The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-15
Voice of the People
4 Plan for Richmond College site.


To the Editor OF The Times Dispatch
Sir.-Some time ago our new MaE"t'
George Ainslie. in public speech. out
lined plan 10 purchase the tract o.
land now occupied by tho Richmond
College. and convert IT into pubic
lark lie set forth the many advant-
ages OF such a park in this section OF
the city. and advocated the early puF-
chase OF the plot of ground
This propertv will be vacated " the
college lust as soon as the new col
lrge buildings now being erected out
~ Westhampton are completed
am not advised whether this pro-
1erty now belongs TO the college OF
whether il has already been sold 10
some syndicate. but be that as II may.
irst as soon as the college moves OUT
to Westhampton. the present college
rounds Will undoubtedly be iumedi-
atelv subdivided and sold for building
sites unless the city purchases them
at once.
The need for more parks in the city
Of Richmond has recently been made
-.erV apparent 20 the citizens by the
report of Rowland Haynes. Held secre-
tary of the Playground and Eecreau on
Association OF America MI Hay
~ Inc instance Of the Committee on
.itv. made careful examination or
me conditions existing IN tis ci;y,
md found a deplorable lack Of space
IN which the children OF the city could
anuse themselves This report OF MT
HAYNES has been embodied IN peu-
lion 20 the City Council. which peu-
ton has for its primary object the APP
nropriation bv the City Council OF
$500 for the coming year. 20 ne
expended in taking care or the pres
eut recreation centres IN the city ana
Getting the most possible cement from
me present Fairgrounds. The pet
ton has already been approved DE
tbe Grounds and Buildings Committee
., the civ Council and will go be-
fore the Finance Committee on the
r7th inst IL Is to be hoped that the
finance Committee Will give II the
same. favorable action - was accorded
i, bv th. Grounds and Buildings Com
.nittce.
N.nv times during tho past few
Years the question Of . public library
for the city has scen agitated. but so
far nothing definite has ever Oeeh
done and with the exception OF the
I;csemary Library. which Is only semi
public. the city has no public library
-hc-c ls. o, course tho state Library.
in no sense b. termed city pubic
library.
Vow what could be better Invest
mon. for the city OF Richmond than TO
purchase this Richmond College pro
,erfv and convert IL into pubic
,ark public playground FOR children
and public library com3ined7 There
: ample room there for all thrce-
How can this be done There
would b.. very little expense incurred
beyond the price paid Tor the pro
rerty. The 5uilding. known as Ky "a 40
ttsr &. now being used by the col
80 as library and lecture hall
--bfs tuildiug could very easily. and al
= ve-v small cost. be converted into
thar. building. and II not large
,nouxh as u stands at present. an ad-
Ii.ion could be put on the rear OF
the building.
This college property is the Only
.x.flahfc property south ~ the Bcui"-
ard OF sufficient size for good cay
mark. and II this property Is rot put
chased. the city VIII. IN the near ~
;vre. nave 20 purchase property
vond the Boulevard for park purposes
s.r carks We must have. No better
,,.c.sso, Tor a park could Re secured
nan This one. for "a would be con
v.nisnflv located 20 all that par OF
81. rft.- living west ~ Beiv'fere street
rnd even cast OF this street
good many citizens may oppose
no purchase 81 this property On the
GROUND that there are other portions
- the city where the need ~ rccre-
alton space is more Imperative fn,s
,eed In other portions ~ the city y
v.rv imperative 70 = true. but the
civ should profit by experience ano
purchase the property in question row
without waiting until there y CON
x~sscd condition In TINS Western
-. - a.. cit, as there soor VII he.