The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-11-24
THE PARK ASSESSMENTS
CIRCUIT COURT APPRAISERS READY
TO REPORT NEXT WEEK.
Small Parks Also PrOpOsed-Amend-
ment to the Law Providing for
Sinking Fund Suggested.

The appraisers appointed by the Circuit
Court to appraise lands, fix assessments of
benefits and damages and to condemn land
for park purposes will have everything in
shape for the preparation of assessment
park engineer, will then prepare the rolls.
showing how much benefits and damages
are assessed against adjacent property
owners. The commissioners have decided
to make the system run from Washington
street to the State fair grounds, following
the course of the river and Fall creek.
This tract, together with the parks already
laid out, and some five or six addition al
parks in as many parts of the city viii
give park system containing about 1000
acres This is slightly less than the area
of the parks OF Louisville Ky. II is said
that the natural facilities here are more
favorable than in Louisville and that In
dianapolis ought to be able to outclass
Louisville in this respect. 1t is likely that
no damages will be assessed, except on
grounds condemned for park purposes. On
these the appraisers will set a fair price.
The appraisers have not fully decided how
Tar away from the parks to assess benefits
but it is likely that all property within
half a mile of the Fall creek system will
be regarded as benefited and assessed ac-
cordingly. In other cities benefits have
been assessed a mile away. Some such
minor details are yet to be determined
before the assessment rolls are completed.
After the assessment roll has been COM
pleted any objections TO awards made by
the appraisers and approved by the COM
missoners will be heard by the Circuit
court Ii Will probably take several months
TO get all these details arranged, but as
soon as the report gets to the Circuit Court
the commissioners will be In shape TO ask
an ordinance from the Council permitting
them to issue bonds.
Mr. Power says that a mistake was made
when there was no provision in the law for
a sinking fund for park improvements.
ture TO amend the law in this respect. The
creation of park sinking fund would prob
ably remove what objections the Council
may have to allowing the commissioners
to issue sufficient bonds to carry out the
ideas now being considered. Such a fund
would give assurance that the bonds would
be paid at maturity and that Ii would not
be necessary TO postpone the payment of
the debt.
Mayor Taggart expressed the belief last
summer that the park commissioners ought
to locate small parks in the southern and
eastern parts OF the city If possible. He
looked upon such project as even more
creek system. If the latter could only be
secured at the expense of the former. The
commissioners have provided for the full
fillment of both plans. Small tracts OF
ground have been viewed at the corner of
Chadwick and Ray streets, west of Pogue's
run: one at Madison avenue and Coburn
street; one at the corner of Dillon and
Meek streets, containing about eight
acres; one at Sanders street; one near
White river on Romano street. west of
the Catholic cemetery; one at the intersec-
ton of Marlowe and Highland avenue; one
Brookside avenue. containing fifteen
acres and the old ball park, corner of
Seventh street and Capitol avenue. None
of these tracts has been determined on
definitely, but all are under consider a
ton.