The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-11-29
TAKE BACKAPARK
Lakewood Tract Will Revert to
Owner w. J. Rickenbacher.
Commissioner Holman Failed to
Garry Out Plans.
HE WAS TO SPEND $500.
Deed Provided for This Amount
in First Six Months.
Lakewood, a 20 Acre Park, Was
Decided to Topeka.
lie WAS TO SPEND $500.


Unless NJ c. Holman. city commits
sioner. makes provisions and changes
in the maintenance of city parks this
year, Lake wood, the second largest
park in Topeka, will revert to the
possession Of its former owner, W. J.
Rickenbacher.
When the tract of land was decided
to the city last spring for park pur-
poses it was agreed that the city
should spend $500 on Improvements this
year. Commissioner Holman, who is
at the head of the city park depart
ment, promised al that time that as
much money would be spent on Lake
wood as any other city park and that
this year, or within six months after
the deed was recorded, $500 would be
used for work in this park.
Up to date very little money has been
spent on the entire 20 acres of land
that comprises Lakewood says Mr.
R1ckenbacher- The deed was recorded
in April The agreement that the
money would be spent in six months
has been due for a month but no ae-
ton has been taken by Mr. Holman.
Now Mr.. Rickenbacher says that he
viii carry out the provisions of the
deed and take back his park
Lakewood park is a 20-acre tract of
land located just southeast of Topeka
1t is thickly wooded. has an excellent
boulevard, has natural advantages for
Gated in such a manner that chiIdren's
Fairgrounds. athletic fields and zoo
features could be handled with ad-
vantage.
It was decided to the city last April
BY W ]. Rickeubacher under the con-
sideration that as much money would
be spent on its maintenance as on the
maintenance and appropriations given
to other municipal parks. It was
agreed also that $500 should be spent
1 hi z---
been recorded.
Have Spent but $50.
According to Mr.. Rfckenbaeher.
about $50 worth of work has been
done They have trimmed a few
trees and taken out some underbrush, .
he said this afternoon This work
couldn't have cost the city more than
500. II II did, the city was cheated in
the work. Commissioner Holman
promised before the city commission
erS that he would spend the required
$500 the first six months and he hash I
done it According to the deed. this
property revertS to the owner and IN
less something is done al once 1 will
| take it back I am tired of waiting
for Mr.. Holman to take action in this
| manner He has agreed to do many
things. but he has never done them.
OF Topeka
City Attorney Ralston said this aft
ernoon that it was very plain that w.
J. Rickenbacher had the right to take
back the park. The agreement in
| the deed is in black and white and
There is no way around it. . he said.
| When asked what he would do with
the park if he took It back from the
| city, Mr.. Riekenbacher said:
| 'Of course. I don't really want the
| park very bad. What I want is i'm
| provement on it But from what Mr.,
Holman has done, I can see no way for
the city to do it and I had much
| rather take it into my own hands and
| spend my own money on its improve
ment than leave it with a commits
| sioner who takes no interest in the
matter. I can spend a little money on
| Lakewood and make it one Of the
| prettiest parks in the city. It has al
of the natural advantages and is bound
to be d place for the people to spend
| their outdoor time
Commissioner Holman didn't know
| how much money had been spent or
| Lakewood since last spring.
Superintendent Reiniseh keeps the
| books and the payroll at his office in
| Gage park said the commissioner q
don't think there has been $500 spent
| on the park. but I am not sure what
| the total will be We have been sur
| veying the park TO see what can be
done for the lakes and the cost of this
will amount to something. I dom
know anything about Mr. Ricken-
bacher taking the park. I can't give
Iyou any information along that line