The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-01-23
BETTER PARKS.
Chairman Edward Wilder Be-
gins Active Work.
Will Labor to Beautify the City
of Topeka.
WORK TO BE DONE.
Commercial Subcommittee Has
Much to DO.
Mr.. Wilder Outlines the Neces-
sary Steps.
WORK TO BE DONE.

Edward Wilder, chairman of the COM
mittee on parks of the Commercial
club, is starting in active work with his
committee Immediately. The committee
on parks is a new one on the list of
standing committees, created at the last
regular meeting of the club.
Mr. Wilder is not only chairman of
the Commercial club committee on
parks, but he will also be a member of
the city park commission, created by
ordinance at the meeting of the city
council a week ago. He desires to find
out the sentiments of his committee
With regard to park work in order that
the commission may have the benefit of
any suggestions that may be made as
soon as they are ready for work To
that end he has sent to each member of
his committee a communication en-
bodying a list of questions in which the
park commission will be interested, re-
questing that each member shall give
his views on each question. The fol-
lowing is the communicate ton:
While the park commission to be ap-
pointed by the mayor and council will.
of course, have jurisdiction over the en-
tire question, it seems to me that, as
the Commercial club will be depended
upon to mould public opinion and assist
the commission with their influence IN
l1G Work, LueyE SnOUlu De asked TO eX-
press their individual views as to the
work which we hope to see undertaken
by the commission at an early date.
L shall appreciate, therefore, brief
answers to the following queries which
occur to me as pertinent, and shall be
glad also OF any suggestions on points
not covered by this inquiry.
First-In what direction and on
what lines to secure the best results
should the money available this
year, which may amount to seven or
eight thousand dollars. be devoted?
'Second-Should early steps be taken
to acquire other areas for parks, in adj
dltlon to the city park and Gage park,
and il SO, what locations or areas
should you recommend as being most
available and desirable?
'Third-Should the necessary funds
for such additional parks be secured
by park bonds, and about how much
should you estimate as necessary and
do you think the people would vote for
such bonds?
"F'ourth-Should such bonds cover al
so sufficient to make a concrete wall
river embankment at the city park
harmonious with the bridge?
''F'ifth-Would it be desirable to
acquire the two corners at the north
end of the bridge, so that all four cor
ners would be improved and thus make
the approach to the bridge as attrac-
tive as the bridge itself?
'-Sixth-Would it be desirable to
acquire any of the area between, the
city park and the Rock Island right of
way and depot grounds, without per
haps, disturbing the Parkhurst-Davis
building?
'.Seventh-Do you think the park
commission could, with advantage, en-
deaYOr to establish relations with non
resident lot owners. by which vacant
spaces in the city could be improved in
some way, and thus remove the raw
spots which detract so much from the
appearance of all our streets; and
could not the commission be encouraged
to secure cooperation in this effort by
the resident owners of vacant lots
This, of course, without involving the
city or the commission in expense, eX-
cept the negotiation and supervision
which might be necessary
Mr. Wilder desires each member of
his committee to give his views in
writing. The suggestion concerning the
securing of the lots adjacent to the
north end of the bridge, so that small
parkings may be made at each of the
other three corners of the bridge, in ad-
dition to the southwest corner, which is
adjacent to the city park, is new one
and will doubtless meet with favor.