USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1935 > Part 18
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22
.
363
PARK COMMISSION
OFFICE OF PARK COMMISSION
January 27, 1936.
To the Hon. Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
The Board of Park Commissioners herewith respect- fully submits its fortieth annual report for the year end- ing December 31, 1935, together with the expenditures for the year 1935.
At the annual town election, held Tuesday, March 5 1935, Mr. Nils G. Anderson was elected a member of the Board of Park Commissioners for the term of three years, and Mr. Daniel M. Hooley was elected a member of the Board of Park Commissioners for the term of one year.
The Board organized Monday evening, March 11, 1935, at eight o'clock, with Mr. John B. Byrne as Chairman, Miss Ruth Cannell as Clerk, and Mr. George D. Higgins as Superintendent of Parks and Playgrounds.
The regular meetings of the Board are held in the Office of the Park Commission, Town Hall, on Monday even- ings of each week at eight o'clock.
Routine matters are considered. Consultations are held with the heads of the several Town Departments, and sub-committees thereof, also with the chairmen of the town meeting members of the Town's fourteen pre- cincts; audiences are granted to committees, organiza- tions, delegations, and citizens of Arlington whose prob- lems fall directly under the jurisdiction of the Board of Park Commissioners.
364
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
During the year the Board held thirty-nine regular meetings, and three special meetings. Due to the ever- increasing expansion of Arlington, with its consequent populous growth, the problems confronting the Board have increased tremendously, necessitating frequent meetings with the Planning Board to consider the advis- ability of acquiring additional park areas and recreational centers throughout the Town.
The year 1935 marked the greatest era of expansion and progress within the annals of the Park Commission since its inception in 1895, notwithstanding the fact that the Board was confronted with a limited budget, necessi- tated by the current economic conditions.
The Board exercised every means within its power to create work for the unemployed men of Arlington, which was accomplished through the cooperation of Mr. Neil S. Peters, Arlington Works Progress Administration Ad- ministrator, and Mr. Clifford W. Cook, Arlington Welfare Agent.
The Board supervised the care and maintenance of the twenty-two areas within its jurisdiction, together with the two areas controlled by the Arlington Garden Club, as well as four areas not within the jurisdiction of the Park Commission, but controlled by the Town of Arling- ton,
As follows:
Heights Playground (Reservoir Field)
The baseball field was graded early in the spring and made suitable for baseball.
The Arlington Church League and the St. James Catho- lic Club were granted permits to use the field for organized baseball evenings throughout the season. The St. James
365
PARK COMMISSION
Catholic Club, being the only applicant requesting the use of the field for organized baseball on Sunday after- noons, permits were granted accordingly.
Hundreds of Arlington citizens availed themselves of the opportunity to observe baseball at the field on week day evenings and Sunday afternoons.
The Board desires to compliment the Arlington Church League and the St. James Catholic Club in the orderly and sportsmanlike manner in which the games were con- ducted.
The Board granted a permit to the St. James Catholic Club to conduct a Mardi Gras, the first ever operated on the field, during the week of July 4th.
When it is realized that thousands were in attendance during the Mardi Gras and the evenings of July 3rd and 4th, and it was estimated that over fifteen thousand per- sons were present, yet not one complaint of disorderly conduct or disturbance was received by the Board.
The Board compliments the St. James Catholic Club for the orderly and efficient manner in which the Mardi Gras was conducted.
Many children of the Heights section utilized the field well into the fall season for the playing of various games.
The Board voted unanimously to allocate a portion of the field to the Sachem Council, Boy Scouts of America, for the purpose of planting a tree thereon in memory of the late, beloved President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt.
On Sunday afternoon, October 27, 1935, the portion of land so allocated was formally presented to the Sachem Council, Boy Scouts of America, and the tree, a hand- some young maple, a gift of Theodore Roosevelt Troup 39,
366
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Boy Scouts of America, of Oyster Bay, New York, was planted, the New York Scouts contributing earth brought from Sagamore Hill, Oyster Bay, New York, the home of the late President. This earth, together with earth from the Reservoir Field, was placed around the tree by the New York Scouts and the Scouts of the Sachem Council.
Thus the memory of Theodore Roosevelt, twenty-sixth President of the United States, and Chief Scout Citizen of America, was revered on October 27, 1935, the seventy- seventh anniversary of his birth, and marks the incep- tion of a historical grove to be established at the Arling- ton Heights Playground.
