352.732 F119 1 ?t 1 or 1 tit /.n 5 •f h nsa • J 2 ^ ■ ^'^. The Facts ABOUT THE PROPOSED Bloomington - Normal Park District To the Voters and Taxpayers of Bloomington and Normal Townships: N PRESENTING this little booklet to you the Committee has but one purpose: We earnestly desire that every citizen of Bloomington and Normal may become familiar with the facts pertaining to the proposed Bloomington and Normal Park District. The members of the committee, whose duty and pleasure it has been to gather data and formulate these statements, fully realize how difficult it is for the average busy citizen to inform' himself upon this question. Believing, that ' s IS a matter of the greatest moment in determining the future of Bloom- ip'.on and Normal, and realizing that the voter will soon be called to the polls I express his opinion as to whether or not the park district should be organized, 3. d if organized, whether the trustees should be appointed or elected — rcaliz- 1- these things the committee has made an honest effort to secure the facts ;i.d then to state those facts in such a manner that even the busy man may ♦^ ' k up this booklet, in a spare moment, and gain some fact of interest. We M. scarcely hope that these pages are entirely free from error, notwith- ^ anding the effort made to verify every statement. We shall, therefore, ;.catly appreciate the courtesy if the reader will kindly call our attention to erroneous statements and we will publicly correct the same. We realize that this is only a primer, but we trust that it may be the means of stimulating other and abler pens to produce more pretentious articles upon this topic. Bloomington Business Men's Association, By Special Park Committee. HOW.\RD HUMPHREYS. Chairman. JAMES A. WILCOX. B. F. HARBER. N. K. M'CORMICK, WILLIAM R. BACH, DAVID FELMLEY. WILBER M. CARTER, J. H. BURNHAM. A. B. HOBLIT. ALONZO DOLAN, FRED. D. BARBER, Editor. THE FACTS ABOUT THE PROPOSED FACTS CONCERNING THE PARK PROBLEM 1. Peoria has acquired and developed during the past seventeen years, and now maintains a magnificent Park System of more than 400 acres on an average tax-rate of 4 and 2-10 mills on the dollar of assessed valuation — the assessed valuation being 1-3 of the real valuation. 2. Springfield has acquired and developed during the past 9 years, and now maintains a very creditable Park System of 395 acres on an average tax-rate of 3 and 35-100 mills on the dollar of assesse'd valuation — the assessed valuation being 1-3 of the real valuation. 3. When each of these Park Districts organized, it had almost ex- actly the same property valuation now possessed by the proposed Bloom- ington and Normal Park District. 4. Neither Peoria nor Springfield had parks or lands to begin with. The Bloomington and Normal District will, at the outset, possess about 100 acres of fairly well improved parks. It is, therefore, evident that the Bloomington and Normal Park District could, in a few years acquire and develop a Park System on a tax-rate of 4 mills or less, of which we should all be proud. 5. Even on a tax-rate of 3 mills we could, in a few years, develop a fairly creditable Park System. 6. There is not the slightest danger of excessive tax-rates if the Park District is organized, since under the Juul law of 1909, a rate higher than about 4^ mills for park purposes is impossible. 7. If the Park District had been organized previous to 1910, and if the Park Board had BONDED the district to the LIMIT and had TAXED the district to the LIMIT, the taxes for 1910 would have been higher than they now are, on $1,000 of property, thus : In the City of Bloomington in Bloomington Township by 64 cts. In the City of Bloomington in Normal Township by 83 cts. In the Incorporated Town of Normal by $1.50 8. The park taxes cannot amount to more than $1.50. or at the ut- most SI. 67 per year on $1000 of property if the LIMIT of taxes and the LIMIT of bonded indebtedness were both reached. 9. The proposed Park Plan contemplates a real Park System. The general outlines of the plan only can be given now, it will require years of time to work out the details. 10. If tlie Park District is organized, there will be expended an- nually for labor nearly ONE DOLLAR for every MAN, WOMAN, and CHILD living in the City of Bloomington and in the Town of Normal. P.LODMINGTON-XORMAL PARK DISTRICT 11. If a really creditable Park System is to be developed in Bloom- iiigton and Normal, it is only fair that Normal and the immediately sur- rounding country shall join in developing it because both Normal and the surrounding country will be benefited as much as the City of Bloomington. 12. For Park Purposes, Bloomington and Normal constitute a NATURAL UNIT. Any really complete Park System must include at least both municipalities. 13. The recent SUPREME COURT DECISION shows clearly that under the Juul law it will be impossible for the City of Bloomington to further develop her city ])arks or even maintain her present parks in good form operating under the city park law. Still less possible is it for the Town of Noriwal to acquire and develop a Park System under the city park law. 14. Parks, parkways and playgrounds are for the common, work- ing people — the wealthy classes spend their summers traveling, or at sum- mer resorts, or on the lakes of Wisconsin and Michigan. The working man and his family must remain at home and should have the opportunity of enjoying such recreation as parks and playgrounds afford. 15. .The 1..W ground of SL'GAR CREEK VALLEY is most val- uable for ]iark and parkway purposes and is IDEAL land for a portion of the Park System. 16. A P.EAUTIFl'L PARK SYSTEM would aid greatly in IN- CREASING THE POPULATION and WEALTH of Bloomington and Normal. We have been steadily falling behind both Peoria and Spring- field in jx^pulation and wealth since 1894. 17. rile development of the Park System need not, and will not, seriously interfere with the development of other improvements now contemplated in the two towns. 18. All talk of USURPATION OF STREETS and the building of boulevards out into the country, or the closing of country roads to traffic is WITHOUT FOUNDATION and should not receive serious consid- eration. 19. The SPECIAL ASSESSMENT feature of the law is EN- TIRELY JUST and EQLTTABLE, but the supreme court has decided that this, like all other powers granted the Park Board. MLTST BE REASONABLY EXERCISED. 20. The Park Trustees should be appointed, not elected, thereby e.x- cluding politics from the system and also saving the District several hun- dred dollars aniuially in election expenses. 21. Finally, — If you wOuld learn the truth regarding these state- ments read carefully the following pages : rill-: FAC'IS AliOLT TlIK I'Rorosi:!) WHO PROPOSED THE NEW JOINT PARK PLAN Question — \\ ln» t"ir>t proposed that Bloomington and Xormal should unite in a Joint Park District? Answer — While this plan has been under consideration by some of the leading citizens of Bloomington and Xormal for two years or more, the plan was publicly proposed by the present Board of Park Commissioners through Mr. \Vm. R. Bach, a member of that Board, at the annual meeting of the Bloomington Business Men's Association. Ques. — What action was taken by them? Ans. A motion that it be referred to a committee of ten to investigate fully and take proper steps to submit question to the vote of the people, unanimously carried. There were present 250 business men of Bloomington. Ques. — Who are now promoting this project and urging the people to "VOTE YES?" Ans. A niaj(jrity nf the present board of Park Commissioners, the Bloomington Business Men's Association, several clubs and organizations, including the Woman's Club, Post L. T.P.A. (Traveling men), and the fol- lowing list of citizens with a line of comment they have publicly made on the (luestion. Editor of Pantagraph "It appeals to the better judgment and taste of the people." Editor of Bulletin "First class Park System tremendously boosts value of outlying property." Editor Bloomington Journal "An attraction to draw outside visitors." Woman's Club of Bloomington "Park System would benefit all." T. P. A. Traveling Men "Resolved that we favor the Joint Park District. 'It's best for all the people.' " W. H. Hunter "I intend to vote yes." John J. Condon "No valid objection against it can be urged." A. A. Rothman "The objections have been grossly ex- aggerated." Gov. Fifer "There is nothing that adds more to the growth and prosperity of a city." Paul F. Beich ".Ml building lines will necessarily feel the effects." J. S. Ewing "I am satisfied the expense will not ap- proximate the benefits." B. F. Harber "Every one should 'boost' the new park idea." O. L. Manchester "The general scheme looks good." E. Mark Evans "Plan entirely feasible." Milton R. Livingston "Is certainly worthy of pushing." Howard Humphreys "Leaving an almost priceless legacy to posterity." President David Felmley "Could be made most beautiful and at- tractive." Albert Livingston "An adoption of common practice in the cities of Europe." J. C. Elder "Greatly benefited by system of small parks." Sig Heldman "Will increase the value of farms." F. F. Seibert ".\ fine thing for the two townships." R. F. Empson "Sugar Creek bottom is an eyesore." J. E. Hurst "Heartily favor the plan." E. Patterson "A good and progressive movement." l',LOO>fINGTON-NORMAL PARK DISTRICT Chris Carver "Appears to nie to be a good one." G. C. Heberling "A distinct step forward." Henry Thoma 'Tntold value to cities." C. B. Merwin "It would be no burden on small or large taxpayer." Dr. Winget "Heartily in favor of the park system." Dr. Lockett ".