RE P O R T

O F THE

BOARD OF METROPOLITAN PARK

COMMISSIONERS .

D E C E M B E R , 1 9 1 6 .

B O STO N

WR IGHT PR IN TIN G P R IN TE RS ,

O F F I C E R S .

C O M M I SSI O N E R S .

W M B D E ILL IA . m s

U. C UR TIS .

P .

A SSI STAN T SE C R E TA R Y .

WIL L IAM H . GO WE L L .

E N 01111 33 .

JO HN R . R AB LIN .

O F F IC E S 1 Tr em ont S treet o to , 8 , B s n, an): Qiommonmraltb of M assarbusttts.

R E P O R T .

The Metropolitan Park Com m ission presents herewith it s - twenty fourth annual report . oi The only considerable acquirem ents of lands m ade during the past year have beenincom plet ionof the holdings onthe n e s uanna owit t in s in orth rly ide of Lake Q p Wakefield , of tho e n m m n n i n n and N n the eighborhood of Ha o d Po d Brookli e ewto , and n s n s R e and n m n of la d alo g the hore of ev re Wi throp, aki g the larger part of those required for the ext ensionof Winthrop Parkway as a shore drive from it s present terminus inR evere to the southerly end of Short Beach in Winthrop. Other sm aller but very im por tant acquirem ents have been m ade in c s n n mm ss n n the ity of Bo to , to e able the Co i io to wide Otter S as an c s R E m ankm n and treet approa h to Charle iver b e t, to im ove N e ns en as an c N ns m po et Av ue approa h to epo et Bridge , which t he Commissionis required to rebuild . InSom erville the care and control of a portionof Powder House Bou levard have beentakenover so as to connect the ne c ns A i s c wly o tructed lew fe . Brook Parkway with My ti Valley s e s n n Parkway along Mystic R iver . Tranf r of la d have bee m ade to the city of Bostonto provide for anextensionby the c n cr ss s R and ity of Belgrade Ave ue a o We t oxbury Parkway, to c S m v n on s c R n n n the ity of o er ille of la d My ti iver, ear Welli gto c n - s and m n n Bridge , for lo atio of a bath hou e to be built ai tai ed

The m ost im portant new cons tructionwork carried onduring has n m ss c s the year bee Alewife Brook Parkway, fro Ma a husett Avenue inCam bridge to Powder House Boulevard inS om er v ene e N em er 15 nc o ille, op d to trav l ov b Fur a e Bro k Parkway N n M ETRO POLITA PARKS . [Ja . in nc m nc c S nc S D ned Q ui y, fro Ha o k treet to Qui y hore rive, ope N m 18 s n e n s nand to travel ove ber ; We to Bridge, b twee We to ' t n n N m 24 and N c n ew o , ope ed to travel ove ber ; orth Bea o e n s nand n nc d S treet Bridge , b twee Bo to Watertow , well adva e ss ns m n toward com pletion. Le ext e ive but i porta t work on construction of several pieces of parkway and other gr eatly used roads has beendone onForest and Ma instreets inMiddle sex Fells; onR evere Beach and Middlesex Fells Parkways ; on the S peedway D rive along Charles R iver ; and onLynnFells nnc n een Un u it an Parkway . A co e ti g road betw q y R oad d the autom obile roads through Blue Hills R eservation to Furnace in u nc has n and su b r adin Brook Parkway Q i y bee built, the g g of D edham Parkway has beenextended to the road through v c m s n S tony Brook Reservation. A ser i e road fro Boyl to S treet mm n n and i n c s s r c to the edge of Ha o d Po d , add tio al pie e of e vi e c s n and c road , to fa ilitate prayi g other prote tive work, have s and been built in Blue Hills R eservation. The boiler hou e incinerator at R evere Beach have beencom pleted and inuse during the present season; and anadditionto the police head n as m quarters at Blue Hills R eservatio h beennearly co pleted . A concrete bulkhead at Re vere Beach and 780 feet of sea wall

nt n m . s n at N a asket have bee co pleted Work i u der way. ona m convenience station for wo en at N ant asket . Water and s en e and m n rs m ewerage have be provid d , i or repai ade to buildings at R iverside Recreation Grounds; and band stands have been buil t at Woburn Parkway and at the Sheepfold s R ecr eationGrounds inMiddlesex Fell . The cost of all lands thus far acquired for park reservations s im and w s aggregate approx ately for park ay , s t - r n c m s n All but ix y fou la d lai , aggregati g approxim ately have beensettled . The com ing year (1917) will be the twenty-fifth anniversary of the first act of the Le gislatur e directed toward the establish 2 m ent of the MetropolitanPark System . In189 Metropolitan mm ss n s n n Park Co i io er , to be appoi ted by the Gover or, were directed to consider the advisability of laying out am ple open spaces for the u se of the public in the tu rns and cities in n s n and com ehensive the eighborhood of Bo to , to report a m n and m n nn s ns n n c c c s. pla for layi g out, a quiri g ai tai i g u h ope pa e — PUBLIC D OC UM ENT N o. 48.

was m d e s 1893 w h com Their report a e to the L gi lature of , it a prehensive planand recomm endations for im m ediate acquire m n ce n s n s and e e t of rtai great area of wooded Wild la d , th reafter a further study of details and gradual progressionincarry ing

n n n. e s r 1893 out the e tire ge eral pla The L gi latu e of , by h e 407 c s the recom m enda c apt r of the a t of that year, approved tions of the prelim inary comm issionof 1892 by authorizing the nm n m nn c mm ss n and an appoi t e t of a per a e t o i io , by appropria tionof which was the estim ated cost of acquiring In n the wooded reservations. the ext year further appro priations were provided which m ade possible the acquir em ent of R c n s o n s R and n s evere Bea h, la d b rderi g Charle iver la d for s the first parkways or boulevard . The am ount of m oney appropriated insubsequent years for this work is initself evidence that the public has approved en n 1893 the e n S s em the g eral pla of for M tropolita Park y t , but a brief sum m ary of what is now com prised inthe Metro politan Park S ystem is essential to an understanding of the reasons for this approval and of what rem ains to be aecom l is p hed . Under the initial appropriation of 1893 the great wooded s ns s and s s S n re ervatio Blue Hill Middle ex Fell , the to y s as s s m t he s n Brook Wood , part of a ugge ted parkway fro Bo to s s and s now nwn park to the Blue Hill , the Waverley Oak , k o as and m c R s ns sm Beaver Brook, He lo k Gorge e ervatio , aller detached areas of exceptional beauty were acquired . They were first acquired because they were indanger of destruction

ns c sts and n m s e m en. by fire, i e t pe ra do real e tate dev lop t The lines of these reservations rem ainpractically the sam e as when e s ns n first acquired . N o other large wood d re ervatio have bee s n n e c s in i i ce acquired . They the aggregat d a re add n c es e ese ns in es e ls tio to a r of wat r r rvatio Middl ex F l , and inacreage they are still the largest part of the Metropolitan R c en 3 mi es was Park System . evere Bea h for a l gth of l c e ne . st n R c 8: nnR i a quir d xt The Bo o , evere Bea h Ly a lroad was rem oved to its present location and a driveway built l n n n In fol owi g the beach alo g the previous railroad locatio . 1894 the suggest ionof a special comm issionthat lower Charles R iver be m ade a nontidal basinby a dam betweenthe West Bost on Bridge and the Craigie Bridge was not adopted ; b u t

f he d m banks o t lower river as far as the first a at Watertown, not already owned by Boston and Cambridge, was approved.

- from Watertown to Hemlock Gorge, at Newton Upper Fall s . 2 In 1894 the Parkway Act, chapter 88 of that year, gave

ments and construction . The first acquirements u nder this act were for West Roxbury Parkway, in extension of the previous

Blue Hills, and other acquirements m ade at the same time by the Boston Park Commission to provide for a connection with the Boston parks at the Arboretum . The West Roxbury

but as no action looking to construction was taken by the city of Bost on , they were retransferred to this Board by act of the Legislature in 1915 , and a S pecial report as to cost of also made for a portion of Middlesex Fells Parkway and for

Mystic Lake . The Park Act of 1893 provided that the cost of the parks and reservations should be repaid by the District to the

Com monwealth, while the Parkway Act of 1894 provided that one-half the cost of the parkways should be repaid by the District and the other half remain a charge upon the Com mon wealth at large . The District pays about 55% per cent . of the entire State tax, so that the proportion of the cost of t he park ways to be borne by the District is 77% per cent . and that of 22 the Com monwealth outside of the District , % per cent . Following these early acquirements further takings have been made u nder the Park Act of 1893 and subsequent park

present const ruction and development provided for . Under the Parkway Act of 1894 and subsequent parkway acts further PUB LIC D OC UM ENT No . 48 .

acqu irements and construction have been for the extension 0

u m for F rnace Brook, Neponset River, Old Colony, Dedha

ways along the river banks and on the borders of the woode

reservations . The land for the parkway drives, now aggr e

gating acres, provides for a total length of 61 mil es In the reservations much work of protect ing and making the

available for use of the public has been done . The woods hav

been cared for and developed, roads and paths built, an i i - h adm inistration bu ld ngs, bath hou ses, band stands, s elt e

buildi ngs and comfort stations provided . O f the parkways

m iles of roadway have been built . Further details of ai

r o r this construction and development , and the amount of p pe t a cared for by this Bo rd, were given in the report of the Boar

' for 1915, Land for the reservations has cost

and the development, Land for parkways ha

cost and the construction , Th cost of the Charles River Dam and Embankment is not in

special commission under a separate act and afterwards trans

ferred to the care of this Board .

While this work has followed the general purpose, and, wit u rare exceptions, the s ggestions of the report and plan of th

preliminary commission , the order and extent of accomplish ment have been largely determined by the order and pu r pos

of appropriations, and this, again , has been determined chiefl by the order in which public interest and urgency have mani f est ed t hemselves in petitions to, and in action thereon , by t h

Legislature . The Commission itself early recognized that th

great, and did not wish to l i t the work or induce appr on pr iat i s except when , for some special reason of necessity o

im mwia e urging t action . It has , however, always been pre pared to give information and estimat es for preparation 0

u petitions and bills and at hearings before the Legislat re . It suggestions and recommendations have been generally followed 12 M O OL R K S . ETR P ITAN PA [Jan.

ins m c ses n in r s but o e a they have bee wholly or pa t di regarded, and sm a ns ess n n r aller appropri tio , or l authority, give tha we e n s ima c mm e . As s e t ted or re o ded a re ult, a large part of the en n s es e in 1892 has een ccom is e g eral pla ugg t d b a pl h d , but there have been som e om issions or only partial com pletionof e n c es an nc m eness of cc m shm n work b gu , whi h giv i o plet a o pli e t and concentrates public comm ent alm ost m ore onwhat has not n n n E c e been done tha onwhat has bee do e. a h y ar this is evidenced by new petitions to the Legislature to authorize the construction that is necessary to provide for som e omitted portionwhich for one reasonor another seems to the petitioners m s m n mm c n s m s to be the o t i porta t for i ediate a tio , or at lea t o t desired by the petitioners. It seems wise at this tim e to call special attentionto this n n phase of the work and subm it recom m e datio s inregard t o it . The claim s for practically all acquirem ents of land had been s 1912 . c m n ns e ettled before The few whi h re ai ed u ettl d were, m s s as c was s m ct for the o t part, tho e to whi h there o e defe of d ffi in c n n n e en title or i culty lo ati g the perso s e titl d to paym t . n s an S e s ns The Metropolita Park Lo , rie Two, appropriatio n 1 12 a n c 9 h s st . c im for la d a quired prior to , bee exhau ed A la ’ for land acquired from the N ational S ailors Hom e for Furnace m m ins ns s n Brook Parkway prior to that ti e re a u ati fied, owi g to n m delays beyond the power of this Board to co trol . This clai m ay now be settled for the sum of and anappr opriation m n as an n e n s n of that a ou t additio to M tropolita Park Loa ,

S e es is c mm en . ri Two, re o ded In19 12 a num b er of bill s for com pletionof work already begunand for extensions of the parkways were united into a 2 s s c fi single bill as chapter 699 of the Acts of 191 . Thi bill pe i ed am ounts from to for the several projects n m and n s a ed, that the total appropriatio of hould becom e available at the rate of in each year for a s m e s ns period of five years. E ti at s previou ly fur i hed by the d e se inm n m ns n m in Boar wer u d aki g up the a ou t a ed the bill, with the result that the appropriations authorized were insom e n n u cases i sufficie t to provide fully for t he work . F rther appro riat ions nc ss c m n and c mm n as p are e e ary for o pletio , are re o e ded an d n M et m ol it an s n S e s as ad itio to p Park Loa , rie Two, follows: 1 PUBLIC D OC UM ENT N o. 48 . 3

For acquiring land for the extensionof Winthrop Parkway as as s end S e c in n far the outherly of hort B a h Wi throp, The land already acquired and paid for com prises all that is necessary for the extension of the parkway around and pro teet ing the b ill at the Beachm ont section of R evere to the unc n n n and E n c S and s e j tio of Wi throp Ave ue di ott treet, ev ral n pieces of la d and buildings onShort Beach . The appropria tion recomm ended is for acqu iring the rest of the land and n onS bu ildi gs hort Beach . For extending fl esh Pond Parkway to the Fresh Pond R s c m nc u n Water e ervoir of the ity of Ca bridge, i l di g the i in n n c rebu ld g of a bridge, the la d to be give by the ity of m su m n m s c Ca bridge, the of A taki g ade for thi proje t in1915 failed of concurrence by the city governm ent and water e s since x esse board of Cam bridge. Th se bodie have e pr d a es the n n r e—es m c s d ire to have taki g re ewed , but a ti ate of the o t of constructionshows that the work will now cost the increased n n m n n am ou t i di cated by the recom e datio . For D edham Parkway for land the su m of and for c ns c n n s c o tru tio , The appropriatio for thi proje t, c n n in c 699 c s 1912 was o tai ed hapter of the A t of the year , D m based uponanestim ate m ade many years before . A edha c mm n s n ces n o ittee obtai ed very rea o able pri for the la d, but, n so n was s c n eve , the appropriatio uffi ie t to provide for the land only as far as a narrow street leading downto the highway n n S e m ns s s . to Boyde quar , the ter i u origi ally ugge ted The appropriationrequ ired is for acquirem ent of land and buildings onthis narrow street to provide width enough to carry the parkway t o the neighborhood of the m ainhighway and bridge n of the tow over Mother Brook to BoydenSquare. u anna owitt w n s and cons c n c ss For Q p Park ay, la d tru tio a ro the northerly end of Lake Q uannapowit t inthe townof Wake sum s m m field, the of The e ti ate ade by the Board for Q this project in 1911 was approxim ately The appr o pr iat ioninchapter 699 of the Acts of 1912 was The n one c m s has i n n la d, with lai to be ettled, e ther bee give or n nc ns c n acqu ired at reaso able prices . The bala e for co tru tio is ins c n and the nc s inc s and m a s now uffi ie t, i rea e o t of labor ateri l m k h m n a es t e a ount stated necessary for carryi g out this project . 14 L M ETR OPO ITAN PARKS . [Jan.

reasons as those previou sly recited, have proved insufficient, are recommended as follows 1 15 h 249 t In 9 , by c apter of the Special Ac s of that year, appropriation was made from the Metropolitan Parks Main

he t town of Winchest er . This appropriation has been expended , and the further sum of is necessary to complet e the work . By chapter 300 of the General Acts of 1915 this Board was

r h p oac es in Boston and Q u incy . Owing to unforeseen diffi cul ies n t in the way of acqu iring land and ecessary permits, the work has been delayed, and upon preparation of the detailed r - plans and e estimate, it is found that a further appropriation

Two, will be requ ired for carrying out this project . In explana tion of the necessity for this delay in beginning the work and for the increased appropriation recommended, it may be stated that the alinement of the highway approach on the Bost on side highway travel of Neponset Avenue and that of Old Colony

Parkway. The highway had been bu ilt only to the width of t he u new old bridge, which was less than that req ired for the bridge . A part of the land had been occupied by buildings of a coal whar f, and strong remonstrance to giving up this land

ings before this Board and before the city council of Boston, the Board of Port Directors, and the United States Engineer, the approval of all of which bodies had to be obt ained before

cleared away and the necessary approvals secu red . The increased cost of changes made necessary by these matters and the increased cost of constru ction now require the increased

By chapter 1 16 of the Re solves of 1916 the sum of PUBLIC D OC UM ENT No . 48 .

was appropriated from the Metropolitan Parks M aint enan h Fund for filling and surfacing a playground , authorized 1 o chapter 130 of the Resolves of 19 3, on the harb r side

' - i s fli i n Nahant Beach Bath house . This appropriation was nu c e and because of this fact and of the increased cost of work

this time , a fu rther appropriation of from the Metr

insu fi cienc out .the work fully . In further explanation of this of the previous appropriation it may be stated that the fill in

for this land was authorized to be made , under a previous a

from dredging of Lynn Harbor, to be done by the Board l Harbor and Land Comm issioners . But the fi ling furnished fro that dredging fell short of expectations and the full amou required must now be provided from other sources ; and u nl e w provided at once , the filling already in place ill be exposed t

erosion , which may cause it to slip back into the harbor . By chapter 186 of the General Acts of 1916 a portion of t h money necessary for an extension of M ystic Valley Parkway i

Arlington, around the southerly end of Mystic Lake , to a co n ect ionwith the State highway to Lexington and Lowell, und n co struction , was appropriated . A further appropriation is required for completion of construction and f acquirement of a piece of land required for relocation of servic t h buildings , which will have to be removed to make way for

s extension . This further appropriation in subsequent year w understood to have been contemplated at the time this

Wor appropriation was made, and is essential to make the

already done of any real public service . Certain special obligations of maintenance and adequai provision for the public can be provided for only by speci appropriations in addition to the normal maintenance appr

r iat ions p available for such purposes , and appropriation

s e as : therefore, for the e purposes, are recommend d follows

The transfer to this Board of Charles River Dam , Basin an

m C om m issio Embank ent , built by , the Charles River Basin required this Board to carry out provisions of the act unde which these works were built . One of these provisions require that Br oad and L echm er e Canals be kept dredged to a dept corresponding to that previously afforded by high tide . Thes 1 P L A 6 M ETR O O ITAN P R KS . [Jan .

e canals have shoal d since the transfer to the care of this Board , and an appropriation of from the Charles River Basin

Maintenance F und is now required for this work . Another provision of the same act requires that the Basin be kept open to navigation by breaking the ice in winter. It has f proved di ficult to hire tu gs for this work, and the annual expenditure of to warrants that an appropriation of be made as an addition to the Charles River Basin Maintenance I‘hi nd to provide for the purchase of a tug to be operated by this Board for ice breaking . In Blue Hills Reservation t he danger of a serious spread of the gypsy moth has become acute . The usual maintenance appropriations are insufficient for the work which must be done . If great destructionand a future enormous expense for n i checki g th s pest is to be avoided, a S pecial appropriation of against the Metropolitan Parks Maintenance Fund will be required for this year . The Nantasket Beach Bath-house has been inadequate for f several years , and ef orts to increase its capacity by alterations and the addition of lockers have been insufficient to provide for the public. A substantial enlargement must be made, and for this purpose an appropriation of as an addition to the Nantasket Beach Loan is required.

