Evening star., 1934-11-15
National Group to Recon-
mend More Facilities to
Planning Body.
MEETING NOVEMBER 27
TO LISTEN TO REPORT
Greater Outdoor Activities Aim
of Proposal, Digest of Which
Is Heard by Commission.

The need for a unified recreation
system in the District and its environs,
with more facilities to permit greater
public participation in outdoor activi-
ties, will be recommended in a forth
coming report of the National Recrea-
ton Association to the National Capt.
tai Park and Planning Commission
and other interested groups.
This was learned today after Roy
Smith Wallace, in charge Of the
Eastern district of the National
Recreation Association, submitted a
report to the November meeting OF
the planners.
The commission listened this morn
ing to the report and then decided
to call a meeting of the District Com
missionerS, the Board of Education,
the National Park Service and other
interested groups, as well as civic
authorities, to assemble at the COM
missions headquarters in the Navy
Building on November 27 at z pm.
At that gathering. the report will be
made public by Mr.. Wallace and by
L. H. Weir, field investigator, who has
been studying the situation here.
Later Figures Asked.
The commission today directed the
National Recreation Association to
bring the report up to date, as in
some instances data was available
only up to May l. and the planners
desire to have November ! figures in
corporated. A week from Tuesday the
report will be fully completed, Thomas
Settle, the commissions secretary.
said.
Definite recommendations will be
made in the report, which is described
as being $50 pages and more in length,
AT today's session the commission
was given digest of the recommends
tions. Mr.. Weir was unable to be
in Washington today to offer the re-
port. inasmuch as he is in New
Hampshire comforting with Gov. John
G Wlnant to map out an ideal State
set-up for recreation.
Representatives of the commission
Will attend the meeting a week from
Tuesday, as will members of a special
advisory group of 40 dealing with
recreations and assisting the commits
sion on this subject. This group is
representative of civic and business
interests as well as directly concerned
with recreation.
Only about 10000 of the city's popu-
lation of half a million partake.
either as spectators or players, In
recreational activities, the commission
was Informed. This, it was indicated.
stressed the need for bringing recrea-
ton to more OF the city's population
and requires a we'll considered pro-
gram to afford additional opportuni-
ties.
Recreational Area Plan.
The National Capital Park and
Planning Commission has been work.
ing toward making the George WASH
ington Memorial Parkway, running
Southway from Great Falls to Mount
Vernon, Va, and Fort Washington,
Md, great recreational area. Like
wise, it has mapped out a system
within the District of parks and play
grounds, for small children as well as
adults, but realization of this program
has been hampered by lack Of ade-
quate funds for purchasing land.
The group of 40 representatives
which will assemble on November 21
met previously in May. The commits
sion undertook to request the CO.
operation of the National Recreation
Association, countrywide philo-
sophie group. after it had been urged
to sponsor an inquiry by Washington
citizens. At the outset the Council Of
Social Agencies requested the COM
mission to make a study as an i'm
partial organization having in its
membership representatives of the
various administrative groups. Col.
Daniel Sultan. Engineer Commissioner
of the District, is an ex-officio mem
Der of the Planning Commission, as
is Arno B. Cammerer, director of the
National Park Service, who is also
the commissions executive officer.
After writing to various interested
groups the commission was assured
of cooperation. 1t then assembled
a special Advisory Committee of 40
members.