The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-07-20

Wsahiaetea. D. C.. July H.
WIN ~ opening heys = few days
a. q The psblie rolf course n
P0tomAs park anethsr atsp ~.
taksn il the development Of what
u perhaps the nearest thing in this
country to Z public country club.
whore al the residents OF . city
may enjoy free Of charge the ad-
vantages which are associated with
such an institution.
Nearly every city Of more than .
hundred thousand inhabitants In
this country now has some sort OF
park which Is used IS . public
playground. but the development OF
Potomac park and the plans for its
future show how much may be
made Of this idea where cifcum-
stances are favorable and the plan
ming IL intelligsntly done.
Lincoln park IN Chicago Is typt-
cal Of q number Of parks in great
cities where there are some facili-
ties for amusement But these
cities were so large before they be-
gan setting aside space for the pur-
pose Of play that they have never
come anywhere near catching up
with the public need. There is no
pretense of meeting the demand
for recreation, and as q result of
the overcrowding few Of the recre-
ational facilities are in first class
condition.
But In Potomac park there are
more than six hundred acres for q
population Of about four hundred
thousand. Not all of Washington
can play at once. Of course, but
probably all Of 1t that is capable
and DESTROYS Of taking exercise can
ind An opportunity to do SO in the
course OF q week. For in addition
to two large groups of tennis courts
which are never crowded except
for q few hours in the evening, this
great park contains several base
ball diamonds, a football field, q
soccer field, a cricket field, a polo
field, and now a golf course. II
contains ten or twelve miles Of
bride path and a bathing beach
There are now plans for severa
more groups Of tennis courts and
even for q croquet field.
Facilities for AL
The object of Superintendent
Gillen, and the other enthusiast.
who have created Potomac park, i!
, not merely to provide an opportu
nifty for a few to get exercise. bu'
actually to meet the city's needs
and to rsset it with facilities JUS
as high class as those Of any pri
vate country club in the nation
This high ideal has been prett.
well realized in the matter of ten
mis-. The courts in Potomac parl
are probably as good as any claI
courts in the country, and have re
ceived the approval of champions
They are excellently drained ant
always kept in absolutely frs
class condition. They present |
most pleasing contract to the typi
C0l WILLIS Will
ragged net, inadequate back stops
and insufficient space behind tn
back line.
| In the matter of baseball an,
football. too, the local teams hav
been taken care Of without mucl
difficulty. In fact the two grea
drawbacks to most public recreation
grounds-crowded conditions an
makeshift facilities-have been 3
far avoided with remarkable sue
cess.
The same principles is followe'
in the golf course. About tire
hundred applications have been re
ceived so far, and it is believed tina
about two hundred fifty players ca
60 over the course in a day. As al
will not want to play every day, tn
present course will probably ser.
the needs of those who have so IA
applied. But beyond a doubt tn
number Of applicants will rapid
increase. It is therefore planne
to increase the course from nine
eighteen holes as soon as possible