The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-29
PARK LAND PURCHASE
MAKES 1T NECESSARY FOR CITY TO
ANNEX MORE TERRITORY.
VIII BE Done in Northwest Part of
Town-No Move Been Made Mt
White River Park.


ing considerable territory northwest of the
city. This action is deemed necessary on
| account of the purchase of the park lands.
The territory to be annexed is bounded by
the Charlottesville road on the SOUTH the
Meyers free gravel road on the west and
the township line, running south of the
Country Club. on the north. east to the
present city limits This action is deemed
necessary to give the city absolute jurisdic-
ton over the parks. So far no opposition
to 1T has developed. Already residents on
Schurman avenue, which lies Immediately
east of the parks, have conferred about
having the thoroughfare improved up to
Thirtieth street. One of the smaller prop
erty owners yesterday expressed himself to
Controller johnson as being in favor of an
asphalt roadway and cement walks. Sew
eral others have indicated that they favor
such improvements, saying that they be-
lieve the proximity of the parks will bene-
fit their lands. and that they are anxious
to make the approaches to the parks as at
tractive as possible.
AS announced last week White River Park
is included in the lands the city has bought
controller Johnson was able to induce
August Wacker, owner of the park to turn
over TO the city the buildings, bowling
alleys, chairs, tables, ETC., so that the city
now owns the park just as it has stood.
Inc park has been popular for Sunday
plcnlcs, where beer was one of the large at
fractions. The park will still be leased for
picnics.
l do not suppose that it will be rs popular
as before" said Controller Johnson, yester-
Gay, when 1t is known that beer cannot
DE SOLD there. The city cannot permit beer
70 De sold on any of its premises White
River Park is a fine place for picnics and
those VINO wish to rent it for that purpose
can DO so by applying to Park Superintend-
ent Power. The city did not get absolute
possession of the park until last Monday,
as Mr.. Wacker had leased it for the butch
ers' picnic.
Controller johnson yesterday issued a
warrant in payment for seventy-two lots in
Marion Park addition, which constitute part
Of the White river park system. The war
rant was issued to Miller, Henry e. Gent
and calls for S4,656. The controller saved $25e
by having a survey made by Park Superin-
tendent Power.
In few days Park Superintendent Power
Will begin making Typographical SURVEYS
and notes preparatory to the Improvement
OF the park lands. AS soon as this is done
steps toward jnitiatory improvements will
begin. Last night Mayor Taggart said he
hoped some important work could be done
yet this summer. Driveways will be laid
out, trees and shrubbery planted and other
work commenced in the way of Kidding the
river of rubbish and things of that sort.
which can be continued through the winter.
One of the mayors ideas is to have dam
constructed. Just where it will be located
hn dofo
surveys have been made but il ia his idea
to have broad stretch of water like that
above the dam at Broad Ripple, except that
1t Will be two or three miles long of great
abundant opportunities for boating bath
ing ana nshing. just now the mayor is very
much occupied with his duties as president
of the l. A w. Meet Club and until after
the bicyclists have gone he will not attempt
to do much toward park improvements The
present intention is to get them we'll under
way this fall. The money on hand will paw
for all lands, including the eighty acres in
the Pogue's run parks, according to the
estimates of the city officials, and still leave
a good sum for immediate improvements.
The mayor says the small parks will be
handled first. Only preliminary rough work
will be done on the big parks this fall and
winter. Inc mayor was not prepared to say
last night how much money the Council
would be asked to appropriate for park
improvements next year. 1t Will be the idea
to make haste slowly. the administration
now assuming the position that in buying
the land the most important step has been
taken and that the parks must grow slowly
and gradually. One thing has been de-
termined on, and that is not to issue bonds
and borrow money to improve the parks.
They will only be improved as it is con-
sdered possible to make annual appropria-
tons from the general fund. If any debt
making is INDUCED in it will be on the
water works purchase scheme. Not much is
heard of that proposition just now, but it
is said the experts are proceeding with the
examinations that are to help the city ar
rive at a conclusion as to what the plant is
mercial Club take a hand in determining
how much the city can afford to pay after
the experts report is made. Some days ago
the statement was made in the Journal that
there was talk of the Commercial Club act
ING