Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-20
ClTYS BREAT HING SPOT
What Has Been Accomplished,
and What is Needed at the Park.
Mr.. Vail Thinks Sunday Concerts Should BIO
Given, But Paid for by the Hallway
Lights Needed More Money for COM
ing Year What Park Committee Re
port Says.

Mr.. Henry V. Vail, n retiring member
Of the Park Committee of the Councils.
has shown n great interest in the city
park during his incumbency in the
Select Council Mr.. Vail still feels
deeply interested in this breathing
place" for the people of Norfolk, and
when asked yesterday what suggestions
he would offer toward making the park
more attractive and popular with the
public. he referred the reporter to the
report of the Park Committee. incor-
porated in the Mayors message only
recently published.
MIR. Vail made n fight last year for
music at the park. In all large cities
the general public is given an oppor-
tunity of enjoying itself on Sunday af-
tcrnoons at sacred concerts ill the
parks. The music is free and i'm reach
of the poor. as we'll as the we'll tc'-do.
That is what Mr.. Vail thinks is needed
most now at the Norfolk Park. He be-
lievcs. however, that the city should not
have TO pay for the music. The street
railway. he says, should be glad to haze
this opportunity of drawing the pcopLa
to the park, thereby increasing its reve-
nucS.
The request of the Park Committee
referred to by Mr.. Vail is the nrst re-
port of It's kind ever issued in Norfolk.
The park may be said to be in its in
fancy. The shrubbery AID young trees
that line the walks and drivcwayS bear
witness to this fact. But II perusal of
the committees report. which is signed
by Messrs. VIM. +. Allen, j. V. Ker-
nan. ID. a Underdown, II. V. Vail and
b. Kahn. is evidence that it is fast
growing in Importance. The report
tells of the building of n house for
Keeper Smith, the removal of old out
houses. the repairs to the "Old Home
stead the building of the new green
house. the placing of two large iron
urns at the entrance and many other
improvements.
LIGHTS ARE NEEDED.
The need of lights in the park and
better railroad facilities is commented
upon. The report says that at present
there are no lights in the park, and con-
sequently the grounds after sunset are
practically useless. With about TWEEN
ty-five electric lights distributed
throughout the grounds, large numbers
of persons would visit the park in the
evening hours. especially during the hot
summer months.
MUSIC AT THE PARK.
On the subject of music in the park
the report says:
'In the latter part of last summer a
proposition was made to the Norfolk
street ltallWay Company 10 n1re the
Naval Post Band for four Sunday af-
ternoon concerts, the cost to be $50 n
concert and to be borne Jointly by the
railroad and the committee. The pre-
Position was accepted and the concerts
given. There was some criticism OF
the committee for agreeing to pay half
the expense when the railroad was the
sole beneficiary, but I'm doing so the
committee had two objects in view
One was to draw to the park people
who had never been there before and
had no idea of what sort of place the
city oark was. and the other was to
demonstrate to the railroad company
that it was greatly to it's interest to
have music in the park. In both of
these objects the committee was emil
nently successful"
The report. in conclusions. speaks of
the lack Of public spirit toward helping
to make the park attractive. Since the
report was written. however. the Vir-
ginia Lunch Company has shown
enough public spirit to Present 10 the
city for the park n beautiful Mexican
fawn. which. with the few other ami
mails already barganed for. Is expected
TO be the nucleus of n geological exhi-
bition.
MORE MONEY THIS YEAR.
The Park Committee will have about
1880 more for expenditure in improve