The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1913-01-17
Is OCALA GOING TO HAVE
PARK?

This question is asked so often and
with such intense anxiety that every
one will be delighted to hear the Off
cial answer:
We are!
Can the city afford one?
Listen, dear reader: Fifty acres
will be decided to the city when the
people agree to put the necessary inn
provements on the land to make an
amusement park!
Have you seen the site?
The most beautiful spot that can
be found, only a mile from the center
of the city, and just three blocks
north from where the hard road turns
off Magnolia street to the corner en-
trance. Nature has done her part to
make it an ideal park site. She hol-
lowed out about five acres; has kept
it free from trees and underbrush for
a small lake. The distance down to
bedrock is not far, making it easy
and inexpensive to keep sufficient
water for a swimming pool and boat
ing pond, and the layer of rich loan
will be valuable on the ground for
the lawn.
The land that surrounds the lake
slopes gradually, which leaves the gil
gantic oaks and other shade trees on
dry ground, to spread their long
branches over thousands of pleasure
seekers. Their shade will reach over
the waters edge
Nature has even shaped her trees
to suit the needs of a pleasure park
There are many branches of differ
ent heights that are parallel with the
ground. The only expense for swings
is the price of the rope One grand
old tree seems to gloat over her
strength and graceful curves, for she
waves her reckoning branches al
most to the ground in an attitude that
invites one to climb, but defies one to
break uer uOWn
The whole tract is studded with
tall shade trees of many varieties,
some in groups that seem to be plac-
ed purposely to shelter some platform
or amusement stand, while the native
moss is festooned more gorgeously
than human hands could do it, max
ing an unique and picturesque scene
to all lovers of nature.
Do we need a park?
Every citizen should answer, yes.
''No place to go is a common COM
plant People must have recreation
to give mind and body a rest,
change from the whirl of everyday
business and toll, to brighten the in
tellect, lest it may become stagnant.
The old adage, "All work and no
play makes Jack dull boy" is appli-
cable to old and young, but there
must be a clean, healthful place for
play.
Where can you find a better or
more suitable place than in the park
among the pines just outside the city?
Study the question, investigate the
proposition, for the interest that you
manifest will enthuse others to in
vestigate also.
Perhaps the two quotations, In un-
ity there is strength" and Where
there's a will there's a way" may
stimulate each of us to place our
shoulder to the wheel of this new pro-
ject and help move it to completion
There are numerous ways (Which
are pleasantly of raising funds to
make this park beauty, and Ocala is
blessed with plenty of talent that will
succeed with any kind of an enter
tainment that it undertakes.
This grand opportunity may never
come again where that much land
will be given for a park so close to
the city.
Don't let it get away from us!
North Ocala is populating rapidly.
Several new structures are commenc-
ed, and in short time the park site
will be wanted by home-seekers.
Town lot are sold just across the
road from it at the present time.
When someone takes the lead many
will follow The plucky man will
win out, Yours for a park,
MRS. DAVID y. SMITH
Not of the Woman's club, but of North
Ocala.