The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1911-05-12
CITY PARKS.
Improvement Association Aims to
Obtain Several = Movement
Should Succeed.

Improvement Association Aims to
Obtain Several = Movement
Should Succeed.
For several years the citizens of
Owosso have realized that something
should be done to provide several small
parks in different parts Of the city and
from time to time different individuals
have urged the Importance of an organ
lied move to secure locations before all
the desirable and available spots had
been taken for building purposes.
Nothing, however. has been accom-
plished save that growing sentiment
looking to this most desirable end has
resulted and which now apparently
may assume definite shape and at least
one or more sites secured during the
present year. Nothing can be done to
help Owosso as home city more than
to provide these breathing spots and
play grounds and the expense will be
comparatively small while the result
ing benefits will be beyond computa-
ton. With no class of our citizens has
this feeling been more general than
with the members of the Improvement
Association, the question of parks being
frequently discussed and the wish al
ways expressed that action might be
taken before it was too late.
At recent meeting of the Associa-
tion, Mayor Sprague said it had oc-
Cured to him that possibly the heirs of
the late Lyman E. Woodard might be
willing to donate the land owned by
them west of Shiawassee street be.
tween Main and Bradley streets for
park TO be known as Woodard Park
and suggested that committee be
namedsto call upon the Woodlands and
make this suggestion. The idea in
stantly met the approval of the mem.
bership and President Shattuck was
authorized to appoint committee. At
the meeting on Tuesday, Mr.. Shattuck
requested all members present to meet
Wednesday morning and call upon
Fred B. Woodland to lay the matter be-
fore him with the request that he take
it up with the other heirs. According
ly dozen of the members met Mr.
Woodard, President Shattuck stated in
very concise manner the object of the
call, explaining the plans for beautify.
ing the spot, making it an attractive
place midway between the east and
west sides of the city, and an ornament
to the entire city. Mr.. Woodland in
reply said that personally he would be
glad to see it done and while he could
not speak for the others he was in
clined to think they would view the
question in the same way, and that he
would be pleased to take it up with
them. He also expressed himself az
strongly in favor of securing other
sites-a thing Mr.. Woodland has fre.
quently urged and worked for-men.
tioning the woods at the west end of
King street next to the river, boule.
ward running along the river from
Mulberry street to the woods, and the
Emerson school woods. The members
of the committee were greatly pleased
with the expression of Mr.. Woodard
and hope'for ultimate success!
The plan suggested by Mayor Sprague
would include the building of wal
along the east side of the site to keel
the waters of Comstock creek off the
property and the filing in of the site
from time to time for the next two Of
three years as the city could obtair
dirt from excavations made for paving
or from other sources 80 that the cos
for filling would be very small item
the planting of quick growing tree
next year wherever possible, ultimate
lY making the site an attractive littl'
park. 1t is sincerely hoped that plal
may work out as contemplated.