The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1879-06-20


TO meet an increasing desire in the
minds Of the public for the enjoyment of
a modern picnic ground, and also in
recognition of the liberal patronage of
excursions, the managers of the Cen
trail Vermont railroad, in the early
spring of 1873, found the long-looked-
Tor spot, and called it
QUEEN CITY PARK.
1t is situated, as many of our readers
know, on the shores of Shelburne Bay,
about two miles from Burlington, on
the Rutland division of the Central Yer
mont railroad
The entrance to the park is alongside
the main line of the Rutland road,
where platform BIG feet in length by
II in width is built for the accommoda-
tion OF the train-loads of pleasure seek
ers who crowd to this delightful place.
Inside the entrance divcrging paths take
one by circuitous or direct routes TO the
center of the grove, which is plateau
ABOUT seventy-five feet above, and di-
rectiy overlooking Shelburne Bay and
llarbor.
In the centre of the plateau, on an
open space of about four acres, are nu-
merous croquet grounds, with croouet
SETS Tree for use of excursionists.
TIE PAVILION.
AT the rear of the baseball ground is
n handsome pavilion, 50x30; and ad-
joining this neat kitchen and store
room, 4Ox20. The kitchen is supplied
with everything requisite in the way of
cooking utensils, for the free use of
parties occupying the ground. Tables
are provided for the pavilion, where
lunches and dinners can be served.
For the convenience of the kitchen, wa
ter is forced from the lake by hvdrau-
lie ram. Ice water in ample quantities
is supplied to all. The pavilion also af
fords an excellent opportunity for
"tripping the light fantastic" The
view from the pavilion is one of unc.
quallcd
BEAUTY AND GRANDEUR.
AT the foot of the bluff on which the
pavilion stands is the beautiful land
locked bay, with scarcely ripple OH its
glistening surface; while beyond, past
Shelburne Point, can be seen the white.
capped waves of broad Lake Cham
plain. Across this bay is a shpvard
and Shelburne harbor; and back ofI
these, and seemingly close at hand. |
stretching away on either side, the rug
gcd peaks of the majestic Adirondacks |
tower toward the sky; while on the
opposite side of the plateau the Camcl's |
Hump and Mount Mansfield the pride
OF Vermont, rear their lofty heads, the |
whole forming view which cannot be
cXcclled.
Close by the pavilion is n handsome
band stand, eighteen feet in diameter.
and provided with chairs.
Shadowing the pavilion, and extend |
ing out toward the point of the bluff. is !
large grove, so thoroughly shaded bv |
The thick tree-tops that scarcely bit off
sky can be seen above them. In this |
grove is large number of rustic seats, |
''Just large enough for two;" also tables |
surrounded by seats for family circle. |
Here is also large number of ropc and |
patent box swings. The underground in |
this grove has been all cleared of, and
the ground swept as clean as the tidy |
housewives Kitchen floor. In the open
circle fountain supplied by wafer,
forced by steam engine from the |
shores Of the bay, showers its cool, re-
iieshing drops, which the sunlight
transforms into beautiful rainbow col |
Ors.
THE BEACH.
From the plateau a number of paths
descend to the shady beach, most i'm
portant feature of the grounds. The
beach is over mile in length, and 80
ieet IN width, and Icing perfectly dry,
affords a delightful promenade.
BATHING.
At one end of the beach is fine
bathing house with ample accommoda-
tions. The bottom of The Lake here is
smooth, hard sand, entirely free from
stone; and, the water being shallow
not exceeding five feet in depth at 500
feet from the shore--the place is well
adapted to this pleasant and exhilara-
ting exercise. Bathing suits can be had
at the bathing-house from a reliable
person in charge.
RESULT FOR 1878.
The number of persons safely carried
on the different excursions, without an
accident of any nature, was 10000; the
verdict OF all was so complimentary
that the managers felt encouraged TO
increase the facilities.
PROGRAMME FOR 1879.
| In addition to the twenty acres at
first secured, about ten acres have this
season been added. This includes the
grove bordering the park OH the south,
along whose high bank, on the left, Sill
yer Creek winds its way round to the
west, flowing into Lake Champlain.
This new part of the park has been en-
tirelv cleared of underground; and its
beautiful shade trees, with "a pleasing
variety of rise and gentle slope, gradu-
ally falling until meeting the waters of
the lake, combine to render il one of
the most perfect of natures retreats.
Family sets Qable with seats surround
ing iD have been'supplied here, and
rustic seats added, as well as both
kinds increased throughout the park.
LAKE VIEW.
The new addition is said by artists to
present TO the eye gazing toward the
lake, one of the finest views in YER
mont.
BOATS AND BOATING.
These most important and prominent
features of picnics and excursions have
been fully recognized; and the steam
! boat companies of Burlington have
made liberal arrangements for those de-
: string boats, the list including row and
sail boats, yachts and small stcam-tugs,
which will be let at a nominal sum per
hour. a fine dock, a hundred feet long
by ten in width, is completed for the
accommodation of the large boats and
: Jugs.
sTEAMBoAr EXCURSIONS ON LAKE CHAM
is PLAIN
, Arrangements have been made, I'M
der the supervision of ID. &. Linsley,
Esq, with different steamboat compa-
/, mics, for ride round the ''Point' on
the "IIcrald' or "Mariquita" from the
G dock TO Central Wharf, Burlington, for
q fifteen cents each way, tickets foi