When I saw you in Chicago last fall you asked me if I could explain the intention of some rather incoherent lines and dots in the very rough lithographic representation of our plan for the South Park. I was not at the moment able to do so but {as it just now comes back to me] I will now try to give you an understanding of it.

Imagine a plane of an acre or more with a finely gravelled surface except for a series of circles six feet in diameter arranged thus: The space between centres of circles to be 16 ft. These circles are to be pits 3 ft. deep filled with fine soil. Ample provision to be made for agricultural drainage and for surface drainage by gratings and pipes. Suppose four posts to have been set in each circle: posts to be a foot in diameter and 10 or 12 ft in height above ground. Connect the posts with strong floor joists in this way. Upon these joists make a floor of lattice-work in the usual manner of pergolas (Examples in Skizzen Buch) uniformly covering the entire space. Plant vines in the pits between the posts. Train them straight up the inside of the posts, taking care they do not cross, and from the head of each post train out each vine fan-fashion. If the soil is sufficiently [526]

Olmsted, Vaux & Co., Plan for South Open Ground and Upper Plaisance sections of Chicago South Park (1871)
Pergola overlooking South Open Green is shown on concourse near 56th Street entrance.

[527]

Between the pits, upon the ground, you can place tables and chairs for the serving of refreshments. Thus: (the cross showing the table), or the tables can be omitted on intermediate lines, AA. The entire space may be so used if there should be found occasion.

The distances I have given may be considered minimum distances to allow passage between the tables and the posts—and may be enlarged at discretion.

The whole affair is to form a shaded promenade concert ground. On one side would be the concourse, on the other the house in the lower story of which would be the offices but mainly large covered spaces for shelter in case of sudden rains. The upper floor would be a covered esplanade, commanding a view over the top of the pergola, the relative heights being such that the nearest parts of the meadow would be in full view from all parts of the esplanade and a complete view had of parades, matches &c. upon it.

Vines from the pergola should creep up the posts supporting the overhanging roof of the house and the whole affair kept as quiet and unobtrusive in the landscape as possible consistently with its main purpose of shade and shelter for a great multitude.

It should be purely a summer affair, and very distinctly a Café and not a hotel or restaurant. I would ask for nothing more than is absolutely necessary to fulfil the requirements—trusting the vines to cover and decorate everything except the roof of the house.