\ fine thing to purchase the land for this now.' Sam Holder "A good investment from a business standpoint." Mrs. Elizabeth Lewis "Without taint of selfishness, leave our stamp for succeeding generations." Robt. Johnson "Generations to come will lie blessed by the effort." Dr. W. E. Atkins "Will benefit our city. " Dr. Vandervort "Nfake Bloomington finest looking town in state." Dr. Omer "Have park reservations before land be- comes high." Dr. Daugherty "When people understand it thoroughly, they will have no hesitancy in voting for it." Dr. Thos. Bath ".\ mighty advertisement for .Normal University." Dr. Kelso "Kvery city of this size should have a park system." Dr. Guthrie "Heartily favor the park system." H. D. Hanger "Nothing that improves a city like a good park system." Henry Behr ".\ misfortune if present opportunity is neglected." R. E. Hurst "A very great need in an inland city." Harry Reed "Will naturally bring people here." Dr. Herr "Park systems have not been burden- some." Ben Sumner "Whatever benefits a town, attracts homeseekers." T. B. Rhodes "Every city needs and should have a park system." I. Dunn "Cost will not be noticed." T. H. Smith ".Serves as nothing else can to unite two prosperous towns." E. B. Famham "Cost insignificant compared with bene- fits." Dr. Cantrell "I favor taking the question in future out of politics." W. L. Martin "A generous heartfelt thought for the coming generation." A. W. Huffman "Results from Park Systems have pleased other cities." A. M. Kitchen "111 favor of the Park System." Egbert B. Hawk "Conservinif all the interests of all the people of both townships." Dr. McGuire "Both towns too progressive to vote away this opportunity." I. H. Johnson "PIca.sant surroundings in a city attract honu-scckcrs." Dr. W. E. Neiberger "Pleasant surroundings are our assets, and we should increase them." F. W. Niergarth "The small taxes insignificant compared to increased values." E. H. Jackman "One of the greatest charities that can be provided." L. W. Howard "In favor of the Park System." E. C. George "When taxpayer investigates, he will real- ize it is a splendid investment." THE FACTS ABOUT THE PROPOSED F. D. Keck L. T. Wilcox "Control can safely be entrusted to in- "Arguments in favor prevail greatly over dependent body." those against." W. F. Young R- J- Erwin "Not only reasonable and practical plan, "Character of the endorsement is suffi- but a necessity." cient guarantee." Chas. A. Tappe Geo. A. Washburn "A step in the right direction, deserving "No one will suffer any hardships as a success." result." A. S. Arnold R. H. Steed "VVould result in benefit to both cities." "Park Commissioners will not put bur- dens on the people." T. S. Bunn "The tax question — A straw man." '-'• ^- Hernck "A large proportion of farmers will favor Arthur L. Pillsbury it." "The proposition, a result of careful ,,,.,,. „ thought and studv." William Krebs ight "Promises a greater and more beautiful W. F. Costigan Hloomington." "The practicability has been decided upon ti i, by competent men qualified to judge." John Beck "The expense will be spread out over F. R. Bean several years." "Great benefits with little cost." „ , , .,.,, Frank I. Miller E. W. Gowdy "One of the best things we have before "Let us have some parks around our us. Will be highly beneficial." depots." D r. n/r F. D. Marquis Julius Funk "In favor of the Park System." "It's best for all the people." , ^ , Alonzo Dolan A. C. Eddy "It will put the two cities in a class by "The march of progress is constantly im- themselves, peded by those whose argument is for j -a ui procrastination and delay." ^- °- Merwin "No doubt but that it will increase value R. R. Enlow of property." "We should be numbered among the -itt n vt cities that have the most improvements." "'• "• Boyce "Will make Hloomington a more pro- Geo. H. Miller gressive city." "Must keep moving forward to pi-event fall- z^ c u i a ing into the rut of indifference." ^- Sutherland "In favor of Park System. C. B. Hamilton "A most far-reaching and beneficial im- •'' "^^^^ ^ . . „ provement." "xVo taxpayer should vote against it. A. B. Hoblit E. W. Cole "Following the lead of other progressive "Will prove a great benefit to our city." cities." Campbell Holton Chas. F. J. Agle "One of the greatest improvements sug- "A progressive step and will result in gtstcd in many years." benefits." J. H. Burnham ■ Will Evans ".\ttract and hold the best class of in- "I am in favor of the Park System." habitants." Huber Light L. E. Hersey "The trustees will be fit men and use "A mutual benefit. Brings people to good judgment." h.ilh towns." Lyman Graham Dr. J. A. Moore "Would ri-sult in increased values of ad- "We should never take a backward jacent and distant property." step." BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL PARK DISTRICT J. E. Gregg "Draws a better class of people." J. N. Foster "A free hospital conducted by Mother Nature." A. D. Loar . "Cost will be more evenly and justly divided." Oscar Mandel "A benefit, pride and pleasure to us and our desccndents." P. A. Dewenter "Highly in favor of the new Park Sys- tem." Geo. A. Brown ".Make the waste places beautiful. 1 f.ivor the new Park System." Dr. G. R Smith "Enhances the value of property." Geo. Lathrop "The best advertising medium for our city." R. I. Spafiford "No improvement of equal cost will ben- efit a greater number." Mark W. Savage "Greatly increase property at infinitesi- mal cost." T. A. Braley "Every dollar of tax a Gilt Edge in- vestment." C. U. WUliamt "Cost insignificant, benefits inestimable." Geo. W. Bansau "A good thing." Dr. H. C. Rodenhauser "A city is judged by its looks." Ben. L. Goodheart "An advanced step for Blooniington." Geo. H. Cox "A pride and a pleasure to all the peo- ple.^' W. H. Roland "Means larger and greater Bloomington" R. O. Graham ".Vow's the ilay and now's the hour." R. C. Baldwin "There is no good reason for opposing it." Oscar E. Seibel "Of inestimable value to the two town- ships." E. R. Morgan "May not be able to do it later." J. S. Joplin "Good business proposition at the right time." B. S. Green "fClevating and educational." E. Mammen "Should meet the approval of all." J. W. Gray "Everyone should help along." J. W. Jarmtn "A good thing. Should interest all." Sam Waldman "Benefit derived would more than repay expense. A. S. Swartzman "In favor of the Park System." W. B. Read "Progressive and an addition to our in- stitutions." Sig. Livingston "It is progressive." James A. Wilcox "Finest thing for Bloomin^on and Nor- mal ever presented to either of the cities." S. R. White "\Sill clean up Sugar Creek and protect water supply." H. C. Wagner "It will benefit all." F. C. Smith "No better way." Rev. E. DeWitt Jones "In keeping with general progress of up-to-date city." W. H. Bach "Intensely practical." TllR FACTS ABOUT THE PROPOSED THE PROPOSED PLAN Ques. — Has any definite plan for a park S3'stem for the Bloomington and Normal Park District been proposed? Ans. — A plan has been proposed by the committee representing the Bloomington Business Men's Association. The plan proposed, however, is merely a general plan, not a definite plan. COMMITTEE'S STATEMENT To the Public: — Recognizing that the people of the district sought to be organized as a park district should have a full and complete understanding of all matters that are apt to arise in the discussion of .the question and that they may know what is intended by the men who are furthering the movement, we hereby declare that if the voters of the two townships should act favorably on the matter and we, or any of us, or any person whom we might influence, are selected as members of the board of trustees of said park district, it will be our honest endeavor to carry out the following proposed plan: 1. To establish a park between the two cities of Bloomington and Normal, extending from and including Trotter park (city water works park) eastward toward Brokaw hospital; thence extending in both a northeasterly direction to the Illinois Central railroad company's right-of-way in the town of Normal and southeasterly to White's Place in the city of Bloomington. connecting Clinton street and White's Place with Broadway in Normal. 2. Concurrently with the work in the parkway mentioned in paragraph 1 above to extend Miller park in Bloomington until it takes in all property lying between Wood street, Morris avenue, Summit street and Springfield road. This would require about twenty acres more land than is now owned by the city and included in Miller park, the present acreage being eighty acres. To complete said park by the building of suitable conservatory for flowers and new animal houses. 3. To complete the O'Neil park and some day connect it with the other parks by suitable driveways. 