The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1892-04-01
THE CITY PARK MATTER.
MANKATO. Mch. 81 20:

MANKATo. Mch. "a, 1872.
/ Editor Free Press:
1t was something of surprise to
me to find in the proceedings of the
city council that proposition was
being considered by the city council
appropriating the larger portion of
the Sibley Mound park to the use of
horse breeders and racing associa-
tion to be used for race track, fair
grounds and shooting gallery, pur-
poses for which the grounds were not
purchased or designed for, when pur-
chased. 1 was surprised at the i'm
pudence of the demand, and my sur
prise was not decreased to find this
demand for the grounds was fur
Their demand that the city council
should appropriate sufficient amount
of money to put in good order the
ornamental stockade protection and
dilapidated old cattle barracks that
have so long been preserved and
cherished as the only ornaments on
our only park, for racing and fair pur-
poses.
But my greatest surprise is that
our Mayor and city council would
have treated an insulting proposition
of the kind, worthy of any other re-
ceptacle in their room than the waste
basket or stove. 1t is only the first
step in the move of misappropriating
the best, most desirable, cheapest
improved portion of the park for the
puspose aforesaid.
When that park was purchased, it
is not beyong the recollection of many
citizens, then and now residents of
this city, that the only park left to
the city was a little piece of ground
the shape Of a flatiron and nearly the
size covered by the magnificent growth
of one tree, and there was no place
except the Sibley Mound that could
be obtained within reasonable dis
lance of city, and that to secure this
site which could be made so beau
tiful at a moderate expense and so
easy of access for the ladies and child
rem to enjoy a few hours rest and Sc
cure refreshing breeze in it's groves
or a pleasant evening drive or ramble
in the cool evenings of sultry days.
The property should be used for that
purpose, and when it was bought
these arguments prevailed with the
people and the bonds necessary to
secure it, [ think $4,000 was the
amount, and the city is now asked to
repair the old fence and buildings,
and place all but the few acres con-
tanned in the mound in the hands of
race horse association, to control in
their own way and for their own bene-
fit: the public to be admitted on their
own grounds at their pleasure only.
Improvements of the grounds have
been put off from time to time on the
pretext of economy, and the old un-
slightly fence occasionally ornamented
with show bills, was permitted to
stand until badly decayed and should
have long since been entirely removed.
1t was reported some months since
that it was to be removed, but the
order was soon countermanded.
The public have known nothing OF
this proposed transaction until quite
recently. But if the council conclude
the contract it looks little as though
the matter had been sometime under
consideration. 1t will be on the part
of the city council gross violation Of
faith and trust, and ought to release
the people of the city from obligation
to pay interest on the bonds.
Yours Truly,
0. BROWN.