The record-union., 1897-05-10
THE NEW ATHLETIC PARK.
Ii Will be The Finest on the Pacific
Coast.
A Grand Three-Lap Bicycle Track,
Baseball and Shooting
Grounds.

The new athletic grounds at OAK
Park are rapidly nearing completion
1t is contemplated that the carpenter
work shall all be done by Thursday
night next, but this does not include the
hotel or house of entertainment OUTSIDE
the inclosure. But a few more panels
of the high fence remain to placed,
when the great bicycle track viii then
be completely inclosed. 1t is one
third of a mile track, laid with inch
and a quarter Oregon pine, closely toed
to supporting timbers. When complete
it will be thoroughly oiled to protect 1t
from the rain.
A large number of wheelmen visited
the grounds early yesterday and tried
the track The verdict was a very
gratifying one for the constructor.
The wheelmen suggested only that the
first rise on the west be made more
gradual to the west bank, and that the
second turn on the southwest, at the
close, be raised somewhat, where it
meets the "straightaways." AS now
laid the rider comes too abruptly from
the bank to a level, compelling him to
straighten up too suddenly, thus rem
dering him liable to be thrown out of
equipOise.
These changes are slight and are eff
fected simply by raising the supports
a little, which is easily done. Mr.. Nor
ton was very anxious for the opinions
of the riders to be expressed, that he
might have the track as nearly perfect
as it can be made. The grounds inside
of the track have been thoroughly har-
rowed, cleared of growth, sprinkled
and rolled for "a fret
time were used as baseball grounds.
The diamond was of course a bit soft,
but with that exception it gave salts
faction. When more rolling is done
and after a little use. the diamond will
be one of the best. if not the very best,
in the entire country The grand stand
affords an uninterrupted view of the
entire inclosed park The sittings are
broad, we'll made of dressed stuff, and
will accommodate about 5000 people
In due time these sittings will be COW
cred All in all, the Athletic Park pre-
sents a most inviting appearance, and
has the full promise Of being one Of
the very best athletic parks in the
whole land
1t is also Mr. MortOn's purpose to
construct rifle range near the athletic
SIOutiQSs Will tllt new sly - VI Dulh-
head for stopping the bullets. The lat
ter will be detected to the ground by
slanting planks, where they will bury
themselves and do no harm.
There will also be trap-shooting
grounds, to be managed by w. H Eek
hardt, where bluerock and pigeon
shooting matches will be held.
The theater building viii, when COM
pleted. have a seating capacity Of 900,
and regular performances by frst-class
troupes Will be given each night at
popular prices.
The members of the Athletic Club
carefully examined the grounds. and
Unhesitatingly stated that they would
be far and away the best in the State
Stuart Upson was strong in mis- praises
of the baseball facilities. and stated
that once the diamond had been prop
erly packed it would be hard to find its
equal anywhere
Mr. Morton has turned the bicycle
track over to the Capital City Wheel
mems Club, and the members will hold
racing and blue ribbon meets as soon
as possible. Several Of the trees inside
the inclosure viii be trimmed up or cut
down, as the shadows cast on the track
annoy Nlic IllciS Is men making IaSI
time.
on Saturday evening a number Of
the crack riders of the club gave the
new track a trial and at the first at
tempt the watches caught the time for
the One-third mile at Is seconds. The
second attempt showed - seconds. and
it is the general opinion that when the
boys become acquainted with the track
"a 40-second gait viii be reached with
ease.
The only rule that will be enforced
by the club is that no outsiders shall be
allowed on the track when the members
are practicing. The rule viii be en-
forced to the letter. as it is considered
necessary for the safety Of the riders
II is the intention, according to Mr.
Morton, to have baseball games on the
grounds both mornings and evenings
on Sundays. and racing will be in order
as soon as the cyclers get things into
working order
Mr.. Morton is making an effort to
have the street railway company put
in a thorough system of electric lights
and when this is done as he expects
st soon will be, night racing will be in
order.