Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-08-04

The Board OF Park Commissioner Re-
qussted to Estabiish One.
People living on the eastern side of
the city want a new park, or rather,
public square. The Board of Park
missioners bold meeting Tues
day afternoon. when Mayor Henry q.
MoLear. who is an ex-officio member
of the board submitted petition
signed by OK Building Inspector Lewis
L, Gruhh, Thomas Ii. Melvin and
many others living on the east side,
asking that the square bounded by
Eighth, Taylor, Lombard and Pine
streets be purchased and converted into
park. The communication was re-
ferred to the executive committee. with
instructions to ascertain the feasi-
billy of tho proposition and report to
the hoard.
Mr.. Melvin, ono Of the signers Of the
petItioD. whu attended the meeting,
was piled with questions by the mem
bars. who desired to obtain information.
lie said there ars very few vacant lots
on tho east side and the une designated
could probably be obtained more
readily than any others in that vicinity
und park at that location would be
highly appreciated by tho people and
would lie very beneficial 10 thom. The
east side Ia thiclsly settled aud is be-
coming more densely populated all the
time. Many people there have chil
dren who cannot go to other parks, the
objection to Kirkwood Park. the only
one in that section, being that it ia on
the Brandywine and dangerous for
children.
Thera arc about dozen small houses
he ha lass bat atm faf
| that he thought the square could be
! pure ased for about $50, 600, although
! be did not feel qualified to make an
estimate. Tbs square is about 300 feet
| long on Eighth and Taylor streets and
about 200 fest long on Pine and Lum-
bard Ntrsets, and contains something
like an acre and half or two acres.
II was suggested by one of the mem
bers of the bonrd, while the matter
was under discussion, that Kirkwood
Park might DO made better for chill
drsn by placing fence along the water
front. The park land fund now
amounts TO s23. 034. So.
Commissioner Bush suggested tina
the rate at the public bathhouse on
pay days be reduced from 10 to centH
Mr.. Oberly thought there should be- nc
nay days at all, and President CsnhJ
suggested that 1t might be well to havl
only one pny day week, instead oil
Tuesdays and Friaays-as a
present. The report showed that CD
people bathed on pay dsys in July ant
$40 10 Juns. which was an evidence
that the pay days were appreciated. 1
was finally decided to refer the matte
to tho executive committee. with powe
to act. This committee will probably
decide on one pay day week. unles
there is too much public opposition t.
the suggestion.
On emotion of Mr.. Mention, tn
officers were directed to request OFT.
Council to pay to tho board the annua
appropriation and ah1ut 81. 200, whicl
sum was the premium realized on th
sale Of honda for tho S25, 600 Park Com
mission loan. Council turned over til
S25. 000 but go far has retained th
premium money. The members of tn
board claim that under the act author
Ring tho loan it 10 entitled to th
prem ium money.
The balance 10 bank was reported
+ be So, S0l. Oh The receipts from th
! swimmiug pool and rent OF house
owned by the commission amounted t
$3.50. 10. The pathbouse more tina
paid for itself last month.