''The park throughout is a single work of art, and as such, subject to the primary law of every work of art, namely, that it shall be framed upon a single, noble motive, to which the design of all its parts, in some more or less subtle way, shall be confluent and helpful.''Frederick Law Olmsted Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903) for decades guided the development of cities and suburbs across the United States, leaving a well-known legacy of winding parkways and urban green preserves that are enjoyed, studied, and protected today. Although he never wrote a single, comprehensive treatise explaining and defending his theories, Olmsted's plans and reports offer a rich opportunity to trace the innovative ideas about landscape architecture and urban design. These documents also help to explain why historians, landscape architects, conservationists, city planners, students, and citizens' groups continue to turn to Olmsted for ideas about the development and conservation of green spaces in urban areas. Writings on Public Parks, Parkways, and Park Systems collects in one volume Olmsted's reports on major plans for parks, parkways, and park systems across the continent. Through these writingsspanning forty years and covering work in places as diverse as Detroit, Montreal, Buffalo, New York City, Cincinnati, and BostonOlmsted explains what qualities of scenery are important in landscape architecture, how parks should be managed, and why green spaces are crucial to city life. The editors have gathered a rich assortment of documents that make clear as never before the wide-ranging talents and civic devotion of this important American figure.
