Evening journal., 1915-04-13

Jerome y. Bell, Park Commissioner,
is author of an article entitled How
Wilmington is Developing It's Park
System which appears IN the cur
rent issue of The American City. The
cover is featured with view along
the Brandywine, inscribed: IAN EX-
annie of two important features of
CITY mark making-the preservation
of natural beauty and the construc-
ton of modern roads" Another view
of the Brandywine creek Is shown. IN
another section of the magazine
view OF Tenth street, between Mar
ket and King. is shown as a type OF
city streets and paving. Inc arucle
by Mr.. Bell follows:
The park system Of Wilmington
embraces over 500 acres, much of the
ground being beautifully wooded ana
otherwise naturally adapted to the
purpose for which 1t Is used inc
principal park, known as Brandywne
Park, skirts the historic brandyWlhe
river for miles on both sides of that
stream. But the city is blessed with
nearly a score of other parks, large
and small, and all Of them are made
use Of in the most practical way
marks. supervised and directed by the
park authorities. These are for small
children. and do not include fifteen
full-sized baseball fields which are
for the large boys and young men, and
are also under park supervision. Be
sides there are seven football fields
and ten tennis courts. all of which
are used TO the limit during the ath-
40 CN "a
pools are also largely patronized.
They are all free to both sexes un-
der proper regulations. except that
at one of the pools nominal charge
is made on two days of the week. IL
is planned to build other pools in the
near future
Wilmington has one acre OF park
land 10 every thirteen acres of city
territory; or. looked at in another
way, IL has one acre Of park to every
1875 inhabitants. The Park Commits
sion is now making an effort TO add
about 200 acres more TO the system.
To what gratifying extent the en-
tire park facilities afford recreation
and amusement to the people of VIII
mington may be gathered from the
fact that last season the swimming
we're used by 223.670 persons of all
ages, sexes and conditions. This is
exclusive OF what may be called the
passive visitors to the park, which
would more than double the figures
above given.
II Is the desire OF the Park Commits
sioners TO increase the Fairgrounds
and swimming pools in the congested
- rft oil %
vide even better park facilities for the
future growth of the entire munich
pality The ground needed for these
extensions and bctterments is secured
In some cases temporarily by options,
and, II IL is not purchased while the
options are in force, Il will later prob
ably be beyond the financial reach of
the city. The plan outlined will in
ure greatly TO the benefit of posterity
and II is therefore not unreasonable
that posterity should be expected "a
look after the bulk of the cost Il is
proposed to issue bonds for this pur-
pose.
The splendid Investment made in
park lands in Wilmington in the last
twenty years has cost the people in
round figures, S350,000 On con.
estimated 10 be worth in the rea'
estate market not less than $780,
000 an enhancement In value o
nearly million dollars in two de-
cades. OF course, the lands are no
In the market and never will be. bu
the figures are given merely to illus
trate the yalne Of foresiehtodnoss il
affairs of this sort. The present pro
ject is no exception. and there is
strong public sentiment in favor o
doing for the city now, what Il vii
be quite impossible to do later.
True. there is opposition, as ther
always has been TO public improve
mcnts and always will be, the objeC
tions being on financial grounds. bu
there is reason to believe that the ser
timent in favor Of the plan will pr,
vail. This sentiment is largely due
the high regard In which the pres
dent of the park board. William
Bancroft is held by the people
Wilmington. and to their very gel
cral confidence in his business judi
ment and far-sightedness. For yea
Mr.. Bancroft has generously contri
uted TO the development of Wilmin
toms park system. not only in tin
and energy but also in money. II
his desire 10 make the city noteworti
for its parks and Fairgrounds an
the comprehensive plan of extension
and betterments which he has su
gested and Is advocating. with n
unanimous support Of his fellow con
missioners. will go far toward reali
Ing his dream OF Wilmington as
city pre-emininet for its beautiful an
useful places OF public recreation. |