The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-06-22
GILBERT PARK

FShN
] learn from the Press that the
City Police Commission has asked
the City Council to approve Gilbert
Park as the site for a proposed
new police building and parking
lot for automobiles hauled off the
street for various reasons. This
action-the citizens OF Ypsilanti
are told would save an unnamed
sum OF money said 10 be consider
able which is now lost 10 private
garages The Police Commission
| seems to have a high regard for
this sum OF money and none for
the rights OF certain individuals
for whom propose 10 speak.
| protest this action in the name
| OF William Harwood who be-
questhed this land 10 the citizens
of Ypsilanti in order that they and
their descendants might enjoy II
as a thing OF beauty and Joy for
ever. He gave 1t that he might be
remem bered as public spirited
citizen. The specific provision was
made that no buildings were 10 be
built upon it. The wishes OF the
dead among civilized people at least
are generally respected, They have
already been disresarded in his
case.
protest this action in the name
OF the people of Ypsilanti TO whom
this park belongs. Does a police
station add as much 10 a Citys
beauty as a park? Is 1t no, some
thing to reach an island in the
midst Of sweltering streets and
ugly brick buildings where one can
| stop and rest and get drink OF
water. At least people could once,
but even the drinking fountain is
turned off now. Has Ypsilanti too
many parks that we can afford TO
use one for junk yard for wrecked
| cars? Why not use Prospect Park
or Recreation or better still Quirk
Park for the same purpose Does
the Police Commission think the
protest will be louder from those
| quarters? Why should 1t be? Gill
bert Park is ours. and the citizens
OF that part OF Ypsilanti which was
first settled are prompt to point out
that they have just as much right
to consideration as the pseudo-aris-
tocrats whose houses are newer
and whose background is nothing.
This is our home and we love 1t.
protest In the name OF the
school children. They have played
in that park for "a years that
know OF and for years before that.
Are there not enough walls for
them to look at Are they not al
ready sufficiently "cribbed. cab
ined and confined? You will have
even greater use for police stations
than you have now II you do not
provide them places TO play, II you
even take away that which was a
free gift OF good citizen.
| protest in the name OF these
countless newcomers about whom
we are so concerned in theory. but
whom we ignore so completely in
reality. They have at least the parks
and there was not a day last sum.
mer when Gilbert Park had not its
share OF picnickers or OF people
| who left their overcrowded room
ing houses to read their evening pa
pers and rest from the heat OF the
day. Where can they go? They do
not have pull" enough to get an
extra supply OF gas TO go on trips
even II their patriotism would per.
NIT them 70 accept IT,
| protest in the name OF people
who pass through Ypsilanti. 1t is the
one park which is visible 10 tray-
elers on the main highway. II the
Police Commission wishes to give
them the impression that Ypsilanti
has no parks. that is certainly one
way TO do it. II it wishes TO deprive
them OF a place to rest II will &C
complish that too. They will think
that Ypsilantians are both inhos-