Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-02-19

ed in the sol lpockets is given. The
work was done with the remainder
of the funds in the 1913 Improve
ment Loan, but the money was not
sufficient to complete the improve
ment About 2,10O square yards re-
main unfinished.
Mention is made of the serious
damage done during windstorm
last September. Twenty-Five of the
oldest trees in the park were totally
destroyed and about $50 had to be
trimmed. To offset this loss scores
of other young trees from the island
nursery were planted along the en-
tire length of the River Front.
Other river park work included
planting work west of the pumping
station and construction of n new
roadway at the shore landing of the
Mccormick Island ferry.
Paving of the small section of the
Cameron park roadway passing un-
der the Nineteenth street bridge is
recommended as an effective means
of stopping the washouts which oc-
cur every time the stream rises.
Heavy rains last August necessitated
rebuilding long STRETCHES of the Cam
eron park road and the parkway
extension. The ice dam at PaXtang
attracted hundreds for swimming in
the summer and skating in the win
ter. 1t was necessary to place an
officer here, and it is planned to
provide permanent quarters for use
of skaters.
Island Park
Removal of much of the debris at
Island Park around the new rail-
road bridge. reconstruction of the
running tracks and other improve
ments were made, it is reported. a
brief histoy of Hargest Island is
given from the time it was pur-
chased by the city in 1902. The use
of one portion of the island by the
Harrisburg Athletic Club is dis
cussed at length. The usual reports
of the annual high school and gram
mar school track meets are includ-
| cd, together with a review of the in
| terplaygromd meet won bySTwelfth
! street.
| In response to appeals made be-
! fore Arbor Day about fifty trees were
| obtained fro mthe island nursery by
residents of the city and were plant
ed under Park Department supervi-
sion. About 200 shrubs nd smaller
/ plants also were obtained. Plant
! ing during 1917 exceeded any rec
ord made during the last four years
and cuttings which were planted at
ures, total of 67,7OO being added
! to the stock.
At Wildwood Park extensive road
repairs were made. Because of the
dangerous drive along the bluff it is
urged that a road should be made
along the edge of the lake. The ap-
preparation for this was cut when
/ the 1918 budget was made by
Council.
Wildwood Popular
The popularity of Wildwood Park
is pointed out in the summer for
picnic parties and in the winter for
skating. Commissioner Gross, III
speaking of the attendance, says.
This park would certainly be used
to more advantage during the sum-
mer and winter season, if it were
no for the extra fare charged by
the traction company, particularly
during the summer months"
McCormick's Island activities in
| cluded the annual summer camp.
! which again proved a big success.
Construction of a dyke just north
! of the landing at the island is neces-
sary to protect the trees, preventing
! them from being undermined by
! the constant wash of the river.
Two new Fairgrounds were opened
| last year at the PaXtang and Lin
coin schoolbuildings. improvements
were made at the Emerald and
| Sycamore grounds. Details of ac-
! tivities at the other play plots will
| be included in Mr.. Ford's report.
| Motorization of the city fire de-
| partment and the sale of all horses
gave the park department an op-
portunity to get six horses. OF these
Colonel" for twelve years with the