as provided by law;
provided, that assessments payable in one installment shall be pay-
able without interest within sixty days after said judgment of con-
firmation thereof, and if not so paid shall bear interest at the rate of
fifteen per cent per annum from the date of the confirmation
thereof, and execution may issue thereon. Installment: of all
assessments payable in more than one installment may be paid
without interest within sixty days after the date of the judgment of
confirmation of the verdict of the jury making said assessment;
but if not so paid they shall bear interest at the rate of seven per
cent per annum from the date of said judgment of confirmation
thereof until maturity, and such interest shall be due and payable
annually on the thirty-first day of May of each year; provided, how-
ever, that the owner of the property charged with the payment of
such assessment or any installment thereof, or the owner of any
interest therein, shall have the privilege of paying such assessment
in full, or any installment thereof, at any time, by paying all the
interest thereon to a date six months after the date of such pay-
ment, except only as to any installment due within six months
from the date of such payment, upon which installment interest
shall be paid to maturity thereof; and on and after the tenth day of
May of each year any statements made by the City Treasurer of
taxes due or payable on any real estate shall include all assessments
or installments thereof, or interest thereon, due on the thirty-first
day of May of said year, and the City Treasurer shall receive pay-
ment thereof at the same time with the payment of city taxes.
99
All installments of assessments and interest on any such in-
stallments, if not paid at maturity, shall bear interest thereon at the
rate of fifteen per cent per annum until paid; and if any installment
of any assessment payable in more than one installment, or if inter-
est on any installments, be not paid at maturity and shall remain
in default for three months thereafter, then all the unpaid install-
ments and interest shall be collectible, together with interest
thereon at the rate of fifteen per cent per annum from the date of
the maturity of said interest or installment in default, and special
execution or executions may issue as aforesaid for the collection of
all the installments and interest unpaid and the costs of such collec-
tion. Provided, that the owner or party interested may pay to the
City Treasurer at any time before special execution has issued
against his land, the amount of the installment or installments
,and interest in default with interest thereon at fifteen per cent as
aforesaid, in which case the installments not then due shall not be
affected by such default.
SEC. 22. The City Treasurer shall keep a recordofi all special
assessments charged against lands hereunder. All assessments and
interest thereon shall be payable at the oflfice of the City Treasurer
at any time before special execution has issued thereon, and there-
after they shall be payable to the Sheriff, with costs at any time
before the date of sale.
The City Treasurer shall receive payment of assessments on
part of any lot, parcel or piece of land, or, on the whole, in the same
manner and to the same extent as in the case of the payment of
city taxes or special tax bills, and shall make entry on his books
accordingly, showing on what lot, piece or parcel of land payment
has been made. When any person shall pay an assessment or
installment, or part thereof, it shall be the duty of the City Treas—
urer to sign a receipt and duplicate receipt therefor; but it shall be
sufficient if the amount paid be shown as stated in the receipt given
for city taxes. The Treasurer shall immediately deliver all such
receipts to the City Auditor, whose duty it shall be to countersign
and deliver the original receipt to the payor and retain the dupli-
cate, from which he shall from day to day make a perfect record and
account showing What sums have been received by the Treasurer
for each park district and on account of what improvement. And
it shall be the duty of the City Treasurer to include in any state-
ment of taxes due on any real estate any special assessments or
installments thereof or interest thereoniwhich may be due on said
real estate.
100
SEC. 2 3. The City Treasurer shall collect said assessments and
all interest thereon and hold all moneys collected therefrom, or by
sale of lands under execution as aforesaid, upon special trust to
apply the same in payment of land purchased, taken or damaged as
aforesaid, or in payment of park fund certificates as hereinafter pro-
vided ; and any balance or surplus resulting after all such payments,
shall accumulate for the use of the park district or districts, and
may be applied and used by the Board of Park Commissioners in its
discretion. It shall be his duty to keep a separate and full account
for each list of special assessments growing out of a separate pro-
ceeding as aforesaid, of all moneys received and paid out, and of all
park fund certificates, if any, issued thereon, and of the payment
and cancellation of the same, and of the distribution of dividends
made thereon as hereinafter set forth; and he shall make report
thereof each year as part of his annual report to said city, and shall
publish the same with his annual statement.
