Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-02-28

| the authority of the city solicitor was
invoked and thirteen acres of that
tract condemned for park purposes.
In 1905 81 acres of land lying along
Spring creek and extending eastward
from Cameron street, was donated by
ex-senator j. Donald Cameron. The
commission also received by gift
slightly less than 8 acres of land in
the Wetzel Swamp district from w. r.
Fleming, and by purchase acquired
total of 252 acres at a cost of $21,-
970.7S.
During 1906 much work was done
along the river front the path along
the edge of the bank being completed
and lighted, benches being provided
and the park regularly policed.
The commission acquired by gift
from Rachel Cameron Hale and from
John Hoffer total of nine acres along
the parkway east of Reservoir Park,
and occupied by consent, pending
completion Of the necessary transfers,
TWO and one-half acres as the prop
erty of T. G. and w. j. Calder.
Hargest's Island, from the Walnut
street bridge to its southern point, a
total of 23 acres, the Harrisburg
Bridge Company leased to the COM
mission for twenty years, at rental
of one dollar per year. 1t was at once
made useful in two important ways;
first, in the establishment of a park
nursery, in which trees and plants
purchased elsewhere might be grown
to proper planting condition, and in
which also plants and trees might be
propagated for the uses of
the city. 1t may be remarked at this
time that the operation of this nursery
has been extremely satisfactory and
notably profitable. At current prices
which the commission had previously
paid and would now have to pay for
the necessary nursery stock, the island
nursery has saved the city consider
ably over fifty thousand dollars.
That part of the island south of
the Market street bridge was con-
verted into a recreation field, includ-
ing four baseball diamonds. two Of
which are diverted to football uses
each autumn. A well arranged cinder
running course, basketball field and
five tennis courts are also provided,
as we'll as floating public baths.
Island Park has afforded opportun-
ity for fostering various forms Of
sports. To be In line with modern
progress the commission installed
early in 1907 floating baths at the
southeast corner of Island Park, with
the result that over fifteen thousand
baths were there taken and the the
facilities taxed to the utmost. An at
tendant was provided and also such
facilities as the meager means of the
commission permitted. This bath
house has been followed by two 9TH
ers, one exclusively for mothers and
girls.
Having possession of the Island
Park, opportunity was taken to fos-
ter water sports, with the result of
holding a water carnival on Labor
Day, September 2, 1907. On this oc-
casion there were swimming races,
rowing races, canoe races and motor
boat races, and fully fifteen thousand
people enjoyed sports not before avail
able In Harrisburg.
The tennis courts in the various
parks and Fairgrounds have been con-
stantly in use. There are twenty-one
in all and on many occasions all were
completely occupied, with many wait
ing to be served. Many tournaments
have been played on the courts in the
parks.
Harrisburg enjoys the unique dis
tinction of having the only public golf
course in Pennsylvania, and one of
the few in the United States. 1t was
prepared in Reservoir Park during
1905 and was improved in 1907, with
the result of enlisting the interest Of,
and providing recreation for, a large
number of people, to whom such fa-