Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-07-16

cAleHOS through II 10 lHSHldNy ydIQ. Inc
adjoining streets are uheaved. no side
walks have been laid. Hnd the streets
bounding the reservation are not curbed
on the reservation side.fe In the western
small ravine and finds It's outlet in an
fmprovised opening in aSstreet sewer. 1t
will require about 3.oo9. ,yeubic yards Of
earth to MI this ravine aaf bring the reser-
1T is proposed to lay sidewalks on the
east. west and south bootndaries; to con-
struct gravel walks. lay oYt lawn plots and
SOW with grass seed; to- introduce water.
and cutters; to plant with suitable trees,
shrubs and flowers. and tbsplace eight park
lamps in position Five Thousand dollars
Is requested to commemorate work.
Howard University Park.
'2 Reservation No. ~ Howard University
Park.-This reservation covers an area of
nearly twelve acres. 1t Is located south of
the Howard University betwe IN 4th and 9th
streets. Its Improvement, has been urged
from time to time by prominent citizens,
and plan for its ornamantation is sub
mltted at an estimated cost of $4,000,
The reservation Is covered with a native
forest growth of large oak trees. The
major portion of the ground is a little be-
low grade Of the surrounding streets, but
Is not wet except at the southeast corner
OF the park. where apparently there are
springs. The ground generally slopes to-
ward the south and east, and admits of
easy surface drainage.
The reservation is admirably located for
public park, for pleasure grounds. games,
picnlcs. etc, and for other assemblagas of
our people. being within a few squares of
the terminal sections of four of our city
and suburban street railroad lines, by
which any part of Washington and Its
chief outlying suburban villages can be
reached from the park In comparatively
short period of time
lc holt hat t1o
projected were made. this park would soon
become a popular place Of resort and re-
lleVe the city parks proper. which should
receive q higher grade OF Improvement.
with this object in view 1t is designed
to preserve as fully as may be practicable
the present native forest growth of oaks,
which furnish an abundant shade, and to
form additional paintings OF other varieties
of ornamental trees and shrubs, bounding
the park on all sides. 80 that there may be
many shaded walks and drives In the sum-
rner and autumn. opening out INTO sunny
glades In the more central portions Of the
grounds. 1t Is proposed to construct gravel
walks and roads only; to make but few
changes in the present surface grades, ter
racing the northwest section. where the
greatest difference Of level exists between
the street and park grades; to introduce
water for drinking fountains. closets and
irrigation. and to construct sucn drains to
street sewers as are necessary 10 properly
drain the lower portions OF tn" grounds
which claims control of all streets from
building line to building line. to construct
sidewalks around the reservation. The
park will be lighted by electric lamps. Five
thousand dollars is suggested with which
to commence the work.
New Ham pshfre Avenue and NJ Street.
Preservation No. 14O-This reservation is
located at the intersection Of New Hamp-
shire avenue and NJ street northwest, and
FREQ Ma for tic
Improvement by residents of the vicinity.
1t is in a section Of the city which has
been greatly improved in recent years, and
Is generally occupied by private residences.
The reservation covers ~ area of about
1000 square feet. 1t is PROPOSED to grade
1t. lay out lawns and flower beds, plant
shrubbery and construct asphalt walks, at
a total cost of $1,000 ~;
There are still 1SS Of .;lese li::le spaces
un!mproved throughout tie city, and If the
general appropria ton for various reserva-
lions could be increased to SIS, 900 annually
they could be gradually transformed into
exquisite little parklets and add greatly to
the beauty of our capital city.
Children's Plnygroundx.
BY the act of Congress approved Au-
gust 80. 1880, the officer in charge Of pub
lie grounds was authorized to set aside a
portion of the public grounds for a chill
dren's playground. under regulations to be
prescribed by him. The southern portion
| of the Monument Park was at once set
aside for this purpose. but no regula lions
were prescribed, as there were no means of
carrying them out, no watchmen or police
men having been authorized, nd the serv-
Ice OF the one Waterman on duty at the
monument being needed there to protect
the structure from acts Of vandalism.
Just complaints were received that the
lawns were being destroyed. trees injured,
and that the children's playground was
overrun by vicious and improper persons
! This office has been requested TO take
action to relieve the grounds of such char
acters. and has been obliged to call on
| the District police for assistance.
ITO protect the improved grounds as far
as possible and to prevent serious annoy
ance to those enjoying the beauty Of the
| park. the playground was transferred in
the autumn of 1893 to the site between B
street and the main drive north of the
monument. This plot of ground covers an
area Of about eight acres. and is occupied
nearly all the time by men and boys play
| Ing foot ball or base ball
BY the act Of Congress approved March
z. 1873. the officer in charge of public
buildings and grounds was directed to au-
| thorize the use of portion Of the grounds
within the ellipse south Of the Executive
Mansion for children's playground. under
regulations to be prescribed by him.
Notice was given through the public
press that children applying would be au-
thorized to play lawn tennis, croauet,
cricket and kindred games The only re-
Quirements were that the children should
be recommended by any reputable citizen
ana would agree to exercise the common
rules or courtesy. which would govern
them in private park
But two requests were received for this
privilege; both were promptly granted, but
| IN neither instance was advantage taken
of the permit.
Several applications from young men to
play foot ball and base ball in the reser-
vat1ons were received, but 1t was not be-
lieved that 1t was intended under the law
that the lawns Of the ellipse or other parks
should be used for these purposes.
1T was anticipated that during the COM
ing fiscal year the reservation at the in
tersectlon Of Georgia and Virginia avenues
which covers an area of about two acres,
and which was turned over last summer
| for use as playground for children, woull
be fenced In, water introduced and trees
planted Unfortunately no funds have been
provided for this purpose. These play
grounds should be set aside In various
parts of the city for the use of children
not to be monopolized by grown persons or
half-grown youths, nor to be used for
games prohibited under the police regula-
lions of the District
Howard University Park, either highly
improved or In its present condition, could
we'll be selected for this purpose and
many Of the smaller reservations through
| out the city which have not been highly
improved could be set aside for playing