The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-02-09
City Would Improve Land Be-
tween Melan and Rock Island.
Five Beautiful Blocks Between
Bridges and Along River.
NEW CREMATORY SITE
City Will Call for Land for Gar
bage Plant Location.
City Committee and County Get
Together This Week.

To make a beautiful riverside park
extending from Kansas avenue at the
Melan bridge to the Rock Island bridge
on Tyler street. bounded on the north
by the Kaw river and the south by
Crane street is the object of the city
officials at this time. The streets and
walks committee of the city council
will meet with the Shawnee county
commissioners some time this week
when 1t will be planned to construct
this park before spring opens up.
The so-calIed "City park" now ex-
tends from Kansas avenue to Van
Buren, street with the above mentioned
north and south boundaries but it is
thought by the city that with the cree
ton of the new south side dixie beau
tifuI park can be extended along the
bank OF the river on to the entrance OF
the Rock Island bridge.
AT the city council meeting the other
night the county commissioners sent
petition to that body asking that an
agreement of some kind be made and
as a result the streets and walks COM
nlittee will confer and fix up their pre-
hminary plans at once with scheduled
conference between the county and the
city some time this week.
The whole matter of the south side
dixie and the new city park depends
upon the decision of the city in regard
to the material used in the construc-
ton of the south side dixie. If the
city will agree to the use of dirt IN
stead of concrete the city park can be
graded up the land between the park
proper and the Rock Island bridge can
be condemned. and stretch of a half
mile of beautiful terrace and parking
will be the result.
1t would cost very little to do this
grading and filling. The excavation
work for the construction of the south
extension to the Melan bridge will COM
mence soon and there will be d mann
moth amount of dirt from this excava-
ton that could easily be hauled three
blocks to the park site and dumped at
very little cost. 1t is estimated by the
city officials that there is enough dirt
in this place to make all the necessary
grading.
Change CrematOry Site.
1t has been the intention of the city
to place the proposed garbage plant
just west of the city park on this land
suggested for an extension of the park
If the plans for a new park are car
ried out this garbage plant proposition
would have to be changed to some other
part of the city.
II wish that anyone in the city hav-
ing a small piece of ground suitable
for a garbage plant site would inform
the city of it, said Councilman Fraser
this afternoon. when we have a list
OF sites together with their size, lOca-
ton and possible costs the streets and
walks committee could take tour of
inspection and decide upon the place.
I would be in favor Of some other site
for the crematory and finish out the
park idea down by the river"
This seems to be the general senti-
ment among the city councilmen and
the streets and walks committee. There
fore if anyone in Topeka has a piece
Of ground suitable for a garbage plant
they could inform the city by a COM
munication to the city clerk and the
officials would visit the land to judge
its location and advantages. If the
city can get some plan at a small cost
it would be easy to extend the city
park idea and carry out these plans.
To make an extension to the city
park down by the river would be one
of the best ideas set forth in the park
full terrace facing the Kaw river five
blocks in length would make one of
the prettiest spots in Topeka and would
condemn one of the ugliest spots.
1t would be necessary for the city to
condemn the land mentioned, pull out
the switches, ETC.. fill in with the dirt
plant with grass, shrubbery and trees
river from across the river and to the
thousands of people who pass through
every day on the Rock Island and I'm
ion Pacific would be exceedingly pleas
ing and would be to the advantage of
the city
Thus it remains that: % Someone