Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-04
APARK AMONG PARKS
Is What Mrs. Schenley's Generous
Donation Should Result In.
NATURE HAS BEEN BOUNTIFUL,
And the Board Of Public Works Can Supply
the Dollars and the Art.
ONLY 20 MINUTES RIDE FROM THE CITY

So much has been said and written of late
about parks for Pittsburg that the subject
had become little stale, but the generous
donation of 800 acres of the Mt. Airy tract
by Mrs. Schenley has revived hope as we'll
as interest. Just where the Mt. Airy land
is, is news to many people, so DISPATCH
reporter visited the scene of the proposed
park yesterday. 1t is safe to suppose that
the laying out of the new park will be pro-
ceeded with as rapidly as circumstances
will allow.
The location of the proposed pleasure re-
sort is, perhaps, as desirable as could be
wished. Situated as it is, along the margin
OF rapidly growing residential neighbor-
hood, and within 20 minutes drive from the
CITY Hall, it will be within reach, as we'll
Of the hard-worked toiler in the mills and
his family, when he desires to recuperate
from the effects OF the weeks work by
spending holiday midst sylvan glades and
purling brooks, as his richer neighbor, who
pilots his trOtter or takes the air in his
carriage along the shady roads and grassy
drives Of the wildwood.
Just how the park will be laid out it is
impossible to say, but judging from the
natural advantages of the site, the beauty of
the unding country and the unlimited
opportunities which the occasion presents of
providing healthful place of recreation for
the masses, it may be expected that those in
whose hands the project will be placed, will
so carry out the details to make the new
park, not alone unusually attractive, but
credit to the city which has long telt the
want of a place suitable for the entertain
ment and exercise of its citizens.
NOT FAR FROM CITY HALL.
The nearest point of the park to the city
is at Boquet and John Caire streets, which
intersect with Forbes street and Fifth
avenue, about two miles from the City Hall.
On one side it is bounded by the west fork
of -Four Mile run and by the Junction Rail
road. On another side it is confined by
Forward avenue, which is located on Four
Mile run, and reaches to within 800 feet of
Second avenue The property of the Muir
Judge Magee and Mr.. Hoch are the owners
of lands which lie adjacent. At point be-
yond Forbes avenue bridge can be seen
Murdoch Hill sloping away on either side
to form a thickly-wooded ravine, down
a murmuring creek carries the waters of
numerous springs to the river in the dis
tance.
One of the most beautiful spots in the
whole locality is Panther Hollow, which is
a part of the ravine along which the west
branch of Four-Mile run finds its course.
Here there is a possibility of charming
drive, winding in and out along the sinuos-
tiles Of the stream, shaded by the heavy
growth of timber which abounds. At times
expansive plateaus are met with, but the
ground is mostly broken and undulating,
rising at times into abrupt bluffs. as at the
east side where there is heavy slope over
L. Il Il Al. II
run. The property is generally thickly |
covered with white and red oak, hickory |
and sycamore, especially in theravines
A portion of the land has been in the oc-
cupation of farmers for some time, and it is |
that they would be required to |
yield up their leases when the time arrives. |
1t is not thought that anything will be |
done toward laying out the site until next |
spring.
AN ENGINEER'S VIEWS.
An engineer familiar with the tract stated |
that the first thing to be done is to make a |
thorough survey, leveling up the ravines |
and laying down contour lines, so as to as |
certain the exact irregularities of the |
ground. From these data a map can be |
and the disposition of the roads, |
walks, sites for promenade and band en-
closures, and other matters of detail deter
mined upon. All this VIII take consider
lble time, and another winter will probably
,ome and go before the Schenley Park is an
affair and thrown open to the
public for its enjoyment and delectation.
Mr.. Thomas D. Carnahan, whose father is
Mrs. Schenley's attorney, said Yesterday
hat he had not received any intimaticn Of
he donation, and declared his inability to
ocate the site of the park. He further said
hat he was aware of matters in connection
With 1t, which he was not at liberty to men
ion.
For the present also Chief Bigelow de-
,lines to discuss the park question or tell
that he knows about the Schenley gift,
hough he is loaded with good stuff
n the slang of newspaper parlance.
What plans the Chief has in view
o make the tract pleasing and
INVITING would make interesting reading for
hose who have the welfare of Pittsburg at
lesrt. twill certainly require theexpendi-
ure of some money to put the land in
hape, but how much is question. Atany
ate the biggest part of the contract is the
round, and as that has been secured, Pitts
'urgers feel pretty safe that a park is as
ured. Mrs. Schenley's generosity was the
ubject of much comment on the streets yes
erday.