Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-05-13
LOCAL COMMENT

AVN1AA SO4AHAAAN
~
Whatever people may say about
Charlie LaPlant no one has ever sug-
gested that Charlie Is anybody's fool.
He usually knows what he is doing.
Just now, as park commissioner, he
and Joe Mohr are being cursed and
praised for their action In locating the
city park on the Binford land northeast
of the city. Friday afternoon LaPlant
invited the mayor, councilman and
the T.-R. editor to visit the new park.
The mayor had favored the site on
North Third street, originally proposed
by the labor organizations, and there
was some danger that the council
would oppose the park commission in
selecting the Binford site. When the
party arrived at the Third street site,
seven or eight acres Of 1t, and the
only spot with any trees, was fully
three feet under water. LaPlant had
counted on this, and it was compare
lively easy for him to explain that
the water could not be diked out for
the reason that u ravine discharging
flood waters from Third and Second
streets would flood in behind the dixie.
Then the party was driven to the Bin
ford site, and here was found forty
acres. high and dry above the river,
almost entirely covered with stately
elms, walnut and ash trees, nicely
sodded with green turf and ready to
become park at almost the first touch
of the gardeners TOOLS The mayor
yielded and came over to the enemy.
The councilman was enthusiastic and
the editor was satisfied.
Mr.. +. M. Rubee, the third commits
sioner, opposed the action Of LaPlant
and Mohr, not because he did not like
the site, but because he thought $3.50
per acre too much to pay for it. He
wanted to condemn the land and take
it at an appraisal. LaPlant argued
that a law suit is always expensive and
that in case the commission attempted
to condemn, the whole sum of $4,000
would have to be put up in the courts
hands, which was impossible since the
commission did not have the money.
The taxes come in every six months to
the amount of about $1,000 each pay
ment and this is all the commission
can use. AS it is, the commission
VIII pay NIL. PA,oVV aoW4l anu
$1,000 annually thereafter. The site on
South Sixth street was not available.
and was so near the railroad as to
make the park a harbor for buns and
tramps. Besides, land across the road
was being sold in five acre tracts at
5000 per acre and the commissioners
dared not condemn.
It would have cost more to have
bought enough land on Third street
and when purchased it would have re-
CURED fifteen years to have grown
shade trees upon it. It was a rolling
piece-of ground but that was all. Peo-
ple who prefer it should suspend judg-
ment until they have walked over 1t
and made personal examination.
The new site is most fortunately
formed for developing a park. Not
only are the trees already grown such
as could not be produced in twenty
years time, but everything is arranged
for immediate conversion into park.
Mr.. Binford has been hiring labor for
five years to clean up the grove ana
this expense will be saved. a drive
way, meandering along the river bank
and around the park will furnish the
necessary dixie to keep out even the
memorable flood Of 1882. A long wind
ing and narrow bayou running thru the
grove can easily be scooped out into
a shollow and pretty lake, kept fresh
by a windmill pump, for boating, where
children will be absolutely safe and
secure from the river. A band stand
can be built in the park, surrounded
by dense shade Of the tall trees. The
park includes the river along almost
it's entire north boundary, running from
the Third avenue bridge east. If the
street car company could be induced
TO build down Third avenue from the
Pilgrim hotel corner, nine blocks to the
park, and If the cemetery association
would extend it's driveway to the east
side of it's land, the park would easily
be accessible by car or by a riverside
drive, but in any event the distance OF
lust one mile from the court house can
easily be walked.
People who are inclined to kick abou:
fine choice of site should hold their
peace until they have visited the place
and seen what it is.