Page:Report of the Park Board 1903.djvu/55



LEWIS AND CLARK SQUARE.
If the Lewis and Clark memorial building is erected just north of Wilson street and upon the line of Twenty-eighth street, and if the land between it and St. Helens road cannot be otherwise secured, it would be very desirable for the city to take a block of land there. It will be a particularly agreeable site for a local pleasure ground, if the view over Guild Lake remains unobstructed by factories and other commercial buildings, and its location in connection with the ground of the Lewis and Clark memorial building would enhance the value of both, since they could be used in common by the people as a local park.

LITTLE RESERVOIR PARK.
Whether the proposed hillside parkway is accomplished or not, it would be very desirable for the city to acquire a few acres of land for a little local park at the southwestern end of the row of Park Squares, which at present terminate abruptly and unsuitably against unsubdivided private property. It would always be pleasing in the vistas looking southwest through Park street and West Park street and through the Park squares, to have a pleasure ground with picturesque plantations for the eye to rest upon, rather than to have some crooked arrangement of private buildings. Moreover, some handsome terminus to such a long row of formal squares is needed as a matter of dignity and propriety. This pleasure ground should connect with the reservoir grounds, and if possible be extended (even if narrowly) up the ravine in which the reservoir is located, to a connection with Governor's Park. This ravine strip would be used only for a path, but this path would be a very convenient and agreeable short-cut to and from residences at or near the top of the hill, and would very greatly enhance the value of Governor's Park to the public.

RIVER SQUARES.
Before the land fronting on the river becomes too valuable, the city ought to acquire a block, or at least a half block on each side of the river, as near the center of the city as practicable. These little riverfront squares would become, in time, exceedingly valuable as pleasure grounds, particularly to the large poor population which will always congregate in the lower and most densely populated parts of the city. Two most desirable locations, having regard to the needs of the future population, would be between the Morrison-street bridge and the Burnside-street bridge, but there should be others. A comparatively cheap style of improvement would serve well enough until the city