Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-11
PLANNING IS URGED
ON GREATER SCALE
Charles H. Cheney for Mosaic
of master City, County
and Regional" Move.

city, county and regional plans" to
provide for larger park and recreation
areas, parkWays, traff1c and transpor-
tation systems, group buildings and
Soning regulations, is urged by Charles
II. Cheney, chairman of the city and
regional planning committee OF the
American Institute of Architects.
The major objective of such plans is
more breathing space in American
cities, more Impressive scenery for
nerve-strained, city-strained men, wom-
en- and children" he declared yesterday
In a report on the need for greater
playground facilities for both children
and adults.
California, Mr.. Cheney pointed out,
has already passed planning act,
which went into effect on August 1, and
which makes mandatory upon each city,
county and regional planning commits
sion to make and adopt master plan
including these various features.
This is distinct step forward in
the progress of the country" he as
aertS. 1T is even more forward-look-
ing than the model standard planning
enabling act recommended by the
Hoover committee Of the United States
Department of Commerce in 1927.
which largely inspired Colifornia's less
definite planning act of 1927.
familiar with good many of the fac
tors which must be taken into account
in preparing any disable plan of city or
regional development.
I'VE know that 1t is not practical to
locate a school building. or the local
playground for the children who are
TO use the school. without taking care
full account of the centers of present
and future child population.
Previous Growth Considered.
''These in turn are dependent upon
the previous manner Of growth of the
neighborhood and its zone ordinance.
which determines whether it shall con-
tinue as a residential district Both
schools and Fairgrounds are safer.
cleaner, quieter and more attractive of
Of major highways.
In similar way all the other parts
OF the city'S master plan really have
important bearing upon this choice of
location. The same is true in the
larger units Of the county or region.
Now we have county coming coming
into more general use. with coming
regulations for areas desiring protection,
both residential and industrial This
helps to effect sounder planning and
community building
General principles have been devol-
oped regarding the kinds of recreation
areas, school Fairgrounds. public play
grounds and parks. which are needed
and should be included in making city,
county and regional plans.
The efficiency OF a system of parks
rs a complicated and dif1cult matter to
estimate, for it cannot be figured in dol
lars and cents like a real estate deal or
any commercial project.
AT intervals about the city there
should be outdoor beauty spots for the
restful recreation Of both old and young
Here should be found the quiet walks
and the refreshing beauty of trees.
shrubs, flowers and lawns. what has
been called that real park quality which
benefits the city dweller from youth to
old age.
In each distinct part of the city
there should be neighborhood park of
from IS to so acres. forming q general
adult recreation center.
Areas Of Scenic Beauty.
I'm addition to these local recrea-
tional requirements, there should be
areas Of great natural scenic beauty,
worthy Of permanent perpetuation and
care, which may well be few acres up
to several hundred or even thousand
acres in extent.
Magnificent street trees are a most
noticeable and refreshing asset in any
community. The most looking
have early been committed to an ex-
tensive tree-planting program. This
naturally requires appointment OF tree
warden, and continuous appropria
for the care Of street trees.
High class residence cities, proud
Of their appearance, and attracting
large numbers Of visitors. find it prof.
table to create show drives and park
ways, $50 to 800 feet wide, and we'll
lines with trees and Towering shrubs,
connecting up the various parks and
principal points of interest around the
city. Chicago and Kansas City are
famous for such parkways.
"A parkway Is route limited to pas
eenger vehicles, and made exceptionally
agreeable as a route of pleasure travel
by every possible means. but especially
by the feeling of openness that comes
only with plenty of width and by an
ample enhancement Of trees. shrubs and
other plantations In the parallel wide
sidewalk areas
There is Justification for providing
such a parkway or boulevard as one of
the main thoroughfares Of A city where
ever conditions are such that CONNER
cial trafic can be taken care of in other
or nearby routes, and that the amount
proposed route would make the extra
public enjoyment afforded by the park
way or boulevard worth its cost.
"A parkway or boulevard may be used
mainly by people going to and from
business and yet give them great deal
Of incidental recreation and pleasure.
For Best Advantages.
"such parkway thoroughfares, as far
q - Las a~eA a
pal parks and scenic views of the city.
showing them to the best advantage of
local people.
Width in parkways is necessary to
secure ample permanent spaces for
planting, which is what makes a boule-
ward refreshing and useful. A width of
200 to 220 feet would generally be
minimum. but more than this Is
usually desirable.
should be set back 50 to 100 feet from
the sidewalk. and suitable legal meth
DDS Of securing this should be adopted
at the time OF planning.
Requirement of All these kinds of
Fairgrounds, parks and parkways may
come to the public by gift. by leaee
with option to purchase or by outright
purchase.
ITO be a good neighbor, each school
and playground should be thickly
planted with screen of shrubs and
trees 20 to 40 feet wide, outside the
playground fence.
1T Is q we'll established fact that
residential property facing a public
park gains in a few years 10 to 20 per
cent more value than property not
near a park On the other hand, prop
erty facing ill-kept unfenced and UNI
planted school buildings and grounds
Is often deprecated in value
Commission to work out a common
plan for all these developments, and
then to guide that plan into permanent