The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-17
THE PARKS OF THE CITY
ALI THOROUGHLT INSPECTED.
The Result OF a Tour Msde BY the Men,
bers of the Committee on Grounds and
Buildings for Information.


committee might become familiar with the
Improvements which Colonel Cutshaw
might suggest The members of the COM
mittee present were Chairman Taylor and
Messrs. II. L. Carter, Epps, Mountcastls,
Seay and TurpIn. Colonel Cutshaw and
Dir. Frank T. Bates. the clerk of the COM
mittee accompanied the party.
The tour was very interesting one. and
gave the members of the committee ample
opportunity TO form an idea OF the work
now in progress and of the intentions of the
City Engineer for the near future. The tirst
place visited was Jefferson Park. on Twenty
first and Marshall streets. where anumber
OF men are at present kept busy I'M
der Superintendent Frank Parater on
the preliminary work for the establishing
OF a public park, which will prove OF great
benefit 10 the residents OF Jefferson and
Jackson wards. The committee has at us
disposal sn Appropriation of $1,000 to
carry on the work and resolution has been
referred to the Finance Committee Tor It's
consideration. providing for the transfer VI
the sum of $1,000 from last years unex-
pended appropriation of the Committee on
Shockoe Creek for the continuation of the
work
Colonel Cutshaw explained that double
terrace road was to lead from the cor
ner OF Iwenty-frst and Marshall streets
up 10 the highest elevation OF the
new park. The men are now working
with wheelbarrows and IN a few days
the crown of the hill will be plow-
cd down 10 enable the use of carts. The
road is 10 follow the shape OF the hill and
on the other side of what has been known
as the old New road a large plot OF ground
will DO sowed IN grass.
cHIMBoRAZo PARK.
The committee next visited Chimborazo
Park and after driving around the park
they went down the slope towards Fulton.
Colonel CutshaW called attention TO the en-
frances % two vaults at the foot Of the hill
which are ut present boarded up, and e1-
planned that the two vaults run about 100
feet into the I'LL. and one Of them still fur
Their continues in right angle. In years
gone by the vaults were used III connection
with brewery which was constructed
on the hill Colonel Cutshaw thought that
in the near future pavilion might 10 con-
structed on the hill. from which stslrways
should beicut into these vaults. After the
latter had been properly widened they could
easily be used at a comparatively small cost
for an aquarium and resting place for the
visitors. where refreshments could be served
TO them.
LIBBY BILL.
Libby Hill or Marshall Park WAS found in
frst-cass condition and the green hedge
around 1t, which was the first one TO be in
troduced by Colonel Cutshaw in the public
parks of this city. is growing very rapidly.
The committee then went down the slope TO
Main street and no the latter TO Twenty
third and Franklin streets, where
short stop WAS made ia front OF lay
lor Hill or Tin Can Park, as Alder
man Dick Taylor styled IT, Part of
the hill WAS originally owned by the city,
while the other half, IN front Of the Catholic
convent on Grace street. was the property
of that institution. The latter. however
ceded its halt several years ago 70 the city,
with the understanding that Grace street
should not be extended from Iwenty-second
to Twenty-hrst street This was easily
agreed TO, for the reason that the steep
grade would not admit OF an eX-
tension OF Grace street IN that direction.
Colonel Cutshaw pointed out that as soon
as money should DO available tor that pur-
pose no would recommend TO the Council TO
have Taylor's Hill terraced in a similar way
as Jefferson Park.
CANDLES HILL.
CANDLES Hill Park was next visited. and
in referring 10 any possible Improvements
10 that park the City Engineer alluded 10
the fact that the valley at the foot OF Second
street which was now occupied by the
Richmond and Allegheny railroad shops,
WAS formerly an old boat-yard. Ii should
have been purchased by the city, with some
adjacent property, IN order 10 enable the
establishing of driveway 10 Hollywood
and Riverside Park, and he thought that
this step should be taken II the shops
should ever be moved by the railroad COM
psny.
MONROE PARK.
Monroe Park was found TO be in frst-class
condition. and the only desirable improve
ment appeared to be slight change IN the
green hedge at the five entrancesin order 10
do away with the existing sharp corners at
these parts. IL was also deemed advisable
to cover the walks with cement or asphalt
whenever the finances of the committee
should justify the expense.
RESERVOIR PARK.
The tour Of inspection was then contin-
ued up Cary street TO the old Chestnut road
which leads 10 the residence of the keeper
of Reservoir Park. There the City
Engineer called attention TO a stream which
wends its way from under the lake at the
New reservoir 10 a sOutheasterly direction
towards the James river. He recommended
that a dam be built at some distance south
from Cary street IN order TO create another
lake which could easily be extended u
three or four times the size Of the one near
tho New reservoir. Colonel Cutshaw also
showed that a grove of valuable forest
trees belonging TO the Darlington estate
and bordering on the old SHIELD graveyard,
ghich AZ present ID wedged into the pro-
perty OF the city, should be acquired by the
latter
on the south side Of Cary street and OPP
posite the old Chestnut road Is situated an
area of land covering about forty-seven
acres in al which Is owned by Mayor Dooley
with the exception Of some SIX or eight
acres, which belong 70 the Misses Pollard.
Several years ago Major Dooley was anxious
to purchase this property and was willing
10 pay as much as $1,000 per acre.
His idea was 10 cede the whole area 70
the city in exchange for the Clark Spring
which is owned by the latter and
covers thirty-hve acres This transfer would
have necessltated the digging up II num-
Der OF bodies OF persons who had died from
smallpox and who we're buried on the Clark
Spring property. The digging up OF these
bodies met with serious objection and
caused the falling through of the scheme.
Colonel Cutshaw. however. hopes that tae
exchange may yet DO effected IN the near
future.
TIE CITY NURSERY.
In driving down the Chestnut road the
committee came 10 the city nursery. an es-
adjustment which is known probably only
10 very few residents OF this city. Some
10. 900 young trees are being raised there by
superintendent Haun al very little expense.
The number will DO considerably Increased
this tall. and 1t is Colonel Cutshaw's idea AS
soon as he hasa sufficient supply Of about
200 900 trees on hand TO begin with systematic
in the various streets Of the city.
n L Hrtr -
Gus points more or less distant from this
atty