Reservoir Beach
During the early spring, the beach was thoroughly drained, and fill placed around the shore and well out toward the center of the Reservoir, making an even bot- tom for quite some distance along the shore and well out toward the center.
A large parking area was constructed accommodating approximately one hundred automobiles.
Twenty-three seats were placed along the shore and six refuse receptacles. The beach has been kept entirely free from refuse, through the efforts of the employees of the Park Commission. 1
Prior to opening the beach, a large area was buoyed off from shore to a point about 100 feet, then from that point on a straight course to a point 50 feet distant, and from there to shore.
This area, at its extreme point from shore, attained a maximum depth of but three feet, and was used exclus-
367
PARK COMMISSION
ively by small children and non-swimmers, thus making this area as safe for bathers as possible.
Another area was buoyed off, extending from shore to the raft, a distance of 150 feet. This area was used exclus- ively for swimmers.
Two life boats were located at the beach, and a full complement of first-aid equipment.
There was one police officer on duty six days a week for twelve weeks, and a full staff of qualified life guards, consisting of twelve guards and one senior guard. At all times at least three guards were on duty twelve hours a day.
The life guards gave instructions in swimming, life saving, and first-aid instruction to hundreds of Arlington citizens, and are to be commended for their courteous and unselfish devotion to duty. When it is considered that hundreds of persons patronized the beach throughout the season, there was but one fatal accident.
The signal event of the season was the Aquatic Car- nival held at the beach September 7, 1935, bringing to a successful termination the beach season of 1935.
Early in the year, the Board observed the necessity of creating such an event, and acted accordingly. Thus the Carnival, the first conducted in Arlington by the Park Commissioners, proved an outstanding success and an accomplishment in the march of progress of the Park Commission.
The events, which commenced in the morning and concluded in the evening with the awarding of prizes, were open to all girls and boys of Arlington who desired to compete. There were junior and senior events of all classifications, and prizes consisting of beautiful silver
368
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
loving cups, together with gold, bronze, and silver medals suitably engraved, were awarded to the first three to place in any event.
Thousands of Arlington citizens attended the all-day Carnival, and derived much pleasure by observing the various events, particularly the several hundred children to whom the Park Commissioners gave seven hundred lollipops.
Mr. J. Frank Donovan, chief of life guards, and his staff aided materially in making the day an outstanding suc- cess. The Board desires to compliment them in this instance.
Upon voting unamimously to conduct the Carnival, the Board learned that it could not legally allocate any of its funds or any portion thereof, toward gratuities; the only alternative, therefore, was to seek monetary donations from the several municipal, civic, and patriotic groups, namely: the Arlington Police Department, the Arlington Fire Department, Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Arlington Rotary Club, Arlington Kiwanis Club, St. James Catholic Club, Arlington Post No. 39 American Legion, Arlington Post No. 1775 Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Valuable assistance was also rendered gratuitously by Patrolman "Al" Zwink of the Arlington Police Department, who operated his airplane high over the beach and dropped two tickets entitling the recipients to a free ride in his plane; "Ed" Needham, who assisted Al Zwink; The Arlington Board of Public Works; James M. Keane, Town Engineer of Arlington, and his staff; Patrolmen Hourihan, Knowles, and Davidson of the Arlington Police Department; the crew of the Special Service Truck of the Arlington Fire Department; Christian J. Berglund, George A. Harris, the Arlington Adovocate, the Arlington News, Cosgrove Bros. Amplifying System, Arlington Post No. 39 American Legion Band, Arthur H.
369
PARK COMMISSION
Blanchard Company, Charles F. Anthony, Neil S. Peters, Works Progress Administrator for Arlington; George D. Higgins, Superintendent of Parks and Playgrounds for the Town of Arlington; Miss Ruth Cannell, Clerk of the Arlington Park Commission, and the employees of the Arlington Park Commission.
To the afore-mentioned groups and individuals, whose interest and genuine cooperation aided materially in making the Carnival a possibility and success, this Board extends its fullest appreciation and gratitude.
It is the desire of this Board to cause the Aquatic Car- nival to become an annual affair, thus creating an interest among the citizenry of Arlington toward the active par- ticipation in the most wholesome of all sports-aquatic sports.