County Road , through Nant asket Beach Reservation , is the

- only highway approach to the town of Hu ll . This road was tr ansferred to t he care of this Board some years since by the i k g sl at u r e. It has been cared for as well as possible under the usual maintenance appropriations, but cannot be kept by the town of Hull in a condition corresponding to the portions

i annual repairs is excessive, and it w ll be an economy to provide for rebuilding . As the cost of rebuilding will be considerable owing to special requirements in the act under which it was transferred to this Board , it is recommended that the rebuilding be accomplished gr adually under special annual appropriations o i as an additi n to the, Nantasket Beach Loan , and an appropr a tion of for this purpose is recommended for this year .

The easterly road of Middlesex Fells Parkway, from Middle sex Avenue in Somerville across Wellington Bridge to its con

n. 18 M ETROPOLITAN PAR KS . [Ja

n n c ou t s s act c s s bee u able to arry the purpo e of thi by pur ha e , and deem s it necessary that the authority conferred by the act shoul d be enlarged to give the power of taking by eminent An m n m n s ff s dom ain. a e d e t of the act to thi e ect i especially desired for the purpose of acquiring land of the Boston 8: Albany R ailroad which is not required for use for railroad pur s s and is now ccu n ns n po e , o pied o ly by dilapidated buildi g re ted em ses ss ss n ic u m k os for t porary purpo , the po e io of wh h wo ld a e p sible a connectionwith Comm onwealth Avenue at the E ssex S treet and so ins the ss l u c nst c i n Bridge , ure po ibi ity of fut re o ru t o of a d m mm n n s c ns roa way fro Co o wealth Ave ue to boathou e lo atio , ic es on and s n wh h are the b t the river, to the driveway leadi g ’ the S a m S s S s n to t diu , oldier Field, the peedway, the Ar e al

R and s e t n N n and t am . oad , other road to Wat r ow , ewto Wal h es n ns s c m ns ns If pr e t buildi g hould be repla ed by ore expe ive o e , s en e n the co t of futu re acquirem t would be v ry greatly i creased . The com pletion or extension of certain park and parkway roads over land s already acquired and held by this Board will m c nnc n h s d and ake o e tio with ot er road alrea y built, greatly s increase the usefulness of the Park S ystem . For thi pu rpose additional appropriations for these extensions are recomm ended

’ A driveway along Charles R iver in extension of Soldiers m e n Field R oad has beenpar tially su b gr aded. The co pl tio of this driveway as far as Cam bridge S treet would greatly increase the usefulness of the existing driveways as anapproach to the ’ Stadium and S oldiers Field and to the Brighton and Faneuil s c ns s n and nand N n. An e tio of Bo to , to Watertow ewto appro priat ionof as anadditionto the Charles R iver Basin

Loanwould be required for this purpose . O n n n s R n end the orth ba k of Charle iver, betwee the of ’ fl e sh Pond Parkway at Gerry s Landing and the driveway s Un S s s n e was su b pa t the ited tate Ar e al , a driv way partially gr aded u nder the em ergency labor appropriations of 1914 . m n s c u se and The co pletio of thi work would be of great publi , will requir e anappropriationof The extensionof Winthrop Parkway from it s present term inus around the hill at Beachm ont to a connectionwith the public n n n ac e highway leadi g to Wi throp, over la d already quir d by s m d n n thi Board, will ake the alrea y built portio of Wi throp L D O 48 . PUB IC C UM ENT N o.

s m use and l ns m c n e Parkway of o e real , wi l fur i h a u h eed d approach to the townof Wint hrop and to t he Winthrop S hore D riveway previously built by this Board under S pecial act of ns s S the Le gislature . This co tructionwill al o pr otect the hore at points where it is being so seriously washed away as to have already extended under and destroyed a part of the R evere s m highway to the Beachm ont sectionof R evere . The e ti ated cost of this constructionwill be as anadditionto t he

t n s n S er ies N o. Me ropolita Park Loa , In 1894 land for West R oxbury Parkway was acquired by this Boar d and transferred to the city of Bostoninthe expecta tionthat constr uction would be done by the Park Boar d of

c . s not n en n l e is u in1915 that ity Thi havi g be do e, the g lat re ret ransferred the land for this parkway to this Board and required a report inregar d to the cost of construction. A large measure of public usefulness woul d b e served by construction of the por tionof this parkway betweenCenter S tr eet and the S n o R s n n S t n an xc n to y Br ok e ervatio , Ce ter reet givi g e elle t s comm unicationwith the BostonPark Syste m . For thi purpose anappropriationof will be required . R w n s s evere Beach Park ay e d at Middlesex Fell Parkway. Betweenthat point and the driveway al ong Myst ic River in c e n o n s c R was the ity of M dford, the la d b rderi g My ti iver acquired by the city of Medford and later transferr ed to this ns r Board . Co t uct ionof a driveway with a bridge over the

n m inc s n driveway alo g the river fro Medford to W he ter, Arli g t on S m and m u m c n n s , o erville Ca bridge , wo ld ake a o ti uou driveway from R evere Beach and all the cities and towns to which that gives approach to all the cities and towns of the Mystic valley and the westernpart of the MetropolitanParks

D istrict . Anappropriationof wi ll be required for this purpose . D rafts of bills em bodying the necessary legislationto carry s c mm n ns w s i h r ecomm en out the e re o e datio ere depo ited , w t the ns s in an s S c r S t as datio of thi report , the h d of the e reta y of ta e i requ red by law. Thus it seems advisable to call special attentionat this tim e m n nn to atters of acquirem ent and construction. The m ai te a ce of the reservations and parkways has presented no unusual 20 M ETR OPOLITAN PARKS . [Ja

the woods, roads and paths by those riding in saddle, and ha w endeavored to im move these roads for their use , and , he vi e 0 practicable, to pro de also a path beside the harder surfac t h the parkways . The automobile remains for the present

vehicle of travel which makes most u se of the parkways . Th

e those who , for one r ason or another, operate automobile t without license . Such operation is forbidden by law, b u ther is no way of knowing whether an operator has a license or i

n cause fear of detection to all, or by stoppi g those who, b

condition or in possession of a stolen car . The license is t h ’ operator s only authority for having a car in his possessio

upon the highway . Without it, he is not only a trespasser , bu r im a e 1n e p faci , a person unfit to operate the car or to be poss

to require the arrest of any operator who 18 found to be withou n a s e a lice se, the only sure way of safeguarding duly licens operators and the public generally against damage by thos who cannot present the evidence of authority to be on the road r om and of apprehending automobile thieves . The Board ec f ssib l mends a care ul stu dy of this matter in order that, if po some provision of law may be made which will reduce t h

to operate cars without license .

WILLIAM B . D E L A S CASAS,

ED WIN U . CURTIS, Y EL LER TON P . WHITNE ,

n 9 ncm n 1 . D . 1 6 O 48 . 21 PUBLIC D C UM ENT N o.

R E P O R T O F THE S E C R E TA R Y .

n m r: u s AS AS hair man M r itanP ar m Hon Wr u . o C et o ol k C o . B C , , p — S raz I subm it herewith the annual report of the Secretary

n n N ov. 30 1916 . for the year e di g ,

n A u nnr or AN D S . 1 . coum L

ns em nen m n n and c fl The taki g by i t do ai have bee few, hie y inorder to define the boundaries of certainparkways author ized ch 699 t he c s 1912 c n by apter of A t of , for whi h the la d e n c e c s n had already b e a quir d by pur ha e , or to gai title to isolated parcels which could not be purchased on satisfactory n s s m c n a term s. Taki g were thu ade overi g the route of Q u nna owit t and a n o as as p Parkway, a p rt of Wi thr p Parkway far n n n and R in n the ju ctio of Sewall Ave ue evere S treet Wi throp . m s m n n sm in e was The o t i porta t taki g, although all ar a, for the widening of Otter Street from BeaconStreet to the E m bank m n on s R s n n en e t Charle iver Ba i , u der authority of the G eral c s 1916 c 245 m n an n nc S S A t of , hapter , aki g e tra e to hort ide n w s R oad from Beacon S treet . A taki g as al o m ade under en c s 1915 ch 300 authority of the G eral A t of , apter , of a part N ns n D c s as an ch the new of epo et Ave ue , or he ter, approa to n n C on N eponset Ave ue Bridge to be built u der that act . sider ab l e n has n c s inR and n on la d bee pur ha ed evere Wi throp,

s s n s s 25 er c n . ss ss ub ta tially the ba i of p e t above the a e ed value,

for t he extension of Winthrop Parkway. There are about seven parcels left to be acquired between the ocean and E ndicott Avenue inR evere and R evere S treet inWinthr op in order to give the Comm onwealth title to all the land needed for this parkway as far as the junction of S ewall Avenue in n o n Winthrop . The origi al appr priatio of under 2 M O OL AN R K S . n ETR P IT PA [Ja . c r 699 c s 1912 s hapte of the A t of , will be exhau ted by the pay m ent of claim s outstanding for lands takenor under optionin s s n thi section. S om e 64 acre have bee purchased inN ewton

mm n n n c s 1912 . for Ha o d Po d Parkway, u der the A t of There have been a few sm all sales and exchanges of land for the purpose of adjusting claim s and correct ing the alinem ent of n es o has s m d ns c n bou dari . The B ard al o a e a tra fer of are a d control to the city of S om erville of a bath-house site at the Som v end l nt on s s er ille of Wel i g Bridge, Middle ex Fell Parkway, and to the city of Bostonof sufficient land inWest R oxbur y Parkway to provide for the ext ensionof Belgrade Avenue across n e c m s kw . O n S l h aid par ay the oth r ha d , the ity of o ervil e as transferred to the Board for care and control so m uch of Powder House Boul evard as lies betweenthe easterly terminus i c ns ct n r n s of Alew fe Brook Parkway, o tru ed u de the Ge eral Act 2 nd r on s R 1916 c 88 a c . of , hapter , the d ive My ti iver S ubstantial progress has beenm ade inthe settlem ent of out m m s now 61 c m s nu standing land da age clai . There are lai s l ic is s im e ett ed, wh h it e t at d will require about to n n ti s . th s c m s ss ten i s . sa fy Of e e lai , le tha are uit

2 . GE N E R AL Anm r sm r ronA N D S UP E B IN TE N DE N C E .

For som e two years the Boar d was innegotiations with the S tate House Comm issionand it s expert relative to office quar a N o r e s ters of the Board inthe S t te House . qua t r were avail c i e s c and cc mm i ns able, however, whi h prov d d the pa e a o odat o a necessary for the cohdu ct of the public business of the Bo rd . n on 31 1916 the e n and nc t m n Fi ally, May , , Gov r or Cou il er i ated the uncertainty inwhich the Board had beenkept by these negotiations by voting that no quarters be assigned the Metro politanWater and S ewerage Board and the Metr opolitanPark The n n Com m issionint he S tate House . Board the e deavored to renew its lease with the Am ericanCongregational Associa n it s esen n the ss c nwas n l n tio , pr t la dlord , but a o iatio u wi li g to c ns n the s on an m s o ider a re ewal of lea e y ter , although the eenit s enn n s r was Board had b t a t for eightee year . The Boa d e a n new ffic s and new th refore obliged to obt i o e quarter , quarters have been leased on the third floor of t he K im ball PUBLIC D OC UM ENT No . 48 . 23

1 Building, 8 Tremont Street, to which the Board will remove as soon as possible .

r During the year, Paul M . Hubba d , Esq ., in the law and conveyancing department, resigned his position to take another

o ‘ of great responsibility in a trusteeship . The p sition is now

- occupied , with the consent of the Attorney General , by Wood

- bury Rand, Esq ., a well known and experienced practitioner at the bar . The details of the work and administr ation in the various divisions are before you in the weekly, annual and other reports

e l fi of the superint ndents . This report wi l be con ned , therefore, to general topics or special features .

A great deal of work has beendone this year in reconstruct ing sections of Revere Beach Parkway, which was originally built on a clay base before the advent of heavy autom obile travel . The work involved the removal of this base and the substitution therefor of broken stone . Sections were thus r e constructed between Broadway and a point about 340feet east of Mill Street, Revere ; in the northerly road between Wash ingt on Avenue and Garfield Avenue, Chelsea ; between Main a Street and Bro dway, Everett; and about feet between

Malden River Bridge and Middlesex Fells Parkway, Medford . It is expected that the saving in the annual maintenance cost of these sections will ultimately more than repay the cost of reconstruction . Some shrubs have also been set out along

. this Parkway under general advice of the landscape architects, with a view to clothing unsightly spots and creating some fea tures pleasing to the eye in a few sections of the Parkway

r n r whe e nothi g can be borrowed f om the neighboring territory.

The work of constr ucting shore protection , under the balance of appropriations made for the purpose by chapter 303 of the 1 1 Special Acts of 9 5 , has been continued , and about addi tional feet of concrete wall have been constructed from the

Revere Street shelter to the Oak Island shelt er . The shore is now protected by concrete walls from the bath-house shelter to the Oak Island shelter . n 24 M ETROPOLITAN PAR KS . [Ja .

Chapter 104 of the General Act s of 1916 authorized the Board to expend a sum not exceeding for the purpose of constructing a public comfort stationor sanitar y building at ’ i S o m c s K ing s Beach and LynnShore R eservat on. u h oppo i tionto the site selected by t he Board for this buil ding was m e c n on m e c the ade that, aft r a publi heari g the att r at whi h opinion was alm ost unanim ous am ong the citizens of Lynn es n no s ch n was n s s en pr e t that u buildi g eeded, the Board u p ded proceedings inthe m atter for the present. The m oney appropriated by chapter 291 of the General Acts 1915 c m n the r o n N n ach of for the o pletio of playg u d, aha t Be a a - s has e n c ca l Parkway, at the re r of the b th hou e, b e pra ti l y th sum is n d c m exhausted . The fur er of ee ed to o plete the work and to put the surface into conditionfor playground purposes. R evere Beach Bath-house opened June 16 and cl osed Sep

m e 17 94 s. the s s n te b r , a period of day Of bather u i g a - s s m s and fe the b th hou e thi year, were ale m s ss c s e ale . The gro re eipt w re The N ahant Beach Bath-house opened July 1 and closed

m 10 72 s. The a nm Septe ber , a period of day tot l u ber of bathers was consisting of m ale and fem ale ss e bathers. The gro receipts wer

har les i i e B C R ver D vision Low asin. , r

A s s n m n n e previou ly oted , the Board ade a taki g, u d r the is ns c e 245 n c s 1916 s prov io of hapt r of the Ge eral A t of , of a trip of land onthe westerly side of Otter S treet betweenBeacon s m h S treet and the Bo tonE bankm ent . T is taking enabled the n 10 m in Board to wide the driveway about feet, ak g a total i ns i dr veway width of 38 feet. The co truct onnow consists of two sidewalks each 6 feet inwidth and a driveway 38 feet in m n m c e n nc S S Ro n width, for i g a u h bett r e tra e to hort ide ad tha s vi s existed before. A er ce yard for the torage of carts and other im plem ents used inthe care of the E m bankm ent has been constructed below the surface of land purchased in1915 at the c n s n S and s nE m nm en n e or er of Che t ut treet the Bo to ba k t, u d r v s ns c 102 n the pro i io of hapter of the Ge eral Acts of 1915 . A

26 M ETROPOLITAN PARKS . [Ja

The list of band concerts held on the Embankment is give later .

m and canals in the Basin, including Broad and L ech er e Canal

Charles River Basin Act of 1904, and clear of obstruction caused from natural shoaling . The Engineer reports that i order to carry out these statutory requirements it will b necessary to dredge the channel of Broad Canal at an expens

har l es Rive U Division. C r , pper

Dur ing the year Superintendent Elder of Beaver Broo

Reservation was retired at his own request . He had per for m s loyal and efficient service for the Commission as S uper int enden - i for twenty two years, and long beyond the period of l fe whe most men feel they are entitled to withdraw from active labor$ Beaver Brook Reservation is now combined with Charle

River, Upper Division . hi The Riverside Recreation Grounds, w ch were given t h

Commonwealth by Mr . C harles W . Hubbard last year, hav been conduct ed with a view to continuing, as far as it could b done consistently with public ownership, the privileges to whic i a r on the boating, outing and picnick ng parties formerly p t izin swimming pool and bowling alley privileges were leased by th

Board for the season . As the Legislature made no appropria tion for the maintenance of the grounds, the revenue derive from letting privileges was used to defray “a part of the cost 0 h maintenance, and in making a few of t e many needed repair and to the buildings improvements on the grounds . M ucl more ought to be spent in further repair of the buildings, i) U D . 27 P BLIC OCUMEN T N o 48 . putting new piers under the landing platform s and inim proving the faciliti es of the grounds for athletic sports and picnicking n n ma m purposes. A y reve ue which y be derived fro the n s n e e s b e us n m n nn grou d a oth r y ar hould th expe ded . A ai te a ce appropriationtherefore has beenasked for from the Legislature d n m ain nnc n n n for the or i ary te a e of the grou ds the e sui g year . new s n c nst c n ic was The We to Bridge, the o ru tio of wh h t z c 368 n ct s 1915 au hori ed by hapter of the Ge eral A of , is n w n c c c m a d as e c N ov. 24 pra ti ally o pleted, ope d to publi travel ,

1916 .

a in m s R n s The road le d g fro Brook oad, Brighto , to Charle n R N t n z c 188 n ba k oad, ew o , authori ed by hapter of the Ge eral c s 1915 was n c 20 1916 and A t of , ope ed for publi travel May , , nn nn m R ss has bee am ed N o a tu oad . If it were po ible for the Board to acquir e the necessary width of land betweenC am S e n and n now c n e bridge tre t, Brighto , la d o troll d by the Board n o in Gas m n ons s and s ext to the Bro kl e Co pa y lot aid treet, al o to acquire a part of the site of the old Boston Albany round s m d c and c n n s hou e at Cottage Far Bridge, a ire t o ti uou drive would be possible from Comm onwealth Avenue at Cottage m S S d m and Far Bridge to the peedway, the Harvard ta iu to

N ewtonand Watertownbeyond . Work has progressed well onthe constru ction of the new N c nS n nand n orth Bea o treet Bridge betwee Brighto Watertow , authorized by chapter 780 of the Act s of the year 1914. The bridge will probably be opened to public travel early in the

