Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-25
MAGRUDER PARK
WORK PROGRESSING
HyattsviIIe Recreation Gen.
ter's First Facilities Expect
ed to Be Ready June I.
Special Dispatch to The star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
EVANSVILLE, Md, April U.s.
Grading Of Magruder Park, Hyattsville's
community recreation center, Is pro-
crossing rapidly, and it is expected that
the base ball diamond, which will be the
flrst unit Of a group Of facilities to be
provided, will be ready for use by June
l. The plot, which lies In the western
end Of the own, opposite the Washing
ton Suburban Sanitary Commission
plant, was donated by former Mayor
William P. Magruder as a recreational
center
Money has been appropriated by the
town and contributed by citizens to-
ward the fund for the start of work on
the park. It is planned to add to the
facilities Of the park each year until
ultimately it is model community rec
reation center.
Held Vital Need.
Establishment Of the park will fill a
vital need here, it Is pointed out by
Daniel Cox Fahey, jr.,. landscape and
golf course architect Of HyattSville, who
is a member Of the playground commit
tee of the Chamber Of Commerce of
Hyattsville. G. Sherman James is
chairman Of this committee. DR.. Perley
r. Brookens of the fourth ward Is chair
MANI Of the parks and Fairgrounds
committee Of the town council, which
is cooperating.
Hyattsville has been in the past and
will doubtless always remain essentially
a suburb of washington, 1t is pointed
out by Mr.. Fahey. AS such it has en-
joyed the fine recreational facilities of
the National Capital. However, it is
claimed that with the building up Of
this community it is losing by degrees
the picturesque woodlands and fields
which have attracted many home seek
ers to the section.
Magruder Park will be readily ac-
cessible to all sections Of the commun-
ity. At present 1t may be reached only
from Columbia avenue, but eventually
Melrose avenue and Arbor street will
make possible an entrance from Rhode
Island avenue extended. lakewood road
will be another means Of access to the
park.
Would Have Foot Ball Field.
Following the laying out Of base
ball field, which Is considered the towns
most vital need, 1t Is hoped to provide
a foot ball gridiron, q swimming pool.
concrete basket ball courts and i've
tennis courts. Recognizing the popu-
larity Of golf, an area has been desig-
mated for clock golf.
It is pointed out that the orientatNn
of the park Is such as to make posSln9e
q very advantageous layout OF the vari.
Gus athletic activities to which 1t Will
be devoted. The ground lies well, Is OF
a good soil texture and possesses con-
siderable number OF shade trees: Because
Of the fact that the areas adjacent to
the park are not built up, zoning, 1t Is
set forth, will be simple and objection
able types of buildings or activities may
be forever excluded
Grandstands Planned.
It is planned to erect stands and a
backstop at the base ball field. The
stands could also be used to observe
contests on the foot ball field, as the
area designated for gridiron comedies
with the major portion Of that to BE
used at different season for base ball
Behind one section OF the stands ade-
uuate provision Is made for parking.
Agitation for the erection Of SWIM
ming pool in Hyattsville has long beer
heard, but up to the present time few
steps toward establishment Of one have
been taken. The waters of the. Local
streams have had to take care OF sew
age and as result afe unflt for bath
ing. :,
At the extreme north Of the park
tract is o spring which, 1t is believed
| would provide sufficient water not only
for the needs of the pool. but q pic
| turesque stream running through the
layout.
It has been recommended that has.
ket ball courts be of concrete, because
this sport is most popular when freez.
ing and thawing weather makes play
| impossible on an earth surface.
In connection with the layout Of thu
tennis courts q most desirable orienta.
ton is possible with their layout as con
Germs difnculties from the afternoon'i
sun.
It also has been suggested that Z
field house might be built which nigh
take on the character Of q coulmunit,
hall