Any moneys received from special assessments upon which no
park fund certificates have been issued, shall be applied directly to
the purposes for which said assessments were made; but the City
Treasurer shall hold all funds collected from special assessments
with interest thereon, if any, including annual assessments for main-
1enance of parks and boulevards within each park district until the
same are applied to the purposes for which said assessments were
made ; and he shall be responsible for the safe keeping of said funds
to the same extent as for other city funds, and shall keep separate
accounts for each park district, and all interest accruing on daily
balances shall be credited to such funds for each district; and for
any breach of duty by the Treasurer or by the Auditor, prescribed in
this article, they shall respectively be liable for a breach of duty as
in respect to other city funds; and the bond required of the Treas-
urer for the faithful discharge of his duties shall be held to cover
also the duties regarding all moneys collected from special assess-
ments as aforesaid, and his duties as trustee hereunder, and his
bondsmen shall be liable for any breach of said trust or said duty.
SEC. 24. After the confirmation by the Circuit Court, or Ap-
pellate Court on appeal, as herereinbefore provided, of any verdict
in any proceeding in which special benefits are assessed against real
estate as compensation for property purchased, taken or damaged for
park purposes, the Common Council, upon the recommendation of
the Board of Park Commissioners, and for the purpose of raising
money in advance of dates when assessments are due, to pay for
land purchased, taken or damaged, may provide by ordinance that
101
the City Treasurer shall issue park fund certificates in amount not
to exceed the total amount of assessments against the private prop-
erty shown in any such verdict and unpaid at the expiration of the
said sixty days from the confirmation thereof as aforesaid. Such
certificates shall be in such form and for such sums as may be pro-
vided by ordinance, and shall be either payable to the order of
the registered holder or be payable to bearer. Any such certifi-
cate shall entitle the owner or holder thereof to his proportionate
share as shown by such certificate, of the special assessments and
the interest thereon, as the same are collected, upon which such cer-
tificates are issued, and shall so specify.
Distribution of the amounts collected upon said special assess_
ments, including interest, shall be made to the holder or holders of
such certificates pro mta at least semiannually, at such specified
dates as may be provided in the ordinance authorizing the issue of
the same, and the holder shall receipt for such payments; and the
city shall be liable on such certificates to the holders thereof for the
sums collected from the special assessments upon which said certifi-
cates are issued, and not otherwise.
Should the purchaser or holder elect, said certificates shall be
registered by the City Auditor in the name of the owner and his
assigns from time to time, and the Auditor shall certify such regis-
tration to the holder.
All park fund certificates issued on account of special assess-
ments growing out of the same condemnation or assessment pro-
ceeding, including supplemental proceedings, which shall be con-
sidered a part of the original proceeding, shall be designated as a
series; and if any series comprises more than one certificate, such
certificates shall be numbered.
Each of such park fund certificates shall bear the certificate of
the City Treasurer and the attestation of the City Auditor that the
same is one of a series of certificates issued on account of certain
special assessments to which such series relates, and that such series
is not in excess of the same; and the Auditor shall keep a record of
all certificates issued in each series, and of all payments and divi-
dends thereon, and shall publish the same in his annual statement,
and also statements of the amounts received by the City Treasurer
from assessments; and shall, at the request of the holder of any
park fund certificate, certify to such holder the amount that has
been collected and paid on the same from special assessments, both
principal and interest.
102
Immediately upon full payment and surrender of any park fund
“certificates, the Treasurer shall cancel the same and keep a record
thereof and deliver the same to. the Auditor, who shall give the
Treasurer a receipt therefor; but when all the special assessments
represented by a series of such certificates have been fully collected
so far as possible, with interest thereon, and all sums collected have
been distributed as aforesaid, such certificates shall be surrendered
and cancelled, and if not surrendered, shall nevertheless be void.
SEC. 25. The Board of Park Commissioners may sell such
park fund certificates at such price not less than the face value of
the amount of special assessments, excluding interest, represented
by said certificates, as may be obtainable, and shall determine the
manner and means of such sale. Such certificates shall be delivered
by the City Treasurer to the purchaser, upon payment therefor,
upon the order of the Board of Park Commissioners, specifying the
price, which order shall be countersigned by the Comptroller, who
shall keep a record thereof; and the proceeds of such certificates so
sold shall be used for payment for land purchased or condemned
:for a park or for park purposes, for the establishment of which the
special assessments were made on which such certificates are
issued; and any surplus remaining after all such payments are
made in full shall accumulate for the use of the park district or
districts; but such certificate may, by agreement, be issued directly
in payment for land purchased, taken or damaged for parks or
park purposes.
SEC. 26. It shall be the duty of the City Treasurer and said
Board of Park Commissioners at all times to protect such park
fund certificates by all means provided therefor, and said City
Treasurer shall pay all sums collected from special assessments as
aforesaid to the holders of such certificates issued thereon, and
shall pay the same promptly on demand on the dates fixed for the
distribution thereof as provided by ordinance.
