The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-01-16
OPINIONS OF OTHERS
What a Portland Business Man Has
to Say In Regard to Parks.
LARGE PLANS FOR FUTURE
Tongue roint ffe-emineatIy the Situation
"a Railroad Depot and Alderbrook
Development Touched upon.

A prominent Portland business man who
visited Astoria yesterday, in commenting
upon the article in yesterdays issue, con-
| cerning city parks In Astoria, said that
he was something Of property holder
In this city and that he thoroughly be-
lieved In the park proposition. and that
before very long the city would not
only need one park. but several. The
objection raised by some people, that
other questions were paramount 20 that
OF park, he did not consider OF any
weight There are always those who
cannot see very far ahead. The history
Of the building Of cities shows that the
most prevalent error is the failure to pro-
vide in the early existence Of a town for
proper public places Of amusement and
recreation"
LOCATION.
''As to the location OF a park. from
my entire familiarity with the situation
in your city. / should say that Tongue
Point by far Is the most eligible and
best situated site for a city park from
every point Of view. II stands at the
head Of the city. as It were: Is most
beautiful in itself. and possesses all the
natural advantages OF lard and water
necessary to meet the requirements of
the object in view. The city will surely
grow In that direction. and the place will
be easy Of access, either by water, street
car or steam car. or vehicle, from any
part OF the city. The location on Cox
combe hill would make another smaller
park. and. while II possess a little more
extended view, II will lack the advantage
Of water. which always forms a very ne
cessary part Of a public park
SOME OF THE REASONS
Why Tongue Point is the place for a
park may be summarized in the fact that
that portion Of the city known az Alder
brook is sure to advance rapidly. Mr..
Hammond owns thirty per cent Of the
Tongue Point property in his subsidy.
twenty per cent Of the Van Dusen tract,
twenty per cent OF the Aiderbrook tract
and twenty per cent Of PowelPs addition.
The Union Real Estate Company, J. o.
Hanthorn. and the Tongue Point syndi-
cate are largely Interested in that portion
Of the city. and have offered the railroad
company for
DEPOT SITE
All Of the waterfrontage from the Eagle
cannery to the buoy depot, extending out
to the pierhead line. free of charge Ths
controversy over a depot site at Clatsop
Mill seems to have about run its course
and the property owners not only cannot
agree among themselves, but are asking
good. round prices for their land. II
stands to reason that since the railroad.
company cannot proceed with construc-
tion Of the line through the city until the
depot question Is settled. and that they
naturally are not inclined to pay much
money for location. they viii not wait
much longer on the Clatsop Mil people.
Whether or not the depot Is located at
the Clatsop MIL. or Alderbrook, Alder
brook property will be pushed to the front
and large addition to the city built az
that point. because the railroad must de-
velop their own property. In fact, there
will be
NEW TOWN,
With its business blocks mercantile
houses, factories, hotels. etc. A PROPOSE
ton is also on foot to donate the property
from Tongue Point to John Days to the
railroad company for the location of
locks, warehouses. etc Along this 'front.'
age there Is & deep channel, suitable for
the accommodation of large ships along
side the railroad warehouses.
Considering all these facts, the argu-
ments, to my mind. are convincing in
'avor Of Tongue Point as the first loca-
ton for city park. Astoria Is destined
10 be large city. and there will be
room for the development of all inter-
ests; but it would seem that on the line
nature herself had laid down
the law. and that while there should, and
probably will be. numerous other parks
Ind beauty spots, the natural advantages,
extent of territory, beauty of situation,
md accessibility of Tongue Point will al
ways make 1t the
LEADING OBJECT OF INTEREST.
Should it be selected for park purposes.
rhA OitU off 70 ha eIA fx,
his matter, even II 1t does nothing more
than to secure bond for q deed on this
1t would not be necessary to
make any large expenditures in improve
nents for years to come, further than to
clean up the underbrush and open q
place where the people might gather for
recreation"