The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1939-12-15

" throughout the year for baseball,
softball, track, football, and skating
and the tennis courts from early
spring to late fall.
The pavilion has been used for
public gatherings, dancing, and rol-
Ter skating. Our only source Of rev.
enue for maintenance and retire.
ment Of the bond fund is through
rentals and promotion of revenue
producing activities, During the
past few years the profits have not
been very large but with general
business conditions on the upturn
we are looking forward this year to
o larger attendance at the dances
and q corresponding increase In the
revenue.
Fulton Park
Grading operations by the w. p.
A. on the new athletic field and
tennis courts adjoining the bowling
green were continued. At the pres
ent time the tennis courts have
been brought to grade and also o
large portion of the field. The banks
on the east side are now being ter
raced, while the sanitary sewer and
water pipe line from Greenwood
Avenue to the site Of the proposed
refectory building has Just been
completed.
Last fall the state Board Of Fish.
cries stocked the lower pond with
perch, pickerel, and bullheads, for
fishing for persons under Is years
Of age. The area was posted with
signs showing the regulations
which apply to all State leased wa
tiers. This matter was arranged by
the Board Of Park Commissioners
who felt that the average city boy
or girl had little opportunity to
fish and consequently knew nothing
about q wholesome sport which
should be part of the life Of every
youngster. The news Of the new
fishing site to which the local press
gave great deal Of space, was re-
ceived with pleasure and on April
18TH, the opening date, about 500
children, ranging In age from 5 to
is, arrived at the pond with all
sorts Of tackle, some with expensive
reels and lines and others with piec-
es OF string and O pin for q hook.
Feeling that the pond would soon
be fished out we limited the time to
Saturdays only and that was car
ried through to October 81, 1899
when the season officially closed.
Golf Course
The w. p. A. project which con-
tinued during the year has made q
wonderful improvement In the
course. In fact II Is almost impos-
sible to visualize the boulder strewn
Swampy area It was only @ year
ago. Many acres have been cleared
Of stumps and boulders, holes have
been filled, rough areas graded and
underdrains placed. Five 60 new
shelters Of fleldstone constructed
have been placed at intervals so
that In case Of a sudden shower pro-
lection Is assured.
The city with the few men avail
able would not have been able for
many years to make the improve
mentS which were made during the
past year, and those improvements
pay dividends. During 1899 the
number OF rounds played was TO-
296 which Is 1902 more than In
1898 and 8,l24 greater than in 1887.
We feel sure that with the con-
tinuation of this project and the
constant Improvement that the fig
ures Will continue to move ahead
that the golf course will be able not
only TO maintain itself but also
amoratize the bond issue.
Chase Park
About 100 maple and oak trees
were set out on the bank at the
corner OF Riverside street and Sum
nyside avenue. The WPA completed
grading the bank last fall so Ia the
spring park employees under the de
rection Of our horticulturist, trans
planted some Of the trees from the
Old Mill section OF Hamilton park
but the majority from the property
OF the Coyle family OF Hamilton
avenue who donated them.
Washington Park
The Community house Is used reg
llarly by residents OF the Washing
ton Hill section for basketball, dane
Ing, amateur theatricals and games.
The building now needs repairing
and painting and as there has been
no money available for repairs since
II was constructed there Is much TO
be done. II tn city will set up the
sponcors contribution I feel sure q
WPA project may DO had for II.
The park proper was used for
baseball, softball, track, football,
skating and tennis as we'll as for
various civics gatherings.
Lakewood Park
This park Is open only during the
period from Decoration day to Labor
day. Although operated daily, Sat-
urdays and Sundays were the only
days when many people were IN at
tendance. Each Sunday, picnics were
held, many organizations holding
their annual outings there.
Municipal Stadium
The stadium which was taken over
for operation In September by this
department had fairly successful
season. The financial remuneration
might have been greater but when
we consider that for years spectators
have seen games at Hamilton park
Without paying any admission
charge, we realize II will take some
time 10 educate them.
Whether baseball will pay any re-
turns remain TO be seen but we are
doing everything we can 10 promote
goodwill and get the sporting pub
lie In the habit OF attending the
contests.
Tree Work
All trimming and removal OF
trees on public streets and high
ways Is attended TO by this DEPART
ment. The large elns which line the
streets are constantly In need OF at
tention.
It is quite unusual II after a heavy
storm the tree men are not called
out, either night or day 10 remove
or clear large branches, from 6 TO
~ inches In diameter, which have
broken of and are blocking the