Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-07
THE LACLEDE APARTMENT HOUSE.

Henderson on Baltimore street between 10th
and 10th streets.
The square bounded by NJ, n. South Capt.
toll and Half streets southeast has had
street cut through and plans are under con-
sideration by Mr. Henry A Willard and
Gen. ]. II. Ketchum for the improvement
of the property by the erection of houses.
The Use Of Parks.
The revolution that has taken place in the
Ideas of the uses of parks in cities finds
good illustration in this city. The fences
which formerly shut in these spaces of
greenery in the midst of city pavements
have disappeared. and even chains no longer
mark the line of separation between the
green sward and the street The signs
keep off the grass are longer seen,
and there Is restriction in placing the
feet upon the cool turf except, of course,
that the grass Is not to be used merely to
save steps in passing through the park. The
children are allowed to play at will under
the trees and the more general use of these
breathing places is very evident to any
one who observes the life that is going on
there day by day.
The Importance of such q change in a
city like Washington may be appreciated
when it Is recalled that these open places,
both large and small. are scattered all
over the city. and SO the opportunities and
the encouragement for outdoor life of
desirable kind have been greatly added to
by this change of policy in the attitude to-
ward public parks
Places of Recreation.
Perhaps the more important step in this
direction was taken a year or so ago when
the lawns south of the White House were
thrown open to the use OF the people to an
extent that seems Incredible to those IA
milIar with the old conditions surrounding
the care Of such spaces in cities. Any pleas
ant afternoon visit to the White Lot, as
this section OF the city is popularity known.
would give abundant evidence OF the newer
uses to which this great expanse of grass
and trees SO near the city's center Is now
put.
There are at times several ball games in
progress there. while groups of people are
seen watching the players or strolling
about over the grass. Across the street
on another part of the grounds the
smaller boys with their scrub base ball
mines having a good time and without fear
of the police interrupting their play,
they accustomed to have them do when
they use the only other available places
the vacant lots about the city.
In other sections of the city there are
grounds set apart as amusement places.
but these are few In number and not at all
well distributed Fairgrounds for the chill
Gren are recognized as needs In the mod
ern life of cities, and organizations OF a
voluntary character have been formed here
well as elsewhere for encouraging the
spread of such facilities. What is being
done here in this direction is not excep-
tional but IL is part OF a movement which
Is very general in this country.
Public Park Movement.
In the early seventies the larger Ameri-
can cities commenced with all OF our char
acteristic energy the building of public
parks. The idea was popular and has
spread rapidly. until today almost every
town of 10000 inhabitants or more boasts
of its park.
frst great advance was the scheme
number of parks connected by