Worcester morning daily spy. (Worcester, Mass.) 1888-1898, 1898-03-15
MR.HADWEN SPEAKS.
He Defends His Position on Elm
Park Changes,
Detailed Account of Work at University
Park in Supplementary Report to
Parks Commission Report.

Chairman Hadwen filed with City
Clerk Towne Monday report which he
desires to have annexed to the report
! recently sent in by the secretary of the
parks commission. In opening, he eN-
plains as the reason for the report as
mot having been consulted by the sec
rotary, as has heretofore been the Gus
tom" In the course of his report he
defends his work at Elm Park, saying
that the particular whim and taste of
every individual cannot be granted by
a commission, but rather, a course of
annual improvement acceptable to the
views and good taste of the general pub
lie"
He also states that he believes what
he has done has been in line with what
Mr. Lincoln would have done had he
lived, and he points to the increased
interest and attendance the coon and
deer pens have brought forth.
The report in full is as follows:
To the Honorable City Council:
Gentlemen--L beg leave to present a
brief supplementary report as one of the
parks commission having charge of Elm
and University parks during the season
of 1897, and not having been consulted
y =
the custom, relating to the management
of the several parks, to those having
them in charge, as none can be so IA
miliar with the details Of management
as those having special supervision and
care. And l hereby wish to call atten-
ton to a few phases relating to these
parks that have not been alluded to in
a previous report.
Early in the month of March, 1897,
Do t-r iDe cd Nv hn
commission, and after a general survey,
they were unanimous in the opinion that
there were many trees partially dead
or crowded that should be removed.
There was also a vast quantity of dead
limb wood on the coniferous trees which
were not only unsightly but hazardous
to the park itself in case of fire. Where
groups of trees or shrubs have been
closely planted with the view of inn
mediate effect, but a few years can
elapse before thinning out becomes a
necessity. During the past season many
thickly planted trees have been removed
for the purpose of leaving more ample
space for other trees to grow more thrift
ty and shapely. The removal has not
essentially changed the prominent fea-
lures of the park, but has modified some
questionable features giving more re-
finement and scope to the landscape and
either within or without. Change and
decay are some of the laws of nature,
especially applicable to trees and
shrubs.
By the generosity of Winslow S. Lin
coin and George L. Barr, they have ia
vored the Introduction Of a few animals
in Elm Park which was contemplated by
Mr.. Lincoln when living, by the testi-
mony of several persons as witnesses,
h r1la kNfae
tractiye feature by the vastly
increased attendance of the pub
lie including both old and young.
There are very many persons in all
communities who care but little for trees
or flowers, who derive very much en-
joyment from the privilege of seeing an
imal life. The deer and coon as well
as the geese, give life to the park scene,
and an educational feature especially
adapted to the young who throng about
the enclosure during the warm sea-
son.
Should the commission encourage tine
educational influence gratifying to the
great public, or should the public be de-
prlVed OF Innocent enjoyment and of a
few interesting animals in a public
park? It is impossible for the parks
commission to crafty the particular
wlhim or taste of every individual, but
should pursue a course of annual i'm
provement acceptable to the views and
good taste Of the general public.
Whatever improvements or changes
nave been made at Elm Park, I sincere
ly believe would receive the approval of
Mr.. Lincoln were he living, as they
most assuredly are approved by the old
and trained workmen who have been on
the park system for years: also are
commended by citizens who pass
through CT by the park daily, and are
perfectly familiar with it's condition
For period Of 20 years Mr.. Lincoln and
myself were associated on the park sys-
tenn. We have labored to promote the
best interests pertaining to it's advance
ment and its lasting usefulness, and
while its progress has been slow, there
have been but a few expensive mis-
takes.
UNIVERSITY PARK.
BY an unusual amount of filing the
low ground near Main street is brought
nearly up to it's intended grade. An
other season should be devoted to give
partial ornamental planting toward the
finish The island has been raised to
admit the safe planting of trees and
Towering plants, and is already a pleas
ing feature in the landscape when
viewed from the higher grounds.
The fountain constructed with the
view of applying electric light to it's Jets
of water, still remains unfinished, but,
with reasonable outlay, could readily
be made to produce the finest spectacle
with water, illuminated by electric light,
to be found in the commonwealth. Even
in the absence of electric light it proves