Evening star., 1931-12-20
ROCK CREEKFUNDS
TO Be AVAILABLE.
Maryland National Capital
Park Body to Get First
Unit Money.
BY HOWARD M. BAGGETT,


SILVER SPRING, Md, December
is.-Money for the purchase of park
lands in the first unit of Rock Creek
Park in Montgomery County will be
made available to the Maryland-National
Capital Park and Planning Commission
early next week, when park bonds for
$4,000 are delivered to the National
Capioal Park and Planning Commission,
In return for which the Maryland body
will receive total of $144000 in cash,
including the one-third paid by the
Federal Government under the terms
OF the Cramton park act.
The national commission yesterday
approved a joint agreement between the
Washington Suburban Sanitary Com
mission, the Maryland Planning Com
mission and itself for handling the
problems of sanitation and stormwater
flow in all of the park valleys of Mary
land to be developed under the Cram
ton act, which was necessary before
the transfer of funds could be made.
The national commission also approved
the appraisal report for the first unit
of Sligo Greek Valley Parkway and
the second unit of Rock Creek Park.
Approval of the appraisal report Of the
first unit Of Rock Creek was given some
months ago.
Basic Agreement Approved.
The basic agreement between the two
planning bodies, which covers all phases
of the issuance of the bonds, the form
of the bond issue and the guarantee to
the Federal Government from the State
and county, has already been approved
by the two commissions and is now
ready for signatures. This is to be
Ritchie, members of the Board of
County Commissioners of Montgomery
County, the national commission and
the Maryland commission.
In discussing the matter today, Irving
G. Root, chief engineer OF the Mary
land commission, also announced that
his commission Is preparing plans for
the extension Of the park drive in Sligo
Creek Parkway through the second unit
between Blair road and the Colesville
pike, distance of about l mile, which
is expected to be constructed next Sum-
mer. These plans are being prepared,
Mr.. Root said, in anticipation of the
securing of the land in this unit. The
present road in the first section of Sligo
Parkway will be extended, the same type
OF construction being used, with the
work to be paid for out of the 7-cent
park tax money.
Upon the delivery of the 500 900 in
park bonds next week the Maryland
Commission will have completed all of
itS obligations under the Cramton act
for the purchase of the land in the
first unit Of Rock Creek Park, which
extends from the District of Columbia
line to the East-West highway. A 30
foot concrete road, known as Rock
Greek Drive, has already been con-
structed in this unit by the Maryland |
Commission. but will not be opened |
until connecting road is completed |
within the District of Columbia.
The bonds are in denomination of |
81 900 and are dated 1910 to run for a |
period of SO years. Interest on the |
bonds under the act does not begin for |
9 years from the present date. The |
bonds will be held by the Federal Gov-
frnment as security for the advance |
ment of the money to Maryland for |
khe purchase of the park lands and In |
q940 will be sold and the money ad- |
fanced by the Federal Government re- |
Paid.
In connection with using the s144,000 |
For the purchase of the lands in the |
Rock Creek first unit, Mr.. Root stated |
that some of the land is already under |
contract by the Maryland Commission |
while other parcels will have to be con-
demned tU secure clear title, as they |
are held by estates with minor heirs. |
II the actual cost of purchasing the |
lands in this unit Is more than the |
Sl44, 900 which the appraisal estimates,
the difference will be made up by the |
Government when money for the pur-
chase OF the second unit is made avail
able, while II the lands costs less than
estimated the balance will 60 as a credit
On the amount to be made available |
foT the second unit.
Financial Set-Up.
In the first unit of Sligo Parkway |
much OF the land is already owned by |
the Maryland Commission, as 1t was |
purchased out of $4,000 appropriated |
by the State in 1927, before the passage
OF the Cramton act. This amount will |
be returned to the Maryland Commits
eion when bonds for the purchase of |
the first unit of Sligo are issued and |
SWlll be used to make other advantage |
pus land purchases In anticipation of |
Pie receipt of money under the Cram
Ton act
. The financial set-up under which the |
Maryland Commission b now working |
tncaudes the purchase Of the park
lands In Rock Greek, Sligo, Cabin John |
fnd the Northwest Branch Valleys
Efth money to be available under the |
Eramton act up to $4,5OO 900, Of which |
Maryland will be required to pay two
thirds and the Federal Governments
pne-third. Bonds are being issued,
however. which do not bear interest
curing the next eight years, which will
FURNISH the Maryland portion. Mean
while, during this 8-year interim, the
N-cent park, tax money from Mont
gomery County will be used to improve
1he park areas and build roads to make
them available. At the end of that
period this tax money will 20 to nav
tor the park land purchase bonds.
These bonds are secured first by the
property of the Metropolitan area of
the county, and, secondly, by the
county as a whole.