Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-08-03
A Communication
AUGUSTA, Me, Aug. 2, 1894.

EdttOrS hennebec journal:
You are so often requested the use of
your columns for matters of public interest
that hesitate to encroach upon your cour-
tesy; but the subject to which | wish to
call the attention of the public through you
seems to me to be of such great importance
that l take this liberty.
Augusta is growing city with very
large population and hundreds of children
Within the city proper there is but one
park for public use. This park is small
triangular affair and, until very recently,
without seat or resting place on it. Ex-
cept as an ornamentation to the city it is
not the slightest use as park.
With the exception of few vacant lots
there is no place where children can play
or where older ones can take moment $
outing excepting on the public streets and
sidewalks. 49,
1t is generally held that, in city of this
size, public common is as necessary as
lungs to the individual, and think that
every reader will agree in this particular,
especially in this hot weather. ~..
1t seems to me that Augusta has the
means of obtaining one of the best COM
mons in the State of Maine without trouble
and at very little expense. The entire
park in front of the State House is today
unused. 1t is mere hay field from which
a grass crop is cut for the Insane
Asylum every year, and even for this pur-
pose does not seem to be cultivated. At a
very little expense this could be made into
one of the most beautiful public parks that
could be imagined, and is of suffi-
cient I size and natural beauty to
make it just the spot wanted. The
ground is level and could be laid out
in walks and public play grounds, and kept
in the best condition at a very little cost to
the city of Augusta.
Iwould suggest that the city government
could probably make arrangements with the
proper State officials or the legislature, to
take control of the care of that park, so
that the city would assume the expenses of
keeping it in order, and identifying it as a
park, and in return for this the city to have
the use of it as a public common, the State
retaining its ownership in the land.
By such arrangement the State would
lose nothing but comparatively scanty
grass crop and would have its grounds
arranged and beautified, and Augusta
would gain what we all wish for, delight
full public ground. The management of the
park could be assumed by the proper State
official in cooperation with the proper city
officials. 1t would be matter of equal
pride to both, as it would at once serve as
city and State park. ."-*.
would further suggest, that for such
an object, if the city is unable to appropri-
ate sufficient amount, a permanent Pub
lie Improvement Fund might be raised by
subscription or otherwise and placed under
the control of the city government or trus-
tees, who would expend the interest for the
care of such a park. Such funds as are
raised elsewhere by Village Improvement
Societies. = ~:.~
1t does not seem to me that it would cost
any great amount to furnish seats, lay out
walks, play grounds, ETC., to make this
what is needed. It will be remem-
bered that certain public spirited
citizens once offered band-stand,
and if they have not changed their minds
this would furnish good location for it.
The matter of putting in water pipes, foun-
tains and flower beds is for future consid-
Grafton, and they are things which would
come up in due course of time in the proper
order, and which would in time give us one
| of the best parks east of Boston. ..
hope that if there be any merit in this
suggestion, the city government will take it
up and carry it through to successful con-
clusion, as it is something which will bene-
fit everyone who lives in this beautiful city
of ours, and the suggestion seems to be in
line with the recent action of that body, in
regard to Monument Park and its improve
mont ~.t:a*.>..t =