PUBLIC PARKS.
MAN seems to possess an inbred desire to enjoy the delights and beauties of nature. Although often deprived of such enjoyment by being obliged to labor in the cities where the artificial often crowds out the natural, yet we see his longings and desires manifested in frequent excursions to quiet, retired places in the country, where, uninterrupted by the busy cares of city life, he may rest, and recover health and strength in viewing the natural beauties around him.
It is, undoubtedly, for the purpose of satisfying this demand, as far as possible, that the large cities have established parks, where the rich and poor may resort to enjoy themselves. Thus New York has its Central Park, covering an area two and one-half miles long and one-half mile wide. This is perhaps the most interesting to the public of all the parks in the United States, and is visited at times by at least 100,000 persons in a single day.
Philadelphia has its Fairmount Park, which covers a still larger area than Central Park; Boston boasts of its Common; Brooklyn inhabitants recreate at Prospect Hill, and Baltimore, St. Louis, and other cities all have their parks, which they make as beautiful as possible for the enjoyment of the people.
Our illustration gives a very fine representation of one of the entrances to Lincoln Park, to which Chicago points with especial pride as being the largest and most beautiful park in the city. The fountain in front was placed there by the Illinois Humane Society, a society that was established for the prevention of cruelty to animals. The park borders on Lake Michigan, where, in the distance, may be seen a peculiarly shaped house surmounted with a tower. This is called the "crib." What is that house placed there for? some of our young readers may ask.
Well, the "crib" is at the end of a tunnel three miles in length, which has been dug from the land, under the bottom of the lake. At the "crib" a large fine sieve covers the opening of the tunnel, through which the pure, fresh water from the lake flows in, and is conducted by the tunnel to the water works, situated on the shore of the lake.
The water works contain four large and very powerful steam pumps, which force the water through iron pipes laid in the streets, to all parts of the city. It is in this way that the fountain in our engraving is supplied with water.
Chicago's, system of parks embraces an area of over 2,000 acres, divided between six or seven parks, all of which are connected by broad parkways, or boulevards, as they are called, so that a person can drive all around the city following these boulevards, and pass through the principal parks, such as Humboldt, Central, South, and Lincoln Parks. These are the largest and most beautiful parks in the city, and they are visited during the summer by thousands of people, especially on Sundays.
South Park is approached from the north by a wide, wood-paved boulevard, in the middle of which extends a winding gravel walk, ornamented with smooth lawns, beautiful flowerbeds, and fine shade trees.
Lincoln Park is situated in the northern part of the city, on the shore of Lake Michigan. With its well-kept lawns, large, noble shade trees, miles of drives mad walks, beautiful flower beds and conservatories, and the cool, refreshing breezes from the lake, it is not astonishing that it is so well patronized as it is. Here the poor man can take his family, away from the close, dingy city, and, free from care and labor,
"Look through nature up to nature's God."
The student of natural history may also find here something of interest to him. In a large basin, supplied with cold, fresh water from a never failing artesian well, may be seen a couple of sea lions, basking in the water, as though they were in the sea. Further on are large cages containing alligators, turtles, owls, eagles, doves, squirrels, crows, Guinea fowls, prairie chickens, quails, &c. At another place are dens, containing wild cats, foxes, wolves, bears, raccoons, &c.
One of the most interesting sights, and one which continually attracts a great many people, is a colony of prairie dogs. They are enclosed in a hollow, from which they cannot escape, and in this they have their mounds and holes. They do not seem to be very industrious, as they appear to be continually playing. Their amusing antics are watched by a great many people. All of these animals are in a public place in the park, where they may be seen free of charge.
These places of resort are certainly a great benefit, especially to the poorer classes in the cities, and the city governments are certainly deserving of praise for their kindly efforts in the direction of furnishing public places of rest and recuperation for the weary, confined city dwellers, and of improving and beautifying the surroundings of the people.
A B. Oven.