Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-08-15

quuinfed with tho Proposed Alterations
by Climbing tho Park nills-P Plan to
Make the Pretty Breathing spot More
Public.
A special meeting of the Board of
Park Commissioners was held Tues
day afternoon for the purpose OF con-
sidering changes in the course Of the
driveway in Brandywine Park which
had been suggested by Superintendent
Leisen. Commissioners Mention, Bush,
Wilson, Baylis and Carpenter met
Superintendent Leisen at the. Clayton
street bridge at O'Clock.
The driveway has been graded and is
in excellent condition from Rockford
Park to that point, but from the bridge
to Van Buren, street nothing whatever
has been done.
= Last week Superintendent Leisen
prepared drawings outlining the old
and new routes, and he staked the
latter off when the proposed change fol-
lows. The idea in stalking it off was
to give tho commissioners an oppor-
tunity to see exactly what was desired.
He furnished an intelligent idea, from
the fact that each stake was so marked
as to designate what excavation or fill
lux III WOulO DC UtCtHsdIy 10 DIinS tuC
drive to grade at that point
At Clayton street bridge the new
route bends off to the left, following
course much nearer the Brandywine
and much more romantic. By an easy
bend the roadway will reach a distance
of about 100 feet nearer the Brandy
wine at Broome street From this
point almost straight line will be fol-
II, ntr ylar =,
portion is now being graded.
Considerable filling in and some ex-
cavating will be necessary in certain
places but the entire cost, as estimated
by Superintendent Leisen, would not
able rock would be encountered. 1t
could be crushed and put to excellent
use on the drive, as the surface will
have to be maeadamized or faced with
some durable material.
The commissioners and superintend-
emit went over the route from the Clay
ton street bridge to Van Buren, street.
1t was rather hazardous task for some
of the older men. The park at that
point is yet in its natural conditions,
and it is exteremly hilly and rugged.
The commissioners navigated with
much difficulty at some points, but they
rather enjoyed the trip of inspection,
and thoroughly acquainted themselves
with the condition of things in general
in and about the big park. They were
furnished all the desired information by
Superintendent Leisen, who was thor
oughly saturated with his subject.
After the route had been traversed,
examined and discussed the meeting of
the board was called to order at the
intersection of Van Buren, street with
the drive. In the absence Of President
Candy, Commissioners Mention pre-
sided.
The members all seemed favorable TO
the proposed change, and on motion
of Mr.. Bush, resolution was passed
adopting the course as staked out
Superintendent Leisen will now get
bids for grading, and as soon as the
new land at West street becomes the
property of the city the executive com
mittee of the board will award the con
tract for the work, which will then be
pushed on as rapidly as practicable.
The members were of the opinion
that the drive will be a great benefit
to the park, as well as to the people
of Wilmington. 1t will afford one of
the pleasntest avenues anywhere near
the city and will add beauty and neat
ness to the already attractive place.
With the advent Of teams in the park
new life and activity will follow. The
portions yet to be graded are from JEFF
ferson to jackson and from Van Buren,
to Clayton streets.
Mr.. Bush said that the park is not
as easily accessible as it might be-
His colleagues agreed with him, and
talk on the subject followed. 1t was
the opinion of the board that good
walk bown Clayton street would be a
benefit, and other improvements were
suggested.
Mention was made of the fact that
strangers in the city would have a job
to find the park, and in order to bring
it to the notice of the public little
palmer the executive committee was
authorized to procure neat signs marked
ITO Brandywine Park" and have
them placed on Delaware avenue at
such street intersections as are deemed
advisable.
The commissioners would like to see
street cars running nearer the park
than at present, and it is likely that
in the near future steps will be taken
with that end in view.