Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-07-06
TAKOMA PARK NEWS

Movements are on foot in various
sections of Takoma Park to convert
town reservations and other land de-
sirably located into public parks. At
a recent council meeting a reserva-
ton in North Takoma of about an
acre. bounded by Albany and Buffalo
avenues and the curve of Takoma
avenue was considered. At the same
time the Takoma Spring property at
Elm and Poplar avenues, included in
another town reservation of an acre
and a quarter on the opposite side
of the corporation, was mentioned. A
third location suggested, though not
trict 1t lies back of Feldman's store.
borders the railroad and abuts on the
rear lots of Blair road. 1t contains
over $1,000 square feet and has
spring By way of owning this site
and converting it into a park. Mayor
w. G. Platt suggested that it might
be purchased by subscription. when.
if successful, il is fairly we'll assured
by the Civic Club that the District
Playground Association will equip it
Tor general youthful recreation.
In connection with these park move
ments or any others relating to town
Improvement the mayor, at this meet
ing. appointed from the council
committee of three-F l.. Lewton,
chairman; H. F. Taft and H. B. Hend-
rick-to be known as the civic bet
terment committee. d committee to
serve as link between the towns
people and the council, with the hope
that the latter, in its monthly BUSH
ness meetings through reports from
the civic betterment committee. in
direct touch with the people, may get
at the necessary facts of the towns
needs more quickly then formerly.
The first action Of this committee
relates to the Takoma Spring Park
group of ladies having formed
Ihem for
purpose of stimulating interest in
park projects. Mr. Lewton called them
together for its discussion At this
meeting, held at the home of Morris
Bien. Mr.. Lewton and Mr.. Taft rep
resenting the council, the ladies re-
ported that before the formation of
the civic betterment committee mi
tlal steps had been taken which had
resulted In meeting on the park
site with H. c. Skeels and B. Y Nor
rison. the towns landscape gardeners
and III. b. Hendrick of the council
the landscape experts had explained
submit a plan a typographical map
would have 10 be made, which would
cost them not less than 500. To the
ladies this looked like a discouraging
start. but before the meeting broke
UP one OF the townsmen present VOL
unteered to make the required map
himself, and later did So
rs TO financing the scheme the
IduitS Hdu decided 10 ask from those
townspeople interested in the devel-
opment of this particular pari, a pro-
portIonate sum of the cost, saw So
per family. and of the council an
appropriation equal to the total col
lected from the people
Upon hearing this report the civic
betterment committee srFE -sted that
AT the next council meeting, to be
held the second Monday in July, the
ladies' report the amount collected
Mr.. Morrison was also asked to sub
nit plan for the parks landscape
treatment.
Discussions as TO the uses Of this
reservation as = park brought out
certain objectionable features as 10
ITS present status An old-time pa
Tilton. located Il drives width from
the spring. serves. as to it's upper
house. while n fragmentary space in
its stone foundation. such as could
be spared from further storage. is
used as Jail. and strewn about the
building in close proximity are terra
Gotta pipes and the towns street.
cleaning equipment.
Another matter discussed at this
meeting related to a plan suggest ed
by Mr.. Lewton for general town meet
ings. TO be held at least once n month,
10 include the people from the length
and breadth of Takoma. the object
being 10 discuss publicly with the
anything and everything relating to
general approval. and the suggestion
made tentatively that the first Mon
day in the month might serve a
free date for this purpose