The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-07-10
CITY 1NTnLLIGEHCE.
PARAMOUNT PARK.
and RSsTEls'IyST SEn; L Ts'

compare il with similar ,tbin IN SeV1 years to
come over all others in point OF hatutAl ceauy ynt @I
artificial adornment IL Is Is tns tdscSssioS in private cir
cles: and all this simply because g. IL ~ oS the
attention OF every one, los st m ~ ntorost and n inst
Community has an immediate interest," anu JusU
pride ,orro Of the Park was formed in 1919, when
Ihe gem we're g purchased at the bluff Of "Faire
iIo1nt y as the site OF water works and re-
servor the city and II is Oy ya StG n bas attained
ifs present enormous size ana BreaI, Poppu-
iarity Yet the people nave NV TO be
nd will never be satisfied with IL until IL Is tne nrsI IN
the country IL is not the nOsC S shImy WV o is n
ane without which philadelphia WOulu De HuCu
more nat and irksome place IN Mnich 10 ] spGmd ie m
warm season than IL really is From its Orlgnal IN
fantle proportions Il has grown to be three tmes as
large as the most renowned PARK IN ~ NSn- S
traI of New York II possesses IN ltsel auV
snneTer 10 those OF any site chosen by other Cities
for this purpose; it has city oil S9OOOO lnha3l, @
tonts and of solid wealth, that should give IL the
hnar,iest snnnort: and It is under the management
of n bOdy OF gentlemen supposed 10 nave 9i pe9h
chosen for their integrity, enterprise, and skll,
whose snecal duty it is to adOrn what nature mas
already made beautiful, and TO renuSr every
Taciiity for its complete enjoyment as well by the
moor workingman as by the opulent banker OF proud
jnheritor of estates These latter are tie InoIiiy
here the former are the majority, au m Vno Innity
tion upon which the prosperity OF the community
rests The projects of these gentlemen, TO present
to the public grand garden for pleasure anu health
were numerous and various the hills, where rugged,
were TO be smoothed; the most inviting spots, ana
those commanding the finest views, TO be maze az
he decked with nower-plats and shade trees, anu
among them winding footpaths, and even drlyeS;
the sharp corners TO be rounded OIL with marble
fountains from which the pure water should leap
and sparkle temptingly as TO provoke IhlrsI, anu
graceful statuary; the shining placid river 10 De
traversed by CANDY pleasure boats, anu Hheu WIN
handsome landings the slopes OF the mus 70
shady retreats. In short, the picture as
drawn in the high colors Of rumor year or so ago,
was truly fascinating, and from 1t the people might
have had reason for expecting within lew years,
theirs be the most elegant aud attractive PARK IN
the country. These dreams might have been now
partially realized had City Councils given the COM
missioners their hearty corporation, ana may YET
the full Importance of the subject. For, though
some of the members OF the commission may not
take the Interest i'm the matter entrusted to len
that the public is entitled to expect, yet there are
others who active, and who desire and know how
TO effect that which is requisite in the premises II
they are properly supported. With the limited
at their disposal, the commissioners nave set
themselves to work, and so far have given the com
munity no well-founded cause OF complaint.
Among the recent and most prominent features
added by them is the delightful road opened anl
dedicated only few days ago, and then known a5
the Vista Drive This is a new thoroughiare, en-
tirely on the west side OF the river, which creepS
over the gentle hills and gIides through lovely
wales, alternately in glades and open fields; 1t is
fountains for the 1elreshment of man and horse,
and stiles for the convenience of alighting and re-
mounting; and for summer u5e-for it is not yet
complete-itis is a most charming addition. great
portion Of it passes over the Landsdowne estate for
which reason its name has lately been changed from
the "Vista" to the "Landsdowne Drive"
This beautiful piece of land was several years ago
bought cheap at Sherrs sale by several public
spirited gentlemen, who generously let the city have
it for what they paid for IT. themselves making no
other gain than the qualification OF believing that
they had done good deed, for which the gratitude
OF the community is due them just below Belmont
avenue branch from the main drive is made, lead
ing 10 Belmont Cottage EJudge Peters manson) and
at Georges Nm is another branch leading to the
same point. From the junction Of these branches
an extension is to be made 10 the romantic spo
coll lah = II IA
wider than the present drive. This improve
ment is, or when completed will be- the mos
pleasing that has yet been attempted; but II ma!
attaching to it the objection that is applicable t
most OF the attractions west of the river, Vl tnat
can be enjoyed only by those who can afford tht
EXPENSE OF horse and carriage, while the poor maj
sees nothing of the wondrous beauties that are dis
labor of a long and fatigung walk over It's course
The means of remedying this defect should con
Btanty occupy the minds of the commissioners, unit
they have devised something satisfactory AS yet NJ
active measure has been taken in regard TO this pu
a suggestion has been made which at least show
that the objection is evident to others The Presden
of the Reading Railroad Company, whose road rum
has offered If allowed by the commissioners, to buiC
neat stations at short distances from each othe
within the boundaries, and to send special pari
trains to these localities three four times day
using slow and safe rate OF speed and charging
passengers very moderate fares. Horse cars
would perhaps be preferable to steam trains
and an adoption of the wagOnette of Central Park
might not be a futile experiment; in fact, the two
combined if owned and properly managed by thu
commission, would in all probability defray thu
entire expense Of keeping the park In good repair
Even in the discussion OF park matters the mucl
abused and still impertnent tVelocipede intrudes it
self. THE EVENING TELEGRAPH first called attention
TO the trouble ana annoyance the bicycles caused
riders and pedestrians by dartng violently or stag
gering tpsiy against every one, and consequently
the commissioners have issued an edlct prohibiting
their introduction within the enclosure. Dogs with
out muzzles or chains are included in this order.
Music, under the efficient leadership OF Dr. William
r. CunningtOn, has been secured at the expense o.
the commission, and every Wednesday and Satur
day afternoon We are treated to the most popular
and select airs rendered in the best style. The Doc
tors band is not large, but 1t Is composed of those
who thoroughly understand their business, and
from the character OF the melodies and the scrupu.
lous correctness with which they are performed il
cannot be doubted that they tend to cultivate and
renne the general taste for music. The music
OF group OF noble forest trees and imme-
diatey around 1t five hundred settees, which
were recently procured, have been distributed.
that certain private gentlemen would engage
an orchestra for park service and that seve-
raj railway companies would combine to dc
the same, so that there would be music nearly
every day; but both projects now appear to have
Deeh aDahIoheG. Az dlnerent points along the edge
OF the West Park are to be gates OF entrance where
begin elegant drives to the centre or TO the east
SIDE. These are now designated by painted signs
apprlsng the observer that they only temporary
The permanent gates are to be of iron railing, sus
pended from stone pillars and these latter sur
mounted by pieces Of statuary; which VIII be steI
These various entrances will be known as tn,
MSntua, Landsdowne, Georges, Montgomery Bel
special Park Guard has been organized, clothed
in anew and snowy uniform, and quartered in the
old Rialto House (Which was included in the appro
prlatlon) and so far they nave conducted them
selves In the most satisfactory manner.
Thus have been noted the principal events OF ou
PARK tnat have occurred OF late, and, Comparatively
right wei Certainly better than ever before. W6e
we recolect only year back we now find the availa
BILE parts more spacious and beautiful and II the
soon find themselves possessed OF a very eegan
IN a 10