Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-12-19
WILL INCREASE ATHLETICS
EAST END CITIZENS SOLID
IN SUPPORT OF PROJECT
Whnt Fairfield Rurc Course Converted
Int" Zig Athletic Ficld-Nuw
Up To Finnncc Committees

Eas, End citizens who are backing
the project for a big athletic field IN
thar section OF the city are now hope
fui that their efforts VIII be crowned
with success. They have already sue
ceedcd IN getting the matter i,idorsci
by the Public Utilities Committee. and'
II is nov up 10 the Finance Committee
or the Common Council which Is asked
% include the Purchase price IN the
annual budget.
interest ia III" proposed recreation
center is not confined to the Eus, End.
but has spread to All parts OF the eity.
The scheme has the backing oil all
organizations interested in athletics.
ana has been irdurscG by number
Of large civic bodies The Nest r:,,d
- now favored with a field al NIL.
liam Byrd Park. which practically an
S"crS The same PURPOSE. aud the pro-
J1ctcd grounds VIII be merely an cxlri.
sion or that convenience to another
part OF the city. Eventually IL is
Hoped. similar fields would be located
III the north ana south sections
Ihr Finance Committee, ~ ashy, 10
include $1,000 la the budget tor the
purchase OF the old Fairfield race
course, when embraces about inv
IN acres ne committee - praCu.
callE pledged to the purchase OF
another piece OF property in Faiinio.nl
winch would DO turned over 10 the
owners OF the Fairfield property, bring
ms the total cost up to $4,000 t'ri.hu,
OF the project assert that about twenty
acres can be turned into building lots
and sold at a price sufficient To nav
Tor all necessary equipment. as wen
a" putting the grounds into condition
IN" iiichinond AMATEUR Athletic Fed
Grafton, which is composed OF all or
saniZations in athletics in Richmond.
AS wen as those organizations indi-
vidually, has Endorsed the purchase OF
I'll" property. The many civic asso
c'ht IONS of the East End also have
taken up the matter and are working
ON IT, y large delegation OF citizens.
II is expected, Will attend the meet
ihSs Of the Finance Committee when
the matter is taken up for considcr,
ton. /, is realized that the purchase
VIII be assured if recommended Nv
the committee.
nACktNs JOIN IN HELLER
THAT TiiEl Will. SUCCEED
Nita the Endorsement Of the Council
committee OH Public Buildings Prom
critics and Utilities secured the bnck.rs
are optimistic or the inal outcome,
nud firm in the belief that the propertv
VIII br secured. 1t only remains for
The Finance Committee To include IL,
the annual budget the necessary amount
Tor the property
thele Is Il pressing need for such a
PARK in the East End. where there is
no such held, or any that can he used
ior staging any Kind OF N hlctic merts
During the baseball season IL has been
FOUND necessary Tor larger number
OIL games To bc played at William Byrd
, l'ark. which should have been staged
IN other sections. Under these condi-
t'ohs II was frequently found that two
or more games were PLAYED ON the
SAM diamond the same afternoon
The Fairfield race track property is
now held under an option by :, uro,,i
hcnt citizen, who secured this opton
entirely in the interest of athletics ana
In" development of the young men Of
me city. This man is doctor by pro-
icSH'"h ana should realize probably
more iorcibly than many individuals
The real need for such a park as is
planned. The option was secured some
months ago with the main idea of saw
lnE the city considerable in the cost
Oh the property. for il is we'll recog-
"'%eu Tact that such Il park must he
established in the East End
Under The plan laid out for the park,
In The center OF the property will he
erected Il grand stand of Il fair sent
! me capacity. in front of which will
be Il quarter mile cindcr track With
III inc lncIoSurc OF this track will he
located the baseball and football fields,
while To the ends Of this field will be
the ba tball courts.
To the northwest corner OF the prom
erty VIII be constructed the volleybaIl
courts, while the rccrcation pavilion
ana clubhouse Will he erected in the
center OF the field. In this clubhouse
II is planned to have all modern i'm
provcnrnts for such a structure and
which Will be one OF the leading fea-
lures of the park.
AT the other end of the field will be
more voiley and baseball courts. while
III the cNtramc corner will be located
The children's playground. This play
ground Will be so equipped as to be
suitable Tor the tiny tots up to we'll
grown children. In this section there
VIII be several baseball courts for
boys with a shelter house. wading
pool. Shutcs and Il sand pile.
lndorScrs OF the plan have lined up
*oiidly behind the project and are
listing the aid of others that The play
grounds may become reality.