The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-07-15
CHAPTER 1866.

AN ACT Defining the Powers and Duties
of the Metropolitan Park Commission
ers and Providing for the Acquiring OF
Land and the Improvement and Main
tenance of Public Lands Within the
Metropolitan Park District of Prov
dence Plantations.
(Passed April %, 1907
II is enacted by the General Assembly as
follows:
Section l. The chairman of the park
commissioners of the city of Providence,
the mayors OF the cities of Providence,
Pawtucket. and Central Falls, the presi-
dents of the town councils of East Provi-
dence, Cransbon, Warwick. Johnston,
North Providence, Lincoln, Darlington,
and Cumberland, the president OF Brown
university. the president of the Board or
Trade OF Providence, the director of the
Rhode Island School of Design, the presi-
dent of the Providence Art club. the presi-
dent OF the Rhode Island chapter of the
American Institute OF Architects. all ex-
officio, together with four members and
representatives OF the Public Park asso-
ciation TO be annually elected by said as
sociation at its annual meeting or any
adjournment thereof and their respective
successors, are hereby constituted and
continued metropolitan park commission
ers for the purpose of continuing the duty
specified in Chapter 1904 of the Public
Laws, enacted November Is, 1904, and in
Chapter 1928 of the Public Laws, enacted
May g. 1906 with the further power and
duties specified In this act. The said COM
missioners shall serve without compensa-
tion (and shall be officially known as
The Metropolitan Park Commission OF
Providence Plantations).
Sec. 2. The said commissioners shall
choose annually, from their members. a
president, a secretary, and an executive
committee of Ave members. of which the
president shall be a member ex-officio.
and may from time to time employ such
services and incur such expenses as they
may deem necessary TO carry out the pur-
poses OF this act They may determine the
duties and compensation of all employees.
remove them at pleasure. and make all
reasonable rules and regulations concern
ing them. The said commissioners shall
be provided with a suitable office where
their maps. plans, documents. records.
books. papers. and accounts may be kept,
subject TO public inspection at such times
as the said commissioners may determine.
They shall make an annual report TO the
general assembly OF their proceedings. to-
gether with full statement Of their re-
ceipts and disbursements.
Sec g. The Jurisdiction and powers OF
the said commissioners shall extend 10
and may be exercised in the various cities
and towns constituting the metropolitan
park district of Providence Plantations,
as designated in Chapter 1898 of the Pub
lie Laws.
Sec 4. The said commissioners shall
have the power 20 acquire, maintain, and
make available to the Inhabitants of the
said metropolitan park district, and to the
public generally. open spaces for exercise
and recreation and for iptercommunica-
tion between them and adjacent streets
and highways; and 10 this end, and act
ing as far as may be I'm consultation with
the respective city and town councils and
park commissioners OF said cities and
towns. the said commissioners are hereby
authorized to take in fee simple or other
WISE I'm the name and for the benefit of
the state. by purchase. gift. or devise. or
by eminent domain In such manner as
may hereafter be provided by the gen.
eral assembly. lands and interests, es-
tates and rights therein, for the public
use within said metropolitan park district.
and 20 enter into written contracts for the
conveyance thereof TO the said commits
sioners. for the said purposes and uses.
and further. to improve. preserve, care
for. and administer such public reserva-
tions. and also, In the discretion OF the
said commissioners. and upon such terms
and conditions as they may approve. such
other lands and interests, estates. and
rights therein. or funds I'm trust as may
be entrusted, given. conveyed. or devised
u the said commissioners or 10 the state
by the United States or by cities. towns,
corporations. or individuals for the gen
eral purposes OF this act. or for any one
or more OF such purposes. as the grantor.
donor. or devisor may designate: Pro-
vided. however. that nothing in this
act shall be construed 10 limit exist
Ing rights OF any city or town IN re-
lation 10 water supply purposes. or in
any way obstruot or destroy the
privilege OF any such city or town to