The Washington herald., 1913-01-25

Hill The reservation Is similar in nature
to the small reservations or parks now
existing throughout the city Of Washing
ton such as Lincoln Park, Judiciary
Square, Garfield Park. Franklin and La
fayette Squares, which reservations add
so much to the attractiveness and health
of the city. There are no parks OF TINS
type north of Florida Avenue and nothing
in the shape of public reservations TO the
south, except small triangles, nearer
than Iowa or Dupont Circle, a mile or
more distant. and the nearest large park
is the Geological Park, in the valley OF
Rock Creek, about three-quarters OF
mile away. The land is being rapidly
built up as a residence section. and
large section Of the subdivisions of Co
lumbia Heights. Mount Pleasant, and
Meridian HILL and, in addition. those Nv
ing in the portion of the city to the south
would make use of this reservation.
An inspection will show the great use
Of these small parks IN the residence
sections and will demonstrate their util-
ity. as well as their beauty. This pro-
posed reservation might also be made
use of for governmental purposes, such
as the construction of buildings, the lay
Ing of of gardens. &c. For small reser-
vation its location is unique. There Is
no other tract of land in this vicinity
which could take its place for such use.
1t lies along the great boulevard, Six
teenth Street which connects the White
House with Rock Creek Park. and is sit,
uated on the crest of the line of hills
surrounding the lower valley of the Po-
tomac All of this crest from North
CapttoI Street to Rock Creek Is now
practically built UP. so that 1t Is the
only space Of its kind that remains un-
improved
~. rFfar
the valley of the Potomac River, and in
the summer is exposed to the southwest
breezes prevalent in this section of the
country 1t extends down the steep slope
of a hill from a point between Chaplin
and Belmont Streets to w Street, and
this slope is necessary as part or the
reservation TO prevent the construction
of houses, which would cut of the view
and the sweep of the wind. This portion
would also give greater diversity in the
character of the park. The upper part
Is fat and well adapted either to the
laying out of a garden or the erection
of nublic buildings To diminish the size
of the park would be detrimental to its
value as a park.
Concerning Price.
The price named in the bill-s6OO, 900 for
about 49,O 900 square foot of land, or about
SlH per square foot-is in excess OF the
estimate OF value OF the land by the
Board of Assessors. their value being
s23O, 900. Very little property has changed
hands in this immediate vicinity recently
so it is difficult to gauge the value, but
from prices paid by the District for the
condemnation Of Sixteenth Street extend
ed, about five years ago, which amount
ed to from s1.25 to Sl.75 per square foot
| and from figures at which 1t is known
some of the owners Of the land in this
vicinity hold the same, II is not thought
| that the land could be obtained for less
than that named in the bill. In fact
| IT is due to a large portion of this tract
| being on the market on the account oi
| the settlement of an estate that so low q
figure as that proposed in the bill car
| be obtained. Conditions are improving
in that vicinity, and an early increase
in the value of the land is anticipated.
The Commissioners believe that thi.
is an opportunity to obtain reservation
| in the line of those laid out in the orig
inal city limits in a locality which q
without park at present and where one
| is much needed now and will be more
needed as this section OF the city builds