The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-01-15
TO BEAUTIFY WASHINGTON


CONTINUED from Third Page
rounded by natural meadows and groves
-Not OIL -aed to be cultivated and pro-
5ccJcd rom inundation 20 become IA
charming park. The lake would provide
opportunities for boating such as are
eagerly seized upon where they exist
near other great cities, and the meadows,
besides their landscape beauty, would
provide the best of playing fields. To pro-
tect aud inClose this landscape snd to
Sive points from which it could be adc-
quately commanded. We should propose
TO include the faces and crests OF some
Of the bordering hills an the Washington
side, one of which is already owned by
TIE District Reform School. while large
part Of the marsh land is claimed by the
Government, The total area Of the pro
posed park is lab acres. Of which 555
would be occupied by water"
The proposed boundaries are such as
TO permit the construction Of border
streets and. in fact, coincide for the most
part with the lines of streets already laid
down upon the highway extension plan.
In addition TO the border streets, there
" Ould be a main drive within the park on
each side Of the water. generally near the
boundary. in order TO leave the central
area UnObstructed, and in order to keep
upon highe: ground overlooking the
meadows and the lake. but sometimes
running close along the shore. Second
airy drives and cross connections would
be required IN places, and, of course. d
series Of paths lighthouses. arranged so
as to accommodate skaters in winter
should be important features at the points
where the park is reached by main lines
of transportation and bathing facilities
should be freely provided.
Control OF Water Front.
Provision should be made for the pub
lie control OF the entire water front from
the Government property at the southern
end of the District TO Anacostla Park at
Massachusetts Avenue. Along Tic POtO-
mac from Shepherds Landing 10 GiesbOrO
Point, the shores are nearly level agri-
cultural land 10 or 20 feet above the
river. a margin about zoe feet in width
should here be acquired. with q view TO
the construction OF a road and such other
means Of making the water front avail
able as the development OF the back
country may ultimately require.
ION the Washington side Of the Ana
costa River it is especially important
that the permanent public control Of the
water front should be made a part Of the
channel Improvement and that consist
ent comprehensive project should be
adopted for its treatment in connection
with the improvement Of the western
water front along Washington channel,
recently brought under public control by
the decision Of the courts.
Potomac Park Described.
Potomac Park is a low-Iyiag tract CT
land and water about 72s acres in extent
between Washington Channel and the
Potomac River.
The form and situation OF the land
suggest at once the landscape Of natural
river bottoms suggestion that ca= hard
ly be improved upon as a guide in the de-
velOpment Of the park OF the many types
Of river bottom scenery, the enc which
seems hest adapted 10 the conditions IS
| that OF great open meadows friuged by
trees along the water side and diversified
I by occasional outstanding masses and
single trees serving TO focus the meadow
area into series Of connecting
I compositions without completely OBJ
securing its extent. On account Of the
view Of the water and the sweep of
breezes through the Potomac Valley. the
I pleasartest portion Of the park is bound
to be ne strip along the river side Here
] ma
I paths. running almost continually within
! q long q I'd narrow grove Of tall-stemmed
1 river trees, which viii afford shade with
I QUO seriously obstructing the summer
| breeze, which is said 20 blow here with
more frequency than at any point within
the city TIE central part Of the
area should be kept as simple as possible.
IN mtadows unbroken ty paths and roads.
I except for few cross connections de-
vised 10 III in with such occasional trees
az tbs landscape calls for. while on the
sio@ ioward Washington Channel would
be another nearly continuous mass Of
foliage II sucn treatment is adopted e
VIII be unnecessary to fiji the whole
area Of the park above the level o. the
extreme floods, for if the sides were
raised 10 that level they would serve
as dikes, and their slight elevation above
the central meadow would enhance the
effect O. the landscape. especially q the
inner slopes are made very gradual A
similar treatment in respect 10 the dikes
IS to De seen at Budapest IN the park Of
Margarettea-InseI, in the Danube where
the views from the paths that run along
the dixie are very beautiful both inward
toward the meadow and outward toward
the river.
Not the least advantage Of such an
extremely simple and absolutely informal
landscape for Potomac Park is due 70 it's
position next TO the strongly formal and
elaborate scheme Of the central group. 10
which 81 would serve as a very happy foil
and contrast.
Work should Begin at Once.
"OmiJtlng the northern portion, which
is required for the completion Of the
Mall and its connections, the whole area
Of Potomac Park should al once be care
fully Iai1 out in accordance with the
above general scheme, the proportions
and ferns Of its different open cad plant
ed areas carefully studied, and the lines
and grades Of roads and paths worked out
IN detail in conformity with these masses
and with the necessary approaches 10 the
new Long Bridge and railroad bridge. in