4. To lay out a new park in Normal north of the Chicago & Alton railroad, and this shall be done in addition to the beautifying of Jesse Fell park. 5. To lay out a new park in the eastern part of the city of Bloomington and connecting the same bj' suitable driveways with the other parks of the district where such driveways do not already exist. In making such connections to utilize the territory that is already de- voted to parks and to quasi-public uses, such as the campus of State Normal University, cemeteries, Soldiers' Orphans' Home, etc. The perfection of these plans will take a series of years and of course it is the intention to move carefully in this matter. To levy no higher park taxes than are now levied in the city of Bloom- ington for park purposes. In this connection let it be understood by all that if this new park district is organized there will be no more taxes levied by the city of Bloom- ington for park purposes, as all parks will be operated by the officers of the Bloomington and Normal park district. The moneys derived from taxes in both townships shall be spent in said townships in the same jiroposition nr ratio as said taxes p;iid by the respective townships, our endeavor and aim being to spend in each township and locality the proportion of park taxes paid in by that respective township or locality. Glen Oak Park, Winter Scene I BLOOMIXGTOX-XORMAL PARK DISTRICT While it is true that vindcr the law a six (6) mill tax may be levied for park purposes in case this district is organized, it is equally true that the aggregate taxes that can be levied for all purposes in the cities of Bloom- ingtcn and Normal cannot exceed what is now levied in both cities, as we understand that in both cities the limit of taxes for all purposes has been reached. So that if a park tax of six (6) mills should be voted this park tax together with the aggregate of all other taxes levied in the cities of Bloom- ington and Normal would all be scaled down by the county clerk to the legal limit of taxes permitted by the law. the only exception being that the clerk may not scale down taxes that may be levied to meet the payment of bonds and interest, the legal limit of said bonds for i)urp()ses being 2'j per cent of the assessed valuation for the year 1894. It should be the further aim nf the men selecte. 1911. and in Bulletin, Feb. 3. 1911. Ques. — Why has n<>t the committee offered a more definite plan? stating just where the new parks should be. how large they should be and just how they should be developed? Ans. — Such definite, specific plans can only be worked out by the Park Bo.ird in the years to come. aide the Peoria district cover? Ques. — How can this be told? Ans. — All of Peoria township and Ans,— By learning what it has cost '''"."'^ ^'^.'l^'O^.^ to«:'n^hip except a other park districts to acquire and ''^"P *^''' ^-^ ""'^^ ^"'^^ ^^ the north maintain similar systems. edge. Ques. — What other districts have Ques. — What cities and villages been organized, which we may study? does this Peoria District include? 10 THE FACTS ABOUT THE PROPOSED Ans. — City of Peoria and the vil- lages of North Peoria, South Peoria, Averyville, and Peoria Heights. Ques. — How large a territory does the Springfield Park District cover, Ans.— The Springfield Park District includes all of Springfield Township, all of Capitol Township, and a strip two (2) miles wide oflF the north edge of Woodside Township. Ques. — What cities and villages are included in this district? Ans. — The city of Springfield and the village of Ridgley. Real Valuation of the Three Districts Ques. — How did the real valuation of property lying within the Park Districts of Peoria and Springfield at the time each district was organized compare with the real valuation of property lying within the proposed Bloomington and Normal District m 1910? Ans.— The real value of property in the three districts at the time men- tioned is nearly the same, as shown by the following figures: Real value of property lying within Peoria District, 1894— $38,926,300. Real value of property lying within Springfield District, 1901— $37,500,- 000*. Real value of property lying within Bloomington-Normal, 1910— $36,020,- 244. field have any parks or own lands which could be converted into parks at the time they organized as park districts? Ans. — No, neither of those cities possessed either parks or lands. Ques. — What is the real valuation of property lying within the Peoria and Springfield Park Districts in 1910? Ans. — The real valuation of all property in the Peoria, Springfield and the proposed Bloomington-Nor- mal districts, for 1910 is as follows: Real value of property in the Pe- oria District, 1910, $66,953,829, Real value of property in the Springfield District, 1910, $53,817,324. Real value of property in the Bloomington-Normal, 1910, $36,020,- 244. Ques.— Did either Peoria or Spring- Size and Cost of Peoria's Park System and $6,000 of notes. But at that time there was also in the treasury a cash balance of $30,353.50. Ques.— How many acres of park dr.cs the Peoria Park District now possess? Ans.— 411.23 acres, and 2^ miles of boulevard. Ques.— Are Peoria's Parks well im- proved? Ans.— Yes, Peoria's parks are high- ly improved. They arc magnificent and the pride of the community. Ques.— What has Peoria's park sys- tem cost the park district? Ans.— The lowest tax receipts dur- ing the first 16 years was $57,75-^84, and the highest was $84,910.35. The average annual tax receipt was $68,- 425 45. At the close of the 16th year the district had outstanding, $190,- 000 of 3^, 4, and 4^ per cent bonds, Ques. — On the basis of our present 1-3 valuation, what tax rate has the Peoria Park District actually assessed for all purposes, viz: maintenance, sinking fund, and interest on bonded indebtedness? Ans.— 4 4-10 mills, 4 5-10 mills. 4 2-10 mills, 4 mills, 4 5-10 mills. 3 7-10 mills, 4 5-10 mills, 3 6-10 mills, 4 mills, 4 mills. 4 mills, 4 mills, 4 mills, 4 mills. 4 mills. 3 3-10 mills and 4 mills for this first 17 years. This makes an average of 4 2-10 mills as the tax rate levied by the Peoria Park District to cOver all park expenses, viz.: maintenance, sinking fund, and interest on bonds. The County Clerk of Sangamon County reports the exact figures for 1901 as lost, figures given are a close approximation. The BI.OOMIXGTOX-XORMAL PARK DISTRICT 11 Size and Cost of Springfield's Park System Ques. — How many acres does the S|)riiigtield Park District now con- tain? Ans. — About 395 acres, and ll4 miles of boulevard. Ques— .\re the Springfield parks well improved? Ans. — Not so highly improved as the Peoria parks but they are being rapidly developed. Ques. — What have Springfield parks cost the park district? Ans. — The receipts from taxes for the first 5 vears were as follows: $31,717.56, $34,495.69; $37,003.47; $30,- 023.92; $27,182.80. The district h.id then outstanding $50,000 of 4'~'r bonds which brought $50,259.50. Ques.— On the present basis of 1-3 valuation, what tax-rate has the Sprmgfield park district actually as- sessed for all purposes, viz: mainte- nance, sinking fund, and interest on bonded indebtedness? , i^"^-T2 ^^^ '"'"s- 2 7-10 mills. 2 3-10 mills, 2 4-10 mills, 3 2-10 mills. 4 mills, 4 mills, 4 5-10 mills, and 4 4-10 mills for the first 9 years. The average for the first 5 years, till bonds were issued, was 2 7-10 mills, and an average of 3 35-100 mills for the first 9 years. Ques.— What has been the total amount expended upon the Peoria Parks? Ans.— The total expenditures for the first 14 years was $1,199,153.75. Labor the Principal Item of Expense Ques. — What portion r>f this total amount was for land and what amount w.is for labor? Ans.— $142,300 was for land, and about $800,000 for labor. Ques. — What total amount has been expended upon the Springfield parks? Ans.— $219,132.83 during the hf^t five years. Ques. — Of this sum what amount was expended for land and what for labor? Ans. — $40,839 for lands, and between $125,000 and $150,000 for labor. Ques. — In general, what is the chief item of expense in maintaining a park system after the land has been acquired? Ans. — Labor. From 7S^r to 90';' the greatest amount of l)onds whicii could be legally issued by the trustees of the Peoria District, the Springfield District and the proposed Bloomington and Normal District. Ans. — Assessed Bonding Bonds out- District Valuation, 1894 Limit standing Peoria District $7,785,260 $194,631.50 $190,000 Springfield 6.446.415 161.160.37 50,000 P.lonmington-Normal 4.822,013 120,550.32 "Maximum Tax-Rates' and Actual Tax-Rates Ques. — Under the park law what is the maximum rate of taxation which the park trustees may assess for purposes of maintenance? Ans. — 6 mills on the dollar of .nssessed valuation. Ques. — Is there any good reason why we should not expect the Park Hoard to levy that 6 mill tax if the district were organized? Ans. — Yes. There are two good reasons why we should not expect this: ni.OOMIXGTOV \OR>[AI, PARK DIS TRICT 13 l\r>{ — A^ has been clearly >hu\vn, no such tax-rate would be needed to maintain a thoroughly cre•' .27 .27 .03 .02 .04 .03 .04 .03 city ttxtt (ordinary purposts) i.:o 1.20 1.20 1.20 1.20 1.20 City tixes ( bmid purposes) . ■ . . . ■>'» .21 1.00 1.00 .2'* .23 City taxes (library purpaaea .12 .07 .00 .00 .12 .07 Park I ordinary purpoaaa .60 .36 .60 .36 .60 .36 l*ark I bdiid purpo^e^ '. .1" .10 .111 .lu .10 .10 School Icdiicalional purposes) 1.36 1..16 1.4? 1.43 1.36 1.36 School (building purposti) .S4 34 .00 .00 .34 .34 .■<6 ..■*6 .00 .00 .36 .36 Totalt 54.91 S4.61 $4.94 S4.69 t4.93 S4.62 16 TlIF, FACTS ABOUT TIIR PROPOSKD Ques.— If the park district had been organized previous to 1910, and the park board had thus levied the maximum rate as given above, how much jjreatcr would the taxes have been on $1,000 of property? Ans. — In Bloomington. in Bloomington Township, the increase in taxes i.n $1.(KK) of property would have been 64 cents; in City of Bloomington in Xormal .Township the increase on $1,000 of property would have been 83 cents;and, in tlic Incorporated Town of Normal the increase in taxe^ upon $1,000 of property would have been $1.50. Ques.— What is the amount of the tax on $1,000 of property in Bloom- ington and in Xormal this year and what would it have been if the maximum I)ark tax had been added? Ans. — Total tax if maximum Tax paid park tax this year were added In Bloomington, in Bloomington Twp $14.73 $15.37 In Bloomington, in Normal Twp 14.57 15.40 In the Incorporated Town, Normal 14.13 15.63 Ques. — Is it reasonable to suppose Ques. — How large a bond issue and that the Park Board would make this how high a tax-rate for park purposes maximum assessment and issue bonds would the Park Committee and the to the very limit? Bloomington Business Men's Associa- Ans. — No. This is not a reason- <^'0" fleem to be probably advisable? able supposition, especially in light Ans.