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Report June 1892 Dept Parks

June report Filed Aug. 3/92

CF224-8

Seattle Wash.

June Report

To the Honorable The Board of Park Commissioners Gentlemen

The work for the past month was as follows. For the Kinnear Park the ladies cottage rustic bridge was finished. Twelve eight feet rustic benches made of various designs. 1900 square feet cedar bark, beside rustic limbs was obtained, several flower beds have been replanted with 3712 plants, 44 loads of manure used and 32 loads of gravel in redressing some of the walks and the seasonable work done of maintenance. In the City Park [Inorseries] means have been provided to temper the water. A considerable quantity of shrub and tree cuts were discovered stored away; these were planted though late in the season requiring 54 boxes and two sash. The remaining uncleared ground within the enclosure is now cleared and fertilised, yet the nursery is too small accommodate even the replanting of seedlings started, while early this fall a large quantity of native shrubs and some trees should be collected beside many seed beds prepared and planted, which demands additional nursery grounds of at least two acres. To make the nursery efficient and economical your authorization is also needed and provision made to make such collections from the several localities, where the proper and suitable shrubs and trees may be conveniently found. As soon as any Park or Boulevard ground is graded, planting materials will be needed to furnish it with its most important elements that is beauty comfort novelty and effect; variety of coloring foliage is much lacking on this coast, its importance

in park dress cannot be overestimated; if proper and timely provision is made from two to five years in advance. A universal saving of cost and advantage will be affected, both in reduction of first cost of young plants and the decreased cost in the work planting young well rooted and grown shrubs or trees, as also the large swing incurred to the decreased percentage of death. It is also of no little importance, a larger and more suitable assortment of the most choice and desirable varieties, than is ordinarily possible, and without which the best results for the least money cannot be expected in park improvements. To effectually meet this condition with timely suggestions the accompanying list of hardy trees and shrubs is submitted, and if such meets with your approbation, must be ordered now for the fall shipment and winter planting This list comprises 62772 plants 4000 of which are trees of 58 kinds and 184 varieties, and 22,775 shrubs of 114 kinds of 431 varieties The nursery cost of the whole amount is 427.48 Duty on plants is 40% 171.00 Approximate freight and charges 150.00 total 748.88 or $1.19[1/3] per hundred delivered These same plants one year later could not be bought for $10.00 per hundred in this country, or for all $6270.00 Indeed, if the planting of very common plants for a square of only two to three acres in extent, would readily cost the entire saved for the 62 thousnad trees and shrubs, while many of these could be increased by cuttings, layer of by division, thus establishing a permant stock of the most valuable and desirable kinds, as well as rare trees and shrubs. One half of first cost

forwarded with the order The Boulevard System This department had continued its establishment of leveling for bench marks, distance traversed 7&1/2 miles. June 16th began to establish meandering base line from Madison Street to southwestern City Limits distance 4&9tenths miles. Topographical Work by Transit work 25.32 acres Topographical Work by plane table 56.64 acres representing an area in acres of 81.96 aud a distance of 2&31hundredths miles. The work continues Southward until the limit of base line is reached, and branch lines will be established from practicable points to connect with the interior of the city System of Bouevards. The N.P.R.R. Co. through the courtesy of Hon E H McHenry principal assistant engineer has furnished the department with additional lake shore data, and now has been collected from other sources. Work on the large plan has begun and plans are being made of this area surveyed, these plans are being prepared on a scale of 50 ft to the inch. The Department of Public Parks would gladly receive any plats or plans geographical or topographical from land owners of their properties along the shores of Lake Washington or Elliot Bay as well as that any within the city limits Where it is Contues plated to establish any special park, Parked Streets, avenues Boulevards or any ground intended for public purpose or use as the department may find it possible to incorporate such grounds in the general study of the system now being developed throughout the city limits, as also to be able to represent such

Grounds upon the large Map of the park system Respectfully Submitted