The Washington herald., 1916-07-23
SEEK PARK Land
ZOO TO POTOMAC
ST, 100000 for New Drive.
ways, Walks and Lawns,
Ready for Expenditure.

Secretary McAdoo. chairman Of the Rock
Creek and potomac Parkway Commission
yesterday announced that the COM
mission had reached the advanced point
where It Is prepared to undertake nego-
tiations for the requirement Of the land
necessary to connect Geological and Po-
tonac Parks in carrying out the project
Of opening up Rock Creek Valley for the
Identification and enjoyment or WASH
ington-
retary OF the Treasury, the Secretary OF
War and the Secretary OF Agriculture,
has been diligently studying the POLLEN
and outlining the course Of the proposed
connecting link. The three secretaries
are intensely interested in its preser-
walton from dumping and pollution and
In utilizing It's scenic splendor to the
fullest advantage in the proposed great
parkway system Of the Capital. The
tomac Park will not only open up a beau
titul parkway to the residents of Wash
ington, but II will have a sweeping eco
nomic and social influence on the entire
western portion Of the District
At a meeting attended by Secretary
McAdoo and Secretary Baker (secretary
Houston being out Of the city, Il was
Of the project as rapidly as possible and
to acquire all the lands specified in the
commissions report and approved by
Congress under the act OF July l. 1916.
Col William w. Harts. officer In
charge Of public buildings and grounds,
who is executive and disbursing officer
Of the commission, was instructed to
notify all property owners OF the COM
missions plan to acquire the land in
volved. Congress has authorized a total
expenditure OF 81, 800, 900 for the purpose
and has made an appropriation Of $50. 900
TO get the work under way. It will be
the policy OF the commission to acquire
as much OF the land as possible by priv
ate negotiations direct with the owners
The Commission OF Fine Arts has been
freely consulted.
The commissions project for the con-
Meeting link between Potomac Park and
the Geological Park begins at Easby's
Point, a short distance above the west
erly end OF B street north. Between this
point and G street It will proceed partly
over land already filled and partly
over land to be filled out to new river
wall which will be continuation OF that
now bordering West Potomac Park. This
section OF the parkway is planned TO be
200 feet wide, and Will accommodate a
traffic road a driveway, saddle and foot
paths as we'll as ample lawn areas
where one can rest Arrangements
have been made TO eliminate all business
activities along this stretch OF the park
way except possibly boating concessions.
Above this section at G street the
plant OF the Washington Gas Light
Company Is encountered. Favorable
arrangements have been made where
by that company has agreed to va
cate enough of the property It oc-
cupies along the river front and the
parkway will be screened from the
other holdings Of that concern by
properly-placed planting.
The commission plans to separate
the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal from
the mouth Of Rock Creek so that there
will be no encroachment OF canal ac-
tivities upon the parkway. The dixie
formed by the separation Of the canal
and the creek Will be sufficiently wide
to accommodate the drive. saddle and
foot-paths, as we'll as several rows OF
trees. This arrangement will enable
the drive to be carried across the creek
at about the foot Of Virginia avenue
by a bridge.
The driveway crosses the stream at
the site of the ancient Lyons Mill
Bridge. and following along the old
mill race passes below Massachusetts,
avenue to the broad and country-IiKe
valley above. The drive again crosses
the stream at the site Of the old
Thompson Bridge.
The lands in the entire parkway will
comprise an area Of about 162 acres,
~ per cent Of which is already own
ed by the United States. The park
way itself varies in width from about
two hundred feet at the river end to
several hundred feet at the upper end
as determined by the natural condi-
tions. Its length Is about two and one
half miles.