Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-05-15
-sTAUNTON SPECTATOR AND GENERAL ADVERT
GYPSY HILL PARK"

GYPSY HILL PARK"
We have frequently had occasion to refer to
| the City Waterworks, and especially as 1t was
proper to do so in presenting the attractions
| and opportunities of this locality for the en-
| largement of business pursuits and the intro
dustion of new industries. and for pleasant
| homes. To the stranger passing through
staunton by the lines of railroads, bat little Of
the excellencies of the immediate
| SURROUNDINGS AND BEAUTIFUL PROSPECTS
would arrest his attention. few minutes In
pleasant walk or drive will place the visitors
on elevated points overlooking the city and
commanding views, of which there are none
so charmingly presented to the inhabitants OF
town or to the traveller along the highways
| through the picturesque landscape of Virginia,
except perhaps that great outstretch of noun
tains, hills, and valleys that are beheld from
the SUBMITS along the great southwestern
road near Newbern in Pulaski county.
| At this point we would perhaps be excusable
| for copying the outlines of the view from Res
| ervoir hill made in 1885 and published then In
| the SPECTATOR, in which. with the aid Of the
maps of the coast-survey, every point was
located, but repetition is not always pleasing
| to the reader, and we pass on to the objects of
the present hour of work to refer to the City
Councils proceedings of last week inaugural
| ing the movement for City Park, progress
we have often advocated.
GYPSY HILL PARK"
Captain William P. Tams, Chairman of the
public grounds committee well as that of
Finance of the City Council, and to whose con-
| stantly applied ability and industry the city is
more indebted than to any other man for the
electric light plant, introduced proposition
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ate sighty-five acres Of idle land. possessed by
the city in connection with the water works, to
the purpose of park Tor which his proposition
suggested the title above quoted.
A park for Staunton is public want, not to
say positive necessity. and every liberal
mind in its reflections upon the future will
we think, hail the movement with many de-
grees of pleasure Here we might enter the
consideration of the scope of its prospective
contributions to the comforts and happiness of
of the people, tie incalcuable benefits. the re-
freshing and invigorating pleasures it would
afford the entire population, and the blessings
it would perpetuate in association with the
elegant culture of this, one of the most refined
communities OF the country.
THE TOPOGRAPHY.
Beautifully rolling hills. winding wales. here
and thereslight depressions crowned by gently
rising elevations are the outlines of open
field dotted over by many little gothic castles
protecting the springs which through pipes
converge to the main conduit of the city's wa
ter supply, before the machinery OF the water
works lifts 1t TO its elevated height whence its
Incompatible benefits descend to the inexpres-
sible joy of the population, and for their safety
from ravag'ng flames, and which, in their af-
fections 10 esteemed as the "City's GEN."
THE GROUNDS,
when embsllished with carriage and walk
ways. with trees, and shrubs and lakes will
suggest contemplations that will be In happy as
ISOLATION with the field of fountains now con-
tributing rich blessings in the abundant wa
ter supply. With light aun al expenditure
it is capable OF adding much more to the hap
piness of the people. and the Council should be
encouraged to continue the movement which
| is, as yet. only one of enquiry.
PLAN OF PRoGREss.
Captain Tams briefly outlined his plans for
progress a landscape gardener will be needed
| to make the surveys and plans. These csn be
filled up and carried forward from time to time
| as the city can spare the means; bat in aid of
that expense the people themselves can con-
| tribute valuable service. IL connection with
these grounds, he proposes to a2poiu5
ARBoR DAYS
| when every body-the teachers and pupils of
the public schools especially-having previous
ly prepared for it. will turn out and plant trees
and shrubs. These arbor-days can be repeated
several times in the fall and spring MONTHS
| 1t will be joyous occasion to see the whole
community turning out and vigorously taking
| hold of the design. Arbor- daJs for tree-plant-
| ing originated in Nebraska about twenty years
ago. and since that time several States have
adopted them voluntary ans legal holidays
for their specific object. The plan is largely
practiced in West Virginia, especially by the
public schools, with the most satisfactory re-
suits.
In 1885, the Augusta County Board of Super
visors at our suggestion recommended that the
schools plant trees the public school
grounds and also that people plant trees along
the public high ways. 1t has besn to limited
extent adopted, and already the benefits in
few localities are apparent.
But few prettier evergreens grow on the
earth's surface than are to be found In our
mountain valleys, whilst everywhere our
forests yield the handsomest growth of shade
and we might also ssy. of ornamental trees,
Shrubs there are in abundance for the asking.
which our own citizens would contribute when
pruning and relieving ovcr-growth on their
| lawns.
Our working, toiling people of all occupa-
| lions and professions need more days fpleas-
ant recreation in which such interesting labor
can be united. II only requires here the COM
mence1ieut TO insure, as 1t has elsewhere, the
contamination of permanent and delightful
realities with which all the future will be as
ISOLATED by past recollection and memories.
elevating, refining and enduring.
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