Page:Report of the Park Board 1903.djvu/8

Rh Gift of Fulton Park. The owners of the tract known as Fulton, (Chas. E. Ladd, H. L. Pittock and B. M . Lombard), situated immediately south of and adjoining the Slavin Road, and adjacent to the O. & C. R. R. on the west, have set aside about 30 acres, in the center of said addition, as a Park, to be known as Fulton Park. The land is in a canyon, but at some time, under proper development, will be available for park uses. This generous dedication is without condition, and was accepted by the Park Board.

In this connection the Park Board. will quote with approval an extract from the Commission's report for 1901, as follows:

"For some time Portland may not feel the same pressure for improved parks which is experienced by cities less favorably situated in native facilities of surrounding country, but all the more important is it for us to use the present period of our history in acquiring land in a wild state, inviting gifts for the purpose, and, in some cases, making purchases in order to secure the future.

"We would call the attention of holders of large tracts to the fact that the setting apart of a considerable portion of their holdings as a park is one of the surest ways of permanently increasing residence values. In older communities property owners gladly assess themselves to secure the purchase of contiguous lands for boulevards and park facilities."Suggestions. In this connection, it may not be too early to memorialize the Legislature of Oregon for such an amendment to the Charter as may empower the City, through the Park Board, under certain conditions, and by reference to the voters of the City, to purchase lands, with right of condemnation, when necessary, for the development of the Park system.

Looking forward to the im~ed!ate future, and in view of the Exposition of 1905, the Board earnestly invites the co-operation of every department of the City government and of citizens individually, in efforts to bring our parks to the highest point of landscaping and adornment, and efficiency, which shall be possible.

"We hope the Water Board may be prepared at an early day to authorize some preliminary work. such as the laying out of reads and paths, and the planting of trees, on the sixty-eight acre tract immediately adjoining the City Park, with toe purpose of opening the same to the public, when it shall be proper to do so. This land was procured by the Water Board for the protection and amendment of the reservoirs contiguous, and ultimately the intention is to add the name to the Park system. The Park Board stands ready at any time to appropriate funds tor any pre-