Public u se of the R ecreationField at the S heepfold section nc u n n has greatly i reased d ri g the year . Additio al tables for cnc es s s swins and s pi i parti , eat , g other apparatu for the play n e n n n n wa u s . s s s gro d have b e i talled A ba d ta d al o built , at which several band concerts were givenonS unday afternoons n n S n w n duri g the seaso . The old heepfold Buildi g as leased a d nn u a m n n fitted up by the te a t for se s a refresh e t sta d . This locality has already becom e the gathering and recreative center of the R eservation. All the sections of Forest and Main streets not previously 28 METROPOLITAN PARKS . [Ja

n n resurfaced i permanent form, about feet in l e gt u - a altogether, have been res rfaced with asphalt bound macad

and widened to a width of 26 feet . The entire length of the

streets through the center of Middlesex Fells Reservation , fro

South Street, St oneham, to Forest Street, Medford , has thu in been permanently surfaced and, most places, widened to

width of 26 feet . During the year a considerable sect ion of roadway surface 0

u the pleas re driveway of Middlesex Fells Parkway, south 0 i n u Well ngto Bridge, broke pso badly that it became necessar to excavate 18 inches below finished grade and to fill wit broken stone and build side drains to carry off the sur fac w water. Considerable stretches of this park ay were built upo a clay foundation prior to the advent of heavy automobil

n r n r travel, and a great deal of the same ki d of eco st uct io

work will be necessary in the near future . In this connection the Engineer reports that the easterly roadway of M iddl ese

Fells Parkway, from Middlesex Avenue to Wellington B r idg

inSomerville, and from Wellington Bridge to the junction 0

’

Middlesex Avenue in Medford, which was originally a publi

o r b r highway, is in p or condition because of the ext h dinary wea r a which this road is subjected to by all sorts of t afiic. C h pte 1 1 h r 491 of the Acts of the year 90 , whic required the Boa d t rebuild Wellington Bridge, also requires that the bridge and it approaches shall be maintained by the Board for any pu rpose . w for which either high ay or park roads may be used . Thi

road , therefore, is subjected not only to a great volum e 0 i automobile and pleasure travel, as the ma n artery b etwee

Boston and the North Shore region , but also to a great deal 0 heavy teaming. The Engineer recom mends that this sectio n be resurfaced with Portland cem ent concrete , to co form wit M the surface laid on M iddlesex Avenue, from ystic Avenue t M the parkway in Somerville, by the assachusetts Highwa

r Commission . The cost of this work, including su b g ading, wil be about A special maintenance appropriation ha

been asked for for this work. The section of Alewife Brook Parkway from Powder Hous

Boulevard to Massachusetts Avenue, the construction of whio 1 was authorized by the General Act s of 19 5 , chapter 243, wa

- PUBLIC DOCUMENT No . 48 .

and contr ol of which was given to the Boar d by the city of

Somerville as previously noted, now provides a parkway drive under the control of the Board from Massachusetts Avenue to

Fells Division that portion of the P arkway which lies nor therly of the Central Massachusetts Division of the Boston Maine

Railroad , and extending from Little Pond t oMystic River, and to Charles River, Upper Division, so much of the Parkway as lies southerly of said rail road . 1 1 The appropriation of under General Acts of 9 5 , chapter 249, for the improvement of the sanitary condition of

A er n V the b jo a River, Mystic alley Parkway, Winchester, was

appropriation of would complete this work . vation is better than at any previous time since the original infestation by gypsy moths , and the woods have shown few - signs of the infestation of leaf eating insects . Although for several years the gypsy moths have been kept down to a point

where they did , very little damage to the foliage, this highly

of the unusual invasion of native caterpillars , including the oak leaf roller, forest tent and geometric caterpillars . This year, however, all these varieties of native insect s have been reduced by spraying and natural causes , so that for practically the fir st time since the beginning of the fight against the gypsy moths the appearance of the woods has given unmistakable evidence

' of success . Much work, however, will still b e needed each year METROPOLITAN PARKS . [Jan.

f thr eatens in a and, in some ways , more di ficult theater ‘ larger

said that conditions are very bad in any particular spot, but only on account of the great area of nearly 8 square miles which must be cleared of underbrush and sprayed , but by the fact

if any real headway is to be made in this work more money

for service roads and clearing out underbrush . A special main

Chapter 237 of the Gener al ‘ Act s of 1916 authorized the Com

Dedham Parkway to Stony Brook Re servation . This money was nearly enou gh to complete the su b gr ading of the Parkway .

more . renders it im m ssib l e to construct the Parkway from the inter

f o the General Acts of 1916 .

1 12 . 18 1916 . of 9 , was completed and opened to travel Nov , Chapter 300 of the General Acts of 1915 authorized the

Board to const ruct a new bridge across the Neponset River, so between the cities of Boston and Q uincy, in place of the PUBLIC DOCUMENT No . 48 .

of the bridge should be approved by the mayors of Boston an b c Q uincy . The general law also required that a license should t h obtained from the Directors of the Port of Boston , and United States law that a license should also be obtained fro the Secretary of War before the work was begun . The ac D e ar t mw went into effect May 31 , 1915 . The Engineering p of the Board immediately began the preparation of studies an plans of the new bridge and of a temporary bridge to be use a during constr uction , and prosecuted this preliminary work fast as was possible with the limited force of the Engineering D

. 15 1915 t h par tm ent and other work of the Boar d . On Dec , , plans recommended by the Engineer were approved by t h th Board , and on Jan . 1 , 1916, had received the approvals of as r e respect ive mayors of the cities of Boston and Q uincy, sent to the Directors of the Port of Bost on for their license t

fine given until May 2, a delay of about four months, and the license from the War Department was not obtained until Jul 2 det erm in 9, 1916 . An examination was im m M iately begun to the boundaries of Neponset Avenue in Boston and of land 0 r private owners near the bridge , in order to enable the Boa d t determine upon the extent and cost of a taking of so much 0 e th the avenue as was necessary for th , proper approach to bridge on the Boston side ; and on the completion of the exam inat ionthe Board made a taking in the latter part of Sepm of so much of the avenue as was necessary for said approach r d This was concu rred in by the city council of Boston, as requi e by law, Oct . 17, 1916. The first of November the Board ac cept ed the bid of the Scherzer Rolling Lift Bridge Company tr furnish plans and specifications for the construction of the draw t h bridge , and ordered bids to be advertised for construction of

r r bridge and draw and t em m a y bridge . It is a matter of com mon knowledge that the cost of labor and material involved i this work, and all other works of construction, has phenom anally increased since the act authorizing this bridge we. f passed , and it is doubtfu l whether the appropriation made o the purpose is now adequate .

PUBLIC DOCUME N T N o . 48 .

cost of annual m aintenance if the road were reconstructed upon nm m nn and m n s . s c a per a e t oder ba e It would be fal e e o o y, t o s s m m nin however, do thi without at the a e ti e wide g the n in s s and t n e s road, putti g idewalk put i g the overh ad wire n e u d rground . The following reports by the MetropolitanPark Com m ission s z and c es w to the Legi lature were authori ed , opi thereof ill

appear int he Appendix to the report of the Board . c 28 R s s 1916 the o was By hapter of the e olve of , B ard directed to invest igate the necessity or desirability and prac ticab il ity of establishing cam ping grounds inthe Metropolitan

r s . c e 78 the R s s 1916 m m ss n pa k By hapt r of e olve of , the Co i io was d c n s i s si and c s ire ted to i ve t gate the fea ibility, de rability o t of constructionand m aintenance of a shelter and shower bath facilities at the S peedway Playground . By chapter 82 of the R s s 1916 mm ss nwas c d n s i e olve of , the Co i io dire te to i ve t gate and report onthe advisability and cost of acquiring for park s s n n n S r and R e purpo e la d betwee Mai t eet, Broadway vere

c kw in c E . c er 87 of Bea h Par ay, the ity of verett By hapt the R s s 1916 mm ssi nwas c e m a s s e olve of , the Co i o dire t d to ke urvey and ns and t an s m c s pla , to repor e ti ate of the probable o t of a r m nc n n and S t s ee s in pa kway fro the ju tio of Mai ou h tr t , S ne m na D n ins wn nc to ha , to or e r oleful Po d , aid to , the e to the n r end s in n e and orthe ly of Cry tal Lake, the tow of Wakefi ld,

m s u anna owit t in e . fro aid lake to Q p Parkway, Wakefi ld By c 143 R s es 1916 m m ss n was hapter of the e olv of , the Co i io directed to invest igate and determ ine the m ost feasible and desirable route for the extension of the present road in the s R r Re s i n m s S in t n Charle ive ervat o fro Brook treet, Brigh o , to har l C esb ank R inN on. oad, ewt

‘ Chapter 109 of the R esolves of 1916 directed the M assachu setts Highway Com mission and the MetropolitanPark C om m issionjointly to investigate the m atter of constructing and m aintaining a S tate highway from a point at or near Broadway r inthe c S m l m n Pa k, ity of o ervil e, to the Ca bridge li e at or ne m o s e l s ar Colu bia S treet. A c py of thi r port will a o appear n inthe Appe dix to the report of the Board . KS a ME TR OPOLITAN PAR . [J n.

B and C oncer ts,

R e ere e ch e n ns and e enns of 4 Se em e 4 v B a (aft r oo v i g July , pt b r

A ust 10 to 31 incl usw e and f e noons of 13 20 27 ug , ; a t r July , , , A st 3and S e em e 7 F a enns 14 to Se em ugu pt b r ; rid y ev i g , July pt

N an e c Fnda s af ernoons and e enins une 23 7 ah t B a h ( y , t v g , J , July , 14 21 28 us 4 11 18 25 and Se em er 1 S un f e , , , Aug t , , , pt b ; day a t r n ns m l 23 t o A s 27 nc si ve oo , fro Ju y ugu t , i lu ) , N n s e eac fte noons and e enins of 4 Se embe 4 a ta k t B h (a r v g July , pt r a D a and of d s exce nd s om 5 to (L bor y) , all ay , pt Mo ay , fr July Se em er 3 inc s e pt b , lu iv ) ,

anc es er Fi e W ncheste M h t ld, i r,

S i on peedway, Brght “ es R e Roa W e t n Charl iv r d, at r ow , F ox Is an W m l d, altha , R i er si e Rec ea onG o ns v d r ti r u d , ost nE m b nm en B o a k t,

E ll P ond P a e rose rk, M l , nc S o e Reser ion Q ui y h r vat ,

S n o R ese t on to y Br ok rva i ,

Winthrop S hore R eservation

’ In S c t s s en nwas c the e re ary report of la t year, att tio alled to the am ount of work which devolves uponthe police departme nt and d c nin ff ct s en t he of the Board, the re u tio the e e ive tr gth of

c s off c ns and s c e . m n for e by day , va atio i k l ave It ight have bee — D 4s. 35 PUB LIC OCUME N T N o.

added as not unworthy of attentionthat the exigencies of the service prevent the officers from taking their vacations and days n s mm s s n c n off duri g the u er ea o , the period whi h people ge erally c ns and c is i prefer for their va atio , a period whi h ava lable for vacations to at least som e proportionof the mem bers of every

e ce e m n as as n n. was al s in oth r poli d part e t, far k ow It o po ted out that there were m enonthe force whose ability to perform all kinds of police duty had beencurtailed by accidents received inthe s c not nc c su c an n ervi e, but who were i apa itated to h exte t that they could be retired at half pay and their places filled by new m en; and that the hazard s of the service woul d continue n s m to create a greater proportio of uch enas tim e goes on. It m n s n ns n ight have bee added , al o, that a other factor co ta tly operating to reduce the effective strength of this and every is inc s n and nn s m police force rea i g age decli i g health . The e co m ens c o d n is a en t are of equal for e t ay. Opportu ity t k to c on s s c n c s tou h thi ubje t agai , be au e the Board will be obliged s r ask an nc as c and m a thi yea to for i re e of the for e , it y be of n s n n e in c n and s i tere t to outli e the work i volv d poli i g, to illu trate the fact that a com paratively sm all num ber of m en perform the work . nm n s n t he ce c d is 5 c ns The o i al tre gth of poli for e to ay aptai , nns s n 6 13 s and 136 m n. As su lieute a t , ergea t patrol e to the ' f c s s n es ns and perior o fi er , it hould be oted that the r ervatio w s n c n park ay u der the o trol of the Board are grouped, for the s c n enenc adm ns n and c n n ake of o v i e of i i tratio poli i g, i to five s ns c inc c n t s n m divi io , ea h harge of a aptai wi h the requi ite u ber ce n e h m s s m n s s n and of poli u d r i , a y te a alogou to the tatio s ns m in s ns s s divi io yste large citie . The captai al o act as uper intendent s s c s of the re pe tive division. D n s one off in r n uri g the pa t year, the day eve y fiftee allowed c m em c as in s n c tm n ea h ber of the for e, the Bo to poli e depar e t, vacations and sick leave have reduced the num ber of effective m en m available at all ti es to anequivalent of about 121 m en. n s is ot s . c c n Thi , however, the whole tory By a tual ou t, there are t o-day 10 m enonthe force who from injuries received in m nc r m s c weaknessess the perfor a e of duty, or f o phy i al , ill al nc s n c nn c on m he th or i rea i g age, a ot be alled to perfor full an. ME TROPOLITAN PAR KS . [J

nn f act ive duty as patrolm en. They ca ot be sa ely or reasonably s c nc em nc s v en xer ubje ted to the i l e ie of weather, or the iol t e tions or physical strains which a patrolm anis likely to exper i nc s n as m co s in s e e oo er or later, a atter of ur e, the pur uit of his c in . O n n s m enc nn e on all g the other ha d, the e a ot be retir d a ns n and s m s m ss s s n pe io , it would ee o ewhat heartle to u pe d or sch m en cans r m s m s v c and di arge who till pe for o e er i e, who, at find f cu n l their age, would probably it di fi lt to ear a ivelihood in any other calling . S uch m enare therefore assigned such

i h c as can n m . N e ss l g t poli e duty be fou d for the verthele , they cannot be reckoned as a part of the effective force available at an m for ac m nc c s s s y ti e tive duty, e erge y all , riot or trike duty . c c ns n The a tive for e of the Board, therefore, i tead of bei g the nm n c 134 lm n is c s 03 ca o i al for e of patro e , redu ed by day , va ns t n s and c ca 1 11 m tio , ill heal h , i jurie age to pra ti lly patrol en. In s ct c n n hort , the a ive work of poli i g the territory u der the control of the Board is done with What is equivalent to this m e m h sm all force . S o e id a of the agnitude of t e field of police from the fact that the territory under control of the Boar d c m s s 13 s s ns and 17 s ic s o pri e eparate re ervatio di tr t parkway , and an m n n 16 s m s area a ou ti g altogether to about quare ile . There are over 70 miles of roads opened to autom obile travel ; over 40 m iles m ore of roads opened to horse-drawn vehicles c s and s s n 30 m s in n s ex lu ively ; ub ta tially ile le gth of river , of c s R e n nc in s R e s n whi h Charle iv r alo e, i lud g the Charle iv r Ba i , fl n u m s l e D s ct m s owi g thro gh the o t popu at d part of the i tri , for

. s ns Re e eac an about half At two of the re ervatio , v re B h d N n s c — n m s n a ta ket Bea h , the u ber of the public prese t are n counted at tim es by the hu dred thousand . Illustrations could m s s mm s m be ultiplied, but thi partial u ary of territory would ee to be sufficient to dem onst rate t hat the active police force of is sma one its t c m h the Board a ll for work , whe her o pared wit the average num ber of police to each square m ile of territory in c s and ns r n s D st c the itie tow of the Met opolita Park i ri t, or m s nm s . N o c m s n ea ured by the u ber of people erved o pari o , can m s z an c however, fairly be ade with the i e of y other poli e force because the work of the ordinary police departm ent con s s s m in in n c n s s nc i t a ly patrolli g ity or tow treet , with the i i PUBLIC DOCUMENT No . 48 .

l itan Park Police , on the other hand , not on y are called upo to police st reets but also territory much harder to police tha seldom or never called for in ordinary city or town pol icin Their work is probably m ore varied and exacting than that any other police force in the country . They have to perfor r t duty in boa s, or on skates , on the rivers where the work rescuing the drowning and of keeping the public within t h limits of safety requires more vigilance and skill than the o dinary task of keeping the peace . They have to patrol an t pro ect the public scattered through large areas of woods . I fact, the duties of the force are so diversified in charact er t h it has been necessary to specialize in effect some of the fiel of work of the force . Take, for instance , the policing of par ways . Probably no roads , outside of a few city streets , a subjected to more automobile travel than some of the par

1 1 the Secr etary for 9 5 , a table was given showing the ant mobile travel for a week at certain points . That table showe that at each of two point s during the period an average about 330 automobiles passed each hour during those parts the day when the public customarily travels . This, of cours$ means a much larger number during a few hours of the da Of course the great bulk of this travel occur red in not over 1 hou rs of the day ; but taking the figures as they stand , the show over three automobiles passing a given point in a m inut night and day . At four other points, the census showed th rate to be from two t o three automobiles a minute, and quit a number of points showed a rate of one or more a m inu t When this volume of travel i s considered in c onjunction wit the fact that the excellent su rfaces, straightaway courses an n the comparative freedom from i tersecting streets, whio

tion to speed , a glimpse is obtained of the magnitude of t hi i problem of policing the parkways alone . In order to m ee this problem fully, it is necessary to police these roads wit ofi cers on motor cycles as well as on foot . Now every polic officer is not adapt ed either by weight, age or temperament f METROPOLITAN PARKS . [Jan .

motor cycle service . It is necessary to select and train men for this service . The minimum number of officers doing this work exclusively, not including temporary substitutes during 25 sickness or other absences , is about . The services of this corps cannot be dispensed with without imperiling public safety f on the parkways . Consequently, these o ficers are not available r for other police work, such as pat olling the beaches or woods, or doing crossing duty . Another instance of the specialization m of the work of the police depart ent may be given . While the

Charles River Basin is free from ice , which is the larger part of the year, it is necessary to maintain a pretty constant patrol in motor boats to prot ect the many boats moored in the Basin as far as Water town Dam from theft of valuable fittings and m u vandalis s ; to rescue persons overt rned in boats , and to r patr ol the race courses on egatta days, a list of which is given in an earlier part of this report . A not u nimm r tant part of t he c r this patrol work is re ove y of dead bodies from the water.

