The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1907-05-31
Auditor IversOn Looked
Over MinneOpa Grounds
CITY FOLKS GO WITH HIM.
Plans For Improving the Beautiful
Resort: Advisory Committee Named
From the Commercial Club.

From Thursdays Daily.
The visit of State Auditor Nerson to
Alinneopa state park yesterday was en-
tirely satisfactory, both to him and to
the Commercial club officials who ac-
companied him. Those who accom-
panied him to the park were Presi-
dent Brett, Secretary Spencer, Thomas
Hughes, George NJ. Palmer and John
Nyquist. \ fine dinner was served to
the party at the home of the new super
intendent, William X. Williams.
Mr.. Iverson looked the park over care
fully and was enthusiastic over its beau
ties. He made several recommendations
as to its improvements, that Mr.. Will
liams will carry out. One of these is
the extension of the iron fence OF rail
ing 800 to 400 feet further around the
top of the precipice, so as to prevent
children falling over. He directed that
more benches and tables be provided for
picnic parties, that closets for the park
visitors be provided, and that bridge
be constructed across the creek below
the falls. This will probably be an in
expensive rustic bridge.
The auditor directed Mr.. Williams to
procure bids for the construction of an
iron framework for stairway down be-
low the falls, with wooden steps, and
when these have been received he will
advise further with Mr.. Williams about
the matter of building the stairs.
Mr.. Iverson thought that it would be
best to defer building another bridge
over the creek above the falls, as there
are two bridges there now. He suggest
ed, however, that ornamental trees,
shrubs and flowers be set out. He was
in favor of using the money appropriated
for the park, but that none of it should
be wasted.
Mr.. lversOn suggested that the Com
mercial club have a committee to advise
with Superintendent Williams i'm regard
to the improvements, etc, at the park,
and President Brett stated that he
would appoint such committee. Mr..
Brett has since appointed Thomas
Hughes, chairman, DR.. j. w. Andrews,
}. II. Spencer, George Blake and George
NJ. Palmer. This is an excellent COM
mittee.
Mr.. Iverson completes his work at
the park in time to return to this city j
and be driven around some of the prin
cipal parts of the city. He left on the
4:45 p. IN. train for st. Paul.
1t appears that the bill providing for
the acquisition of ground outside of the
original limits of the park did not pass
the legislature. 1t is not among the SEES
sion laws, and is believed not to have
come up in the senate at all. Repres-
entative Lewis informed the Commercial
club committee during the latter days
of the session that the bill had passed, but
it is thought that he was misinformed
rs to its status. Senator Works states
that he did not hear of the bill in the
senate at all.
The omnibus appropriation bill pro-
vided $1,000 for the park, and there re-
mains about 1900 from the appropria
ton for the purchase of the park, so
that there will be ample funds for i'm
proving and identifying the grounds al
ready purchased.
The only thing that Mr.. Iverson did
not like was the presence of several old
buildings north of the railroad track.
He was of the opinion that all of that
section as far as the hills ought to be
incorporated in the park and cleared off.