The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-16
CITY HAS RIGHT TO LEASE.
Question About the situation Concern
ing Fair Grounds.

To the Editor of the State Journal.
Through your valuable paper of re-
cent date Mr.. John P. Rogers elaborate
i. and detailed plans for Transforming the
rs acres known as the fair grounds into
a beautiful and attractive park, which
We're submitted to Lila Day Monroe,
president of the Federated Clubs of To-
peka, calls to my mind the effort that
was made few years ago in that d.
rect1on AT that time, after consulting
With the county commissioners and
members Of the city council, and at
their request / prepared a statute to
the effect of granting power to the
county commissioners to lease to the
city said grounds for period Of 80
years for park purposes, and through
the efforts Of Mr.. Harry Larimer and
Ed. McKeeyer, who were then men,
bers of the legislature, the following
law as passed, Chap. 112, Laws of 1899.
Sec /: THAT the board of county COM
by authorized to lease the fair grounds
owned by said county to the city of To-
peka for park purposes.
Sec. 2. The said lease shall be for a
term not to exceed SO years, and may
be upon such terms and conditions as
may be agreed upon by and between
the said parties, and fully specified in
an ordinance passed by the said mayor
and council and embodied in a resolu-
ton of said county commissioners
AT that time Mr., Edward Wilder and
others who owned some lots in the
neighborhood of what is now Central
park, took the ground that the physical
condition of the fair grounds was such
that it was impractical to undertake to
make a park there. that the beautiful
trees, which it will take 100 years to
grow and the natural water would in
no way add to the beauty of park.
That the ground where General park
now stands was the only place in the
city where an attractive park could be
made. consequently, a benefit district
was formed and SIT 900 raised to buy
the ground: MY position was, by the
city acquiring the fair grounds from
the county under the lease, which the
county commissioners were then ready
to make, taking the $4,000 that it took
to purchase the land for Central park.
and using that in developing the fair
starting park in which the whole city
would feel it had an interest.
I think it is mistake ito buy small
parks, when our wide streets and park
ingS along them transforms our whole
city into a park and obviates the neces-
sity of small parks for breathing places
as is required In a city where the build
ings are large and not a green thing
can be seen for blocks. What this city
wants is a park of sufficient size for
the needs of the whole city, one that
can have drives, lakes, groves and a
for the children, which Mr..
Rogers plans can De MADE out of the
fair grounds. This statute is still in
force and 1t is not too late for the city
to lease them and build there a. beau
tiful park, which would be large
enough to have public gatherings in,
and one that the people living in the
could enjoy while in the city,
and one that half of the population of
the city can reach by walking, and ALL
by the payment Of one street car fare.
If the county commissioners are not
now willing TO lease the grounds under
that statute to the city for park pur-
poses, 1T would be the best thing for
the city to purchase the same, and
think the voters of this county would
agree to sell it to1the city at very rea-.
sonable price, says$40.O00 which amount
would purchase fzaq+ much larger and
more suitable gronnd for a fair, such
as is now contemplated by those who
are now engineering the fair PROPOSE
ton and which will be a necessity If we
make it a statewide fair.
HIRAM C. ROOT.