The Basin is also a part of Boston Harbor, and under the law the duties of harbor master are performed by ofi cers of the Board . This special work of policing the Basin requires the services of at least 5 officers skilled in the handling of motor boats and experienced in the work of a water patrol . In the . short period when ice prevents patrolling in boats, these m en patrol the ice on skates, a particu larly necessary work owing to the many skaters and the treacherous character of the ice in some parts of the Basin . On the Riverside section of the

Charles River, about 8 men are required to patrol the river from the Moody Street Dam in Waltham to the Lower Dam in

Newt on Lower Falls, in boats during the canoein season and o g k on skates in the s ating season . These men must be expert swimmers, prepared to go into the water after drowning persons . the i f Although Board requ res all its o ficers to learn to swim , not every officer can swim well enough or is physically or other wise adapted for this work . The men patroll ing this section of the river must therefore be a selected corps, trained for special

, Many sections of Blue Hills Reservation , with its acres of area, consisting mostly of wooded and roadless territory, can be best policed only by horsemen . As is the case with motor U D U E N 48 . P BLIC OC M T N o. 39 c c u m n y le d ty, a li ited part of the e tire police force is adapted in i and m m n m n A we ght, age te pera e t for ou ted duty . nofficer c nn s c n m s In a ot be ele ted at ra do for thi duty. Blue Hills Division there are about 8 m enwho do practically no other

nm n n a . In e tha ou ted duty duri g the ye r bri f, here are 45 m en ou t of the active force of 1 11 whose work is practically confined s c and n s ns nc es s ic and to three pe ial i di pe able bra h of erv e , the perform ance of this service covers only a com paratively sm all s part of the entire park sy tem . If it is assumai for the m om ent on s R m n that the water patrol Charle iver, ou ted service in Blue Hills and the mot or cycle service onthe parkways could be abandoned and the 45 m enengaged inthese special branches s v c e m c s m s of er i e dropp d fro the for e, o e ort of police protection s l u ns n s R on would ti l have to be f r i hed alo g Charle iver, the s and in s s and parkway the wood of Blue Hill , the problem of n s s s m s m polici g all the re t of the y te would till re ain. Inother s en s 45 m en en in n s ns word , ev if the e gaged i di pe able duties f cc n m s were le t out of the a ou t, the proble till rem ains of properly policing the system with anactive force of not over E enc s s c nd ns nd 66 m en. xperi e how that the o itio outli e above have rendered the present police force too sm all for the proper perform ance of the work of policing and to give the days off ns c c is n O ne m and vacatio to whi h the for e e titled. ore sergeant and 1 1 m m n ne d n sen c n ns ore patrol e are e ed u der pre t o ditio , and m s off nin u u c n m if ore day are give the f t re, to o for to the c c in t e c m ns v nm e m en i pra ti e o h r poli e depart e t , e e or w ll be needed . D n s n has c uri g the pa t year, the Gover or dire ted the Board to send details of police for service incities and towns outside t he D s c in c s s e s r s s . Ine c i tri t, four a e wh re t ike have exi ted a h c s s was c n ne ca s m en a e thi relu ta tly do by the Board , be u e the could not be spared from the service of the Board without neglect of the proper policing of the res er vations and parkways It is under the control of the Board . a tribute to the personnel c s not e m em s of the for e that, although the law doe r quire the ber m s c s n s D s c to perfor ervi e out ide of the Metropolita Park i tri t, and e c c c as n e s s s c no th y a ted pra ti ally volu te r for thi ervi e, protest was received from any one of the m enassigned to this m r m e m es and duty, although it took the away f o th ir fa ili

PUBLIC DOCUMENT N O . 48 .

n a o a on h te 290 t 1903 Ge er l appr pri ti , c ap r , Ac s Of , n B r ha 391 c of 1903 Newto Upper Falls idge Act, c pter , A ts , t n h 429 s of 1903 for Continuing appropria io , c apter , Act ,

1903,

F or 1907, n a h ath-hou e A ct ha 32 t of 1904 Naha t Be c B s , c pter 6, Ac s n anfor th ense ha te 486 of R eimbur si g lo mo exp , c p r , Acts

-cour e n ain a ea ha ter 529 water s s, po ds and dr age r s, c p , t 1906 Ac s Of , t ona a o atio for fi at onof M t er Addi i l ppr pri n puri c i ys ic R iv , h 29 f 1 7 c. a te 5 t o 90 et , c p r , Ac s , M R e and nthr o ho A ct ha te 652 t yst ic iv r Wi p S re , c p r , Ac s f 1 o 908 , C e an Act h 28 t of 1910 and harles R iv r L d , c apter 6 , Ac s , h 4 9 of 1911 c apter 3 , e e oo t o A ct h te 458 t of 191 1 Al wif Br k Purifica i n , c ap r , Ac s W f r n o e h 4 S a t of 1915 ork o u empl y d, c apter , peci l Ac s , W n e A ct ha te 3 e al t of 1915 esto Bridg , c p r 68, Sp ci Ac s ,

9

1 h e 311 s of 189 900, c apt r , Act 7,

9

-h c th ou e fine t . 8 ba s , s, e ,

R I N F anxs O N N D S s m s s M E T OPOL TA L A FU ,

ina o e h 2 f 1 O rig l b ul vard, c apter 88, Acts o 894 , ene o t o ha te 472 s of 1896 G ral appr pria i n, c p r , Act , ener a a o at on ha 21 f 1 7 G l ppr pri i , c pter 5 , Acts o 89 , S a u e A ct ha te 547 f 18 ug s Bridg , c p r , Acts o 98, ene a a ro r at on h te 428 of 1899 G r l pp p i i , c ap r , Acts M tta an e A ct h te 443 t of 19 a p Bridg , c ap r , Ac s 00, nhe te A ct ha te 444 of 1 Wi c s r , c p r , Acts 900, R e ere ea h a A ct h 44 of 1 0 v B c P rkway , c apter 5, Acts 90 , ene a a ro at o ha er 172 t of 1902 G r l pp pri i n, c pt , Ac s , d B I EflERf flflDLI Tfiflfl IUUR Ei [Jan .

00

C r o ha te 419 t f 19 f ontinuing approp iati n, c p r , Ac s o 03, or

1903,

F or 1904,

F or 1905,

F or 1906,

For 1907,

c of 1908 A ts , n a o h te 699 ct f 1912 Continui g appropri ti n, c ap r , A s o , 1913 , 4 For 191 , 1 F or 19 5, 1 1 F or 9 6, ct h te 794 1914 WellingtonBridge A , c ap r , Acts Of , o ed ha t e 5 e f 1915 Work for unempl y , c p r , Sp cial Acts O ,

15 Acts of 19 , ha te 300 e At f 191 Neponset Bridge Act, c p r , G neral c s o 5, n e A ct ha te 178 ne t of 1916 Wellingto Bridg , c p r , Ge ral Ac s , n f an in rl n h 1 6 nr Improveme t o l ds A i gton, c apter 8 , Ge e al 1916 00 Acts Of ,

nt ee ha te 235 e e a c of 1916 00 Str eet, Brai r , c p r , G n r l A ts , C of edha a h t r 237 ene a onstruction D m P rkway, c ap e , G r l f 1916 00 Acts o ,

ha te 311 t of 1897 00 1900, c p r , Ac s ,

n of o Total amou t l ans,

16

A o ri t o h te 464 t 1899 ppr p a i n, c ap r , Ac s Of , h te 456 t of 1901 Appropriation, c ap r , Ac s ,

nt f oan Total amou o l s,

en et c R eceipts from r ts,

50 PUBLIC DOCUMENT No . 48 .

for 1906 Bonds issued , for 1 7 Bonds issued 90 ,

for 1909 Bonds issued , for 1910 Bonds issued , s e for 1911 Bonds is u d , t h t 539 f 1913 Appropria ion, c ap er , Acts o , h 188 c apt er , f 1915 General Acts o ,

n f n Total amou t o bo ds, e to o n R eceipts add d l a ,

ta To l,

The following tables show the total amount expended in eac , a of the foregoing loans , the tot l cost of each reservation an 1 1 1 parkway to Dec . , 9 6, and the amount char ged by t h Auditor’s department to meet the sinking fund and intere “ requirem ents previous to Jan . 1 , 1900. The item of Misce ” l aneou s in these tables includes cost of constr uction of road buil dings and of all other work of construction, and all oth charges against these loans except those for land, general e

' and penses, sinl ung fund cost of maintenance required by la 1 to be charged to loans up to 897. The total charges for mair t a 1 7 ennce to 89 , general expenses and sinking fund are give separately at the end of the tables . The total amounts charge to those loans are as follows

6

e a e n in onstr t n oa u n M isc ll n ous, i clud g c uc io Of r ds, b ildi gs,

etc. ,

n an 1 1 7 n n un s e ent M aintena ce to J . , 89 , si ki g f d a s ssm s to n 1900 and te e Ja . 1, , in r st, n n Transfer to Serial B o d Loa ,

8 E R AN R KS . M T OPOLIT PA [Jan.

M E TR O P O U TA N P u m a O AN Pim p S aunas II L , . 77

n m n n n- Sin n u ssess e s t o Jan. 1 1900 a d o e ki g f d a t , , half 89

95

57

50

The am ounts expended from these loans for the fiscal year n n n n N ov. 30 1916 s i s i nnc e di g , , are tated table the fi a ial

66 95

69

71

87

54

64

94 — 48. PUBLIC DOCUME N T N O .

94

N eponset R iver R eservation

01

72

30

89

n La d,

31

00

iscell ne s 202 35 M a ou , 35

84

iscel ne s M la ou , 68

llaneous 42 s ce , 42

58 58 METROPOLITAN PARKS . [Jan .

M c ne 7 is ella ous, 5 57

Al ewife Brook Purification 90 90

WestonBridge 68

ener G al expense,

25

n n u u 1 Si ki g f nd req irements to 896, C e and nn u 1 189 ar mainte a ce to J ly , 6,

1 1 7 , 89 ,

riation 1 p ) , 0 66

ota e t D c. 1 1 1 91 T l charg d o e , 9 6, a an D c 1 1 85 B l ce e . , 916,

76

N N D ea m 11 . LOA FU , S s

Blue Hills Par kway

49

99

16 D U E N . 4 PUBLIC OC M T N o. 48 7

n La d,

16

n La d,

29

61

n La d ,

91

n La d,

30

n La d, sce ane s Mi ll ou , 26

n La d, 82 56

66 66

M mcel lan 06 eous, 06

68 68 Stony Brook Roads 45 45

PUBLIC DOCUME N T N o. 48 .

S n n n e i em ents for 1896 i ki g fu d r qu r , Sinkm n e rem ents for 1897 g fu d r qui , S n n un e ements for 1898 i ki gf d r quir , S inking fund requirem ents for 1899

To ch e to D e . 1 1916 tal arg d c , , n 1 1 c D ec. 1 9 6 Bala e , ,

N m asxnr' BEA CH LOA N

93

T c ar ed to Dec. 1 1916 otal h g , ,

n E e om e nnin of o to D ec. 1 1916 75 xpe d d fr b gi g w rk , ,

os on n on u B t Margi al C d it, m d e n n u Ca bri g Margi al Co d it, E lim n onof m m os oes i ati alarial quit ,

F nc ra e loat a ho g . P ohea s n s s em ig al y t ,

O er S ee w enn tt tr t id i g,

75

R s c s m e e pe tfully ub itt d ,

GE O . Y N R E RS L MA OG ,

D e c. 1 , 19 16 . K Jan. ME TR OPOLITAN PAR S . [

R E P O R T O F THE E N GIN E E R .

n W as a a hair m anM r o itanP ark C ow Ho . m . u s s s C d ol B C , , p

S m : I subm it herewith the report of the E ngineer for the n ov 1 1 as s: ni N . 30 9 6 year e d g , , follow The work of the E ngineering D epartm ent has consisted of the

fications new c ns c n c nand s s n for all o tru tio , the dire tio upervi io c ns c n c is s n c n c of all o tru tio work, whi h u ually do e by o tra t, and the s s n the c nstr c i n and upervi io of work of re o u t o , repair m aintenance of roadways and structures done by the forces of s s s the variou divi ion. The m ost im portant constru ctionwork accom plished during the year has been the finishing of IM rnace Brook Parkway m nc c S n S Re s n nc fro Ha o k treet to Qui cy hore ervatio , Qui y, begun last year; the finishing of the dredging of Ab erjona R nc s s n s cons r c n iver, Wi he ter, al o begu la t year; the t u tio of two n c c n t s s R r one rei for ed o cre e bridge over the Charle ive , at N ac n S st n and o n and one orth Be o treet, Bo o Watert w , at m m n n N n d st n n n as Co o wealth Ave ue, ewto an We o , k ow “ Weston Bridge ; the constructionof a section of Alewife r m ssac s s n m to Brook Pa kway fro Ma hu ett Ave ue, Ca bridge, s S m v c ns c i n Powder Hou e Boulevard, o er ille ; the o tru t o of additional concrete shore protection works at Re ver e Beach Reservationand N antasket Beach R eservation; the dredging s m E l m S r e c r D am of the Charle R iver fro t e t to Blea he y , Waltham ; and the extension of the Mystic Valley Par kway

r m S r st c S r in n. f o Medford t eet to My i t eet, Arl gto has n n in i n ns Preliminary work bee do e the preparat o of pla , specifications and estim ates for proposed work and for reports n e is onc n m ns ns a s to the ext L g lature o te plated exte io of p rkway , included inwhich are a boulevard from Middlesex Fell s Park at S m i n n C am way Broadway Park, o erv lle, to a poi t ear the — PUBLIC DOCUME N T N o. 48. 51

Res v n S on m a u anna owit t e er atio , t eha , to L ke Q p , Wakefi ld anextensionto N ewtonof the drive along the easterly side of the Charles R iver ; and a locker building with shower baths

S e n n. m s m t n at the p edway Playgrou d, Brighto The o t i por a t proposed work is the construction of a new bridge over the N nse R N ns ston and nc c epo t iver at epo et, Bo Qui y, for whi h

c and r i n the c s s and s The are ope at o of lo k , gate drawbridge es Ri D am c D am s c at the Charl ver , Crado k Bridge , My ti R and in n s c R and iver, Medford, Well gto Bridge, My ti iver, the m aintenance of the channels of the Charles R iver have been m n under the direct ionof this depart e t. The roadway surfaces of the park system have beenm ain tained g ne y y s ac ca n m n s , e rall b the urf e appli tio of bitu i ou n s s m s ac n and c nst c n bi der , with o e re urf i g re o ru tio , where defects insubgrade had appeared . The cost of conducting the departm ent has beenas follows

Construction

74

E enses xp ,

l Tota ,

D etail s of the work done under the directionand supervision of this departm ent are givenunder the foll owing sections of parkway and reservationand inthe tables appended .

C ON S TR UCTI ON .

lewi e B rook a kwa n s a m A f P r y. The portio of thi p rkway fro

ssac se s n , m , s e Ma hu tt Ave ue Ca bridge to Powder Hou e_ Boul n cc n S m e i has n c ns r c e . O vard , o rv lle, bee o t u t d a ou t of the narrow lim its betweenthe cem etery and the BostonE levated ’ R ailway Com pany s car barns there was insufficient space for METROPOLITAN PARK S . [Jan .

e construction of the channel of the brook and the Parkway

de by side . A further encroachment upon the cemetery was ot im feasible, and the est ated cost of acquiring a portion of ’ e railway company s property was prohibitive . The method grade of the Parkway at an elevation of 10 feet above the

v r a f t e h ng O abou 6 feet, which formed the sidewalk of the

2 roadway 6 feet and sidewalk 6 feet in width . On March 27,

co Con a n Co an ton tr cti g mp y, Bos , h a R C n ss o. o to om s u o , B s ,

W C ton illiams O Bos ,

Ro e Conr a t n C m o ton w t c i g o pany, B s ,

K a The contract was awarded to ell ey 85 Sulliv n , the lowest 1 1 b idders, the work was begun on April 5 , 9 6, and completed onNov. 15, 1916 . The Parkway was Opened to public travel 2 onDec . , 1916 .

The total cost of this work, as certified by this department, has been as follows :

n N 189 Co tract o. Y e d n N ov 30 1915 ear n i g . , $197 19

68

m PUB LIC DO C UM E N T N o. 48 . 53

The portionof Powder House Boulevard betweenit s junct ion and s c V with Alewife Brook Parkway My ti alley Parkway, a ist nc one- m and c m s con d a e of about half ile, whi h for the t in n n s s has n r ns e nec g li k betwee the e two parkway , bee t a f rred

control . A sm all dredging plant has beenpurchased for u se inkeeping s n the channel s of Alewife Brook clear . Thi pla t consists of sc s 30 8 A - m c and nc ss r two ow by feet, fra e derri k all e e a y n one 7 10 nc b m s n n n and riggi g, by i h dou le dru hoi ti g e gi e “ one s n n n n and one- boiler, wi gi g e gi e a half yard Fogarty m n is as as c as e . s c i buck t Thi equip e t light pra ti al , it w ll be necessary to dism antle it oft en to m ove it across the streets d c ss n s c an railroad ro i g the brook, the bridge for whi h are m ss n ss m generally too s all to allow the pa age of the pla t a e bled . The cost of the whole equipm ent was An investigation of the sources of pollution of Tannery o i has nm s Bro k, a tributary of Alew fe Brook, bee ade by thi m n and the c nc s n c is t c depart e t, o lu io rea hed hat the hief ann pollutionis from the Muller Tannery . Above the t ery the water is not Offensive inappearance or Odor; below the t annery is c ff ns in and has the water highly olored , o e ive odor the appearance of an open sewer with a large am ount of filth s con n nnr floating on the surface . Thi ditio of Ta e y Brook causes a large propor tionof the pollutionof Alewife Brook. S s and ns nm a D edham P arkway. urvey pla have bee de for taking additional land for the com pletionof the Parkway at n the D edham e d. n h s m S n The work of gradi g t i Parkway, fro to y Brook R eservation to a point about 400 feet from the new bridge ui o n D e m is rac b lt by the t w of dha over Mother Brook, p m is i h tically com pleted . The unco pleted portion that for wh c a ot en e the land h s n yet be acquir d . B k P a kwa O f n s F u rnace roo r y. The work buildi g thi Park m nc S Res v n nc c S c way fro Qui y hore er atio to Ha o k treet, whi h was e nin r 1915 n shm n8: S ns m n b gu Ap il, , by Joh Ca a o Co pa y,

c nr c s was c m te 24 1916. s s c n o t a tor , o ple d July , Thi e tio of w is 1 m s in n and c ns s Park ay about % ile le gth, the work o i ted 54 METROPOLITAN PARKS . [Ja mainl y O f about cubic yards of eart h gr ading and th furnishing of about cubic yards of fill ing material . The work of bu ilding the st one and concr et e masonry b r idg ’ for this Parkway over Black s Creek, which was begun 11

Oct ober, 1915 , by the Hugh Nawn Contr acting Company 2 1 contractors, was completed Aug. 5, 19 6 .

