Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1914-09-18
Johnson Property Ideal for
Park Site They Claim, as
There is Need of Place
Along the Water Front
DURING HOT WEATHER
Perth Amboy Has Opportunity
to Gain Beautiful Location
for Public Recreation Gen.
ter, is General Contention.

Inc purchase OF the johnson
property along the bluff in Water
street for park purposes, which is
now under consideration by the
Board of Aldermen, is favored by a
number of prominent men of the
city, who say that Perth Amboy now
has an opportunity to gain a beauti-
full location for a public recreation
center before 1t is transferred by the
present owner to another individual.
They declare there is a sincere
need of place along the waterfront,
especially along the bluff off Water
street, where citizens NAV enjoy
themselves on the hot days of sum
mer, and where they may take their
children and not be trespassing on
private property. 1t is pointed out
that thousands in the city have no
yards in which to enjoy the evenings
following sweltering day, and that
a public spot along the waterfront
would prove God-send to thase
residents who are forced to live
crowded together in close tenements.
1t is also declared that the Johnson
property Is the only site left for the
city to buy for such purposes along
the waterfront.
1t is likely that the offer of Mrs.
Johnson to sell her property to the
city for park purposes will be taken
up for discussion and consideration
at committee meeting of the Board
of Aldermen to follow an adjourned
meeting of the board at city hall to-
night. The subject was placed In
the hands of the committee of the
whole after it was brought before
the council.
Edward R. Pierce, former mayor
of Perth Amboy, and now a promi-
nent real estate deaier. said | have
thought it would be very nice if the
city could acquire the Johnson tract.
1t Is the only park site left along the
water and beautiful bluff for the city
to acquire for public purposes" Mr..
Pierce said he thought the citizens Of
Perth Amboy would look upon the
purchase of the property very favor
ably. Besides the elegant location
just off the bay and along the bluf,
Mr.. Pierce called attention to the
opportunity the purchase of the
property offers for the city to yet
possession of one of the most, or the
most, historical building in Perth
Amboy. He also called attention to
the adyisability of preserving the
handsome old elms whose huge
branches bespeak the colonial his
tory attached to the place.
Mr.. Pierce stated that the large
patronage of the Fairgrounds showed
that the city needed some recreation
place for the children, as we'll as the
adults.
In reference to the financing of
the proposition at this time, Mr..
Pierce said he understood that the
owners of the property would he
willing to take city bonds in pay
ment, which might relieve the situa-
ton. a do not think it would he
well for the city to make the pur-
chase if it had to put up the cash
just at this time" he said
Parks are what we want, the
city needs them badly, and it seems
to me that the Johnson property is
about the only water front land left
for such a purpose" said Carl G.
Christensen, prominent contrac-
tor and former school commission
er, when he was seen. He spoke en-
Enthusiastically concerning the PROPOSE
ton and said it was shame that the
city had not had foresight enough to
grasp the Westminster property
when it was available a few years
ago. He maintained that a sad state
of affairs existed with city of this
calibre, with water on three sides,
and recognized as one of the great
est seaport towns along the Atlantic,
was without any water front prop
erty Of its own.
Mr.. Christensen is a waterway
and park enthusiast He said it
would especially be to the city's ad
vantage to grab the Johnson prop
osition if the owner would make
concession to the city in the way
of a reduced price for the water
front property. He declared it would
be nice If the city could purchase it
for 500 or less a foot. The loca
ton was ideal in his estimation and
he knew of no other available land
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