— Probably a 3 mill tax for of the fact that other park systems maintenance, the same rate Bloom- have been developed without going ington now raises for all park pur- thus to the limit. Moreover, the poses, and the issuing of $50,000 or Bloomington-Normal Park District $75,000 of bonds as soon as the money would begin with fairly good parks can be advantageously used for the to the extent of about 100 acres. purchase of lands. HOW THE PROPERTY IS DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE DISTRICT Ques. — What is the total assessed both the city of Bloomington and of valuation of the proposed park dis- the Incorporated Town of Normal? trict for the year 1910? » *o -iOA c^n -n • • t j n -^ Ans. — $2,384.5.^0. 1 his includes all Ans. — $12,006,748. (-.j^,-,^ lands and tlie property of the Ques.— What portion of this prop- railroads, (•rty lic-s within the city of Blooming- Ques.-What. then, would ho the ""■ distriliution of the cost of tlic park Ans.— $8,338,193. .ystcm? Ques. — What portion lies within the Ans. — The City of Bloomington Incorporated Town of Normal? would bear about 69'"{ , the Incorpor- Ans. — $1,284,025. :ited Town of Xormal about IKv, and the farm lands and railroads about Ques.— What portion lies outside of 20%. o CU PQ 3 O O Oh O O 0- Oh o B B CO I'.lJ )( )MI.\T,TOX XORMAI. PARK DISTRICT 17 WHY BLOOMINGTON AND NORMAL SHOULD JOIN HANDS AND DEVELOP A JOINT PARK SYSTEM Ques. — Why should Blooniington and N'ormal join in development of parks any more than in the handling rif municipal afifairs? Ans. — For the following reasons: 1. The city governments have long been established and each city has its own system of water supply, fire pro- tection, street paving, etc., well de- veloped. On the other hand, while Blooni- ington has some parks fairly well de- veloped, no attempt has yet been made to develop any park system. 2. To everyone it is evident that the territory embracing at least the two municipalities constitutes a nat- ural unit for a park system. Sugar Creek valley is an ideal connecting link, connecting the parks lying in Bloomington with those lying in Nor- mal. But Sugar Creek valley lies part- ly within Bloomington and partly within .\ormal. 3. The law under which it is pro- posed to organize was written ex- pressly to enable two or more nearby municipalities, which naturally consti- tute a single community, to thus unite in developing a park sy>tem. The law is just and equitable and grants the park board only those powers which are necessary. 4. Since the immediately surround- ing farms are greatly increased in value by the healthy, and rapid de- velopment of the city, and since the farmers living upon those farms are very frequent visitors to public parks it is only fair and just that the near- by farms shall bear a portion of the burden of developing and maintain- ing the park system. 5. Although the city of Blooming- ton always extends a cordial invita- tion to the people of Normal and surrounding country to visit Miller Park, still it would be only the fair and neighborly thing for Normal and the surrounding country to join with Bloomington and develop a really sat- isfactory park system which all could own, maintain and enjoy together. Ques. — Do Normal people and the people from the country now take advantage of Bloomington's invita- tion to enjoy Miller Park? Ans. — On some Sunday afternoon when a band concert is to be given step aboard a Normal car, or drive down and tind a place for your team in the sheds. Ques. — Is it possible for Normal to develop or purchase a park system under the City Park .Xct under which Bloomington operates? A.— No. Q._\Vhy? Ans. — The maximum amount of park tax that could be levied for maintenance and operation would be so small that a park system could ntjt be maintained. Ques. — Since the enactment of the Juul Law is it possible under the City P.irk .Xct for Bloomington to further develop her parks in keeping with the progress of the city in all other lines? Ans. — No. Because the county clerk will hereafter be compelled by law to scale the city park taxes at least one-third. This would leave but 8-10 of one mill tax for the maintenance and operation of the city's parks and but 1 2-10 mills tax for the purchase of new parks or additions to parks, or 2 mills for all park purposes. Ques. — Before the enactment of the Juul Law what was the maximum amount of taxes that could be levied by the city council of the city of Bloomington for park purposes? Ans. — 1.2 mills for maintenance and operation. 1.8 mills for purchasing of lands for new parks or for addi- tions to old parks. Ques. — Could the park tax levied by the New Park District ever be- come a burden upon the poor man who owns a little home worth, say $1,000.00, even if the highest amount of tax was levied and the highest amount of bonds were issued? Ans. — No. 18 THE FACTS ABOUT THE PROrOSED Ques. — Will you explain this fully? Ans. — As was said above the great- est amount of Park Tax for all park purposes including bonds, interest, etc., that can be collected after the County Clerk has scaled the same down as he must do by law will never exceed five mills (.005) on the dollar assessed valuation or 1 2-3 mills on the dollar actual value of a man's property. Now on a property whose actual value was $1,000.00, the highest park tax that could be collected would only be $1.67. Ques. — What person is there living in Bloomington or Normal owning his own home valued at not to exceed $1,000.00 who would not spend $1.67 each year for pleasure, say theatre, entertainments, etc.? Ans. — But, very few, if any. It must be further borne in mind that tills $1.67 would only be paid by the head of the family who owned the house. All the other members who owned no property would come in on the one payment. Two circuses in Bloomington will take more of the people's money each year than this new park tax vyould cost the citizens of Bloomington. Ques. — Would not a large portion of this tax money for ordinary park purposes come back to the working man? Ans. — The greater portion of it would be paid back in the form of wages to the workingman. Ques. — Judging from the past and from other park systems about what percent of park taxes goes to pay labor? Ans.— From 75 to 90%. . USE OF SUGAR CREEK VALLEY FOR PARK PURPOSES Ques. — Is it true that Sugar Creek valley is suitable land to be worked into a park system? Ans. — It is, without doubt. See Mr. Olmstead's letter, page 29. See map of Indianapolis and proposed park system, also illustrations of grounds which are to be used for park purposes, also extracts from the report of Mr. Kesler, their landscape architect, page 27, and the letter from Mr. Snyder, the Secretary of the Park Board of Indianapolis. Ques. — Wlhat use will be made of Sugar Creek Valley if it is not used for parkway purposes? Ans. — It is destined to be used as a dumping ground for a few years and then thinly built over with small, in- ferior residences. Ques. — In every city such cheap, inexpensive homes are to be found. Why not have them in Sugar Creek valley as well as any where? Ans. — 1. For the safety of Bloom- ington's water supply, the immediate banks of Sugar Creek should not be built upon at all. The wider the val- ley used for park purpose only, the better for Bloomington's water sup- ply. 2. Since much travel must pass be- tween the two towns, no one wishes to see the most unattractive portion of the two towns to lie directly on the line of travel between the two towns. SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS FOR PARK PURPOSES Ques. — Has either the Peoria Park District or the Springfield Park Dis- trict ever levied special assessments for the development of park proper- ty? • Ans. — No, neither the Peoria Park District nor the Springfield Park Dis- trict has ever levied special assess- ments. Ques. — Why has neither of these districts done this? Ans. — 1. Most of park develop- ment is of such a nature that the BLOOM [NGTON-NORMAL PARK DISTRICT 19 special benefits are not so great as the general benefits. In most of cases it is true that the general public ought to bear most of the cost of the land, most of the construc.tion cost and all of the cost of maintenance. 2. While the law under which both Peoria and Springfield .ire operating and under which the proposed Bloom- mgton and Normal district will be organized does provide for the de- velopment of parks in part by special assessments still no special machin- ery is provided for carrying out this provision. Ques. — It has been stated that a bill is now before tht legislature of Illinois increasing the powers of the board of trustees of Park Districts organized under this Pleasure Drive- way and Park District law. Is this true? Ans. — Senate Bill No. 28 is the only bill before the legislature having any bearing upon this law. It cannot truthfully be said that this bill, if it becomes a law, will increase the pow- ers of park boards operating under this law. Ques. — Exactly what is the nature of the amendment to this park law? Ans.— This Senate Bill No. 28 pro- poses four (4) definite additions to the law, each of which is merely a specific statement of a power which the law itself already undoubtedly gives the board of trustees. These four (4) statements to be added to the law are as follows: 1. The park engineer, the chairman of the finance committee, and the president of the board shall consti- tute the board of Local Improvements and shall act without compensation. The engineer shall be superintendent of special assessments and the secre- tary shall be secretary of the board of local improvements and collector of special assessfnents. 