St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-03-30
311 Wabasha ST.. st. Paul.

A NNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF
II Park Commissioners of the city of st.
Paul for the year 1888 (March to Feb
29).
Section 1 Of IAN act to provide for the
creation and organization of Board of Park
Commissioners in and for the city of ST.
Eau Fa q Ramsz COUNTY
shall make and publish in the official paper
of the city Of st. Paul an annual report set
ting forth their general proceedings, and con-
tanning statement of the receipts and ex-
penditures Of said board" In compliance
for the year just past:
The board created by the act consisted of
Messrs. William A. VanSlyke, Greenleaf
Clark, John d. Ludden,. Stanford Newell,
and Berlah Magoffin. All of the said COM
missioners served through the year, with the
exception of Hon. Greenleaf Clark, who re-
signed on Jan. 8, 1888. Hiram F. Stevens,
position thus left unoccupied and served to
the end of the year. The board held its first
meeting on March %, 1887. At meeting
held on April 1S, 1887, the following officers
We're elected: President, William A. Van
Siyke, Esq; vice president, Hon. Greenleaf
Clark; secretary, John d. Ludden, Esq Mr..
Ludden resigned his Office ON Sept. "a, 1887,
and Frank G. Peters was chosen to that
posluon. AT a meeting held on Jan. l6,
1888, Hiram +. Stevens, ESQ.,, was elected
wee president to fill the vacancy caused by
the resignation of Hon. Greenleaf Clark.
From April Is, 1887, to Jan. Ia, 1888, the
board held weekly meetings. Since Jan. Ia,
1883, meetings have been held only pur-
suant to call by the president.
During the year many petition and
communications were received from citi-
zens and bodies of citizens with re-
gard to the location of parks. The
board has also listened to a large number of
gentlemen on the same subjects at its meet
lngs. The board or committees of the board
have during the year visited all portions of
the city available for park purposes, either of
their own motion or in compliance with petit
tons presented by citizens.
The board during the year. in pursuance Of
the powers conferred upon it by the act
above mentioned has designated and has
had surveyed and plated, and has made Or
ders directing the board of public works to
public parks: West ST. Paul park, bounded
by German avenue, Morton street and South
Robert street; eleven acres. Order trans
mitted to board of public works July 80,
1887.
Indian Mound park, at junction of Thorn
and Hiawatha streets; twenty acres. Order
transmitted to board Of public works Oct. /,
1887.
Carpenter park at junction of Summit ave-
nue. and Ramsey street; two acres. Order
transmitted to board of public works Oct. 8,
1887.
Hiawatha park, on Mississippi river, near
Cleveland avenue; forty-nine acres. Order
transmitted to board of public works Oct 8,
1887.
A survey was made for boulevard along
the east bank of the Mississippi river, from
the city boundary near the Milwaukee
railway bridge to the bridge across the river
at Fort Smelling. Plans submitted by the
surveyor showing the general features of the
boulevard were approved by the board. The
whole matter is now in the hands of the
board of public works for condemnation pro-
ceedlngs as public highway.
By section Is of the act the board was di-
rected to expend $25, 900 in the improve
ment of Como park, provided, however,
that no more than one-half that sum shall be
expended in any one year." Work
was commenced on Como park on
to thirty-fve inmates of the workhouse were
utilized in grubbing, clearing and grading
about two miles Of drives. This force could
be employed only as single body. 1t was
therefore necessary to hire all men for de-
tached service, as well as foremen and teams.
After the ground became frozen fair COM
mencement was made at surfacing with
gravel the drives already graded. In Deem
Der SHOWS and the excessive cold stopped all
work.
Section of the act authorizes the common
council to negotiate bonds for park fund to
the amount of two hundred and twenty-five
thousand dollars. These bonds were not
negotiated until early in 1888. During the
the city comptroller were paid by warrants
drawn on the city treasurer. The proceeds
of the bonds are now in the hands of the
city treasurer, placed to the credit of the
park fund. The expenditures for the year
were thirteen thousand three hundred and
forty-twO dollars and eleven cents, placed to
the following accounts:
Como Park
Surveys, plans and tracings, and
supervision of work .......... S1,S53 so
Labor and teams. .............. 1867 13
Materials, tools, etc. ...,.... ..... 1886 GA
$1O,917 27
Carpenter Park
For surveys plans and tracings.. S1O9 90
Hiawatha Park
Surveys, plans and tracings... :. 243 90
Indian Mounds Park
Surveys, plans and tracings... :. 353 90
Mississippi River Boulevard
Surveys, maps, plans, tracings
and stakes ................. 972 so
West ST. Paul Park
Surveys, plans and tracings..... IS 90
General Expenses
For legal services, secretary, room
rent, janitor, corporate seal,
furniture and stationery. ... 662 81