Who Really Owns Our Public Parks?
Citizens push back against the Metropolitan Park Board, questioning the influence of business titans like Nelson Bennett.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Within the last ten days, opposition to the park bond issue has crystallized. The people have been pointing to the fact that Nelson Bennett and Marshall K. Briell dominate the board, and that Bennett has an automobile and high steppers, and both are likely to make boulevards a fad. If this fad should prevail, the advocates of new parks and playgrounds fear they will get left. In the absence of some definite assurance as to the plans of the board, the people want to know just what they will get for their money. The board raised its levy this year and will get about $80,000 in taxes. The general impression is that this ought to more than take care of all the parks there are now and that no bonds should be issued for park improvements. Up to the advent of the Metropolitan Park Board scheme, the parks cost the city only about a certain amount per year. The people have an idea that twice that should keep them going and provide improvements. If any bonds are issued, they will want to know that the money is to go for new parks and playgrounds and boulevards. A strong argument in favor of this issue is that parks and playgrounds should be secured now while land is cheap, but the people want to know whether they are going to get them.
“The people want to know just what they will get for their money.”
Public skepticism toward park funding and the influence of wealthy 'booster' board members echoes modern debates over how public space is managed, financed, and whose interests it serves. The tension between land speculation and genuine public utility remains a core Tacoma civic struggle.
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