Daily Kennebec journal., 1906-04-11
Augusta. Me. March 10, 1896


Council City Of Augusta.
G+ntlemen:-In July, 1906. by order
OF the City Council. we reported on the
purchase, for park purposes. of the
Fort Western property, and We're thcn
instructed by the City Council 10 re-
port on the purchase, for park puE-
poses. of the TrOtting Park property.
For various reasons, we have been un-
able, up to the present, 10 report, as
ordered, but as this matter is one OF such
deep interest to so many of our cltl-
zens, we now, in our annual report,
take up both subjects.
This land is bounded by Cony street
on. the north. Arsenal street on the
east. the Lambard property on the
South. the iiennebec river on the west,
ana may b. classified in two parts:
A. The house ard lot belonging to
Mrs. Peter Concannon. We. have had
several Interviews with Mrs. Concan-
non. She is unwilling 70 part with
her home ana would not sell for less
than $500, but we believe she would
sell for park purposes only,
for about that sum.
B. The remainder Of the property
is owned. or controlled NY LcndIil Tit
comb. Esq. and Mrs. Mary'H. Davies.
We have secured 4 firm offer Of all
this parcel fer $2&.EiG.
Assuming that Mrs Conrann"nS
property can hc bought fcr $500, the
total cost OF this c:Itire tract would
be $25.9IG.
The buii,iiaE.i on Ills rrnncrty, cx-
ceptirg I-rrt Western. which &h"uii,
Of course. b" preserved, could be sold
for enough to make th' :nnperty fair
~ ua;,b.r for Il park ana playground.
This property contains abpu; ~"
acres. situated in the heart Of our
city, bcautifei by magnificent shade
trees. and includes Fort Western, an
historic object of the greatest value
and interest. 1t is large enough TO
make a park which would give gratiti-
cation and amusement to our boys and
girls as 4 playground, as well as TO
their parents for more aesthetic rea-
sons.
we believe there is need Of just such
a park and playground situated within
easy walking distance Of the heart Of
our city.
This parcel contains about - acres
ana has a good racing track ana an
excellent athletic field. Its situation
is admirable and. considering the size
of the property, is remarkably near the
homes Of many of our citizens. 1t is
exactly what is needed to furnish room
for all those athletic sports in which
50 many Of our people are Interested
and which are fast becoming such L
| necessary adjunct to healthy living.
We have not been able to secure a
! firm price on this property but are
satisfied it can be bought for park pur
poses for not exceeding $4,000. one Of
| its owners has recently died; the other
has moved away; and it seems probable
| to us that, unless the city takes early
action on this proposition, this prop
erty will be cut up and sold off, and
then our opportunity will be gone for
lever.
! We. therefore, respectfully recon-
mend that the Park Commission BE-
authorized to purchase both these
properties. for park purposes, at an
expense not to exceed $4,000. and, to
provide funds for this purpose, that
/ the Mayor and city treasurer be au-
tboriZed and instructed to sell the city s
bonds To 4 like amount. running 20
years and bearing 3la per cent inter-
| est.
During tie past seven years, Angus
ta has been pursuing a policy of the
strictest economy The financial results
are as follows:
Worthless taxes abatcd by CIV
rnndad wUIiiI dcbt naid % 10 y
| Annual interest on debt reduced 4.240.01
Emergency fund created .......... 15.1O@o
| Our valuation has also increased
! $155. 900, and our funded debt is now
! 100000 below the legal limit With
such financial showing as this, it
seems that Augusta can we'll afford to
make these purchases. especially as
they can be made for less money now
than will probably ever be the case
again. There are times when it
is wise economy to spend money and
this seems to be one of them.
Augusta must, sometime. begin the
creation of a park system. for Augusta
is destined to grow into a much larger
CITY. 1t seems to us that the time has
ccme to make beginning, for now IS
me time when two tracts of land,
each with its great advantages. can
DC bought on reasonable terms. The
iro''ins Park property will give ample
i"oih ioi all time to come for all those
''ii'euc sports which are now so vital
al elehleiN IN the lives Of SO many Of
cur people The Fort Western proner-
=. with all its historic interest, will
give magnificent breathing place
I rleht IN the heart of our businass co.
tion. ~
Today both these properties .ra
needed for public uses and both can
Dc bought by the city on reasonab1a
terms. The city is we'll able financial
~ 10 buy them. ana their purchase
VIII add to the city's assets much noro
IN real. salable value than their cast
The need of both these properries
VIII increase each year as Aueusto
grows larger and more prosperous
Their value wilfsincrease likewise and
II their purchase is postponed until the