During this year, after the completion of the work unde contr act , considerable work was done by the forces O f the Blu

department, t o prepare this section for use by the public .

pipe culverts wer e built, the subgrade material was shaped u p raked and rolled to form a roadway surface, and then treater wit h bitum inous binder, and fences were built where necessary

The Par kway was opened to public tr avel on Nov. 18, 1916 . a The tot l cost of this work, as certified by this department has b eenas follows : n n C N O . 175 con t o of o tract , struc i parkway

01

’m I reh rnary,

n n n ne E gi eer i g expe s s, 72 n e d N ov. 30 1916 Year n i g , C r ct e t ate 35 ont a s im s, Additional labor and ma

t erial s, e r e e Engin e ing s rvic s, actual, n n ne E gineeri g expe s s, 99

ota T l, 7 n f C n N o. 1 o r o tract 80, c nst uctio o bridge

00

inr Prelim a y,

n nee n ne E gi ri g expe s s, 1 1

48 . PUBLIC D OCUME N T N o.

275 64

Eninerin ser ic s c l 766 81 g e g v e , a tua , 82 75 20 31

00

02

Ab er ona R nc s e m n s con of j iver, Wi he t r, by Cole a Brother ,

c s was n . 30 1915 and c m 13 1916. tra tor , begu Aug , , o pleted July , c nn 40 e in the n and i The ha el , f et width at water li e, w th a n m 5 was xc om Waterfield or al depth of water of feet, e avated fr S to d m n and n treet We ge ere Po d, through the po d to the rail i It was se c t e in road br dge . propo d to ex ava e to a great r width the pond and u se the m aterial to fill the shallow portions to m As n s raise them above the nor al water level . the fu d avail s not s c n s in n able for thi work were uffi ie t, thi work the po d t m n was no co pleted . About additio al will be required m to co plete the work. c s is as c s tm n The total o t of th work, ertified by thi depar e t, has beenas foll ows

nes indra na e Waterfield R o Cha g i g at ad,

00

E n neer n nses gi i g expe , 60 AN METROPOLIT PARKS . [Jan .

N ov. 1 1 Year ending 30, 9 6 C nt a t e t tes o r c s ima , 05

32 72 79

Plans and specifications have been prepared for building an extension of Mystic Valley Parkway from Medfor d Street around the southerly side of Lower Mystic Lake to Mystic

. . 1 Street, Arlington On Sept 8, 1916, the following bids were

R us o o ton M ichael D . s , B s , a e o he e A . G . Tom s llo, D rc st r,

E M e r ose Fwd E . llis, l ,

n . t he The co tract was awarded to James H Fannon , lowest

. 2 1 16 bidder, and the work was begun on Oct , 9 ; and is now in

1 1 The cost of the work to Dec; , 19 6, as certified by this

r tm a i t : depa , has been as follows

192 Contract N o. 95

8314 5 1 t Ac ual,

n n r n e nes E gi ee i g xpe s , ota T l,

N ahant B each P arkway. At the rear of the Nahant Bath house in Lynn Harbor an area about 600 by 400 feet was enclosed in a temporary wooden bulkhead and partially filled with mat erial excavated from the channels of the harbor for a playground . Early in this year the Board of Harbor and Land r r Commissioners contracted for fu ther d edging in, Lynn Harbor; the work was done by hydraulic dr edgers and the materi deposited in this playground area, completely filling it . This filling made necessary the extension of the sw im drainage system of this section . This work was done b et wee 24 21 1916 n April and July , , by the Rowe Contracti g Co pany, and the total cost has been

onWat er wa Petition has been made to the Commission , 1

playground and public landing .

W near Little Nahant . The ork was done by the forces of t l

Revere Beach Division , under the supervision of this depa

r O ld C olony P a kway. The work of preparing plans an t specifications for the construc ion of Neponset Bridge, Bosto

'

n r o r ess and e . and Q ui cy, is in p g n arly completed It is expect s to call for bids for this work about the first of next year .

girders on stone masonry piers , with doubleleaf Scherzer rolli lift draw at the channel . The bridge is to be 60feet in widt] with roadway 48 feet and two sidewal ks each 6 feet in widt

“ for use during the construction of the permanent st ru ct ur which is on the site of the present bridge .

Beacon Street , has been under the care and control of the cit

and a strip of land on the southerly side , about 10 feet i

1 1 1 for widening . On Nov . , 9 6, the following bids were r eceiv

which is 50feet, with a roadway of about 38 feet an. M E TR OPOLITAN PAR K S . [J

em n o rs se Col a Br the , Chel a,

The work has beendone by Colem anBrothers and is nearly

e W D ec. 1 1916 as c fi s The cost of th ork to , , erti ed by thi m n has eenas s : depart e t, b follow

94 Contract N o. 1 . $776 00

A m , 0

E n nee n enses gi ri g exp , T $973 15 otal,

There is considerable need for the constructionof a sm all m ortuary inthe vicinity of the police stationat Charles R iver

D am in c es c m s n n , , whi h to keep bodi re overed fro the Ba i u til ans takenby the m edical exam iner . Pl have beenprepared and the mmiss n s c u in c e approved by Co io for u h a b ild g, to be lo at d at the rear of the lock gate house .

ha les Rive Reservation U er Divisi n. C r r , pp o The work of construct ing a three-arch reinforced concrete bridge 75 feet in h s R N B c nS e s n width over the C arle iver at orth ea o tr et, Bo to begun as soon as the weather conditions would allow in the c nc spring and has progressed during the year. The o rete work bridge and approaches will probably not be perm anently com

s D ec. 1 1916 as c s The co t of the work to , , ertified by thi m n has nas s : depart e t , bee follow

nd ch nr c N o. 186 e a o s Co t a t , bridg appr a e

Ye enin N ov. 30 1914 : ar d g , E n neer n se ces elim gi i g rvi , pr

3181 28 Dngltlzed b y Google

PUBLIC DOCUM E N T N o. 48 .

n Yea in N ov. 30 1915 r e d g ,

P l mina 47 re i ry, 4 90

41

59

72 41

00

c A tual,

34

75

Plans and specifications have been prepared for the con structionof a thr ee-arch reinforced concr ete bridge over the s R t he s s n mm n Charle iver at ite of the old We to Bridge, Co o n n n s nu N na d s . A n u in wealth Ave e, ewto We to u u ual feat re s n s is n n s s the de ig of thi bridge the overha gi g idewalk , which s n s project beyond the face of the pa drel wall feet . The

overcom e entirely by the t reatrnent of the faces of the bridge s and the placing of large circular bastion at the abutm ents.

m ns and s c e ce m 60 44 in abut e t pier , whi h are r du d fro to feet n s e n . O n 11 1916 c le gth April , , the followi g bid w re re eived for the constructionof the bridge and appr oaches

D 4 61 PUBLIC OCUM E N T N o. 8 .

c was n c n ac hnR . was non whi h u der o tr t with Jo Burke, begu

D ec. 4 1915 and c m onS . 16 1916 . c n c , , o pleted ept , The o tra t was in ct b e s was nc ss awarded O o r la t year, but it e e ary to n n construct a special dredgi g pla t inthe river to do the work . The length of the sectionof the river dredged is about one-hal f m and s m 120 200 e . ile, the width varie fro to fe t A total of cubic yards of m aterial were excavated and deposited onthe low lands bordering the river . c s s as c s tm n The total o t of thi work, ertified by thi depar e t, has beenas follows :

n 184 Co tract N o.

Ye en n N ov. 30 1915 ar di g ,

A ct ual,

$476 89

Y e enin N ov. 30 1916 ar d g ,

E n nee n se c s c gi ri g rvi e , a tual,

17

06

s — ns and s c c ns N antasket B each Re er vation. Pla pe ifi atio have beenprepared for the constructionof about 850feet of concrete bulkhead and retaining walls at the northerly end of the s n s ar sam and es n as R e ervatio . The wall e of the e type d ig s l s s end n tho e built a t year at the outherly , with the additio of

five flights of reinforced concr ete steps leading to the beach . The work was done by the Hugh N awn Contracting C om

n s m c n ac s . pa y, the a e o tr tor who did the work la t year Work was nO ct . 25 1916 and c m e D ec. 2 1916 . begu , , o pl ted , The t c s c s n n n and ns c n otal o t of the work, ex lu ive of e gi eeri g i pe tio , was

—In nnc n Revere B each Reservation. co e tio with the work of n nw l s and n - s buildi g e boi er hou e pla t at the rear of bath hou e, 62 Jan. ME TR OPOLITAN PARKS . [

a brick chim ney 125 feet inheight was constructed u nder the i ct n s m na c n was d re io of thi depart ent . The origi l o tract for a radial brick chim ney ; but onaccount of delays inthe trans ort at ion m s i m s and p of the aterial due to ra lroad e bargoe , the urgent necessity of com plet ing the work for t he operationof n th c nr c was c ne so as c m mon the pla t, e o t a t ha g d to build it of o was n ns s a mn brick . The work do e by the Alpho Cu todi Chi ey ns c n m n and was M l et ed on 31 1916 Co tru tio Co pa y, p May , ,

A reinforced concrete sectional bulkhead has beenbuilt along s nR S t and O ak s n s s the hore betwee evere tree _ I la d helter to c n k d ch m ost repla e the old woode bul hea , whi had al wholly s disappeared onaccount of decay and dam age by storm s. Thi new bulkhead is built of pr ecast posts and slabs of reinforced n was n c s R v ach co crete . The work do e by the for e of e ere Be D v s n n c n and s v s n s i i io , u der the dire tio uper i io of thi depart m n c s n e t, at a total o t of The total le gth of bulk was head built feet .

E MAIN T N AN C E .

L n F ells t n y n P arkway. The portionof the roadway be wee fi m n S and l s S e on h c n m e o t treet Me ro e tr et, w i h o ly a te porary su rfacing had beenconstructed onaccount of continued settle m n has n su ac um nus m c m e t of the fill , bee re rf ed with bit i o a ada 24 in c n v n for a width of about feet the e ter, lea i g a driveway on ac s o 8 in su c t he e h ide ab ut feet width, with a gravel rfa e for - n u se of horse drawnvehicles. The work was do e by the forces

R nci on s s h c iver Bridge , pri pally the pile , the top of w i h had c and n n s n ns n n de ayed , pla k ru way have bee i talled u der eath m l s the bridge for fire protection. The ateria for the work were furnished by the Commissionand the work was done by bridge c n s nis R n -S m an n arpe ter fur hed by e dle toddard Co p y, u der the s s m direction and upervi ionof this depart ent . The total cost was — PUBLIC DOCUMENT No . 48 . 63

r kw M iddlesex F elts P a ay. Similar repairs to those made on the Saugus River Bridge were made in the same manner on the

wooden por tion of Wellington Bridge . The cost was A location has been granted to the city of Somerville to construct a municipal bath-house near the southerly end of

Wellington Bridge . The work of erecting the building is in

The sections of the easterly roadway of Middl esex Fell s Parkway from Middlesex Avenue to Wellington Bridge in t Somerville , and from Welling on Bridge to the junction of

. Middlesex Avenue in Medford, are in . poor condition This roadway is subject to a large amount of both automobile and ffi heavy teaming traffic, and has been di cult to maintain with bituminous surfacing . I recommend that it be resurfaced with

R ever e B each Par kway. Repairs have been made to the Malden River Bridge similar to those on the Saugus River 2 Bridge . The cost was $398 .9 .

Portions of the roadway of this Parkway have been recon s structed and resurfaced by the forces of Revere Beach Division as follows : Middlesex Fells Parkway to Malden River Bridge,

feet long, square yards; Main Street to Broadway,

Everett, feet long, square yards ; Washington

t r afii Avenue to Garfield Avenue ( c road) , feet long, square yards ; Broadway to Mill Street, Revere, feet long,

square yards . In this work generally a new base of clean gravel was laid and bituminous macadam surface . Engineer

a maintenance and Oper tionof the locks , drawbridge and sluices at the Charles River Dam have been under the direction and supervision of this department, and inspection and all necessary repairs and overhauling of plant and electrical equipment have been made . The principal equipment of this plant consists of two 50-horse power boilers for heating buildings and keeping gates and forty-three tide-gates ; six pumps varying in size from 64 METROPOLITAN PARKS . [Ja

2 - r 2 to 4 inches ; forty th ee motors of varying sizes, with a t n w necessary controlling devices, for he operatio of the dra t bridges , locks and ga es . The following is a record of the traffic and freights whic have passed through the locks during the year

er o e e Numb fv ss ls, N f a oa umber o sm ll b ts,

Sand an ton Gr ite ( s) ,

l n Water (ga lo s) , h Asp alt (tonS ) .

s Brick , Pil ing (feet

R u h t n bbis ( o s) , M i ell aneou ton sc s ( s) ,

S mall B oat L ock.

u e of enins N mb r Op g ,

7

h r nn T e e were drawbridge ope i gs .

The channels of the Lower Basin Section , Broad Canal an L echm er e Canal have been kept clear of ice during last wint e

winte season , and bids have been received for the work for the 1 — th of 19 6 17. As the lowest bid received greatly increased cost of doing the work under the terms of previous contract . alter native bids were requested for chartering a towboat for

m econom ics definite time . This method appears to be the ost and arrangements have been made with the Boston Sand an

Gravel Company to charter a towboat for three months . 0 account of the difficul ty and increasing cost of obtaining boa PUBLIC DOCUMENT No. 48 . 65

for this work, I again recommend the purchase of a boat by the a all i Commission, which will be avail ble at t mes .

2 painted in the period between Feb . 14, 1916, and March ,

1916, at a total cost of This work necessitated the f n cl osing of the lock to tra fic, and was prosecuted day and ight to reduce the closed time to a minimum . Soundings have been taken in Broad and L echm er e Canals to determine the amount of shoaling which has occurred since the be necessary to excavate about cubic yards in Broad Canal and about cubic yards in Lechm er e Canal to rest or e them to the established gr ades . In August of this year about cubic yards wer e dredged from the upper end of

L echm a e Canal, where the shoaling had become so great as to

On the embankment promenade from Cambridge Bridge to shelter about square yards of granolithic walk surface were laid to replace portions damaged by settl ement of the $ original fil l back of the walls . The cost of this work was

' M rddl eeezr F ells R eservatio n. The work of making surveys

GE N E R AL .

Engineering services have been furnished for this and other maintenance work . This depar tm w t supervised and inspected the work done u 1 1 m nder 8 per its which were issued to cities, towns, corpora i tions and individuals for work nthe parkways and reservations . The cost of this supervision and inspection was The bridges under the care and contr ol of this Commission Jan. 66 ME TROPOLITAN PAR KS . [

— S m m of cost of a e rs and m nt ennc . Tu ms 2. u ary ro d r pai ai a e

D isc. 1 .

K an. 68 ME TR OPOLITAN PAR S . [J

R v e eac e er B h, S on t y Brook, W n S e i throp hor , 14 18

w Lynn ay,

23. 70

Highways transferred by or takenfrom cities and

62 96

n m c All above roads ope to auto obile traffi . U U P BLIC DOC MENT No . 48 .

Cha e R e R e e ion rl s iv r s rvat ,

th o s ar n Of e above r ad miles e Ope to autom obile t rafiic.

H l We a h a Blue i ls Parkway ( lsb c g s) ,

M d e e e wa We a h a htha id l s x F lls Park y ( lsb c n p ) , M i e e e R e e t on We h n hth ddl s x F lls s rva i ( lsbac ap a) ,

M t V l e We a h n htha ys ic al y Parkway ( lsb c ap ) , L nn l h n h y Fe ls Parkway (Welsbac ap tha) ,

W nh o kw We a h a htha i t r p Par ay ( lsb c n p ) ,

N h nt e h wa e e t a a B ac Park y ( l c ric) , n h e R e e t on el e t Ly n S or s rva i ( c ric) ,

R r h a l h na htha eve e Beac Parkw y (We sbac p ) ,

h n e e t c Fres Po d Parkway ( l c ri ) , Sh a on e a h Quincy ore R eserv ti (W lsb c gas) ,

Ch n o n and o k arles R iver R eservat io , L werBasi , Dam L c (electric) , W h na h h oburnParkway (Welsbac p t a) ,

tal To ,

1 nal ts in u m m er S ix additio h s . m a - nea Thr ee additionfi to insum er south of b th house r wall . Five additional ts insum m er . 4 t mi n Three elect ric l ights inyard a ad nistratio building . 5 - i s in e Thr ee hundred and ninety five additional l ght summ r . 7 an. 0 ME TROPOLITAN PARK S . [J

M the of S eashor e.

nnS e Ly hor ,

Re ere eac v B h,

N naske eac a t t B h,

13 08

n L e gths of S ea Walls.

N n s e eac R ese on a ta k t B h rvati .

56 . 65

Woodenb ridges: U D P BLIC OCUME N T N o. 48 . 71

C ul verts.

ee m en f t l gth, C es R e R ese on e nf rcedc nc e e rn W s in harl iv r rvati , r i o o r t da at a h g

Hem oc Go e Rese n sm e nfo ce c ncrete dam on l k rg rvatio , all r i r d o

Heml c G e R ese on e n ce c ncre e dam in h es o k org rvati , r i for d o t C arl

r c e 100 ee in en ens 400 ee m l en C ado k Bridg , f t l gth ; w , f t gth,

es R e R ese on a es R i e s nTi a D am 6 c - ates Charl iv r rvati , Ch rl v r Ba i d l , lo k g ,

- R evere e c P 1 i e a e. B a h arkway, t d g t

e H s D i sion Blu ill vi ,

N n ske eac D s on a ta t B h ivi i , es R e R eser on Charl iv r vati ,

R e r eac D v si nP ce S i n S stem se n 11 m i es of ve e B h i i o oli g al y , rvi g l park s and ese i ns and i l ese F e s D i s n se in 1 m es of way r rvato , M dd x ll vi io , rv g ; il w on ires ease f m N ew E n n Te e ne and Te e park ay, W l d ro gla d l pho l graph N R KS Jan 72 ME TR OPO LITA PA [ .

- —u 0 v q -e

- n c ofl a l c n nn u o anfl l I O 0N ”

u - —O — “ a l l b s ‘ u l l N l a l fl l fl “ . 73 PUBLIC DO C M NT N o. 48

1 8 : d 8 e s 5 i ng a f s : 6 a e u 8 x a s : e m : 3 s e e m

J J i ni -g n c s 8 3 8 m

« w « 3 S 3 3 m 8 Q. 8 e 8 N 3 “ a 8 « a S « S un S 6 2 9 3 3 s n 8 s o i a 8 . 1 6 ” d d a

(am ) m e

0 a 6 o g o z o z 5 3 s 3 i i 2 s s 3 3 3 a 8 3 a . 5 h.

