The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-01-03
PARK COMMISSIONERS.
Past Year Shows Up Well but Plan Is
to Make 1904 Greater.

No money has been spent by the city
that has given as universal satisfaction
and pleasure as that used by the park
commissioners in identifying the parks.
The funds have been limited and many
improvements contemplated by the park
commissioners have been given up or
postponed on account of economy; how
ever, The driveways have been greatly
improved by the application of shale and
crushed limestone rock until they are
equal TO a macadamized road. The COM
missioners would not have been able to
take care of these driveways in such a
satisfactory manner if it had not been
for the great generosity of the officials
of the Frisco Missouri Pacific and Santa
Fe railroads in delivering this material
free of cost. Some eighty cars have
been placed at their disposal by these
roads. The commissioners have made
great improvements in the flower beds in
Central Riverside and plan next year to
have beds with blooming plants through
out the entire season. One thing which
has probably given more pleasure than
any other has been the deer and elk. On
every pleasant day hundreds of Wichita's
ClllZtIS, anu Especially the Ci-IloICii, NoAi
be seen gazing through the wire fence at
''OId Joe" the elk with the big horns,
and the two little calves, new arrivals
in the park The twin fawns are great
pets with the children, they having chris
tened them "Corbett'' and ''Fitzsim-
mons" The park commissioners are now
looking for two bear, to be placed in
bear pit which will be constructed for the
purpose This addition TO the Zoo they
hope TO have ready by spring.
Cost of Floods
For the last four years large amount
of money and labor has been lost on ac-
count of the parks being inundated. The
high water during these four seasons has
cost a loss of work, already done, in dam
ages to the park, to private individuals
and bridges and in maintining dykes to
protect the city from overflow $4,000 The
park commissions, with much thought and
with the assistance Of competent engi-
neers, have arranged a plan which will
effectively protect the parks and city
from overflow. This plan can be carried
out at an expense Of from $4,000 to
$4,000 The park commissioners think
inns Improvement wise one from d
business standpoint. if from no other.
This improvement will raise and enlarge
the driveways and will beautify the banks
of the river. Shale is now on the ground
to pave all the drives after these re-
pairs are made. which should be done by
early spring. The parks could be made
more attractive by the addition of fount-
aims and other set pieces. If any one in
the city would like 10 preserve their own
memory, or that of some relative or
friend, by the placing of some fitting i'm
proyement in the parks, the park COM
missioners would be glad to confer with
them.
linWood Park.
One of the brightest and most pleasing
spots in the city is Linwood park It's
popularity is shown in that over three
hundred picnics were held there during
last summer. Several hundred elm trees
have been transplanted along the drives
and walks and hundreds of new shrubs
and vines have been set out The bridges