Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-03-08
A Hidden Playground in
Southwest Washington

To the Editor of The Star:
Anent the opening OF the municipal
Fairgrounds it would seem a pro
pitious time to call TO the attention
of the appropriations committee III
Congress the fact that one OF tne
prettiest Fairgrounds, and one WHICH
by the way. cost quite consldefaoie
sum of money to launch. Is, Deca use
Of the several reasons which L shaii
try to enumerate. badly crippled ana
rendered incapable, save in neg
ligible degree. of living up TO It's
great possibilities far service ana use
fulness to the citizens residing In It's
vicinity.
Willow Tree Playground, the most
uniquely situated of any In the Dis-
trict of Columbia, occupies a wholly
Enclosed parcel of land In the rear
of buildings fronting on the TOUR au,
iacent streets. namely, h, T. lh.,u
and Four.a nd-a Half streets sou'l'
west. and was created as an eNpeif
ment bv an act of Congress TO con
vert minor streets and parks INTO
pla ygrounds" This ground repfe
SCENTS the conversion of a court oi
the same name and. as such. shouio
ba ve a fair cha nee as an eApohe'i'
Of This idea. Its lack thereon Is
ca ueed bv the fact that lhe luii ~
tent of the law has never DeeH eA
| ercised with reference TO IL ny 'hos.
who directed it's constructions 'h"t
II is fanked on all four sldes ny
huiIdines. without any possible we"
10 the street: that there is no ihS -o'
or eeress to or from the "a
cent bv alleyways, some Oh VIM ~, -
are paved with COMMISSIONERS '"T
used nv teams approaching or lea
,., 49,. rear entra noes Of these build
! inos uhen not actually engaged In
| ioadino or unloading material lo'
| them. - .dyan
The children seeking the aoNah
| ,.oss offered bN this playground Ih"S'
! ofttimes pass either Directly III iio''.
of behind. by the side OF. or mr.
,aan, mr. ,rlf.f.. prObabl heaFllH
iooded or worse. moving rapioiN
| through the narrow areaWa\ ~
hurrvjng for it's next bnroeh' i"i3
! almost precludes the atleod "''
many very Young children pe'a "'o
hermit them to attempt 10 enJoH
| benefits OF this ground nhleSe
! commanded by parent or other ""'''
/ ',n',id no almost suicidal; and II ac-
! ,nn,nanied nv them would mean noie
| concession and hence more danger ~
! oil Then. TOO. while q great huihoei
ar the bouses in this inclosure WEI
| ,a1ad i'm the execution of TINS proJec' Z,
| ,n,card Of 20 or more were leit' anu
! II certainly requires no great ~
| of the ina einatiOn TO portray sa
nnconducive to the proper mofdi ~
yeIopment Of The EounE pp
thsrain assembled. Notwithstan olhs
All Of these things, the piaYei Jun,
m itself is attractive, or"ei!
we'll administer by us coiiip :,
snperyisor, aided by the parents, "na
is sought out by goodiy petSe", CO,
of large children WI" Ga '"e t,'at
| invoIved daily. showing me a't""
naad Of il with it's wonderful capd
! huitias 1t is safe 10 say, hoWeNe' '
,,.at duo ia it's isolated conoltioh:
! ta,r'ffths of the adult popuia tloh W
| nj. Saction do not know OF us io'"
! ion and a much smaller h"'ll'c,
,,nn,y how 10 find the entra noes eve"
tboueh thew may have may
ton as to it's general locs tiou'
! Il stands. it is bad as an eNpei ii'ioi''
J In that 1t cannot demonstIate ~
! cassfully the idea OF the oris i"" 'oi :
of the plan. 1t Is bad from an
| pomical standpoint. in tnat' y
certain changes. it cannot lustitt III ~
large outlay required TO lAu'itn ~
10 had morally in that 1t ma ih,d NE
! ~ of the old alley objections. 1t IL
hnd from business angle IN 'I"
! ,acEs the advertising Iealuie'
therebv falling to attract the IA or"
S,a ottantion of the public, que 10
ths wonders possible to playground
There is only one possible sol" no
for This unparalleled situation. In
| hni,dinos on one Of the SIDES oI 'n ,,
| Enclosure. preferably b street eio,'
he azed. a frontage thereoN vp Ell
| this playground mace credit
time going institution. ana cru,
80 tbe community. A large part ol
| 10 money necessary to put t"o
nv ,,sct over has already been eH,
ppe eD9sedf TT !, would he worse than !, bad I'd
pusiness policy not to follow II I"
success. Then away with the h'o"e"
playground, g. r,cSOP