Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-21
THE ARSENAL PARK
May Yet Become a Reality, to the
Delight of $4,000 People.
MOVEMENTS ARE NOW UNDER WAY
That Bid Fair to Secure a Breathing Spot
for Lawrenceville.
STATEMENTS FROM THOSE INTERESTED

Ihe indications are that the once aDan-
doned scheme to secure park for the peo-
pie of Lawrenceville will yet be carried to
| a successful con clusion. Since the present
session of Congress began, movement to
secure a portion of the arsenal ground for
park purposes has been growing Hugh
Ferguson, Common Councilman from the
Seventeenth ward, is at the head of the
work, and has, as matter of course, the
encouragement and assistance of Chief Bige-
low, who would allow no one to excel him
in an effort to provide anything in the line
of parks. Mayor Gourley is also in with
the movement and other powerful allies are
only waiting for an opportunity to lend a
hand.
A few weeks ago, Councilman Ferguson
presented a resolution in Council providing
for the appointment OF joint committee,
which, together with the Mayor and SChief
Bigelow, will have authority to go to the
United States Senators of this State and
the Congressman of this vicinity, and ask
for their assistance in securing the park.
The resolution was adopted and the COM
mittee appointed, Messrs. Ferguson and
w. A. Magee being named from the Com
mon, and A. F. Heating from the Select
branch.
Tho Committee San.uine OF Success.
The committee is now preparing plan to
be followed in securing what they desire,
and the members are sanguine of success.
There is general impression among Law
renceville people that the last effort to get the
arsenal property was not properly made,
and many of them openly charge that Con-
gressman Dalzen was to blame because the
proposition met with so little recognition
by Congress. But Judging from state
ment made recently by Chief Bigelow this
charge is unfair. In a conversation, about
the time of the death of Major Mckee, the
Chief said:
"The Major was a fine man, but he kept
us from getting the Arsenal Park. We
had worked almost night and day on the
matter for over a week, and Mr.. Dalzell at
last got it narrowed down to a point where
the consent of but two persons was required.
One of these was Majo Mckee. The other
man agreed to consent if the Major would.
We were happy. The Major had promised
to aid US a few days before. He was tele-
graphed for and went to Washington, but
he had for some reason changed his mind,
and he positively declined to recommend
the transfer of the property. We could do
no more and the matter was dropped"
Only Wanted as a Loan.
Councilman Ferguson thinks there is no
doubt but that with the assistance of Sena-
tors Quay and Cameron and Congressman
Stone and Dalzell it will be comparatively
easy to get the park.
ment to deed the ground to the city," said
he, ''as was done the last time. We will
only ask for the use of it until the Govern
ment needs it. If we get it we can make
few walks, put in some benches, and make
few other Improvements that will not cost
much, but will answer all purposes and
give $4,000 people much needed breathing
spot. In case of war and the, Government
needs the grounds we will stipulate in our
request that simple demand by the Gov
ernment will be promptly responded to by
the city.
Congressman Stone will help us, because
many people at Millvale and the upper end
of Allegheny, in his district, will be able to
avail themselves of the use of the park.
We need park for our people. Lawrence
vile and the Eighteenth, Sixteenth, Fiji
teenth and Twelfth wards contain larger
population of working people than any dis
trict in the city, but they are far removed
from any of the city parks, though they are
anxious lOr Sucn breathing spot.
How such q Park Would he Used.
"An illustration of this is shown BY the
crowds which have thronged the arsenal
grounds during the last three or four years
on Jubilee Day of the public schools. In
the day the grounds were crowded with the
children and in the evening the parents and
older people gladly embraced the oppor-
tunity for an hours's recreation in that
beautiful place. 1t will be grand thing
for our people if we can get this park, and
no effort will be spared to that end.''
Joseph Lexington, Butler street mer-
chant, is one of the many enthusiasts on the
project "Whv,' said he, 'the situation
of the park is accessible to $4,000 people.
We are large, industrious community and |
if the city can't provide us with park the |
city's officers should help us in getting this |
one. Mr.. Ferguson is doing all in his power |
for US and I have no doubt will be ably |
assisted BY Chief Bigelow and the Mayor"
Magistrate Leslie said: "Schenley Park |
is beautiful place, but if Lawrenceville |
gets Arsenal Park you will see that it will |
have more daily visitors than any park in
the CITY,"
DR.. H. H. Clark said: "It would be in |
the nature of a godsend to the thousands of |
little children in this part of the city if we |
could get that park. Many of these little
folks have never experienced the pleasure |
of rolling on the grass and never saw it ex-
con fhrouph he arcopa1 roi1ipnc