Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1908-05-22

that all future paintings on the park be
elms.
The railroad cut across the west end |
of the park is very undesirable on many |
accounts and especially so in reference to |
the beauty of the village green. There |
are various ways of improving the situa-
ton, the most apparent being as follows,
named in the order of their preference:
(a) Make stone arch the whole length |
Of the cut Tor an arch of iron beams if
preferred) and cover the entire stretch.
This would make it possible to have a
continuous lawn from Main street
through to the end of Washington street
and would greatly improve the effect of
the whole. This is by far the most
desirable treatment of the grounds, and
the expense, while greater than that of
any other proposed remedy, is still
very slight compared with the benefit to
be gained thereby.
(b) 1t will be practicable to make a
wooden covering for the whole length of
the cut. This would amount merely to
the extension of the present two bridges,
80 that they should connect with one
another This construction could be
made in such way as to attract very
| little notice, it would be comparatively
cheap, and it would considerably inn
prove the present situation.
(c) Good substantial stone bridges could
be put in the place of the present very
shabby and unsightly wooden bridges.
(dl At the worst and least new wooden
bridges should be substituted for those
now in place. In case this expedient is
adopted would suggest that a heavy
border of low growing shrubbery be
planted along either margin of the open
railway cut. If this shrubbery is kept in
good condition it will be to some extent
ornamental, and while it will cut across
the lawn in an unattractive manner it
will conceal the railroad cut to some ex-
tent, and will be an improvement on the
whole.
On the west end of the common some
grading is now under way. understand
that drinking fountain is to be placed
in this area. This plan has my hearty
approval, providing the drinking foun-
, tain is of simple and dignified design.
} If it is possible to put part of this area
in grass and keep it clean and moved
would recommend that this be done.
Whatever portion is not put out to grass
should be kept smoothly paved.
The present location of the band stand
seems to me to be undignified and unfor-
! tunate. l would recommend that this
/ be removed whenever the opportunity
offers, and that it be placed further up
t the hill eastward near the east end of the
, park and as nearly as possible directly
: opposite the end of Court street. If q
new stand is constructed at that point il
will of course be as simple and dignified
in design as possible.
In the general improvement of the
z park the effort should be directed TOWARD
breadth, simplicity and dignity. Thil
e would mean the avoidance of small
, flower beds and other minor lorna
Z ments"
l Finally let me urge most emphatically
S that as many as possible of the presen
s intersecting walks be permanently elimi
? mated. hesitate to point out for imme
p date removal any particular walks bu
careful study of this question con
: vinces me that several of them could b,
: taken out without being seriously missed
S In the removal of these walks the judg
e ment of the citizens of Middlebury would
: be much more valuable than my opinion
r since their convenience is first of all t.
n be considered. However there should
: be no effort spared to remove as many a
t possible of the multitudinous and con
f fusing intersections which now so great
= ly injure the village common.
y There is small triangle of trees ant
). grass on Main street short distanc
d southwest of the principal park just dis
cussed. l have no particular recon
d mendations to make with regard to thi
e place except that the two poor spruc
n trees be removed and the whole place b
o kept as clean and orderly as possible.
u THE RAILWAY STATION GROUNDS.
s. The Middlebury railway station an
e grounds are in very unsatisfactory con
e dition. AS they stand at present the
l. are distinct discredit both to the villag
l. and to the Rutland railroad. Nothin
e short of thoroughgoing renovation @
le the entire premises will meet the plai
IS and ordinary requirements of the situs
)r ton.
As enclose herewith a small sketch ma
ID of the station grounds indicating roughl
es the treatment which would suggest fo
n the improvement of the place. In tn
TT first instance / would recommend tn
a Strengthening, grading and cleaning {
k. the street which lies west of the static
b. grounds. This work should obviousl
be done by the trustees of the village.
he The next step would be to do consoles
al able filling about the station and baggag
Up house, especially between these two builC
Sc ngs ana ON tne west OF DOtn. A1tt
or some filling has been done the surfac
II. should be heavily dressed with gravel {
e. as to form solid pavement. This paw,
w ment should extend from the street O
lg the west through the porte-cochere an
r. should include all the area north of IL
al station out to the street where carriage
es and baggage wagons stand.
k. The area west of the porte-cochere, b
I'd tween there and the street, forms tt
n angle which l have marked B on m
n plan. This triangle should be SOM
he what filled, should be put into a GOO
ar state of cultivation and should be pr
ut down to grass. There should then
"a planted good heavy hedge of Thu
berg barberry around the entire triang
il as shown in the accompanying sketcl
op The grass inside this hedge should
de kept moved.
L