Evening star., 1925-10-07
60-4O PLAN is GIVEN
UNQUALIFIED BACKING.
OF BOARD OF TRADE

Continued from Page Nineteen)
cutting of trees and leveling of the
land.
Another tract acquired is the site
of Fort Bayard, where River road IN
tersects Western avenue, at the Mary
land line.
From what has been stated, 1t will
be observed that, aside from money
raised by ordinary taxation for DIS
trict purposes, there is available TINS
socalled credit fund.- dedicated by
a congressional act in part to the ac,
QUESTION of park and playground
areas. This credit fund is money al
ready collected by taxation and now
available. It's immediate use will have
no effect upon the question OF current
taxes
I'm submitting certain recommends
tions your committee does so. fully ap-
preciating that il is financially lmpos-
sible to do at once all that should be
done in connection with this SUBJECT
However desira BILE results can only
follow formulation of definite and well
reasoned plans.
with this statement, your commit
tee submits the following recommen-
dations, with brief comment upon
each:
Il. Acquisition of the Patterson
tract, living on the north side of Flor1-
da avenue northeast, and perhaps bet
ter known as Camp Meigs site, or so
much of this tract as Is found espe-
cially desirable.
This tract has not yet been acquir-
ed because the Park Commission has
been without necessary funds. Inis
tract includes large growth of beau
tifuI forest trees and large concrete
swimming tank constructed while the
land was used as an Army camp The
tract would give ample room for base
ball diamonds, tennis courts, and other
forms of outdoor sports. Unquestion-
ably. 1t should be acquired without
delay, while the trees are still stand
ing and before the land is put to any
commercial use. The lohger acquisl-
ton is delayed, the greater will be the
cost. .
..2. Work should be started immedi-
ately upon the improvement, by a
roadway, of the strip of land along
Rock Creek Valley connecting the
Zoo Park with Potomac Park, thereby
relieving traffic congestion.
Sufficient land has already been Sc
cured by the Rock Creek and Potomac
Parkway Commission to enable such
work to be started, although some ad-
ditional lands are still in process OF
acquisition.
IS. Further areas should be pur-
chased. covering sites Of various Civil
War forts, among which should be
mentioned Fort Slocum, lying north
of Soldiers Home, and covered by
magnificent growth of hardwood for
est; also Fort Totten, situated upon a
commanding eminence and lying north
and west of Brookland: also Fort
Bunker Hill, lying practically in
Brookland.
These tracts are as yet unimproved:
the old breastworks still exist. In
view of the rapid growth of District
population, they cannot long remain
in their present condition. They must
be secured soon, If ever, for park pur-
poses.
"a. Your committee again recon-
mends what has previously been IA
yorably considered by the board, i.e.,
purchase of connecting parkways.
which will join the various Civil War
fort parks, some of which have been
secured, and others Of which are still
to be acquired.
rs. The possibility of still acquir-
ing some portion OF the Dean tract,
lying between Connecticut and Florida
avenues, Columbia road and Nine
teenth street, should be carefully con.
sidered by the Park Commission.
The Board of Trade in years past
repeatedly urged upon the authorities
the wisdom of purchasing this tract
for park purposes. Some years ago
the ownership changed. and it was
thought that all possibility of secur-
ing this land, or any part Of it, for
park purposes had been lost. More
recently the Masonic fraternity ac-
ouired title. 1t is as yet undetermined
whether the proposed use OF this
tract by that fraternity will require
the entire area.
Should 1t develop that part or
the area would not be required for
consummation of the plans of the
owners, then the Park Commission
might we'll give careful consideration
to the possibility Of purchasing a part
for park or playground purposes. 1t
lies in the most densely populated sec.
ton Of the District, by reason OF
proximity Of many large apartment
buildings ACQUISITION Of even por-
ton Of this tract would give breath
ing space for those living nearby ana
would give opportunity for a play
ground for the children.
sc. While necessarily matter Tor
future action, the Park Commission
is requested, when it shall have be-
come possible to cooperate with the
authorities of. Maryland and Virginia,
10 give careful consideration to the
project of securing land on each side
of the Potomac River, extending up
the river as far as Great rails