Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-11-07
NOVEL IDEAS INCLUDED
IN PLANS OF LANDSCAPE
Completion of Undertaking Depends
on Liberality of Congress in
Making Appropriations.


million dollars. The work in progress
and nearing completion involves the
construction of two immense retaining
walls on the 10th street side of the
park designed to preserve the stability
of the hill, which rises forty feet above
the grade of the street and the crest
Of which is about go feet above the
level of the original city. These walls
are built of reinforced concrete and at
different levels to suit the topography
The lower wall follows the line of
18th street from the north edge of the
hill at Euclid street to within short
distance of the southern edge at w
street 1t is built in thirty-nlne sec
tionS each twenty-nine feet IN ienStn
and separated by square piers. Each
roughened or pebble surface: The sur
faces of the piers show horizontal and
vertical lines to contrast with the pan
els.
Seven to Ten Feet High.
Following the gradual slope of 18th
street at that point, the wall varies
in height from seven feet in some sec
lions to ten feet in others 1t has
width of from three to four feet at
the base and a width of two feet at
on top, but beginning at the highest
point, each successive section has a
lower elevation, giving the general ei :
feet of a long stone stairway. inns
wall will be completed in few weeks,
except at the section between the two
main entrances on 18th street, whlch
involves special treatment In connec-
ton with future construction.
The upper retaining wall IS short DIS
lance back of that central section. 1t
starts from higher level and goes to
the top of the hill. connecting on the
south with the proposed concrete terrace
which will cross the park to 18th street
The upper wall will be about ESQ feet
in length, and varies in height from
twenty-five to twenty-four feet. 1t will
be eight feet thick at the base and three
at the top 1t viii be made in twelve
panels having a pebbled surface, and
will be surmounted by an ornamental
balustrade. 1t will be battened or sloped
from the main terrace. and Will connect
the principal entrances to the park from
18th street. one leading to the main ter
race and the other to the concert
promenade. One of the sections OF the
upper wall is completed and others are
in varying stages of progress. Between
the upper and lower walls there Will be
a terrace about twenty-five feet in width,
which will be planted with trees. shrubs
and vines.
Congress has appropriated $4,000 for
the retaining walls. and the contract for
son Construction Company of this city at
a figure well within that amount Other
work in progress includes clearing the
ground of ali distractions and changing
the grade wherever necessary
Park of Unusual Size.
According to Col Harris. Meridian Hill
Park is unique for its size. being larger
than the usual city parks. such as Frank
lin. Lafayette or Dupont Circle, and yet
of limited area compared to Potomac or
Rock Creek parks. 1t is what the land
scape architect calls a residence park
meaning park surrounded by residences.
An especial feature of the site is its high
elevation. from which there is view
of the entire city. including the Capitol,
the Monument. and extending even across
the Potomac to the towers of Arlington
Two-thirds of the area is at this high
elevation, with a hillside to the south
slopng down TO w street.
The design takes advantage of the
three natural divisions-the main
plateau at the top, broad terrace just
at the brow OF the hill and the hill
side. The main plateau. extending
from Euclid street to within about
sixty feet of the edge of the slope.
will be developed as a recreation park,
the special feature of which will be
provision for band concerts. SO popu-
lar in this city. At approximately the
center of the area is what is to be
known as the music concourse 1t is
provided with a raised platform for
the musicians, surrounded with paved
walks and promenades, and will have
rows of seats similar to an open-air
theater This will be a new and much
appreciated Innovation, at the park
concerts in the past it has been i'm
possible for but few OF the early
corners to obtain seats in the vicinity
o. the band. Between the music con-
course and Euclid street is a large
parking space for carriages and auto
mobiles, where the occupants may re-
main seated II they desire and still be
within hearing distance of the music.
Concert Garden Planned
On the other side Of the music con-
course from the parking plaza will be
laid out what will be known as the
concert garden. a large octagonal
flower garden containing many walks
and flower beds. with a large fountain
At tho center. At the four corners of
the garden Will be small buildings of
different designs. pavilions. summer
houses and shelters, each more or less
fnclosed in alcoves of trees and shrubs.
The remaining area OF the upper
NAL walks and rambles. with spaces
for sand boxes and swings for the chill
dren of the neighborhood.
What IL considered the principal fea-
ture Of the design will be the grand
terrace. This will be Just at the brow
OF the hill. utilizing the highest area
which. in turn. Will be raised several
feet. with a retaining wall carried
along the south and west sides to sup
port II. The grand terrace Will be
sixty feet wide and will reach across
the entire park from 18th to 18th
streets. On three sides II will be In
closed by high parapet. The north
side VIII be backed up with dense
hedge of trees trimmed to make a
thick background thirty feet high--aI
innovation in this country. There Will
be arches CIT through this hedge con-
meeting the terrace with the concert
garden. The view from this terrace
will be oae of the very finest in the
great visiting point for all tourists
and out-of-town visitors. as well as
favorite gathering point for Washing
tonians hot summer evenings.
Cascade on South Slope.
The southern slope has been fea
tured with a cascade treatment start
Ing with a fall OF water issuing from
a fountain motif on the grand ter
race. and continuing through a serfei
of small pools to three basins on {
lower level On each side of the cas-
cade a balustraded walk descends I,
the water garden below. The remain
der OF the hillside will be given
thick. free plantation through which
winding walks with seats and variou.
features of interest vii: connect thu