Evening star., 1937-10-24

~ ECAUSE OF the transfer OF Ine
- Washington parks to the In
terror Department in August,
~ 1888. trained park officials OF
National Park Service, realizing the
deplorable condition OF the parks,
asked Public Works Administrator
Harold L. Ickes for an ALLEGATION Of
81 900 .OOO-and secured it. Results
achieved under this city-wide pro-
gram, inaugurated two years ago, un-
der the supervision OF C. Marshall
Finnan, superintendent of the Ma
tional Capital Parks. were surveyed
Yesterday by Mr.. Finnan and pro-
nounced "well worth while"
Aside from the lasting BENEFITS.
economy of maintenance and the ad-
dition OF needed recreational equip
ment. Mr.. Finnan stressed that the
money made available for planning
has enabled park ofhcials here to
work up the necessary basic data
looking to a long-range program.
The improvement program, which
also made it possible for the Gov
ernment to realize the virtual COM
pletion of beautiful Meridian Hill
Park. affected developments in the
Mall and practically all the smaller
parks of the city.
Annual Appropriations Needed.
I'm their previous conditions, most
of these smaller parks were practl-
callv worn out and the deterioration
would have become more pronounced
as the years went on" Mr.. F1nnan
said. Now, they should be good Tor
at least q genera ton or tWo-pro-
yided Congress supplies adequate
maintenance funds annually-to care
for them properly"
The work done in the downtown
marks and small reservations mas
materially cut down the cost Oh
maintenance, after more convenient
walks and adequate benches were
nut in. the park superintendent said.
This is especially true IN F1ahKini
Park. which has been made more oe-
sirable for resting, he said. Aool-
tional lighting has reduced the prop
lem of policing the area.
The extensive tree surgery WORK mas
been more than justified, MIR. Flnnan
said. because it has lessened tne storHi
damage done to the trees ana gwen
them a longer life.
Many Shrubs Planted.
"A number of young trees have oeen
n,anted under this program" he SAID.
land in 10 or Is years, they Will nave
a tremendous value to the downtown
section and will develop into real
shade trees. We have planted large
number of towering shrubs and mag
nolias. which blossom about the same
time as the Japanese cherry trees, add
ing tn the attractiveness Of the city.
The tree surgeons artiflcially 1eo
many of the old trees in the Ellipse
and in East and West Potomac PARKS.
Except for the soft willows, the trees
have held up remarkably well under
the stress of storms, the park CHIEF
said. Dead wood was cut out from the
trees. cavities filled and many OF them
cabled and braced. AS result, there
are fewer limbs to be picked up AFTER
strong winds and the danger OF accl-
dents has been reduced.
Due to improved lighting systems
installed in some Of the larger down
town parks, Mr.. Finnan pointed out
as another advantage, there has been
a marked decrease in arrests and vio-
lations of regulations.
Designed by Kirkpatrick.
Malcolm Kirkpatrick, resident land
scape architect of the branch Of plans
and design OF the National Park 6erv-
ice, Interior Department, who Is ON
ciallv attached to Mr.. FinnAns ONCE,
directed the designing Of the new pro-
gram. Mr.. Finnan checked over the
plans, made suggestions and con-
Cured in them when they were IN
final shape. Then, they were laid be-
| fore the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission and the Fine
Arts Commission, for advice and
criticism and-after their wishes were
met-given official approval. Gilmore
D. Clarke, New York landscape archi-
tect, in whose Offices Mr.. Kirkpatrick
was trained, personally gave his time
to making a first-hand survey OF the
needs of the downtown parks to be
rehabilitated and, as the work prog
ressed, gave his advice on the ground.
Mr.. Clarke is the new chairman Of
| the Fine Arts Commission.
Mr.. Clarke not only worked with