The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-25

The people of Topeka have a surprise
awaiting them of which they can form
no adequate preconceptiOn. The posi-
biiities of electric car service; the nat
ural beauties of rural scenery, and,
most Of all, Vinewood park, are the
unexpected which await the unsuspect-
ing people for whom it has been plan
ned. on the big smoothly running cars
when one gets beyond the confines OF
the city ii is easy to forget that 1t is
Topeka you are leaving. The Vinewood
line might be a thousand miles away
for it Is all new.
People have forgotten what the old
Vinewood park looked like. The new
VfneWood is different. so different as TO
be almost unrecognizab able. When the
big car pulls up before the neat shelter
station one steps out into the park
Broad crushed stone walks lead down
inta the shade of the natural woods. Al
though unfinished it is beautiful ana
Topeka is ready to enjoy any spot OF
green and the smallest handsbreadth OF
shade that can be called a park. It IS
an opportune moment for the opening
of Ninewood. for Topeka is park hungry
and the profuse apologies OF the To-
pelSa railway officials are unnecessary
Besides there are already many attrac-
lions at the park and much to see To-
peka is curious enough about the oper-
ekions of the new railway company 10
enjoy the sight of their work. 1t VIII
scatter itself over the park to its hearts
content tomorrow.
10. w. Wilson. president of the rail-
way the man who owns the park, IS
spending his $4,000 on improvements as
rapidly as he can. good deal of 1t IS
gone already but there is much to show
for the outlay. Probably the thing
which will impress at first is the pretty
arrangement OF the walks and the ad-
vantage that is being taken of the nat
ural twistings and turnings of Deer
creek to secure beautiful artistic ef-
fects The sinuOus course of the creek
gives considerable room, nearly half
mile for boating. 1t encircles the front
of the park. makes an island OF II IN
fact and gives a place for pretty rustic
bridges A wide bridge spans 1t at the
entrance of the park, another and pref
tier one crosses the steam and leads to
the south part where the principal
buildings are located. Farther down
the worlSmen are busy rebuilding the
old stone bridge, widening the waterA
way and opening it for drive. Dykes
and rfpraps hold the stream where ii is
wanted and when the artificial water
works are established the waterway viii
peer creek is one of the most slug
pish streams in the county. Through
Vinewood park IL twists in letter 5.
Two dams have been placed in it 50
that now the water is stagnant. At the
upper dam at the south part of the
park a windmill is to be put in to
force the water over into the reservoir
that has been made of the creek. By
the lower end will be overlooked in
pretty waterfall. Across the narrow
neck at the broad lower end of the 5
is a natural cutoff. probably formed
by the creek in high water. This viii
be made a lagoon It is nearly dry at
present while the workmen are finish
ing the bridge at one end and building
retaining walls along it.
All the improvements now being
made are confined to the west end of
the park which forms the cross Of T
IN which the whole park is naturally
laid out. Stretching away to the east
is the shaft of the T, and to this the
company will turn its attention later.
for it is designed a natatorium and
other good things may be added after
awhile. 1t is in the southeast corner
that the new buildings are located.
Workmen are hammering busily away
upon them now. They viii be occupied
for week or more to come, and next
year the casino will be constructed.
The principal new buildings are the re-
fectory and the band shell. The re-
fectory is the name the park people
apply to the building where food will
be served. Topeka people viii prob