The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-09-08
TO GET GARFIELD.
North Topeka Certain of Its
New Park.
Property Owners Are Coming to
Rescue.
SIGNING THE PAPERS.
No Longer ANY Doubt Of Success
Of Plan.
Only Three Men Have Refused
to Sign.
IGNING THE PAPERS.

The purchase of Garfield park by
the residents of North Topeka will be
an assured fact.
Petitions which have been circu-
lated among the property owners of
the First ward, which comprises the
whole of North Topeka. are receiving
eager signers. But three property
owners have refused to sign out of a
total of some 800 who have been ap-
proached Every owner of property
along Kansas avenue with the excep-
ton of four has attached his signature
to the petitions presented. But one of
these has refused and the remaining
three have given their intention of
signing though they have not yet been
approached. Nonresident owners as
well as resilient owners are both alike
delighted with the prospect of includ-
ing Garfield in the park system OF tne
city. Five petitions have been in cir
culation; two of these have been re-
turned signed up in full.
Councilmen Ryder and SimmS of
the First ward have taken an active
interest in promoting the creation OF
a benefit district out of the First ward
for the purchase of the grounds. H.
NJ. Steele, the real estate dealer on the
North side and formerly chief OF po-
lice. has had charge of circulating the
petitions for the past few weeks. He
said:
II think that we viii be prepared
to present the petition TO the city
council at the first regular meeting IN
October. 1t is interesting to note the
way the people are taking hold of this
matter. I act as agent for number
of nonresident owners of property,
and they have written me in each in
stance to sign their names to anything
that I want to. One man in California
owns thirteen houses in North Topeka
and he says that he is glad to endorse
the purchase. Another nonresident
owner owns over $4,000 worth of
property here and he tells me to go
ahead and sign his name. I have all
these letters and I shall attach them
to the petition when it is presented to
the council. All of the large property
owners have signed up with one ex-
ception, and 1 expect to get his sigma
ture within a few days.
"A number of men living in South
Topeka who are in business on this
side but do not own property here
have begged me to let them con-
tribute to the fund. Though they pay
no taxes they want to start a fund to
be subscribed towards the purchase
price.
1--WE have agreed to let them do this.
Everybody believes that the purchase
of the park will be a good thing for
this side of the river. There is only
one park in the city now where picnic
and that is Vinewood. With Garfield
park fixed up this will be changed.
81 think that the price of $4,000
which the Bank of Topeka offers to
sell it to us for is very reasonable. I
think that the bank is showing q, fine
spirit in letting us have it for such a
reasonable price. There is not man
in North Topeka who if he owned it
would sell it at that price. 1t is very
cheap. tract of land lying right
close to it sold for $1S, 200 just a few
years ago. This tract contained about
IL acres The park has upwards OF
20 acres with about $4,000 worth OF
improvements upon it,
There are over 5000 lots in North
Topeka and as the assessment to be
made against the property for the
price of the purchase will be made re-
gardleSs of the improvements and SIM
ply on a basis of the value of the bare
lots the cost viii not average in ex-
cess of so cents per lot. The First
ward will be formed into a benefit dis
trict and the entire expense will be
borne by North Topeka property own
ers. After purchasing the park it will
be turned over to the city and will
form a portion of the citys park sys-
tenn, which will be taken care of in the
same manner that other parks in the
city are provided for and improved
The expense of maintenance will not
be large since the park is practically
improved and will respond readily to {
little care. One-half of Soldier creek
goes with the purchase. This will
provide ample boating.