The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-08-16
GheGtttelIiqenrer;
shaIl We Haye Some Parks :

snail we have some Fafks
A resolution was introduced IN tn
First Branch of Conncil last even
to raise special committee to in
quire into the desirability of fencing
the city common on the west sidI
Of Wheeling hill, north Of Madison street
witha view Of adjoining II with trees
shrubbery, walks, &c, for use as q public
park, The resolution also proposes thai
the committee shall consider the eXpe'
diency of procuring grounds for parks iu
other parts Of the city
We are very glad, indeed, that this mat
ter has been brought to the attention Of
Council and of the public, We have here
a population of over 10000 people, who
work rs hard and need recreation rs mnCh
as any other 10000 people in the United
States and yet there is not within the lin.
its Of the city single breathing place
where our citizens and their wives and
children can find shade, fresh air and rest,
in the open air. We must stay in our
houses, or walk thestreets or drive several
miles into the country. A few are able
10 drive ont OF town when they want
fresh air, but the many can not; and
II is the many, too who need It most,
There isreally nothing that so beauties
city, nothing that goes SO far to make it
II desirable place OF residence, rs open
squares scattered through It, with trees
and grass and fountains, where in tho
pleasant season people who arc weary of
confinement indoors may walk, or rest, in
the open air, where children and invallds
may be aired, without the trouble and ex.
ponse of going to the country. The utter
want Of anything like park hero Is
always noted by strangers and it is set
down to the disadvantage Of our city,
as indicating either a want of taste or of
liberality, We do not believe It results
from either, but rather from neglect.
Want Of room, some one may say. There
IA not great deal of room. to he sure
yet there Is enough, for II is surprising
how pleasant place may be made with
the aid Of trees and grass ont Of very
small piece o: ground.
The city commons on the side hill IA
much more susceptible of being improved
than might at first view be supposed. The
ground must embrace twenty or thirty
Acres, and whoever has been over II,
knows 1t is NOT 80 steep hut roads and ter
races properly laid out may make every
part Of II easily accessible. There il Il
single drawback, the lack of water for
fountains and for purposes of irrigation,
though that can be supplied. Inall other
respects the elevation Is m advantage, as
alIordlng delightful views and inspiring
breeaea. Itis n great pity the original
forest was ever cut off that hill. But
trees of considerable size can be grown In
IL few years, and the sooner they orn plant |
ed the sooner they will he trees One
generation owes something 10 the next
indeed lives for II. Those who eypect
their children to live in Wheeling ought
to desire that II be made as pleasant and
attractivea home for them as II may no
made. Many who are living now may
not live to at under the lrces Of the pro.
posed parks, but the children for whose
welfare they strive early and late, will.
Whoever plants a tree, whoever makes
spot oI beauty, confers benefit on his rel.
low creatures lie makes sensible ad.
dltionto their enloymenis as well rs Ills
own. Cannot we do something's as a com.
munity to make Our city in the summer
more slightly, more pleasant to the senses,
more enjoyable to our own people and
moro inviting to strangers We complain
much about street loaIiug, and yet had as
his is there Is reason for It which goes
lar to excuse It, Man is social animal
ind one that in pleasant weather cannot