Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1909-12-13
(Wrltten for the EVENING

ture that the smaller cities can sue
cessfully maintain public parks. Not
only that but It has shown that II
pays such cities to have public parks.
Here is picture Of Cadwalader
Park, Trentons popular pleasure
ground:-Broad, undulating lawns
presenting green velvetty sheen as
carpet for the feet of scores OF
stately trees, which rear heads of
foliaged beauty into a sky of cloud
less blue. Violets blooming by the
thousand. Dandelions, sunkissed.
nodding happy greetings to thou
sands OF merry children. Rills in
the glen singing ripping song in
consonance with the trilling OF the
birds on the boughs overhead Balmy
breezes, fower-scented and health
giving, instead of the heat and dust
of the streets Of the city. Graceful,
winding roads alive with flying auto
mobile and rolling carriage. Lusty
shouts from young men and maidens
as they strive to excel and drink in
health through the exertions of base
ball and tennis. Gay picnickers with
cares thrown aside, renewing their
youth as they romp and frolic. JOY
GUS youngsters racing hither and yon
with hearts full of gladness that
they have part in the outdoor fun.
Thousands of grown-ups seated all
around resting and obtaining an af-
ternoon of real enjoyment that will
better fit them for the life struggle
OF the morrow. Across the lawns
there is borne softly from the Sec
ond Regiment Band the sweet mel
ody of Home, Sweet Home"
Benefit to Humanity.
Trenton has found that public
parks are more than an ornament to
a city. 1t has learned that by adding
beauty to the community parks
serve a purpose in raising humanity
to higher level. They form a great
element in spreading health, and
thus they tend to reduce the mortal
ity rate. They inculcate love for
nature, quality that Will always
sent to the people the lesson that
there is more in government than
mere sordid dollars and cents, and
to teach such lesson is no small
accomplishment. Parks are breath
ing places for the people, but they
are also schools In which to teach
greater regard for flowers, trees,
birds and all that is beautiful.
The question of establishing a
public park in this city first came
formally before the people at the
spring election in 1884 and the pro-
position was carried by 200 votes.
There had been agitation In favor of
park before that, but 1t had met
with considerable opposition.
Purchase of Cadwalader Park.
Common council then took the
matter up and appointed commit
tee to receive suggestions and con-
slider propositions from citizens. The
opposition to the movement contin-
ued so the election and councilmanic
action bore no direct fruit A few
citizens who believed In the plan per-
sisted In their efforts, however, and
in 1888 common council passed the
ordinance for the purchase of what
is now Cadwalader Park 1t con-
tains ninety-eight acres and the orig
inal cost was $69,s05. The bulk of
the purchase was the Farlee estate,
A portion of this was already inn
proved and 1t contained a large man
sion. This building is now utilized
as q restaurant and museum. The
site was an ideal one for park, as
considerable part of the land was
wooded, containing pretty glen,
and much of 1t was rolling, giving
the proper effect for a park. The
ordinance providing for the purch ase
also provided for an issue of twenty
five-year bonds to raise the money
for thescost. The ordinance further
provided that the lands, when pur-
chased, should be dedicated, laid
out, embellished, maintained, regu-
lated and controlled as a public park
for the use of the inhabitants OF the
city Of Trenton" This was In line
with the city charter, which pro-
vides that common council shall
have power ito regulate, protect and
improve the parks, etc"
Under Law of 1888.
The park lands were acquired un-
der the law of March IA, 1888, en-
titled "An act to provide for the
purchase, construction and mainte-
nance Of public parks by the cities
and other municipalities in this
state" Subsequent to the first ordi-
nance other ordinances for bond is
sues to improve the lands were pass
OA W SOAhSlAf t6 1OlAONps %
$4,000; later the same year,
$1,000; 1892, $4,000; 1893, $4,000.
Cadwalader Park was laid out by
Frederick Law Olmstead, the FAM
GUS landscape artist, who was en-
gagged by the city for the purpose.
During its first few years the. park
was conducted by the Park Commit
tee OF common council, but under
the act of the legislature of March
2S, 1892, the management and con-
troll Of the city parks was placed in
the hands of Board of Park Com
where 1t has been ever
since. One park commissioner is
appointed each year by the mayor
and must be confirmed by common
council The board has FIVE mem
bers and the commissioners serve
without pay. The commission has
clerk who draws $500 a year and a
park superintendent whose salary is
81 200 a year. There is also an as
sistant superintendent and a force Of
park guards. They are saIaried and
the guards are uniformed. They are
not on duty in the winter season.
They have full police powers and
maintain the best Of order at all