8 8 8 v “ 8 v 8 8 8 e 3 . . S 2 3 6 3 : . § 2

2 3 3 8 8 3 3 3 8 8 8

8 8 8 8 8 8 a 8 8 W a s W I 1 . 2 a 2 3 2 a 3 2 t t a 5 $ fi i i h 8 n h a x 5 l s no 5 e a e m a s 5 a a e a c s h a a m a e e s i n x s s 5 £ £ a a c ; g 5 5 5 £ e s 8 fi 3 3 3 : g n 5 fi 5 5 s z 2 z r METROPOLITAN PARKS . [Ja

n. 76 ME TR OPOLITAN PAR KS . [Ja

M nr nor om m Fank s OAN F UN D S cam s II . L ,

i ts a ed to l oan e o e June 1 1901 Rece p dd b f r . .

k n er cha te 5 S ecial A cts of 19 15 Wor u d p r . p

35

S m i th Lovet t. Como-w .

Jamcs B F annon.

' A pted M cD ufl ee .

32

999 34

75

815 50 15 50

81 15 84 1 15 84

John Cashman

S ons Com pany. 01 Hugh N awn C on n m an 00 t racti g Co p y.

062303 68

28

31 - A mou nts ou ht ot wa d 31 10 br g l r .

73

39

$85 47

lle S ull i an Ke y v .

84

26

84

3150-505 42

80

82

00

97

00

29

A mo nts cu rse orwar 48 1 0 u df d. A an. 78 ME TR OPOLITAN P R K S . [J

A m m rou ht or war 48 16 b g f d.

o k une cha te 6 S eci al A cts of 19 16 : W r d r p r . p 9199 42 199 ( 2

nle 6 S to a Re d dd rd.

010 64 16 64

56

enses of hea in Exp r g .

A m ounts cha ed to D ec 1 1915 rg . .

tal amount of l oan To . i t s a e to l oan Rece p dd d .

$36 00

99

nta ct N o. 183 o e ont actin om a 70 Co . R w C r g C p ny.

50

49 9 1 U 48 . 79 P BLIC DO C UM N T N o.

A mounts brought Ionsar d. 91

Grass seed. .

ent of lan R d. 95

78

Am ounts char ged to D ec 1. 19 15. 75

Bal ance 16 .

A N ' nnnr' arnes A N N ORTH BE CO S r B LO . ha te 780 A cts of 19 14 C p r . .

A . G omasell o T .

37

Amo unt s charged t o D ec 1 . 19 15 .

r A ppr op iatton. D ec 1 . 19 15 . t o D ec 1 . 19 16. 4 1

General expense

85

10

A mo nts cor ne or wa 95 4 1 u d f rd. ° 80 METROPOLITAN PARKS .

Ren li h in and care O fi ce s t, z t g of ,

ilin ca net s car ds et c. F g . bi . . ,

Ice. E x enes n n f sa es p s b accou t o bond l .

ar nish V samples. O fi ce r e a s p ir . M im l es eograph supp i .

O fi ce supplies. E re xpr ess and f ight .

M iscel aneo s l u . 50 B lue Hill s Reservation

K ee f rses p o ho .

40

ies n n-t a m t Lab or and su ppl . gypsy a d brow il o h work. n es Ge er al suppli .

R epair s.

E xpress and freight .

28

- A mou nts canSec$for war d. 78 4 1 PUB LIC DOCUMEN T N O . 8. 8

78 4 1

ee f hor ses K p o .

ate in or i ts e i val ent W r g . qu .

re ss nd re i ht Exp a f g .

A u to hst .

P ro ofl sonate sha e inm candcscent l i hts p r g .

90

ee of hor ses K p .

S t eet li htin r g s.

v l in Tra e g .

f horses Keep o .

8 1 694 79

92

A mount s M ed for wcrd , 5 1 4 1 N KS Jan. 82 ME TROPOLITA PAR . [

A mounts ro ht or wa 5 1 4 1 b ug f rd.

e f horses Ke p o .

Telephones:

k ahuna b ml dma .

74

ee f h r ses K p o o . orses ca ia es a tom o iles et c H . rr g . u b .

te ri n or i ts i al ent Wa g . equ v .

ate ates W rr .

35

r se am a es etc Ho s. c g .

ene al s li s G r upp e . e ai in car onat o R p r g b r.

15

75 4 1

84 ME TR OPOLITAN P AR KS . [Jan.

A mounts rou ht or ar 87 41 b g f w d.

te in or i ts ui val ent Wa r g . eq ,

ate rates W r , 00

cac.oco 00

06

ene f e tr a ohce Exp s s o x p .

88

84

60

06 00 PUBLIC DOCUMENT No . 48 . 8.

06

B M . 0 a s E xpenses of pol ice

55

00

330 00 Bands .

22 03 6

$938 3 Balance.

and r e c Cleaning g ading b a h .

E xpanded t o D ec . 1 , 19 15 .

B $414 3 alance.

P a l s y rol .

1 , 19 15 , 1 19 3

nce Bala .

a L bor.

E xpanded to D ec. 1 . 19 15 . 8

ance Bal .

13

P ay roll s.

Bal ance $1 13 9 O OL P K an. 86 M ETR P ITAN AR S . [J

’ S urveys of B oul evard fr om M iddlesex Fells Reservationto Quannapmmtt

8500 00

0497 92

fll fi “ 00 A ppmp on. o a .

nded to D ec. 1 1915 Expa . . 35

3104 65

00

39

6 1

00

Constructi on: ontr act ol eman others C . C Br .

82

P a; roll s.

E xpanded to D ec 1 . 1915 . - PUBLIC DOCUMENT No. 48 . 8

W t . . A . H A . R oot . Inc..

00

230 96

E xpanded to D ec. 1 . 1915 .

B alance.

E ngineering pay t one. 7

Balance.

’ ansca ar c itec s se 7 59 L d pe h t rvices. 83

B al ance.

A r ati n pp opri o .

98

E xpenses.

' andsca e i s ser ices L p arch t ect v ,

E xpended to D ec. 1 , 19 15 ,

B al ance. 8839 1 n. 88 M ETROPOLITAN PAR KS . [Ja

8500 00

820 60 20 60

8479 40

A b erj ona R wer I mpr ovement 00

05

4 1 1 64

E xpanded to D ec 1 . 19 1 5 . 4 1

91 19 59

00

R epot tc of hennnza.

E xpanded to D ec 1 . 1915 .

Bal ance.

A ppmpnet ionD ec. 1 . 19 15 . t o D ec 1 . 19 16.

83

57

82 75 PUBLIC D OCUMEN T N o. 48 . 89

A mou nt: r o ht or rd 75 b ug f wa .

enses onacco nt. of on sal e Exp u b d s.

rt s of h ns Repo ear i g .

f g am m Care o a .

e r i ter chai rs Typ w . Tab la.

M u d: tem po.

1 1

15

H orace. a m a es aut om obil es etc z . . 29

ateri n or i t s a m val ant W g . q . 42

- A mou nt: cor ned [ or war d, 88 26 75 90 METROPOLITAN PARKS . [Ja

26

61

a o L b r.

K ee of rses p ho .

o ses car r ia es a tom i es et c. H r . g . u ob l .

Wat e or its e iva en ring . q u l t . S t reet i h n l g ti g . ene a s G r l upplies.

95

ab o L r .

' R e ai to n p rs Malde R iver Bridge.

l a n r in ins ec n f i d F ggi g du g p tio o ra lroa bridge .

00

Labor , o and su i and n- ail m Lab r p pl es. gypsy brow t oth work . t eri n or its a n Wa g . equiv le t.

S hrubs. 24 N ahant Beach Parkway a o L b r .

K ee of ses p hor .

W e in or i u va n at r g . ts eq i le t . S t eet l n r ighti g .

20

A mounts car r ied for war d. 7

2 9 METROPOLITAN PAR KS . [Ja

53

a o and s es s and wn-ta m w L b r uppli . gyp y bro il oth ork .

636 46

s ca s m b s et Horse . rriage . auto o ile . c

S ee n tr t lighti g .

oam L . W e n its n at ri g. or equivale t . 13

a o s and wn- a m L b r . gyp y bro t il oth work . 189 17 Ham m ond Pond Parkway : a o and s s s and n-t i m L b r upplie . gyp y brow a l oth work . 50

B nc ala e .

CH R E S R I E R S I E N N E A L V BA IN M A N T A C .

i n D ec. 1 19 15 t o D ec. 1 19 16 Approp r atio . . . . .

a o L b r.

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l anc Ba e . 3 48 . 93 PUBLIC D OCUME N T N o.

at s nd a d M aintenance and O perationof L ocks, G e a D r ub r i ges .

A ro i at i on D ec 1 1915 to D ec. 1 19 16 00 pp pr . . . . .

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62

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18 94 METROPOLITAN PARKS . [Ja

n r r i ti c. 9 15 t o D ec App op a o . D e 1 . 1 . . 1 . 1916 .

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120 66 S ervices of dr il l m ast er 45 00 1 00 90

ephon . 812 28 Tel e 0 12 28 Blue Hil ls R eservation rchit ec A t .

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a o inn se L b r ur ry . R e a rs t o i dins p i bu l g .

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16 10 K Jan. 98 ME TR OPOLITAN PAR S . [

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e ai s to see well 865 75 R p r .

t of hea in Repor r g . nst uctionoi entrance Co r .

n anm um of de it for ent ance Refu d pos r . 198 53

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ef n onacco nt of e osi t for ent ance R u d u d p r .

450 00

e un onsecount of e osi t for entrance R f d d p . 410 00

nstru ct ionoi ent ance Co r . nd onacco nt of e osi t for entr ance Refu u d p . 85 08

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268 30

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100 M ETROPOLITAN PARKS . [J3

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' 104 DAIKPFKI PCflIRPAI J IULRJCS . [Jan . 191

A P P E N D I $ 1 .

F E E F T E R E PO R T O TH E JOI N T COMMITT , CON S IS TI N G O H M A S S A C H U S E TTS HIGH W AY COMMIS S ION A N D TH E M E TR OPOLITA N E U E D B PAR K COMMIS S ION , R Q IR Y CH A P TE R 109 or TH E R E S OLVE S O F TH E YE AR 19 16 To R E PO R T A S TO C O N S TR U C r A E W Y I N TH E l ‘l ‘ Y F E TION o STAT HIGH A C O SOM R VILLE .

of M a The joint committee, consisting the ssachusetts Highway M C Commission and the etropolitan Park ommission, required by chapter 109 of the R esolves of the year 1916 t o report as t o

of h of b e construction a State hig way in the city Somerville, g leave t o report as follows . 1 1 1 The resolve, chapter 09 Of 9 6, under which this repor t is made is as follows :

C HA P TE R 109 .

R E S OLVE PR OVID IN G F O R AN IN VE S TI GATION E r TH E M AS S ACH US E TTS HI GHWAY COM M IS S ION AN D THE M E TR OPOLITAN P A R K COMMI S S I ON As To THE CON S TR UC TION O F A STATE HIGHWAY IN THE CITY O F

u . A r oved M a 1 1916 Wednesday inJanary [ pp y 9 , .

In pursuance of this resolve the two Boards met and organized 14 1 1 as a Joint Board, June , 9 6 , by electing the chairman of the Highway Commission as chairman of the Joint Board and the secretary of the Highway Commission as secretary and the engi neer s of t he t wo Boards as engineers of the Joint Board .

Broadway Park, named in the resolve, is a par k Of the city of

Somerville bounded by Broadway and M ystic Avenue, both main 108 METROPOLITAN PARKS . [Jan

o highways t o Bost n by way Of Charlestown, and by roadways O M M iddlesex Fells Parkway Of the etropolitan Park System , ove which, also, Revere Beach Parkway and M ystic Valley Parkwa travel passes onits way to and from Boston . Close by is M iddle n t sex Avenue, a mai teaming route north o the cities and town R beyond M ystic iver. Columbia Street, named inthe resolve f t n is a highway o Cambridge, which, star i g near the S om er vil l line a little over a mile from Broadway Park, runs to M assa chu set t s Avenue, which, by Harvard Bridge over Charles R iver gives the Onl y direct communication wit h Bost on west of t h

- crowded down town business section, and with the cities an towns beyond Charles R iver west and south of Boston . Colum bia Str eet and other near-b y parallel streets give r easonab l ample and direct highway accommodat ions for present trave north from Harvard Bridge as far as the Cambridge-Spm er vill

- line . Just beyond the Cambridge Somerville line these highway unite with Webster Avenue and Prospect Street and cross t h railroads by two bridges so near together as t o be practically one

From this point, as far as Broadway Park, there are no adequ ab r o direct main highways, and all travel must find and make us of secondary local streets, which, because of indir ect ness, dan ger ou s grades and Obstructed view Of intersecting main highways are inadequate and dangerous . The purpose of the resolve requiring this report is t her efon very evidently that Of requ iring investigation and report as a providing a highway not less than 60 feet in width b et wee Broadway Park and Columbia Street as a means of im pr ovin the highway facilities between Charles R iver and M ystic R ive by a more ample and direct highway than now exists in t h portion of the distance in which present highways ar e inade n ni i quate ; and the Joint Board, while co fi ng ts report t o t h limits prescribed by the resolve, has of necessity reached it conclusions after investigation of t he extent to which improve ment within the prescribed limits woul d i m pr ove highway facili ties all the way from Charles R iver at Harvard Bridge an

M assachusetts Avenue t o M ystic R iver at Wellington Bridge. F or many years great public inconvenience has been cau sed b the indirectness and unsuitableness of existing highways b et wee

Harvard Bridge and Wellington Bridge, and this has been ac companied by serious danger since automobiles came into gen - eral use . In the section between the Cambridge Somerville lin and Broadway Park, the inconvenience and danger have b ecom

110 METROPOLITAN PARKS . [Jan

R iver which is made the limit of this report is that in whic relief is most needed . The fact that this report is required t o b confined t o this limit indicates a desire t o provide such m easu r Of relief as will be within the financial abilit y and willingness O

h e who h n t os must pay for it, and t e matter has been i vestigate

in this spirit. Investigations conducted by this Board have involved a car efu

study Of previous reports and plans, an examination Of the entir region and of the character and value of land and buildings wit] a view t o laying ou t a direct and comfortable highway b et wee h the points named at the least possible expense, and in suc a wa, l as t o make use of existing streets and to connect with othe streets which may suffice t o provide improved lines Of travel ove h nr eache the entire distance . As a result, t e conclusion has bee that it is feasible t o lay ou t and bu ild a continuous new highwa not 60 i h less than feet nwidth, with easy grades from the hig ways and parkways which unite at Broadway Park to C ol u m b i Street near the Cambridge line and thereby make good connec tion wit h Col u mbia Street and with other str eet s not less t he 50 feet in width leading t o the Harvard Bridge and also t

Cambridge Bridge and t o the dam at Craigie Bridge . Th general line which is likely t o be the least expensive is one sub st ant ial l y like that suggested by the previous report Of the Join i Board on M etropolitan I mprovements , but diverging from at a few points for reasons Of safety in crossing main highway for T sav and economy in cost Of land and construction . O n r efer r e remaki g plans, the plan Of the Joint Board is therefore t o as being sufficient t o indicate the street s and bridges and t h

general line Of construction recommended by this Board . Careful estimates prepared by the engineers of t he Joint Boar give warrant for the belief that the necessary land for the highw recommended from Broadway Park t o the Cambridge line at

‘ near Columbia S t r eet and to a connectionwith Columbia Stre may now b e acqu ired for a sum not exceeding an that construction within the same limits will cost appr oximate] The cost Of land and construction at the great width of 80 feet will be relatively less than at 60 feet and m a be accomplished for the sum Of The Joint Boar d is Of the opinion that the public benefit whic will result from the building of the highway between the pO in required for this investigation and on the lines substantially an indicated by this report warrant the expenditure involved, E . 11] PUBLIC D OCUM N T N O 48 . therefore recom m ends im m ediate legislationt o provide t he neces n s c c ns e onhas een en sary fu d and authority . Mu h o id rati b giv t o t he m ethod of providing for acquirem ent of land and con s c n of s for its s se en m nt ennce and tru tio thi highway, ub qu t ai a , al so t o t he m att er of anequitable distribution of the first cost

o A s e n on s and that of m aintenance. b ari g up thi part Of the questionthe following fact s have beentakeninto cons ideration. The c nne t o t he im s s e int he e n highway, if o fi d l it tat d bill r quiri g s e b e o nt he c of S m e e and thi r port, will wh lly withi ity o rvill , , if en e t an c c nnec n i m a S n ext d d o a tual o tio w th Colu bi treet, o ly

for s s ance n c of m e. It of a hort di t withi the ity Ca bridg will, necess c ss m n c s ee s and som e oins nc e ity, ro a y ity tr t at p t i orporat I e t o e for c ass s of these streets with it. t will hav provid all l e W n c m e e the b e t o c c travel . he o pl t d highway will all pra ti al oses e o c s ee and it s m intennc purp a rath r br ad ity tr t, a a e will n e t he o em s f c se e e e and e i volv all pr bl o local ity w rag , wat r oth r se ce es and w es and the o c n necess nc en t o rvi pip ir , p li i g arily i id t W b e m e for all these purposes. hi le t he highway will built or t he cc m m n S e-w e c n and ' s c e a o odatio Of tat id . ou ty di tri t trav l thanfor t he local travel Of t he city Of S om erville or of C am e t he c e and m nen nce t he b e m s bridg , ar ai t a Of highway will al o t n s n s e m e s t he c and u di ti gui habl fro that Of oth r highway Of ity, m ay b e m ore easily and econom ically accom plished b y t he cities e c he in h c is c e n any . T w i h it lo at d tha ‘ by oth r publi authority acquirem ent Of land for this highway will involve the acquire m ent Of m any sm all properties and t he settlem ent of a corre s n in l m The c ns c n i b e po d g y large num ber of clai s. o tru tio W ll a problem Of hi gh way construction that Will involve incidental n m atters Of adjustm ent t o surrounding situations. The layi g ou t Of the highway will requ ir e careful designing and special e c exp rt advi e. The n e e e m es the n r ecom m en Joi t Board. th r for , ak followi g n datio s . That the Joint Board b e continued for t hepurpose of plan nn c in n for and c ns c n s and it s i g, a quir g la d o tru ti g thi highway connections with streets Of t he cities in which it is located as c es e e o e t o e e e c ns of es approa h th r t , with pow r r quir r lo atio all pip and structures and t o grant relocations for the sam e as incident t o c ns ct n in t he n m e of t he m m n and o tru io , all a Co o wealth ; . u n c m e n t o c n t he n and ns e po o pl tio Of the work, o vey la d tra f r t he t o t he c S m e e for c e c n and m n highway ity Of o rvill ar , o trol ai t enance s ec t o t he t he H C om , ubj t, however, approval Of ighway 112 METROPOLITAN PARKS . [Jan

mission as t o changes and alterations in the same. and th gr anting Of permits and licenses within the same which may b made by the city Of Somerville ; that the funds for the acquire ment of land and cost O f const ruction be p rovided by the C om m onweal t h under a special loan and repaid to the Common i 2 wealth , 15 per cent. by the city Of S omerv lle, 5 per cent. b the county O f M iddlesex, and the balance by the cities and town n r M t which ow cont ibute t o the etropoli an Parks Loan, Serie

Two u , Sinking F nd in the same proportions as are provided b , one- law for the repayment Of that loan, that is, half by th cities and towns of the M et ropolitan District, leaving the r e maining one-half of this [ balance t o be borne by assessment u po the Commonwealth at large ; that, upon completion and t r ansfe i t o the city Of Somerville, the maintenance, includ ng lighting w policing, cleaning and repairing, be done by that city at its o

A bill for carrying out these recommendations accom panie this report.

