Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-06-15
GROUND IS BROKEN
FOR PUBLIC PARK
IN WEST HUDSON
Mayors of Harrison, Kearny and
East Newark Officiate at
Opening Ceremonies.

President William j. Davis, of the
Hudson County Park Commission. to-
day turned the first sod, and Mayors
Joseph p. Riordan, of Harrison; Cor
nelius A. McGlennon, of East Newark.
and Louis NJ. Brock. of Kearny. manned
the first pillow, and the work of con-
verting a large tract of Ian in West
Hudson into a park site was on.
The news that the work was begun
Is welcomed all through West Hudson.
To President Davis belongs the credit
for having the operations finally begun.
It will be at least a year and a half
before the park Is completed. John F.
Stanley, of Newark, has the contract
to do the work.
The property Upon which the park is
situated lies between Kearny and
Schuyler avenues; part of it is in Har-
rison and part in Kearny. Dukes street
bounds it on the north and the Newark
branch of the Erie Railroad on the
south. Because of its natural water re-
sources the park will probably be the
finest in Hudson County.
A cascade extending from Devon
set east VIII Ue one OF tne many
features. The water used will be car-
ried by drains to a wading pool. and
lake and rustic bridges have been ar
ranged for. There will be wading and
swimming pools. Fairy lake, which is
now located on the property, will be
increased In area and will be used for
rowing and skating In the respective
seasons
Ample facilities have been provided
for Fairgrounds. Their are two large
tracts for this purpose, one to the east
OF Devon street. In the open valley
which there exists, and the other to the
east of Davis avenue, the latter being
intended for the older boys and men.
There are also many smaller lawns
suitable for various recreation features,
and on the hilltops open wooded groves
are proposed, suitable for picnic
grounds. One of these, which, it Is
thought. will be popular, is at the east
erly end of the park. which forms a
peninsular shaped piece of ground with
the new shore lines of the lake to be
built.
The park Is to be screened with
heavy planting Of shrubbery in order to
give as rural an effect as possible. The
main entrance for pedestrians coming
in from the western part of the park
Will be at Kearny avenue. From this
point to Devon street will be a popular
place to sit, as we'll as to pass through
in reaching the park proper One of
the finest features will be Immediately
to the east of Devon street, on the high
ground, where a large pavilion Is
planned. overlooking the main part of
the park, the athletic field and the
swimming pool.
The work will be under the park
boards landscape architect, Charles N.
Lowrie. There are a number Of prop
who are throwing obstacles
In the way for the development Of this
park, but the board has decided to con-
denim all properties not yet secured.
irrespective of their objections.
In order to give the park to the peo-
pie as early as possible, the commits
sioners have been negotiating for a long
time for the purchase of several houses
and lots within the boundary OF the
park. The property-holders have put
such exorbitant prices on the property
1t was impossible for the commissioners
to purchase same, n in three cases
condemnation proceedings had to be re-
sorted to and commissioners appointed
by the court to award values thereon.