Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-31
ASKS S9D,0)OFUND
FOR SMALL PARKS.
Hazen Urges Necessity of
Acquiring Areas at Street
intersections.

Transfer a at least S5o.o0 of the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commissions SS50.000 park site appro-
priation ia the control of the District
Commissioners for the purchase OF
small park areas at street intersections
is advocated by Melvin c. Haaen, Dis
trict surveyor, in his annual report for
the last fiscal year. The report was
made public today by Maj Donald A.
Dawson. Acting Engineer Commissioner,
Mr.. Hazen pointed out that his Of
flee has $4,000 for the purchased small
parks. but that larger sum is needed
for the desired remaining avaeshle
sites
This appropriation is entirely in
adequate for the purpose for which 1t
Is intended" Mr., Hazen declared. 1T
is impossible TO make more than one
or two small park acquisitions with
that amount and the property acquired
must necessarily be the cheapest that
can be bought and situated in the re-
hottest sections, where the need will
not be felt for park space for years to
come. In the sections of the District
where these small parks are sorely need
ed 1t is impossible to consider their
purchase on account OF the lack Of
funds to acquire them.
Should Acquire Sites.
There are great number OF small
trsangieS at street intersections which
should be acquired before small and un-
slightly structures are placed on them
- y$G II
rounding property There is no method
OF enforcing owners when Subdividing
their property TO dedicate land for parks.
The creation of parks and recreation
centers are certainly great assets TO a
well planned and up-to-date SUBDIVISION
and greatly enhance the lots in the sub
division However, the property owners
cannot always be made TO see these adj
vantages and too frequently sell all the
land comprised in the subdivision, in
Guiding property which Is Splenoidly
adapted for park purposes.
The Park and Planning Commission,
according to the report, has abandoned
its policy OF acquiring small park areas.
leaving their purchase TO the Commits
sioners who, Mr.. Hazen said. are charg-
ed with the responsibility Of developing
the highway plan and therefore are be-
iieved better informed as TO where these
parks should be located.
Funds Greatly Reduced.
Formerly the appropriation for pur-
chase Of small parks was $4,000 q year.
but Congress, Mr.. Hazen said. has SEEM
ed TO have reduced it from time to
time, until it has reached the present
Insignificant point"
A summary of the activities of the
surveyors Office during the year shows
that 1884 surveys we're made and
7,4o4 plats were drawn. A large amount
of this work was done for the District
IN connection with tract acquired for
additions to school sites. Mr.. Hazen rec
commended that the law authorizing the
Commissioners to close old roads. streets
and highways rendered useless and I'M
necessary by the opening of streets In
accordance with a highway plan be
modified to give the Commissioners au-
thortty TO close such streets. This au-
thority. however, should be exercised
with great care and consideration the
surveyor said or there could easily re-
suit great injustice to property owners
affected.