Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-05-01
THE PARK QUESTION.
Proposition Received by Mayor Plais-
ted from Strout Realty Co.

Mayor PIaiSted has received from W.
ID. Hntchins, manager Of the T.. A.
Strout Realty Co. the following letter
which contains q suggestion whereby
the city could secure land for Il park
privilege practically free Of cost. The
contents Of the letter are ~ follows:
Hon. Frederick w. Plaisted. Mayor Of
Augusta.
Dear Strive arc the owners Of Roy
al park. so-callcd. being Il tract OF land
containing about 20 acres and lying BE-
tween the house lots on 81 idge str. et
upon I'll" south, the houses upon state
street upon the east, North street upon
the west ana land of the Edwards
Manufacturing Co. upon the north.
There seems to b.. at the present time
general demand for Il park in this
city. and below we submit a PROPOSE
ton for your consideration. ana in con-
nection with il We would call your at
teltion TO the following facts, which
III. our opinion would make u portion Of
Royal park the most desirable. ana
with our offer the most attractive fpr
that purpose.
As We understand it. the primary ana
real purpose of the park is for a place
Of recreation for the people and eSnc-
cially tn, children of the city. where
they can safely go for an outing, yet
be free from danger This tract seems
to be- especially we'll located geograph-
ically for this purpose. for il Will &C
conmodate and would be easier of ac
cess to 4 larger number Of the people
of Augusta. say within a radius of
on2-ha!f mile than any other contem-
plated plot in the city. 1t is within 800
feet Of Water street. 100 feet of State
street and electrics, 700 feet from the
Edwards Manufacturing Co. mill and
within 300 feet Of the great residential
section of oar city. in fact. more than
three-Guartcrs Of the population of the
city proper live within seven minutes
walk Of the proposed park.
The lay of the land is such that with
comparatively small outlay it could
be made very attractive. The some
what broken condition which now ex-
lists could easily IN the hands of Il
Landscape gardener be utilized to al
vantage and with a small outlay an
artificial pond could be made if de
sired. \ picturesque effect could b"
produced here At slight expense. which
would make il attractive and be in
kef ping with the idea of Il park. i. e.,
getting back to Mother Nature. There
would be :Impl" room for baseball and
football grounds. lawn tennis courts,
walks. drives ana fountains. Being Gle
waited ana well drained il would always
be dry and in 4 condition for use much
enrli-g in the spring than any other
available location. Being in the very
heart nf ,it il ChpIlI h,- iliZlI
ana improved.
We hereby agree to give the city Of
Augusta u warranty deed of five acres
| in the center Of Royal park absolute
| Is free upon tn" following conditions:
First. That in consideration Of such
| conveyance the city shall contract that
| for 20 wears. The rcna nder of Royal
park containing about Is acres. with
| its improvements. shall be required 10
yield no more tax than at present. re-
gardl"ss of changes in ownership of the
whole or any part thereof.
Second That the city shall employ
| the same exclusively FOR park ami rec
| cation purposes and shall within a
| reasonable time make such improve
| ricntS as al" necessary for that end.
We believe this location to he better
| adapted to the wants of the commu-
| nifty than any in the city and while we
| have spoken IF but a few of its adj
| vHntaecs. we are certain that upon due
| cnnSidt ration il will appeal To you,
| both from Il reasonable and business
| standpoint.
We desire that It he accepted. if ut
| all. within one month from this date.
| Very respectfully yours.
| f.. A. STROUT REALTY co.
| By w. ID. HtTTCHI\S. Mgr