The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-05-16
L X 9 7
Ed |TI0N.
WHAT THE PEOPLE SAY
About Our New Parks
and Where They
Should Be.
-----s
EVERYBODY WANTS THEM.
EVERYBODY WANTS THEM.
Expressions Of Opinion from Lead
ing Citizens About Their Num-
ber, Locations and Values.

The most important of recent public en-
terprises is this of the construction of
the main question of "Shall they be?" is
the other which follows right on its heels,
when shall they be?''
The demand for their erection is voiced
by all classes. The rich man is for them
because they will add appreciably to the
value of his holdings; the poor man be-
cause it will give him a breathing spot
Everybody being agreed, therefore, that
they are necessary, the only difference of
opinion can be as to where they should be
located. Their value, as places of resort
and as factors in increasing values, will
depend very largely upon the wisdom
shown by the Commissioners in the selec-
tion of sites. On this subject THE JER :
sEY CITY NEWS has called upon numbe1
of well known property holders to express
their views.
PETER HENDERSON's PLAIN TALK.
I saw Mr.. Peter Henderson this morn
ing at his residence on Arlington avenue,
and, in answer to my questions upon the
park subject, he said:-
my idea is that if the park sites could
be got at price within the limit, that all
the three should be taken, for | do not be-
1eve that the people will be satisfied
otherwise. 1t is incomprehenSible to me
why the Commissioners can entertain for a
moment the price asked for the King and
Currie plots, when compared with the
price asked for the Smith property, which
undoubtedly is assessed much higher than
either and is far more available from its
nearness to New York, for building pur-
poses, than either of the other two.
IF the Currie and King property could
be purchased at the same price per acre
as the Smith site, then the three sites,
think, conld all be got to come within the
million dollar limit
''If understand the locations properly,
believe that If the three sites were put
up at auction and advertised so that every
man in New York and Hudson county
knew of the sale, the Smith property
would sell at higher price per
acre than either of the other two. The
Commissioners can easily get at the COM
parative values by the Assessors books
and other means, and they certainly
would be wanting in their duty to the
cation.
"They have no right to pay exorbitant
price for land simply because it is avail
able for park site. If land in the vicinity
of Currie Woods is selling for 81 900 an
acre (as know for a fact that it has
within the past two years,) then the Com
missioners should hesitate before paying
about 81, 600 per acre for it, even for park
purposes.
THE KING ESTATE VALUE.
81 have no knowledge of the values in
the vicinity of the King. property, but,
jndging from it's distance from
New York, it is fair to presume
that the price at which it is offered
is even far more out OF proportion to sur
rounding values than that asked for the
Currie property. This seems to me to be
the gist of the whole subject. If the
owners of these properties will not sell at
fair values leave them alone and
look for other sites until mt they
they will possibly become reasonable.
That Hudson county needs and wants
parks no one doubts, butI think the Com
missioners will disappoint the people if
they pay exorbitant prices for property,
so as to compel us to do with two parks
when we could just as easily get three"
SHOULD BE MORE THAN TWO
I found ex-Mayor Charles H. O'Neill
reclining on an easy chair on the stoop in
front of his elegant residence, enjoying
with his amiable wife the twilight shades
of Hamilton Park.
He had been too busy of late, he said,
to follow the newspapers on the park
question. He saw no reason, however,
why there should be only two, located at
the extreme ends of the county, unless
they were to be used solely. as driving
parks. The poorer class would not derive
much benefit from parks thus situated.
He believed there should be number of
smaller parks or squares scattered
throughout the city and county, within
easy access of all classes. He admired
the Philadelphia plan.
a WORD FOR THE FOURTH DISTRICT.
Mr. Siegfried Hammerschlag said that
the Fourth district, as usual was ''left'
in the matter.
''She is always treated as a mother-in-
law" he added, with genial smile. "If
were to express my honest opinion in
the matter of park locations, people would
naturally say was looking after my own
interest think Colonel Heppenheimer
was afflicted with the same ideas of mod
eSty.
But, to be candid, let me ask, where
could you find a more excellent location
for public park than that of the Booraem
property just out here on the brow of the
Hill? The Levan property could be
added if necessary think the property
is available at a reasonable sum. 1t
would not cost much to improve it 1t
overlooks four great cities and one of the
grandest harbors in the wide world 1t
would be within easy access of all classes,
and thousands of poor women who never
leave their homes could enjoy its beauties
from all those windows. from which you
see light streaming below. The ravine
itself could be made a splendid park
feature A park in such a location would
enhance the appearance of all Jersey
City and Hoboken.
II think the Fourth district" !" he went
on, should have show in this matter,
If people say am seltishly prejudiced,
what's the matter with the reservoir
property? That is also a desirable loca-
tion. 1t belongs to the city. The walls
could be sold to contractor. Adjoining
property is available. And the money
spent for a site alone would make it a
most beautiful park No, do not wish to
criticize the action of the Park Commits
sioners, but do not think the poorer
classes will be much benefited by parks
located at opposite ends of the county,
and the people of the Fourth district de-
serve to be considered"
TWO SITES APPROVED.
When saw ex-Mayor William Clarke
afhis residence in Grand street, he greeted