The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-11-13
City II Ws
HUGE AYIARY FOR
BIG ISLAND PARK
+. F. JONES GOING TO EUROPE TO
BUY BIRDS.
Twin City Rapid Transit Company will
Make the Island an Amusement Park
and Picnic Place with Many Unusual
Features Open by May 80.

An interesting bit Of news has leaked
out in connection with the announce
ment of r. F. Jones intention to 90 to
Europe within the week.
It is no less than that the Twin City
Rapid Transit company proposes to in
stall as one OF the attractions at Big
Island park, Lake Minnetonka, next
such an educational character as to put
the park in class all by itself.
Mr.. Jones, who is an authority on
birds and fowls, has been given free
hand to make selections Of the best
specimens of the feathered tribe for the
island. He will visit several European
countries where the rarest birds are
raised and will make collection that
will be comprehensive and interesting.
which will lend itself admirably to the
aviary and aquarium, and not only
foreign but also domestic fowls will
find home there. It is expected that
more than 1900 birds will find habi-
tation there. M
Definite plans have also been COM
pleted by the company for Big Island
park, which will be formally opened to
the public not later than next Memo
be at work all winter.
Upon landing at; the ferry docks, Wis
itors will find themselves at tThe Point
of View" the beginning of "The Long
Walk which will lead from the docks
to the electric tower in the center Of
the island. ''The Long Walk will
be Of gravel, lined with grass plots
| and flower beds, with peristyle con-
sisting Of arches Of white tile and plas-
ter and studded with electric lights.
Where the arches join the tower they
will form a shelter house IA feet wide
and 100 feet long.
rs feet square, its white sides viii be
covered with many electric lights. It
is a copy Of the famous tower at
Seville, Spain. Its cupola will be $50
feet above the ground and 200 feet
above the lake level, and it will con-
tain water tank with capacity Of
$4,000 gallons, furnishing water to all
parts Of the island.
On both sides and in the rear of the
electric tower will be the picnic grounds
with four tile and plastered Kitchens,
Ranges for heating coffee and warming
lunches will be maintained by the COM
pany free Of expense to the picnickers.
There will be pavilion; in which
lunches and refreshments can be OBJ
tanned, and near by the roller coaster,
enchanted river, Around the world
LII c1SHG MluuJeS, % L u0 merry maze
and many other special amusement fea-
lures will be offered for entertainment.
Gravel paths and walks will lead
around the island and the music hall,
which will be 1875 feet square, of steel,
concrete and glass, with seating ca
pacity Of nearly 1000 persons. There
will be a glass dome so feet in dame
ter, and by a system of canvas cur
tains it will be possible to close up the
auditorium tightly in Indictment weather.
Contracts have just been made with
some of the most celebrated bands in
the country for the entire season IS mu-
sic. A pleasant feature will be a dan
cling marquee near the, music hall. sr
the island is the Spanish Mission.
Every device calculated to appeal to
family parties and picnics will be Of
fered. including baseball grounds,
swings and boating facilities. ~