The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1924-06-12
w. I'll. Afford Buys Simmons Park Tract North
of City Along Lake Shore to Save it
for Park Purposes.
OFFERS TO HOLD IT WITHOUT GAIN
Owner Sells Land at Sacrifice and Buyer Agrees to
Hold it for City Until it Can be Taken
Over Conveniently.

made one of the most beautiful parks
in all Wisconsin.
The price which has generally been
put on the property is 100000 and
it was admitted that if it was subdi-
vided it would be worth very much
more than that amount. The price
which was paid for the property was
100000 which is the price which it will
be offered to the city plus the ordin-
airy carrying charges.
Both Mr.. Simmons, former owner,
and Mr.. Afford, the new owner, are
sacrificing to make possible the se-
curing of this site for park purposes
by the city. 1t was stated author4ta-
lively that the property might have
been sold for $4,000 more to other
prospective purchasers who wished to
subdivide it and that Mr.. Afford might
now sell it for 10000 in excess of the
price paid. Both were willing to sac
rifce in order that the land might
be saved for future park purposes for
the people of Kenosha.
1t is known that negotiations are
now pending whereby the city could
also eventually purchase other lake
shore property which would connect
! this tract and make the whole one Of
the most extensive and beautiful park
projects in the entire state.
Was the Last Chance.
In announcing the purchase Mr..
Afford stated explicitly his plans,
stating that he felt that it was worth
while to take steps now to make pos
sible the saving of tire land for park
purposes and that he had closed the
deal with no idea of profit but merely
to be Of service to the city If 1T event.
ually desired the tract.
"Only a definite amount of lake
shore property is available for Ke-
nosha for park purposes" said Mr..
Afford. "As the years come tracts Of
land to the west, south and northwest
may be acquired by the city as they
are needed. Once lake shore property
is devoted to other purposes It cane
not again be acquired for park pur-
poses. This tract, / believe, will be
the best lake property for park pur-
poses that Kenosha could ever ac-
quire and it is for that reason that
the deal was made"
"On account Of the large school pro-
gram necessary because of the rapid
growth of Kenosha, and the delay in
building caused by the war, Kenosha
is not now in position to acquire this
park land without a material increase
in tax rates. have bought the Sim
mons property just north of the city
| limits; it has more than half mile Of
lake frontage and is ideal for future
park purposes. / felt that the city
! being on the shore of Lake Michigan
| should take advantage of this great
/ body Of water to provide parks for it's
people - not for those people who can
| afford to own homes on the lake front
nor for those who can afford to go
to the mountains, California or to
the seashore or some other resort but
for those who must through neces-
sity spend their summers in Kenosha."
| 81 have bought this property for less
than the former owner was offered by
| outside purchasers who wished to sub
! divide it into high class residence
district, which would have forever
closed the door to the park project"
Would Offer 1t For City.
at is my intention" continued Mr..
Afford, ITO carry this property for the
city and turn it over to it for park
purposes at such time in the future
as Kenosha is in position to buy it
at exactly what l paid for it plus carr
| rying charges at ordinary rates. Any
income which may be derived from
| the property will be deducted from
these carrying charges.
"At that time the city will be under
no obligation to buy the property
from me and have not asked that an
agreement be made now to buy it. Fu-
ture councils may decide that the city
does not want the property for park
purposes in which event shall feel
free to sell it to the best advantage
1 have not purchased the property with
any idea of making money although
there are possibilities of great gain
but merely with an idea of making
possible the saving of The tract for
park purposes for Kenosha."
The news that deal had been clos
ed whereby the tract might some day
be acquired by the city was welcomed
by Kenosha officials today. II was de-
| ciared By those acquainted with the
value of lake shore properties that the
plan outlined would result in the saw
ing of large amount of money to the
So =. Az axvauf that thp tract was