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liu MRS. ETTA E. S'WXE.The following paper, “Suggestionsfor Beautifying Keystone Park,’’ was read before a recent meeting of theAnita Literary Club:Parks arc as old as history can convey us into the past. With the rise of cities. Parks were the secondary thought, and for them, provision made, for the purpose of pleasure, social and political concourse. Anitais one of the places, where provisionsfor a Park, has long lieen delayed: but “better lute than never:*’ and with Keystone Park in mind, and the beautifying of it. we have many advantages. of which Anita and her people may Is' proud, and visitors praise.I always loved the wooded vale*, it-natural beauty; its quietude, and thesweet and lofty meditations it gives, incentive of “a communion with Nature. and up to Nature's God.' The natural wooded bowers for a Parksure to get. from the lavish dashing of the crystal fluid, by old and young. We turn to the westward. That groupof noble trees what a suitable place for rustic chairs, settees and benches, in abundance: making a grove-parlor;assuring all, especially the elderly people, that Keystone Park is a place of enjoyment, Uvause of the provisions for comfort; and right here is an opportunity for a holiday for making these, and doing other work. Invite the men to bring their spades, hoes and hammers. Let them upturn the flower-beds: then while they try car-penter work, the women can plant the seeds, and set out the flowers, andasurpass in lieauty, any planting by the hand of man. which i- in accord with set and formal rules, and makes and consists of the artistic in anothersort. But let us go to Keystone, and see where the artistic impulse can giveand leave its impress, and thrive,along with those natural beauties add to. and yet not molest them.A Park, to give and retain the plea ure such a place Implies, must U* protected from outside powers that would mar its beauty and keep. Hence, itmust have entrances; and one of my great likings for such, is a substantial and beautiful gate—one that protects all within, and will give a ready swing of welcome to all. In mind, we have entered at the North gate. If are find the oj»en space too great, ornamentaltrees, of different sorts, could Is* putin. now and then, here and there, soas not to break too abruptly, the natural growth we are approaching,and inter*jM*r»ing the hardy shrubs,which will add l*oth “beauty and bloom,” with each returning season, with an occasional TTowcr-lied: tilled with what has always been known as “Grandmothers’ Favorites;” and howproudly would every aged mot iter contribute, to keep such a nook in bloom. Now, quiet, while 1 tell you that I am one of them-there Grandmas, and i’d give a “purty” bunch. This brings usnear the crossing of the ravine; and another of my loved hobbies is. a bridge to span the channel lieneath; one putdiagonally, that its outline may l*ediscerned, now and then, throughclinging, climbing vines, of differentkinds; and as we approach the bridge, may the banks L* a clustered mass ofwoodland flowers for Spring's lirst display in their U auty and fragrance, giving the thought that Faith's first *e | blossoms had rushed hither, to greet rgive them a picnic dinner.M y imagination so often has seen the music-stand, for our hand loys, somewhere just aliove that beautifulnatural terrace, w ith steps leading up to it; and with flower boxev all around the outer edge, filled w ith the beauty-blooins of hot-house plants, and vineshanging downward. As we near the western limit of our lieautiful domain,we tind “Old Turkey” trying to makeesc;..Vom “ Keystone,*' and does so,by gliding under the fence; but let us compel some small favor, ore she escapes to broader fields and scenes, as a small recomjiense for the ever-intrusion in our midst. By cementwork on one side, (and we could have a rustic bridge), build a miniature lake. It may have to l*e supplied w ith water from a well, and in it we eanhave pond-lilies; tish. perhaps; and on the outer edges fringed with many plants that would thrive, viz: woodland ferns, elopbant-oars, and others.It would U* necessary to have an outlet from .this important [reservoir, which could bo at the farther and up-jk*r edge, by* a number of openings through piping: and to care for this great jwiwer of on-rushing of water liclow. a hand-made rockery, overwhich the surplus overflow could wind its way, rushing, tumbling, winding among the rocky surfaces, and inter-sjRTsed vegetation to “catch the spray,” if there should L* any, and we might induce a few frog and toads toreside there throughout the summeruonths. to jump and croak among the water-washed rocks. This hint of a♦itgfwatcr-fall and the bridge, the artistic eve could feast on this wonderful pi”**-tense at Nature, and as the waters rollon, on, down Turkey Creek to Wlota,and lieyond. The little by-paths couldlead to some ls*d of bloom.kIS*tvtM*please the passer-by; and when they fall asleep for the rest of the year, other seeds Ik ing sow n, flowers may lie in bloom all the season, What a pretty sight, to see the hanks a mass of different |k*tals, colors and fragrance! Going up the little incline, to the left, what a cozy nook for the c hil* do n's Play-Ground; and for them,sw ings and revolving seat*, which little folks enjoy and appreciate. Then comes that well such a sloppy place! Why not have plant*, which require much moistureV and this they would Is*Anita can boast, us no other tow n near, of as pretty a spot for a Park, and th«* plea suit* a park affords, usKeystone promises. And may it evIk* kept fits* from anything that wouldspoil or blemish the purpose of such a spot, and any license which wouldteach or jiermit young or old to desecrate the Sabbath Day, Anita should appreciate by keeping it a sacred place. Emerson's words a fitting clove:“ In the woods, one easts oft his years, while here one feels always a child. In lhe woods is perpetualyouth. Within these sj»ots of God, a decorum, and sanctity reign; a jier-ennial festival is dressed, and tlieguests sees not, how he should tire of them, in a thousand years. In thewoods, we return to reason and faith.''
Newspaper Details
Anita Record
Anita, Iowa, US
Thu, Apr 03, 1913
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
NA, 24 Nov 2020
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