The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-01-15
Huge Sum Would Be
Needed To Reclaim
Swamp Land
PLENTY OF SMOKE
SEEMS CERTAIN
ID. II. II. Would Have to
Assist to Make Plan
a Success

An observer not preJuulceo Oy 1T
gumenta for or against the proposed
purchase OF the Enmons farm In,
Ecorse township for city park site.
visited the 400-scrs tract for The
Times Considering the proposition
solely from the standpoint Of cit
izen who realizes the west side Is
sorely In need of rest and recreation
grounds, he reached the following
conclusions:
Several hundred thousand dollars
I'm addition TO the initial outlay, the
100000 purchase price. will have 10
be spent by the city before the tired
youngsters OF the west side viii b.
able 10 use the park for anything
but frog catching or pulling cat-tails
out OF the swamp
while only one railroad runs thru
the farm, the west boundary OF the
proposed park site bumps its nose
INTO four different sets OF trains.
most OF which are in use big part
OF the time because OF the hesvs
freight trafic OF Detroit.
There is at least one large fac
tory on the site or so close 10 Il
that the smoke nuisance viii prove
distinct disadvantage. In addition
several big plants up the river vii
also make their smoky presence felt
during the pleasant summer days.
Must Pay Two Fares
Detroiters will have 20 pay TWO
fares TO get TO the park unless the
y. Il. X. shocks the community with
show of magnanimity. builds a
three-miie extension from the end
OF Spe FOREST line and agrees to
knock on the extra nickel fare for
THE suburban ride Entry 20 the
park from the old Riyer-rd. viii ne
cessitate a grade separation
These are the conclusions which
impressed the observer most force
fully. Each one embraces many rea-
sons. First, IL is plain that Emmons
park-or whatever name # NAV he
called--would be the most costly
playground ever obtained By tire
city. A vast acreage lying about
Ecorse creek and the three little
branches which run away from II
when they see the Detroit river fow-
ing ahead. will have TO be reclaimed
before II will be either safe or
healthy. II is low and swamp
breeding place for mosquitoes. and
In rs natural condition would aci
as barrier To the enjoyment OF any
recreation advantages which the
/. creek and its branches might afford
Park Commissioner Dust, one OF
the champions OF the purchase plan
has admitted that a grade separa
ton will be needed 10 eliminate the
danger or the four railroad tracks
paraileiing Jefferson-ave. west. or
the old River-rd. The tracks are not
close together, as they are IN the
city, and II is certain that such n
separation would cost much more
than the ordinary project OF It's kind
In Detroit.
Ecorse creek--ciyic organizations
Ina the extreme west end and some 81
the suburbs insist II should be called
Ecorse river--winds thru the tract
la an aimless sort OF way. and the
three branches also give the impress
sion that they have no definite goal
This means that numerous bridges
will have 10 be built II Park Com
missioner Dust proposes 10 build
municipal golf links on the farm. ar
A. q hax - rts.,e.
how the game win be played unless
Il IL converted into a semi-aauatic
sport.
Greek Not Beautiful
Those who have seen Ecoree
creek or river. In the summer when
II is supposed 90 appear at its best.
declare that much money will have
to be spent 10 make Il suitable eth.
or for bathing or boating. II is
shallow IN some spots. deep in 9th
ers. In some places II becomes tired
and permits near-stagnstion. II does
not have the majestic grandeur OF.
river, nor can II boast OF the clear
gurrilng waters which have driven
men and women 20 write poetry
about brooks. The branches are re-
ported 90 be utterly without smbi
> ton. ard they must become dizzy
when they mingle with the strong
currents OF the Detroit river.
Pontiac point iuts into the creek
Much has been said about this place
by those who support the purchase
proposal As an historic spot. the
point may be n value. and the poin'
and some 81 the naturally wooded
acres OF the farm have scenic at
F, Effectiveness. but these advantage
somehow seem 20 be forgotten wher
such problems as CITY appropriation
and transportation are considered In
connection with the park project
Trip Takes an Hour
Under present conditions. the only
means br which the Ernmons farm
can be reached a. via Fortst. or JET
lcrsonave. west. The Toledo in
! ierurbAns run on Fortst. such ser
sioe s admittedly inadequate An
extension With regular city service
alone would meet the situation. The