The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-01-19
THE PARK QUESTION.

IL the city In Condition In Buy Park
GroundS-The island ProIect-The Pen.
Ursula Grounds argument In Favor
OF wheeling Hill.
Editors Intelligencer.
Itappears from tho proceedings OF the
City Council, and from articlesin the pub
lie prints, that certain gentlemen have
proposed to sell to the city for public
park, at the sum OF forty thousand dollars
a few acres of low lying land Subject 10
overflow on the west bank OF Wheeling
Island, commonly known as the Fair
Grounds. And this proposition has de.
yeloped the fact that there are other SELF
sacrificing gentlemen who have lands on
the Island which they too are willing TO
sell to the city for that purpose. II there
exists general desire that the city should
undertake at this time 10 secure land for
a park am not aware Of it, and the pres
ent agitation OF the matter no doubt
originates with those who wish TO sell.
II NAV well be doubted whether
our present financial condition, consider
ing other pressing needs, will justify the
undertaking. But taking for granted the
expediency, and also the general desire
for a public parks the Island the place
for il? A little reflection must assure a
negative answer to this query from any
who will keep in mind the considerations
that would influence its location. A pub.
lie park is supposed to be Intended Tor the
general good, and should be located as
near as may be practicable TO- the mass OF
that population for whose benefit It Is
designed and should be accessible 10 them
without involuntary cost at all times: Do
the fair grounds, or any other available
lands on the Island, satisfy these require
ments? Assuredly not. They might
serve as heretofore, as a convenient dri.
wing ground for the few who have horses
TO display, and who can afford the exact
ing contributions levied by the Bridge
Company.
But a public park is for others as well as
those who have horses and leisure, and
should be q convenient retreat from the
heat and dust OF the city for tired men
and women, and for children-where all
could find pure air and recreation with.
out money and without price," The oh.
iections to the Island grounds, briefly
stated, are distance, flat marshy surface,
liability To overflow and bridge tolls.
Each one OF these is serious, and combin.
ed would seem insuperable, and should
forbid the serious consideration OIL such
expenditure in that direction by the city.
But, it will be asked, where ia there a
more suitable location? The answer can
only be made after q careful investigation
and mature consideration, and unless
suitable land can be obtained, it were wiser
to do without any, than to buy that which
is absolutely unsuited to the purpose in
view. The land crossed by the new road
to Fulton, and known as the Peninsula,
certainly possesses advantages for superior
to the Island, for public park, and would
be more accessible in every way,and with
outany expense for tolls. With its romantic
surroundings, high rolling surface, and
general susceptibilities, 1t could be made
beautiful and attractive resort. Can 1t be
had at fair price? Let us hear from the
owners.
II this city is to acquire a possession
dignifed with the name Of park, let it be
something creditable, and which will
really secure to our people the advantages
expected, and not q miserable sham TO be
ashamed OF. Perhaps the best thing, and
certainly the least expensive, which the
city could undertake at this time, in the
direction Of public grounds, would be 10
improve the possessions We already have
on Wheeling hill. The expenditure oil a
few thousand dollars there in making a
good drive along its summit, lined with
trees, and the planting OF other trees and
Strawberries, with walks, terraces &C.,
along its slopes, would make really de-
sirable, pleasant and unique resort, easily
accessible by good roads at either end, for
we have the National Road at one extrem-
ity, and the road from Twelfth street at the
other, can readily be made all that is
needed. Beside afTording an attractive
resort, it would be pleasant object of
vision from our streets, instead OF the
bleak and barren one 1t now is.
Whatever shall be done in acquiring
ground for Park, let it not be hasty ac-
ton to be repented Of at leisure.
CITIZEN.