The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-07-10
The PROPOSED PARK PLAN.
A Report Soon Expected From the
Commission Now Abroad.

Public Reservations May BE Con-
nccted by Il System Of Magnificent
Drivcwuys-Thc National Capital
to He blade Much More Beautiful
The Commission on the Improvement Of
the Park System of the District of Co
lumHia which has been abroad for some
time studying the continental system OF
parks and obtaining data to be used IN
the improvements contemplated 10y Con
gTess in the parking system OF the Ma
tionaI Capital Is expected to return to
this country within three or four weeks
The Commission includes Daniel II
Burnham. Frederick Law OImsted-
Charles F McEim, and Charles Moore
The members have been investigating the
parks of Europe, and viii present report
OF its observations to Congress. Changes
of considerable Importance viii be made
on the many public reservations Of the
District of Columbia in which the best
features OF the European parks viii prob
ably be followed The report viii net at
tempt to cover all the systems IN Europe
and viii dis russ the park question only
so far as there is bearing upon the stu
ton here.
1t is probable that within the next few
years great strides viii be made in the
matter Of beautifying Washington Every
country in Europe, whose cities are famed
for their artistIcaHy laid out parks and
| weII-kept lawns. VIII be taken as model,
and the result il is said VIII be the Gre
! alton of a system Of parks at the Ma
| tfonal Capital far superior 10 that OF any
Of the continental capitals
The main feature which VIII no doubt
he taken in of
ments, viii be the connection by hand
some boUlevards or drivcways. OF all Of
the great public reservations scattered
over the District. making q continuous
series Of handsome parks. Joined 10y ar
tistic approaches.
Great care viii De given % the cues
( ton of arranging these connecting drive
ways said J G. LaugJgn, assistant to
the Park Improvement Commission. this
morning They VIII be laid out, If at
all. with proper regard TO the future
growth of the city They VIII be made
so that residences may appear along the
route TO the best advantage. and the mat
! ter OF street car transportation viii also
be taken into consideration.
According to Mr.. LaEgfon. Washington
/ is much better off than the great majority
/ Of cities in the matter OF public parks
/ compare in this respect with either Lon
/ don or Paris yet but the experts believe
that there are possibilities here for the
/ establishment Of . system Of parks OF
which Americans need not be ashamed
! when they travel abroad and see the fine
/ public gardens of the continental coun-
| tres. Mr.. Langdon explained that France,
/ at the time of the Revolution, took pos
| session Of the estates of the mobiles lying
in the vicinity of Paris These were the
| handsomest estates in the world They
| were already magnificentIy laid out, and
in excellent condition. They were crowd
cd with old trees, and stocked with game.
/ They made the finest public parks in
tie world
| London, also, has many beautiful pub
lie reservations The committee on parks
Is now there studying this system
the PARK reservations OF Washington
| said Mr. I1augdOn, are numerous. and
! they are capable OF being made much
! more beautiful than they are now. They
| are conveniently located Mr. LauSdon
( shows the enthusiasm OF an artist when
he speaks of the parks Of Washington He
is deVOting all OF Ms time to the details
Of Identification, which may however, be
rejected by the committee should more
deSiTa bic ideas be obtained abroad
The reservations which will be impTOV-
ed. and which, il Is expected, viii, with
IN course Of a few years be connected
by handsome dTiveways, include the Mail,
the reclaimed fats opposite the Wash
ington Barracks, now IN an unimprOved
condition. Rock Creek Park. one Of the
most magnificent natural reservations IN
the world. the Soldiers Home TsSeTva-
ton and many others. making a complete
extending as far south as the Government
magazine reservation on the Potomac