Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-08-21
ALEXANDRIA,. VA.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 81, 1872

-
SHALL We HAVE PARK?-Sincc the sub
ject has been preached, this question has,
doubtless, been in ma ny minds, and, perhaps
on many lips. With the young, the answer
rising from hearts with which to wish is to ex
pect, has been, probably, in the affirmative
with the old, who are used to seeing plans fail,
it has been, more likely, in the negative. Have
the men of action; those through whose efforts,
if at all, we must have the park, given any
thought to the subject? That the possession
of park is desirable, no one will question; the
point is ''how are We to get it, One dismiss
es the subject with the single word, ''humbug =
another thinks of the Corporation debt, and
says, 'it,s impossible, third is afraid it cant
be done; while fourth is not exactly pleased
with the place which has been proposed, but
thinks another location preferable. Let us see
if we cannot make a beginning, at least, of
clearing away these difficulties. In the first
place, what is park? Such of our readers as
have had the pleasure, and it is pleasure
which will cling to the memory, of stroll 10
Central Park in New York, will answer that
it is a grand place, adorned with marble build
ings and statues, with artificial lakes and grot'
toes, which it would cost twice the value OF all
our property to initiate, and, so, we cant have
a park. Some, whose recolections are OF the
five miles along the beautiful Schuylkill, or of
shady rambles amid the old oaks of Druid Hill
will reply that century would be required to
give US park in Alexandria. But what is a
park? A quiet place where people, weary with
the day 5 labor. can come to rest; where the
poor little infants, wasting away With the heat
of summer can be carried to inhale the breeze
which will renew their lease of life; where
those whose brains are racked with cares, and
perplexed witErusiness, can sit for an hour
aud commune with nature, away from the busy
hum of lifes pursuits; where the careworn
housewife can spend an hour, with her children
playing safely around her, when her household
work is done. That is park, and if there be
any man in Alexandria who don't want such
place, We pity that man. But how can we Sc
cure it? 1t is not so difficult we think, as some
imagine. From Franklin street to the creek,
and from Washington street to the river, there
are very few houses, and there are good
many trees; the whole tract contains in round
numbers, say one hundred acres, exclusive Of
the streets OF this, considerable portion is
marsh land, of little value, and, it is said that
some can be secured without cost, through the
public spirit of the owners; donations in cash,
too, it is thought might be obtained, and thus
the expense to those who undertake the matter,
will be materially lessened. All that would be ne
cessary, at first, would be such fence as would
keep out animals, aud this, with the materials
on the ground, would cost but little. But
where" says an ohjcctor, are the trees p
There no doubt, is real difficulty, but not so
great one as is imagined. There are now, on
one part Of the area, very many trees; the rest
must be planted and have time to grow. We,
undoubtedly, shall not have such park as will
fall to the lot of our children and grand child
rem; but will there be no pleasure in providing
for posterity is not the pleasure of creating as
great as that of enjoying? We think it is, and
we have no doubt that if We undertake the
work, we shall enjoy ourselves as much in
watching its progress, seated upon the grass,
bcdeath the few old trees, and gazing upon the
beautiful river rolling calmly before US, as our
grand children, strong through its shady
avenues, or resting themselves upon its elabo
rate seats. The main point is to get the land
After that all is easy. Young trees are cheap,
and if men and boys will get into the work
house, or the Jail, it will be better for them to
work in the open air, than to waste their days
in their dreary prisons, learning new modes Of
crime, and plotting new mischief. By their la
Dor, which would then pay for the bread they
eat, the marsh could be drained, roads made,
=, and trees planted, and, in comparatively few
years, We should have a park as much finer
than Boston Common as two beautiful sheets
= of water can make one. AS to the location, to
(which some have objected, it need but be said
that it is the only one at which advantage could
be taken of the beautiful river scenery we pos.
1sess, and that in no other part of our suburbs
+ it is probable that land could be had as low.
ia -
:" The announcement of the death of Capt H.
ok Davenport, lately in command of the u. s..
"steamer Congress, has occasioned sincere re-