The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-10-11
System
Inspected.
PLEASURE SPOTS
Viewed by Councilmen and
Invited Guests.

The members Of the city government
at the invitation of the parks commits
sion, went on a tour of inspection yes
terday, and spent most profitable as
well as enjoyable day. Among those
who went on the trip were Mayor
Dodge, William Hart, George G. Hunt,
Wesley Merritt, ]. II. Meagher, Philip
j. o'Connell, Edwin P. Curtis, Col. E.
]. Russell, B. w. Potter J. P. Nfunroe,
S. Hamilton Coe. James Draper, Henry
Brannon. John Rivard. L. j. Kendall,
S. c. Kendall, John r. Back, f. NJ,
Heath, James Hunt, N. P. Huot, o. B.
Hadwen, A. M. Powell. A. M. Thompson
and City Forester Greenwood.
Carriages were taken at the city hall
at 10 o'clock, and the party was first
driven to University Park, which has
been reconstructed during the summer.
What was formerly swamp between
Gates and Crystal streets, has been
drained, and the island in the centre
has been raised four feet. The com
mission desires to construct q steel
bridge from the Crystal street side Of
the pond to the island, at an expense
of about $1,000. The stone steps which
formed part of the old city hall will ba
used in the foundation of this bridge.
1t will be 40 feet long and IA feet wide.
and will add to the architectural aspect
OF the park. The commission is also
to construct a wading pond at the foot
| of Gates street. o. b. Hadwen, for
the commission, explained that the
fountain was about ready for the cleo
trio wiring, and that he expected that
| the lights could be turned on within q
| few days after the order for the work
was passed, and run at least three eve
nings week
| The party went next to Crompton
| Park, which has been the subject OF
more debate in the council than all OF
the other parks combined 1t has been
the purpose of the commission to re-
serve this park as playground for the
children, and improvements looking to
that end have been made during the
past year. Two ball fields have been
constructed, and third will be graded
next year, and swings and sand piles
have been provided for the smaller
children. A wading pond has also been
added to the equipment here and has
been much appreciated. The commits
sioners have in mind the purchase of
additional land through to Millbury
street, as they consider that the pres
ent park is entirely Inadequate
The party went next to East park and
especial inspected the Chandler hill
section, which is rapidly being i'm
proved. This hill is one Of the highest
points in the city, being over 700 feet
high.
At Lake park, which the party next
visited, 1400 feet of sea wall have been
laid along the shore during the season.
The party had lunch at the Quinsig-
n
the afternoon drove out to North park
on Lincoln street Here 6. clear water
pond has been constructed in place of
the mud hole, which has been an eye
sore for many years. At Dodge park
the spring has been beautified by the
addition Of a rustic arch.
Very little has been done at any of
the other west side parks, aside from
keeping them up in shape, and whatev-
er money has been expended has been
for maintenance. These parks have
reached that stage in their develop
ment where they can be left with sim
ply an appropriation for keeping them
in order with but slight Improvement
Worceste's park system now covers
about 1855 acres of land, and the appro-
priation last year was only SIT, 900, and
about two-thirds of that sum was re-
CURED for maintenance, so that what
ever improvements have been made,
,
cred judiciously by the commission.
and they feel justified when they pro-
pose to ask the city council for an ad-
ditional appropriation Of $4,000 to finish
the work Of the present year. The COM
mission wishes to develop the land by
the most approved park methods, but
is hanpered in it's work by a lack OF
sufficient funds with which to carry on
the work.
They feel that they have practiced
the most rigid economy during the past
year but the members of the city
council were surprised to see the
amount of improvement made with so
little money.
one gratifying result of the inspec-
ton Of the committee at North Park,
was the real.zat on that the area
should be Increased to accomplish the
result for which it was intended and
give to this brt thing place such di-
mansions that it will fully serve for
al time to come tho purpose for which
It was intended. To this end the COM
niittee is to recommend that two acres
of land edjo.rlpg the park on the
north side be pure hased, and added to
its limits. This t. act lies at the north
ern Boundary Of the park and embraces
the land between the street and tina
present limit of the park. The main
advantage Of the contemplated addi-
ton is that the park will begin with
the street line Sc that it will be easier
of access, besides affording additional
space.