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Uarch l~th. 19=39.
<br />
<br />ficient in the matter of recreational centers, the Kiwanis Club of Portsmouth, Va., in session
<br />Ma~ch 8, 1939, voted unanimously to petition the City Council, asking the Honorable Body to
<br />concur in the purchase of the eighty acre tract of lsnd in question.
<br /> This land could be tamed into a recreational center, where the multitude of
<br />those, now deprived of outdoor recreation, through laek of facilities, could enjoy the same
<br />advantages provided by practically every city in Virginia.
<br /> We feel that, with the purchase of this eighty acre tract, a great step would
<br />be taken to relieve the serious condition, the City tf Portsmouth is now facing, in the build-
<br />ing up of the health~f both young and old.
<br /> The~iwanis Club heartily endorses this movement.
<br />
<br /> Respectfully yours,
<br />
<br />Kiwanis Cl~o of Portsmouth, Va.
<br />
<br /> E.~. Heely, Secretary."
<br />
<br /> The following petition was read, aud on motion,- laid on table:
<br />
<br /> "Our community is woefully lacking in public parks, recreational centers for
<br />adults s_nd playgrounds for children.
<br /> Comparison with other cities of like p~p~lation throughout the country places
<br />Portsmouth low down in the list~ and reflects little credit ~pon her past activity in this
<br />respect. ~
<br />
<br /> Although Portsmouth is one of the older cities of the country, yet no appar-
<br />ent effort was made to acquire such facilities until within the past few years, consequently
<br />it has only ~ne small combination park and cemetery, somewhat inaccessible and one playground
<br />situated neam the business district.
<br /> Norfolk is,well provided with such attractions, consequently Portsmouth's
<br /> lack of them, obviously, places her at a decided disadvantage in the eyes of new residents
<br />when appraising the advantages of the community, with the view of ~locating their homes.
<br /> The time is ripe and ~he opportunity is presented whereby the City may now
<br />make a constructive and much needed advance, in acquiring an available tract of eighty acres,
<br />admirably located and excellently adaptable to park and recreational purposes. This tract
<br />contains a golf course of approximately forty acres, constructed some years since at consider-
<br />able ecst.
<br /> H~der a W.P.A. project, the remaining forty acres may be economically develop-
<br />ed into a park, with am ample playground for children. Within this site there is an inlet
<br />from Western Branch, which at some future time may be dredged, providing an excellent basin
<br />for a~chorage of small motor boats.
<br /> We refer to that tract of land, a part of Glensheallah, lying between the At-
<br />lantic Coast Line Railroad tracks and the residential section cf Glensheallah, and between
<br />Glasgow St., on tJae south and the Beaten ~arm on the north.
<br /> We, the undersigned citizens, respectfully petition your Honorable Body to
<br />empower and direct the proper authority to negotiate for the purchase of this land for the
<br />purpose cf establishing a public park and recreational center thereon.
<br />
<br />Signed - J. Jac Bangel and 125 others..
<br />
<br />The following letter was read and ordered filed:
<br />
<br /> "The Portsmouth Ministerial Union, in its regular monthly session today,
<br />voiced its appreciation for your recent action in placing on its first reading, an ordinance
<br />banning the sale of wine Andbeer in our Oity, from midnight each Saturday to six A.M. each
<br />Monday. '
<br /> It is their hope that ~his ~rdinance will be adopted at your meeting on
<br />March 14th.
<br />
<br />Yours sincerely,
<br />
<br />(Signed) Robert Lee House, Sec.,
<br /> PortsmoUth Ministerial Union."
<br />
<br /> The following letter was read, and referred to the City Manager:
<br />
<br /> "At the meeting of the Portsmouth Central Labor Union, of March 3rd, 1939,
<br />there was several complaints presented in regar~ls to the unconvenience caused by thestray
<br />dogs of the City, and also of the county.
<br /> I have been instrmeted to write th~ Honorable City Council, amd see if there
<br />could be some correction to this public nuisance .
<br /> Reports were made from ~est Park View of severat~cases where home owl~ers
<br />have tried to beautify their yards with shrubbery and flowers, only to have them killed down
<br />by the roaming dogs, which are always paying them visits. In many cases the dogs have no tags
<br />on them, and again, some of them may have tags on them which is more valuable than the dog may
<br />be.
<br /> Reports bar, been made fro~ different sections of the City; from Garden
<br />and from individuals, claiming that they have tried to get this trouble corrected, but to no
<br />avail.
<br /> Protests have been made in regards the stray cats of the city also, but the
<br />complaint was no~ as strong against the cat as it was against the dog. But any lover of wil~
<br />life knows how destructive the ca~ is, not to mention the nights you are kept awake by their
<br />courting parties under your hou~ or near your window. I have read some news paper talk about
<br />ou~ fight on the cats, and ! would ~uggest that the writer of such articles should subscribe
<br />
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