The suburban citizen., 1901-07-13
POOR PARK FACILITIES IN
NORTHEAST WASHINGTON
A Subject Of Vital importance 10 Everyone
Having the Welfare Of Section at Heart

Among the many attractions OF the
National Capital which have made it
the most famous city OF the Union are
its numerous parks, sometimes called
breathing places. Strangers visiting
Washington, no matter from what Sec
ton of the country they come, are loud
in their praise OF the charming reser-
vations set apart by the Government for
the benefit OF the people as well as for
the purpose of adding to the beauty OF
the great political metropolis. And
what a blessing they are during the
warm summer months, when, but for
their friendly shade, their bubbling foun-
tains and their wealth OF many-colored
flowers. multitudes would be compelled
to swelter in their homes, like the thou
sands of scores Of less favored cities.
1t is a fact which cannot be successfully
disputed that the parks OF Washington
have been the means of saving hundreds
Of lives. To the poor who cannot
lock their doors and seek relief in the
country or pay the meagre fare required
for a trip down the famous old Poto-
mac, the parks are a boon of inestima-
bic value. There they may go with
their little ones, sick and weary with
the breeding heat of the day, and
find comfort and rest upon which no
price has been fixed. 1t is creditable to
the Government that it has made such
provision for the pleasure OF the people,
And it is a good thing that among our
national lawmakers there is a strong
feeling OF pride in this matchless Ameri-
can city and a desire to make it the
most beautiful capital of the world
Charming as the city is, however
there is still abundant room for i'm
provement. 1t is to be regretted that
the sections have not been dealt with
upon equal terms. The northwest, for
example, has been favored by the ex-
penditure OF thousands of dollars in
the matter OF park Improvements, while
the northeast, naturally more attract
i've section OF the city, is able to point
to but one park--that lying between
Fourth and Sixth streets and and ID,
and known as Stanton Park II is here
that the monument to General Greene
stands. This is the only breathing
place in the northeast portion OF the
city, if the half of Lincoln Park lying in
that quarter be excepted. 1t is a de-
lightful place but on account OF its size
and the fact that it is the only park in
the northeast is wholly inadequate to
the wants of the people.
In view OF these facts there should be
another park, and it should be so To-
Gated as to afford comfort to the largest
number of men, women and babies
especially the latter, who are the great
est sufferers from the heated spells
which annually visit Washington, and
scores OF whom die because they are
deprived of the out-of-door comforts
provided by Congress for their cooling
contemporaries in other parts OF the
city. Public attention has several times
been called to the necessity for addi-
tional park Improvements in the north
east, and a year or so ago Congress
was asked to take the matter in hand,
but failed to do it. Hence, thousands
OF people who live between Twelfth and
Fifteenth streets have this year been de-
prived OF privileges to which they are
clearly entitled
There seems to be but one place in
which a new park could be opened in
the northeast section so as to afford
the comfort required by the people and
at the same time add to the beauty OF
much-neglected portion of the capital.
On the fine piece OF ground which was
once known as Graceland Cemetery
splendid park could be opened at small
expense. But little, if any, grading
would be required to make this tract, or
portion OF it, one OF the prettiest res
ervations in Washington. Handsome