Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-07-25
SHALL WE HAVE A PARK?
The A. & II. Association Will Dispose
of Their Grounds.

The special meeting o; he Wood
County A. & NJ. Association, called by
its president, f. NJ Nash, for Thursday
evening July 18th, was not largely
attended Mr. Nash called the meeting
to order and stated why the call was
made He said the society was about
$500 in debt and he for one wanted it
paid. He thought the property ought
to be sold and the debts paid, the
surplus to be divided among the stock
holders A. L. Fonta1ne was elected
temporary seer etary. On motion of j.
D. Witter the chair was authorized to
appoint committee of three with l..
M. Nash as chairman of the committee,
to confer with the Mayor and Council
of the city of Grand Rapids and see if
they would not pay the debts and buy
up the stock at its face, or cheaper if
they could, and use the property for
public park The chair appointed
Messrs. John DAILY and Lara Ward to
act with him as such committee.
This is all opportunity that the city
ought to avail themselves of for it is
one of the best tracts of land in the city
for park purposes and convenient to all
parts There is another tract Of 20
acres owned by Mr.. Frank Wood on
the road leading to the cemetery which
has a beautiful growth of trees that
SURPRISES the Fair Grounds for a pretty
park. 1t is little farther away. How
ever, the city should sometime provide
itself with park Perhaps this is the
acceptable time.
To gain the sentiment Of the tax
payers in regards to the city providing
a Park we interviewed number of the
business men and find the sentiment
largely in favor of public park. The
only question which arises is that of
location and expense. We append a
few opinions as a result Of our interview:
Mayor Baker is in favor of Park,
but he was not ready to say that he
would favor buying the fair grounds for
that purpose.
Geo. L. Williams was not in favor of
buying the fair grounds for Park
purposes because they were not suitable
and it would cost too much to make
them SO. He suggested the city bnying
the river frontage from the Wood block
to and including his property with the
five acre island Build stone wall the
whole length and the heighth of 6 feet,
fill in and turnpike the river street and
convert it into boulevard with a side
! walk along the entire river front. Plant
! shade trees along the walk and other
wise beautify the place. Build foot
: bridge across the slough to the island
and then fix up the island. This would
.. provide boating and bathing facilities
t The only objection to this is expense.
E. T. Harmon is decidedly IN favor OF
: the city procuring the grounds fol
Park, fair grounds, or any other
purpose.
,, DR.. O. T. Hougen is in favor of the
city buying the fair grounds. He be-
: lieves the city ought to provide Park
J. d. Witter was in favor of the city
getting possession and control of the
q fair grounds. He thought it could be
converted into park purposes at small
Y expense for beginning.
| G. H. Nilsson, alderman from the
third ward, was in favor of a park bat
thought the city finances would moi
warrant the purchase of the fail
grounds at present.
; B. NJ. Vaughan was in favor of the
city purchasing the fair grounds and
thought the price was reasonable.
-, 7. c. St. Amour had long been i'll
: favor Of the city buying park. He is
now in favor of this move.
) M. A. Bogoger was heartily in favor
Of the city procuring a Park and
thought this was their opportunity.
Messrs. Spafford and Lipke were in
favor of the city getting control even
tho it was used for both purposes Of
fair grounds and park.
n I ONEl V LEhN HE LAID