The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-18
UNITE PARK SYSTEM
AND MINNEAPOLIS DIS
CUSS PLANS
WILL CANVASS THE SITUATION
Continuous Driveway Along the Mis-
sissippi PrOposed-Also boulevard
Via Agricultural College
Gnd Como Park.

The members of the park board Of Min
neapoliS and St. Paul and representative
citizens of each city met last evening at
the Commercial club to discuss the ques-
ton of the two cities joining forces to
secure the two banks of the Mississippi
river for park purposes and to bring
about a continuity of the two park sys-
TENS. They were the guests of the club
at dinner. About twenty men were pres
emit, and the question was discussed
thoroughly.
A motion by Mayor Ames to appoint
committee of twelve from the Mime
apolis park board and citizens to confer
with a similar committee to be appoint
ed by the st. Paul park board was car
ried. These committees will study the
matter and present plans to bring about
the desired results to the boards and cit
liens of each city. Much enthusiasm was
manifested by all present, and each in
turn expressed his qualification that the
joint meeting had been brought about,
and expressed the wish that the meeting
would not be the last one, as by such
means the Importance Of the question
would be kept constantly before the
minds of the boards and the public.
w. w. Folwell, chairman of the Min
neapolis park board, presided. He spoke
of the purposes of the meeting, and then
called upon others to present their views.
Joseph Wheelock, president of the ST.
Paul board, spoke of the present condi-
ton of the parks of his city, it's recent
acquisitions, and of the Importance OF
the two cities joining forces now to Sc
cure the banks of the Mississippi river
to Fort Smelling reservation. He said that
st. Paul had already secured the right
bank Of the river south to Summit ave-
nue., and was endeavoring to secure the
bank on down to the reservation, includ-
ing Hiawatha park, across the stream
from Minnehaha park. He thought that
Minneapolis should secure the left bank
of the river the same distance, and that
park and driveway should be made
along each side of the river, connected
at either end by bridge. He urged that
the land be secured now, stating that it
could be bought cheaper now than it can
ever be secured
c. M. Loring followed Mr.. Wheelock,
agreeing with him. Mr.. Loring spoke of
the fact that no cities have such nat
and ST. Paul, and also said that few
people realized the rapidity with which
cities grow, and the necessity, as a
consequence, Of immediate action. He
concluded his short talk by saying: I'VE
have made good beginning, now let
us secure the banks of the river, which
will not only give US picturesque drives,
but many small parks convenient to
every section Of the city, and the most
beautiful stretch of water that can be
found in any land.
Prof. Hayes, of the state experimental
farm, followed with a suggestion for the
building of boulevard from Minneap-
oils to the Agricultural college, to con-
meet with the Como boulevard to st.
Paul. He said he thought it very likely
the consent of the college could be Sc
cured for the driveway to run through
the school grounds and through the ex-
detrimental farm valuable as the land Is
Mayor Ames spoke of the fact that
the two cities are one in interest, and Of
the nearness of the time when they will
be one in fact. He said that the land
for present and future generations when
1t could be bought for one-tenth or one
hundredth part of what it would cost
later. He was in favor of issuing bonds
for the purchase of lands for park pur-
poses, and to let the future generations
help pay for what they receive thereby.
Others spoke of the fact that the time
had come for the two cities to work in
unison in extending their park systems.
The suggestion was made that the two
boards have joint meetings in the future,
to tell each other the prospective plans,
and to discuss the park question to-
gether.
President. Jones, of the city council.
said he thought the city fathers would
ask the legislature to authorize a pub
lie debt for the purpose of extending the
park system along such lines as sug-
gested.
Secretary Ridgway, Of the park board,
urged the members of the board to at
tend the council committee meeting next
Thursday and ask them to report ia
vorably on the plan to issue bonds for
park purposes.
Mr.. Loring again urged the purchase Of
lands around Lake Amelia and the dam
ming of that body in order to supply
water for the falls