The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1922-05-09
development OF
MOSC0W'S PARK
MADE BEAUTY SPOT AND RESORT
FOR CHILDHOOD THROUGH
UNSELFISH EFFORT

With the coming of spring. however
much delayed, there is renewed inter-
est in outdoor life, and the value of an
attractive park becomes evident. Few
cities Of Moscow's size have park SO
beautiful or so well equipped as Mos
cows public park, and brief history
of the park, from the time the ground
was reclaimed from the weeds and
bunchgrass in the early days of the
towns history, to the present time, is
of interest. Such a history has been
furnished The Star-Mirror, reciting
facts which are not known to many
persons who enjoy the privileges of
the park.
Many years ago the ground for the
city park was decided to the city by a
corporation consisting of R. S. Bar
ton, Mr.. Baker, C. Moore and A.
Clark. The city fathers purchased
trees of splendid varieties and the
work of setting out the trees was done
by Frank White and Lindol Smith
That the work was we'll done has been
shown by nearly all the trees plant
ed maturing. The trees, grass and
weeds flourished until 1907 when the
Historical club took the initial step
village improvement committee of this
club, Mrs. M. e. Lewis, Mrs. 8. n. Cur
tis and Mrs Burton l.. French, ar
ranged for a tag day and through
their efforts raised 5000 With this
money they employed a landscape
gardener to plan the walks, drives
and, flower beds in the park. They
also purchased shrubs and plants.
bulbs and plants. From a field of
grass, trees and weeds the park took
shape and became beauty spot. This
committee petitioned the council for
seats and swings, also for caretaker,
which the council granted. The in
tnre is OF the Historical club continued
in the improvement of the park until
1912. when the City Beautiful club, |
by Mrs. Warren Truitt, took
up the work During the three years
of it's activity, the women of this or
ganization petitioned the council for
lights in the park and drinking
fountain and in 1918 the lights and
fountain were placed in the park.
This organization also placed three
slides, two sand boxes, see saws, giant
stride swings, garbage cans and a
beautiful flag pole. Mrs. M. E. Lewis,
Mrs. Meeker and Mrs. Truitt made a
flag 20 feet long and presented it TO
the park. Mrs. Truitt has kept up
her interest in the park and through
her efforts the beauty of the park has
been kept up and improved.
Many things of permanent value
and benefit have been donated from
time to time for the pleasure and con-
venience Of the people who visit the
park. Twelve tables were donated by
the university that had been built for
he use of the S. A. T. c. These
ahles have been. placed in convenient
places for the pleasure Of the picnic
kers 1ne children of the public
schools. with their pennies, purchas-
ed the beautiful bird fountain that
las been the means of bringing many
,irds into the park The need of an
,ther fountain is SO great that the
hildren have again been solicited and
new one will be ready within few
lays.
Trees have been planted from time
o time to replace and to add to the
-ariety already in the park. Shrub
,lants and bulbs have also been re-
lewed. Many of these have been do
lated by citizens interested in the
bark. A neat little tool house built
or the convenience for the caretaker
If the park, and an arch, to be cover
ID with vines, have been added for
improvement. Through !,
he efforts of the chamber of COM
nerce a magnificent wading pool was
onstructed last year for the pleasure
f the children of Moscow. Two new
ath houses will be built and ready
Dr. the comfort and convenience of
ne children as soon as the weather
ill permit using the pool.
This park is an asset to the city of
Ioscow, and is appreciated by its
tizens.