Arlington Heights Standpipe. Two rock gardens were installed this year, and the grass area surrounding the standpipe was cut and trimmed.
Turkey Hill. Brush was trimmed and general main- tenance supervised.
Forest and Bow Streets. Brush cut, trees trimmed and this year six seats, two sand boxes, and one horse shoe court were installed.
Appleton Street and Paul Revere Road. Grass trimmed and general maintenance; one rock garden was installed this year.
Lowell Street and Massachusetts Avenue "Foot of the Rocks." Grass trimmed and general maintenance.
Ethel Wellington Playground. General maintenance.
370
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Lockland Delta. Grass trimmed and watered; general maintenance.
Menotomy Rocks Park. General maintenance, grass cut and watered, and brush trimmed. At the request of many citizens residing in the vicinity of High Haith Road, the two horse shoe courts installed in this area, were removed to a more desirable location.
Six rock gardens were installed during the year, which beautified the area in the vicinity of Hills Pond, which was used late in the fall and up to the present time for skating purposes by hundreds of Arlington citizens.
Early in the spring the Arlington Garden Club estab- lished a nature trail throughout the Park, and marked the trees along the trail with identification disks.
Russell Park. General maintenance.
Chestnut Street and Medford Street Delta. General main- tenance, grass trimmed, etc.
Meadowbrook Park. The area of Meadowbrook Park bordering Chestnut Street, has been graded and made suitable for baseball, and the entrance from Chestnut Street has been enlarged and greatly improved. During the year one baseball backstop, one drinking fountain, one horizontal bar, three swings, one chain swing ladder, one horse shoe court, two sand boxes, and six seats were in- stalled.
Many young children found recreation at the park all season and the older children have used the field exten- sively for baseball.
The area of the park bordering Mystic Valley Parkway still remains in very poor condition, and fill from the ex- cavation of the new post office building, and the new Cooperative Bank Building, corner of Court Street and
371
PARK COMMISSION
Massachusetts Avenue, was placed around this area and graded. The Board is of the opinion that it will be some time before this area will be suitable for recreation.
Orvis Road. General maintenance, grass cut and trimmed.
River and Warren Street Delta. General maintenance, grass cut and trimmed. This year one rock garden was installed.
Crosby School Playground. General maintenance. Early this spring one drinking fountain was installed. The field was used extensively by the young men of East Arlington, who, early in the spring, formed a league and played organized baseball well into the fall. Permits were issued to the several teams for the purpose of playing organized baseball on weekday evenings and Sunday afternoons.
In conformity with the Interlocutory Decree of the Superior Court, relating to the use of the Crosby School Playground, a supervisor was in attendance at all times.
Complaints were received relating to the use of the Playground for organized baseball, but this Board deemed it expedient to allow the youth of East Arlington to use the playground for that purpose, inasmuch as it was the only available field in East Arlington.
Warren A. Pierce Playground. General care and main- tenance, areas re-seeded, trimmed, etc. The Board of Park Commissioners have joint jurisdiction with the School Committee over this Playground.
Monument Park. General maintenance.
Linwood Street Beach (Spy Pond.) On Sunday afternoon, June 23, 1935, a fatal accident occurred at the Beach. As
372
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
a result of this accident, together with the treacherous condition of the beach for swimmers and non-swimmers alike, as well as the constant observation of the people patronizing the beach, which revealed that approximately 95 per cent were not residents of Arlington, action was taken by this Board, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, on Monday evening, June 24, 1935, to vote unanimously to close the beach for an indefinite period.
By the Board's action in closing Linwood Beach, a life was probably saved.
With the closing of the beach, the facilities appurtenant thereto were removed to the newly developed Reservoir Beach on Lowell Street, Arlington Heights.
Fowles Pond. General maintenance.
Dow Avenue and Appleton Street Delta. General main- tenance, grass trimmed, area cared for, and this year one rock garden was installed.
Medford and Warren Street Delta. General maintenance, grass trimmed, area cared for. This year one rock garden was installed.
AREAS CONTROLLED BY TOWN OF ARLINGTON AND CARED FOR BY ARLINGTON PARK COMMISSION
Brattle and Summer Street Delta. General maintenance, grass cut and trimmed.
Junior High West (Crusher Lot.) General maintenance, brush trimmed, trees trimmed.
