Sirs,—The preliminary plan which I have had the honor to submit for your consideration for the improvement of the lately embanked ground on Charles river, between Cambridge and Leverett streets, derives its special character from regard for the following circumstances:—

1. It is near a part of the city much occupied by extensive industrial establishments, and having a large tenement-house population.

2. It should be an important means of reducing the death-rate at midsummer of infants and young children.

3. To all others it is likely to be most useful at nightfall, when the finer beauty of gardens is lost, people coming to it then in great numbers who have been confined during the day in close and heated buildings, streets, and yards.

4. Its special sanitary value, both with respect to children and to the class of visitors last mentioned, will be in the broad expanse of tide-water upon [359]which it opens; partly because of the radical change of scene which it will offer from that of the compact town, and partly because of the radical change of air that it may provide.

5. It should offer some facilities for open-air exercises for people whose occupations are sedentary.

6. The site is one of extreme exposure for plants. Fine garden qualities could only be maintained at a greater cost than in the other public grounds of the city. It is well adapted to the growth of hardy trees.

7. The space is too small relatively to the number of people likely to resort to it for the introduction of plots of turf to be walked upon. It would be impossible to keep them in decent condition.

Governed by these considerations, the leading features of the plan are:—

First. A level promenade nearly half a mile in length, adjoining and overlooking deep water. This promenade is to have an unbroken width of twenty-five feet. It is to be bordered on the side opposite the river by a row of trees, back of which are to be shaded seats, the arrangements being spacious, simple, and convenient for keeping clean and in good order.

Second. On the side of the promenade toward the city the larger part of the ground is to be raised above the general level with slopes of a natural aspect, and is to be planted in the character of a natural grove, screening the air coming from that direction, shutting the buildings out of view, giving a certain degree of sylvan seclusion to the promenade, and smothering the roar of the streets to those upon it.

Third. A space 370 by 150 feet in extent is to be enclosed and prepared especially as an exercise-ground for women and children, no others being admitted. It is to be screened about with shrubbery, and is to be adapted only to simple forms of recreation in which many can be engaged at a time quietly, without compelling care-taking of excessive cost.

Fourth. A space 500 by 150 feet in extent is to be fitted with simple gymnastic apparatus, and subject to use for more robust forms of exercise; but not games or feats likely to attract crowds in which it would be difficult to maintain order, and which would interfere with the comfort of women and children on the promenade.

Fifth. Two landings for boats are provided for, and it is intended that boats for hire should be offered at them.

Sixth. Two houses to contain water-closets, tool-rooms, and offices of administration are proposed, one at the entrance of the women’s exercise-ground and near the southern boat-landing, the other near the gymnastic-ground and the northern landing.

Seventh. A row of lights at the edge of the embankment, and another [360]

“Preliminary Study of Plan for Recreation Grounds on Charles River Embankment Between Canal and West Boston Bridges,” December 1886

[361]

Men’s Outdoor Gymnasium, Charlesbank, n.d.

Respectfully,