The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1910-06-30
.CObURN PARK AS
OTHERS SEE t
Visitors Speak Praise
Without Measure
One of the Most Beautiful Sites In the
State.

All English WIll6I Ol SOul0 note,
staying for a time at Lakewood, was
in Skowhegan recently and in com
pany with a party from Waterville
visited Coburn Park The English
man was charmed with the place and
declared it the most beautiful park
site he had seen in America. The ma
tural beauties of the situation are in
deed unsurpassed in this State and
perhaps in New England.
At the foot of Skowhegan island the
reunited waters of the Kennebec
plunge into the rocky gorge, up which,
in 1775, the followers of Benedict Ar
mold painfully poled and carried their
bateaux. At the Great Eddy" the
stream curves sharply, and here,
along the north bank lies this spot
which found such favor in the eyes
of the stranger.
The land slopes upward in two di-
rections until it reaches the center of
the rivers curve, where it rises to an
eminence which falls away on one side
to the river and on the other, by
wooded bank to spot of level, will
w-fringed land which has been laid
out with a view to a chldren's play
ground at some later day. From this
height ringed with trees and overlook
ing the whirlpool directly beneath, the
rocky channel on the right down
which the river hastens from the falls
and, straight ahead, its pathway as
! il sweeps seaward,-the view is one
of marvellous beauty. Silvery birches
mingle with other native deciduous
trees. Here, too, grow steadfast ev-
ergreens. Many young trees have
been set out in the enclosure but of
course, as yet, those left of the natur-
al growth are the chief glory of the
place Nature has done so much, that
although the work of human hands
goes on but slowly, yet the spot is a
delight to the eye of the observer.
Rustic fences have been built and
picturesque drives laid out every
where. One roadway cut out of the
curvng hillside above the bend of the
stream and over-arched with CULVER
ing leaves whose swaying half con-
ceals, half reveals the laughing water
as it runs away, is a veritable path
to Already. There is a pavilion on the
brow of the hill; rustic shelter in a
shady spot literally overhangs the
current, and seats and resting places
ON every hand afford tempting OPP
portunities for picnic parties. In a
hollow is a little pond bordered with
iris, it's waters encircling two tiny
islets. Rows of Lombardy poplars
and willows have been set out on the
village side; f1ower-beds and shrub
berry ornament that part of the en-
closure lying along the street and ey-
cry summer day the villagers grow
fonder of their play ground.
Coburn Park has an interesting
history. Half its acres were the gift
of the Hon. Abner Coburn to his ma
tive place; the other half was added
by his heirs. The first steps towards
its improvement, was the drafting oil
a plan, years ago, by the man en-
ployed by Keene Brothers to lay out
the grounds about the then new shoe
shop. This plan was presented to the
town and laid away so carefully as
to be practically lost for many a day
About dozen years ago the ladies of
the Town improvement Society be-
came interested in the matter of the
park, appointed a committee and rails
ed money by subscriptions of citizens
to begin the work. The first plants
set out and the first seeds sown were
obtained by soliciting gifts from in
dividuals having gardens March 6
1899, the town voted to take the work
in charge, appointed three of the la
dies park commissioners and raised
two hundred dollars for their use.
The amount raised yearly has been
gradually increased to four hundred
dollars. The funds were further
swelled by the addition of a small
sum belonging to a defunct associa-
ton formed when an attempt was
made long since to have tiny park
on Skowhegan island.
The first board of commissioners
consisted of Mrs. L. w. Weston, Mrs.
| George Page and Mrs. B. F. Eaton.
Mrs. Page was succeeded by Miss
Louise H. Coburn but the other mem
bers continued to be re-chosen until
this year when Miss Gertrude Weston
fills the place left vacant by the death
of her mother.
The ladies were so fortunate as to
have in their first work the advice of
Frank Blaisdell who laid out the Riv-
erton and Merrymeeting parks. A
representative from the Bar Harbor
Nurseries has more lately given sug-
gestions for the work. The old plan
presented by Abner Coburn has come
to light and the latest improvements
have been made in accordance with
that.
The board of commissioners has
given time, influence and persevering
effort, accomplishing wonders with
the limited means at its disposal.
Skowhegan may, If she so pleases,
have at no distant day park which
shall be the envy of every city in the
Kennebec valley, a spot worth travel
ing far to view, and she will owe it,
as other towns owe many a beauty
and advantage, to the eager enthusi-
asm and executive ability of her wo-