The herald., 1898-11-11
THEY WANT IT FIXED UP
RESIDENTS ASK FOR IMPROVE
MENT OF SUNSET PARK
THE MONEY NOW AVAILABLE
Park Commissioners to Visit Locality
Next Sunday-Seventh Regiment
Monument-Notes

After delay of almost sixteen months
the park commission decided yesterday to
begin at once the long g-talked-of improve
ments in Sunset park. The park, or the
strip of land at the head Of the Wiltshire
boulevard called by that name, is now
barren tract without apparently the least
possible excuse on it in the way OF vegeta-
tion, for so difnifed a name.
In July, 1897, the council appropriated
$1,000 to be used by the commission in
identifying the tract. After receiving the
money the board was informed by the city
engineer that money spent in laying out
flower beds, ETC., on the lower end of the
park would be money thrown away. He
said that before such work could be prop
erly undertaken it would be necessary to
construct n large drain to carry off the
storm water, otherwise the park would be
washed out. At the time the estimated
cost of the work was almost as much as the
appropriation. This was shock to the
commission, and although several changes
have been made in that body since, it has
from all outward appearances been unable
to recover.
suffered in silence at what they supposed
was an injustice. The silence was broken,
however, when the city assessor this year
assessed their property in many instances
forty to fifty per cent higher than that of
last year, although there has been no i'm
provement in that section to warrant such
nm increase. They thought it time to kick
for what was due them, and as much more as
possible, and kick they did.
At the meeting of the park board yester-
day communication from j. M. Miller and
another from j. +. Thompson were read,
having been referred to the board by the
council. These gentlemen stated their
grievances and said that if their property
was to be increased on the assessment rolls
they wanted something in their section Of
the city that they could point to with pride.
II. G. Wiltshire, who is largely interested
in this section, presented the situation to
the board and succeeded in arranging that
the board visit the district at o'clock
Sunday afternoon. The commission said
it was ready at any time to spend the money,
now lying idle in the treasury, but would
first see that it would be well placed.
Sunset park is but quarter of mile
west of Westlake park, and is connected
with it by 100-foot boulevard. Residents
believed that Sunset park, when completed,
could be used as an overflow for Westlake.
A communication asking that cement
walk be laid on the four streets bounding
.Westlake park was read and referred to
the council with the boards approval, as
wns another asking that Benton boulevard
he graded and covered with porphyry along
the extent Of Sunset park. Mr.. Reeds Pc
titon to have the drives in Westlake park
overlaid with porphyry, so as to make them
usable in wet weather, was referred to the
park superintendent with instructions to
ascertain the cost.
George Price appeared and said he owned
a ranch in Glendale, and wanted to know
If he could purchase some willows that were
growing in Griffith park, as he wished to use
them as props. After offering a reasonable
price, which was accepted, his request was
granted.