SEC. 27.. When, by reason of any error, defect or omission in
any proceedings that may be instituted under the provisions of this
article, a portion of the private property sought to be taken, or
some interest therein, cannot be acquired, or an assessment is made
against private property which cannot be enforced or collected,
said Board of Park Commissioners may, and, in case park fund
certificates have been issued, shall, institute, carry on and maintain
supplemental proceedings to acquire the right and title to such
property or interest therein, intended to be taken by the first pro-
iceeding, but which cannot on account of such defect, error or
10:3
omission, be acquired thereunder, or to properly assess against any
piece or parcel of private property against which an assessment
was in the first proceeding erroneously made, or omitted to be
made, the proper amount such private property, exclusive of the
improvements thereon, is benefited by the proposed park or other
improvements, to be determined by the verdict of the jury in such
supplemental proceedings; and the original assessments may be
revised, corrected, increased or diminished as may be necessary or
equitable under the provisions of this article for the original pro-
ceedings. Such supplemental proceedings shall be instituted and
conducted as to the particular piece or pieces of private property
sought to be acquired or assessed in like manner and with like
effect as in the original proceedings, and shall be known and
described as supplemental proceedings for the purposes specified
in the original ordinance; and a supplemental verdict and assess-
ment shall be made, confirmed, and two copies of the original ver-
dict certified in every particular as in the original proceedings; and
the assessments as established and corrected by such supplemental
verdict shall be collected by the City Treasurer in the same manner
and under like conditions and restrictions, powers and duties as in
the case of original proceedings, and remain and be pledged for the
payment of park fund certificates, if any, that have been issued or
may be issued thereon.
SEC. 28. The city shall not be entitled to the possession of any
lot or parcel of property taken under the provisions of this article
until full payment of the compensation therefor, as determined, be
made or paid into court for the use of the persons in whose favor
such judgment may have been rendered, or who may be lawfully
entitled to the same; and upon such payment as aforesaid, such
Circuit Court, or judge thereof, in which proceedings were had,
shall immediately order, adjudge and decree that the title in fee to,
and every other interest in, the land so condemned and taken
for such park, ;road, boulevard, avenue or public use he divested
out of such owner and other persons interested and vested forever
in the city to the use of such park district or districts: and the court
shall thereupon, without delay, put the city in the possession
thereof.
And subsequent legal proceedings shall not affect the title or
possession of the city to said property so acquired, but shall only
affect the question of damages and assessments for benefits, and the
value to be fixed in such subsequent proceedings, if any, shall be as
of the date of the original proceedings, and no improvements of the
104
property made in the meantime shall be considered. If the title to
any property taken be in controversy, the right to the compensa-
tion therefor shall be determined in a suit between the parties
claiming the same, in which none of the costs of litigation shall be
borne by the city unless the city is one of the claimants, and during
such controversy such compensation shall remain in the possession
of the court; but the title and the possession of the city to the
property taken shall not be in any manner affected by such contro-
versy.
SEC. 29. The lands which may be selected and obtained under
the provisions of this article shall remain forever for parks, park-
ways and boulevards for the use of all the inhabitants of said city sub~
j ect to such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by ordinance
of the Common Council upon the recommendation of the Board
of Park Commissioners.
SEC- 30. The city shall pay all costs of proceedings under this-
article to take or damage private property or to levy assessments
for benefits in payment of land purchased as herein provided, ex-
cept costs of proceedings for collecting overdue assessments and
tax bills, which shall be taxed against the real estate upon which
said assessments are levied or said tax bills are issued, and except
the costs upon appeal, which shall be paid by the party unsuccess-
fully prosecuting the same; and the City Counsellor shall, at the
request of the Board of Park Commissioners and as a part of his
duties as such City Counsellor, conduct or assist in conducting all
proceedings for condemnation and assessments under this article.
If the city fail to collect any assessments in whole or in part, it
may pay the amount not so collected out of the city treasury.
