City of Seattle Records

Seattle Wash Nov 30th 1893 To The Honorable The Board of Park CommissionersGentlemen The following report relative to the work done in the Department of Public Parks the general work of maintenance is reduced during the winter season, while the work of preparations for the shrubbery borders and floral decoration beds require at this time of the year proper manipulation upon Kinnear Park surface drainage was extended and grading of the inlet bluff walk done. Together with weeding and culture of hardy plants The City Park clearing continued ploughing and preparation of ground to receive Nursery overflow shrubs. The hot beds are completed and transplanting is being pushed in the nursery a set of the following plans are herewith submitted relative to the inprovement of Denny Park. First a topographical one foot contour map of the ground showing thepresent shape - together with a preliminary study of a plan in order to enable you to judge as to the ready adaptablilty of the plan to the

Seattle Wash Feb 28th 1894 Superintendent of Public Park Report To The Honorable The Board of Park Commissioners Gentlemen The month of February was the least advantageous of the winter months for grading. hence the team work upon Denny Park was short, labor upon this Park consisted in leading surface and seapage water away from labor field. the drainage and irrigation plans are postponed on account of the line of seepage seams in the ground are not yet fully determinable, and will not be until the Play-stead is graded - from the main bank. Kinnear Park had some manure drawn for the extended planting areas which are being continued most of the native shrubs have been replanted to thicken the boundry belt and make room for the now stock to be planted into permanent position The other works consisted in extracting noxious weeds and grasses from the lawns and top dressing some of the latter with composted manure. beside the general maintenance of repair of walks raking off leaves etc everything is in readiness to plant the new plantings The Park has no suitable tool room 1

Report on the progress of work 3rd nov 1891 In the "Kinnear Park" The upper portion of the grounds has been finished with the exeption of the rustic structure and its immediate surroundings We are now ready to put in the water pipe and will have to call on the Water Dept to make our connection with the system at the corner of Eples and Bluff Sts. also request the Water Supdt to tar-dip the pipe for us - say 1220 foot of 2" pipe The walks and railings along the face of the bluffs are well advanced - over 1000 feet are completed and at present the entire force is at work on the walks on the lower portion of the park and in connection with the I wish to mke the suggestion that I be permitted to make a departure from the plan so as to avoid a very heavy fill and instead make a rustic bridge and a pond for aquatic plants (Explanations given on the plan) We are now ready to proceed with the grading of the "Denny Park"(team work) and I submit a rough estimate of the cost of grading. We have now got a supply of pots and boxes in the nursery and the palnts are increasing and prospering very favorable Yours Respectfully Jas Taylor

4 Cerasus lauro-cerasus, cherry laurel. 500 Hyacinths, 500 Tulips, 300 Ranunculus, 300 Anemone,

Total length of walks in park 6 feet-wide wide 2634 lineal feet. 8 feet-wide 145 lineal feet. 10 feet-wide 4364 lineal ft. 12 feet-wide 103 lineal ft.

Total length of walks 4249 lineal feet. One bridge 90 feet and one 31 feet. ----

I wish to suggest the necessity of erecting a closet and toilet room for ladies and children at an expense of $150.00. ----

"Denny Park" By arrangement made through the city engineer with contractor Rice I have been able so far to secure teams free of charge to the Park Fund, thereby affecting a saving of from $20.00 to $36.00 per day. -- 1500 cubic yards of dirt moved during the month, nearly one third of the entire grading ----

Superintendents Report for December 1892 To the Honorable the Board of Park Commissioners

Gentleman The work of the department during the past month was as follows.

Kinnear Park.

This Park is being topographically surveyed including the adjoining avenues ready for the finished plans to be made. The ground around the rustic parachute is being prepared and shaped with its flower beds made ready for the permanent and transient planting next Spring. Other large beds have been added and made ready, having required 21 loads of cow manure, 11 loads of leaf mould, & 11 loads of clay. The walks of this park are not yet sufficiently graveled and are being thus supplied; 56 loads havingnow been used.

Denny Park

This ground was surveyed and its topography is being plotted ready for making the plans for its improvement