The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1870-02-04
0uR CRY PARKa.

We ind in Banerofrs Real Estate Register
for February, which appeared this week, under
the above head, an article which starts out by
stating that 9 number OF short articles have
appeared in the local papers ''looking toward
the destruction Of our parks" II this state
ment had been limited to what Is calledAtW ash
ington Park" that quadraHgular exereseence
| on North Commercial street, then it would
correctly apply to articles which have appear
ed in THE NEWS in that regard, but we wlsh
it to be distinctly and generally understood
that We are decidedlyin favor ofpreserving snd
cultiyating such bits Of ground, IL they are To-
Gated in such q manner as not to thwart the OBJ
ject for which they were intended. We viii
state - our opinion that the park, 50 called,
on Commercial street, in its present shape, can
not, and never will be made pleasant place Of
resort, or an object Of beauty in the town.
First, because C Is the most unsightly square
out Of the one hundred and sixty-eight in the
original town plat. A rayine passes almost
directly through the center Of 1t, which must
necessarily be bridged and filed mp, in order
20 prevent all the improvements put upon the
ground from being destroyed by the foods OF
water which would, otherwise, after every
rain, rush over It; and to bridge and grade 1t
TO the necessary altitude, it would require
larger sum than the town could afford to ap-
propriate to and expend it upon for many years
TO come. We cannot admire the generosity
that selects the meanest article out OF an i'm
mense supply Of the rich and beautiful as q
donation for benevolent purposes, and 1t seems
that the parties who set apart this ground for
she purposes Of q park, to be used as such for
ever, took such particular pains to bestow
piece Of ground that would be the least valu-
able for building purposes, and that would
consequently sell for the least money. thatth
not only prevented the construction Of beau
tiful street, but created deformity which VIII
be as difficult to remove as 1t will be unsightly
TO look upon. Second, it must either stand be-
tween two rows Of stables and out houses be-
longing to the rows Of lots east and west, or
the said stables and out houses must be built
upon the streets next east and west Of Com
mercial, and in either case these very desirable
creations OF necessity must be placed upon one
OF the public streets of the town. II these
stables and out houses are built in proximity
to the park, the ammoniac odors Of the manure
heaps may exert an invigorating influence up
on the vegetable life therein planted, but we
fear they would not encourage the poor man
in the evening, after a hard days labor, to re-
pair thereto with his wife and little ones, ITO
spend an hour in healthful, innocent amuse-
ment," very much. Third. It's an obstruction
in the way OF those who may live north Of the
park, and to the students Of the Normal School
who board south Of It, or an opening must be
made through it, which will forever preclude
the possibility of identifying 1t to any consid-
cradle extent, or growing trees, shrubbery,
flowers and grass to any satisfactory extent
whatever. And we are able to substantive
this fact by severalinstances which have fallen
under our personal observation. II gates are
made on each side, for the accommodation OF
pedestrians, these gates will require the con-
slant attention of some one whose special bus
mess it will be to keep them in repair and clos
ed, otherwise the cattle ofthe town will destroy
every tree and shrub almost as soon as planted.
If the place is tightly fenced, it will be Of no
benefit to anybody as q place Of resort. If it
is kept open constantly for the qualification Of
everybody, the trees will be defaced by the
jack-kniyes Of youthful artists, the ground will
be trodden until the roots Of the trees will be
destroyed or hindered in their ramifications
through the soil, the growth of the trees, If
they ever should reach q respectable size, win
be checked, and If they do not fully die, the
city fathers, as the last resort, will be contin-
ually under the necessity Of giving employ
ment to AN agile and dexterous artist to give q
semblance Of life and respectability to the top
most Dougns Dy repeated appncatlons OF green
paint.
OF course every citizen has an interest in
this park, and SO he has in every street and al
ley, but that does not argue that street should
not be moved IL 1t is to the advantage OF the
community to have it changed; and there is no
good reason that we know OF why this park
should not be abolished OF moved, as the town
may elect. There may be something in the
conditions Of the deed Of bestowal that will
preclude the sale, and If so, it is idle to talk
about disposing Of 1t; but we propose to look
into the matter for ourself, and If we find no
obstacle to prevent the sale of it, we will give
the subject further attention, when we have
more time, or as occasion requires. II 1t is
possible to effect the sale Of It as it now stands
we shall certainly ask that it be sold, and that
the proceeds be used for the purchase Of some
thing better. If it can be moved half square
east or west, then let it be moved, and the citi-
zens who have bought property in the neigh
borhood Of this park because it is park,
we are sure, can indulge their esthetic
tastes with great deal more Of satisfaction
han they will ever be able to do under the
present arrangement.