Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-10-14
WILNINGTON'S PARK DRIVE
An Idea of Its Future Beauty
Now Obtainabie.
is PRACTICALLY OPEN TO TRAVEL
Extends a Distance of Nearly
. Two Miles.
Portions of the Road Macadamized, and
til Remainder of tho Work Probably TO
b. Done EARLY Nexr Spring Magnificent
Sc Emery Along the Entire Route.


Sc snery Along the Entire Route.
Wilunugton's park drive g not COM
plete;i, but ii is nearly enough com
pletel TO give an earnest of itR future
beauty. Next spring, perhaps, one
will ne able 10 start in at Market and
Six teeuth streets anil drive over TIM
entire route. but at present West streut
is the available lower entrance. From
West street porthwnrd or northwest
ward tho driveway is in very fair con-
,litiDn for distance, heing paved as
far IA Van Buren, street. When n coat
of tino stone has been added this
section Of the roadway will be complete.
The Kentmere roadway is the only
other norton of the drive which has
been macadamize'i, but il is the Park
COMMISSIONS plan to mgcadHnize the
whole drive and when that ia done 1t
will be fine road, indeed.
In spite OF the fact that the commits.
sion has not yet carried out this plan OF
paving, il being hoped to take it up
in the spring. tho road is practically
open to travel from West street to the
uppermust portion Of the Brandywine
Park, distance OF something like two
miles. Pleasure drivers arc taking adj
vantage of that fact and already many
persons have ridden over the road.
The excellence of the planning is
easily apparent in such trip. The
road is laiu out with regard to the
beautiful vistas which may be obtained
and the natural points of interest along
| its route. Except 10 the lower portion
straight stretches have hesn generally
avoided, SO that the drive ia ono con
slant change of scene, due TO the curves
in the road and the ever hitting land
acape. Between West and Van Buren,
streets the driveway ia about at its
lowaRt level, and thence it begins TO
rise, passing through rocky cut above
Van Buren street, through wooded
sections 10 the Lowering avenue bridge,
along a curved ridge aud under the
Baltimore Il Ohio railroad bridge.
Here it is high above tho Brandywine
and at one point vista is obtained up
tho stream TO the curve in the Brandy
wins near the quarrles and another
vista is obtained down the stream
towards the third dam.
Frnm beneath tho Baltimore IL Ohio
railroad bridge the road runs to the
Rockford roadway ami continues to
Rockford road. There it cunuectH with
the upper and new portion Of the route.
j ust nuw this is rather rough, but it il
to be filled up to grade and will be put
in better shape. Now the roadway
takes curve towards tbs Brandywine
and by several graceful turns reaches
the woodland of the upper Brandywint
Park. A ride at this season hrinEl
into view the changing foliage that
marks the approach of winter, and 81
this part of the driveway unfolds many
beauties to the ohservant spectator
Soon the high ridge which overlook
the rocky Brandywine itself is reached
A. retaining wall lines the creek sidl
J OF the road and one can look far dowI
the stream beneath. Beyond, th,
wooded ridge rises from the creek tt
! about the same level, or higher perhaps
than the park road A swell has beel
, stone marked "lS97" placed in III
wall. Here one may rest aud view tn
rugged scenery both near and in tn
distance.
? But still another view of the Brandy
wine may he secured, for the road CON
, tinues out into the open onGe more AM
thence defects again towards the streau
ami another retaining wall is fount
( along the ridge. Here is Wills Rock
itssif well worthy visit, NOW mad
/ more accessible than ever before. Ii
. this vicinity the Park Commission will
have the trees on tho creek sid
trimmed, so that tho views may not b
; obatructed. One gets an idea of til
! devious course of the Braudywine look
ing from this road, Tor objects that ap
/ pear to be locatei an the opposito sid
: of the Rtroam are known TO be on tn
same side as the observer A vista ma
: be here secured OF the crock as it run
= beneath the Rising Sun bridge, an
: just opposite is the lowest of til
numerous powder mills. Near Will
{ Rock a concourse il 10 be made, wher
: horses may be hitched while exCuT
|, sioniots take in the beauties tina
/. abound. picnic place will also b
(. provided in little piece OF woods nea
o by.
From Willis Rock the road runs I
Church Lane, the upper exit of tn
driveway. Some day ii is desired
: have an avenue from this point to tn
: Eeunett turnpike. Eventually the par
q drive is to extend eastward from Churc
& Lane aud towards tho Law propert
y and will connect with tho road lowe
/. down, 1t is proposed to have refrash
! ment house on the Law property, whic
II should provo very convenient when til
o drive is completed and the people {
Wilmington have learned to take az
vantage of rho many beauties OF thi
upper part Of tho park. In this neigl
q borhood is ono OF the highest points
!, Delaware, from which a viaw Of th
II Delaware River aud of Iron Hill, Md
IS ia obtainable.
IT Scarlet Fever Prevalent.
o Twenty five cases of scarlet fever al
II reported in the neighhorhood of Nortt
anrt CaniI rnunty rba arhnolq ,