Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-19
FALLS TO Be ADDED
IN MERIDIAN PARK
Cascades Connecting Pools
viii Be Started Next July
Along With Planting.

Construction Of a series Of water
falls down the slope of Meridian Hill
Park, between the upper and lower
levels, connecting IS pools, will begin
soon after July /, when an approprta-
ton of 100000 will become available
to continue construction in the park,
according to plans announced by Lieut.,
Col. q. S. Grant. Sd, director OF Pub
lie Buildings and Public Parks.
The great bank of yellow clay be-
tween the two levels of the park VIII be
converted into a hillside garden with
cleaning cascades tumbling down, from
a point of origin near the Joan OF Arc
statue In a series of watery steps INTO
a lower basin near the rejecting pool.
There will be stairs on both sides Of the
cascade and a small. concealed pump
ing station near the bottom OF the
waterfall In order to conserve water,
the supply to the cascade, fountains,
inches and basins will be pumped In
continuous circulation.
The 100000 fund also will cover
considerable amount of planting, Col.
Grant said. This planting will involve
landscaping to blend the natural growth
with the architectural features of the
park.
Work Now Under Way.
At present, the Fred Drew Co., con-
tractors, are completing the west ascent,
from the lower to the upper gardens.
along Sixteenth street and series of
steps I'D to the great terrace above,
in the shadow of the statue OF Joan
of Arc with sword appraised. CON-
foKt station and storage rooms and
facilities for the United States Park
Police under the steps also are being
put into final shape.
fhn 0f lnUpT garden
Is located the exedra, an ornamental
balustrade with urn-like projections. A
great checkerboard is set in the con-
crete near the Buchanan Memorial.
Some planting has been done by the
Once of Public Buildings and Public
Parks in the lower garden, but as the
whole development expands additional
planting will be accomplished to add
greenery to the portion of the park on
the hillside and to the south.
Meridian Hill Park has probably
some of the most beautiful concrete
work in existence" says Maj. D. H. Gil
lette, U. S. Army, who has direct charge
of this work. Much of it has been cast
with great care in plaster moulds, which
are very beautifully and accurately
done. In the park are textures and
shapes which are very rarely seen IN
concrete. 1t is classic as to texture,
color and finish"
Future Plans Studied.
The details Of future plans are now
being studied. A bandstand has been
suggested for the upper garden, and
large trees will probably be planted in
the vicinity of the Joan Of Arc statue.
Near the statue Of Dante, on the east
part of the hillside, it Is proposed to
construct an east ascent, with appro-
pirate establishment. The consulting
architect in the park development is
Horace w. Peaslee.
The upper park garden has long
stretch Of greenward, with trees and
benches. Kite flying contests, a chill
dren's sand box and facilities for games
make Meridian Hill Park mecca for
the children of the thickly-populated
embassy district area. The Meridian
Hill Croquet Club holds forth there
on the six courts which attract the
devotees Of this sport.