The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-01-13
UTILITY OF ESTILL PARK.
The OImsteads Differ with Commits
sioner Dale as to Its Possibilities.

Savannah, Jan. H. 1900-Editor Morning
News: The account published in your is
sue of to-day of the futile conference be-
tween the Committee of Council and the
County Commissioners furnishes food for
thought to the citizens of this city and
county, who ever cast their eyes toward
the future, or consider the growing pros
poets and needs of the community. 1t
also suggests a pregnant comment upon
the shifting views of public enterprise and
duty proclaimed by the rapidly chang
ing and politically varying bodies who
control the disbursements of the county
funds.
A former commission deemed it wise to
set apart for future municipal benefit a
portion of the county farm which they
considered suitable and eligible for pub
lie park, Its succeeding commission
stamps upon this generous gift the seal
of its official condemna tion and declares
that the land so appropriated is but a
bog and totally unfit for the purpose in
tended Which is right? Who can the
interested public trust? Can any conf
dence be placed in official donations and
acts? Shall one public body outline a
policy and one coming after arbitrarily
annul it? -..Ha
If, as voiced by their present chairman,
Estill Park is utterly yalueless for park
purposes, why should the commission de-
sire 1t as a farm. Can bog be better
planted with grain or vegetables than with
grass and shubbery? hrets o aoiue
Messrs. Olmstead Bros, professional
landscape gardeners and engineers, of
Brookline, Mass, one of the most beauti-
full of city suburbs, and whose artistic
talent was utilized in the adornment Of
Biltmore. made a personal survey of Els
till Park at the instance of the Park and
Tree Commission, and gave an opinion
that it could be made a beautiful park
Is the superior artistic training and ac-
complshment Of the present chairman of
the County Commission TO outweigh the
professional judgment of these celebrated
artists?
If the public must choose between the
two whose opinion will il prefer? Is the
money already spent upon this park 20 be
a dead loss to the city? 1t was employed
in good faith, and in reliance upon the con
tinuity of a public policy solemnly pro-
claimed by the county authorities. They
announced that Estill Park should be set
aside for public recreation and enjoyment,
and the city made provision for it's i'm
proVement A new body declares il fiji only
to produce food for convicts. 1t can be
converted into beautiful park, or might
municipal needs require one.
The great majority of the thinking and
enlightened people of the community de-
sire il retained aud improved as a park.
The future growth and requirements of
Savannah are not sufficiently considered.
Land for extended streets might be Sc
cured years in advance, when cheap and
Jurchasable Then we would not see
dwellings purposely located where streets
must run TO force their purchase at extrav-
agant rates, as is only too common now,
as any citizen can ascertain for himself
by visiting the extended city le.l,
What we chiefly need is little provis-
ion for the future, and a modicum of pub
lie spirit. If these even moderately pre-
vail, Estill Park will be retained.
The canals running through Estill Park
naturally make a beautiful sight, and she
advantages of this water for lakes can
easily be realized, besides a most maenih-
cent driveway can be made along the bank
that will refresh our home people and be
a sight to strangers. Citizen