In his 1901 report, Commissioner Towles mentioned the “Good Improvement Committee”. This had started as a project of Lucy Barret, working through the Century Club (after 1900 it became the New Century Club). In 1903 they were able to persuade the city officials to set aside the river bank between Third and Fourt Streets as a park. On August 28, 1903. it was appropriately dedicated with Huhlein’s Band to furnish music and Judge Givens to give the dedicatory address. In part, he said:
“One thing I desire to say and I know it will be agreed to, is that until this now lovely little spot of ground was cleaned off there was not a foot of river front to which any reputable citizen would have been willing to invite his family or visitors in the daytime, much less after nightfall, to take a view of the grand river. The front has caused a blush of shame to come to the cheek of our citizens, but now, no one passes along without taking a look and feeling proud of the great improvement that has been worked in the last few months. It is destined soon to become a most popular resort and certainly one of the most (it not the most) beautiful spots of ground to be seen on the Ohio, on either shore, from Pittsburgh to the mouth, and it has all been brought about at an expense that is astonishing; a cost so moderate that even the most faultrinding is left no excuse for complaint. From first to last, this park has not cost exceeding $140 all told.”
Refreshments were served at 15¢ for homemade ice cream and cake; all proceeds to go to improvement of the park. The ladies suggested that all the river front from Fourth Street to Atkinson Park be set aside as “Givens Park” but this failed to materialize.
The committee in charge of the dedication were: Miss S.S. Towles, Mrs. R.H. Cunningham, Mrs. E.L. Starling, Mrs. John W. Lockett, Mrs. W.S. Johnson and Mrs. N. Powell Taylor. The official name is still “Lucy Barrett Park” although its popular name is “Sunset Park”
