1914-04-22-sr-p5-old-lapray-bridge-part-of-down-river-drive
April 22, 1914 Spokesman-Review Page 5:
RIVER DRIVE IS NEARLY COMPLETE
Downriver Park Will Be Connected With the General System of the City.
IT OFFERS A FINE VIEW
Artificial Island at Old Lapray Bridge Site Will Be Fine Fishing Place.
A water level drive that eventually will connect the Downriver park with the general city park system and come out through Natatorium park is under construction and is fast nearing completion. Much of this drive was graded last fall by park workmen under the Supervision of John W. Duncan, Superintendent. The work has been resumed this spring and good headway is being made.
The drive around the bend in the river northeast of the military reservation on the opposite side of the river traverses the area recently donated to the city by J. D. Farrell in behalf of the O.-W. R. & N. company. It will be an important link in the drives, especially when the low bridge is completed from Downriver park to the reservation. A bridge is being erected over a gulch in the park.
Paradise for Fishermen.
The two piers of the low-level bridge, on which the old Lapray bridge will rest, have been completed, but the sudden rise of the river has made further work impossible at present, The central pier, not yet erected, will rest on a huge stone pile in the midstream part of a former structure. This island will be landscaped and fishermen claim it will make one of the finest trout fishing spots in the entire river. All the timbers of the Lapray bridge have been moved to the new site with the exception of four loads.
Outdoor rustic stone fireplaces have been erected in this park and in other of the the natural parks. These are for the accommodation of picnic parties, Fires can be kindled in them without danger of setting the scenery on fire, They will be made a feature of the outlying parks.
Drive Is Nearly Completed.
The high drive along the Hangman creek canyon is also fast nearing completion and already it is possible to motor over almost its entire length from the end of Grand boulevard around to around to Cedar street.
Grading is now under way. Much of this was done last fall, A small portion yet to be acquired is in process of condemnation. The drive is one of the best from a scenic standpoint of any of the park drives, skirting the edge of the bluff the entire distance.