2. The mode of making special as- sessments, and the filing of the as- sessment roll shall be the same as provided by law for making of spe- cial assessments in cities of over 50.- nOO inhabitants. 3. Power is given the park board to expend money for musical con- certs in the parks of the district. 4. Power is given the park board to expend money for the publication of the proceedings of the board once each month and the publishing of an annual report. SHALL WE PLAN FOR THE FUTURE? Ques. — What is the object of the proposition to purchase land for a park east of Bloomington and another north of Normal? Ans. — These propositions look to the future. It is believed that for from $20,000.00 to $30,000.00 two tracts of fine land can be secured which would need but little attention for j'ears but which can soon be planted with trees according to cor- rect modern landscape ideas, which trees will eventually grow to be the pride of Bloomington and Normal. We must look ahead and do something for the benefit of future generations. The trees now in Franklin Square were planted in 1857, 54 years ago, and it will take at least 50 years more before they will have attained their full growth. Miller Park was purchased in 1887, 24 years ago, and it will be seen that the new trees planted in the north end of the Park in 1890 are giving evidence of thoughtfulness for the future. Ques. — How will it be possible for the proposed park district to help protect the future water supply of Bloomington without expense to the park district? Ans. — It will not be possible except to a limited extent. .^ny drainage or work needed exclusively for the Park, which will be but little, will be paid for by the Park, but any work done on Sugar Creek exclusively for the benefit of the water supply, which will be the most expensive portion, must be paid for wholly by the City of Bloomington. Ques. — How rapidly may we expect 20 'I' I II'. I'AC'I'S AI'.olT THE PROPOSED park inii)rovenient.s to be pushed in case the park district is authorized? Ans. — This question can only be fully answered at some future date. Judging by the slow progress of im- provements in Franklin Square and Miller Park, for the first few years the money exi)ended will not be for perishable improvements but mostly in the purchase of eligible tracts for future improvements. All money thus expended will be a valuable asset worth far more than its cost, in case that for any financial reasons the district should at anj' future day be unable to proceed with improvements. That is, in case of serious financial depression, our purchase will be of considerable cash value and in case of such future prosperity as is at pres- ent indicated, the park improvements will be worth to the Townships of Xormal and Bloomington many times their first cost. A Beautiful Park System Would be a Large Factor in Developing a Greater And More Prosperous Bloomington and Normal Ques. — Is it true that a park sys teni would be a paying investment? Ans. — There can be no question about it. Bloomington in a large measure, and Xormal decidedly so. must ever be regarded as a residen- tial center rather than a manufactur- ing center. For this reason, a fine park system would be one of our greatest assets. Ques. — Can it be shown that the development of parks and systems of parks do actually aid in the develop- ment of cities? Peoria District $38,726,300 Springfield Di.strict 32.232,075 Bloomington-Normal District — . 24,110.065 Ans. — Whether or not it can be shown that partes produce prosperous towns, it is easily shown that pros- perous towns and well developed park systems go hand in hand. Ques. — .Are the Park Districts of Peoria and Springfield more prosper- ous than the proposed Bloomington and Xormal District? Ans. — Eet us examine facts. The following tabic shows the real valuation of property within the three park districts in 1894. and in 1910 and the percent increase in value in those 16 years. 1894 1910 . Per cent Inc. $66,953,829 n% 53,817.324 67% 36.020,244 49% Ques. — But is it certain that the development of parks had any connec- tion with the prosperity of these towns? Ans. — Possibly not. But let us examine .Springfield's record a little farther. The following table shows the development in wealth of what is now the Springfield Park District for the eight (8) years just preceding the or- ganization of the park district and for the eight (8) years just fallowing the organization of the park district. Real Valuation of the Springfield Park District The 8 years preceding the establishment of Park District The 8 years following the establishment of Park District 1894 .$32,232,075 1902 $39,ono.(inn* $39,000,000* 1910 $53,817,000 Percent increase n 8 years 21% 38% • The County Clerk reports the exact figures for' 1901 and 1902 as !• given are approximately correct. The valuation for 190,'?, $-10,395,020. r.l.oO.MIXr.TOX-XORMAL PARK DISTRICT 21 DEVELOPMENT OF PARK SYSTEM WILL NOT SERIOUSLY INTER- FERE WITH OTHER PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS Ques. — Will not the development III the proposed park system make it necessary to cut out all other im- provements? Ans. — N'o. Those who favor the organization of the Park District do not advocate, nor expect a park tax of more than about 3 mills on the dollar or 30 cents on the $100. By referring to the table of tax-rates on page 21 \vc note the following facts: 1. The 30-cent rate would just e^ual the State tax-rate. 2. The 30-ccnt rate would just equal 1-4 of the tax-rate for ordinary city purposes, in either Bloomington- or Xormal. 3. The 30 cent rate would be less than 1-3 of the rate which Normal raises for bond purposes. 4. The 30 cent rate would be less than 1-3 of the rate for school pur- poses in Xormal and less than 1-4 of the rate for school purposes in I'.lodinin^'toii 5 Finally. The rate of 30 cents for Park purposes, n tlu' Park Dis- trict were organized would hv less than 1 13 of ilio entire rate for either Bloomington or Normal. Xo one believes that such a tax- rate for park purposes can seriously interfere with other contemplated iniprovcnu-nts. Ques. — Is there any reason for be- lieving that the development of parks would make the obtaining of other improvements easier? Ans. — Yes. Everj' such public im- j)rovemcnt stimulates the desire and demand for still other improvements b'lth public and private. Ques. — lUit will not" this desire for still other public improvements re- >ult in increased tax-rates? Ans. — X'ot necessarily so. In a live and prosperous community the as- sessable property increases quite as rapidly as the demand for public im- provements. This means that the tax-rate does not necessarily increase at all. Well informed people believe that the increase in wealth within the pro- posed Bloomington and Xormal Park District would so increase our "asses- ed valuation" that our tax-rates would be increased but little, if at all, dur- \\\ii tile next in or 20 year-, if we make needed improvements including the Park System. CONTROL OF STREETS Ques. — L nder the law is it possi- ble for the park board to exclude or- dinary traffic from parks? Ans. — Yes. They can. Ques. — Is it possible for the park board to exclude traffic from such bf>ulcvards and pleasure driveways as may be laid out and constructed by the park district for i)leasure pur- poses? Ans. — Ye>. They may do so. Ques. — Is it necessary or desirable that the park board shall have such power? Ans. — It is without doubt a power which the park board must possess in order that they may protect these drives from being ruined. .Ml park boards have this power. Ques. — Ave drives through parks and boulevards more likely to be ruined by ordinary traffic than are streets in our cities or country roads? Ans. — Park drives and boulevards arc not ordinarily constructed so as to withstand the wear and tear of ordinary traffic. Xo teamster would deliver coal dressed in a white shirt or a dress suit, neither should he expect to be permitted to haul his load over private lawns, through parks, or on pleasure driveways if this act is to result in the ruin of private or public property. 22 T[IE FACTS ABOUT THE PROPOSED Qucs.— Could the park board take possession of a city street, either paved or unpaved, without the con- sent of the city authorities? Ans. — No. The park board cannot secure any control over any city or village street unless the city council or village board shall first by ordi- nance turn the street over to the park board. Ques. — Would the park board be likely to desire control of many streets? Ans.