The Wilmingtonian., 1885-05-16
THE PUBLIC PARK.
what the Prospects are for a Public Park
Along the Brandywine.

Inc autnorlty TO purchase has been grant
ed by the legislature, City Council has ap-
pointed commissioners, money for the mr.
pose is obtainable and the land can be had
when wanted.
The area that constitutes the prospective
Brandywine Park is held under various
titles, but it is believed that there would be
very little difficulty in the way of the city
becoming proprietor.
1t is understood that, one of the largest
owners offered his land to the city some
years ago at what sEat Tas utg thsnn has had figEer
offers made him for the property, but has,
on learning that there was a genuine inten-
tion of the authorities, at some future time,
of buying the land for purposes of Public
Park, retained possession of the land, and
now offers it to the city at the original fig
ure.
1t is to be hoped that purchasing facilities
of an approximately favorable nature will
be met with by the commissioners in regard
to the remaining portions of land that con-
stitute the prospective park.
The immediate need to the citizens OF
Wilmington, of Public Park, cannot be
too forcbly emphasized The project can
not be too forcibly pushed. A fair and eq-
uitable price may be offered for the land and
there is every reason to suppose that it will
be accepted.
Public schools are considered necessity,
and we do not fiatter ourselves as specially
intelligent for readily recognizing that fact.
But Public Parks are equally necessary.
This statement is made in all seriousness.
We educate and build up the with all the
best of scholarly surroundings that civiliza.
tion, that science and art can, in this nine
teenth century, evolve.
Should we doubt for a moment that the
body needs less attention, less education? !?
Is the mind alone to be purified, strengthen
| ed, nourished and surrounded with the best
literary atmosphere while the body is neg
lected, no sunshine, or trees or flowers
none of the clear air of nature, its yerdure
or brightness. In the coming summer are
the hundreds Of children of this city, to
whom stroll along the Brandywine is the
ideal of delight, to be cooped up in dusty
courts, ho. sultry sun pouring down upon,
them, taking from them even the energy for
any occupation mental or physical.
A Peoples Park would so invigorate and
strengthen the younger people, and their
parents TOO if they could spare the time for
the necessary outing, that most of the sum
mer sickness, those indefinite ailments, due
more to physical lassitude that is borne of
lack of pure fresh air, would be avoided and
The cares and troubles and annoyances Of
hard-working mothers, who find it necessa-
ry throughout the long sitting hot summer
months to work hard all day within doors,
would be greatly lightened were their child
ren healthy and strong.
1t is no trifing matter to make these as
sertions for these poorer artizans and la
borers' wives are the people among us who
carry by far the heaviest load of this world S
responsibilities. Hearts aching with fret
full children and the thoughts of restricted
wages brought home by the husband on
Saturday night, make life a burthen to hun
dreds of worthy women in our midst Many
Of them do not stir from out their houses
with the exception of jaunt to market, the
year around!
And yet there are thousands of citizens il
Wilmington who lack, in not considering
that these terrible burthens of their neigh.
bors might be lightened to great degree
by such simple little philanthrophy as en-.
dorsing and agitating the Public Park ques
ton. This might be demanded of them a,
a requirement on the grounds of Christian
ity, it could not be well avoided, for We
have all been taught to define "who is oul
neighbor." But this demand is made in 9
humanitarian sense.
1t seems strange, but is nevertheless true
that the doctrine of humantarianism should
be considered more provocative of practica
results than the doctrine of Christianity
But by whatever channel or method helI
comes to those of our fellow citizens who
are less able to help themselves than are
others, ifa philanthropic feeling be awaken
ed the practical end is gained
Flower missions, sick visitors, and Other
well enough in their way, but they are OTTER
offensive, and the best is prevention of the
need of this help, A great deal may be ac
complished in the direction by giving the
children pnre air to invigorate and strength
en- them, green fields to play in or shady
trees at the riverside where they may sit ant
while away the pleasant summer hours o.
an occasional holiday. The children return
home better able to withstand the assaults
of hot, stiling rooms and sleepless nights
Their mothers will be saved anxiety ant
worry.