One of the earliest descriptions of the park was made in The Daily Dispatch, a local Richmond newspaper, covering the maiden round-trip voyage of the steamer The City of Richmond between Richmond and Norfolk on August 27, 1880. The ongoing construction of the park was referenced as changing it from an eyesore to a thing of beauty - to be a joy forever, in particular for those who approach Richmond by water. From its prominence - towering high above all other hills - it deserves to be handsomely improved. First appearances are everything with the traveler. If he is disgusted with a city upon entering it, afterwards it is difficult to make him see any good in it. The newspaper proclaimed that once the plans for Chimborazo Park, as well as Libby Hill Park, are carried out in full, Richmond will present to the stranger who enters her gates by James River a face of unusual charms.