Wichita eagle., 1889-06-02
PARK TALK.
What Some Think Of the Bond Question
After the sale OF the Sewer Bonds-For
and Against Park Bonds.

The subject of park for Wichita has
been considerably discussed of late, and
although there is but little difference OF
opinion on the main question, that park
is essential in the growth Of a city. yet
there is diversity of thought concerning
the when and how. Perhaps the majority
of the citizens are in favor OF the improve
ment at the earliest possible moment,
while respectable minority in point OF
number, is in favor Of going slow. Mayor
Clement in an interview stated he regard
ed the question of park that would
be available to the masses, one
Of the most important that would come
up in the council during the present year.
A place for the poor man to go with his
family and spend quiet hour or two on
fine day was, In his opinion, something
which every city Of any pretension what
ever was bound to provide. He almost be-
ieved that the expenditure of a half mil
lion Of money in public improvements and
allow one-fifth of that amount for park
purposes, would bring to the citizens Of
the city double the value of the money in
health and general prosperity, in interest
and possibly large share OF the original
investment might revert to the present
generation but would be the sure heritage
of our children.
Mr. A. A. Hide expressed himself as
heartily in favor Of the movement and
could not doubt for a moment but that
every progressive citizen would further a
park scheme
Col. II, w. Lewis stated that he believed
that now was as favorable time as would
t. l., st -, 20.
purchase the necessary property for an
improvement of this nature. He thought
no time should be lost if such plan was
seriously contemplated, as a few months
might place desirable property beyond
the citys reach. In answer to the ques-
ton the Colonel said that he believed he
would support the movement as far as
practicable.
Mr.. w, S. Corbett said he thought the
city ought to give the matter of a park
serious consideration at once and he re-
garded the present moment as time pc
culiarly suspicious for works of public
Improvement.
Mr.. r. Weeks said that instead of one
large park he thought several smaller ones
in different portions of the city would be
better suited to the wants of the people
for the reason that car fare would be an
important item of expense in poor mans
family. Furthermore, if the park was
within convenient distance it could be
visited more frequently as time was also
an important consideration.
Mr. G. H. Blackwelder thought there
could be no doubt as to the expediency of
settling the park question at once. A
park was part of city and it was i'm
possible to make people believe that they
were in a city when there were muddy
streets and al absence of SO many things
that properly belong to city.
Mr.. N. w. Levy thought the idea of a
park was good one and one that should
be acted on in the near future, but ques-
toned the advisability of heaping up a
bonded Indebtedness too rapidly. He
thought that little time would be the
best recommendation and let the people
get accustomed TO the additional taxation
resulting from the sewers, curbs
and cutters, sidewalks aud other
improvements that had been inaugurated.