The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-01-11
IT IS GREATLY NEEDED.
Proposition to Make Reservoir Ave-
nue. a Popular Driveway.
The Elcctrics Have Practically Rmined
Other Fashionable Roadways-it
Would Make Good Driveway.

The growing extension OF the trolley
system through the city and its suburbs
Is greatly appreciated by the public, par
ticularly those who are compelled to use
that means of transit to and from their
homes and places OF business or employ
ment. 1t is potential factor In the ma
terial development OF the city, as it pene-
trates sections which otherwise would
remain unimproved and where population
would be compelled to utilize rail-
road trains and In some in
stances stage facilities. Nevertheless the
introduction OF this modern substitute
for the patient and overworked car horse
which has demonstrated its value and
utility has indirectly tended to the
abandonment of such favorite driveways
as the Pawtncket and Pawtuxet pixies
which were the popular resorts OF the
wealthy and well-to-do citizens in their
private and family carriages and incident
ally the owners of fast steppers who
wished to indulge in friendly test Of
speed and endurance.
How the Plan Started.
Quite recently at an informal gathering
of well-known citizens the proposition
was broached of the establish
ment OF driveway on Reser-
voir avenue, which possesses many
elements of attractiveness in consequence
of its broad and level layout and its ade-
quated length in its extension to the
junction of Park avenue. distance OF
two miles. In investigating the feasible
ity OF the enterprise, it was found neces-
sary to consult the town authorities OF
Cranston, in which nearly half OF the ave-
nue. is located, in order TO ascertain IL
they would join in the maintenance Of the
driveway with the city.
Cranston Will DO It's Share.
They cheerfully promised to make
an appropriation for it's temporary inn
proyement and gave assurances that
they would cooperate in the movement
for permanent maintenance. Then the
possibility of the Union Railroad COM
pany utilizing the avenue by their elec-
tric system was suggested, and confer
ence was had with the officials OF the road
with the gratifying result that it was sub
stantially guaranteed that the corpora
tion would not locate tracks in the ave-
nue. for many years. In the
building of this driveway it is not in
tended to give it solid, mace
am surface but rather foundation of
macadam covered with few inches of
loan which would give a flexible and
responsive resistance to the tread of
jogging or swiftly moving steeds. Aside
from its employment for carriages and
fashionable turn-outs, there are scores of
devotees of both sexes to the healthful
pastime OF saddle riding.
A Popular Family Drive.
This avenue will afford n popular
route OF travel to and from Roger
Williams and Narragansett parks as it is
removed from the line of electric car
travel, and consequently offers induce
ments to those in possession of high bred
and mettlesome animals.
There has been some discussion of the
establishment OF a speedway in the terri
tory included in the extension to Roger
Williams park, and the commissioners
have been consulted in regard to the ad-
visibility OF the scheme. The proposition
TO construct a speedway in Central park,
New York, however, was vigorously
opposed, and consequently the
river drive was substituted. The
cities of Boston, Hartford, Springfield,
Cleveland, Buffalo and San Francisco and
other prominent centers, are taking an
active interest in this direction, governed
by similar condition OF things in the
comparative monopoly of the most avaia-
bic highways by the electric car system.
There are Other Places for Speeding.
There are opportunities for the horse
men to indulge in trials OF speed at Mar
ragansett park and the Blackstone boule-
ward.
The advantages of Reservoir avenue as
popular family drive are numerous, and
its availability, particularly as there are
practically no outlets or covering, where
by there would be liability to collisions or
accidents to pedestrians. The enterprise
is i'm the hands OF public-spirited and
influential citizens, and many of the
obstacles often encountered in disposing
of preliminary negotiations have been
promptly removed as soon as its aim and
object were intelligently understood.