Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-05-20
rnEcr1EeRAnk oessfIok.
a Serious Proposition 30 Make Par
in Edgefirld for Nashville.
Ug.t.-. III.

Editors Union and Dispatch
II is gratifyingto know, that there is a
constantly growing interest, in the subject Of
acity park. That there should be variety
Of views and grea. difference Of opinion,
az to its proper location, is by no means
matter Of surprise. Any improvement of
so vital an importance, destined to be as
permanent as the city itself, ought to re;
ceive the most careful consideration.
To be confined, however, TO the needs Of
the present hour, and TO consult the private
interests and bases OF to-day, with no
vice forecast az 10 the demands Of great
and ever increasing city, would evidently
circumscribe all plans and arrangements.
in that direction. to the meagerest dimen-
sions and adapted only TO our Immediate
necessities. .F-Ft az ty..
But when we consider that Nashville is
both by geographical position and the COM
bination so far and pre-Occupatlon the met
ropolitan and central city of Tennessee,
State, which is second to none, no her VAST
resources Of both soil and minerals, and as
yet, both in their germinal growth-we
naturally look forward to a period, not
very remote, when population OF from
100000 to 100000 fifty to one hun
dred thousand, shalt be settled on
both sides of the river, mingling IN
daily intercourse and mutually identified
in business. the Cumberland being only
an intervening line of beauty, use and ne
cessity. offering advantages to residents on
either side. peculiar and different from the
other. so that il may be difficult for any
one TO predict where the greater number
NAV eventually dwell. We shall then
have a standpoint from which to survey,
with more comprehensiveness, the most
desirable and feasible location for public
park. becoming the conditions, wants and
taste. of the teeming multitudes on both
sides of the river for all time to come.
One has only to cast his eye on the east, or
Edge6eld border, over the one hundred
and more acres, now unOccupled, south OF
the Suspension Bridge, to see at glance
the great susceptiDilities Of improvement
and ornamentation, az well az nearness and
accessibility to all classes. With the on
ward growth and wealth, of both the city
and country, free bridges will as certainly
span the barrier between the two cities,
Nashville and Edgefield, as the same sun
shall shine upon both, and with the at
tractive features Of a magnificent park
uniting the two at their natural boundary,
the river. No more central, convenient
and easily adapted grounds could be any
where found or desired. That which, at
first, might seem an objection to this loca-
ton, TO wit: the occasional overflow, would
by the very process of its prevention, Sc
cure raised carriage drive, OF rare beauty
and equality of surface, on dyke OF say
eight or ten feet, of an elevation, sklrtlng the
river bank for over a mile, already for the
enduring shade, and possessing natural
fertility of soil 80 great that shrubbery,
and even trees, would grow with rapidly
unsurpassed in any other situation, SO thar
in brief space of time, high and shady
Boulevard might be obtained alike for the
health-seeking pedestrian, as well as Tor
the pleasure loving, and dashing charloteer.
The approach to the park from the Nash
willie side would be one of easy facility
and refreshing delight. In an aesthetic
point of view, the elevated crossing OF a
river on bridge of graceful proportions,
and strikingly skillful mechanism, suspend
ed in mid air, with opening yistas of beauty
on either hand, is of itself, pleasurabie
foretaste Of the more extended and varied
/ charms of drive along a water border,
overlooking the artistic groupings OF
yegetatiye creations, such as a cultivated
taste would arrange in the proper dlstrbu-
ton of flowers, plants and trees, Tor all
appreaiative visitants. But step from
the busy thoroughfares of the city, ana
once upon the overarching vladuci, with
the contemplated park grounds in full
view, none can question the exhllarating
emotions of the anticipated delights
beyond. The health producing influences
of bouyant spirits and pleasing expeeta-
| tions of innocent eniOyments are all affect
| ed hy the surroundings and conditions, thai
lead 10 their qualification. What otheI
| approach comparable TO this location, car
anywhere be found, in such proximity t.
the people, aud 80 admirably adapted iol
the use proposed
Here we have a betting Of river banl
line, always securing an open space
some three hundred yards IN width, oiier
ing no distractions to free currents OF ar
cooling the temperature by the presence Q
moisture. removed from disagreeable sight
|
10 be met with in the suburbs Of all larg
citiea-all combining to produce advantage
too great to be overlooked in deternininI
30 important question as il here presented
While the writer would not disparage an.
other location, yet he would earnestly cal
attention 10 this as the most central in vie'
of our future growth aud prosperity, th
easiest Of access, the lowest in first cost In
cheapest to improve, and in its approache
and surroundings, az full OF scenic beaut
and LONELINESS az both land and water ca
unite to make it. Many and further az
vantages might be enumerated in selectln
these grounds, such as fountain, ponds an
great facility of grading, with beds of con
tiguous gravel, and nowhere any interver
ing rock to i'm pede or render expensive III
construction OF any work of art or ulilit,
But what is now sought is to direct an III
BIASED and wise Judgment in the matter
this proposed location, without enterin
into tba minor details and specification