Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1890-11-17
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A PUBLIC PARK.
General Plan Of its Com
menceMent.
THE WORK COMMENCED.
The Efforts Of the Salem Decor.
ative Union Bearing
Fruit.
THE WORK COMMENCED.
THE WORK COMMENCED.


wilson avenue and Marion square
Al first they met with ridicule from
some, while others declared tha
nothing of value would come from
its efforts; but In spite of all obstacle,
aud they were many-they con
tnued their meetings, appointed
committees, and formulated plan.
for ultimate success. Among othel
OF their proceedings, q committe,
was appointed to confer with Secre
tary Mcbride, and If possible secure
his cooperation on behalf of the
State for the improvement of the state
house grounds as a commencement
Of the result desired. The legisla.
ture having already made an appro-
priation for the purchase of the halt
block east of the state house, Mr..
Mcbride expressed willingness to
assist as far as he consistently could,
but argued that as Capital aud Sum.
mer streets occupied the very ground
desired for improvement-thefo former
cutting of the half block that was
purchased for the state house ground
nothing could be done unless those
streets could be vacated for the pur-
pose of a public park, SO that any
plan taking in the state house block
m light be extended east and west.
thus preserving symmetry and
beauty in arrangement. The Deco
rative union appointed Il committee
to wait Upon the council aud ask for
the vacation Of Capital and s,ulnmer
streets, which IN due course of time
was secured and in order to COM
plete the plan, which will include
court house block, the vacation of
Church street was asked of the
county commissioners, and during
the last summer the request was
aud the order made upon
the records of the county. All this
much time, and required
perseverance,, YET many thought The
seiety indifferent and some still be-
lieved the organization could and
would accomplish nothing. But
during the past spring and summer
Mr.. E. NJ. Waite, the president of
he society, has held frequent con-
'erences with Secretary Mcbride az
70 the best plan for procedure, and
as the improvements, if made, must
be made for all time, no chances for
In judgment could be taken.
After mature deliberatioI, Secre-
AIRY Mcbride resolved upon the
following plan: !
!. To build stone curb around
he half block purchased lately by
the State, and including Capital
street, from the southwest corner of
he state house, to the northwest
,orner thereof. This has heen COM
,leted.
2. To procure plan, embracing |
Wilson avenue, Church street, and |
II the land owned by the state on
he east side Of the state house, in
luding the streets ON each side there
#, which had been vacated. This
,lan has been secured, and was exc
uted by Prof. CoOte, Of the State
Agricultural college, who has had a
ife time experience as landscape
.ardener.
3. To commence on the grounds
ast of the state house, they present.
ng n bleak ana barren appearance
nd in winter ornamented only with
'onds of standing water.
A. TO thoroughly tile the grounds
ist mentioned to depth Of from 80
D 40 inches SO as to remove all. water
rom the basement of the capitol,
nd Thoroughly drain them, in order
, secure . permanent and healthy
rowth of all the trees, shrubs,
lants and flowers set out.
s. Ts lay system of water pipes
" irrigation purposes; with bibs,
c., at convenient distances, and
ith suitable feed aud drain pipes for
fountain which will be placed in
,e center Of these grounds.
6. To take from the walk and
lrriage drives laid out, all soil to
le depth OF l2inches, and with this
grade the grounds. d
7. To Ill in the walks and drives 4
ith gravel--cOarse at the bottom,
I'D sifted for the top dressing.
8. To purchase trees, shrubs aud
ants to be set out in accordance
ith the plan proposed by Prof.
cote, and
8. To SOW over all blue grass,
hte clover, and a slight sprink- .
ng Of oats, 10 give the grounds u
'een and lawa-like appearance at
ice, aud to protect the grass and
over roots from frost or the rays Of
le sun.
The digging of the walks and car
age drives TO procure soil for grad
Y has been commenced, teams fol-
wing with gravel as fast as possible. .
be laying Of the tiling and water
pes will be under the care of DIR.
ane, superintendent ofthe asylum,
hich is . safe guarantee
'st the WORK will he thoroughly and
,nestly done, he having bad Z
uch experience In this line on the
L. D.af n..afAl