A Bad Idea That Didn't Happen

Whenever there is talk about improvements to the city, Seventh Street Park, originally known as the Public Square, is typically mentioned. Two years ago, an unsuccessful grant application may have been the only thing that stopped an unpopular plan to re-imagine our beloved but shabby park. 

Recently, Gossips stumbled upon reference to another plan for the park apparently proposed in the late 1960s. It was mentioned by Mayor Samuel T. Wheeler in his annual address to the Common Council on May 1, 1969. Reviewing the state of the city, Wheeler told the aldermen:

Twenty trees were planted in the 7th Street Park. Additional trees and shrubs will be planted within the next few weeks. Several other diseased trees will be cut down shortly. New trees will be planted in their stead. A new lighting program will be instituted shortly which will bring more light to this park area by means of new ornamental fixtures.

Let me say at this point that I will disapprove any attempt to make this most lovely park, which is enjoyed by hundreds of young and old alike, into a market or parking space.

Forty-seven years later, we can all be grateful the plan to turn the park into a market (which given it was 1969 was probably a supermarket not a farmers' market) and/or parking space never happened.
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