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Park Commisioners of the City of Seattle. 37
Sept 10 1891 The manure from the City Stables, the sweepings of the streets and all other manure that may be available; As to the course of the imporvements it is for the Commissioners to decide where they shall commence but I would respectfully submit that the "Kinnear" Park be attended to first. In several places the rain has commenced to form ruts from the street and in case of a heavy or prolonged rain these may attain a magnitude to cause serious damage and expense and should be attended to before Winter sets in. Should this procedure meet with your approval I will submit a plan and estimates at your next meeting but I may say that an expenditure of about $4000.00 dollars would put it in pretty good shape at least such afit as is susceptible of the ordinary methods of improvement. I think some of the most precipitous portions will require considerable artificial structure to render them available for public use or floral display but I do not wish to give a decided opinion without further examination and study. With regard to the "Denny Park" there are no difficilties to surmount but it is desirable that the street on the northerly side should be graded previous to on [cantun????] for allows with work on the Park. I will make out plan & estimates in due time. To begin with and until the heavy part of the work is done such as clearing, grubbing, and grading a force of say twenty men could be employed to good advantage which with all incidentals such as tools, teaming, plowing, manure &c would involve an expenditure not in any
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38 Journal of the Proceedings of the
Sept 10 1891 case to exceed $2000.00 Dollars a month. I will require some printed forms such as requisitions, foreman's report sheets and possibly some others and a journal in which all expenditures shall be entered daily. It is also desireable to have a set of Rules and Regulations for the Government of the Employees and for the guidance of the foreman and myself in carrying out the orders of the Park Commissioners: The Rules to be read to the men when first employed and to be strickly enforced. It may not be out of place to make a few remarks as to the wisdom or necessity of commencing operations at the present time. There seems to be but one opinion with the public that the Commissioners would not only be justified but that it is their duty to improve the Parks to such extent as their means will furnish. To show that your efforts would be fully appreciated it is only necessary to visit on a Sunday or Hoilday any of the gardens recently provided by the enterprise of some of the Street Railroad Co's. They are crowded and there are many who are deterred from patronizing them simply on that account. They wish for quickness and seclusion and a place to enjoy themselves in their own way. As a financire investment it may not return large interest in the shape of Dollars and Cents. Although even in that respect by the increased value of real estate in the vicinity of the Parks and on the Main Lines of access to them it would in some degree compensate for the outlay! Some public parks I know have increased values in
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Park Commissioner of the City of Seattle. 39
Sept 10 1891 their neighborhood not by percentages but by many multiples of their original value. But it is not for such returns that public Parks are established and maintained. Their object is to provided natural scenery, pleasant walks, retired nooks and green lawns. Something to draw the people to the fresh air and to allure them for the time being from all business on domestic cares. I am Gentlemen Yours Respectfuly James Taylor
A motion was made that Mr. Taylor be instructed to procure such tools as were necessary under the direction of the Com. on Des. of Grounds & Supplies and engage as well No. of men and begin work at Kinnear Park at once. Motion carried.
It was ordered that Mr. Taylor report at the next meting No. of men employed & scale of wages to be paid and also to be recomend to the Board same method for the procuring of the manure needed.
The committe appointed to engage quarters for the board asked to be continued & given further time in the selection of rooms. Granted.
Motion to adjourn until Thurdsay Sept 17 / 91 was carried.
Attest Approved H W Miller City Clk Daniel Jones By Drown Dep Chairman
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40 Journal of the Proceedings of the
Sept 17 1891
Be it Remembered that on this the 17th day of Sept AD 1891. The Board of Park Com's of the City of Seattle met pursuant to adjournment in their rooms in the Bailey Block Cor 2d & Cherry Sts. At Roll Call the following members are present to wit: Danl Jones Chr W E Bailey W E Burgess C N Evans Abram Barker being absent. Whereupon the following proceedings are had. Minutes of the previous meeting read & approved.
The Com. on Rooms reported and recomended that Rooms No's 407 - 408 in the Bailey Block at the monthly rental of 20.00 per month. Report adopted.
Supt Taylor submitted the following scale of wages, as follows. Supt 62.55 per mo. Foreman 75.00 " " Laborer (two) 2.00 per day Double Teams (five) 5.00 " " Adopted & the Clk requested to present same to the City Council for approval.
The Supt reported the present force as 1 foreman 8 laborers & 2 double teams. On motion Board adjourned until Monday, Sept 21st at 4 P.M
Attest Approved H W Miller City Clerk By Drown Dep Chr
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Park Commisioners of the City of Seattle. 41
Sept 21 1891
Be it Remmbered that on this the 21st day of Sept AD 1891. The Board of Park Coms of the City of Seattle met pursuant to adjournment in their rooms in the Bailey Block. At Roll Call the following members are present to wit Danl Jones Chr W E Burgess W E Bailey C N Evans A. Barker being absent. Whereupon the following proceedings are had. Minutes of the previous meeeting read & approved.
The Board was waited upon by a delegation of Queen Anne residents who discussed park matters in general upon invitation of the President Danl. Jones.
Supt Taylor submitted plans for the improvement of Kinnear Park. On motion the plans were adopted and Mr. Taylor authorized to proceed with the improvements of Kinnear Park as per instructions of the Board.
A motion was made that Mr. Taylor be authorized to erect a propagating house at an expense not to exceed $1000.00. Carried.
The Supt submitted set of Rules to govern Park employees. On motion the adoption of the Rules was laid over until nex meeting.
On motion Teamsters were required to furnish their own tools temporarily or until the matter is adjusted by the Board. On motion the Board adjourned until Oct 1st / 91. Attest Approved H W Miller City Clk Daniel Jones Chr