The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-03-09
PLANS FOR
GARFIELD PARK.
What MarShaIl'S Band Proposes
to Do There.
Build a Pavilion For Summer
Evening Entertainment,
PLANT MORE GRASS
And Otherwise Improve and
Beautify the Place.
Unfortunately These Improve
ments May Be Delayed
And Topeka SWelter Through
the Summer Without Them.

For a long time Topeka people have de-
sired some park where summer attrac-
tions could be given every evening, such
as light opera and perhaps vaudeville.
Many plans have been made and many
schemes tried. One was to fix up the old
exposition hall at the fair grounds for use
as a summer theater, a small race track
around and a drove of Shetland ponies.
This was carried out and was, of course,
a complete failure, as nobody wanted to
sit in hot, stuffy old rat-trap Of build
ing like the exposition hall.
But now it is assured that Topeka will
be supplied with the long desired cool
place of amusement for the hot months.
MarshalIs band, the pride of Topeka,
now leases Garfield park and will shortly
put in improvements there and maintain
it as a high-toned resort, which it has all
ways been. While Garfield park is not
as large as might be desired, it seems the
most available place within easy access
that can be found and while a crowd like
the one that attended the butchers and
pacity. yet the park can comfortably ac-
commodate 2,500 to 5000 It is too small
for grocers' and butchers picnics and SIM
liar events
It is the purpose of the band to build a
summer pavilion capable of seating 1000
people, where entertainments can be given
during the summer. The pavilion will
be rs feet wide. 100 feet long, a stage
enough to accommodate large chorus or
band There viii be four dressing rooms.
The pavilion will be covered with a man
sard roof and will be open on three sides
The roof will extend farther out than
the auditorium and will make a sort OF
porch or covered walk around the pa
vilion proper.
best of fine gravel and will be raised
about a foot above the surrounding
ground. 1t may be that a balcony or
gallery will be built in the pavilion which
will increase the seating capacity to about
$500. When this pavilion is finished 1t IS
the intention of the band to bring special
summer attractions to the park, such as
Hght opera ana IKE enLertaIIlinenls s 1io
ed to the season and the pavilion Inc
band concerts will be given as before in
the band stand.
Ali the drives and walks in the park will
be made of cinders, and additional drives
and walks will be built. A brick walk 10
feet wide will lead from the main entrance
to the pavilion.
An independent water plant will be put
in for use in case of fire and to be used
in keeping the grass green during the
summer. A man will be employed to
keep the park in good order and he VIII
take special pains in keeping the grass
green, a thing that has not been known
tn traT Tn9 Ps II doW Ie new boat landing
and new fleet of boats will be kept A
three-Iap bicycle track and a grand stand
will be built in the field just south of the
grove, and in time lily pond Will be made
in the center of the track
wear. The only thing that stands in the
way of the improvements being started
at once is the fact that A J. Paramore
still owns one-fourth interest IN the
upon a fair, amount to pay him for his
share. The band has offered all and more
than the one-fourth is worth but Mr.
Paramore is obdurate and will not enter
tain a proposition to sell at any price
Today the motion for a receiver is being
argued before Judge HaZen. and when
the receiver is appointed the band will go
on with the improvements under the di-
rectiOn of the receiver, but the work will
not be pushed until the park leaves the
hands of the receiver. If a receiver is
appointed the park will probably ulti-
mateIy be sold for cash to the highest
The citizens of North Topeka have pc
titioned that Kansas avenue be macadam-
lied from Gordon street to Soldier creek,
and this petition will again be placed be-
fore the council. This should be done If
the park be used for a summer resort. as
the dust is often two OF. three inches
thick and a trip to the park, either by car
or carriage. is very disagreeabIe-
Already the park has been equipped with
70 new benches and 80 chairs, which. with
the old benches, will make the seating ca
pacity fairly good. The improvements
for this summer will be of no small cost,
but the pavilion and some of the other
improvements may not be completed De-
fore another season.