LEFFINGWELL'S PROPOSED PARK. Kindred to Mr. Shaw in his conception of suitable parks for St. Louis is Mr. Leffingwell, whose correct views and comprehension of the required park improvements are entitled to the highest consideration by this people. In fact, Mr. Leffingwell's proposal for a great park is a bold conception, which grasps the subject fully and truly in its connection with the present and future of St. Louis. The project is only equaled in its magnitude by the possible greatness of the city which it is designed to adorn. It is well that St. Louis should have the greatest and finest park on the continent, destined as she is to be the greatest city. Mr. Leffingwell's proposed park is situated about four miles from the Court House, and immediately west from the central portion of the city. It will contain 3,000 acres, is three miles long, east and west, and about one mile and a half wide. It will be bisected just east of its center by a new and magnificent avenue, which is also proposed by Mr. Lefingwell, and is designed to be 300 feet wide, and encircle the entire city, touching the river above and below, and to be improved in the most tasteful manner and supplied with steam transportation. The park embraces a district of country most admirably adapted for beauty and variety. In fact, nothing can surpass it. It can easily be supplied, in any part, with good water; the River Des Peres meanders through it for a distance of four or five miles, giving a picturesque and varied view. Original timber, consisting of all our varieties of oak, elm, maple, ash, hickory, black and white walnut, hackberry, and other kinds common to this region of country, is still in its native condition growing on many parts of this proposed park. Our country has at no previous time presented so grand a scheme for a park as this under consideration, and it is a gratifying thought to know that the project meets the hearty approval of the people of St. Louis. How could they decide otherwise, when the park is wanted and it can be had at a small expense? Let the city secure it at the earliest moment, and thus will be added another trophy to her future honor and greatness; and millions in after times, who will yet walk these strects in more perfect life, will bless the memory of the man who conceived this great project, and praises will be given to those whose generous efforts mould it into being and fashion it well. It will be holy ground, where the true-hearted, and those that love their fellows, will delight to tread. It will be enchanted ground, where genius can draw fresh truths from the mysterious realms of inspiration. It will be classic ground, where palatial edifices of royal structure will invite the sage, the poet, and the orator to higher fields of intellectual beauty and culture. It will be a park whose magnificence and munificence will be free to all, and alike to all; the poor will find it alike their field of pleasure as well as the rich. There will they find God equally bountiful to them, as do those of wealth and position. To St. Louis it will be more famed than were the classic groves of Orontes, the forests of the Druidical oaks, or the beautiful valley of Rasselas. Then in view of the want and the great character of such a park, let the determination of our people be as that of one earnest man to secure it for the future great city of the world. · ERRATA. Page 11, 5th line from top, for "belt of," read “or." Page 11, 3d line from bottom, for "unattainable to," read "in." |