The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-10-30
WILh BEAT MInnE'S
ST. PAUL, TOO, WILL HAVE A NEW
AND SWELL ATHLETIC
PARK.
EDWARD G. SMITHS SCHEME
INCLUDES CYCLE PATHS AND A
THOROUGHLY MODERN SPORT
ING AMPHITHEATER.
The Location Chosen for the Park
COmiskey's Team May Play
There Next Season.

st. Paul is to have one of the finest
athletic parks in the United States.
The new park is already in process Of
construction, and the opening of next
season will witness its completion
when 1t will undoubtedly be thrown
open to the public with all Of the ap-
purtenances of modern sporting
arena. Already the grounds have been
graded and partly fenced in, while a
boulevard has been constructed about
it on each of its four sides, on which
during the past two days have been
planted a number Of elm and other
kinds of trees. 1t is proposed by the
protector of the park to leave nothing
undone which will add to it's utility
and comfort, and it is claimed when
finished, it will be second to nothing
of its kind in this country.
The new park is situated at the cor
ner of University and Lexington ave-
nues, or, in fact, occupies the entire
block between University avenue, Lex
ington avenue, Dunlap street and Mar
tin street, an area covering eight
acres, which presents a surface of 600
by 400 feet. This expanse of ground
has been graded and is now almost as
level as a floor. Naturally the ground
is particularly we'll adapted for the
purpose for which it has been chosen.
Each of the four sides is above the por-
ton designed for the actual field, and
this formation has been taken advan-
tage of to lay out the park in the form
of an amphitheater, thus placing the
field benath the spectator and enabling
a full view Of the grounds from every
point within the Enclosure.
The grand stands and seats will be
arranged after the plan Of the athletic
parks in Eastern cities. In each cor
ner will be a grand stand, while "over-
flow" seats, or "bleachers," as they
are termed in base ball circles, will
extend completely around the park
Every detail will be in conformance
with the modern idea of what an ath-
letic park should be, and nothing will
be erected on the grounds for mere
temporary accommodation. The grand
stands will be constructed Of iron
throughout and fitted with the regular
opera chairs that those who view the
sports and games which will take place
In the park may do with some degree
of comfort. In the grand stands VIII
also be toilet rooms for both ladies'
and gentlemen, and sliding curtains
will completely envelop the rear Of the
stands to protect the spectators
against the sun and wind Even in
the building of the fence about the
grounds the permanency of the I'M
6ertaking has been uppermost in the
minds of the protector and anchored
posts with matched boards of the best
lumber have been used.
The field itself will be a model. Three
inches Of rich soil is to be laid on the
graded surface, upon which is to be
sown grass seed which, when it has
grown will present vast lawn. This
lawn will be kept as carefully as that
surrounding a residence and to those
watching the sports will De OF Unusual
attractiveness. Around the park, be-
meath the tiers of seats is to be built
a quarter-mile bicycle track, as it is
intended to make the park headquar-
tiers for the bicycle meets of the Twin
Cities. In this connection accommo-
dations will be furnished for the sys-
tematic checking and care of wheels.
while among the other equipment I'M
der the grand stands will be lockers
dilN be1tu 1OOlIIS, CONTAINING faculties
for shower and plunge baths
1t is hoped that the new park will
also be the home of the local base
ball team, and for this purpose it is
said to be the most convenient and
best-adapted piece of ground in the
city. On the interurban car line. less
than five minutes ride from the loea-
ton OF the present grounds, the avail,
ability of the new park, it is claimed,
IS beyond question. Lexington ave-
nue.. it is said. IS destined to become
the most important cross street in the
upper portion of the city, thus placine
the new grounds at the intersection of
the two most frequented thorough
fares and at the same time leaving the
park practically isolated so far as resi-
dents who might be disturbed nv the
sports are concerned, as the souare
upon which 1T is located is In an nm.
occupied portion Of the citv. where
the nearest house is perhaps half a
mile distant. This fact, it is Thought
would do away with the opposition to
Sunday ball games and enable the To-
cal management to reap the benefit OF
the best day OF the week from fin.
ancial standpoint.
The diamond at the new park will
be laid out with a view of permitting
the play Of scientific ball Two feet