All of is r espectq y submitted .

I WM . D . SOH ER ,

JAM ES W. S YN AN,

M . WILLIA B D E L A S CASAS,

EDWI N U . CUR TIS, W I ELLERTON D . H TNEY ,

EVER ETT C . BENTON,

CHAR LES J . BAR TON,

an. 1 14 ME TR OPO LITAN PARK S . [J

l' 9 of t he n e e s co e c s s joi t board , the aggri v d party hall re v r o t , 10 otherwise such party shal l pay costs ; and costs shall b e taxed 1 1 as incivil cases ; but no suit for such dam ages shall b e brought 1 2 after t he expirationof one year from t he date Of the recording

13 of t he n as e r e o n sec n. taki g, r qui d by the foll wi g tio

W s e an n or 1 S N 4 . n s ECTIO ithi ixty day aft r y la d, right 2 e e n is c e or en n e s act t he o n o th r i . a quir d tak u d r thi , j i t b ard 3 shall fil e and cause to b e recorded inthe proper registry of 4 ee s esc on er eo s f c en cc for its en d d , a d ripti th f u fi i tly a urate id 5 t ificat ion s at em en t he se for c t he , with a t t Of purpo whi h 6 s m e is c i e or en c esc ons b e s ne a a qu r d tak , whi h d ripti hall ig d f 7 by a m ajority o said joint board .

e t he s m e t 1 S ECTION 5 . Said joint board shall hav a au hority 2 t o e e m ine t he e of and ssess on e es t he d t r valu , a up r al tate 3 m n e er m ens s m in t o s e es e t he a ou t Of b tt t ee g , aid r al tat by 4 locating and laying ou t Of t he street or way hereinauthor 5 se and t he r e c n enn e in or c n n t he i d , lo ati g, wid i g, alt r g ha gi g 6 of an connec n r ne se in ee r wa as is grade y ti g o i t r ct g str t o y, 7 conferred by ch apter fifty Of t he R evised Laws upon boards 8 c or n ffi ce s ze t o ou t S ee s or s Of ity tow O r authori d lay tr t way , 9 and t he s ns of t he r s e sec ons s c e provi io fi t ight ti Of aid hapt r, 10 e n t o s s t o s c ssessm ens s r lati g way , hall apply u h a t by aid 1 1 o n : r ovided however no ssessm en s b e j i t board p , , that a t hall 12 m ade upon any real estate except such as abuts upon said 13 s ee or wa m n ou t e c n enn al e tr t y fro the layi g , r lo ati g, wid i g, t r 14 i ng or changing t he grade Of which t he betterm ent accrues 15 and r ovided u r ther no e e m en or m es s p , f , that b tt r t da ag hall 16 b e assessed uponor paid t o the city Of S om erville under this

17 act . S aid joint board shall also have full power and aut hority 18 t o abate such proportion Of any assessm ent for betterm ents 19 m ade by it hereunder as it shall deem just and expedient ; or 20 t o enter into agreem ents providi ng for t he abatem ent of such 2 1 assessm ents or t he assum ption and paym ent of the sam e by 22 t he comm onwealth ; and t o authorize the treasurer and t e 23 ceiver -general of t he com m onwealth t o refund t o the proper 24 person or persons t he am ount Of such abatem ent Of any 25 sse m n a ss e t already paid .

1 n e e e h e m en has S ECTION 6 . I v ry case wh re t e bett r t tax 2 een ssesse u n e t he s ons of t s act t he e s e b a d d r provi i hi , tr a ur r . 115 PUBLIC D OCUMENT N o. 48

3 and receiver-general of the com m onwealth m ay m aintain an 4 actionof contract inhis ownnam e against t he owner of said 5 real estate at the date of the taking by reasonof which said e e m ens cc e for the m o n of s and t he ex 6 b tt r t a ru a u t aid tax, 7 p enses of prosecuting any such actionshall b e paid ou t of t he 8 funds hereinprovided for t o m eet the expenses of said joint

9 board .

S n s e t o se 1 S ECTION 7 . aid joi t board hall hav authority ll 2 at public or private sale any buildings or parts or m aterials of 3 bui ldings takenor acquire d in carrying ou t the provisions of 4 s act or an n s or s in n s r c se or c e thi , y la d right la d pu ha d a quir d 5 for the pu rpose of this act which m ay b e found not t o be es n 6 required for purpos of constructio .

An m n c ec e or ec e in m en 1 S ECTI ON 8 . y o ey oll t d r eiv d pay t 2 of e m en ssesse n e s act or m t he s e of bett r t tax a d u d r thi , fro al 3 u ns or s e e or of n s or e se shall b e b ildi g part th r of la d oth rwi , 4 transm itted t o t he treasurer and receiver-general and b e by 5 him credited t o t he sinking fund of the bonds or scrip of in 6 deb t edness issued by him as hereinafter authorized t o provide

7 for expenditures of said joint b oard under this act .

1 S E N 9 . S in m a e c e en l e CTIO aid jo t board y r lo at , wid , a t r, 2 change the grade of and reconstruct so m uch of any street 3 o r way intersecting or connecting with t he highway herein 4 authorized as said joint board m ay deem necessary t o carry An son se e is 5 ou t t he provisions of this act . y per who prop rty 6 m e t he e c on enn e n or c n n of da ag d by r lo ati , wid i g, alt ri g ha gi g 7 e of an ne s c in or c nnec n s ee or wa as grad i t r e t g o ti g tr t y, above 8 e m a e s c m es ssesse of t he provid d, y hav u h da ag a d by a jury 9 superior court int he sam e m anner as is provided by l aw with 10 respect t o dam ages sustained by reasonof the laying ou t of 1 1 s no s for s c m es s b e way , provided that uit u h da ag hall brought 12 after t he expirationof one year from the day whenthe work 13 is actually com m enced on t he intersecting or connecting m e ec e e e e n e b e 14 street or way . Any da ag s r ov r d h r u d r shall 1 5 paid as a part of t he cost of carrying ou t t he provisions of 16 this act

1 S N 10. A n c ne in e se e or as es ECTIO y ha g wat r, w r g pip 2 m ade necessary by the change ingrade of any of such streets shall, if said joint board so orders, be made by the city 0 Somerville or such department thereof as has the owner shi or C ont rol of the same, and the reasonable cost of such change shall be paid by the commonwealth as a part of the cost 0 carrying ou t the provisions of this act . Said joint board ma , change the location of the tracks of any street railway com on o pany any part f a street taken, relocated, widened or t h grade of which is changed hereunder t o a new location 0 such street; and when the work of such relocation of track shall have been completed, such street railway company shal hold the same inlieu O f and upon the same term s and con

E N 1 1 S CTIO . After the completion of the work authorize by this act, said joint board shall convey t o the city of S om erville any lands taken hereunder uponwhich the street 0 way herein authorized shall have been const ructed or take f r or o the relocation, altering, widening changing the grad

n r r m of any intersecti g street o way hereunde , t o be aint aine

s as public streets or ways by said city, with all the liabilitie and powers in respect to the same now imposed or confer r e upon said city by law in respect to the maintenance of othe

ville, said city shall maintain said streets and ways and kee the same in repair as public streets or ways of the city 0 or as n Somerville, and thereafter no water, sewer, g mai s shal r r be laid in said streets, and no locations fo telephone o tele or graph poles, wires and conduits, street railway location shall be gr anted on or under any street or way located 0 land so conveyed, except in such manner and under suc conditions as shall be approved by the M assachusetts highw a commission .

f u SE CTI ON 12 . F or the purpose o carrying o t the provi n no sions of this act, said joi t board may expend a sum w u d exceeding one million, t o h ndred twenty thousand ollars To meet the expenses incu rred under the provisions of thi

r - act, the treasu er and receiver general is hereby authorized ni t a with the approval of the governor and cou c l , o issue seri bonds or certificates of indebtedness t o an amount not ex w ceeding one million, t o hundred twenty thousand dollars

of the year eight een hundred and ninety-fou r and acts 1 h e 25 amendment t er of and in addition thereto, and t o meet t h 26 expenses of the care and maintenance of metropolitan boul e

27 varda and parkways .

of of v SE C TI ON 15 . The treasurer the city Somer ille, o f o the r equest o the mayor there f, shall from time to tim m a issue bonds as it y require, and such bonds may be i

excess of the statutory limit of indebtedness . Each bond shal — he r i be designated on t face t hereof, Somerville C amb dg

Highway Loan, and the proceeds shall be used by said cit

t o meet the cost t o be paid by it under this act. The sai

- bonds shall bear interest, payable semi annually, at a rat a a ab l not exceeding four per cent per nnum, and shall be p y

at such times, not less than ten nor more than forty yea from their respective dates as shall be determined by t h

tr easurer and mayor of the city of Somerville, and as shall b he 0 expressed upon the face of t bonds . The provisions chapter twenty-seven of the R evised Laws and acts in amend so ment thereof and in addition thereto, far as they may b t o t h applicable and are consistent herewith , shall apply

bonds issued under the authority of this act . The county 0 Nl i ex ddl es may, if the county commissioners believe it ad f r exceedin visable t o do so, borrow money o a period not ten years for the purpose of meeting assessments under thi h n h act, and the treasurer of said county is aut orized , o t or for order of said commissioners, t o issue bonds notes tha n ot . purpose, bearing more than four per cent interest A P P E N D I $ 2 .

1: R E POR T or TH E M E TR OPOLITAN PAR K COMMIS S ION R E LATI V E To TH E AD VI S AB ILITY O F AC QUI R IN G L A N D I N EV E R E TT P O R P PAR K P u R osE s.

The M etropolitan Park Commission submits the report r e qu ired by chapt er 82 of the R esolves of 1916 , regarding the advisability and cost of acquiring for park purposes land lying h between M ain Street, B roadway and the R evere Beac Bou levard in the city of Everett. 16 The resolve, chapter 82 of 19 , is as follows

The piece of land referred t o is a triangu lar piece bounded by n Revere Beach Boul evard o the north , and by M ain Street and of t he of Broadway, highways city Everett, which converge as they pass the land in question and become M ain Street, passing over the Eastern Division tracks of the Boston M aine R ailroad t o M i Boston by way of alden br dge and Charlestown . This of piece land was part of a tract in single ownership, over which i M the boulevard was bu lt crossing ain Street and Broadway . Subsequently it was cut into again by the relocating and recon struction of M ain Street and Broadway in connection with the abolishment of the grade crossing of M ain Street over t he tracks of the railroad, with the resu lt that it was not onl y reduced to its present tr iangu lar shape, but that while the base of the triangle rests onthe boulevard at approximately the grade of the bou le 120 METROPOLITAN PARKS . [Jan

vard and the streets, the apex of the tr iangle is about 15 fee

lower than the grade of these highways, r ising as r econstr u ct e t o reach the bridge by which the grade crossing was abolished

E xcept for a few unattractive bu ildings, used for smaller sorts 0 t he business, and some adver ising signs , t land remains u noccu r pied . There is approximately squa e feet of land in t h l t o . It is in rather a prominent position and has a neglected

unsightly look . The assessed value of the land is and o t he buildings a total of This land may easil r become even more unatt active, and if covered by bu ildings woul make a barrier to the unobstructed view which would rende travel onthe highways and the bou levard especially dangerous There are electr ic car lines onboth M ain Street and Broadway and both highways pass the land in question ona rather stee u grade down to the Parkway, which in t rn Comes down at grade on the west erly side of M ain Street from the br idge ove

the Saugu s Branch of the Boston 85 M aine R ailroad . At hot] the junction of M ain Street and the Parkway and that of Broad way and the Parkway it has been found necessary t o keep t r aflic ffi r t o cer to egulate travel and pro ect foot passenger s, an n r especially school children o thei way t o and from school . Th

land in question, if in public ownership and free from b uil ding hi w ch obstr uct the view, might easily be made attractive ii f appearance, and o a certain value as an open space for the pr o

t ect ionof all sorts of travel onthe Parkway and highways . I might also have valu e as a location for an attractively designe e u small s rvice b ilding for work onthe Parkway, which, locate

back from the Parkway and highways under the bank, would no

he in a posit ionto obstr uct the view from either. It might als

provide, at the junction of the highways at the apex of th r n t iangle, a shelter in a spot which is ow very much exposed, an where considerable numbers of people coming from the Everet railroad station near by and from other points take the el ectr i

In, view of these facts it seems to this Board that the purchase of this land and making i t into a public park would be rather the natur e of a local improvement ; and that if it wer e to b

made by any public body, it might better be by the city 0

Everett than by this Board, with perhaps some cont r ib u tio r toward the cost from the park funds , o for the limited benefit o es f r pr erving open the view o parkway travel, and for t he oppor t unit of s a y u ing a part for . small service building. If preferred

122 ME TR OPOLITAN PARK S . [Jan.

A P P E N D I $ 3 .

R EPORT or TE E METROPOLITA N PA RK COM M IS S ION A s To PRO VID I N G S HELTER AN D S HOWER-BA TH F A C I L I TI E s A T THE D A P A Y OU N D I R A L E s E E V S PEE W Y L GR N C R R IVER R s R A TI O N .

The Metropolitan Park Com mission subm its herewit h the report required by chapter 78 of the R esolves of 1916 as t o the e s es and c s of c nst c onand m nen nc f a ibility, d irability o t o ru ti ai t a e of shelter and shower-bath facilities at the S peedway Playground inthe Charles R iver R eservation. The eso e c e 78 of 1916 e in s e is as r lv , hapt r , r quir g thi r port, follows

C E APTRR 78 .

VE S 'I'I GATE THE D nsm Aam 'r r or PROVID IN G S HE LTER AN D S HOWER

onand ma nenance of s e er and of s o e facflities the ti i t a h lt , h w r bath , at S ee a n int he a es ve ese n and to e p dway pl ygrou d Ch rl ri r r rvatio , r port

The Speedway P layground referred t o inthe resolve is a parcel of n in t n en n m Wes n en e t o the la d Brigh o , ext di g fro ter Av u n e c nco se of the S ee r ac and n e ee orth rly o ur p dway t k, lyi g b tw n t he S oldiers Field driveway and the Charles R iver. The average en of t he ce is 550 ee and its e e l gth par l about f t, av rag width n about 160 feet. A considerable portio of this tract has been used for a num ber of years as a playground for childrenof four

een e s of a e or ess. It is e 36 s n s 18 t ee t y ar g l equipp d with wi g , t er- s and n m e of s n es and has sm s e e board a u b r a d box , a all h lt r n conce s ar e so en c s n ont he em building . Ba d rt al giv oc a io ally pr se The m m ss on e e es n f t s k n i s. Co i i b li v that a playgrou d o hi i d is PUBLIC DOCUMENT No . 48 . 123 needed more than shower-bath facilities in this particular locality ; and that the area which would be occupied by a shower-bath building, the necessar y paths leading to it and the proper screen of shrubbery about it, would prevent the enlargement of the present playground facilities in the futu re to meet the needs of a

; growing population . The Commission also believes that the n onor of of prese ce near the . playground boys and men patron izing t he shower baths would not be an entirely desirable feature in connection with the u se of the playgr ound by the younger - class of children . O nthe other hand, the shower bath facilities would be used very little by the children of the age of those who now use this playground ; and the absence of these facilities at this point cannot be severely felt by the community because the ‘ city of Boston maintains ample shower-bath facilities at the

North Brighton Playground, less than a mile distant from the r s Speedway Playground . F o these rea ons it is the Opinion of the Commission that it is not desirable to provide shower-bath facili ties at the location in question . This conclusion would seem to dispose of the subject were it not that the resolve also requires the Board t o report on the cost of construction and maintenance of shower-bath facilities onthis l ocation . The Commission, therefore, further reports on t hese

r 1 . Except for the inte ference with the playground already r e r t a fer ed o, it is perfectly fe sible, as far as physical conditions are

- concerned, t o provide shower bath facilities at the playground location . 2 f - . The cost of maintenance o a locker and shower bath room at this playgr ound would depend somewhat on the size and o equipment f the building decided upon . The locker and shower-bath building at the North Brighton Playground of the city of Boston is a brick building abou t 80 by a 30 feet, and cont ins a locker room for boys, a waiting and dry

- ing room, and a shower bath room with six showers . In the ’ girls side there are lockers and closets for dressing and t wo

r showers . There is also an administration room fo the attend ants, with racks and pigeonholes for towels . This building was

' erected in 1908 at a cost, including equipment, of about The estimated cost of a similar building t o-day is from to

A smaller reinforced concrete building, which would provide the shower bath and locker privileges of the city of B os t on building, but without the administration room and other 12 E R N R KS n. 4 M T OPOLITA PA . [Ja c n enences of n c b e e ec e an o v i that buildi g, ould probably r t d d equipped at t he present tim e for The annual cost of m aintenance of such a bu ilding would vary inaccordance with the length of tim e each year and the num ber of hours each day it use c in e e was kept openfor public . If su h a build g w re k pt open for c use e of six m on s as m t o ct e publi a p riod th , fro May O ob r, nc s of c ea and for e s n e c as om i lu ive, ea h y r ight hour o ly a h day, fr n 9 A m . t o 6 P . M . the nn c s of m enance , a ual o t ai t would probably not m er e nc n the c s of e be far fro p y ar, i ludi g o t wat r . If e e es e t o u n enm , howev r, it prov d d irabl keep the b ildi g op ore ne s eac u n is e as for ns ance in tha ight hour h day d ri g th p riod, , i t , t he e enin so m en m o e n the tim c v g, that e pl y d duri g day e ould en the e es t he c s of m nennce c ns e joy privil g , o t ai t a would be o id r ably increased by reasonof the necessity of practically doubling t he ce of ten ns . n e ese c c m s nc s the nnu for at da t U d r th ir u ta e , a al cost of m aintenance would probably b e or m ore per year. m All of which is respectful ly sub itted .