SEC 31. The Board of Park Commissioners shall have power
to cause any road, parkway, boulevard or avenue, or part thereof,
which may be under its control or management, to be graded,
regraded, paved, repaved, g'uttered, regutteredh or otherwise im-
proved or repaired, including the construction and repair of bridges,
viaducts and sidewalks in such manner and at such time and with
such material as said board may determine, and may pay for such
work or improvements or any part thereof out of the funds not
otherwise appropriated belonging to the park district in which such
work or improvement is made, or out of the general park fund;
provided, however, that if the Board of Park Commissioners shall
recommend to the Common Council that any such work be done
and the payment of the whole, or any portion thereof, be made in
special tax bills, it shall be the duty of the Common Council, by
105
ordinance, without petition of the property-owners therefor, or
right of remonstrance, to order such work to be done, in which case
the Board of Public Works of said city shall apportion, or cause to
be apportioned, the cost of said work or improvement and issue
special tax bills therefor, or for any portion thereof so ordered to
be paid in special tax bills, in the same manner and with the same
effect as the cost of similar work or improvements is apportioned.
and the tax bills in payment therefor issued, in such city for public
improvements upon streets not under the control or management
of such Board of Park Commissioners. Provided, further, that
when any parkway or boulevard has been constructed, paved, gut-
tered and otherwise improved at the expense of the adjoining prop-
erty, such parkway or boulevard shall thereafter be maintained at
the expense of the park district in which the same is situated, or
out of the general park fund.
The contract for doing the work of construction and furnishing
material for any such improvement shall be let by the said Board of
Park Commissioners in such manner as shall be provided by ordi~
nance: and such work shall be done under the supervision and con—
trol of the Board of Park Commissioners.
Before any road, parkway, boulevard or avenue, or part thereof,
which may be under the control and management of the Board of
Park Commissioners, shall be graded, or regraded, if the property~
owners to be disturbed or damaged thereby shall not have waived
all rights or claims to compensation for damages, proceedings shall
be had for the ascertainment of the damages and benefits to arise
from such grading or regrading of said road, parkway, boulevard
or avenue in the manner provided by sections two (2) and following
of article eight (VIII) of the City Charter, and it shall be the duty
of the Mayor and Common Council, upon the recommendation of
the Board of Park Commissioners, to institute such proceedings and
conduct the same to a conclusion without delay.
No petition or remonstrance of property-owners shall affect the
power of the Board of Park Commissioners and the Common Coun-
cil hereinbefore granted, to establish, change or re-establish the
the grade of any parkway or boulevard.
SEC. 32. When any work is done, improvement made or land
purchased, and payment therefor is to be made in special tax bills.
or in special assessments, as provided in this article, the city shall
in no event, nor in any manner whatever, be liable for or on account
of such work done or improvement made or land purchased, by
reason of the invalidity or error in any such tax bill or special
106
assessment, nor liable in any manner for the payment of the same.
SEC. 3,3. The real estate, exclusive of improvements thereon,"
in each park district may, upon recommendation of the Board of
Park Commissioners, be assessed annually for maintaining, adorn-
ing, constructing, repairing and otherwise improving the park or '
parks, parkways, road or roads, boulevard or boulevards, avenue or
avenues, or portions thereof, located therein, which are under the
control and management of the Board of Park Commissioners; and.
such assessment may be made according to the valuation and assess-
ment of real estate in eachrpark district made for city purposes.
Every such assessment shall be made and collected as provided by
ordinance of the Common Council.
SEC. 34. All other sums used for improving any public park
or parks, parkways, road or roads, boulevard or boulevards, avenue
or avenues, or portions thereof, Which are under the control and
management of the Board of Park Commissioners, shall be paid
out of appropriations from the general fund of the city, except as
otherwise herein provided. It shall be the duty of the Mayor and
Common Council of the city, within the first month of each fiscal
year of the city, and from time to time thereafter, to include in the
apportionment of the revenue of the city an appropriation for the
purpose of acquiring, establishing, maintaining, adorning and oth-
erwise improving parks, parkways and boulevards, and maintain-
ing and improving such other roads, avenues or public squares as
may be under the management and control of the Board of Park
Commissioners, and for the general expenses of such board, and
for other park purposes; and the said Board of Park Commissioners
shall have power, by warrant upon the city treasury, signed by the
president and countersigned by the secretary of said board, to
expend the money collected, appropriated, or otherwiSe obtained
for the use of parks, parkways and boulevards, and for other park
purposes as aforesaid, and for the general expenses of such board
but it shall'not appropriate the money of one park district for use
in any other park district. The Auditor shall make a .record of all
warrants of said board paid by the Treasurer.
SEC. 3 5. Said board shall make an annual report to the Com-
mon Council of the acts of said board and all its expenditures,
showing the condition of all affairs under its control. The Com-
mon Council may require a report from said board at any time, and
the records, books, papers and accounts of the board' shall at all
times be subject to inspection by the Mayor, Comptroller, or any
107
committee appointed by either house of the Common Council for
that purpose.
