Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-03
WASHINGTON PARK
PROPORTION GIVEN
Capital Shows One Acre of
Recreational Space to Each
1923 inhabitants.

Washington has one acre of park to
each 1913 of its inhabitants, the Bureau
of Labor statistics OF the Department
Of Labor announced today, in placing
the National Capital in the front rank
of cities approximating its population
in recreational facilities for the people.
The bureau pointed out that Minneapo-
lis leads all cities of more than 100. 900
population in the percentage of park
acreage to the total city acreage, having
approximately IA per cent of its area in
park property and an acre OF park land
to each so of its inhabitants.
Among the other cities of $50, 900 or
more population that have led In &C
curing parks are Kansas City, Mo-,
with a ratio of one acre OF park TO
every 100 inhabitants; Los Angeles
and Portland. Ore, with a ratio of /
to 1I8, and indianapolis with ratio OF
to 122, the department declared. For
1925-26. upon which the survey is based.
the bureau said, Washington's 437.571
inhabitants had 45,106 acres In the city
area, and of this 3,425.5 was in parks.
In all the cities with population
of $4,000, or more, the most notable
deficiency as to types of properties is
hood playfield parks, two types of
properties in a park system that were
not given serious consideration in plan
ming until well along In the past quar-
ter of a century" the department de-
clared in its bulletin.
Phoenix Outside Area.
The largest of the city parks outside
the limits is owned by Phoenix, Ariz.,
and comprises 5000 acres in one
property, the department said. adding
that Denver owns more than 10000
acres in mountain parks outside the
city Pelham Bay Park in New York
and Rock Greek Park In Washington,
each covers more than 1900 acres.
To-day the capital investment in pub
lie parks and recreation spaces OF
American cities is estimated TO be con-
Siderahly over 81 200. 00o.0 900. and the
current operation and maintenance eX-
pense runs considerably over 100000
900. annually, the departments survey
said.
Among the chief sources OF revenue
for operation and maintenance of park
and recreation systems are annual ap-
preparation by the city or county gov
erning authority; special tax levy, Spe-
cial sources of income such as a GER
tain percentage of the gross income of
street railway system (Baltimorel; per-
centage OF vehicle tax (KanSaS City.
Mo-: percentage of gross receipts OF
city from fines, penalties and licenses
(Seattle). ETC.: gifts. legacieS. requests:
fees from the operation OF different
types of recreation facilities. the depart
ment found.
Mai. L'Enfant, by using a combina-
ton plan of rectangular and radial
streets. provided for numerous open
spaces in the City of Washington, a
plan which was later followed In Buffalo
Erie, and Indianapolis" the department
said.
Comparison of Acreage.
The survey showed that Washington
in 1880 had population OF l77,624 and
560.7 acres in city-owned park spaces,
and that by 1890. when the population
stood at $50. S93, Washington had SSl
park spaces of 2.704 acres. and that by
1916, when the population had jumped
to SOL 1923, there we're AIT park spaces,
totaling S,06T.4 acres In 1926, with u
population of $4,000. the survey said,
Washington had 564 city-owned park
spaces totaling 3.424.S acres. exclusive
OF ITO acres In the Tidal Basin.
The department pointed out that for
the fiscal year ending June so, 1928.
Washington expended for parks $i.S70.-
a02 II, apportioned as follows: Depart
ment of Public Buildings and Grounds,
S704. 2S4.64 National Capital Park COM
mission. SCAT. S27,S4; National 1oologt-
cal Park, STAT. 64T.64; National Botanic
Gardens. $l0S, 1890. and Department
60 Fairgrounds, $i65.ST0. This total |
compared with $l.7S0.ST0,2 20 for Buff |
falo, N. Y: $2.046.7 ei 46 for San Fran |
cisco and $l,i22.54S,lI for Milwaukee, |
Wis.