Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-05-20
A LETTER FROM MAYOR BALDWIN.


He Favors the Immediate Purchase of
- Land For Public Parks.
To the People of Waterbury:
While not wishing to recommend any
expenditure of the city's money except
for absolute necessities, such as repairs
on roads, new paving, etc, etc, still re-
gard it as my duty to inform the people
that if there is a general desire to secure
a park immediate action must be taken.
The land near Waterbury suitable and
convenient for park purposes is very
limited. used to, think that what we
wanted was large tract of land with
hill and valley, beautiful drives. etc,
but such park costs great deal of
money, and with our natural country
drives so near at hand, is unnecessary,
and besides, if there is any demand for
such a large park let the people who
would use it most build it. People who
own teams to drive in parks are the
ones to do that work. have come to
the conclusion that what we most need
are lot of small parks, like the green,
Union Square and the Grand street
property. These are large enough to
furnish breathing spots for multitude
of people, with walks, and seats, and
shade, and all we want is to have them
conveniently located to accommodate
all sections of the city. Across the river,
Hospital, are 10 or 30 acres, more or less,
of land. 1t belongs to the A. B. Wilson
estate. For several months the gentle
man having charge of this property has
had frequent opportunities to sell this,
but he thinks that it is shameful to let
this spot, situated 80 near the city and
SO well adapted to park purposes, be
sold to private individuals; but he con-
not wait much longer, and 1 have
L H. A.. L., L..
fore the people at once.
Some years ago the property opposite
Simonsville, across the river. could have
been bought for less than $4,000.
If the city had taken the advice of a
few men they would now own it. 1t
will cost the city many times SIC, 900 to
make amends for that blunder, for nc
other place Is so well fitted to dispose of
our sewage. The time to buy park land
is now. This tract can be bought at a
reasonable price, but if it is &c
be had at all it must be ar
ranged for soon. Do the people
Iof Waterbury want to see a row
of cheap houses built between the Gem
Ietery and the hospital? When this is
gone out of the market can anyone sug
gest any other property almost in the
center of the city that would so vel
answer the purpose? 1t is already Gov
cred with trees, and has the natural
hills, etc, which go to make a desirable
! place. 1t is bounded by the only rive
we have, we can buy it very cheap, and
if we do not take it at once am certain
that we will always regret it.
THE WAY TO GET IT.
Either call public meeting and fully
discuss this question, or let some few
people take it on themselves to start {
petition to the common council, asking
them to vote an appropriation and Il
buy it. 1t is not necessary to spend any
money in improving it at once, bu
it can be done gradually, appro
lpriating q few hundred year. We
would never feel the cost, and the com
fort, and satisfaction, and pride all oul
people would have in this ownership
would be great, and increase year BY
year, as long as our city shall live.
Respectfully submitted,
G. r. BALDWIN. Mayor.
i WIZ. Coz HoLsms. Nd, Browns bib