, 1874-08-31
CHARTER Chk PARK.
correspondenee NJ The C7icaqo Tribune,


HARTFORD, Conn., Aug. %, 1874.
This week las Witnessed the Inauguration Of
Chartor Oak Park, which has been two yearB or
moro in tho works, ara is at 1eugth 10 far COM
pleted o. to be available for tho races. Tho sue
cess which has attended tho first meeting, Us
vol as the beauty and pertnanoroy Of af tho ar
rnngements In aud about tho par1t, mako it
worthy OF brief notice.
1t was started Rs private enterprise, and tho
managers determined to prodnce tho abandonment
park in New England, and a track which could
not be excollea in tile country for Bpoed. It is
distant from the city . pleasant drive Of 1lfteon
minutes, les adjacent to two railroads, and III
reached by spocial trains oyery ten minutes dur
ing the races
Tho original purchase was $50 acres. Tho Gus
tomary board d-fouco has given place to QUO Of
moro ornamental design, which iucloscs 60 acros
in the park proper. 1t il onsered By spacious
driveway, tho cato being q brown stone baso
surmountedb by ornamental woodwork. Opposite
the gateway, ut the farther ond OF tho track,
atnud tho stables, s,-box-stAllB to accommodate
100 or moro horses Tho stables statld Oh M
elevation, airy aud dry, eud overlook tho entiro
parlr, 80 that owners Of horses, atRudipg ut tho
barns can watch their htoeaa the entire liStance
whcther in exercise or in tho race. Tho grand
stand IL built OF heavy timber, In the most SUBJ
lAl u!ikIAoE, F@aluLGu ANA UluA~
lneutcd, and will easly sent 900 persons. Under
ieatl this two largo hal!B for agricultural o1h-
bitious, ,und, in connection Herewith, refreshments
rooms, and ample closctB and arcsslng-roons
for both ladies' aud gcutlemon. oyor tho 1udgos''
stand nro tho teloSraph-oflice and reporters
quarters,- laster being fitted up under tho
supervision OF A1r. Burr, Of tho Hartford Times,
and vorr conveniently arranged. Tho Associa-
tou have laid over 1000 feet Of water-pipo, bo-
sitles what tho city have aid, which supplies to
sun*fn1 of fha ffrnt1t>tI9 oht1njnnr1 nf
pure spring water from tho mountains back.
JUST outside the ipcloburo 10 nn onk-groye,
wloro tho Association purpose spending con-
siderable sum OF money in characterization. A
fountain will De piAcea iii the oentre, aud drive
ways, walls, sottees aud all tho Embellishments
which tend to make such place attractive, will
DO added without regard to tho expense: Tho
deaigu il to mako Charter Oak Fork place OF
public resort ut nll soasona OF tho year, md ono
Of the ATTRACTIONS Of the city.
It il, tho track to which especial attention llas
been gircn. Tic managers were determined to
produce fast" track, aud the matter OF OK
penFa waa no item In thu account. Tho aurvey
WAS conducted by Alr. Timothy Dra1so, of Hart
ford acting under the direction OF tho horaetnon
OF tis vicinity, who have used and aro fnmlliar
with nil tho noted trottng coursoa. Tho dis
tance betwoop tho homo anl tacli strotch il 357
feet; tho width of tho track is Gu feet, and It is
divided into four nearly oqlal partB,-t two
curycH aud tho home ana baels-htroooa being n
quarter Of mile each. II il as leyol as floor,
except on tho curves, whore it rsos from tho in
| sde ont to assist tho wagons iu the turn. THO
| bed il laid with mixture Of gravel and loan,
thoroughly packed aud rolled. A1r. Seth Grif--
fin. Of Elyrlla, o., who Las had churgo
| Of tho track tho paat woak, has put
/ llia now 'lat,d-leyo1or into operation,
aud every night puts tho track III excellent
condition for tho noxt tIayB work. The drivers
[ are all pleased with tho course and tho tnani-
nous verdict il, that, after the improvement of
| two or three years' wear, 1t viii be d very fast
| ono.
Ono hundred and ton thousand dollars has nl-
ready boen exponaen oa Ill., 1Mo eaounoa, asia Inc
| grand stand IL really picturesque. Tho tasty
buildings erected oil the grounds. tue troea
scattered about wherever thoy will not obstr,lct
tho view, ths large gEovo outside, a wido stretch
| OF green moadow-Ialit!, and tho mountains 2 Or
. 1nilos diasant, mako u visit to Chat tar Oak
Park enjoyable, even though ono ii not interest
| ed In tbs races. From preaont appoarancoa, it
will coon be ono of tho famous parks Of ehe
| country. g