Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-07-17
GRE1FFENsrErN's PARK

Perhaps not twenty persons among thu
sixteen thousands OF our people know any
thing about Greinenstein's park, and moi
one even of those who have seen 1t has Ia
ken the trouble to explore It thoroughly
and contemplate the fullness Of its grandeur
and speculate on it, prospective greatness.
When the EAGLE announced that there was
to be Catholic picnic in Greiffenstein's
park the Fourth, several enquired, "Where
| is Greifensteins park" When some one
would answer, 20, its the grounds about
Greisenstein's residence, where there are
plenty of trees and shrubbery." No one
seemed to know anything about it. This
park, or wilderness, as it might more prop
erly be termed yet, is situated in the great
bend of the Little Arkansas river, just north
Of Com. Woodlands beautiful home. and is
portion of GreiHenstein's Seventh and
Eighth additions, the center Of which is at
the junction of Tenth street with Waco.
just north of Woodlands place the river
makes magnificent sweep westward and
rounding cape, the extreme point of the
beautiful peninsula which includes the park,
it winds around again towards the east until
it again touches Waco street. forming a
peninsula comprising 2ls acres, more than
half of which is thickly wooded with
live oaks, cottonwoods. poplars,
walnut, wild plums and dense underground
of shrubbery, covered with wild grape vines
and ivy that Irvine around the stately trees,
all underlaid with a carpet of blue grass,
combining all the natural elements for the
most beautiful and extensive parks to be
found in any prairie country. OF course
there are no mountains, nor precipices, nor
cascades, none of that wild and picturesque
scenery nor that stupendous grandeur pc
culiAr to mountain region or a sea coast,
but it possesses natural scenery unmatched
in any prairie region the writer ever saw.
1t is about mile from Waco street to the
extremity or cape. The distrance around
the peninsula by the river is about three
miles while across the isthmus is only one
fourth of amile. A representative of the
EAGLE visited the park Monday afternoon,
explored it thoroughly, and was struck with
its magnitude and the prospect it unfolded
for becoming the Central Park" of the
state. No one can realize its magnitude nor
beauty without exploring it. Three picnics
were held there on the Fourth, and SO vast
are its proportions that none were conscious
of the presence of the others-just think Of
it-about $50 acres of thick woods with
lovely vines and shrubs, and green grass and
ravines and thickets and stately trees whose
nodding crests are tossing in the breeze.
Upon reaching Tenth street, which leads
down through the center of the peninsula,
the reporter stopped to view his surround
ings. South stood the city with its busy life,
its great brick blocks, its towering spires
and luxuriant foliage. Away to the north
the rich alluvial valley of the Arkansas,
decked with fine farm houses nesting amid
fruit-laden orchards and all in the midst Of
great fields of waving corn. Away down
past the water works and on towards the
Riverside park, the noble lesser Arkansas
could be seen like silvery ribbond, its
waters sparkling in the MONDAY sun,
with the broad branches of the over-arching
trees dipping to cool their tips in its limpid
waters. 1t was beautiful sight. Right here
at the junction of Waco and Tenth streets is
beautiful villa where many of our business
men have homes, and more desirable loca-
ton could not be found. 1t is only one
block from the street railway and good
sidewalk traverses Waco street right to this
point The soil is of a sandy nature and
there is no mud in the wettest times. 1t is
this peculiarly that makes Waco street al
was fine drive when every other street is
muddy and cnt into holes. Good lots can
be bought in this most delightful neighbor-
hood for actual settlers,none are sold to sold
10 spectators, and ample time is given those
who build to pay or their lots. When
this city swells TO fifty thousand
which it probably will within
ten years. and this park becomes the great
theatre Of recreation as is manifestly its des-
tiny, this locality will be the most desirable
location for fine homes in the city. The park
is by no means dead level, having many
ravines and swelling knobs like ocean bill
lows; it is far from monotonous. The river
round the bend is broad and deep and noble
and the overhanging foliage forms a scene
really charming, while the woods resound
with sweet music of its festhery choir.
On his way to the city the reporter unused
on what he had seen, while visions of what
all this may become, came surging
up in his mind. What a grand
resort it could be made
starting with broad boulevard along the
rivers edge between Woodlands place and
the water works and continuing around the
bend and so on until Waco street is again
reached on the north side would form drive
of about four miles that for scenery would
be unmatched in the state. Then through
the devious windings of the park amid its
jungles and shades, all in all it would be a
scene of recreative beauty rarely met A
whole feet of bosts could ride in the stream
about the park, SO broad is it. The city
should own this park and build such bou-
levsrd.
A visit to and through the park will con
vince any lovei Of nature that the picture is
by no means overdrawn, on the contrary it
falls far short of doing justice to the theme.
Although the scene is not bold nor rugged
nor awfully grand, no scenery and no pros
pect can be found better calculated to en-
courage contemplative irrespective spirit.
As yet little has been done to the park save
the thick underbrush being cut and cleaned
away in one or two spots, but work will be-
gin on it soon.