Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-10-31
A New Park Project.

Americans who have not Travelled
abroad labor under the impression that
the great parks Of the world are in this
country. This il a mistake Central
Park in New York, Paramount in Phila-
deIphia. Druid Hill in Baltimore, and
Lake Side in Chicago are very fine. and
are the pride Of the cities in which they
are located, but they are not to be CONF
pared To those Of Europe. The govern
ments Of Europe have been very careiul
to provide places where the people oil the
treat cities can. in their hours OF leisure
enjoy the sight Of trees and green grass,
hear the songs Of birds and breathe the
fresh air They understand the advantages
II marks. and know from experience that
money spent on them is not thrown away
Tbe late DR.. Arnold used TO call our pref
IL little parks 1.-The lungs Of the town.
Forsyth Place is pretty, and its attrac-
tions are fully appreciated. We are in
lebted to the late Mr.. HOdgson for 1t. lie
was an honOred and philosophical Cit
zen. Ii Is. however, too small for our
wants. The time has come for making
preparations for a park worthy OF the
future ofthe city. The twenty-six little
public squares which are scattered about
the city answer a good purpose, but they
don't answer the same purpose that
large park does. Savannah IS, per-
hans. better OF in the way OF
marks than any city Of her GLASS
in the country. That is no reason,
however. why she should not increase her
attractions. We wish TO suggest a line
Of action Tor the City Council in this mat
ter. The city has still thirteen city lots.
all Of which are quite valuable. At pub
lie auction they would sell for at least
$500 apiece. For the money realized from
them 2.OiO acres Of land suitable for park
uurposes. and within from one to three
miles OF the extended city limits, could
be obtained. One-half of the tract should
be set apart for park, and the other half
should be divided into building lots. We
advise that the land be bought now, be-
cause il can be bought cheap. 1t viii not
occasion the city any expense. All that
will he necessary in the way Of improve
ments for years will be To cut few roads
through it. and, perhaps, plant few
trees. Ii NAV be that land can be had
that has all the trees necessary. In time
i'm our opinion in a very few years-there
would be a demand for the lots, and they
would furnish the money to improve the
park. There may be some who have
doubts about the future Of Savannah.
We are.nOt troubled in that way. The
CITY has shown a steady and healthy
growth for many years. Many Of our
citizens remember when it was quite
a small town. Now it is a city Of
900 people. The entire South Is grow
ing rapidly. and Savannah is certain to
keep pace with that growth. Other rail-
WAYS. seeking the seaboard, are certain
/ 10 be built here. The surrounding coun-
/ try will be settled up and will furnish
| trade. Now is the time TO secure the land
| necessary for park. The money to
carry out our suggestion can be OBJ
/ tanned in the way stated. In no
other way. perhaps, will the ID city
| lots ever DE Of any great benefit to the
city. The city administration that takes
hold Of this park subject will occupy as
/ high place in public estimation as the
\ administration which secured the Spring
/ field plantation, HutchinsOn's Island, and
/ other lands which are now controlled by
/ the city in the interest Of public health.