The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-05-15

The proposition to purchase woodland
park from Mrs. Guy c. Phinney win be
considered In the city council tonight 1t
Is said that eight members Of the council
are favorable TO municipal ownership Of
the grounds. while the position At the 9TH
er i've 10 uncertain. TIE price demanded ~
Mrs.. Phinney for the property II tlaosoo.
and she proposes 70 let the city pay for
the park on ito own time. the provtso b.
ing that s per cent. interest shall b al
lowed annually on such portion - - un-
paid.
From talks with members Of the council
II Ii considered probable that the pur-
chase will be authorised either tonight or
at some subsequent meeting Of early date.
City Engineer Thomson and City Comp.
troiier Parry ars known to b In faver 1t
the proposition Those who have given
no definite statement Of their views are
Au,doon, Nayin. Rude ana Cr1chton-
Woodland park in known to every citizen
Of Seattle 1t has been partly improved.
and II 10 claimed by agents Of the estate
that a small expenditure OF money In car
rying out the plans started by Mr.. Phin-
ney would make il a signtly public re-
sort. such as would be credit to the city
and an attraction to visitors Within it,
limits are 1o6 acres Of rolling land. car
pefed with verdure and embellished with
leaf shaded gravel walks and picturesque
drives. Though now unkemps. the possi-
bilities OF the place are apparent to the
visitor and IL Is believed by those In IA
vor OF the city taking the property that
here might be made a park which would
easily rival Leschi. Madison. Kinnear and
Ravenna-
The land was acquired by Mr.. Phinney
prior to the Seattle IRE Of 1859. and he int
tiated an elaborate plan of Improvement.
which was cut short by his death In 1885,
He built pumping station. a reservoir.
gate keepers lodge, a hotel. hunters
lodge n deer park, dancing pavilion
grand stand and race track and several
rustic retreats. He laid out a main drive
way through tho most en,iciug portions
OF the park, and planned innumera5le lanes
and walks.
Bicyciists have become familiar with the
place In travelling tn. path which leads
and Edmonds. Its welcome shade has
comforted many a perspiring wheeiman
and rested him for his further journey.
Horsemen, too have found through this
park one Of the few beautiful drives to
be enjoyed in the vicinity u this city. and
Woodland park constitutes an important
par, IN the plan for sr.n an ,ss
Driving Club
The grounds now wear a neglected air.
which gives them an unkenipt. Wild beau
ty OF Its own. Fancy shrubhery planted
according 10. regular design 10 everywhere
surrounded and choked down BY vigorous
natural growths. Willows droop across
f frsnxe unsvsn rra.s ' ,ssspsssss across
the borders Here and there can b seen
the blurred outline Of some word once
S. e but srs ew IN On n.
prevailing background Of green.
On the eastern side. where the park
slopes sharply down to the lake. - . boat
foa, look bare ana w.nter.beatsn. but
withAl inviting, when the ntfOl spring sun
ehine With It's fictitious warmth seems 70
lure TO plunge. On the bank near the
business like looking affair to Be set down
amid thA wealth 81 woodland beauty.
And on . knoll not far away y what Mr..
Phinney called his shunting lodge It 10
nothing more than . picturesqne lookout
station. and suits til surroundings we'll
The main improvements have been made
In the rsssIn ., Ds1,sn Fl the
through the stone eouth gateway.
broad drive. nanked by foetpaths. leads
from the gate to the hotel It passes the
conservatory on the ether, and some at
tempt NJ hncacape gardening has givsp
picturesque effect to the ground: at ibis
.er PARK ai fss rsr. fsncs nov ne,o.es
four OF these animate and they viii 50
with the park In any transfer OF sfie.
Should the city not make the purchase Il
Is unde that Mr. Phsnney win pre-
sent the deer 10 the public OF behalf Of her
two sons.
I, will be remembered that Woodland
park was the stamping ground OF the herd
Of government reindeer brought through
this city on the way to Alaeka year ago.
Many visitors 10 the park At that time
were impressed with the natural beauty OF
the grounds. the impression gained being
the more picturesque through the presence
OF the reindeer and their t.apiand tenders.
proposition which Will be submitted 10
the council "a method Of payment 10 that
the park fund, Amounting tn $4,000 q year,
Ne devoted 10 the purpose IL 10 figured
that the purchase price Of tlo1en could oe
paid of In eleven years In this way and in
terext kept up. A small levy viii be made
10 furnish running expenses Tor other
parks