Evening journal., 1913-03-01

To Wilmingtonians
have not been authorized by the
Park Commission to issue this state
ment. but l have consulted with mem-
bers of the Board so far as has been
practicable, and so far as l know all
agree with me in the opinions ex-
pressed
The Park Commission has proposed
that the city shall try to obtain au-
thority, in addition to what il NOW
has, to borrow money for the pur-
chase and Improvement of park and
playground lands; and a bill that il
passed will grant such power, has
been introduced in the Legislature.
In action respecting it the Legis-
lature is likely to be guided by what
may appear to be the general feeling
among citizens of Wilmington, and
especially the opinions of members OF
the City Council. The Council has
not yet, as body made any express
sion on the subject. It's members
feel, and it is no wonder that they
so feel, that the debt of the city is
becoming very large. l join in the
feeling, and l desire to be very care
ful in regard to expenditures on parks
and Fairgrounds; but It seems TO me
that there are some large things in
this line that should be done for viii
mington now; and experience here
as elsewhere has shown that parks
bring returns in increased assess
ments.
There seems to be almost universal
agreement that il is worth while to
spend a great deal to get open spaces
in the thickly built parts of the city;
and this seems to be the time to get,
at a comparatively very small ex-
pense. a large amount of ground on
the outskirts, around which the city
will, before long, extend.
| am gratified that City Council has
concluded to proceed in acquiring
ground on the block or blocks bound
ed by Second, Jackson Third and
Adams streets. II is supposed that
about 1.52 acres is available, includ-
ing the bed of Conrad street. and that
it may cost about $4,000.
It has been urged that the lot on
the easterly side of Monroe street
extending from Third street to Fourth
should be purchased II has not beer
recommended by majority of th'
Park Commissioners. 1t contains
about eighty-sx hundredths of an
acre. and it was supposed it coulC
be bought for about $4,000.
Circumstances have left nearly thu
whole of the two blocks bounded by
Franklin. Linden Broome and Chest
nut streets without any buildings
This ground is near Delamore Park
and that fact has caused some .hesi
tation in recommending its purchase
but it is suitable for an athletic field
and is much nearer to the center o
the thickly built part Of the city thai
anything else suitable for that pur
pose that can be obtained. Countini
In the bed of Elm street, which coul
be vacated more than 1-2 acre
can be obtained here for about S25,00t
] think we should moi miss the op
portunity to acquire a large part 0
the block bounded by Second. Wash
ington Third and West streets. Tn
largest and most valuable lot there
offered as a gift The area will b
perhaps about 1856 acres, and cos
about $4,000.
The southerly part of the city. cas-
of Market street. is very destitute {
open ground Part of the bloc
bounded by Second. Walnut. Thir
and Poplar streets has been though
of.
The city is offered an indefnit
amount of ground in the Prices Ru
district in the Ninth ward. at $50
an acre.
It is very desirable that we sha
acquire the land. mostly woods b'
tween Thirty-frst and Thirty-secon
streets from Harrison street to the !
& o. railroad | think the owners
adjoining land could well afford
make it cost the city little or nothing
Other districts in the outskiri
should be taken care of, before it sha
be too late, by securing small or mo,
crate sized lots.
There are two large things that tn
seems to be the time to move in.
First-A park Of perhaps 14O acr,
at the southwesteriy corner OF II
city: taking in the rough ground g.
tending from the woods on the Ell
mere Road to Little Millcreek. an
including perhaps the valley of tn
stream from the road near the Ricl
ardson schoolhouse to the Newpo
Road. Thirteen acres Of the mo
valuable Of this land is offers