Evening star., 1922-02-23
EALIzATION that three tracts
of land needed for the park
system of the District of CO.

n EALIzATION that three tracts
~ of land needed for the park
/ system of the District of CO.
1umbia as well as to provide
much needed Fairgrounds for public
recreation were about to be cut up
for commercial purposes, and for
ever pass beyond the possibility of
use as government parks, brought
prompt action by the Senate in pass
ing the Ball bill providing for the
acquisition Of the Klingle Ford val
ley and Piney Branch valley tracts
and the so-called Patterson tract.
Efforts to have Congress consider
favOrably the purchase of these
tracts have been made for years. but
not until recently. when steam
edging their way into the property.
did congressman and others realize
that action was imperative. Prompt
inspections were made by Senator
Ball and others and the Legislation
was pushed. It was Senate meas
will be pressed in the House Of Rep
resentatives.
The most important of the tracts
and also the largest is the Patterson
land, known better now as old Camp
Meigs. 1t lies in the northeast sec
tion Of the city, on the north side
of Florida avenue and just west of
the Columbia Institution for the Deaf.
The upper half of the tract Is ele-
waited. overlooking the city and river
and Is almost entirely covered by
original forest land. constituting the
largest tract of forest land within
this distance of the Capitol About
the center of the tract is a cement
swimming pool. constructed while the
land was occupied as Camp Meigs.
which the Senate committee and others
fayorins the site say will be Of great
value in connection with the athletics
and Fairgrounds for. which the lower
portion Of the tract Is admirably
adapted.
The southern half of this tract
Is almost level. and Is very urgently
needed by the pupils OF the high
northeast section for Fairgrounds
base ball diamonds. athletic sports
and military drills. This phase was
one of the most important consid-
erations given by the Senate CON-
mittee. In fact. it called to the at
| tention of the Senate the fact that
it is on a direct car line connec-
tion with the Business and Technical
high schools, neither of which has
any playground or drill space. These
schools now have to use the public
streets in the vicinity Of their re-
spective buildings. This park is ar
essential part of the park and play
ground system. and it was pointed oui
in forceful manner that If it were
not acquired now it would either be
turned into commercial uses or the
cost of it's acquisition greatly in
creased.
The total amount allowed for the
purchase of these properties was in
the neighborhood of 100000. bu,
1t is significant that even at this
time when there is such cry for
economy, leaders who watch every
dollar carried in any measure favor
ed this one. pointing out that one OF
the troubles in many cities was the
failure to provide adequately for
public parks and Fairgrounds.
Aside from providing parkway
for a beautiful. drive, the Piney
Branch valley property. also dan
gerously near being lost, due to the
inroads Of homebuilders. would fur.
nish a connecting link in the park
system which would relieve much OF
the traffic congestion on feeders from
the north. When purchased and i'm
proved it will be possible for the peo.
pie of that general section to drive