The Jersey City news., 1899-11-09
HUDSON CITY PARK
Three improvement Asso-
Citations Unite to Secure
a Good Location.
OLD RESERVOIR SUGGESTED
Ogden Avenue Site Too
Small, the Committee
Thinks.

Thinks.
AS a result of a conference between the
Park Committees OF the Hudson CITY Inn
provement Association Hudson City Bust
ness Mems Association and Twelfth WARD
Public Improvement Association, held at
the conclusion of the regular meeting OF
the last named organization at Spitzna-
gels Hall, Boulevard and Lincoln street,
last night, the northern section of the
Heights will probably urge the Board OF
Finance to appropriate sufficient money 70
improve for park purposes the unused
portion Of the Reservoir well as the
tract at Ogden avenue and Blowers street,
purchased during the Wanser administra-
tion for park site. There was an un-
usually large attendance of members Of
the Twelfth Ward Association when Pres
ident George Hoehl called the meeting to
order. In addition. DR.. U. Allen, George
Won ARK and Henry Rollfs of the Hudson
civ Business Mems Association. and
William Barber, Robert Muir, Herman
Wackerman and C. A. Bucklin of the
hudson City Improvement Association
were present
After disposing of routine business, the
visitors were granted the privilege of the
floor. Messrs. Won ARK and Barber ex-
plained that while they were members OF
the park committees of their respective
organizations, they had come. not as re-
presenting these associations, but as in
dividuals, to urge cooperation In securing
a park for the Hudson City section.
Secretary Fred Bugasch. President
Hoehl and Adolph Holder were appointed
a committee to confer with the visitors.
after which the association adjourned and
the Joint Park Committee went into con-
ference.
Mr.. Hoehl called the conference TO order
and Dr. Allen. although not member OF
the Park Committee was invited to re-
main. Mr.. Won Ark was chosen chairman
and Mr.. Bugasch secretary Of the Joint
Committee.
Mr.. Won ARK explained that the object
was to bring about united action in an
effort to secure a park or parks for the
Hudson City section
Mr.. Rollfs said that the Business Mems
Association had been forced to accept the
site already purchased for that purpose
by the city He did not believe it was the
best location which could be secured but
thought as 1t had been purchased, the
best could now be done was to have 1t
improved.
s'The association which I represent does
not think the Ogden avenue site is a de-
sirable one as to size" said Mr.. Muir 81
think the city would make a mistake to
improve it. It cannot be improved for the
81, 900 now on hand, NOR for the $4,000 which
it Is proposed to appropriate. There is very
little ground to terrace, and when 1t IS
terraced you will not have park"
Mr. Muir suggested that the money If
appropriated be used to purchase the adj
ditional property through to Palisade av-
enue.
Suppose we let go of the proposed inn
provement Of the site for the present and
try to get the additional ground. Then let
the Hudson City Improvement Association
withdraw it's objections and we will try
to secure the improvement Of the reser-
voir property as well?'' suggested Chair
man Won ARK.
II am not ashamed Of the position ]
have taken against this site," said Mr..
Barber. .In choosing site for a park
The greatest good for the greatest num-
Der should be considered. This was not
bought for the people but for few resi-
dents in the immediate neighborhood. It
is not central and SO per cent. of the resi-
dents of this section of the city agree
with me that it is not desirable. We will
get but one park and If the Ogden avenue
tract is improved the people of the west
ern part of the Heights will receive no
benefit whatever. l do not consider the
location good one.
Mr.. Barber said the unused portion of
the reservoir was now a public nuisance,
but could be improved as a park for very
little money. He suggested that the COM
mfttee request the members Of the Legis-
lature from this county to introduce bill
enabling the city to use the unused reser-
voir grounds for park purposes
"Do / understand that the gentleman
favors the city selling the Ogden avenue
tract?" asked Mr.. Muir.
II certainly do,'' replied Mr. Barber.
II think the association of which I am
a member would favor Mr.. Barber's
plan" said Mr.. Hoehl.
Mr.. Wackernau asked how many lots
there were In the Ogden avenue site and
DIR. Allen replied forty-five.
I'VE are here for harmony" said DR..
Allen. I was largely instrumental in
getting Mayor Wanser to purchase the
Ogden avenue site. Not one dollar more
than 1t was worth was paid for It, We
would have got the adjoining property at
the time If there had been money enough
for the purpose. The east side of the
heights, until the work of asphalting
Palisade avenue was begun, got no public
improvements. The Boulevard Is a west
side Improvement and we helped to pay
for It, 1 say let US all work unitedly for
the reservoir site If we can possibly get
It. but don't let US sslose what we already
have. To sell 1t would be ridiculous.
"If the city could be induced to appro-
pirate $50, 600, $4,000 could be spent on the
reservoir property and the balance on the
Ogden avenue tract. Then we would have
two parks" said Mr.. Muir.
"You can depend upon it we will only
get the one park" said Mr.. Barber.
$50, 900 will not complete the Ogden avenue
site properly, while $4,000 would make
park OF the unused portion of the reser-
voir.''
Mr.. Rollfs was in favor of making effort
to have both sites improved.
Mr.. Holden favored more central park,
but thought It would be a mistake to let
go OF the Ogden avenue tract.
This ended the discussion and the com
mittee adjourned subject to the call OF the