The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1909-09-17
TOWN TO HAVE A
RECREATION PARK
Substantial Development Under
Way on the Island
PAVILION AND BASEBALL FIELD
Will be the Principal Partnership
stantial Covered Grandstand to be
Erected-Ball Ground to Equal Any
in the Stakeholder Plans.

Extensive alterations and improvements
already begun ON the island will give
Brattleboro and adjoining towns mod
ern recreation park next season. Reallz
ing this towns need of suitable place
for outdoor sports and pastimes 10 or ID
local men, calling themselves the Island
Amusement company, have acquired all
of the island north of the road and west
of the old bowling alley and have begun
the outlay of large sum of money Their
plans include baseball diamond with a
substantial covered grandstand adjoining,
a large pavilion on the waters edge, and
eventually cinder track tennis courts
and other equipment for outdoor enjoy
ment There will be ample room on the
field surrounding the diamond for the
children of the town to play, and it is
the idea of the promoters to have the
grounds used for playground purposes to
a considerable extent. The work of de-
velopment is for the present in charge
of George E. Fox.
The work of grading the ball field is
already well under way. The area to be
occupied by the diamond itself has been
stripped of turf and made as level as a
floor. The turf is now being relaid and
will be thoroughly rolled and watered in
the expectation that the grounds VIII re- De
in condition to use early next season. lhe
new diamond will be some distance west
of the old one and will face more toward
the east. The promoters plan the cree
ton of covered grandstand with seat
ing capacity of at least 1000 and 1t Will
be so situated that entrance can be gained
directly from the east end OF the Connec-
ticut river bridge. The south and east
sides of the field will probably be sur
pense will be spared in making the dla-
mond the equal of any in the state The
work of evelng the ground has been done
this fall because of the likelihood that the
spring floods will not inundate the island
sufficiently to do great harm. However,
if the field is damaged next spring it will
be put in perfect condition..
While the men interested in the enter.
prise are determined to have the ball
ground as fast as money can make 1t
they have no intention of organizing a
baseball team or taking the management
of any nine. They feel, however that
with fine field and commodious grand
stand available the people Of the town
will be likely to organize an association
for the purpose of having real team
here another year
The pavilion which is to be erected will
be about 100 feet long and 60 feet wide
and will have a wide veranda overhang-
ing as well as overlooking the river. 1t
will be equipped with dance floor SUI
perior to any in town and will be open
throughout the summer season with a
band or orchestra on hand to furnish mu-
sic. In connection with the pavilion there
will be the usual park amusements and
refreshments and it is not unlikely that
special attractions will be booked from
time to time. The structure will be at
tractively painted in summer colors and
generously equipped with electric lights
which will be used for outside as well as
inside illumination. 1t will be so sit
uated as to afford a wide view of the
river and make an excellent place from
which to witness boat races and such
other water sports as are likely to be ar
ranged another season.
The surroundings of the grandstand,
ball field and pavilion will be beautifed
by flower-beds and shrubbery and the APP
pearance of the island as a whole will be
greatly improved by the development The
interest which Brattleboro people have in
sports pertaining to the river has been
pointedly illustrated during the past sum
mer by the crowds of people who have
thronged the bridge every Sunday and
holiday, and they will undoubtedly be de-
lighted to know that the town is to have
a frst-class recreation establishment well
managed and conveniently located.