From the Richmond Dispatch, 7/16/1874, p. 1, c. 3

Chimborazo as a Public Park.

Editors of the Dispatch: I was pleased to see from the late meeting of the Board of Aldermen that the subject of public parks has been referred to a committee to be hereafter reported on. But of the many places in our city suitable for a park I know of none which has so many advantages as Chimborazo Hill. It is in the eastern portion of the city, on a high level plateau, overlooking a large portion of the city, and commanding a beautiful view of our noble river and highly cultivated farms for several miles. Besides, it can be visited in the afternoon without our faces coming in contact with the hot sun. It contains about twenty acres, and could be bought or condemned for a sum not exceeding, probably $1,000 per acre on an average. If the Council should decide not to improve the three acres in Marshall Ward originally purchased for a park, the same could, it is believed, be sold for a sum sufficient to acquire title to the twenty acres on Chimborazo Hill. The small amount of filling on Broad and Thirty-first streets over Bloody Run gully, recently ordered by the Council to be done, would give a beautiful access to this lovely spot. Besides, the location of it for a public park would greatly enhance the value of all the surrounding property, the additional taxes on which would soon be equal to the interest on the investment.

The writer has no pecuniary interest in the matter, but is governed solely by what he regards the best interests of his native city.

MONROE WARD.

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