Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-23
A PARK SCHEME.
THE PARK COMMISSIONERS FIGUR-
ING ON A ONE HUN
DRIED ACRE LOT.
Shuman, Riverside and Greiffenstein's
Park to be Connected by Bridges
ACROSS the Little River
Opinions on the
Question.

cradle said and written about the city
having park on the Little river, either
taking the Shuman park or the old River
side and the Davidson park, or the new
Riverside, and causing such improvements
to be made that it could be called a park
truly, and serve all the purposes of a pleas
ure resort, in fact. At that time 1t was
suggested that the two be secured by the
city and connected by bridges, making
virtually one, while the placid waters of
the Little river would be inviting to
the lovers of the oar and the city
would own park with many natural
advantages and attractions which at a lit
tie cost could be improved upon. The
rush in business at the time was such and
in the city government improvement OF
other kinds so much needed that the
scheme was set aside as second TO some
thing of more urgent necessity. Another
argument at the time against such an
undertaking was the law on the question,
or rather the absence of a law that had
anything to say about public parks or the
making it possible to have bonds voted for
such improvements. At the last session
of the legislature the Sedgwick delegation
in the legislature being solicited by some
of the leading citizens OF the
city caused measure TO
pass that enables Wichita TO vote bonds
| for park improveme nts. 1t will be re-
membered that Mayor Clement on assuu-
| ing the duties of his office, among other
things referred TO the park question ad-
| vancing the idea that improvements of
that kind should be made. Not long af-
| ter that statement the mayor was called to
appoint park commission which consists
/ of the following: J. G.. Davidson, \. W.
/ Oliver. X. Z. Lawrence, b. II. Campbell.
and VIM. Greflinstein, As will be seen the
majority of the board appointed have been
recognized as favoring park improvement Is
and, as natural result the Little
| river park question comes up again and
| makes its appearance with much larger
/ proportions than ever before. As the
! scheme goes this time IL is proposed to
commence On the water washed island,
! take in the Shuman park. part of New
| Riverside, part of the Grieflinstein park
connecting them with bridges across the
! little river and having a park along the
! the river nearly two miles long that would
! take in over one hundred acres. Some OF
! the park commissioners have been looking
! the question over and seem TO think there
! will be no trouble in getting the property
| spoksn of at very reasonable figure,
| and that comparatively small
| sum is necessary TO make it without doubt
| one of the finest parks in the state. 1t is
/ stated that it Is undoubtedly enc Of the
| finest natural parks in the state and its
superiority by nature calls for smaller
sum to be expended in making it one an
inviting place for q retreat from the strug-
| giles and work of the day.
Concerning the matt,r Mayor Clement
stated yesterday that the land under con
sideration in the Little river scheme is
one of the most elegant natural parks be
had ever seen. a grand boulevard could
be easily made from the island
on which the waterworks is located, 70
| Thirteenth street bridge, winding around,
making it over two miles long 1t could
run down the island to Shuman park;
then a bridge connecting Shuman with
| Riverside: north on Oak street bridge an
| other bridge. Another near Davidson S
residence, and another at or near Camp
bells residence, making il one Of the finest
| drives 70 be found anywhere in the west
| Now is the most favorable time TO do
| this" the mayor added. The city has re-
ceived authority by which 1t can issue bonds
TO the extent of sl00.0 10 be paid in
twenty years, bearing 5 per cent, and can
be sold for par and probably for more. Il
| would be a very low rate Of interest and
be an invaluable improvement for this
| city. Greiffenstieni has offered twenty
acres, ] am told: Davidson will donate
that much, and Shuman park can prob
ably be secured for the purpose at rea-
sonabie rate, and the water company on
the island have some land on the Island
| which would probably be donated for that
purpose II would probably take $1,000
to do the park justice. But this Is com
paratively nothing. All cities have in
debtedness for just such improvements
One Of the best and most eco
uomical things 70 do would be 20 Issue
a half miilioa bonds. TIE money 70
be spent in public Improvements Suppose
some would think this folly bat FIVE years
will demonstrate that the plan would be a
| correct one.
Mr.. Peer Get;o-If the city can get some
land from GremBstsin and Davidson FOR a
park, take {. Of coure, and Il the city can
buy shurnAn's PARK az reasonable stun
take Il Ia and Wichita can have one OF the
fines. parks in the state The city ought
10 have done something Of tbs kind long
ago but did not and the bes; way out Of IL
is 20 make arrangements for parks ss soon
as possible now. Not only parks, but long
ago ths city ought 20 have bought lots
for a city building but it.mads q mistake
/. IN that the sane as Is did Ia the park
question
Mr. J. o. Davidson said he had seen Mr.
Gretasns;eia about the question AID be
would gre iweaty i've acres Make do
nation q that amount AID would ssls
| twenty-five more az a reasonable rate Ts-O-
| vsded the city waited - He himself
| thought fifty ought 70 DC secured ous Of
The GrsiAns-eia PARK. lie would give