Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1911-07-26

taxpayers let out the time honored
yell about the high taxes, and Okla
homa City in general was puzzled.
/ What Spend almost half a million
dollars to build speedway for the
benefit of 1. 100 motorists But-Clark
told them we would also build some
parks and every person, every child
would get benefits from the outlay
that was CONTEMPLATED.
The people had reached that stage
of civic ideas that they needed little
urging after they became familiar
with the plans. The $500, 900 bond
issue went through with a whoop and
the Grand Bouvelard was about to be-
come a reality. Clark had quietly
obtained options on the land which
would be needed, and upon the rati-
tication of the large bond issue he was
ready to do business,
The one room that had been the
headquarters of the park board was
abandoned and extensive quarters were
fitted up in the city hall. engineers
were employed, draughtsmen were put
to work, and the scene of activity be-
gan which still exists and will con
tinue for years, for the park board
engaged in fnapG1ering while they
were planning. to build avenues and
lay out bonvelards.
Did the park board buy land sufi-
Gent for the Grand bouvelard and the
parks along that boulevard, and no
more Not much. They also bought
2 few farms adjoining the parks and
boulevards, knowing that such ad-
! joining land would make tremendous
increases in value when the boulevard
was built. The excess land was
acquired for the express purpose of
making more money for the improve
ment of the boulevard system. When
the $500, 900 shall have been expende
then the excess land can be sold and
the proceeds from the sale Of this land
used by the board The money de-
rived from the sale of this land can
not be used for any other purpose.
That is where the wise Clark got in
his work tor the benefit Of the people
and make a perpetual fund for further
Improvements.
Rich men arc clam, ing to buy acre
tracts along the boulevard that they
may erect splendid mansions. They
now see that along Grand boulevard
is to be the most beautiful residence
section near Oklahoma City. But
the far. seeing Clark saw it first, and
will not Listen to requests of pur.
chasers at this time. The land is
growing in value. There are soc
acres that can be plated when the
time comes to need more money. Nc
one da1es estimate the value Of this
land.
So, as the bonds mature the land
will be sold to extinguish the bonds,
and Oklahoma City will have a
boulevard surrounding the city, with
many fine parks as part Of the
system, and the investment is not
going to cost the taxpayers a cent.
Grand bouvelard is 200 feet wide
through most Of its course. There
are twenty seven concrete culyerl
bridges in the % miles. and the entire
distance is unobstrucEed. A few days
ago R. E. Brownell, the chief
engineer of the park board, made q
run through part of course, at speed
of 60 miles an hour. to test the speed
ing qualities Of the part of the speed.
way that has been treated to make q
smooth surface. Calcium chloride
was used and has proven a success in
the red clay of the roadway. Large
quantities OF this same substance will
be purchased to complete the 90 miles
and make the speedway the fastest in
the southwest. if not III America.