Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-05-14
BicroLn pirn ; suoa EsrED.
Local Wheriman Would be Pleased to Have
One in IBrandyviu, Park,

Local Wherlman Would be Pleased to Have
One in Brandywins Park.
Wilmington can now boast OF some
very respectable streets and the advan-
tages allowed by them are appreciated
by the wheelmen. 1t is fact, how.
ever, that wheelmen have few ways OF
travel in this city or vicinity except by
the streets or public roads. To many
riders it is no pleasant experience to
travel thoroughfare already largely
used by other and larger vehicles. In
such cases it requires a good steady
head to prevent accident. Many riders
would much prefer to seek such places
as are less-frequented, where they
might wheel to the hearts content. As
yet there has been no provision for the
accommodation OF bicyclsts outside the
regular avenues of travel, notwithstaDd-
ing elsewhere the question OF bicycle
paths is receiving discussion. in the
course OF time-a century or two per-
hapa-there may be some roads given
up to the bicycle riders in this vicin-
ity, but meanwhile cyclists are not IA
highly favored class in that respect. A
wheelman, IN speaking OF the matter,
informed reporter OF Every Evening
that a suggestion was recently made
that may be worth consideration by the
Park Commission when ii comes to
expend its next appropriation and that
is that path be built on the upper
edge OF the wooded portion OF Brandy
wine Park. Such a path might be
begun at Washington bridge on the
north side Of tho Brandywine. Here at
tho summit of the old quarry is one OF
tho most beautiful views along the
l3randywine A summer house for the
bicyclists and other ptrions could be
erected at this point and it would com
mand an exquisite view. Below is the
quarry, the railway that runs to Au-
gustine and the north race. Beyond
that Is the bank OF the creek and the
current of the stream broken by rocks.
Across the stream ia the old South race
that bears the city's drinking water
swiftly to the city mills, and rising
from the level of the race banks is the
wooded hill of the Wilmington and
Brandywine cemetery property. To the
south of the trees lies the Delaware Hos
pital and below it Washington School.
Looking towards the west one sees trees
and fields and houses and to the north
the noble trees that shade the park.
Tho Brandywine is lost to sight be-
tween it's wooded shores, while nearer
to the observer the quiet tisn ponds
that speak eloquently Of DIR. Il. G.
Shortlidge's care, stand out in gently
beauty. And then to the north of tho
fish ponds are the picnic grounds of
childhood days, Tatnall's woods, along
whose edge it is suggested to run this
path for hicyclists.
Beginning then at the Washington
bridge tho path could follow the sum
init Of the quarry till il reached the
woods and thence run along the shaded
edge thereof back towards Eighteenth
street. At the deepest point Of the
woods the track could again turn and
follow the line of trees westward to the
hill that borders tho old picnic grounds
nearly opposite the second dam OF the
Brandywine. At this point the woods
again fall back towards Eighteenth
street nearly to the old lime kiln.
From the lime kiln across a low place
a rustic bridge might DO erected or il
might be filled in so as TO connect with
the ridge of the hill beyond, whence
| the path may run to the second section
of Tatnall's woods and continue in the
direction of the stream that flows acroee
Snuff Mill lane through the park. On
the incline Just before the stream il
reached the bicycle path might be
brought TO an end.
A path constructed on the route in.
dicated would prove very pleasant
| place for bicycle riders in the after.
moons. The long rays of the sinking
sun would scarcely pierce tho foliage o.
the trees and the path would be well
shaded for the greater part of its length.
1t is thought that II feet would bt
good width for the path. To put il
into condition would require no very
extensive filling in or cutting down o
the present surface. As to the cost, i
is estimated by man who has had eX
perience in such matters that 1t woult
cost 81, 500 to grade and put down I
macadam road. This estimate OF cos
is not very favorable to the building o
such path. 1t is a question whethe
a suitable path might not be construc
ted for a good deal less. While th
route suggested would cover only hal
mile or 10, yet il could be made
section of IA series of paths in diiieren
parts of tine park, that would furnish
a variety OF scene and contribute no
little to the enjoyment of the con
stantly increasing number of cyclists.