FOREST PARK
Mr. Editor:
In the year 1882, the Denison Town company, of which Col. Stevens was the head and principal stockholder, donated to the city of Denison the beautiful plot of ground known as Forest Park.  The grant was made upon the express condition that said piece of land be used for a public park, and no other purpose, and to be maintained and kept in repair by the city.  It was further provided in the instrument of donation that if the city shall fail to comply with the above conditions, the grant should thereupon cease and determine, and all the right, title and interest of the city in and to the premises shall cease.
Has the city of Denison complied with the conditions imposed upon it by the grant?  If not its title has been forfeited, or at least become subject to be annulled by proper legal proceedings.
A reasonable construction of the grant imposes upon the city the duty of enclosing the ground and making such improvements thereon as will make it a suitable place for the people to generally resort for exercise, or amusement , and of maintaining it in such condition for the public benefit.  What are the facts in this case? The large gates to the main entrance to the park have rotted down and wagons of all descriptions pass over the grounds at will; stray stock may at all times enter and trespass without disturbance.  There is not a safe or decent seat in the park  or other convenience for the ease and comfort of visitors.  The rain fall for many years has washed out gullies, leaving the roots of trees exposed, causing the trees to decay and die.
Will anyone say that these conditions remaining for years are consistent with the city’s title to the property?
Does anyone suppose that Col. Stevens, broad-minded and liberal hearted as he was, would have made this magnificent donation to the city if he could have foreseen its present dilapidated and forlorn condition?
It is extremely doubtful if the city can maintain its title to the property in its present condition; common prudence therefore dictates that immediate steps be taken toward placing upon the grounds the necessary and proper repairs and improvements.
If something is not done in the way of improving Forest Park soon, Denison need not be surprised to find itself in litigation over its title with a fine prospect of losing it.
But if there was not the least danger to the title, still the improvements ought to be made.  Self-interest demands it.  The people of Denison can not afford to allow this tract of land freely donated to them and so admirably adapted to contribute to their pleasure, to remain in its present unsightly condition – a standing advertisement of want of good taste, of public enterprise and thrift, and a blot upon the reputation of their city.
No better investment of a reasonable amount of money by the city of Denison could be made than that of improving Forest Park.
CITIZEN

During 1911 an addition of the Forest Park Zoo was built.