AgdaPkt 2014-12-08 Closed and Joint SA

Browse Search

8.B. - Page 23 WELLESLEY PARK HALS NO. CA-44 PAGE 8 associated with the crowded and substandard urban conditions that characterized many growing cities at this time. The concept of grand free-lined boulevards was popularized by Haussmann's redevelopment of Paris and adopted in many American cities in the nineteenth century. The Picturesque suburban tract added the concept of the winding lane, which became inextricably linked with the suburban ideal (Jackson, 1985:76). Llewellyn Park was the first completely planned suburb and the first planned suburb to incorporate undulating roads for an entire community (Jackson, 1985:73). In addition to the street design, the design of Llewellyn Park included an open space within the development to promote the importance of exercise and fresh air. The goal of Llewellyn Park's benefactor was to create a"retreat for a man to exercise his own rights and privileges" (Jackson, 1985:77). The open space at Llewellyn Park was intended to have a naturalistic feel. The naturalistic design expression was felt to reinforce the values of the subdivision designers. Its management was progressive as well. Its care was entrusted to a "Committee of Management,"to be elected by the landowners and whose title was held by three trustees (Jackson, 1985:78). The concept of the curvilinear road and natural open space at the center of the development were unprecedented at the time and became hallmarks of the Picturesque suburb. They can be seen in subsequent developments that emulated this model, including Wellesley Park. Wellesley Park also emulated Llewellyn Park with the design of a formal gatehouse and in the management concept for the central open space. Llewellyn Park began the tradition of carefully planned suburbs that was to be a central concern of American and British architects in the twentieth century. This and later similar models `attracted families . . . away from cities by creating a complete environment that fulfilled expectations of a tranquil life, close to nature, with urban comforts' (Jackson, 1985:79). While Llewellyn Park was popularly received, however, the concept of suburban development on large lots (they were two acres in size) in a park-like setting, as well as the cost and time of the railroad commute, ensured that this and similar developments were reserved for the well- to-do. Precedent for the design of Wellesley Park on the west coast was established by Olmsted in the Berkeley tract, if only in the streetscape design. The Berkeley Property tract was Olmsted's first fully developed landscape plan for a residential suburb and served as a model for his subsequent residential tract boulevards. Similar to Llewellyn Park, Olmsted intended the Berkeley tract to be an exclusive