Evening star., 1928-04-01

LtllS time OF Tue year. ullCeT Tie NatIAtIl
of a Spring sun. and the trees begin to
hide their limbs with verdant coating
of green. there comes that irresistible
feeling that work must be confined. to
shorter hours and play spaces must be
10 youth, for those of more advanced
years begin TO feel the impulse to get
exercise, accompanied by little fun.
When this feeling overtakes them.
young and old will find the Capital
abundantly supplied with play spaces,
with ground set aside for almost any
kind OF sport. Already the once of
Public Buildings and Public Parks is
turning its forces in the direction of
meeting the demands of hundreds OF
thousands of persons who annually use
the play spaces in the public parks here.
Lieut.. Col. u. S. Grant 3rd. director
OF the ONCE. is the play ground official
Of the Capital. and he has assisting
him, Albert Clyde Burton. They have
been working diligently during the
Winter on plans for increasing play
ground facilities, are now directing
their field forces to the task OF put
ting every available space in shape.
and within few weeks. they will have
ready a place for almost any game one
would want TO indulge IN, and for
those Of every age.
Three Ring Affair.
The play activities Of the District
are a sort of three-ring affair. The
Office of Buildings and Parks how
ever has the greater portion OF the
piay space under its guidance. while
under the District Government, there
Is a special play ground department.
In addition to this. there are the
smaller Fairgrounds adjacent 10 pubic
schools. and over which the District
school officials have jurisdiction.
While the city does not have anything
like the playground facilities OF Ch-
caro. nor does 1t spend anything Ike
the funds expended by the MidWestern
CITY. nevertheless. officials directing the
desttnies OF the Capital in It's develop
ment scheme have hopeful ideas and
have set Chicago on q pedestal as a
model. which eventually will result
when the necessary funds are forthcom"
ing. in establishing here the most elan-
orate playground system IN the Worio.
The objective Is being worked out oy
the National Capital Park and Planning
Commission. which has approved tne
plan 10 have great expanses OF lano pa
each section OF the city, providing play
space for people Of all ages. and IN ao-
dition. a number Of smaller neighbor-
hood Fairgrounds for younger people
The main problem Is acquisition OF iand'
the purchase Of which Is under the
Jurisdiction Of the commission.
As fast as funds are provided, the
details will be worked out by purcnase
of land in the sections selected HOW
ever. Il must be done quickly, or the
cost viii become prohibltiYc as me
open spaces are being filed by real
estate developments. 1t is for this
reason that the body proposes Treas
ury loan of 10000 900 for the prompt
ACQUISITION Of the necessary land. the
money To be paid back By the annual
appropriations, which now are S6o0.OoO
although the organic act OF the com
mission authorizes an appropriation
equal TO one cent for every inhaDitani
of the continental United States. or
approximately 100000,
s35.O00 Allowed Yearly.
Although Chicago has been taken at
mode II is doubtful II Congress VIII
be SO generous with this city as the
DsopIe Of Chicago are In allowing funds
for development Of play spaces. There
the playground and park expense an"
nualfy runs into the millions, while
Congress allows the Capital for the
Federal playground system, $4,000
wear. IS 600 OF which iz exclusively f0f
maintenance and upkeep of the tourist
camp In East Potomac Park. Chicago
for instance, In 1923 and 1924, spent
so 900 per PARK. the play spaces there
running In size from 10 10 80 acres.
In addition 10 the funds allowed by
Congress. part Of the maintenance 0i
play spaces and equipment is provided
from the profit Of the Joint Welfare
Service, corporation Of quasi~g0y-
ernmental nature, the officials and
directors ot which are officers anc EN-.
ployee of the Federal Parks Office, sery-
ing without salary other than theii
government stipend. This organization
runs the news and candy stands IN q
number Of the Government buildings
six csfeteriss IN Federal buildings. the
/ tourist camp and the tea houses al
Pierce NIL IN Rock Greek Park. and al
! HainE Point IN East Potomac PARK
/ There also goes into the maintenance
/ fund the fees charged fGr the nae 0i
tennis courts The golf courses arf
/ run by cOncessionaife who maintains
them by fees collected from players.
/ 4 fee of 10 cents per person per houi
/ Is charged f0r ti4e use III some tenni,
courts. On the pay courts, children
| under is gears are allowed 10 use them
| from 10 am until pm. free 0i
| charge The funds acquired by thG
Joint Welfare also are used for main.
/ tensnce III the Federal Parks 0iJIce base
ball team, 8 tennis team, and f0i
Christmas parties for lab0rerg Of ths
| Offlce
Rock creek PARK lE the largest reere
sii0n spare IN the city having a tota
of l.s32 acres and Ia larger by IA
than all Of the playground spaces com
bined under the District government
in IT may he found spaces for alfnoe
| any kind u recreation There are II
picnic groves, II 0f which have Etoni
ovens where parties may DO their cook
ing with wood supplied from the park
| Jiist yest ~ the ErtgbtY0od reseTvoi
are play facilities, and II is hoped tha
/ this reservoir, nov unused may b
turned into d swimming pool
Adjacent " tnie there sTe two pieni
| groves, each with o set ~ children
playground equipment, including slides
swings end Eee@ssWs, and large rlsti
shelter house, two naSasnt and min
sk5 kaf a.