Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-10-12

The announcement that Joseph A.
Shaw would contribute the sum of
$4,000 toward the playground project
II ARRANGEMENTS were made whereby
land now owned by him and which is
proposed as a playground for the chill
dren of the north end of the city,
should not be seized by the city. was
made Monday evening at City hall by
Attorney George B. Heselton, of Gar
diner, representing Mr.. Shaw Sneak
ing informally to the members of the
city government as they discussed the
proposal, he stated that he would re-
duce this offer to writing within one
week in order that they might have
something tangible to work on. and
further that, as an alternative, if the
city felt that It might use land on the
other side of Bond Brook for the pur-
pose, Mr.. Shaw would construct a dam
which he is planning, and which would
be of sufficient width to accommodate
a bridge which might be used to reach
the other site He would also grant
all rights Of swimming and boating
in the pool between the present dam
and the proposed one, to the play
ground.
The members OF the city govern
ment met at special meeting called
to consider a petition signed by about
60(citizens of Augusta asking for the
seizure of land embrasing about 81
acres and situated on Mount Vernon
avenue. The southern bound of the
land is the thread of Bond Brook. be-
ginning at the bridge on Mount Yer
non avenue, and the northern bound
ohOr1f ce hrF
The flowage rights and the dam now in
existence are included in the proposed
seizure.
After considerable discussion of the
bill presented, which in the opinion of
some constituted condemnation pro-
ceedings, without further action and
simply left the matter UP to the APP
praisers for adjustment as to the value
of the land, the board of aldermen vot-
ed by five ayes to one nay in favor of
the order. In the common council,
however, 1t was turned down by vote
of 10 nays TO no years. After a Joint
meeting it was decided to reconsider
the votes of both bodies to lay the or
der on the table and to adjourn until
this evening in order that the memb ers
of the city government might have an
opportunity to visit the location in the
meantime and to acquaint themselves
with its advantages.
It is understood that there is avail
able the sum of between $4,000 and
$4,000, part Of which was left several
years ago by will and part of which
has since accumulated, to be used for
the purpose of building and endowine
the playground. Justice Norman Bias
sett Hiram Pishon and Lewis A. Bur.
leigh are the trustees under this will
but the name of the donor has not as
Yet been divulged.
An expert has been called in to looi
the city over and he has declared the
proposed site as the most favorable
one in the northern end of the city
where it is, especially needed because
Of the congestion which forces, the
children to play in the streets. In
fact, it Is understood thai this is the
only site that is adaptable, and Mr..
Shaw does not want to sell.
1t was also said last evening at the
city government meeting that in the
event this land was turned into a play
ground the Edwards Manufacturing
Company stood ready to contribute
several acres Of land on the opposite
side of the brook for park to be con-
nected with the playground. This
would, in the opinion of the expert, he
one of the most ideally situated parks
and Fairgrounds that there is.