Evening star., 1914-11-20
READY T0DEVE[0P
MERIDIAN HILL PARK
Col. Harts to Begin Scheme of
Improvement Authorized
by Congress.
COST OF RESERVATION
NEARLY HALF A MILLION
Appropriation of $25, 600 to Be Ex-
pended on Retaining Walls-Elab-
crate Features Planned.

| Congress practically having approved
the elaborate scheme of Col. Harris, su-
perintendent of public buildings and
grounds, for the development of Me-
ridian Hill Park, preliminary steps
have been taken to begin the improve
ment as soon as practicable. That
park is located on the high ground
between 18th and 18th streets and W
by the government at a cost of nearly
half a million dollars.
AT the recent session of Congress
an appropriation Of s25,o0o was made
for building retaining walls for the
park. and Col. Harris has prepared plans
for carrying that legislation into effect.
These plans call for the construction
of u plain cement wall along the line
of 18th street from the top of the hill.
at Euclid street, to the bottom at w
street. The wall will be built in forty
five sections, each thirty feet in length
and separated by square piers. Each
section will contain three panels hav-
ing roughened or pebble surface.
The surface of the piers will show
horizontal and vertical lines to con-
trast. with the panels.
Height of Wall Varies.
Following the gradual slope OF 10th
street at that point, the wall will vary
in height from six feet in some sections
to nine feet in others. 1t will have 4
width of from three to four feet at the
base and a width Of two feet at the top
Each of the sections will be level, but
beginning at the highest point, each
successive section will have a lower
elevation, giving the general effect of
narrow stone stairway. AS the wall
will be erected fifteen feet back from
the curb line. considerable excavation
VIII be necessary to remove the mass
of earth now covering the sidewalk and
parking for n depth of several feet on
the east side of 18th street and to
change the high bluffs into more grace
full slopes.
When the specifications are finally
approved, bids will be invited for the
construction of the retaining wall.
which. 1t is explained, is only one of
the initial features of the general plan
of improvement.
Natural Advantages Preserved.
The existing natural advantages of
Meridian hill are to be preserved. The
main features of the general plan in
volve the construction of wide ce-
ment esplanade along the brow of the
hill from 18th to 10th street, affording
a fine view of the city to the south.
From that elevation an ornamental
Ca scade will flow down the hillside to
a basin near the line of w street. On
the high level just north Of the esplan-
ade there will be q plaza for band
stand and seats, which may be reached
by vehicles over two incurving drive
ways from Euclid street. The high
bank on 10th street will be converted
into i series of terraces. Two wide
stone stairways will afford entrances
for pedestrians from 18th street. En-
frances also will be provided from w
and 18th streets, where there is no
special difference in grades.
Sites for statues are reserved on the
lower levels on both sides of the pro-
posed cascade General provision is
made for an artistic arrangement of
trees, shrubbery, gardens. etc.