And now, another installment from the Green Lake Archives!
Our last blast from the past came via a 1903 missive authored by “Green Lake Kicker.” In the same edition of The Interlaken, adjacent to the Kicker’s dog-hating rant, we find this interesting letter, showing community-support for the as-yet-built Green Lake playground, community center, bathhouse and swimming beaches. Reading this makes one realize how much we take for granted in the neighborhood today.
The Interlaken, February 13, 1903, p.3
Gentlemen: I wish to enlist your services in securing the greatest good from the “Patterson Tract.” [ed. note: as far as I can tell, this is the area of the park which now includes the east beach, the shade plaza, and the community center.]
Green Lake has undoubtedly as large or the largest per cent of child population of any part of the city. Our schools show practically a yearly increase of 35 per cent, while many of the older schools show a loss.
These children and young people are entitled to a large amount of attention and consideration. Five boys have been sent to the parental school on Mercer Island from one Green Lake School. We have furnished other institutions with several more. The overworked policemen in this district will testify to the mischievous energy of a vast number of others. Any live boy with no guidance or with nothing to do stands a good chance to get into trouble.
A number of our best citizens recognize the large benefit to be had from a playground and open-air gymnasium, such as have proved so eminently successful in New York City. Also the situation is ideal for free public baths, similar to the plan used by the city of St. Paul. Every year there is at least one bather drowned in Green Lake. If there is one place set aside for a bathing beach and made attractive as such, the bathers would be compelled to go there where they would be under the supervision and protection of an attendant. Incidentally the World’s Fair visitors [ed. note: anybody know what the author could be referring to here? The World's Fair didn't come to Seattle until 1962...Update: Reader Don Robbins offers an excellent answer to this question: The Alaska–Yukon–Pacific Exposition was held in Seattle in 1909.] and others need not be shocked by the usual number of men and boys donning their bathing suits in plain view from the car line.
The “Patterson Tract” is adjacent to the schools and to the Carnegie library, and its improvement will do much to assure the branch of the Y.M.C.A. so badly needed. Recognizing the great need and the entire feasibility of the improvements mentioned, we wish to use every effort to bring about their speedy completion.
Yours very truly,
HARRY B. LEAR
