Evening star., 1936-06-07

areas and, where necessary, the substl-
tuition of fertile top soil for impover-
ished earth that no longer could sup
port plant life, and the redesigning
and relocation of sidewalks to meet ex-
isting traffic conditions.
In the years to come the value of
this work will be directly proportionate
to annual maintenance. This mainte-
nance must be continuous and well
planned, and to accomplish this 1t
must be properly financed, not period
ically but regularly, year in and year
out.
Teehnicians on STAFF.
Technicians and scientists on the
staff of National Capital Parks have
done everything within their power to
reduce to a minimum annual mainte-
nance costs. In those small parks
which have been redesigned walks
have been placed where we know a ma
jority Of the people walk. There will
be no need for trespassing if person
will only think.
Our hedges and planting strips will
be protected by a low ornamental
iron fence. The fence will not be con-
spicious but when seen it will be at
tractive. 1t is contemplated to use
this type of protection on many of
the small angles. 1t is our belief and
hope the low fence will permit the
park to be enjoyed by the paSsers-by,
will exclude the casual trespasser. and
will provide some feeling of seclusion
and privacy for the park users.
In open grass panels subject to the
direct rays of the sun, modern Sprin-
king systems have been installed.
With the exception Of Dupont Circle
and one or two other small areas land
these systems were installed as P. w
A. project only years ago., there were
no sprinkler installations in any Of the
parks. Then entire panel of the Mall
from the Monument to the Capitol,
has been provided with a watering
system. 1t is sight worth While
when these hundreds Of jets are
throwing a spray high into the all
and you can enjoy your personal rain
bow as you walk the IA blocks of the
Mall.
Many Trees Planted.
This Spring several hundred young
trees have been planted in the public
parks. The planting is scientifically
planned so that this young stock will
have reached mature growth before
existing trees succumb to old age and
storm damage.
Thousands of young plants and
shrubs have been put in the parks
this year to replace decadent and
unSightly material. New hedges have
been planted and many Towering
trees and shrubs have been added
For example, the triangles on Penn
sylvania avenue at Eighteenth and
Nineteenth streets will soon be known
and appreciated for their magnolia
trees. A large quantity OF these trees
were planted last month. At Twen-
tieth street and Pennsylvania avenue
masses of hybrid lilacs will be used
Large planting beds of azaleas will
be found in the shady flagstone court
around the new fountain at Franklin
Park.
One of the most gratifying and
important new projects which has
just been concluded, and which clearly
demonstrates the value of park main
tenance, is the P. w. A. tree work
Over $4,000 has been spent during
the past three years, with the result
that many of the trees in the parks
which four years ago were dying and
unsafe to the public are now in q
vigorous condition. No serious DAM
age was suffered by any Of our trees
during the severe Spring wind and
rain storms, and the maintenance
cost of collecting debris and saving
broken limbs has been reduced to
practically nothing. 1t may safely be
said that not during the past SO
years have the trees in the public
parks OF Washington suffered so little
from Spring storms as this season
and we all know that storms this
year have been rather severe.
Change in Assignments.
The park Office has recently made
changes in its maintenance assign.
ments for the smaller parks, which, IL
is believed, will increase efficiency
The city has been divided into sections
and each section is under the super
vision Of an experienced park official
WOrkmen are given individual assign
mentS on park areas within these
sections and are held strictly re-
sponsible for the appearance Of the
park which Is under their jurisdiction
The National Capital Parks Office
will do anything possible to improve
and beautify the parks of Washing
ton and then maintain these parks
SO that they will be attractive and
pleasing. Plant life will be protected
and perpetuated. In this work, if we
are to be successful, we must have
the assistance and full cooperation
of park users at all times.