The Washington times., 1913-07-11

PLAN IMPROVEMENT
OF MERIDIAN PARK
Tract Nearly Cleared for Work
and Funds Are Expected
From Congress Soon.

The improvement of Meridian Park
the ten-acre tract lying between Fif
teenth and Sixteenth streets and Euclid
and Florida avenue northwest, has
progressed to the point where plans are
being drawn for the work. This dis
trict, purchased with an appropriation
of $4,000 provided by the Government
has been fully cleared for Improvement
as park. with the exception OF one
brick house yet to be torn down.
Colonel Cosby, the engineer officer In
charge of public buildings and grounds,
declares there is no appropriation avail
able for the immediate prosecution of
the work, as Congress confined itself
to appropriating $500 for the prepara-
ton of plans. With the plans completed.
however Colonel Cosby believes there
VIII not be much delay in obtaining au-
thorization for the improvement of the
park.
Another park project which Colonel
Cosby has in mind is the Identification
OF all the peninsular part of Potomac
Park lying east of the Pennsylvania
is mile and a half long and about two
hfths OF mile wide at its widest part.
Already the work of constructing a bou-
levard around the water sides of the
peninsula has been begun. This will be
three miles long and will be an extern
sion OF the boulevard in the western
section OF the park. The boulevard.
WIN dirt road for equestrians and side
walks Tor pedestrians. is just inside the
sea wall which surrounds the park.
Plans Model Playground.
Another part of the Improvement work
in this section will be taken I'D as soon
as the Secretary of Agriculture turns
back to the Secretary of War the strip
OF ground just east Of the embankment
now being used by the Agricultur VI De-
partment for experimental purposes.
The use of this ground by the latter
department was granted by an act OF
Congress with the understanding that II
was to be turned back to the War De-
partment when needed for park purposes.
An appropriation of $4,000 is available
for the improvements of that part of Po-
tomac Park as soon as the Department
OF Agriculture gives up possession.
Colonel Cosby has an elaborate plan
for converting the peninsula into a
model playground with public golf links,
baseball grounds. tennis court and pro-
visions for other games. He also favors
the erection of a big stadium for the
staging of athletic. contests, notably
football games. However, It probably
will be several years, he believes. be-
TOT congressional support for this prot
ect will be available.
For Boat Landings.
This plan contemplates the building Of
boat landings on the peninsula, opposite
Seventh street, where ferries might be
run to transport crowds, especially when
there was some big attraction. He points
out that three street car lines meet at
the foot of Seventh street, and that this
would be the most central point to mass
the crowds for transportation across
the Washington channel OF the Po-
tomac.
The completion of the boulevard will
be pushed at once, and the grounds
now occupied for experimental farming
purposes by the Department Of Agri-
culture WI be transformed into a park
just as soon as possession of the tract
is obtained.
Colonel Cosby is preparing drawing
of he work contemplated for the pres
ent and future on the peninsula. and
he is not without hope that authorize
ton will be given for the full improve
ment when he is given an opportunity
TO demonstrate the beauty and utility
Of the plan.