Evening journal., 1907-01-03
PARK WORK
OF OLD YEAR
Superintendent Mack Reports
$4,000 on Hand to Credit
Of the Department
IMPROVEMENTS OF THE YEAR

OF Park Commissioners yesterday ar |
ternoon Park superintendent Edward
r. Mack submitted his report OF the
work done during the year. It set
forth all the work that has been accom-
pilshed, an that has been planned ana
also gives tho financial standing Of the
board. The report is as fonowss
Financial
AS a matter Of convenience. the funds
at the command of the commission are
here stated.
The Legislature OK 1901 authorized
the issuance OF bonds to the extent Of
$4,000 for park improvements. or this
amount $4,000 has been issued and OK
pended leaving $4,000 authorized but
not issued.
The Legislature Of 1905 authorized the
issuance Of bonds to the extent OF
$50 900 for the purchase OF land. and
5000 for improvements. OF the fore
mer the whole amount has been issued
during 1905 and s2.955 expended for the
purchase OF land needed TO complete
Kirkwood playground, leaving S215i5 In
the hands Of the city treasurer.
or the $4,000 for improvements, $780,
600 has been issued and $4,000 expended
for the Van Buren, street bridge
There Is. therefore. at the present
time $4,000 available for improvements
and s276i5 for the purchase OF land.
Acquisition Of Land
Two pieces OF land have been added
to the park during the year: One a lot
Of about one acre. bounded by Clay
ton street, Gnpin avenue Rowan street
and park land was acquired by gift
from William p. Bancroft. The other
about II acre. needed to complete
SirNwood playground was purchased
for S2.555. Another tract. lying along
the south side OF the creek between tho
boundary Of the park and the Angus
tine dam has been leased 10 the city
by the Joseph Bancroft and Sons Com
pany IN consideration Of the payment
Of the taxes on the property
Railway Through Rockford Park
In December, 1905. the Peoples Rail
way Company was granted an extern
sion Of time to July l. 1906. for the
completion Of their line through Rock
ford Park The line was put I'm opera
tion early in June and has proved a
great convenience TO those visiting the
park. The slopes AMI banks have been
planted AT the expense OF the railway
company.
Van Buren, Street Bridge
Mention was made I'm the last report
OF the bridge and aqueduct across the
Brandywine at Van Buren street, to be
built in conjunction with the Water
Department. for which the Park Com
omission agreed to pay one-thlrd the
cost.
Plans and specifications were pre-.
pared by the Water Department and
call for a structure OF reinforced con.
crete, 847 feet long, consisting OF three
main, four side arches and a SINAI
arch TO allow the footpath on the soutl
side TO pass underneath. The bridg
floor is p feet above normal wate
: level and has a 16-foot roadway an,
two four foot sidewalks.
Bids were called for and the contrac
was awarded on June II TO the J. A
! Kelly Company for $4,000. Owing {,
unusual freshets which carried ava,
> part OF the contractors plant and Il
delay IN delivery Of the steel work tn,
contract could not be completed befor
: cold weather set in and II was though
I inadvisable 70 continue concrete worl
during the cold period. Work va
: therefore stopped but will be continue
early in the spring.
North Side Drive
In October grading was begun on al
extension Of the north side drive fror
: the culvert at Elliott's run, throug
the woods to loop near the Baltmoc
: and Ohio railroad. a distance Of abou
p 1900 feet. The roadway was graded 10
!, a width OF 16 feet and is being SUI
/, faced to a width OF IL feet as fast a
. cinders can be secured. This road open
up what is known as Elliott's wood
n which is admirably adapted for picni
n purposes.
i A road has also been graded and SUI
r faced with cinders along the east sid
Of Eliiotts run and connecting wit
Eighteenth street at Franklin street
Samuel II. Baynard has given
this work and to the footpaths
North Brandywine Park his personI
supervision.
! Footpaths
The mild weather Of the early PAL
of the year permitted more outsid
work than usual. and small force wa
+ kept busy grading for a footpath alon
d the south side Of the creek from N
e swinging bridge to the Augustine dan
IS a distance OF about 1900 feet. In n
d spring a tar path was laid, opening 4
e a very attractive part OF the par
y heretofore. but little used. The Joscp
T Bancroft and Sons Company paid n
. that portion Of the path on groun
leased to the city.
In North Brandywlne Park a foot
path has been graded along the hill
side from near the end Of the Va
Buren, street bridge TO the Baltlmor
h and Ohio railroad. where It crosse
]. under the p, b. & w. railroads Bran
s DIVINE branch and connects with Je'
: sup's road near the swinging bridge.
a This path with Van Buren, stre'
e bridge will make the extensive wood
T. land in North Brandywine Park MOI
!, accessible 10 the crowds that visit a
Zoo and that use the south footpai
II for a promenade.
e Planting in Rockford Park
q In the agreement with the Peopi'
y Railway Company granting them
= right OF way through Rockford Park.
y was provided that the banks and slopi
y be put In condition satisfactory 10 q
y Park Commission. It was thought be
= to have this work done by the pal
employees at the expense Of the railw;
- company. At this time William