— No. The park board would probably be unwilling to accept con- trol of any street unless that street could be used as a connecting link in the park system. Ques. — Why should the park board hesitate to accept control of a street? Ans. — Because, after they have once accepted it they must then maintain it, light it, and police it. All this means expense which the city or vil- lage otherwise has to meet. Ques. — Has this condition ever arisen or is it theory? Ans. — Springfield and the Spring- field park district have had experience along this line. The Case of South Grand Avenue, Springfield From the organization of the Park District a plan existed of securing parks in each of the four sections of the city and then some time connect- ing these parks by means of boule- vards or pleasure drives. Early in 1902 the property owners along South Grand Avenue opened negotiations with both the City Council of Spring- field and the Park Board looking towards the transfer of that street from the control of the city to the control of the Park Board, thus mak- ing it the first link of the system of proposed boulevards. The Park Board finally adopted a resolution declaring that they would accept the control of the street, pro- vided that the property owners and city of Springfield would first pave it and construct concrete sidewalks ac- cording to the directions of the Park Board. This was done and eleven (IIV months later the City Council by ordinance turned over to the con- trol of the Park District a strip thir- ty-seven (37) feet wide, being from curb line to curb line, and about one and one-half (1 1-2) miles in length. Three years later arrangements were made by which the city turned over to the control of the Park District the rest of the street, being the strips from the curb line to the property line on each side of the street. Ques. — Granting that the city coun- cil of any city may withhold control of all streets from the Park Board, may not condition arise which will make it advisable that certain streets be so turned over to the Park Board and would they not then be able to exclude all ordinary traflfic from such streets? Ans. — This is not necessarily so. This question is answered by the ex- perience of the Villages of Peoria Heights and Averyville. The Case of Grand View Boulevard, Peoria From the date of organization the people of Peoria planned to construct a grand boulevard, or pleasure drive, from the edge of the city to the high lands to the north known as Pros- pect Heights. After several years land was secured and the boulevard constructed. This boulevard, how- ever, passed through the villages of .Averyville and Peoria TTciglits. Tii granting the Park District the use of certain streets both villages, Av- eryville and Peoria Heights, specifi- cally reserved the right to use those portions of the boulevard for traffic purposes. The Park District accepted RLOOMIN'GTON-XORMAL PARK DISTRICT 23 these grants of streets "subject to the limitations imposed by said ordi- nances." Ques. — Does the record of either I'eoria or Springfield anywhere indi- cate that there has ever been any disagreement between the Park Dis- trict and either the city or the people who use the streets? Ans. — No. Nor does diligent in- quiry reveal the fact that any such disagreement has ever occurred. Ques. — Does not the law grant the Park Board the right to construct a boulevard out into the country and even close country roads to traffic? Ans. — 1. It is inconceivable that any Board of Park Trustees should ever consider such an unreasonable proposition. 2. There is not the slightest doubt as to the decision of the courts in regard to the powers of the Park Board were they to attempt to close a country road to traffic or convert it into a fancy boulevard levying spe- cial assessments against adjoining farms to pay for the same. No Court would sustain the Park Board in either case. Interpretation of the Law Ques. — In a recent open discussion nf the park question a local attorney was quoted as saying that the law grants the park board the power to seize a country highway, pave it, levy- ing assessments against adjacent farm lands to pay for the same, and finally to close that highway to or- dinary traffic. I^ this so? Ans. — The interpretation of any law found upon our statute b<)(.k< i- not delegated to any attorney or any other citizen. That power rests with the courts, lastly with the -supreme court of the state. Until the supreme court of Ilhnois has passed upon the interpretation of this law. it is of course, possible for any citizen to put his own interpretnfion upon the law. These personal opinions vary greatly in value. Against the opin- ion of the local attorney we find The Opinion of Attorney Whiting of Peoria Attorney W. T. Whiting of Peoria, was in a large measure the author and father of the park law under which Rloomington and Normal will organize. For more than 16 years, ever since the Peoria District was organized, Mr. Whiting has been the .Tttorney for the Peori.i park district. Mr. Whiting flatly denies that it was ever the intention of that law to grant such powers to the park trustees. He holds that should any park district trustees ever desire to secure posses- sion of any streets in any city or of any country highway, all of which is most improbable, that the authorities in control of those streets or high- ways would have full and complete power to refuse granting such request or to grant such request writh such limitations as they might see fit to impose. Ques. — Should this question ever come before the supreme court would that court necessarily pass upon the constitutionality or unconstitutional- ity of the law only or might thcic de- cision he merely of the nature of an interpretation of the meaning of the law? Ans. — The question might come be- fore the court in such a manner as to call for a decision as to the constitu- tionality of the law. or it might come in such a manner as to call simply for an interpretation of the law. For example: The decision of the supreme court interpreting the Juul law relative to the ':calinp down of taxes (People of State of Illinois ex rel. TTenry Weber vs. C. ct E. r. R. R. Co.) referred to nn page 14. did not involve in any way the constitutionality of that law: that decision merely interprets the meaning of the law. The constitu- tionality of that law has been passed upon in two other decisions, namelv Booth vs. Opel, 244 111.. 317, and Town of Cicero vs. Haas. 244 id. 551. 24 '11 II' J'ACTS ABOUT THE TROrOSED SPECIAL ASSESSMENT Ques. — Is the power granted the Park Board of levying special assess- ments aj^ainst property to help pay for parks, parkways, and boulevards a just provision of the lavv? Ans. — It is a just and equitable fea- ture of the law. It is only right and just that property, especially lands, very near such parks and parkways shall be made to bear a portion of the expense of purchase and improve- ment since such property is decidedly increased in value and becomes de- cidedly more salable as a result of the establishment of the park, park- way or boulevard. Ques.— What portion of the entire cost of such an improvement can be assessed ajjainst private property as special benefits? Ans. — This question can only be answered in general terms. It would be impossible to assess against any property an amount which exceeds the actual benefits accruing to the property. SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS Ques. — Does not the law give the l>ark board power not only to desig- nate streets, avenues, roads, boule- vards or highways which are to be- come pleasure driveways, but does not the law also grant the Park Board the power to open, alter, wid- en, extend, grade, pave or otherwise improve and maintain such streets, roads, avenues, etc., and pay for the same by levying special assessments? Does not this law give the Park Board almost unlimited power? Ans. — This question has received au answer from the Supreme Court of Illinois in a decision rendered during the February term, 1911. (South Park Commissioners vs. Myron L. Pearce et al.) The South Park Commis- sioners, acted under authority of the law fif 1895 — which law states that "such board of park commissioners or park authorities shall have power • to improve such street or streets, or part thereof, in such manner as they may deem best and fur tliat purpose they, are hereby authori/,ed to pay for the improvement therof by levy- FEATURE OF THE LAW. Ques. — What redress may be had against an unjust special assessment made by the Park Board. Ans. — Exactly the same redress that may be had against an unjust ^l)ecial assessment made by a city for an improvement such as a water main, a sewer, or a pavement. Special assessments made for park improvements must be levied in ex- actly the same manner and under the same law as any city special assess- ment. Ques. — How far back from the park improvement can assessments be made for special benefits? Ans. — This depends entirely upon the sfjccial conditions of the case. The important fact is that the special benefits must equal or exceed the amount of the assessment and this fact must be capable of proof. In this fact lies the manifest justness and equity of the law. MUST BE REASONABLE ing, assessing and collecting a spe- cial tax on contigious property or special assessment on property bene- fited." The Park Commissioners re- paved certain streets belonging to the Park System paying for the same by levying special assessments against property which the Park Board claim- ed to be specially benefited. The prop- erty owner objected to the assess- ment on the ground that the street had previously been paved, before be- coming a part of the park system. It was further claimed that the neces- sity for repaving was merely the necessity of widening the street, cut- ting down the grade and in general making it correspond to boulevard standard and boulevard ideals. The Supreme Court held that it was unreasonable to assess private property for such improvements. If puch improvements are deemed best for public interest, it is only reason- able that it be done at public expense. SiH-rial assessments must be reason- able and all powers granted the park board niust be reasonably exercised. o a c i ll Oh c 3 (li BT.OOMINGTOX-XORMAL PARK DISTRICT 25 PARK TRUSTEES SHOULD BE APPOINTED, NOT ELECTED Ques.— Mow is the Park Board to be selected if the Park District is organized? Ans. — The voters decide whether the trustees shall be appointed or elected. Ques. — If appointed, who appoints the trustees? Ans. — A committee of three, being two of the circuit judges of this judicial district and the county judge of McT.ean County. Ques. — Is there any advantage in having the members of the Park F^oard appointed instead of being elected? Ans. — 1. It is generally believed that there would be little or no dan- ger of the Board becoming political if the members are appointed. The law provides that no more than four members may. in that case, be from one political party. 