Monte Vista journal and Monte Vista graphic-reporter., 1922-07-21
No,u Is The Time To
Secure Public Play Ground

1t has long been the dream OF
thinking. public spirited citizens to
provide the children and youth OF
the community with suitable,
roomy. adequately equipped. prop
erly supervised play ground; place
where the children might enjoy the
benefit of outdoor play under the
mos. heaithful conditions. and
where the youth Of the community
might find wholesome occupation
for their leisure hours within easy
access OF their homes.
The time has co.ne when all this
may be secured to the youth of the
city by prompt and active coop
Grafton OF all the interests of the
city and community. With $4,000
of public money on hand the coun-
ty high school committee plans to
erect q high school building and
will need 4 site; with $1,000 now
on hand In the playground fund the
local chapter Red Cross is looking
for a suitable play ground; the city
has a 36-acre park Of which but .
small part Is utilized for park pur-
poses; the Commercial Club Is
ready to back any feasible plan for
the establishment OF the desired
play ground; the Rotary Club is
on hand with = plan that has al
ready been approved by all these
bodies. and is always rearin' to
go on anything that is to the best
interests OF the community. Every
one is ready and willing. The only
thing that is necessary Is for all to
start at once, pulling the same
direction. and now is the time.
In reviewing the public grounds
In the city 1t is found that Monte
Vista has been most fortunate in ac
quiring ground for parking pur-
poses. the two smaller parks. Marsh
and Fullenweider. being very suit
ably adapted to the purpose for
which they are employed.
Marsh Park is q tract OF about
eight acres located In the east part
OF the city. and was donated to
the city by c. II. Weaver u nephew
OF MIR. Marsh an old time settler
who originally owned the land.
There is condition attached to the
donation which specifies that the
tract must be used only for park
purposes and at any time II is used
original owner. II is now fitted out
as a tourist camping park. The
big shade trees make 1t a pleasant
camping ground. and with water
and other conveniences II answers
the purpose very nicely.
Just across from the ID. & Il. G.
the public. known as the Fullen-
we.der park. Though the grounds
belong to the railway company. the
city has parked IL. constructed .
band stand and employs care
taker. II is well shaded with trees
on all sides and is indeed 4 thing Of
beauty with its beds OF many var
ieties OF lovely wild flowers that
grow here NO sbundsntly. Also beds
OF cultivated iris. pansies. snap
dragons, pinks. daisies. peoples and
other garden flowers add to its
beauty. making an attractive aud
resttul place. This park II In con-
stant use by the public. aud 10
specially appreciated by the tran
sient visitors In the city who must
wait NJ the station.
But the big Wallace park In the
west part OF the city. IL the city's
real opportunity. and has been
neglected for years. The baseball
park Is located In the southeast
corner and that IL practically all the
benefit which the public had deriv.
ed from this tract. for park pur.
poses. on account Of the neglected
and unimproved condition Of the
grounds.
Way back In so the history Of
this parks begins. when Wallace
Bros. and Clark leased the tract
from the government. intending
later to buy and lay II out In lots ~
an addition to the town. While they
held the lease. they contracted to
sell two lots. one to Clarence =. |
Cummings. the othcE to u. A.
Cramcr. providing these parties
would build residences costing not
lcss than 1000 each. the sale to be
consumated when Wallace Bros. and
Clark purchased from the govern
mcnt. The price asked by the state
Board OF Land Commissioners was
No high that Wallace Bros. and
Clark decided they could not make