Evening star., 1928-10-07
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has set up this commission because II
recognizes the wisdom of planning now
TO meet the needs of the future. just S
President Washington. with the aid OF
Mai. L'Enfant in 1891, planned a city
which proved adequate in all of its
main features for period of approXi-
mately IS years. Other cities of the
United States where the population has
become large and concentrated have
found it advisable to develop such
wooded and scenic areas for park pur-
poses, and are spending great sums to
do so now. The postponement of ac-
QUESTION of the land in such cases
meant not only that it will have to be
bought later at a greatly increased cost,
but also permits developments of vari-
Gus kinds which have to be acquired
merely to be destroyed. an actual and
often great waste at public expense.
How Plan Was Prepared.
Charles w. Elliot I'd, city planner
Of the commission, explains the method
by which the commission proceeded in
selecting areas that ought to be pre-
served for public enjoyment, for the
future - those of particular scenic
beauty, of historical interest and the
cANdS Va oNAGIlGA1lC 4llbCICSO. 1llcy WGIlb
to authorities on each of these subjects
and then prepared a series of maps
showing these particular points of In
terest around Washington.
Among the historic points are Mount
Vernon, Fort Stevens, where Lincoln was
under fire: the old canal locks of the
Potowmack Canal at Great Falls which
were built under the personal direction
OF George Washington, the Civil War
forts and some of the old Virginia and
9daryland estates which tourists visit,
and which should be preserved fo-
fHture generations.
After conferences with the Depart
Ment of Agriculture, the Biological Sur
%eg and the Geological Survey. a map
Was prepared showing where the bird
levers around Washington go to find
the greatest variety and the rarest
species of birds which come to this
Eegion; those areas of interest to geo.
logical students or those who wish to
see an example of the power of water
In forming the surface Of the earth.
A survey was also made of existing
open spaces, areas which are now with
Drawn from general urban occupation
such public properties as Fort Hum
phreys. the penal farm at Occoquan, the
Agricultural station at Beltsville, to-
ther with such other areas, both in
tutional and private. as may be con-
0dered set aside for public USE.
Then a map made of rough places
about Washington, which are unfavor-
able for urban use. the improvement
of which with streets would be too eX-
pensive to warrant real estate develop
rnent, but which are we'll suited for
public recreation grounds.
Five Major Park Projects,
After all this preliminary work five
tnajor park projects for the regional
area have been decided upon for ex-
/ tension of the park system of the Ma
tional Capital into the surrounding
country:
First, the project for. development of
the banks of the historic Potomac down
the river to Mount Vernon and Fort
Humphreys. This includes the Mount
Vernon parkway and boulevard along
the west bank and through Alexandria
as part of the celebration commemo-
rating the bicentennial Tin 1892 OF
Washington's birth. The Importance of
acquiring land between the route of the
boulevard and the river, except a.
Alexandria, has been emphasized by the
commission, as we'll as its special inter
J est in the preservation of Forts Hunt,
Washington and Foote as parts of g
general park scheme. AS one use of
this land along the Virginia bank the |
commission has indorsed the proposal
of the District Commissioners to create
q commercial airport at Gravelly Point.
It is planned to have another parkway
on the Maryland side to old Fort Wash
ington, picturesque site almost oppo-
site Mount Vernon. constructed origi-
nally by Mai. LEnfant, who designed
the original city Of Washington.
The parkway on the Maryland side
would make it possible for one to drive
10 Mount Vernon, down the Virginia
side. across the river by ferry to Fort
Washington. and back to Washington on
the Maryland side, a circuit of %
miles. Much of the land involved in
this project is now swamps and marshes
and would not be unduly expensive
to acquire The making Of that land
into a parkway or park land would
be very advantageous to abutting prop
erty owners, and there would be a rea-
sonable chance of getting substantial
returns in increased taxes from adjoin-
ing property.
Development of Potomac.
The second project calling for the
development of the Potomac as a great
park reservation involves the preserva-
tion of the unusual natural scenery
of the gorge and Great Falls of the
Potomac together with the picturesque
and contrasting quiet beauty of the
Chesapeake and Ohio canal. This. is
known as "the upper Potomac Valley
project" That region has been indi-
Gated by the scientists as being one
of special importance. 1t is one of the
most beautiful areas to be found on the
Atlantic Coast and the climax at Great
Falls is the greatest scenic asset close
to any great Capital city.
Experts testify that no city in the
country has within such short dis
tence the possibility of so picturesque
and valuable park project as Wash
angton has in the gorge of the Poto-
mac to and including Great Falls. The
rugged scenery Of the Falls and rapids,
cut through by torrential river, has
a picturesque value that has been re-
marked on for century and the value
of which is very much enhanced by
contrast with the old Chesapeake and
Ohio canal running parallel to the
river on the left bank and the VIDE
nuiet stretches of tidewater down.
stream from the Key Bridge.
The gorge is already an outdoor
playground for great numbers OF the
Inhabitants of Washington and its
environs who cannot afford the time
or cost of going to great distances for
recreation Walking, canoeing, rowing
and all kinds of naturalistic investiga-
tions and trips are the sort of recrea-
ton most generally INDUCED in along
the gorge and Great Falls.
The gorge is recognized by Govern
fnent experts as having special interest
from the ornithologicsl and biological
standpoint, as we'll as affording an
interesting opportunity for comparing
different kinds of vegetation growing
together in the same area. For more