2. If the members are appointed the district is saved several hundred dol- lars of election expenses each year. The first 15 elections have cost the Peoria District $15,691.40 or a little ovei- $1,000 each year. The first 7 elections cost the Springfield District $3,075.29. or an average of $468 each year. Ques. — if a voter wishes to vote for organization of the district and also for the appointment of the trustees, how shall he mark his ballot? Ans. — Shall the Bloomington and Normal Pleas- ure Driveway and Park District be Organized? YES X NO For the Appointment of Park iTrustees YES X Against the Appointment of Park Trustees NO 26 THE FACTS ABOUT THE PROPOSED HOW INDIANAPOLIS SOLVES BLOOMINGTON'S PARK PROBLEM In March, 1909, Indiana adopted a new park law applicable to Indian- apolis. The new law provides among other things: 1. For a park board of four members who serve without pay. 2. The board has power: to condemn property needed for park pur- poses. 3. To develop park property by levying assessments against property specially benefited thereby. 4. To establish a building line outside of park limits, or along any parkway or boulevard. Indianapolis immediately organized under this act and began to re- create their park system. The city had several isolated parks but there being no connection between them or evident continuity of purpose, the city could hardly be said to have a park system at all. Their plan of reorganization and development of a real park system is so well shown by the accompanying map and extracts from the land- scape architect's report, that no extended comment is needed here. The important point to be noted is that the conditions existing in In- dianapolis are not dissimilar to those existing in Bloomington and Normal and that the solution actually being applied by the Indianapolis authorities is exactly the solution proposed by the Park Committee of the Bloomington Business Men's Association. OKPARTMCNT OF RUBI-IC PARKS INOIANAROI.I8, IND. March 18, 1911. MR. FRED. D. BARBER, Normal, Illinois. Dear Sir: — The reason why the Board of Park Commis- sioners has undertaken an improvement of the streams and their low lying banks for park pur- poses, rather than to use higher ground, is simply that the Board has felt the importance of preserv- ' ing the streams throughout the City. You know, as does everyone who has given municipal problems much thought, that a smal? stream in a city or town that remains in private hands, in nine cases out of ten becomes an unsanitary and unsightly feature of the landscape, not only offensive to good taste and love for the picturesque, but a source of disease and danger to the health of the community. That is one of the considerations. The other is that in Indianapolis these streams offer the most available feature of our landscape along which to build a system of parkways and park drives that will give local parks to practically every section of the City, and will at the same time serve to tie together the whole scheme of park things into a unified system. Yours very truly, LEROY E. SNYDER, Secretary Board of Park Commissioners. BLOOMlNGTQN-NQRiMAL I'ARK DISTRICT 27 EXTRACTS FROM REPORT OF GEO. E. KESLER, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT, TO BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS, INDIANAPOLIS, 1909 FIRST PERIOD OF PARK DEVELOPMENT "The period of park development prior to 1908, the time of the reor- ganization of your entire work, accomplished many excellent things in the acquisition of splendid park properties. This was evidently an expression of feeling tlie need of places of recreation. It is true that these efforts were all sporadic, without continuity or connection, and with only an indifferent un- derstanding of the uses that a community has for recreation grounds, or its specitic needs in its different units. However, the properties were acquired and at least partly improved. But the rate of growth of the city went far in advance of the acquisition and improvement of properly situated park or parkway lands, and a certain measure of neglect in this respect becomes costly now in the second period or new era of the city's development. SECOND PERIOD OF PARK DEVELOPMENT "Vou are now facing, in the second period of your park development, the recreative era of your city planning — the imperative need of unifying and tying together the different and widely separated districts of the city. The salient and most important portion of the present movement in the recreation of beautiful Indianapolis is based upon the existence of streams flowing through the city. Vuu are wise in yuur conclusions to adopt the idea oi consecutive improvement along the principal streams, creating a chain of parka of the very highest usefulness through long reaches of residential districts. Fortu- nately tiiese streams lie in directions which, as an incident to park develop- ment along their shores, serve as the liiicst and most direct lines of roadway communication. And, while the fundamental importance oi local recreation grounds is emphasized, the incident of line driveways will in time become that element which will surprise and gratify your own people in leading them into the real beauty spots of the city, and become an element of advertising value which will more than compensate for all expenditures in their establishment. "Kansas City permitted its park department to build up its boulevards encircling and passing through the city, and permitted the acquisition and im- provement of lands which were characteristic of its topography. That com- munity has become proud of its development, and in the latter years has re- ceived perhaps even more than its share of iavorablc comment from its resi- dents and visitors. A justification for such favorable comments lies merely in the use of properties characteristic to that region, and the keynote of the iinproveiiiciit of those properties has been the con- serving of the natural and characteristic beauties there. Exactly the same results may be and cire being attained here by your Department in the ac- quirement and development of your stream banks — the essentially characteris- tic ieaturcs in Indianapolis. W ith the banks oi tliese streams so easily beauti- lied, there is provided the rarest opportunity for the development of the high- est class of residential property, the value of which alone can not be overem- phasized. "The most important feature, however, of these chains of parks, and entirely aside from their transformation from ash dumps and other unsightly things, into places of real beauty, is the fact that you are at the same time establishing a continuous line of outdoor recreation and local playgrounds thereon. All these become far more accessible to a very much larger population, and especially to that subdivision of population most in need of such prop- 28 TIIK FACTS A ROUT THE PROPOSED crtics, than the really valuable local parks which had previously existed. This is most thoroughly exemplified in the improvement along Progues Run. (See illustrations.) Like an unfinished picture, the many and widely separated units of your present park system are only locally appreciated. The parks are practically unknown to the great majority of your public, and will so remain until they are all tied together by means of these stream parkways and by boulevards encircling the outer rim of the city." EXTRACTS OF A LETTER FROM OLMSTEAD BROS. "This letter was originally written by Mr. John Olmstead to the Board of Park Commissioners of Portland, Oregon, on December 31, 1903, but it treats the great question of the importance of parks to a community, the du- ties of citzens toward parks, and the best methods of improving and main- taining a Park System in such a broad and comprehensive manner that it is equally applicable to the city of Bloomington. The firm of Olmstead Bros. is acknowledged to be at the head of the profession of Landscape Architects in this country, and since its foundation more than fifty years ago by Fred- rick Law Olmstead, Sr., has had charge of some of the most important work in this country, including the Metropolitan Park System of Boston, Central Park of New York, The South Park System of Chicago, and finally the Park System of Portland, Oregon. Any article, therefore, emanating from such a firm of acknowledged experts is worthy of the most respectful con- sideration." Bloomington Business Men's Association. By Special Committee. OLMSTEAD BROS. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS BROOKUINE, MASS. INTRODUCTION IMPORTANCE OF MUNICIPAL PARKS Leading writers and other authorities on modern municipal develop- ment agree that no city can be considered properly equipped without an ade- quate park system. All agree that parks not onlj'- add to the beauty of a city and to the pleasure of living in it. but are exceedingly IMPORTANT FACTORS IN DE- VELOPING THE HEALTHFULNESS, MORALITY, INTELLIGENCE. .\ND BUSINESS PROSPERITY of its residents. Indeed it is not too much to say that a liberal provision of parks in a city is one of the surest manifes- tations of the intelligence, degree of civilization and PROGRESSIVENESS OF ITS CITIZENS. In order to determine upon a comprehensive system of parks, it is first necessary to define and classify the various units of which the system is to be composed, even though it may not be practicable to carry out these ideas in all cases. The units of a park system generally recognized are city squares, play grounds, small or neighborhood parks, large or surburban parks, scenic reservations, boulevards, and parkways. THE PARKS OF A CITY SHOULD BE PARTS OF A SYSTEM If a city is to have parks, a careful study of the problem will convince any student of municipal development that the parks should be acquired in accordance with a general system. Many cities have one or more parks in which their citizens may justly take pride, but comparatively few of these r.L()( ).