Falmouth Road and Crosby Street Delta. General main- tenance, grass cut and trimmed; and this year three beds of taxus were planted, and one linden tree.
373
PARK COMMISSION
Thomas J. Robinson Rock (Gray Street and Endicott Road.) General maintenance, grass cut and trimmed.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Board makes the following recommendations:
Reservoir Beach. The Board has submitted plans for a modern bath house of brick and stone construction, fully equipped with lavatories, showers, locker rooms for both men and women, and a fully equipped first-aid room with police box installed therein. Arrangements will be made whereby admission to the beach and access to the bath house will be afforded Arlington residents only, admission being by the use of a check or token, from which the Town of Arlington will receive a revenue enabling the Town to maintain the bath house on a financial basis.
This proposed bath house is one of a series of Works Progress Administration Projects, submitted by the Board this year. At the time of filing this report, the only infor- mation received by the Board upon the acceptance of this project, is tentative.
Arlington Heights Playground (Reservoir Field.) The Board recommends the consideration of bleachers or a grand stand to accommodate approximately one thousand persons, and the construction of a new baseball backstop and tool shed.
Ethel Wellington Playground. The Board recommends the construction of a garage and tool shed on this property, thereby enabling the Park Commission to assemble its maintenance equipment at a central location.
Menotomy Rocks Park. The Board recommends the in- stallation of a police box in this Park.
374
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Crosby School Playground. The Board recommends the purchase of additional recreational centers for the citizens of East Arlington. Several sites have been considered, such as the Boston Elevated property on Tufts Street, which this Board, at its meeting held April 8, 1935, voted unanimously to request the Town of Arlington to purchase by right of eminent domain or otherwise; and a section of land bordering the Concord Highway; also a section of land on Broadway between River Street and North Union Street. The Board is working with the Planning Board in reference to either of the latter sections, if the purchase of the Tufts Street property would prove inexpedient.
If either of the afore-mentioned areas are acquired by the Town of Arlington, this Board plans to construct tennis courts at the Crosby Field, thus prohibiting the playing of baseball thereon, which will be satisfactory to everyone, inasmuch as the Crosby School Playground is really too small to conveniently play baseball, and the pro- posed areas will be thoroughly adequate for that purpose.
National Youth Administration. By a unanimous vote, taken Monday, December 30, 1935, this Board voted to endorse and promote the National Youth Administration Project, which would entail no expense to the taxpayers of Arlington and would enable the young men of Arlington between the ages of sixteen and twenty-five, to receive instruction and to participate in all forms of athletics and calisthenics, also instruction in vocational training, and instruction in a broad educational field. Employment would be afforded qualified young men of Arlington as teachers and instructors. This Board is of the opinion that the establishment of a National Youth Administration in Arlington would alleviate a dismal condition that has been Arlington's for some time, and would eventually cease to be purely an emergency measure, but would ultimately become a permanent feature of the American life.
375
PARK COMMISSION
In conclusion, the members of this Board are thoroughly appreciative of the fact that it is clearly our duty to serve the people of Arlington, who placed their confidence in us by electing us to this Board.
In every instance where a recorded vote in executive session has been required, this Board's action has always been unanimous.
This Board, we hope, has acted wisely in our endeavors and decisions, and we are thoroughly appreciative of the full and genuine cooperation afforded by all Town De- partments, Town Officials, Town Meeting Members, and Citizens of Arlington, for this we are profoundly grateful.
With this manifestation of good will and unselfish sup- port, the Arlington Park Commission will advance toward ultimate accomplishment with complete satisfaction, to the end that the best interests of the Town of Arlington will coincide with the desires of its citizens.
Expended 1935
Personal Services :
Superintendent .
$2,007.50
Life Guards
E.R.A.
Police Duty 593.05
Supervisor, Crosby Field
E.R.A.
Clerk
112.00
Wages
3,000.00
$5,712.55
Material and Expenses:
Office Supplies . $10.29
Auto Maintenance 570.41
Tools and Equipment 296.92
Loam and Fertilizer 298.50
376
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Crushed stone, cinders and other
material . .
