The Oskaloosa herald., 1914-02-05
CITY PARK IN SIGHT
Proposition Made to Sell City the
Old Fair Grounds


members Monday evening, preceding
the regular session, the fact was de
Veloped that the proposition to i'm
prove High avenue west, First avenue
west and block of Rock Island aven
lie lacked sufficient strength to stand
on its own legs as u council resolu
ton. The chances are that the
streets mentioned will remain in the
condition the season finds them.
All members of the council were in
their places at roll call and it was a
laxative session lasting until almost
eleven O'Clock before some one re:
membered to move we adjourn
Another meeting called for Thursday
evening of this week.
George Andrews want an alley OF
the city, half block through his. own
property running north and south
The city wants a piece of ground oil
George Andrews at the west end OF
Second avenue for the purpose OF
opening the avenue into l. street and
doing away with the dead end or
pocket, three blocks deep. Both prop.
ositions are up to the street and alley
committee for investigation and re-
port
Fred Walker is still making effort
to have a portion of Fifth street
south of the Burlington tracks open
ed. He would have a way over the
tracks into Ninth avenue. o. F,
Schee has promised, according to
Mr.. Walker, to deed the city a piece
of ground for passage way and Mr..
Walker promises to do the grading
work on the new street. It's now up
to the crossing of the railway tracks.
City Park in Sight.
What will Oskaloosa do about the
Fair Grounds Park proposition? The
question was put up to the city coun.
ell Monday evening in a communica-
ton concerning the purchase of the
property and the matter is not with
out favor in the minds of the council.
Mayor Sewers asks that the council
men talk to their ward people con-
corning the project and the matter
will have further consideration at an
other time.
The Park Proposition.
The Lacey-Boyer Law, Loan & Real
ty Co. presented the following propos-
ition:
To the Honorable Mayor and City
Council of Oskaloosa, Iowa.-We have
for sale, under a written contract,
what is known as the Fair Grounds
of Oskaioosa, Iowa, owned by Mr.. and
Mrs. C. B. McCulloch.
The contract price is $4,000 for
perfect title. There are forty acres,
with very valuable buildings in q
beautiful grove, with buildings and
improvements worth from $4,000 to
&c hn
pOrtunity that the city of Oskaloosa
will have to get public park and
fair grounds for the use of future
generations.
1t will not be necessary to pay out
any money but the proposition could
be bonded and the future generations
will pay for it. 1t is absolutely the
last opportunity We know for the city
getting a public park in any reason.
able distance of the city. 1t is inside
the corporate limits; beautiful piece
of ground and we'll improved; with
the best half-mile track in the state,
and the worlds record on a half-mile
track was broken by Strathmore, the
fastest halfmile ever paced.
1t could be used for county fairs,
horse fairs, race meets, ball games,
general farmers meetings of all
kinds, and would undoubtedly be a
source OF considerable income, and
would be d place where shows and
circuses could be held.
We took the matter up with Mr..
Garner sometime ago and he said the
Traction company would be willing
and glad to extend their car line to
the fair grounds.
This would make q fine shooting
park for a gun club, or golf grounds.
1t is a thing that the city has been
contemplating for great many years.
The proposition Is now up to the city
as to whether or not they want it
I mere is no question but that the city
ought to own this or some other park
and this is really the only thing in
sight. that We know Of
We are ready to enter into con-
tract with the city, on behalf of Mr..
and Mrs. McCulloch, for perfect title
to this property.
We believe we could plat the ground
up into lots and realize $4,000 for it,
but we are interested in the public
Improvement of the city and desire
the city to have the first opportunity
OF purchasing IHlS beautiful pleCe vi
ground.
There are two good houses on it,
one beautiful, modern structure cost
ing between $4,000 and $1,000; and
the other a comfortable place for an
assistant to live, in taking care OF the
ground, costing about $1,000.
II might be well for the mayor and
city council to run out and see the
property, as possibly they do not
know Just how it is located and i'm
proved; but, of course, at this time
of the year it would look its worst.
There is a beautiful grove on the
grund, sufficient for all kinds of pic
MICS, Sunday school and other kinds;
grange meetings and farmers gath
erings of all kinds as we'll as political
purposes, and we believe the city is
ready to take over this proposition.
And, for the first time, it is up to the
city.
The proposition may be bonded on
a twenty-year basis, at low rate OF
interest. We believe the income from
the grounds would pay the interest.
II the city wants anything 1t must
go after 1t, but it need not pay for 1t
now. 1t may leave that to the future.