Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-08-17

In conversation with representative
of Tue GAZETTE, Mayor Evan q.
Shortlidge, who is also ex-oiiicio
member of the Board of Park Commits
sioners, freely expresses his opinion of |
what he believed to be the deplorabie |
condition of the public parks of the |
city, and stated that the time had come |
when the public needed places for
recreation which would prove source
of comfort and relief to the sweltering
Masses The mayor, as one of the
prime movers in the demand for better
public parks, expressed desire that the
city might have equally as good ac-
commodations for the public in this re-
spect as those to be found in any OF the
cities of the proportion of Wilmington.
"There is no reason why the citizens
of Wilmington should be In need OF
places of public recreation" said Mayor
Shortlidge, "when one takes into con-
sideration that we have some of the
most beautiful parks to be found in the
country. The park along the Brandy
wine is admirably adapted TO the pur-
poses for which it was purchased several
years ago, but in order to meet the de-
mands Of growing public it must be
put in proper condition and made avail
able for the use of those who would
willingly avail themselves of the privi-
lege Of spending a few hours daily
there. The time has come when the city
finds itself in need of places of public
recreation, and TO keep pace with other
places Wilmington must look to the
needs of her citizens and lend helping
hand in the way of improvements that
will best serve the public interest.
"Money, judlclously expended, would
in the course of short time raise the
condition of Brandywine Park from its
deplorable state and place 1t on a level
with parks that are credit to city and
a source of comfort to its inhabitants
1t is the masses that frequent places Of
this nature, and any one having the in
terest of the masses at heart must look
to 1t that the improvements in public
parks from time to time shall be in sucl
places and of such proportions that they
will best serve the public good.
81 would suggest general clearing
up of the parks, as an improvement tina
would be to the best public advantage
Then, to be popular the parks must b
of easy access to the major portion o
the people. There ought to be thorough
fares leading to the parks and rail facili
ties, whereby the street railways coul
transport their passengers to the grounds
The success of the private parks at th
terminus of the city railway lines ougt
to be sufficient proof to convince th
most skeptical that the city's propert
could be made equally as popular as th
private undertakings which have bee
hailed with general appreciation.
"There is not "a more beautiful stretc
of park land to be found than Brand,
wine Park. The erection of Washin
ton bridge has opened up new stretC
of park land, with little improvemel
would be easily accessible to hundred
DESTROYS of reaching IKE greatest poin
of interest. In the parks proper the Q
tention of the Park Commissioners h
long been needed. During all of II
visits to the park 1 have failed to 0
serve single walk or thoroughfare th
was in such a condition that it afford
suitable passage for those who care
visit the park. The walk along t
BrBndywine is OF not sufficient propt
tions to allow persons to pass witho
encroaching upon the race wall, viii
seems to have become walk for the
not caring to keep to the foot-path. I
grounds are covered with stones a
fragments Of broken limbs of trees, /
TO speak of the old paper and pas
board boxes lying on the ground, givi
tho park the opposite appearance
whatft should have. Then there
portions grown up with weeds and hi
grass, which l understand Mr.. Car
has prevented the guards from cult
down. They are certainly not an {
Enlistment in any way 10 the pa
and only add to its state of desolati
"The scenery about the park lands
the north side of the Brandywine is
deed very beautiful. There are a nj
Der of acres of land at this point
grown up with weeds, by the way
high level ground which could he u
to great advantage. The land is h
enough to get all the cool air going,
there is an excellent view of the ID
ware river from this point, and Ia
portion of the city is in close proxim
Washington bridge has now connet
the north side of the park with the b
city centre, and travel is easy. There
tall shade trees along the north sid
the stream, but the high weeds
there are few seats for any one to si
with any degree of comfort.
THE park on the south side i
better condition than its opposite ne
Dor, but neither of them is at all
able to public convenience. The |
tories in the park are mostly in bad
dition, and the doors of some of t
are constantly locked. A portion
4haca hutldinuS bu va loo cd arc !,
used as places for the workmen to +
their shoyels, picks and other in
mepts Used in working about the p;
"For several days the park gu
have been engaged in building a pas
way along the Brandywine beyond
wire bridge and under the railro
needless expenditure of time and me
when 1t is known that the main pa
thepark is so sadly in need Of imp
ment. A iudicious expenditure o.
finahces of the Park Commission W
no doubt materially aid in the imp
ment of the park and help max
place that all would be glad TO FREQ
during the summer months, away
the hurry and noise of busy city Ii
SIN order that there might be
car accommodations for carrying
pie TO the parks | would suggest
line be run over Washington bl
and up Eighteenth street, to sui
point along the park, and that an
line be constructed down Clayton
OF some other street to the south 81
the park, in order that access b
could be had on either side. This Y
have tendency to encourage the
licsto patronize the parks and q
them that the city looks to their w
rat least.