Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-03-18


ing the same position as does Paramount
to Philadelphia and the great Central park
to New York city-and which, thanks to
the foresight which resulted in its early
purchase at comparatively small outlay
of money.
SUMMIT SQUARE.
The first actual employment of the au-
thority granted by the legislative act of
the past winter for the issue of $4,000
bonds to be used in the purchase OF park
locations, was in the puchase of the trian-
gular tract of land at the head of Third
street on st. Anthony Hill, and formed by
the intersection of Summit and Nelson
avenues and Josette street, known as the
Cullen place. The preiminaries of the
transaction had been consummated, how
ever, before the enactment in question, its
passage simply providing the funds for the
payment, which otherwise would had to
have been provided from some other
source.
| When it was ascertained that this prop
erty was in the market Mr.. Van Slyke,
chairman of the council park committee,
commenced an earnest canvass to interest
the property owners in the vicinity to sub
scribe one-half the sum required for its
purchase, provided the city would appro-
pirate the other half, which he had no
question it would do. Though Mr.. Van
Slyke was untiring in his efforts he was
unsuccessful, and the property was sold to
B. Presley for $4,000. 1t soon transpired
that Mr.. Presley designed dividing the
property in lots and erecting thereon a
number of residences. Mr.. Van Slyke
then went to work and secured a refusal of
the property for $4,000, when
he again commenced canvass
for subscriptions for one-half the
required amount, as above, and this time
he was successful, and the contract for the
purchase was closed early the past winter.
The following are the subscribers to the
J $4,000 fund: Watson & Rice, Jas. Nc
Kay, A. M. Radclif, Henry Nichols, Sadie
Nichols, Sarah Nichols, Z. B. PiIkington.
@. A. Kalman, F. B. Clark, G. S. Crippen,
Geo. Palms, H. S. Fairchild, E. H Cutter,
Geo. r. Finch, Jno. A. Berkey, D. R. Noyes,
| G. 2. Noyes, A. K. Barnum, D. & B.. John
son, Major kelliher, F. P. Wright, R. G.
Munger, j. Ross Nichols, d. W. Ingerson.
VI.
Brack, j. G. Quinby, W. B. Dean, r. NJ.
Newport, A. B. Stickney, Ansel Open
| helm, l.. II. Maxfield, Geo. E, Skinner.
Stanford Newell.
At the last meeting of the council the
! purchase was confirmed, and the appIica-
| ton of the proceeds of $4,000 bonds au-
thorized to be devoted to the payment,
and the park committee viii at once in
! ha 6
the same for park purposes. To this end,
the large brick residence, outbuildings.
fences, ETC., are to be sold at auction. the
proceeds of which will be devoted to fit
ting up the ground. There are a number
of large, fine shade trees on the premises,
and such additional elms and naples will
be set out as may be necessary to
furnish the requisite shade. The
fact that the water works system
is not yet extended to that portion of the
city, will make it necessary to do without
fountain for the present, but it is pro-
posed to supply its place with a large
medallion flower vase heavily ornamented
and standing on renaissance pedestal,
the whole being ten feet in height when in
position, while the diameter of the vase is
four feet four inches, and in depth two
feet-certainly handsome, striking and
most appropriate substitute for a foun-
tain. The cost of such an urn delivered
IN st. Paul will be about $500, which
amount Mr.. Van Slyke thinks there will be
little trouble IN raising by
subscription. The square will
be enclosed by a low ornamental
iron fence built on the curb outside the
sidewalk. which will also be lined with
shade trees. Some floral ornamentauou
Will be made, but to what extent Cannot
now be stated.
MERRIAM PARK.
AS before said, this park is still private
property, but negotiations for its purchase
under the terms of the park act have pro-
ceeded so far that Mr.. Van Slyke is in
hopes to be able to report the consumma-
ton of the contract of purchase to the
next meeting of the council, if not then,
certainly to the meeting following, the
price asked being satisfactory, and there
being no question in his mind that the re-
qulslte half of the purchase money will be
freely subscribed by property owners re-
siding in the vicinity of the park. This
done, immediate measures for the i'm
provement and ornamentation of the park
Will be entered upon, though in what shape
cannot now be stated, the plans to be fol-
lowed not having been fully matured. AS
the central figure of the system, however,
and the Gro owning work of landscape orna-
mentation in the city, Mr.. Van Slyke hopes
to be able to secure such assistance from
the educated and wealthy residents of the
neighborhood as will eventuate in the
erection of a fountain of commanding di-
mansions, artistic in design and superior
workmanship. The fountain in question
Is one of pair purchased for one of the
Chicago parks at cost of $4,000, but ow-
ing to change in the plans of ornamental
ton was not used. Mr.. Van Slyke says
1t is magnificent piece of workmanship,
with its statues of the seasons. elegant
ornamentation, etc., and he is strong in
the faith it will be located in Merriam
park.
OTHER PLANS.
With the purchase of Summit square
and Merriam park there will yet remain
more than three ffths of the author
lied bond issue for parks. The
expenditure of this will, of course, largely
depend upon circumstances, but there are
two locations that it seems to the commit