St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current, 1908-01-10
THAT CITY PARK.

Ilh VI Ih M.
There has been much said pro
and con about city park. The
petition that has been circulated
calls for sum of S7s, 900 to be
voted for the purpose of providing
city dock and a city park. We
believe that both objects are wor-
thy of the most earnest considera-
ton and effort of every individual
citizen of St. Johns.
There are two propositions as to
the park. The first to which our
attention was called is Cedar Park,
the price of which we have not
been told. The other location for
park we stumbled onto while out
on another trip; this one is the
point Of land lying on the bluff
overlooking the dry dock. There
are six or seven acres of this lot
and it reaches down to the water
front at the north end of the strip
and has SO feet of water front on
the north side of the street. The
highest point of land is partly
cleared, so that tennis grounds and
other play grounds could be easily
and at little expense installed. The
edge of the cliff is covered with
large fir trees and other smaller
trees and bushes which could be
trimmed and made into a most de-
lightful shady resort. From here,
too, a fine view of Portland and
the river from the steel bridge down
to Linnton is obtained. In fact il
is thc most desirable location for
city park there is anywhere near
St. Johns. We made inquiries
and learned that Powers and others
in Portland owned the property
jointly, and asked Mr.. Edlefsen of
the waterworks to ascertain the
very lowest price II could be OBJ
tanned for TO be used as a city park.
MIR l;dlefsen has ascertained that
the property can be purchased for
SIS, 900 including the water front
Of IS feet which would give the |
city 9S feet of a landing for the use
Of excursions coming to or going
from the city. There is an easy
grade from the highest point to the
water front and we believe that
steps should he taken TO secure
his at the earliest possible moment,
before some one buys II and cheats
he city out OF the most desirable
oca,ion for a park within its limits.
We wish the commercial club or
he city council would take this
natter up and make some definite
arrangements. Mr.. lSdlefsen tells
IS he can handle the matter here in
i. Johns and will be glad to meet
he council or any committee OF the
ouncil or citizens looking to the
urchasc Of this tract.
The owners have been holding
he property intact because OF the ,
of the location for a
o,cl or pleasure resort, aud for I
iat reason have refused To sell ,
ldividual lots and refused to sell
ie water front, aud when we pre- ,
,nted the matter OF city park ,
iey at once saw the fitness OF the |
tuation and made their price q
trough Mr., Edleisen. /
We believe the better way would |
e to place this park matter on a
,para,e ballot from that OF the a
ty dock and this view we have $
'und to be universally that OF 4
iher citizens with whom we have !
liked on the matter This park q
luld be made self sustaining from q
le beginning by the sale OF con. Il,
'ssions. etc. aud II could bc i'm !
roved and beautiied at the option
the city at such times as the 1
,cessary funds could be easily I
-oduccd.
We would be glad to hear from 4
Ie citizens either through these n
'lumns or otherwise. All who n
we been over the grounds are d
ianlmous in the opinion as TO /,
cir desirability ior city park pur-
lses. q,