Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-13
BATHING BEACH PLANS
ANNUAL REPORT OF sUPERIN-
TENDENT STEVENS.
improvements Recommended, In
GLIDING the Grading Of the Bottom
Of the Lake.

Superintendent w. x Stevens OF the
bathing beach In his annual report, which
has just been submitted to the Commits
sioners, outlines plan for the thorough
Improvement of the beach. Should the I'm
provements recommended be made 1t is
believed the local bathing resort will be
one of the finest bathing beaches in the
country.
Among other things, Mr. Stevens sug-
gests the proper grading and sanding OF
the bottom Of the lake In order to do
this. he says. it will be necessary to empty
the basin. BY such plan he would ac-
complish several things. He would eradi-
cate the weeds and remove treacherous
ground and changes Of depths likely 10
result in drowning.
Some years ago. before the lake was
open to the public" he says. "a swimmer
became entangled in the matted weeds and
source of danger to the venturesome. and
they greatly restrict the free use of the
swimming lake, but they do not render the
water unhealthy for bathing.
"Such weeds grow in all the shallow
waters Of the Potomac, and In nearly all
inland waters where there is not strong
current. We have experimental with
rakes and with heavy chain. but the
weeds cannot be pulled out in bulk"
Mr.. Stevens estimates that his plan OF
sanding the bottom of the lake will require
not more than 500 annually to keep 1t
clear of weeds
Guards Against Drowning.
In order to provide against the drowning
of persons who suddenly find themselves
beyond their depth, he would have the
bottom of the lake made like great play
ground and as even as a floor. Then the
water may be held at one depth" he says.
ut will be deep enough to swim in and
yet not so deep but that the learner or
those engaged in romping. invigorating
sports may at any time stand on the Dot
tom with head and shoulders out OF wa
ter"
He would have deep water alongside the
more shallow water. but separated there
from by a wharf over which any person
must climb to get into deep water.
"Our swimming lake would permit a
straight swimming course of 200 yards,
and long distance swimmers might repeat
this eighth of a mile as many times as
easy reach of the lifeguards, and the con-
testants would always be directly in view
of the specta tors so that even mile race
might be made interesting from beginning
to end
Mr.. Stevens also recommends that the
bath houses be rebuilt on a lighter, more
airy and economical plan. with the switch
board locking system With reference to
this feature of the beach the superntend-
ent says:
Lack Of Dressing Rooms.
1.-THE best people who patroniZe the beach
have complained of the small number of
dressing rooms and lockers for clothing.
and of the bad odor of the premises. On
hot days the dressing stalls and aisles are
so filled that there is hardly elbow room,
and privacy is impossible. AT such times
the lockers are wadded with clothing. and
as the most crowded days are Sundays,
when people are at leisure and in their
good Clothes the close atmosphere of the
great dark dressing house, saturated with
malodorous moisture from the wringing Of
some bathing suits, and punctuated with
profanity from some of the disguised
patrons does not inspire happy express
sions of sentiment toward those who made
such provisions for public comfort"
During the past year the beach was
opened eighty-nine days. The first days
attendance was 74o and on ten days during
the season there were more than LOCO per-
sons at the beach daily. On Sunday. June
% the largest crowd swarmed in the water.
there being 2010 on the register. That was
the largest attendance In the history of the
beach For the season the attendance was
J21 women. 80. 4O6 white males and 5,IO9
coIored The amount received for the rent
al of bathing suits was $598-3O. There
we're no drownings but the Hfeguards made
twenty-eight reScueS.