Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-15
PARK IN THE WEST END
GEORGETOWN CITIZENS APPEAL
TO COMMISSIONERS.
Petition to Have Old Cemetery Con-
demned and Ground Converted
Into Place of Recreation.

The Commissioners today granted hear
ing to a committee of the Georgetown Cit
liens Association on the subject of park
facilities in West Washington. The COM
mittee consisted of Messrs. Smith Thomp-
son, jr. chairman, Albion K. Paris and
Zed Hetzel Copp. In opening Mr.. Thomp-
son presented the Commissioners with
formal communication setting forth the
purpose of the citizens in appointing the
committee and requesting the hearing. He
said the committe is preparing a petition,
which will have more than 1000 signatures
asking that the Commissioners recommend
to Congress the purchase by condemnation
of the square bounded by 33d, Bath, Q and
r streets, the old Presbyterian burying
ground. for use as public park.
Mr.. Thompson said the proposed park
would be in locality where a park Is
badly needed. The people surrounding 1t
live in close quarters and have few oppor-
tunities to leave their homes in the sum
mer to seek the cooling breezes OF healtn
resorts. He then read the formal letter OF
the committee, which Is as follows:
ION the 9th day of April. 1903, at regu.
lar meeting of the Georgetown Citizens:
Association resolutions We're unanimously
passed requiring that committee OF tnree
be appointed to look into the adv1sablnty
and feasibility of requesting the Commls-
sioners to urge Congress to condemn the
square bounded by SD. Bath. and n
streets, occupied as the Presbyterian grave
ward and convert same into a public park
for the benefit of the citizens Of George
town Also that the honorable Commission
ers of the District of Columbia De respect.
fully requested to allow the citizens OF
Georgetown the use OF the western 11isi,
School grounds for the use of children and
nurses, and supply settees and proper po-
lice protection.
Committee Appointed.
Pursuant to these resolutions, the presi-
dent of the association. Mr.. B. T. Janney,
appointed the committee to further and
endeayor to have carried into effect their
objects and purposes. In respect to the
first resolution, we respectfully request, on
behalf of the citizens residing west of Rock
creek, that your honorable body will recon-
mend to Congress, in your coming esu-
mates, the purchase by condemnation OF
square No. 1918, bounded by SD, 3ith' =!
and r streets northwest, known as the OLD
West Street Presbyterian Church ceme-
terry tc be used for a public park.
THE greater part of this square has been
abandoned for burial sites by the cemetery,
and it is now being used for all kinds or
unlawful purposes, which makes it menace
both to health and to the welfare of the
community generally. To rid this section
of the city of such an Objectionable feature
and nuisance would in itself be sufficient
to justify the granting of the request of
the citizens. but when it Is brought to
mind that this section of the city has no
park or public reservation. and the nearest
approach to it is Washington Circle, 1t will
at once be seen that they are entitled to
such an Improvement.
Georgetown Section Overlooked.
"All other sections Of the city proper
east Of Rock creek are literally provided
with parks. which children nurses and the
public generally can frequent for the pur-
pose of recreation and the enjoyment Of
the beauties and benefits which nature af-
fords. but this section, apparently, has al
ways been forgotten in the distribution and
allotment of such necessary improvements.
Pending the ultimate acquisition Of the
said square for a public park, the second
resolution has reference to the use Of. the
grounds of the Western High School on
32d street We would respectfully request
that this privilege be accorded the citizens
in this section. which could be done at
very small cost for benches and proper
police protection"
The spokesman Of the committee dwelt
at some length upon the need of a park in
Georgetown. There are at present no such
facilities in that section of the city. He
said the old reservoir site, at 32d and U
streets, had once been used but did not
prove successful. on account of the steep
grades and the lack Of proper police pro-
lection.
Coming to the question OF the use of the
grounds of the Western High School as
public park, Mr.. Thompson said the people
realized it would be some time before the
proposed park on the old cemetery plot
could be secured, and they were anxious to
be granted the use Of the school grounds
in the meantime. He thought for 500
benches could be bought and placed in po-
sition. This, he explained would be the
only expense connected with the granting
of so great boon to the people.
X wi ka off
emphasized the desire of the people to use
the school grounds. He said that if the
Commissioners had no funds with which to
purchase the benches the citizens would
spend the money personally rather than be
denied the privilege of using the public
space. He also declared that if the Com
missfoners could not detail policeman in
the vicinity to maintain supervision over
the park the citizens would go so far as to
employ a special officer If that were con-
sidered necessary by the authority before
the desired permission could be granted.
Commissioner Macfarland explained the
desire of the Commissioners to cooperate
with the citizens of all sections to increase
the park facilities. He said, however it
was matter with which Congress alone
could deal. The Commissioners will con-
suit with the board of education as to
granting the use of the Western High
School grounds and will try to find some
sum from which the money can be drawn
for the benches If they cannot do this,
however, they will call upon the citizens to
provide the settees. 1t is highly probable
that some arrangement looking to the use
of the school grounds will be made, pro-
la1 tno hno I'd nfo f0v1 10 nt ola