Evening star., 1922-08-20
D. c. PARK SPORTS
HURT BY ECONOMY
New Funds Unavailable to
Increase Tennis Courts
and Golf Links.
BALL DIAMONDS NEEDED
Popularity of Outdoor Games Here
Makes Present Facilities Far,
|, Short of Demands.
BALL DIAMONDS NEEDED

Outdoor sports in the public parks
Of Washington, which have rapidly
grown in popularity during the past
few years, are to suffer next year for
the lack of larger funds to make ex-
pansions and improvements to meet
the constantly increasing demands.
In making this fact known yester-
day. the office of the superintendent
Of public buildings and grounds.
which has the supervision over the
parks here, stated that the indica-
tions are at present that there will be
propriations for outdoor sports over
the appropriation Of the present year,
which was only $4,000.
One official, who during the past
week has been engaged in working
on the estimates for his office, de-
meet properly the public demands
during the present year, much less to
meet the demands of next year. He
explained that the figures of his Of
flee show that the increase each year
in patrons of the score or more of
outdoor activities in the parks sug-
gestS stampede.
Tennis Courts Needed.
For instance, the demands for use
creased more than 100 per cent in the
last year. 1t is contended that two
or three times the present number
of courts would be needed to keep
up with the increased popularity, but
inasmuch as these courts cost the
government approximately $500 or
$500 each to construct 1t is considered
doubtful IL more than three or four
can be added to the present number.
Polo has made great strides in popu-
1arity. at least in the attendance Of
onlookers. there having been more
than 5000 spectators at the polo
games during July last.
The number of base ball diamonds
is by no means considered sufficient.
More than $4,000 persons played on
the present diamonds during July and
1900 spectators are estimated to
have attended the games during that
single month. The same holds good
at the Tidal basin, the golf links.
Ncnic grounds. and, in fact, every
form of outdoor sport or amusement
now afforded the public in the parks.
Golf Links Inadequate.
Attendance at the bathing beach and
the golf links readily convinces those
in charge of the necessity OF increased
facilities, but the office of public
buildings and grounds considers the
very gloomy. Appropriations for the
beach and the golf links are sepa-
rate from the lump appropriation for
outdoor sports. but no increased ap-
propriations for them will be asked
for next year.
Out of the lump appropriation for
the outdoor sports. however. pro-
vision must be made for the band con-
certs given throughout the city dur
ing the summer. including those in
the White House grounds. and several
other activities far removed from out
door sports. Besides all this. the an
nual egg-rolling on the rear grounds
Of the White House takes approx
mately $50 or 5000 annually from
this appropriation.
There is only one way to meet the
situation. it is explained, and that is
to obtain separate and special appro-
priations for specific improvements.
which appropriations would meet the
legal requirements of the law govern
ing the budget system.
Whether this will be done the Office
of public buildings and grounds is not
prepared to say.