Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-05-01
FOR STATE PARK
Citizens in Conference
with Commission
Many Suggestions Made for Beauti-
flying the Ground to the East of
the CapitoI-State Fund Of $4,000
AvaiIabIe-Not Advisable to Have
Gardens

INC SdPItoI-otdto funo OF $ouUO
AvaiIabIe-Not Advisable to Have
Gardens
The State Park Commission, SON
sisting Of Lewis A. Burleigh and
Horace E. Bowditch of Augusta and
Charles S. Brown of Bath, held it's
first public meeting at o'clock Fri
day afternoon in the Executive
Council chamber at the State House,
with about 40 interested citizens of
Maine in attendance.
Chairman Burleigh stated that the
meeting was called that the commits
sion might get views of PEOPLE from
all sections regarding the proposed
| changes and improvements to be
made in the State park, which is
located on the east side Of State
street, directly in front of the State
Capitol and extending to the river.
He asked any who wished to feel
free to so speak and several did so.
! All agreed that the spot should be
beautified, although to what an ex-
of opinion. 1t was thought by some
that it should be partially devoted to
athletics, about all agreed that some
part should be reserved for the
mothers and their small children. 1t
was suggested that if the use of the
garden spots, started during the war,
could be continued during the pres
ent year, it would be greatly appre-
ciated by those who had gardens
there, of which there were 90 in 1918
and As in 1919.
That the park would be beautified
was the unanimous opinion. The ma
Jorlty seemed to agree that the trees
should be attended to, that Names
trees should be better represented
and that floral ornamentarion should
be planned. An artificial pond for
skating by the younger people was
favored. Pleasant walks and a street
cut through from Union to Capitol
were mentioned.
Several spoke of the great beauty
OF the scene from the east side of the
river through and across the wooded
park, up to and including the State
House and urged that these beauties
! pe Ildue even greater.
| Mr.. Burleigh said the commission
has just visited Boston, Hartford and
Providence looking at grounds. The
commission was united on securing
the best ideas and going slowly, with
the purpose of sometime having
built up park that would be pleas
ing and satisfying to the majority.
He said that they would probably
secure plans from the best landscape
archltect possible and then under the
supervision of a local architect work
out the plans as rapidly as finances
! and conditions would permit.
Governor Milliken was present
during part of the meeting. He said
that the State would Cooperate
through the superintendent of build
! inSs department with it's force of en-
ployes in every way possible. No
! appropriation was made in 1917-1S
on account of the war. but the Legis-
lature of 1919 appropriated $4,000 for
| 1919 and $4,000 for 1920. He had con-
ferred with the commission and if
| was thought best to do the two wears
work all in 1920. He was glad to see
beginning made and GLAD of the in
terest being shown and felt sure that
mere was fine chance of doing some
work that would be for the good of
the State and.the city.
Regarding the use of any part of
the park for athletics, it was the
feeling that the school property ad
Jacent, consisting Of the cid Capitol
'rottlns park, had ample room for all
such purposes and was very easily
available, leaving ample room for the
largest school building Augusta will
build for years.