WI I . D E L AB S S LL AM B CA A ,

E D WIN . R IS U CU T , WH E E R N . I N E Y LL TO P T ,

E E R E . E N N V TT C B TO ,

H R E S . R N C A L J BA TO ,

JA N . 10, 1917.

126 METROPOLITAN PARKS . [Jan .

t t o acquire land for the boulevard , as suggest ed by the resolve, on the easterly side of South Street; whereas on the westerly side the land is used only for gathering the water from the natural watershed of Spot Pond by culverts carrying it to Doleful Pond near by , as a basin from which it is discharged by pipes into Spot

Pond Brook without entering Spot Pond R eservoir. Su bject t o r the necessity of protecting the land fo these u ses, it seems likely ’ that the land onthe westerly side could be used for a boulevard without in any way interfering with the purposes for which it is held and used by the M etropolit an Water Board . For this n h reaso the bou levard, concerning w ich this report is made, is planned t o begin at the junction of M ain Street and the roadway between Sou th Street and Spot Pond R eservoir, which was built by the M etropolitan Water Board and now cared for by this e l Board . From this point the land to and past Dol fu Pond is W ater Board land, and beyond that point is unoccupied private or f i a is land f most o the d st nce as far as Crystal Lake, and used

fl r e chie y fo farming pu rpos s . The westerly shore Of Crystal Lake, as far as Albion Street, is in private ownership ; and while the plan proposed contemplates the acquirement of only enough for the roadway, it is Obviou sly desirable that the land between the roadway and the pond should be acquired by the town of Wake

field for the protection of the watershed of the lake, which is the sour ce Of its water supply . From Albion Street existing public streets may be widened and connected except for a short distance, where private land would have to be acquired so as to give an 85 ample roadway as far as Winn Street, which crosses the Boston M aine R ailroad by a bridge which would have t o be rebuilt t o u North Avenue, which in tu rn connects with the land acq ired r fo Q u annapowitt Parkway, not yet constru cted . This Parkway, u l M if b ilt, wou d st art from the principal highway through iddle , ex i s Fells, which nturn connects with M iddlesex Fells Parkway, and in its course would cross various highways leading t o Stone M ham , elrose, Saugus and Wakefield, and at its termination would connect with the Parkway and highways giving connection with highways running north and east from Lake Q u annapowit t t o R eading and cities and towns beyond; and to the east to L nnfiel Lynn, y d and towns of Essex County . The distance from M ainStreet, Stoneham, to FranklinStr eet, which leads to Stone t o M h ham and elrose Highlands and t en t o Saugus, is feet; and from that point to the northerly end of Crystal Lake at e of Albion Street , which l ads t o the center Wakefield, is 1 PUBLIC DOCUMENT N O . 48 . 27

‘ feet f and from there t o Prospect Street, which leads to the a n t southerly side Of Lake Q u n apowi t , is feet; and to

Q u annapowit t Parkway, at the northerly end Of Lake Q u anna wit t is t for po , feet; a to al the entire route prescribed by of 4 the resolve miles . Assuming that the land held by the M etropolitan W' ater and

Sewerage Board could be used without fur ther cost, the land r ou t requ ired fo the variou s sections of the Parkway, as above n lined , might probably be obtained for a cost ot exceeding $50,

000for the entire distance, and perhaps as far as Franklin Street for and from that point t o Albion St reet not exceeding and from Albion Street t o North Avenue not exceeding E fi cient co-operation of a local committee in secu ring these lands might induce considerable gifts of land and so materi c t h h - ally redu e e cost . In the hopes of suc co operation, an appropriation of coupled with authority to make use of u f the Water Board lands, would probably prove s ficient . O f s u u ou t The cost _ con tr ction Of this Parkway f lly carried the entire distance would probably be not less than but while such extensive construct ion ought to be ultimately pr o vided for if this Parkway is t o be one which would fully serve public use in a form which wou ld also induce such development f o adjoining properties as wou ld keep the Parkway attractive, it is not immediately necessary for the entire distance . I t would serve all present needs and accomplish the main purpose of the Parkway if l and for the entire distance were acquired at this time and construction were provided for only as far as Albion 1 Street in Wakefield. F or this purpose an appropriation of $ 50, 000for u constr ction would be sufficient. While the resolve does not require any expression Of opinion from this Board as t o advisability of provision being made for this Parkway, it nevertheless seems t o be within the spirit Of the resolve for the B oard t o express such opinion . Stoneham is a f town o moderate popu lation upon high, healthful land , but with considerable area which is well suited t o provide for a much u larger pop lation than it now has . At one time it had shoe factories and other manufactu ring establishments, which, owing t o changes in business conditions and the decrease in railway a f cilities, have gradually left it. It is now chiefly a residential town, but much hampered in its growth by a location somewhat apart from the main highways and lines Of travel . F or this reason the land required for this Parkway may now be obt ained E n. 128 M TR OPOLITAN PARKS . [Ja

m e e ces and t he c n and c ns c n of the at od rat pri , lo atio o tru tio or e en the ce in of its c i n and u e con Parkway, v rta ty lo at o fut r s c n b e e n cem en t o s of s n tru tio , would a gr at i du t the tart uburba

e e m en for c ce enc of its n e s s. d v lop t, whi h the ex ll e la d w ll uit W e e is m c e n c e on m n ne of the ak fi ld a u h larg r tow , lo at d a ai li s n$ n R and o m ost n Bo to , Mai e ailroad, the great highway fr B o to It i t he n e s e t he e r o n D R eading. s at orth rly id of M t op lita is t r ict has s ne ce i n c s and o s in , but how x pt o al publi pirit g od ta te its e e m en es ec inthe ne of e f e d v lop t, p ially ighborhood b auti ul Lak

u anna owit t one of e n s of the S e. s ke Q p , the gr at po d tat Cry tal La is s e n se for e s and now t c ed al o a b autiful po d, u d wat r upply pro e t m n t o so e extent by public ownership of t he edge of the ba ks . W t its c eness and its e and in i h attra tiv , however, larg grow g l onW e e is e c e n one c ma popu ati ak fi ld r a h d by o ly highway, whi h y

b e c e m n a m s n. s all d a ai r dial highway, fro Bo to Thi highway has been recently widened through Melrose and the southerly part of t he townt o accom m odate t he large volum e Of travel to W e and t o c s and ns n ic m s m akefi ld the itie tow beyo d, wh h u t ake

use of this highway. The route of the proposed Parkway would be through attrae m ea and r m n n e een e es and ees and tive dow fa i g la d, b tw l dg tr I c nnec nS ee and along a beautiful lake. t would o t with Mai tr t e s and the F e s ic e t o c nnec n oth r road ll , wh h l ad a o tio with Middlesex Fells P arkway and ar e in them selves parkways in I e nd se l effect. t would be a very attractive driv way a a very u fu one n m e ec and ac e e su e wa nnow , givi g a or dir t attr tiv pl a r y tha exists for travel from t he center and southerly part of the Metro politanD istrict t o S toneham and Wakefield and all the cou ntry and ns e n and in n ou n S ne m and W e tow b yo d , tur w ld bri g to ha ak field and the towns and country beyond int o greedy im proved relationwith the center and m ost popu lou s p arts of the Metr o nD s c polita i tri t. TO any one fam iliar with the growth and developm ent of t he e nD s c nthe s en -five e s is a M tropolita i tri t withi pa t tw ty y ar , it p parent that the center oi the D istrict is being closely occupied by e e m en and in ses c m e in f ec c d v lop t build g Of hou , whi h ak it e f t a ity e e o m en r c t o ne enn en s ces e ce d v l p t o a ity wi h ut i t rv i g Op pa , x pt I t is those which have beenreser ved for parks and parkways. also appar ent that the subur bandevelopm ent is now proceeding inthe outlying towns of the D istrict inm uch t he sam e m anner as it was proceeding som e twenty-five years ago in t he central s of t he D s c and cc n was part i tri t, rapidly o upyi g what but a few

A P P E N D I $ 5 .

R E PO R T O F THE M E TR OPOLITA N PA R K COMMIS S ION As To E S TA R L IS H I N G CAMPIN G G R O U N D S I N THE M E TR O P OLITA N D I S

TR I C T.

2 1 16 hi The resolve, chapter 8 of the R esolves Of 9 , under w c

this report is made, is as follows :

C H A P TE R 28 .

with such accessor ies and equipment as might b e necessary to make t h

The thought which inspired those whose petition led t o t h resolve requiring this report arose undoubtedly from the knowl edge that there are great open spaces and areas Of woodland i the M etropolitan Parks which give the inspiration and r est ful nes

Of contact with nature and the healing influence of pure air, an from a belief that many people would gladly change to t hee healthy and restful surroundings from the strain and infection 0 city life for at least occasional brief periods if they had the mean

' r or opportunity to do so, o whose l ife would be benefited if per m it t ed t o rest for ' a time in such su rroundings as exist in t h greater reservations Of the M etropolitan Parks System . r u ir The purpose Of the resolve is undoubtedly, therefore, t o eq - PUBLIC DOCUME N T N O . 48 . 131 this Board t o consider and report as to the practicability of afl or ding this Opportunity Of public welfar e by establishing cam p. in ces in the l nR ese i ns and e g pla Metropo ita rvat o , the probabl cost Of so doing . This Boar d has entire sym pathy with the thought of those whose petitionbrought about this resolve and with the purpose of s and has n and c ns e ec the re olve, i vestigated o id red the subj t m e the e i att r Of resolv nthis spirit. At t he outset it m ay be said that there are localities where cam ping grounds m ight b e established withineasy reach of t he n l nD s c nand populatio Of the Metropo ita i tri t, both withi without t he D s c and inand the e nP s i tri t, with without M tropolita ark Of the D s c . S o as is n n e e no s c c m n i tri t far k ow , how v r, u h a pi g grou nds have beenestablished inthis part of the country as a s ness ene se and few e ee n s s e e bu i t rpri , hav b e tabli h d by privat individuals or groups of individuals for personal use except as incident t o perm anent ownership Of what ar e knownas sum m er co es or in c nnecti n som m s n m or ttag , o o with e for Of a atoriu n c for n s. The es e for s c c m n ces boardi g pla e i valid d ir u h a pi g pla , or t he see n and s n em o s not seem t o an habit Of ki g u i g th , d e be e e -es s one and e e few an c ens alr ady w ll tabli hed , th r are , if y, pre ed t t o help ingathering inform ationor form ing opinions inregard t o Th es a n m in the m atter. e t blishi g of ca p g grounds at public ex pense would therefore see m t o b e experim ental and int he line of e e m en and use of the s i ns c m or m d v lop t re ervat o , whi h ight ight not e t o b e e prov Of real use or evensucc ssful . F or the establishing Of such cam ping places there would have t o b e e e s se e c e e se e c prop r wat r upply, werag , ar Of r fu , toil t fa ili es and e u nof c n c c m c as ns e ti , r g latio o du t Of a pe rs su h would i ur s e in m e s of e t seem c n c sec and t he af ty att r h al h , ly o du t, urity e ce and c m of e essen t o c m m n e and r ot ec p a o fort lif tial o u ity lif , p tion of the property Of t he Com m onwealth from injury or destruction. All the public wou ld have t o be givenequal privi e es and s m ese r e l g the a e consideration and protection. Th p requisit es t o the establishing of cam ping grounds m ake it evident that it would not b e safe or feasible t o perm it individual cam ps sc e e e kn e e c not att r d about the reservations. Adequat owl dg ould b e as t o the n l s s n t o s s s c c m s or as had i dividua a ki g e tabli h u h a p , t o e n u th ir co duct after the cam ps were establ ished . N or co ld adequate provisionb e m ade for water supply and drainage and c eanness ins c n c m s nor e ce r e e ense l li u h i dividual a p , x pt at g at xp , for c nto the c m e s or e prote tio a p r th ir property . ConsiderationOf this m atter would therefore seem to b e nar rowed t o considerationOf the practicabil ity of establishing cam p ing grounds where all who cam e and gave reasonable evidence of their fitness for the privilege m ight be perm itt ed t o cam p near each other. F or establi shi ng such cam ping places it woul d b e necessary t o n s c ns e e en e t o l e e and k ow, fir t, that appli a t w r abl d ive tog th r, , sec n e ins c c n nof e as t o m a o d, that th y were u h o ditio h alth ke it m safe for them t o live inca ps close t o others. Obviously this e e s c s s em of c i nfor t he e e and would r quir u h a y t appli at o privil g , n es on and e s n n or e s n e m s as Of i v tigati , p rhap Of gra ti g r fu i g p r it m c se e and nno nce and ce n c se ex ight au d lay a ya , would rtai ly au pense which m ight limit t he inclination of the public t o avail I t o s them selves of the privilege. w uld al o necessitate either the exclusionof all who were not ingood health or t he establ ishing of se c m n ces for se who e e not in e and parate a pi g pla tho w r good h alth, v s onan c n u in e such super i i d o trol as wo ld be required th best sans.

. And as s o has no ins c m e s and toria thi B ard authority u h att r , is not e or e ec e t o e s c m e s qualifi d xp t d d al with u h att r , authority inthis directionwould have to b e delegat ed t o t he S tate D epart m en of He or t o s m e e c e for and t alth o oth r publi body fitt d , c e es s n and e n s c c m s harg d with, the duty Of tabli hi g r gulati g u h a p , subject t o such further regu lations as this Board m ight deem necess for the ese nand ec n the ese t on ary pr rvatio prot tio Of r rva i s. This would have t he disadvantage of a m ore or less divided au t hor it i h e y nt e m att r . E ce e e o e as t o t he m e of ss nin c i ns and x pt, th r f r , att r a ig g lo at o m aking general regulations in regard t o t he cam ping places necess t o the ec nof t he ese ons is not r act i ary prot tio r rvati , it p cable for this Board t o establish and m aintaincam ping places for s m m nc e or o ens e es tho e ill with co u i abl ff iv diseas . This againnarrows consideration of t he m atter t o the estab l ishin of c m m n c m n n s f r ose in e g o u ity a pi g grou d o th good h alth . The establishm ent Of such cam ping grounds t o a lim ite d extent is e ec e s e of f s ccess and p rf tly f a ibl , but would be doubt ul u would b e e e c ns It f n att nd d by o iderable expense. would o ecessity n e m c t he s m e e m n n s n and s m e im es i volv u h a pr li i ary i ve tigatio , o t rather del icate decisionas t o t he advisability of granting perm its m It u e n m t o occupy t he ca ps. wo ld require r gulatio of ca p e m en and c m c n c and t he e e ense of r o quip t a p o du t, furth r xp p V idin s s n c nvenences and ns e g water upply, a itary o i buildi g wh re cooking and washing coul d b e carri ed on; and in spite of the great acreage of such reservations as Blue Hills and Middlesex

RE POR T O F TH E M E TR OPOLITAN PAR K COMMIS S ION O N TH E xTE I E E E E N S O N O NON AN TUM R OAD , CHAR L S R IV R R S E R

M E E E E . VATION , To APL A N D JE FF R S ON STR TS

The resolve, chapter 143 of t he R esolves of 1916, under whio this report is made, is as follows :

C HA P TE R 143. R E S O L vE AUTHOR I$ IN G THE M E TR OPOLITAN PAR K COMMIS S ION To DE TE R M IN E A R OUTE F O R A N E xTE N SI O N O R THE R OAD IN THE CHAR LE R I VE R RE S E R VATI ON F RO M THE BR IGHTON DIS TR IC T O F T HE CITY 0

esolved hat t o t n he e a tho ze R , T the me r poli anpark commissio is r by u ri route for the ext ensionof the present road inthe Char les river reser vatio

' with C har l esb ank road t o M apl e or Jefiersonstreets inthe city Of Newton

on hi th i n x din si s Of t s resolve, e comm ssio may expend a sum not e cee

A r [ pp oved M ay 24, 1916 .

The present road in the Charles R iver R eservation from Brook

Street, in the Brighton District Of Boston, to C har l esk R oad in Newton, referred t o in the resolve, was built by this Boar under the authority Of chapter 539 Of t he Acts of 1913 and chap 1 8 f 1 f ter 8 Of the General Acts o 915 . These acts provided O improvements in the Charles R iver between North Beacon Stree PUBLIC DOCUMENT No . 48 . 135

and Galen Street, and as incident thereto the construction Of the for O f t present roadway, by utilizing the purpose cons ructing the roadway material dredged from the river bed in the of “course the improvement Of the river . It is now fully constructed from nk R ar l e nk Brooks Street to C harl esb a oad . C h sb a Road is a i narrow, private way, in rather poor repair, lead ng from Nonan t o tum R oad, parallel , and somewhat removed from, the river t not bank, t o a connec ion with Washington Street far from

Nonantum Square in the city of Newton . There is no other present outlet for Nonantum R oad into t he city Of Newton . A t its easterly end Nonantum R oad connects by Brooks Street with h North Beacon Street, w ich runs toward the Brighton District Of Boston and is the main connection onthe southerly side of the

nd k . river with Boston a Broo line The land along the river , between the point where Nonantum R oad connects with Charles bank Road and M aple and Jefferson streets, is the property of the Commonwealth and in the care of this Board as a part of r f Charles River R eservation . F o much o the distance it is a rath er steep bank with trees which protect and make the river h n M attractive . Just before reac i g aple and Jefferson streets it ff becomes a level , rather neglected piece Of land . Je erson St reet f f i is a street O the city o Newton, wh ch runs southwesterly t o n m Center Street, near No ant u Square. M aple St reet is a street of the town of Watertown, which also runs westerly t o Center

Street . Center Street extends from Nonantum Square t o the point where California Street, from the westerly portions of

Newton, joins it at the Galen Street bridge, and thence crossing the Galen Street bridge runs to Watertown Square. The extension of the present Nonantum R oad along the river bank t o M aple and Jefferson streets wou ld give a greatly im f r f proved means o reaching all parts o Newton, Watertown and

‘ Waltham along the southerly side Of Charles R iver, and in turn for reaching Boston and Brookline from the fir st -named cities and town . The length of road t o be constructed would be appr oxi mately feet. Owing t o the steepness of the bank and the f i desirability o preserving ts attractiveness, the extension would have to be constructed in part by filling into the river with a or - n wall rip rap curb o the river side . The plan for the extension has been studied with great care, and it is the Opinion Of the engineer and landscape architect that the road may be built in a way t o preserve the attractiveness Of the bank Of the river and n at the same time avoid serious encroachment o the river . The 136 METROPOLITAN PARKS . [Jan . 1917.

estimated cost of const ruction woul d be not far from An appropriation of this amount in addition to the Charles u River Basin Loan, under which the present road was b ilt, is

All of which is r espectq y submitted .

M D E L A WILLIA B . S CASAS, I EDWIN U. CUR T S,

ELLER TON P. WHITNEY, R EVE ETT C . BENTON, H C AR LES J. BARTON,

JA N . 31 , 1 917.