Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1908-05-29
IMPROVEMENT SOC lE7Y.
[Continued from last week
TIE SCHOOL GROUNDS.

Cn1et d1fnCulty lies In the irregular sur
face of the land, and especially in the
deep ravine which crosses the eastern
part of the tract.
1t seems quite certain that Middlebury
will soon need an additional school build
ing. The present building is altogether
inadequate, and it can hardly be sup
posed that the citizens will continue very
long the injustice to their children which
is involved in the over-crowding of the
present school building. 1t seems to me
1t should be placed almost directly east of
the present building, bringing it rather
close to Main street. There will be some
difficulties involved in the way of secur-
ing a foundation at this point, but in the
hands of a good architect and builder
these difficulties need not be serious.
When this building is constructed, and
from time to time as opportunity offers,
considerable additional filling can be
made in this section. 1t may even be
possible eventually to fill the entire ravine
on the school grounds, though this will
probably not come in many years, and
though | do not consider it strictly essen
tial to a satisfactory solution of the prob
lem which now exists.
A considerable fill has already been
made between the east end of Franklin
street and the south walk to the school
building. This fill should be continued
up to a considerably higher level, that
is far enough to bring 1t up to the per-
manent level of the final grade on Frank
lin street. The whole should then be
grassed over. The grade of this south
walk, already mentioned, is now irregu-
lar and unsatisfactory, and should be inn
proved.
The deep ravine or gully lying north
of the walk just mentioned and directly
in front of the present school building
presents considerable difficulties in the
way of landscape gardening. have al
ready suggested that this may possibly
be filled a little at a time so as to be
brought out eventually to nearly level
grade. AS any plan of this sort would
require considerable time, and as difficult
ties in the way are serious from every
point of view, think it would be better
to plan for the immediate future differ
ent treatment. The best treatment which
l can suggest for this space is to make it
into an arboretum or botanic garden In
other words l would have this area plant
ed with a collection of trees and shrubs,
preferably those native to Addison coun-
y
native to this vicinity could be collected
here they would be of great interest to
the pupils in the schools and might be-
come of considerable practical value in
teaching, especially in the science teach
ing of the high school. They would also
an interesting, form attractive collection
for all the citizens of Middlebury. The
greater part of this work could be done
by the pupils in the school, and few
successive arbor days would accomplish
the entire undertaking without involving
any material expense upon any one.
West of the present school building
there is very attractive rectangle part
ly planted with good trees, mostly elms.
This open space is so attractive and so
fortunately situated with respect to the
village, the school and the collie ge, that
every effort shonld be to maintain and i'm
prove it, 1t is pleasure to learn that
this ground is to be moved hereafter
with lawn mower. If the surface is
kept smooth and clean the best possible
result will be accomplished. Some trees
will need to be cut out In making such
selections / would always reserve elms
in preference to other species, the gener-
al intention being to give them exclusive
place in the park. The row of trees on
the south side of this rectangle next to
Franklin street is much too thckly set.
Several of these trees ought to be re-
moved, amounting practically to every
other one. Of course the poorer ones
will be taken and the better ones left as
far as such choice is compatible with
preserving regularity of the row.
This little rectangular park would be
further improved by opening up the
center more than has yet been done.
This improvement might very well reach
the point of cutting out a considerable
portion of the two rows of trees which
now border the diagonal walk across
this tract. There may be some objection
to this improvement on the part of those
who habitually use the diagonal cross
walk; but | feel sure that the advantages
of such a change will be much greater
on the whole than the disadvantages.
a part of the open space on this lot is
now used as playground by the school
children. While this use of the ground
tends to kill out the grass to some ex-
tent, yet these sports are to be urgently
encouraged, By all means let the school
children use the ground as much as pos
sible for their games.
a the north end of the school building
the area should be paved or concerted as
soon as practicable. The small bitches
between the school ground and the street
should be filled in, the drainage being
taken by tiles.
The culvert and crossing of the school
walk northeast of the school building
also need to be improved.
The fills along both of the main walks
in front of the school building should he
considerably extended and improved.
If the banks can be brought to a grade
which will admit of their being grassed
over a considerable advantage will be
gained thereby.
AT the east end of the school grounds
there is at present road crossing from
South street to Academy street The
grounds would be improved if this cross
ing could be abolished, and such a step
will be particularly important should tie
new school building be located on the
eastern end of the ground as already
suggested
Just southeast of the school building