Morning journal and courier., 1893-06-06
NEW HAvEN,s PARK.

What the Park Commission Ii Doing |
This Spring-A New FootPath Up
West Rock-The Road at the Top
Of Indian Head TO be Completed |
The Improvements at Fort Hale |
and Fort Wooster, Seaside and
Water Street Parks-The Need of
New Parks-A Great Need at Fort
Hale Park.
The work on the various parks of the
town and city, under the charge of the
park commission is rapidly progressing
this spring, and some improvements will
be made on all the parks under their
charge. The commission Is somewhat Grip
pied in its work by the small amount ap-
propriated to carry on the work, and 80
the gentlemen of the commission will not
be able to do great deal of work that is
most desirable. The city only appropri-
ated s., 600 this year for the maintenance
of East Rock park, and as 1t takes So, 900
to run it, So, 900 had to be taken from the
$40, 900 appropriated by the town. Thus
the nine or ten other parks will have to
lose some of the work that should be done
on them.
There will not be much done at East
Rock park, except to keep 1t in the best
condition possible. The only other work
done will be the completion of the road to
the top of Indian Head, which was begun
last summer. The road is already pas
sable almost to the top, and when com
p.eted will make a very popular drive.
Indian Head is still in a most primitive
condition, very little having been done to
make park of 1t, and on that account it
is a most attractive place of resort.
There will also be some Improvements
on West rock. A new foot path will be
built from the crusher on Rock street to
the top of the rock and the driveway to
Judges cave will be kept in frat class con-
dition. The foot paths already constructed
to the top of the rock will also be some
what improved.
There will be $500 or $4Oo worth of work
done on Fort Wooster park. This has not
yet become very popular park, 1t only
being used as place to drive to by people
who wish to enjoy the view.
Fort Hale park expects to enjoy great
er degree of popularity during the coming
summer than it has hitherto, on account
of the advent of the electric railroad A
foot path is to be made around the fort
and there are to be numerous improve
ments made on the beach. There is vast
deal to do at this park in the way of filling
| in and grading to make 1t a present
able park, but the situation is a
fine one, and had the commission
means to work with 1t could be
made most attractive park. One crying
evil at the park should be abolished and
| the attention of the park commissioners is
in accordance with the desire of many citi-
| zsns and ladies called to the subject. The
portion of the park in the vicinity of the
old copper works cottages is one of the
most desirable spots and the fine grassy
| lawn there IL much visited. Here beauti-
| full view of the hsrbor and sound Is to be
had and the waves of the harbor wash the
| park at this point, bringing cooling bree yes
and the thought of rest and comfort in
these hot days which have now begun to
hold sway.
10 But, while the cackling of geese saved
Rome, the presence of geese ON the lawne
and grassy spots hereabouts is q great nui-
sanoe. They defile the grass so that the
ladies and children are very indignant, and
when they view their soiled garments they
vow they will "never 60 there any more u
And the shabby, dilapidated, ramshackle
tenement houses on this portion of the
park are so unsightly that 1t is common
remark from visitors why they should be
| allowed to remain. 1t Is not believed that
1
places compensates the city for the pres
ence of these old WORKOUT, unsightly
structures In a playground and park fol
the public.
At the COTE street park, which was for
merly part of the old Beaver ponds, little
can be done but fill in. The ground is low
| and marsby, and there is considerable tc
be done in the way of improving the drain
age. The park ia large one, however, be
ing as large or larger than the old green.
Seaside park, which extends from How
also comes in for its share of the improve
ments. The part of the park on Howard
avenue was graded, sowed to grass, and
concrete walks laid last season. Some orn
amental trees were also set out. This yeal
the The commission naae9dsa wi will put in seat,
that have died. On the beach there
be made in the way of filling in and grad
ing. The upper part of this part has al
ready began to assume the appearance Of
city park, and when the entire work il
completed it will be most beautiful spot
The work is also commencing to show
considerably on the Water street park
Last season two or three acres of 1t were
seeded down, seats were put in, and worI
commenced on the sea wall. Work is now
being pushed forward on the sea wall, and
1t will in all probability be completed by
the middle of July. There is considerable
filling in yet to be done, and that work
will be carried on throughout the summer
This park being in such a thickly populated
part of the city is most beneficial one
to the people of that part of the city.
There is great need for at least three new
| parks in the city, and while there is nc
reasonable probability that they will eve,
be attained, the want still remains One
of the members of the park commission
thinks that park on Grand avenue in Its
most crowded part, and another on the
&4tprfa1 IN nITrru