The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-12
FIRST MILE OF wHEELwAY PATH.
1t Was Graded Xcste rday-TO BE Com
pieted in Two Weeks.

Those who desire to take bicycle ride
next Sunday will be enabled to ride at least
s-s far as Fairview Park on the new cycle
path. Work was begun in earnest yesterday
morning and before night the grading for
one mile of the path had been completed.
Those who saw the path after the grading
say was really agsprprise to them what a
wide and beautiful sroute the tow path will
make. There will be no place on it less than
seven feet wide, and many places will be
ten or twelve feet. Superintendent McGinty
says he can complete sits to Broad Ripple in
two weeks and throwsit open TO the public.
Since the first announcement that a path
was to be built was made considerable time
has elapsed and there have been many
doubling Thomases when the question was
preached and they were asked to add their
mite to the sum being raised to pay for the
work, Many of them have said they did
not think the thing would be a success and
they would not subscribe until they saw
work actually begun on the path. 1t is
true, and the managers admit IL. that re-
Gently there has been considerable ground
for the TAX that X was doubtful if the
work would ever be done. 1t has dragged
along in a way that did not inspire con-
fidence in the ultimate end of the work,
but the dragging has not been without
cause. For several weeks the directors have
had sufficient assurance of financial sup
port 10 justify them in beginning the work,
put was Thought best that nothing be
done on the tow path until the directors of
the water company met, and sanctioned il.
r A. w. Davis, the secretary of the water
company, SAID he thought there would be
no objection on the part of the directors
and that he would recommend permission
10 build the path. but it was not known
c. lon l,e fxrn1
by the water company directors and 1t was
decided TO do no work until after the board
had met and passed upon Mr.. Davis's recon-
mendation. ele
The board of directors met fast Thursday
and readily accepted the recommendation Of
Mr. Davis. The way was then open and
arrangements were made to begin work
Immediately. The machinery, which had
\ been previously secured. could not be placed
on the ground and men secured SO as to
begin work before yesterday morning, but
with the coming of yesterday the men APP
peared in sufficient force to grade ni.e OF
the path In one day. After the grading IS
gravel put on and rolled in with a six-ton
roller. The gravel will contain enough loan
to make IL pack well. but. not enough 10
| Ii. On top OF this half inch OF finely
| graduated cinders will be rolled. thus max
ing the best path known for ordinary riding.
Every rider knows the location of the
| spring opposite Golden Hill. New steps have
| recently been built so ali can reach il. I'm
ntuldleiy SOutn OF the spring the Top OF the
| tow path is quite wide. This space viii be
| utilized by several bicycle racks and some
rustic seats, in fact there will be rustic
| seats scattered all along the path for rest
| ing spots for riders. The spring and another
| one, which is now Closed, Will be cleaned
out and tiled Good drainage Will be pro-
| vided and the ground around will be bowl
| dered. Drinking cups viii be provided.
| The directors OF the Whee.way League
have the financial part OF the work in such
| shape now that the completion OF the er
| tire path. thirty miles in length, is prac-
| tically assured. This does not mean that
| the money has been subscribed and paid m
| for 1t has not. There are subscriptions
enough 10 more than pay for the work to
| be done on the tow path, and 1t is believed
| that when this part OF the path is COM
pleted and people ride over 1t. they wi.
have enough faith in. the project 10 come
| forward with their subscriptions TO the fund
TO complete the work. 1t is hoped by the
| directors that they will receive enough SUBJ
| scriptions during the next two weeks 10 be
enabled 10 push the work on the next sec
1 ton OF the path without intcrmiSsiCn.