Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-29
PARK IS IMPROVED
Potomac Grounds Never Have
Looked More Attractive.
MANY LIGHTS ARE ADDED
Eighteen Hundred japanese Cherry
Trees Set Out.
GIFT OF MAYOR OF TOXIC
Great Care Taken to Preserve Them.
Appropriations Are About
Exhausted.
MANY LIGHTS ARE ADDED
GIFT OF MAYOR OF TOXIC

Potomac. Park never looked morn Mt.
tractfve than It does at present. Col.
Cosby, the engineer officer in charge Of
public buildings and grounds, and his
efficient assistants are taking full adj
vantage Of the opportunities afforded by
the pleasing combination Of river and
lake and lawns, forests and gardens for
the artistic development Of the natural
beauty Of the surroundings Improve
ments made this spring have been main
~ confined to the planting Of trees where
they will do the most good, and increas-
ing and improving the illumination Of the
park, SO as to make it more available to
the public after the sun goes down.
All the old arc lamps and gas lights
along the various walks and driveways
have been supplanted with incandescent
lamps similar in pattern to those re-
Gently erected along Pennsylvania ave-
nue. in front Of the White House. These
posts and globes harmonic with the
surroundings and provide abundant IL
Elimination for the persons who appre-
ciate drive or stroll through the park
and along the river front in the cool Of
the evening. Instead Of being dark and
gloomy at night, the park is now bright
and attractive.
Cherry Trees Planted.
Another Improvement made this spring
is the planting of about 1900 Japanese
Towering cherry trees donated to the gov
eminent by the mayor of Toxic. These
trees have been systematically planted
on the banks of the tidal basin, and sur
round it on all sides. Eventually that
beautiful sheet Of water will have q con-
tinuous fringe of green bedecked with
nf WY a n no
season advances. The trees just received
from Japan. although vigorous. are very
young, and are not expected to blossom in
all their beauty for at least two years.
guarded, and are expected to flourish in
their new setting. About 200 more Of
these trees are in reserve at the govern
ment nurseries, and will be utilized in
case Of damage or decay to those already
planted.
It is stated at Col. Cosby's ofice that
current appropriations available for Poto-
mac Park are about exhausted, and that
no additional work of any importance is
projected before July l next, when next
years appropriations become available.
Plans for Peninsula.
Estimates have been submitted to Con-
gress by Col. Cosby for beginning the
improvement Of the Potomac peninsula,
De1ng that SeCttOn OF the reclaimed area
east Of the Pennsylvania railroad en-
bankment.
While we would like to have the whole
peninsula improved said Col. Cosby.
I'VE will be satisfied with an appropria-
ton that will enable US to make the
minor changes first. We plan to build
roadway around the edge Of the penin-
sula and plant new trees and save the
old ones in the center. The roadway will
be for all vehicles and the center will be
recreation park for the citizens of
Washington. This work will be the first
considered.
1.-THE section east of the railway en-
bankment already has been improved by
the river and harbor workers, and it
will not require a great expenditure to
defray the cost Of further improvements.
We will make the peninsula as beautiful
as the appropriation allows.
After such improvements as are vital
to the welfare OF the residents Of Wash
ington are made we will consider the pro-
posed speedway mile track along the ter
ritory southeast Of the railway bridge.
That track will be devoted to owners Of
driving horses and automobiles. and is q
much-needed improvement.