\1 I. \(;T0.\ NORMAL I'ARK DISTRICT 29 cities have what can be properly called a oomprehensive, well-balanced and well-developed system of parks, a system which will compare favorably as to completeness with, for instance, the system of public schools, or the system of fire protection and other principal departments of the city government. The backwardness of municipal park systems is not so much due to lack of public intelligence and public spirit as to a defective development of the love of beauty as compared with a well-developed appreciation of practical utilitarian progress. PARK SYSTEMS SHOULD BE WELL BALANCED The various social and topographical sections of a city should be suita- bly supplied with the various unit^; of a system accf>rding to their needs and natural upportunities. It not infrequently happens that the sections of a city in which the population is most dense and most in need of scjuarcs. play grounds and local parks, are almost wholly devoid of these advantage-, be- cause no well-balanced system has been devised and carried out while land was sufficiently cheap and comparatively unoccupied so that now the e.xpense i-, ])rohibitory. PARKS SHOULD BE CONNECTED AND APPROACHED BY BOULE- VARDS AND PARKWAYS A connected system of parks and parkways is manifestly far more com|)lctc and useful than a series of isolated parks. PARKS AND PARKWAYS SHOULD BE LOCATED AND IMPROVED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF BEAUTIFUL NATURAL SCEN-' ERY AND TO SECURE SANITARY CONDITIONS. In addition to taking advantage of beautiful natural scenery, parks and parkways may often be located so as to secure very important sanitary atl- vantages through the improvement of ill-drained areas, particularly low-lying lands along rivers subject to floods. Marked economy in municipal devclop- niciit may alsi> be effected by laying out parkways and parks, while land is cheap, so as to embrace streams that carry at times mi>re water than can he taken care of by dr.iin pipes of ordinary size. Thus brooks or little rivers which would otherwise become nuisances that would some day have to be put in large underground conduits at enormous expense, may be made the oc- casion for delightful local pleasure grounds or attractive parkways. Such im- provements add greatly to the value of adjoining properties, which would otherwise have been depreciated by the erection f»n the low lands of the chcai^est class of dwellings or by ugly factories, stables and other com- mercial establishments. PARK SYSTEMS SHOULD BE IN PROPORTION TO OPPORTUNITIES A city having many or extensive opportunities for parks and parkways should promptly avail it-elf of them provided there i« a reasonable probability of attracting to it-eif thereby well-to-do and wealthy families, becau-e such improvements tend to draw to the city wealth, the taxation of which may more than repay the city for the outlay. 30 THE FACTS ABOUT THE PROPOSFD THE LAND FOR PARK SYSTEMS SHOULD BE PAID FOR BY LONG-TERM LOANS There is a very commendable disinclination on the part of leprislatures to pass laws atithorizinp lonj? term municipal loans and in favor of keeping a comparatively low limit on the total amount of which cities are allowed to borrow. But the case of loans for purchase of land, especially land for a park system is very decidedly different from that of loans for most other municipal improvements. It is unwise for cities, as for business men and corporations, to borrow more than a safe fraction of their marketable assets or so much that the interest and annual sinking? fund payments will be possibly jrreater than the sure income applicable to these purposes durinp: periods of industrial depression. Still more fundamental is the principle that money should not be borrowed unless it can be profitably employed. Tn the case of money borrowed for the acquisition of park land it should be borne in mind that the land is an asset that will be worth more in almost every instance by the time the loan becomes payable, than the amount of the loan. PARK SYSTEMS SHOULD BE IMPROVED BY MEANS OF LOANS. SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS AND ANNUAL TAXATION The experience of the larger cities has been that by far the most sat- isfactory and profitable results have been obtained by improving their parks as rapidly as such diflRcult and complex work can wisely be effected, usually in from three to five years after the acquisition of the land, depending upon various circumstances, but mainly upon the prospect of a consequent rapid rise in the values of adjoining lands. In the case of land, only part of which is taken, the benefit and damage should be considered at the same time and the award or assessment should be for the balance between the two only. PARK SYSTEMS SHOULD BE GOVERNED BY QUALIFIED OFFICIALS Experience proves that the most successful government of important park svstems is by a small board of unpaid park commissioners * * * who should be APPOTXTED for long, over-lapped terms, and should usually be repeatedly appointed. Park commissioners should be appointed by some authority as little concerned with local politics as possible, and yet suffi- cientlv widelv and well acquainted with the best educated class of citizens t? be able to select those best fitted for the duties of park commissioners. The board should be financially independent of the city government and should work harmoniously with other city departments. In general, the board should leave planning to competent experts and the execution of plans, including the selection of subordinates, to an effi- cient and specially trained superintendent, so far as his capacity, theoretical knowledge and practical experience makes it safe to do so. The commis- sioners should, of course, keep sufficiently familiar with the work to intelli- gently pass upon all questions brought before them at their meetings, but they should not individually direct work, nor give orders. Fortunately itis a healthful and more or less recreative task for park commissioners to in- spect parks. * * *. BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL PARK DISTRICT 31 PARK SYSTEMS SHOULD BE MANAGED INDEPENDENTLY OF CITY GOVERNMENT It has been demonstrated by experience in many cities that the park system more than any other of the undertakings of a city should be manaE:ed independently of the Common Council or Legislative Body of the City Gov- ernment. * * * Parks should not be brnupht into politics not nnlv for the important hiisincss reasons that apply in all departments of municipal administratinn, hut for the more important reason that the essential requirement of parks is that they should he naturally and artistically beautiful and because politi- cians as a class jjive small consideration to matters of art and beauty of natural scenerv and care less whenever they conflict with their business in- terests. The schools may not be beautiful, but yet may serve all practical purposes: brirl;;es may be and usually are hideous, but we can use them and hope for better thinps some day, but if parks are not beautiful, they are very nearly useless. Politicians, as a class, work as hard for power and pecuniary success as any other class of business men. but like most business men. especially retailers, they do not waste much time or money in tryinp to inspire the masses with hiph ideals or in improvinpr and refininpf their taste. Politicians do not make pood park commissioners, not alone because they are not pood iiidpes of landscape beauty, but because they are stronply biased in the di- rection of decidinp every question in the way that will pain them and their partv friends and votes, and because they will inevitably sacrifice what seems to them such trivial thinps as matters of appearance to oblipe people who pcnerally have some personal or selfish or party end in view. The niimber of cases that arise in park administration in which a politician will decide contrary to the reqtnVements of pood taste are far more numerous than any- one who has not had lonp experience of park matters could imapine, or be- lieve if told. A political park commissioner will be apt to favor the determination of the number of and the selection of sites for parks that will pain him or his party the most votes, or that will please pecuniarily interested persons or corporations. He will usually prefer to decide all such questions without expert advice, knowinp that without such puidance he can surely decide accordinp to his own interest and that of his party, while with it, he may be hampered in securinp what he wants done. He will favor the employment of experts if they must be employed, who will be subservient and "easy to pet alonp with," and he will prefer a superintendent who will purchase supplies from the "ripht" dealer. He will want to prant licenses for all sorts of amusement concerns repardless of the park landscape, provided only they are likely to be popular and are run by the "ripht" men. and so on. ♦ ♦ "♦ Parks- should Be kept out of politics not only by not havinp politicians ipi).-.inted as park commissioners, but. rememberinp that "money is power," by takinp the power of makinp the annual park appropriations from the city povernment. FRANK I. MILLElJ< PRINTS t BLOOMINGTON.^ UNIVERSmr OF HXINOIS-UflBANA 3 0112 061867021