The daily gazette., 1883-04-30
THE NEW PARK.
Council Looks at the GrOund-The Scheme
Meeting With but Little Favor.

NDR VNth Duh AASbAo FhNOEs
tSundaY star.l
A special meeting of City Council was held
yesterday afternoon for the purpose of view
ing the ground of the proposed new public
park.
Council first met ut the City Hall at Q
O'Clock, President Cohrad in the chair.
After roll call Mr.. Bailey offered q resolu-
ton which was, after some discussion, re-
fered back to the Finance Committee. The
resolution provided for the payment Of $625
to the Clerk of Council for copying the two
assessment books of the city. The Clerk
was instructed to proceed with the work as
rapidly as possible as the books will be
needed about the 18th of June.
Council then adjourned to meet at Mt.
Sal m Church where good view of the
ground which William Bancroft proposes
donating to the city was obtained; and also
view of the Law property, which immedi-
ately adjourus that of Bancroft's
and which the commissioners
purpose buying.
From the steeple of the church William
M. Candy and William Bancroft pointed
out the boundary lines of the land, after
which Council travelled over the whole
tract, about 80 acres Ia all.
The land is mostly cleared with the excep-
tion OF that part lying close to Dupont's
property along the creek, which is rugged
and slightly wooded.
At no point does the land donated by the
Bancrofts run to the Brandywine, but it is
un ierstood that while the Duponts will not
deed the creek land to the city they will al
low 1t to be used as park.
The members of Council were questioned
by a representative of The Star as to their
views upon the matter, and while they were
non-committal in their remarks there
seemed to be a decided opinion that, while
the donation was a very liberal one, the
costs OF turning the land into an acceptable
pleasure resolt for the citizens would be
very great and at present of doubtful ex-
pediency.
A. z. Beecher thought that the land
fronting on the Brandywine was what was
wanted for park. He was not positive
whether the taking of the land now offered
would prove acceptable tu the citizens.
Mr. McKenna, said 1t was a gigantic un-
dertaking for little Wilmington, and he was
rather opposed to tie project.
Mr.. Denny said: 81 think the streets In the
city should be improved before expepdinp
money on park. II everything In the city
was complete II would be well enough to
think of turning the surplus money into a
park "
Mr.. Eastbnrn said: ''I am favorably i'm
pressed with the project, although it would
take thousands OF dollars to fix 1t up"
81 am disappointed" said Mr.. Miller in
answer to the reporters question. 81 was
under the impression that the land extended
TO the Brandywine, but am neither in favor
nor against 1t at the present time"
"lt's pretty far away from the city," said
G. W. Talley; "but the offer of the Bancrofts
is a handsome one, and l don't doubt but
that the city will extend to the limits
of the park in q very few years."
Mr.. Bailey thought that a matter of SO
grave an Importance as city park ON the
proposed land shoul be referred to the peo.
pie. 81 would like to see a nice park, ;" said
he, "but am Lot in favor of those in legisla-
tive power assuming too much"
Mr.. Blake said ~ think very much bet
ter of it since seeing the land which was rep
could not be utilized"
81 don't know what to think of it," said
Mr.. Shaw. "a park would be very nice
thing for the intermediate classes, but have
not made up my mind what to do In the
meeting on Thursday next"
MIR. Grubb said the matter had been
sprung upon him so suddenly that he had
not made up his mind as to his course in the
matter ~ will be governed by what the peo-
pie of the ward l represent think OF the
matter, and will not consult my own pleas
ure in the scheme"
David Smith said 81 am not prepared to
say much about the matter. No doubt a
park would benefit the people of this 10
cality. But can't say for tie other wards.
The offer of the Bancroft's is certainly a
very liberal one."
Messrs. Candy and Bancroft accompanied
the Councilmen over the grounds and
pointed out the boundary lines and answered
all questions with reference to obtaining
possession of the adjoining lands,
Several members are rather opposed to
the commission compelling the owners of
the Law property to sell. This tract con-
tains 81 acres, for which the owners want
$50, 900. The commission rather thinks that
half the amount should be satisfactory.
President Conrad did not go with Council
on its tedious jaunt, and at the second roll
call taken at Mt. Salem Church, Mr.. Bailey
was chosen chairman.
The party after short visit to Colqu-
houn's drug store returned to the Hall
about $50 o'clock.