The times., 1897-07-10
ASK FOR A BREATHING SPOT
Columbia Heights Citizens Peti-
ton for a Public Park.
CALL ON THE COMMISSIONERS
Purchase of Plat of Ground Urged
In a Communication Signed by
Leading Citizens Commissioner
Blacks Views on the Proposition.
Favorable Considera ton Promised

A committee of the Columbia Heights
Ciuzens' Association had hearing before
the Commissioners yesterday for tie pur-
pose of advocating the establishment of u
public park at the intersection OF Four
teenth street and Columbia road.
DR.. Gibbs, the chairman, laid before the
board petition which he said had been
signed by nearly all the citizens inter
ested, reading as follows:
"To the Commissioners: The attention
of your honorable board Is called to the
great need OF one or more parks II q new
district, on the north side OF the city. A
particularly desirable location for such
breathing space is at the intersection OF
Fourteenth street ana Columbia road.
'Itis apparent that a widespread shift OF
population is taking place in Washin g ton
from the lower levels TO th2se heights,
particularly Columbia Heights, similar to
the movement which in recent years has
become an accomplished fact in Cincinnati
and in other cities. In this whole region,
sure TO be densely populated, there is no
ground set aside for public park.
''If the street extension plan goes through
there is a pos sbility tno probability OF
two small circles, the site of one now GOV
cred by new and costly buildings and the
other so remote as to be practically In the
country. Neither of these would meet the
requirements, not being near the point OF
greatest conges tion.
This palpablc and serious defect can
be cured for all time by action now, while
a aft
your petitioners particularly call your at
tcntion to the piece of ground at I he north
west corner OF Fourteenth street and Co.
lunbia road now covered with noble
forest trees which should be condemned for
park purposes.
The proposed extension of Columbia road
leaves a triangle of q little noe than an
acre at this central and conspicuous point.
Either the whole OF tins triangle a square
acre could be set aside for public use
I'VE earnestly and with the greatest
emphasis possible, petition your honorable
body thai the proper Recommendations
in harmony with his petition he made to
Congress on the subject without delay -
The committee consisted of Dr. B. F.
6ihns, chairman; Judge c. s. Bundv, ]. 5.
McCalm0nt and John B. Cotton and NeSs~s.
Campbell NJ. A. Ballinger and NJ. F. O'Don-
oghue.
After remarks relative 20 the subject
had been made by mostof them, Cornnis-
sioner Black said that If the proposed park
could only provide a bathing space and
play ground for older children he would
be heartily In favor fit.
Nv have plentyof parksfor our Infants -
he saiG, but the great mead of our city
in this direction would be play ground for
cur boys between ten and seventeen
Let the new park by all means contain
ball grounds ana tennis courts
The committee were then asked to pre-
pare paper which should state the
distance to tie nearest public park, the as
sessnd value of the property in the vicinity
and the value of the proposed park and
were ass ured that upon its submission it
would receive every consideration.