Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-15
GARFIELD PARK PLAYGROUND
An Argument Against Such Use Of
the Reservation.

IAC XACSOA VdJAOA.
To the Editor Of The Star:
l desire TO make reply to the article in
Star written by Joseph B.
Hart, jr. Mr.. Harris remarks would
show to the casual reader that obejection
is being made to the use of Garfield Park
as a playground for children. This is
not the case. The park has always been
freely used as playground. with only
such restrictions as tend to preserve the
grass and trees. The protest of the peo-
pie Immediately contiguous TO the park is
against Its use as a public playground
with apparatus, thus calling there grea,
number OF young people and resulting of
necessity in the destruction of the peace
and auietness so desirable in a place
primarily intended for rest and recrea ton.
Mr. Hart states that there is plenty OF
room in the park for public playground
and for people to rest also If the ideas
of the manager of the Fairgrounds are to
be carried out as expressed by him. and
three acres of the park used to accom-
modate 600 children there will be very
little space left for recreation Of rest
full nature. The fact appears to be that
the public Fairgrounds commission being
for the moment men and women of "One
Idea seeing only the fad OF the time
being. have determined to take advantage
of the growth of years of grass and trees
and to fasten upon the parks of the city
for public Fairgrounds simply because
there they find the most favorable condi-
tons. and have taken Garfield Park as
sort of entering wedge. or course, it
will prove a success from the Fairgrounds
standpoint-at the expense of all rational
and restful recreation.
iC hlt obi
clamoring for public Fairgrounds. They
are, to be sure. attracted by the novelty
of merry-go-rounds, swings and ap-
paratus which allows them to climb to
the top OF nfteen feet high poles and lad
ders. but II left to themselves they would
be perfectly contented with trees and
green grass and the privilege of playing
with each other all those old games
familiar to our childhood and for which
gymnastic apparatus is not necessary.
And for Washington. at least for the
eastern section. public Fairgrounds are
not prime necessity. The children can
and do play in the parks and spaces and
on the street. fes-on the streets which
are quiet and with far less danger to life
and limb than on the Fairgrounds at Car
field Park as at present conducted An
accident on Capitol Hill to children in the
streets from vehicles is a rare occurrence
Already at the Fairgrounds in Garfield
Park we have a broken leg, and | am
informed creditably q broken arm also.
Reservations IL and IT, or the part of
reservation IL west Of LIST street, offer an
abundance of space. But no. the play-
grounds commission must have grass and
trees-and shade-let them. them take I'M
improved land and plant trees" thus OBJ
tanning trees and grass and shade after
many years. as we have done. who bought
homes around Garfield Park because Il
was a park. and with no rremonition that
it would ever become u public playground
Garfield Park has been indeed the prey
of the spoiler. Within six years. first
one-half the park between st and I'd
streets was given 10 the railroad. Virginia
avenue and I'd street extended through.
and the railroad nuisance thus thrust
upon and our heirs forever. Then the
large square Of the park between LIST street
and South Capital was seized by Congress
for an electric powerhouse. Now 1t is pro-
posed to give up the park for a public
playground. The citizens near. who love
the park and wish to use 1t for rest and
recreation in it's best sense. have protested
to the superintendent of buildings and
grounds. through the East Washington
Citizens Association, and to the play
grounds commission itself" May their
efforts in favor of sane and hoalthful
methods in the of our parks and
spaces be successful.
LEONARD A. MERRITT