378.66
Trees, shrubs, grass seed . 168.44
Miscellaneous . 132.41
Row Boat and Raft
494.71
$2,350.34
BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
JOHN B. BYRNE, Chairman NILS G. ANDERSON DANIEL M. HOOLEY
377
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The report of the Planning Board for the year of 1935 is herewith submitted as follows:
ZONING
The warrant for the March Town Meeting contained eight articles concerning zoning changes. Of this number four were for changes to a business classification, which were not approved by this Board, and three were for changes to a higher classification, which we favored. One article related to non-conforming uses and was in- tended to prevent the rebuilding of non-conforming structures in event of a substantial part being destroyed through fire or other cause. In all cases the recommenda- tion of the Board was upheld by the Town Meeting.
On April 24, 1935 a special Town Meeting was held at which the Planning Board proposed a change in the Zoning By-Law which would prohibit the construction of the large group or block type of dwelling. This change was proposed on account of an attempt to use a large area in the center of the town for such a purpose and the recommendation of this Board was again approved by the Town Meeting.
At a special Town Meeting on October 24, 1935, the Planning Board recommended an extension of the busi- ness zone in a section adjacent to Massachusetts Avenue near Coleman Road as it was felt in this case that it was
378
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
more equitable to the property owners concerned that the zone boundary line should coincide with the property lines rather than arbitrarily divide a number of lots into two classifications. The action of the Board was likewise approved by the Town Meeting.
PROJECTS
As a result in the change in the E. R. A. organization no further studies were made by personnel working under the supervision of the Planning Board but the Board has continued to submit outlines of other desirable town projects for study, the cost to be borne by the various Federal work organizations. Several of these projects have been combined with other projects of the town and at the present time one of these projects, namely, an extension of Wellington Street, is being actively studied. A list of some of the proposed work submitted is as fol- lows:
Alewife Brook Parkway and Park Boule- vard. Swimming Pool on Mystic River near the foot of Park and Beacon Streets.
Replanting of Trees, Menotomy Rocks Park.
Tree replacement as above.
Control and improvement of Mill Brook. Trading Center at Mass. Avenue and Brattle Street. Work as developed under the above study. Grade crossing Arlington Center.
CAMBRIDGE-CONCORD HIGHWAY
This highway has now been in operation for a suffi- cient period to indicate that it is giving a substantial degree of relief to Massachusetts Avenue in the matter of through traffic. The bill sponsored by the regional
379
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
planning committee as referred to in our 1934 report did not, most unfortunately, become a law. This Board proposes, however, to continue to watch as carefully as possible all undesirable encroachments on this highway in Arlington and will continue its efforts towards keeping this a through highway as free as possible from a multi- plicity of intersecting or entering streets of a purely local character.
BOSTON-LOWELL TURNPIKE
The passing of a bill providing for the construction of a four lane highway from Lowell to Arlington was op- posed by this Board insofar as terminating this road at the junction of Lowell Street and Massachusetts Avenue is concerned. The Planning Board feels that all the bene- fit derived from the Concord highway would be lost if the through traffic from this new road to Lowell is di- rected through the entire length of Arlington by way of Massachusetts Avenue. In conjunction with the Joint Board conferences have been held with the sponsors of this bill and with the representatives of the State De- partment of Public Works and it is hoped that a plan can be worked out and approved by the State which will divert this traffic from the center of Arlington. The Planning Board is of the opinion that a route can be worked out which will ultimately benefit Arlington and also provide a layout as satisfactory as that proposed for any other portion of this road if the cooperation of all concerned can be secured and the project is not forced to a conclusion without proper study. It is our feeling that the choice of routes to a certain extent through Arlington and to a very considerable degree from Arlington to Boston is dependent upon the termination decided upon in Boston. While the bill for this road was passed in the early part of the summer of 1935, no appropriation to cover its cost has been made and therefore its status is somewhat indeterminate at this time.
380
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
PERSONNEL
On account of the pressure of personal business Chairman Lester W. Collins was unable to seek re-election in 1935. Mr. Collins since his connection with the Board has given most generously of his time and his help and good judgment have been of the greatest assistance to the Board. The organization was further changed by the expiration of the term of office of Mrs. Carolyn B. Reed. Mrs. Reed has always been deeply interested in the work of the Planning Board and during her years of service has been an inspiration to the other members of the Board. It was also necessary during the year to accept with regret the resignation of Mr. Edward L. Shinn on account of illness. This vacancy was filled at a joint meeting with your Board by the unanimous election of Mr. Serovp Basmajian, who has for some time been interested in town planning work.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.