The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-28
new DRIVING PARK
Local Horse Show Association
Has a Project.
Would Transform Fair Grounds
into Horsemen's Paradise
BUILD A CLUB HOUSE.
Plans Include Erection Of Com
mOdiOus Quarters.
Building Would Also Have Dane
ing Hall.

The latest project Of the Topeka Horse
Show association and the Topeka Driving
club is to convert the old fair grounds
into driving park and erect a suitable
clubhouse
The fair grounds have been idle except
for few weeks in the year when few
horsemen keep their horses in the stables
and the buildings and stables are gradu-
ally falling into ruin for the want Of the
proper care.
It is the plan Of the promoters OF the
plan to repair the track. make good
polo ground in the central area and lay
out golf links Hurdles would also be
provided.
The grounds surrounding the building
according to the plans. will be put under
the care of an expert landscape gardener
and the lawns and flower beds. Ut Is
planned Will be no small item 81 the
70 grow uncared Tor viii Be trimmed rp
and the drives and walks IN the park Will
it will be pleasure to drive through the
grounds during the evening.
A clubhouse will be erected to cost three
or four thousand dollars. No plans have
been definitely decided upon for the CLUB
Heeus OF me associs tlop WoulQ MAKE il
necessary to have building with a large
ing rooms adjacent A library where all
the late books. magazines and daily pa
pers may be FOUND VIII also be included
On the other side OF the building two or
three dining rooms viii be built with a
kitchen in the rear, and the stewards
The reception room win be noored in
hard wood so that dancing may be par
ticipated in. The room win have high
ceiling and will be roomy. and viii be
furnished in rustic style with palms and
plants The building viii be built just
north Of the track and a wide veranda
Will be built on the south of the build
ing. This yeranda will extend the whole
length of the clubhouse and Will be very
deep. with a large, sWOOping roof so that
it viii be cool and shay underneath All
vi II"
lead up to the veranda and they be used
to sit on to watch the sports IN the field
the vera=aa- and those who so desire may
sit there and watch the races.
large arcade under which the carriages
Will drive to allow the people to alight
bers of the club who are attending any
Of the games and who may want light
lunch and refreshments.
Only gentlemen drivers viii be allowed
to enter any Of the races. Trainers and
day afternoon matinees, but OF course
will use the track in training the horses
horses are kept IN the stables at the
grounds. An stable boys and jockeys viii
appear on the grounds IN uniforms.
The Saturday afternoon driving matt
nees win be a regular feature OF the club.
In addition to the matinees, race meets
exhibitions win be held at stated periods.
The regular annual horse shows win also
Dean r. Low. secretary Of the Horse
Show association, said this morning. THE
fair grounds are in the hands Of the c0un-
ty commissioners and we can easily arr
range with them for the use OF the land
Several Of the members OF the board OF
directors met recently and decided 10 carry
out plans along the lines laid down and
a special meeting viii be called within a
week. at which time all the plans VIII be
discussed in detail and specifications for
a clubhouse will be talked Of
There is no doubt that the plan viii
take well with all the horse owners In the
city; in fact it IS being talked Of on an
IS no mistalying the fact that the two an
nual horse shows which have been held IN
this city have done great deal 70 inn
prove the class OF turnOuts and horses
driven on our streets. The monthly shows
and the Saturday driving matlnees VIII
also have tendency towards steady adj
vancement in this direction"