New Britain herald., 1929-05-31


 tenancs costs of more than $cs,000. From this it can be seen that . most determined effort is being made under Park Superintendent Ellingwood to bring ths park up to the highest possible standard. No such extensive planting of flower beds, and the trimming aA.l care given its growing appu u>eLances has ever been equalled hereabou1. Rock gardens. too, have been construct ed; draining accomplished; parts of the park which heretofore were lit- tie more than waste are being turned into points of beauty. The re- building of the drives alone will cost $15,000. and part of this work is practically finished. The rose gar den and old-fashioned flower beds in front of the hospital are only . small part of the work of this na- ture being performed.
 New work being done in Willow Brook park and in Stanley Quarter park also is of a most impressive nature. although it is impossible to get thorough conception of all of it merely by driving through these parks in a motor. Willow Brook is receiving an expenditure of more than 5000 in new work; Stanley Quarter more than S11.0o0. The grading of the swamp along South Main street, in Willow Brook park, is scarcely begun. The improvement around the Spanish war memorial is most easily observed; but there are improvement jobs throughout the entire large expanse Of play ground, including playground equip- ment. The new road under con- struction in the park has for . foundation stone and dirt extracted from the rebuilt drives in Walnut Hill park; and when this is com pleted it will be necessary only to put a top dressing upon the Will low Brook driveway to provide a smooth new road through the park. This is getting results economically.
 The new work in Stanley Quarter park is likewise impressive. By the end Of the summer this park will be vastly improved in important par ticulars. The two tennis courts, the extension of the new drive through the park to McClintock road, grad ing and extension of the athletic field. not to mention minor work, is due to be completed this year. Originally it was supposed that this park would be primarily for the use of people living in that section of the city. but in our day of rapid and easy personal transportation families from every section of the city will enjoy this breathing spot along with all the others.
 This is not all. of course; the smaller parks are receiving marked attention. The park superintendent this year must be one of the busiest men in town. Considerable results are being obtained for the expendi- ture of relatively small sums; the striking improvement at Central park. for instance. costing only S.75 .or at least, that was the sum pro- vided in the park budget. It may have been done for less. Russwin park. Andrews park. smalley park other of the smaller points are in. cluded in this era of park better ments.
 There Is | disposition {. think that nowadays many people who formerly depended upon the parks for recreation spots drive past them in automobiles. If this is true, then it is So much more necessary that the parks be made able ts compete with the highways for patronage. By making the parks attractive enough in every respect automobile com- petition is minimized. That is being done in this city.
 But there is another viewpoint: People are attracted to distant parks to a greater extent than formerly. being able to reach them easier. There are constant visitors to the New Britain parks from Hartford, Bristol and other cities: and where once Walnut Hill park catered to residents within comforta ble walk ing distance. it now caters to people living miles away. For this reason, if for no other, the local parks remain popular. The crowds in them over the week days. and every evening when the weather is favorable, indi- cates conclusively that their popu- larity has not waned. nor is ever likely to do so in view of the ex- tenslve efforts being made to make them increasingly attractive.