Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1865-10-10
Oman the Park.

EDITORS LEADER: Your several articles,
publishedI'duriug the past two weeks, rela-
tive to the scarcity of stores, giving instan-
ees of several gentlemen looming to this
city for the purpose of going into business,
with large capital, who were compelled to
go elsewhere on account of not being able
to rent any stores" &c, very forcibly re-
minds us of the foolish embargo placed upon
our principal business street by the IN
slightly fence stretched acrossit at the Park.
Why In the name Of common sense it has
been allowed to trespass there so long it is
hard to tell. It was placed there at a period
in the growth of our city, when the demand
for stores wac sufficiently supplied by struc-
ttres at the lower end of Superior street.
But even then there was so much opposition
to iton the part Of those most interested in
the future advancement Of our beautiful
city, that it was thought necessary to per
form the work of closing is at night-a tit
time for such a foolish act.
As far as ornamentation goes, it is a deeid-
ed failure. Instead of being a resort, as it was
fondiy hoped it would be, for children
nurses, and old people to come and "breathe
the fresh air" and lounge around generally,
the seats placed there for that purpose were
constantly filed with l%oafers, who created
such a nuisance that the authorities were
compelled to remove the seats. Now the
whole space between the sidewalks is use
less for any purpose whatever, and is unOc-
eupied by tree, or shrub, or living thing, or
aught except the Perry statue, which, by
the way, would look more like living per-
sonation of the hero if the iron fence eneir-
cling its base were contracted into proper
limits. This fence is the same II
that surrounded the fountain while it occu-
pied the site of the statue, and was replaced
there without regard TO its relative fitness.
1t has always been a wonder to me, that the
artist ever allowed his statue to be dwarfed
by such an immense surrounding. Let the
City Fathers curtail that railing to its proper
size, take away the fences across the streets
and pave through, thereby giving a straight
drive through the whole length Of the street,
and they viii receive the thanks Of thous-
ands of our citizens. There are many peo-
pie among us, especially late corners, who
suppose that the fence was placed there in
consequence Of some old organic law, proba-
bly, originating simultaneously with the Com
necticut blue laws which fastens the nuisance
upon us withoutremedy. 1t was simply a freak
of some of the members Of the City Council,
backed up by interested property owners,
who were pitted on the back by some
enthusiastic lovers of Nature, who supposed
they were going to have asplendid "breath-
ing place" after coming out Of our very
HurF0s0 and t~oTtn0uS avenues. Now that
the May property is to be removed and the
street open TO that point, why not make one
straight line through its entire lengthl
This will extend facilities for business east
of the Square, making the Post Office and
Cases building the centre of trade, and
also making Superior street what it should
be, the most splendid business street in the
country. Now it is a decided nuisance, and
1t is a waste of time to be obliged to turn the |
sharp corners in passing around the Square.
This has forced BUSINESS in some degree
upon side streets, but NJ zone with large cap
ltal would wish to invest in that direction
If he could locate upon the principal street.
My plan would be to leave the inside of the
Park along the walks withoutfencing. This, |
by paving in a curve around tho statue, ON
each side, as is frequently lone in cities in
the old country, would enhance the beauty
the Park and street, as well as facilitate
business.
l have touched thus lightly upon this i'm
subject for the purpose Of obtaining,
if possible, the reason Why the street is thus
blocked up, and of what earthly use to any
me Is the open space between the walks as
t now is. S..