The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-01-21
TO LAY OUT COLONIAL PARK.
THE PARK COMMISSION TO BEGIN
WORK AT ONCE.

p. J. Berckmans of Augusta TO Sub
nit a Plan for the Improvement of
the Old south Broad Street Gene
tery-WaIks to BE Laid Out, the
CrumbIing Vaults Restored and
Trees and shrubs 10 BE Planted.
The park and tree commission has taken
steps to begin the work of converting the
old South Broad street cemetery into the
Colonial park Immediately. The grass
has been burned off, and the work or
clearing the walks is under way.
The most important step taken, by the
commission is to secure the services or
Mr.. p. J. Berckmans of Augusta, one Of
the most distinguished horticulturists and
and landscape gardeners of the country.
Mr.. Berckmans was interested in the
work by Mr.. George ]. Baldwin, the menu
Der of the commission who has been as
signed to this particular work, and at
whose request Mr.. Berckmans visited Sa-
vannah yesterday for the purpose of look
ing over the field. Mr.. Berckmans at
tended the meeting of the park and tree
commission in the morning. and after
wards visited the cemetery in company
with Commissioners Stone, Baldwin ana
Daffin.
Mr.. Berckmans told the commissioners
that in order to make any beginning in
the way of horticultural Improvement
this year the work must be done within
the next sixty days, as the time for set
ting plants and trees is rapidly passing.
He said that the place is capable of being
greatly beautitied without disturbing the
monuments and other historic landmarks,
and that the present plan of walks may
be used to a certain extent. In fact,
whatever plan of improvement he might
submit, he said, would be based upon
this idea. His idea, he said, would be
to make such an arrangement of the
shrubbery as to set off those monuments
ments 20 the park, and to so adjust the
shrubbery as to conceal the more insight
ly vaults and tombstones, which the COM
mission is compelled to maintain under
the terms of the grant.
All plans and suggestions furnished by
Mr.. Berckmans will be given gratuitously.
II the commissioners choose to give him
the contract for carrying out the work
and furnishing such plants and trees as
are desired that is another matter.
Mr.. Berckmans advised the use of ma
tive plants, trees and vines entirely as
more beautiful effects could be obtained
by their use, he said, than by the use of
imported plants or those belonging TO
other sections. The commissioners have
requested Col. VIM, city engineer, to
prepare map of the old cemetery. show
ing the contour of the ground, the pres
tuL pldH OF ln6 walks anu the location
Of the vaults, monuments and trees for
the use of Mr.. Berckmans in preparing
his plan of Improvement.
At the meeting of the commission
resolution was adopted that all persons
having relatives or friends Inferred in
the old cemetery, or who are otherwise
interested in those inferred there, and
all who have owned vaults there, but
from which the dead have been removed,
to assist in identifying and improving
the old vaults and graves. This request
is also extended to all persons who are
able to give information concerning the
vaults and graves. The commissioners
desire to identify the vaults and have
them properly marked, as well as placed
A great many of the vaults are owned
by families still living in the city, from
most of which the dead have been re-
moved and the tablets marking the vaults
also. The idea of the commissioners is
to have the owners of the vaults re-
place the tablets in order that each vault
may be known and the place given a
more historic interest There are a num-
Der of vaults, no doubt, of which no living
representative of the former owners can
be found, but the commissioners desire
TO identify every vault if possible Some
of them are in dilapidated condition, be-
ing broken open and the Wondering re-
mains of the dead exposed to view. They
Will be repaired, or course. Ihere are
many historic persOnages buried in the
old cemetery, and the commissioners wish
to locate these graves as far as possible
ing the commission power to remove walls,
control of all walls and fences around
public parks and squares and in case of
its passage the old cemetery wall will be
removed at am early date. The bricks
from the wall or portion of them will
probably be used in making the walks
through the park. being laid with a cover
of cement. The bricks are so old and
porus that they could hardly be used for
anything else.
The commission has also requested the
council to grant it the old pound lot,
south of the cemetery, to be Incorporated
in the park and it is expected that the
request will be granted. Mr.. Baldwin
stated that when the park fence is torn
down the curbstone will be run along the
sidewalk on South Broad street so as to
include the green between the walk and
the wall. 1t is also proposed to run the
outer curb line of the sidewalks, border
ing the cemetery on South Broad and
Abercorn streets outside the rows or trees
and to convert the spaces between the
trees into grass plats
"Though our time is limited" said Mr..
Baldwin, I'VE expect by spring to put the
whole park into reasonable good shape,
though of course, a great deal of work
will have to go over until next fall.