Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-04-05
PARK ESTIMATES.


Superintendent Lessen Asks for SCI, 900
for Park improvements.
The regular meeting Of the members
of the Park Commission was held last
Tuesday afternoon.
Superintendent Lessen submitted his
estimate of expenditures for the year.
The regular current expenses of the
department arc about $4,000 year.
Mr.. Leisen said that it is imperative to
construct the roadway from West to
Adams street. He thinks nothing be.
yond filling in the embankment need
be done with section from Adams to
Van Buren, street.
II would not be wise to macadamize
or telfordizo it until the embankment
has settled thoroughly. In making this
embankment | am confident that the
Street and Sewer Department will aid
US materially. If we have to borrow"
in order 10 complete the fill l would
suggest that the northwesterly corner
of Lowering avenue and Van Buren,
street be cut down in such way as to
make an entrance from Lowering ave-
nue. around the corner on graceful
curve into the driveway.
The portion of the roadway from
Clayton street bridge to Riddles road,
which was graded last year, should be
macadamized in order to give good
outlet to the portion of the roadway
already completed. With these three
portions of the roadway and using
| Lowering avenue, tthe grading of which
is now nearing cumpletion) as con
Meeting link, the public would have a
continuous roadway from West street to
Bancrofls lane. In the estimate for the
Boulevard from the bridge to Eighteenth
street have figured on the roadway and
sidewalks both. think, however, that
in justice the Moth Side Improvement
Company should help US IN the execu.
ton Of this work.
The pathway from the end of the
bridge down to the picnic grounds OF
the north side seems very necessary, a!
there is no convenient way of reachlE!
those grounds at present. Part of til,
work laid out in the two small park
(Kirkwood and Southwest parks) is alb
solutelY necessary. All Of it should b.
done ut as early date as possible. Ii
Kirkwood park l have estimated on
rustic stone wall around all four sides
Some protection is demanded on TIL
river side to keep children from fallin:
into the water and this stone wall woul,
serve as well or better than railing
and probably present better appear
ance. also submit G plan for laying on
the triangular piece of ground bounde
by the Boulevard, Washington stree
and Eighteenth street and turning
into an attractive square or plaza.
If the plan is approved propos
! doing as much as possible with the al
of the guards only, toward laying
,, out, without mourning any extra OK
pense for the present. l also propos
, laying out grounds for outdoor game
in such portions as adapted for that pun
j pose. There are two places on the mort
: side of the Brandywine which l thin
q can be utilized for such games as bast
e ball or cricket or any ether out-doc
: sports.
! The total cost of the estimated in
r. provements is $27 ,415.20. Superintei
dent Leisen's figures and plans we
n approved by the commissioners WI
: feared, however, that they would NJ
l. receive that full amount this year.
:. Mr.Dannenberg expressed the opinio
u that the only way to effect systemat
2 park improvements is to obtain loa
!: This is the method adopted in 9th,
IL cities.
If Council would adopt some methc
n of letting the commission know in a
/. vance the amount of money applicab
e. to park improvements, say for sever
N years, then definite plan could be la
u out.
a. Superintendent Leisen asked for Il
Il sum Of 5000 to repair Clayton sire
Z. bridge. He also called the attention
the commissioners to the dangerous al
o. unsightly condition of the steps abo
It. the suspension bridge. Mr.. Leisen su
IF gested a zigzag pathway up the hill
II; place of the steps. The matter was
g, ferred to the superintendent with pow
y. =. to act.
he The superintendent called attenti
i. to the fact that the custom CT car
Y. playing was becoming more prevale
or in the park. This could not properly
mt called an outdoor sport, lie said, a
We something should be done to put a st
en- to it. A resolution was passed CALI
az on the superintendent to have cal
nd playing stopped.
he The park purchase investigating co
en- mittee and the committee appointed
ng act with Associated Charities were d
lcharged.