SEC. 36. No roads nor streets shall be laid out or constructed
through any park except said Board of Park Commissioners shall
lay out and construct or permit the laying out and construction of
the same; and any road, highway, street or alley (excepting rail-
roads) or part thereof which may pass through or into or divide or
separate any lands now used or condemned, or that may hereafter
be acquired or condemned, for parks, shall, upon recommendation
of said Board of Park Commissioners, with the consent of the
Common Council of such city, be by said Common Council vacated
and closed up and made a part of such park. And no railway shall
be built into, through or over any park, parkway or boulevard
without the consent of said Board of Park Commissioners; nor shall
any telegraph, telephone or electric light wires or other wires, or
posts, or supports thereof, be erected or placed in, upon, through
or over any park without the consent of said Board of Park Com-
missioners; and said board shall have full power] and authority to
designate the place or places for and manner of erecting, placing
and maintaining the same in or upon any park or boulevard, and
may cause the place and manner of maintaining the same, whether
heretofore or hereafter erected or placed, to be altered at such times
and in such manner as it shall deem best for the interests of the
city, and may require such wires in any park, parkway or boule-
vard to be laid under ground.
SEC. 37. Real or personal property maybe granted, bequeathed,
devised or conveyed to the city for the purpose of the improvement
or ornamentation of parks, parkways or boulevards, or for the
establishment or maintenance, in any park, of museums, zoological
or other gardens, collections of natural history, observatories,
libraries, monuments or works of art, upon such trusts and condi-
tions as may be prescribed by the grantors or devisors thereof, and
agreed to by the Common Council and Board of Park Commissioners.
All property so devised, granted, bequeathed or conveyed, and the
rents, issues, profits, and income thereof, shall be subject to the
management and control of said Board of Park Commissioners.
Real estate may also be devised or conveyed to the city for the
purpose of parks, parkways or boulevards, or additions thereto,
upon such conditions, including exemption from payment of benefits
or assessments for such improvements, as may be prescribed by the
grantors or devisors thereof; provided, that the location of such
108
real estate be acceptable and the conditions of the conveyance be
agreed to by the Common Council and Board of Park Commissioners.
SEC. 38. The Board of Park Commissioners shall have power
to make by-laws, rules and regulations for the orderly transaction
and conduct of its business, and to make and enforce contracts in
the name of the city to carry out the purposes expressed in this
article; and copies of the records of the Board of Park and Boule-
vard Commissioners, as heretofore constituted, kept by the secretary
of said board, as well as copies of the records of the Board of Park
Commissioners hereby created, kept by the secretary of said board
when certified by the secretary of the Board of Park Commission—
ers, shall be presumptive evidence of their due enactment.
Said Board of Park Commissioners may appoint, employ and
dismiss such engineers, surveyors, attorneys, agents, clerks and em-
ployees as it may deem necessary, who shall serve during the pleas-
ure of said board, and it shall fix the duties and compensation of
all its appointees and employees, who shall be paid by order of said
board upon the City Treasurer out of the fund annually appropriated
or levied for park purposes; and it may require any of its appoint-
ees or employees to give security to thelcity for the faithful perform-
ance of their duties.
SEC. 39. When any ordinance of the Common Council shall
be passed upon the recommendation of the Board of Park Commis-
sioners, as herein provided, it shall not be necessary for said ordi-
nance to recite at length the resolution of the Board of Park Com-
missioners recommending the same; but it shall be sufficient to
recite the fact of such recommendation by said board; and if
the Common Council shall find and recite in such ordinance that
said action of the Common Council has been recommended by the
Board of Park Commissioners, no special tax bill nor park fund cer-
tificate that may be issued, nor special assessments that may be
made for work done or for property purchased, taken or damaged,
shall be held invalid or affected after the issuance of such special
tax bill or park fund certificate, or after judgment of confirmation
of such special assessment by the Circuit Court or Appellate Court
on appeal, on the ground that such recommendation of the Board
of Park Commissioners was not properly made.
SEC. 40. Nothing in this article shall be deemed to impair or
invalidate any of the actions or proceedings of the Board of Park and
Boulevard Commissioners of this city prior to the adoption of this
article, and in all pending matters where the provisions of this
\
109
article can so apply without injury to the interests of said city, the
same shall apply as to unfinished proceedings and unexpended
moneys collected or appropriated for park and boulevard purposes ;
and the members of the Board of Park and Boulevard Commission-
ers as constituted at the time of the adoption of this article shal
continue as members of the Board of Park Commissioners under
this article until their successors are appointed and qualified; pro-
vided, that the terms of office of any such Commissioners shall in
any event expire at the end of the fiscal year of 1896.














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