The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-01-11

Delightful Variety Possible-C1ose to
Water Along the Shore, Up Around the
Creeks In the Deep Gavines, Along the
Crest of the Bluffs and Across the Cove
On a Dike-This Dixie Will Make the
Cove Lake.
The plans for the proposed boulevard
around the shores of Back Cove. now in
preparation in tho Office of Frederick
Law Olmstead at Boston, will probably
be received in this city very soon.
Mayor Baxter and Commissioner Fer
nald expect them at any time now.
The location of this boulevard has been
matter of much discussion. 1t REQUIRES
a great deal Of discrimination in the
matter of selection, and is problem of
no slight difficulty.
The idea is that the land owners along
the shore shall donate the necessary land
for the boulevard AS everybody knows,
for almost tie entire distance around the
Deering side Of the Cove, the land rises
abruptly from the shore in bluffs of more
or less height. There are at least a half
a dozen deep ravines between the bluffs,
where streams come down to meet the
salt water creeks. In several of these
ravines there is much natural beauty,
and Mr.. Ohm stead will endeavor to take
advantage of it in the location OF the
boulevard.
For example, Warren's Creek and
Smiths Creek over in East Deering ex-
tend some distance up into the land be-
tween high banks covered with trees.
Smiths Creek is particularly long,
deep rayine and it might be as desirable,
as it certainly would be attractive, not
to bridge the creek, but to cause the
boulevard to curve up around it at the
head Of the ravine. There are many
places where there is sufficient width of
| shore, between the foot of the bluff and
high water mark, for the location of the
boulevard close to the waters edge. This
is the intention, especially perhaps in
that section near Saunders's Creek, just
east of Woodford's.
This creek, like Warren's, extends
some distance up into broad deep ra-
vine.
At other points it would certainly be
desiraL e, and perhaps necessary, for the
boulevard to be located along the crest OF
tho bluffs. This would of course afford
better view than down on the shore
level and pleasing variety Of grades
| in rhe boulevard.
When Mr.. Olmsted was here last fall
and looked over the ground with Mayor
Baxter, Commissioner Fernald and Civil
| Engineer Jordan, the question Of hold
| ing the tide water in the Cove, without
thereby mourning the opposition of the
national government, was discussed, and
MI. Olmsted suggested way out Of the
difficulty as follows: A dixie could be
thrown up along the northern edge of
the channel that comes across the Cove
from Tukey's bridge to Winslow's pot
terry. This dyke would terminate at the
| northern end Of Tukey's bridge. Near
that point there would be a gate in the
dyke to admit the water to the enclosed
basin between the dyke and the Deering
| shores, where it coul be held as long as
desired, and regulated at will by the
gate. Thus the regular flow Of the tide
| through the main channel and the pas!
sage of vessels to Winslow's pottery,
Watson's coal yard and the power plant
of the Electric Railway company would
| not be interfered with.
Mr.. Olmsted said that that sort of
thing is frequently done in Boston and
other large cities.
| The dixie need not be expensive. The
mud can be thrown up by mud digger,
thus deepening the channel, and can bs
held in place by rip-rap.
| On this dyke trees can be planted and a
roadway built, thus extending the boule-
ward straight across the Cove. It would
be of course delightful drive in sum-
mer The enclosed water would prevent
any bad odor from the flats Anybody
who has crossed the Cove in a boat, at
high tide, knows that there is no odor,
but that it is very attractive sail and
affords a splendid view of the CITY.
Thus the boulevard would make COM
plete circuit around the Deering shores
and across the tree shaded dyke.
| This is of course a dream of the future.
but is entirely feasible and certainly of
such attractiveness as to demand the
most serious attention of the people.
Several of the largest land owners on
the Deeripg shore have signified their
intention of donating the necessary land
q