Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-10-19
COOKE STREET PARK
Work Being Rushed Despite Protests
 From Collectors.

One wouldn't think that small af- fair like that little park at the junction of Cooke and North Main streets could have been the cause of 50 much ami mated discussion among 50 many of our best citizens, but such is the case, and it will be lucky if some of it's op- ponents do not make an effort to have the board of aldermen abolish 1t and have the whole square paved, as or dered. Horsemen appear to be the principal objectors, but some cannot see why they should find fault with what is being done so long as the street is wide enough for all pracica, purposes and leaves lots of room for this beauty spot besides. The people in the immediate neighborhood are de lighted with it and cannot speak too highly of the aesthetic taste of the man who conceived the idea. Its all right. Hope to see one of them every place there is room for it." is the way the neighbors refer to it.
 Two well known residents of that end of the town, and both owning horses, and of course driving over the street frequently, expressed themselves as well pleased with the park scheme. They cannot see where 1t will inter- fere with travel in the slightest de- gree. In fact, one of the men referred to says the putting of the park there will be help to teamsters, for they can pull their horses around to the north of 1t for breathing spell, just in the same spot they have been using for long time.
 Some object, not because they don't like the little park, but on the ground that it was not ordered by anybody having authority to act in that capaci- ty and claim that the practice so com mon in Waterbury of officials exceed ing their authority is vicious and has been tolerated too long for the public good. Some of the aldermen are at white heat over 1t and evidently its projectors know this and are rushing things to get it completed. But it is small matter to quarrel over. 1t won't cost as much to put the park there as it would to pave 1t. and in case it should prove to be a nuisance. something which is very unlikely, it could be removed at small outlay and the whole of the street devoted to public travel. After it is made and there for a season everybody will be pleased with 1t and it will remain there as thing of beauty and joy forever.
 Talking about parks, large and small, brings up the question asked of the city officials some time ago by Senator Tracy regarding breathing spots. MT Tracy suggested that the city secure land for park in lower Baldwin street, where such place would accommodate hundreds of work ing people who could reach 1t without paying trolley fare. The trouble with our parks, MT Tracy thought, was that they are too far from the center of population and as a consequence a great many rarely if ever find time to spend an hour in them. Mir Tracy's contention is right, but the city off- cials are not in the habit of spending much money in that part of the town and the chances are it will have to jog along without public park, unless. perhaps, the business administration might decide to do at least one good thing before 1t makes It's final obeisance to the public.