Evening star., 1926-10-17
The Water Front Project.

the water front of Washington has
received the approval of the National
Capital Park and Planning Commits
sion. 1t contemplates complete re-
vision of conditions along the river.
with the establishment of broad road
ways. 1t will, when accomplished.
transform an unsightly stretch into A
scene of dignity and beauty.
This question Of the river frontage
Of the Capital has been troublesome
for many years. In former times, be
fore the recla ton of the flats
which have been developed into Poto-
mac Park. the Washington Channel,
which formed the harbor, was source
OF constant annoyance and indeed was
an nsanitary menace. When the
Government completed the great prof
ect of river improvement and gained
title to the shores, under decision OF
the Supreme Court in a case involving
the ownership of the reclaimed areas,
it was hoped that advance would be
citys water front A few improve
ments were made there, some OF the
unsightly. crUmbling wharves were re-
placed with more substa ntial struc-
lures, a fish market was established.
But this was only a start. and 1t was
not in accordance with a broad def
mite plan.
While the water front problem has
been allowed to remain unsolved Po-
tomac Park has become the scene Of
constant visitation. 1t attracts multi
tudes of people. Practically every one
coming to ashincton takes the cele-
hrated drive around the reservation. On
the return trip. after circline the east
ern section of the park, these guests
of the city see Washington in it's least
agreeable aspect. Directly across the
channel stretch the wharves, from the
boundary of the Washington Barracks
to the tidal outlet bridge, drab scene
of neglect and dishevelment. II 1t
were possible to drive along the water
front on the city side the view across
the channel would be one of lowell
ness. AS it Is, the only river-edge
course brings the traveller in confront
alton with a stretch of untidiness of
which the average resident OF the
Capital is ashamed. and for which he
Is apoloeetic.
4I,nv An
project which has just been approved
by the park and planning commission
will redeem this section of the city
and not only present an appropriate
spect Of Washington to the visitor to
Potomac Park. but will permit river
edge drive on the city side from which
the loveliness of the park may be
viewed.
This work cannot he too soon under
taken. 1t Is the most urgent feature
Of the capital ldevelopmen plans.
Whatever may he the future Of the
water traffic for the supply Of ma
terials for local consumption, the Cap
ital should he given this belated at
tention in respect to Its most con-
spicuous arrears Eventually the en-
tire park system will be linked to-
sether. The work OF uniting Potomac
nd Rock Creek parks is in progress.
slowly hut surely. Anacostia Park is in
the making. soon to be completed. 1t
should likewise be linked with Poto-
mac Park. by driveways and bridges
on the south. and with other drives
nd bridges or causeways on the north
united with the other reservations of
the Capital. This southern link will he
assured with the waterfront improve
ment which is happily now so we'll ad-
vanced toward final approval and au-
thoriZation.