The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1912-09-21
Food for Serious Thought.

Joseph Kennedy, of Grand Forks,
has written the following letter to
the editor. Mr.. Kennedy is dean of
the school of education of the Uni
versity of North Dakota, a we'll read
scholar and a gentleman who has
travelled extensively. The sugges-
tions he makes appear to be the
fruit of thought and experience
cleaned from many other cities.
Diamond Point is at present own
ed by A. A. White, one of the Off
GERS of the ~townsite company. Mr..
White is also the owner of the tract
used as a fair grounds. Although
Bemidji has by it's natural growth
made much money for the townsite
people, they have made little return
Yet it is hardly possible that Mr..
White will donate the Point for park
purposes. About the only way the
city can ever obtain the Point is to
condemn it and this action should be
taken before it is plated and sold
for building lots.
Dean Kennedy's letter:
To the Editor:
"Bemidji is one of the most favor
ably located cities in Minnesota. 1t
is a natural center from several
points of view. 1t is a railroad CEN
ter and hence wholesale and dis
tributing center, it is center Of the
great lumber industry; it is now, and
could be made still greater educa-
tional center, and it is a center of
scarcely surpassed beauty, located,
as it is, on the most beautiful lake in
the Mississippi chain.
1t could easily be made a summer
resort for visitors and tourists that
would be unsurpassed, IT the city
could realize it's opportunity.
"Outsiders and visitors are more
likely to see such opportunities for
the city than those who have grown
accustomed to present conditions.
Hence strangers wonder why the city
does not secure at once the beautiful
tract at Diamond Point for city
park, and beautify and supervise it.
This point of vantage and all the
stretch between the city and what
is known as Grand Forks Bay, show
signs everywhere of vandalism and
lack of supervision, although these
parts are within the city limits.
"The city of Grand Forks, North
Dakota, has secured all the available
tracts for park purposes adjacent to
the city. 1t has four large parks and
several small beauty spots
During the past summer Bemidji
erected on the lake front near Dia-
mond Point two unsightly public
lighthouses, and left them unsuper-
vised; and an unsupervised bath
house, especially one designated for
women, is worse than none. If Dia-
mond Point were city park the care
taker could be given, as elsewhere,
police authority, and could prevent
vandalism of all kinds.
"Many people come to Bemidji ev-
cry summer for their health, finding
relief from hay fever and other all
ments. But noxious weeds of all
kinds are spreading throughout the
city and the probability is that hay
fever sufferers will have to go else
where.
IF this letter seems critical, wish
to say that the criticism is motived
from my love for Bemidji, and my
interest in it, for I have been a sum-
mer resident here for twelve years,
and it seems like home to me. The
attractiveness and Identification of
Bemidji could we'll be the subject for
serious consideration and discussion
by the city council the commercial
club, and by the park committee and
civic league, if such an organization
exists; or at a civic meeting pub
licly attended.
"The experience of most cities is
that they neglect opportunities for
greater and more beautiful city till it
is too late. I should like to see the
city bethink herself at once for a
greater and more beautiful Bemidji.
''Sincerely,
."JOSEPH KENNEDY"