Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-02-27

The utter helplessness of the city ofhclals 10 KNOW
which way to turn or what to do was never more clearly
demonstrated than the present quandary over the purchase
Of the gas works property. There is the same doubt, hest
tancv and delay that has characterized the citys altitude TO-
ward the elimination of the grade crossings. And SO 1t Will
nlwavs be whenever any really big problem affecting the
future welfare of the city comes up until a comprehensive
city plan is adopted.
One of the most important questions to be decided in con-
nection with the gas works site is whether that particular
section Of tbc waterfront is to be developed commercially or
industrially or is to be reserved for the people as a park.
THAT there must be some part of the shore set ASIDE ir parks
all will agree. 1t is uncomfortable that the city VIII allow
all its shore to be built up without regard for the people. "A
Mace from which to view the beautiful bay, enjoy the cool
ing breezes off the water and battle is just as essential ior
the comfort and happiness of The inhabitants OF the city as
wharves, warehouses and industries are Tor the Guy grown
and prosperity. Even New York City, as great as is the de-
mand there for shipping, still boasts of her Battery Park.
And now is the time for Perth Amboy to decide whether she
is to have a Battery Park of her own.
Granting that adequate space must be reserved on the
waterfront for park purposes, what more appropriate site
could be chosen than that section between High street and
Catalpa avenue? In the first place, the city already has a
nucleus for a recreation center there in what is known as
Caledonia park. And the very name of this little park sug-
gests ample reason for preserving that section for all time
as a park. Caledonia park is named for the first Scotch set
Tiers who founded the city of Perth Amboy.
The first houses were erected on the site of Caledonia
ozark and where the gas works now stand. From that partic-
ular spot the present city of Perth Amboy began to grow.
Il would be altogether fitting, therefore to have this loca-
ton set aside for all time for the use of the people in COM
memoration of the city's historic beginning.
Mention has been made OF the development OF the river
front for shipping purposes. But supposing the tract the
city now owns on the river front extending from the rail-
road eastward to Catalpa avenue is developed for commercial
purposes-and expert engineers who have viewed that sec
Lion say it is ideal for such use-that is no reason why the
rest of the shore front from Catalpa avenue to High street
should not be reserved for a park. Battery park in New
York is bounded on all sides by ferry terminals, steamship
piers and towering office buildings. But that does not pre-
vent thousands of peOple from eniOying the view of the baV
and the cooling breezes off the water, as we'll as the munich
pal baths that make the spot so attractive.
Twice before the Evening News has advocated the pur-
chase of historic sites for park purposes. When the West
minister in Kearny avenue was abandoned as a home for
aged Presbyterian ministers and reverted back to heirs of the
previous owner, who at once offered the property for sale,
the Evening News urged that the city buy the entire tract,
which then extended all the way from High street through
TO State street, for a park. The tract not only contained the
historic old governors mansion standing in the midst of a
grove of handsome trees, but there were winding paths,
lined with the same kind of trees and a wonderful acreage
that today would be one of the greatest assets of the city.
But there were few who were interested; the city did nothing
and so this historic landmark was lost. The building as is
stands today loses much of its significance with the original
surroundings gone.
A few years ago the so-called Johonson property on the
Bluff was put on the market. Here was another site rich in
historic associations, the old house having been the home
of some of the colonial governors even before the West
minister was built. 1t is on this site that the giant trees
brought over by the colonists stand, which trees are as
sound today-those of Them that are left-as they were 300
years ago. But still the officials were Indifferent. Today this
tract has met the fate of the Westminster. The old building
still stands but the land is being rapidly built up and only
within the past few days the monarch of the great group of
frees came crashing to the ground. Another opportunity to
make a park of one of Perth Amboys historic landmarks
has been lost.
Now it is the site of the original settlers that is at
stake. The aldermen cannot bubble much longer. To re-
fuse to buy the gas works site means the extension of the
gas plant at its present location. Caledonia park might then
as well be abandoned as far as a park is concerned and the
entire shore front in that locality given over to industry and
commerce.
But where is to be the city's waterfront park? Surely
the men now in charge of the municipal government are not
going TO be so short-sighted as to ignore this matter until it
is too late. And if there is TO be a waterfront park, why not
this historic location? The property can never be secured
at any cheaper price than now. And if this opportunity is
lost what will the future generations of Perth Amboyans
say Of the present city officials?
1t is, indeed, a grave responsibility that rests upon