The Washington times., 1917-09-25
POTOMAC FIELD
READY FOR PLAY
BY NEXT SPRING

already begun, and II is proposed to
have them ready for use by the COM
ing spring. The plans call for a cen
trail building connecting the two
wings, but this part OF the building
will not be erected until later. The
total cost of the building will be
about $15O,000, based on an estimate
Of $4,000 each for the wings and
$4,000 for the central structure.
The wings now under construction
will contain dressing rooms, shower
baths, and lockers in which may be
kept field clothing, bathing suits,
and sporting paraphernelia, such as
tennis racquets, golf clubs, baseball,
and fotball outfits. One wing will
be for women and girls and the
other for men and boys.
Worked To BE Rushed.
The central building will contain
recreation and lounging rooms, to-
gether with refreshment rooms, for
which concessions will probably be
let when IT is built. 1t is probable
that this will be in the near future.
Col. W. w. Harris said today that the
project is one very dear to the
hearts OF the appropriation commit
tee, and they are asking that we
push the work right ahead"
There are to be two golf courses on
the field, one eighteen-hole course and
one nine-hole. The work of grading
one Of these courses is already under
way and 1t will be ready for use by
next spring. The grading OF this
course was started first because it
takes longer than the other field
courts and Playground. Colonel Harts
said. He added that they were very
desirous OF having 1t ready for use
next summer.
Plan Thirty-four Tennis Courts.
Tennis is another sport that will be
in progress at the park when summer
comes again. The park will contain
thirty-four tennis courts when COM
plete, and some OF these are to be
graded and laid of without delay.
The completion Of all Of these courts
means that as many as 136 OF WASH
ington's tennis devotees may indulge
in their chosen sport at the same
time.
In addition to this, the field will
contain two football gridirons and
three baseball felds, which will be
graded and put into shape as fast as
possible. And IL is probable that some
Of these will be completed within the
next few months.
Another recreation feature of the
park will be the dirt carriage road
and soft riding track.
The starting Of construction on the
various features OF the Potomac Park
recreation project marks the begin
ming OF the naturalization Of the
dreams OF those who have fostered the
project. 1t is a project dear not only
to the hearts OF the Appropriation
Committee, as Colonel Harts said. but
dear to his heart also. He said today
that when II is completed It will be
probably the finest thing of Its kind in
the United States. $50 far as know"
he said, there is nothing in the world
that will excel IT,"
The entire area on which the project
will be built was reclaimed from the
river at a cost of about a million and
quarter dollars. BasinE estimates
on the value OF waterfront property
across the river. Colonel Harts said
that the property Is now worth about
100000 for commercial purposes.
However, II will never be used COM
mercially, as Congress has set II aside
as a permanent recreation park for
the public. and has already made the
appropriations necessary to carry on
the work now being done.
To Cost $1,000. 900 More.
other appropriations, of course, will
be made from time to time, in the
opinion OF Colonel Harts. In all,
about q million and a half dollars
more will be required to complete the
work which the plans call for.
In addition to the various feature al
ready described, the plans call for three
large swimming pools, a boating har-
Dor. and a canal connecting with the
open river. The boating harbor. which
will probably be the largest undertak-
ing Of all. will be cut back from the
river front. necessitating extensive eX-
cavation, and will be very much in the
shape OF an elipse. II will be prac-
tically walled in from the open river,
but will have several large outlets. and
will be for the use OF canoes and small
boats. The vast size OF the project
will mean that Il will require several
years for completion, but no undue de-
lays are anticipated.
Transportation facilities are a phase
OF the work which are receiving a great
deal OF attention just at present. In ad-
dition to plans for a ferry which will
ply the river from the park to the op-
posite side, there are also plans for a
spur car track about n half mile long.
AMI every effort is being bent to have
this completed ut the earliest moment.
When this iS done people from any part
Of the city may reach the field house by
car for cents carfare. according TO
Colonel Harts. who said that arrange
ments to that end would be made. This
will mean. according to his statement,
that persons having to transfer to reach
the park will not be required to pay
two fares.
Colonel Ridley. who has been ap-
pointed to succeed Colonel Harts, will
take up the work where Colonel Harts
left of and carry 1t on to completion.