The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1909-10-08
UNCLE REMUs PARK.

NOlE-A lIIcuu IcCcHt!y LOiu luc VI
a successful experiment in civic i'm
provement in Alton, Illinois. Be-
lieving there is nothing SO valu-
able as a specific example Of good
work actually achieved, wrote
the president of the Alton park
commission, Mr.. Philip w. Coyle.
and asked him to give us the story.
He has very kindly and promptly
responded G. L.
Uncle Remus Park" includes two
;ity blocks in the business district of
Alton. In the early days of Illinois
1t was the site of the state. prison,
which was moved before the war to
Joliet. During the war the building
was used as a federal prison and for
forty years the property has been
known as 'Penitentiary Plat'-al IL
though the ownership had passed
from the state to an individual. The
building was torn down by degrees
for the valuable cut stone it con-
tanned, until there is left only small
portion of one wall, which will be
preserved for its historic interest.
Some years ago, the mayor Of Alton
prohibited squatters, or what were
termed wharf rats, from occupying
the river front within the city limits.
These nomads Immediately squatted
on this old prison site. There were
probably twenty-five of these unde-
sirable families, blacks and whites,
! living on the plat, huddled together
in one and two room shanties and all
| kinds of shacks made from old car
doors and roofs patched together.
These people became menace to life
and property and the place was ply
steal and moral sore right in the
heart of the city 1t was rare
morning indeed when there was not a
resident of Penitentiary Flat in
police court
The short drive between the station
and my house was by way Of the plat
and the conditions worried me. When
/ our park commission was established
| two years ago, thought ! saw a
chance to change these conditions, SO
| / obtained an option on the property
for ten year lease at $500 year.
succeeded in getting the city to
| take this lease, and to turn the prop
erty over to the park commission for
I use as playground. The occupants
were persuaded to move and being
scattered about in different parts OF
the city, they were unler the Influence
( of better citizens and better neigh
bors. We took possession of the
grounds this spring and now have
1t cleaned up and equipped not only
for play and enjoyment of the chill
dren but the pleasure of people gener-
ally. 1t is furnished with turning
bars, swings, and other gymnastic ap-
paratus and has seating capacity of
1000. Our best band gives con-
cert there every Friday evening dur
ing July and August. The people al
though at first were very doubtful
of the success of the project are graf
flied at the results. We are rid of
bad colony and have instead a
good playground and park for music
in the heart of the city. One Of our
good, sturdy citizens who conducts a
draying business in the vicinity of the
plat, said to me the other day BEST
thing ever done in the city; ! never
dared to pass that spot after dark
until you made 1t Uncle Remus Park
Perhaps you will ask, why the
name?" ! suggested "Uncle Remus''
because 1t seemed to me the place
should be Invested of all of the bad
atmosphere of the past and knew no
name which would do this more
speedily nor more successfully
Follette's.
4 Il 4. =,