MOLINE PARKS
Until 1900 a small tract in front of the old city ball was Moline's only municipal park. Now six lar ge tracts located in the different sections of the city are rapidly being developed into an elaborate park system. For a number of these sites thanks are due some of the city's progressive and generous citizens. G. A. Stephens donated a splendid tract for the use of the city as a memorial of his father. and the park on this site has been named Stephens' Park. in honor of the latter. The late John T. Browning bequeathed to the city a tract of land "to be ever held as a children's playground and for athletic purposes
During the Christmas season of 1912. the late Mrs. C. H. Deere and her daughter, Mrs. William Butterworth, presented to the city a tract of land for park purposes which will greatly aid in the realization of the dream of the "city beautiful," and which was thankfully accepted by the city commissioners on December 23, 1912.
These parks are so situated in regard to the north, east, south and west sections of the city that the people of all districts have convenient access to recreation centers. Well paved streets lead to most of them, and each year they will attain added beauty, as the trees gain in age and growth, and flowers and shrubbery increase.
In 1912 the sum of $14,000 was ex pended in the improvement, extension and care of the park system, and an equal sum at least will probably be used during the current year. Following is the acreage contained in the various parks which add so greatly to the desirability of the city as a place of residence and to the pleasure of the visitors as well: Riverside Park, fifty-seven acres; Prospect Park, thirty- two acres; Stephens Park, twenty-two acres; Deere Park, thirteen and one-half acres ; Browning Park, nine acres; Sylvan Park, seven acres Observation Park, one acre.
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