Evening star., 1932-07-18
ANAC0ST|A PARK
PLAN M0D|F F|CAT|0N
BEING CONSIDERED
Number of Islands Would Be
Built in Lake on
East Side.
NATIONAL ARBORETUM
is FACTOR IN CHANGE
Wild Rice Area Would Be Laid Out
to Encourage Use by Birds
as Sanctuary.
A modified plan to develop Anacostia

A modified plan to develop Anacostia
Park is IN the making.
This plan provides creating number
of islands, with different heights, in the
lake on the east side, upstream OF Ben
ming Bridge, instead of one large lake,
with one island in the center. and
considerable area devoted to wild rice.
to encourage development OF bird
sanctuary.
The Anacostia Park Project Board
comprising Lieut.. Col. U. S. Grant, 3rd,
director OF Public Buildings and Public
Parks: Mai. John c. Gottwalls. Engi-
neer Commissioner of the District, and
Mai. Joseph D. Arthur. jr., District en-
gineer for the War Department for the
Washington Areas now studying the
proposal for altering the park plan.
Arboretum to Be Factor.
E A. Schmitt, engineer in Maj
Arthur's Office, who represented the
Army officer, who Is now at Fort
Humphreys, Va. on reserve training
duty. at the recent board meeting, SAID
today that the creation of the national
arboretum is factor in the modlnca-
ton program.
The national arboretum act. he eX-
planned directs that upon issuance OF
an executive order by the President GER
tain areas of Anacostia Park would be
turned over to the Department OF Agrl-
culture for use as an arboretum. Ger
tain minor changes in channel dimen-
sion appear desirable under House Docu-
ment 3O9. dealing with navigation, 1rri-
cation. hvdro-electric development and
fiood control Nine years have elapsed
since the last modified project Tor the
park was adopted.
Informal conferences have been held
with Department of Agriculture officials
and the board now proposes to obtain
formal statement from them as TO What
wish them developed. Present indica-
ticns. Mr. Schmitt said. are that there
will be- instead Of one long lake at the
ees. side of the Anacostia River, from
the Potomac Electric Power Co.'S plant
T. the District line. bird sanctuary Will
r. featured in some of the wild marsh
ercc. AS wild rice requires tidal flow
C-c- it fer growing. Mr. Schmitt eX-
ned that this food for wild life can
n be secured with a constant level
leAa In order to present properly the
off rent kinds of aquatic growth,
numerous islands and natural shores
w-re considered for the smaller east
lake, which is grouped around the Shaw
u.
ponds is still being held in allegiance.
Construction of the new 100000
Benning Bridge by the District govern
ment will likely be used as model for
other bridges in Anacostia Park, con-
sidering bridge clearances and under
passes for park roads.
Pleasure Use Is Seen.
AS no appreciable commercial navi-
eating is anticipated in that area, ulti-
mate use OF the park locks to pleasure
boating, Mr.. Schmitt said, and it now
seems that a clearance Is feet above
mean high water with channel spans
at least 40 feet wide for use with fixed
bridges tno draw SPAN is desirable.
The studies under House Document
308 were found to apply only on the
basis of flood control, and in order to
relieve flood conditions at Bladensburg.
and insure the freshet discharge in the
District of Columbia the channel Of
the Anacostia River is to be Widened
from $50 to 300 feet, and the top of
each bank of the stream carried at 13
feet above mean low water.
Mr. Schmitt said all changes so far
indicated show that if the modified
plan now being considered is finally
adopted there would be no change in
the total authorized cost of the project.
Congress set the cost of the Anacostia
park project at S4,125, 900, with an ad-
ditional S150,000 to acquire marsh areas,
as a result of the Ross tract decision.
indicating that the United States did
not own these areas. Five years more
of work are anticipated in developing
the Anacostia Park, which Is now rs
per cent completed. So far total of
S3276,000 has been spent on it. Minor
features such as form and type OF sea
walls and shore treatments, are being
considered by the board. as Is also the
maintenance required to keep the chan
nels in proper condition.