Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-11
Park Playground for Northeast.


Lieut.. Col. L. S. Grant, Sd. executive
officer of the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission. for pur-
chase of the historic Patterson tract
on Florida avenue northeast, lying
between the railroad tracks ana
Columbia Institution for the Deaf, as
a park and playground for the north-
east section of the citN The usual
100000 annual appropriation Tor
purchase of park, playground ana
school sites was enlarged to 100000
this year with a particular view to
ACQUISITION of this area, ideal for
park purposes. and long advocated.
There is nothing in the legislation,
however, that is mandatory, the Will
of the conferees of Congress on the
appropriation bill being expressed in
a letter to the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission which con-
veys the hope that the whole or part
of this tract may be purchased.
The Patterson tract is the last re-
manning large area in that part or
the city. Fronting on Florida avenue
is an extensive field, slightly above
The street level, which was used first
by the District National Guard before
1t went into service in the World
War, and at that time called Camp
Ordway. Later ii was used as an
engineers camp during the war and
named Camp Meigs. 1t has since
been occupied by a wrecking concern
and most recently as circus ground.
In the rear is a considerable eleva-
ton, beautifully wooded with old
trees.
For many years efforts have been
persistently made to have this beau
tiful tract purchased by the Govern
ment, and legislation has been con-
sidered in the last four Congresses
which specifically provides for its
purchase. 1t was until recently in
cluded in bill with Piney Branch
and Klingle Valley. Both of the latter
tracts have in part been acquired.
but not until real estate developments
had despoiled much of their original
parkway attractiveness. The citi-
GEMS associations covering the north
east section of the city have re-
peatedIy campaigned for this site for
q community park.
About year ago the Patterson
tract was advocated as a site for a
model municipal market on the prin-
cipal grounds that it lay alongside
railroad tracks, that there was a
large, undeveloped area, and that the
principal highways for farmers in
the near Washington trucking Sec
tions lead near this tract, making it
easy of access. But after a careful
study it was shown that physical
conditions made it practically impos-
sible to use Patterson tract for a big
market center. The citizens and
business associations in the north
east section also opposed the market
plan, as did representatives Of Column
bia Institution for the Deaf or Gal
laudet College, the unique institu-
ton for educating the deaf and
dumb. whose beautiful grounds are
directly east of the Patterson tract.
The plan under consideration now
is for the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission to purchase as
large a section of the Patterson tract
as possible, TO take in the land along
side the Gallaudet College grounds.
and including the wooded hill in the
rear. This would leave a strip be-
tween the park and the railroad
tracks for commercial use.
This tract is admirable for a park
and playground, having both level
land close to the entrance from
Florida avenue with high ground and
woods in the rear. There is an ex
ceptional chance to build here a pub
lie bathing pool, as during the time
1t was occupied as Camp Meigs there
was such a large cement pool con-
structed. 1t has also the extra ad :
vantage of lying beside the Columbia
Institution. or Gallaudet College, cam
pus, which would give an extern
sive and attractive stretch free from
. the congestion Of row upon row OF
small dwellings that characterizes
that neighborhood.
1t is very desirable that the Pat
terson tract should be acquired now
The Government is willing to buy
on fair terms and the owners have
always encouraged the efforts TO in.
1erest the Government in this land
The only question is whether thu
trustees of the estate will be willing
TO accept a price for part of this ares
which Is within the restrictions tina
Congress placed upon the $500, 90,
fund available for park purchases
All Of this 100000 cannot be use,
for this one park site, as the plans O
the National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission include severa
other projects that must be takei
care of or the land desired will b.
forever lost for park purposes. o
the fund available $225,O00 is exemp
from the limitation of 25 per cen
above the assessed value of tn
property.
If the owners wish to sell to tn
Government now is their chance
and evidently their last chance.
For the civic interests. of tl
CT fnrs hn fcfn &c n.
Columbia Institution, and in the in
terests of preserving for the futur
q