Park
An extensive inclosure of land, specially set apart for public or private recreation and enjoyment. In and around cities and large towns, public Parks, or similar open spaces, are essential for promoting health as well as for affording recreation. A private Park usually surrounds the owner's residence, and, in consequence, should be rendered as attractive as possible. Its beauty depends very materially on the natural landscape and disposition of land, although much may be accomplished, by way of improving Park scenery, by persons competent to conduct alterations. An irregular belt of trees, such as succeed best in the soil and locality, is always most satisfactory as a boundary, and all the material for forming the principal groups and masses in the Park should be similarly selected with a due regard to the description of soil. For instance, Chestnut, Elm, Oak, and Lime-trees are best suited with loam or clay soils; while Beech, Birch, and Sycamore may be cited as trees which succeed in poor soils and in exposed situations. Bold groups of trees, circular or oval in general outline, and composed of one species or variety, are to be recommended, and single specimens of a marked and distinct character may be judiciously introduced in well-chosen spots; not, however, with a too frequent repetition. In any system of arrangement, formality must be avoided; and the idea of producing a natural picturesque effect, where it is wanting, should be the aim kept in view. In planning and laying out Parks, and in improving Park scenery, much experience and judgment are necessary with each case individually. No two are exactly alike. The subject is one of an indefinite extent, and is far too vast for dealing with in such a limited space as that which is here available.