Evening star., 1937-03-07
WATER GARDENS.
SOUGHT AS PARK
KeniIworth Group Will Make
Proposal to Chairman
Collins.

The House Subcommittee on Appro-
priations will be urged by William H.
Webb, president Of the Kenilworth Cit
liens Association, to acquire the Shaw
water garden in Kenilworth for q
public park, it was learned yesterday.
Webb said that, since Chairman
Collins Of the subcommittee invited IN
terested citizens Of the District to
bring matters Of civic interest to the
subcommittee's attention. he will make
his request probably this week.
The citizens association, at It's meet
ing Monday night, voted to ask the
Government to purchase the water
gardens for q public park and show
place for the Nations Capital. 1t was
pointed out that Kenilworth, which is
located in the northeast section, in
the area bounded by the Maryland
line, the Pennsylvania Railroad and
the Anacostia River, is without park.
Growth Is Cited.
"This section of the city is rapidly
growing into a wholesome residential
area" Webb said. I'VE are interested
In having the beauty OF this part OF
the city developed, and are fortunate
in having in our section q magnificent
nucleus around which to develop one
Of the most beautiful garden spots Of
the world. Here we have the nationally
famous Shaw water gardens. They
are unique and gloriously beautiful"
The gardens were founded in 1870
by Walter B. Shaw, father Of the pres
ent owners. He purchased farm OF
80 acres from his maternal grand
father, David Miller. and Immediately
started water garden on a small scale
with few water lilies and lotus plants.
The beauty of these plants appealed
to Mr.. Shaw, Ind he started to enlarge
them from year to year. They now
cover over 13 acres and include about
AZ ponds and cement pools The gar
dens include rs varieties OF water lilies,
seven varieties of lotus plants and
many other aquatic plants. At the
height of the season, which is early
June, approximately 1000 lilies are in
full bloom daily in these ponds.
Commenting on the large number OF
lily blooms, Webb said: This unusual
spectacle continues from early in June
to early in October. The sight Of red,
pink, white, yellow and variegated
lilies and even the rare blue lilies
spreading their beauty over this area
together with their fragrant scent is
an unusually pleasing picture. There
are also night lilies, the
original plants of which. understand,
were imported from India and South
America This great natural beauty
should belong to the people of the
city and of the Nation. The tract
should be part Of public park"
Mrs. Coolidge Backed Plan.
Another member of the Kenilworth
Association said that in 1924 the gar
den owners were persuaded to permit
the citizens of the community to at
tempt to have these ponds made pub
lie property. Many others, noting
the beauty Of these flowers, urged
that the section be made q public
spot. Among the most enthusiastic
supporters of this idea was Mrs. Cal
win Coolidge. who was a frequent Wis
itor.
President Woodrow Wilson and Mrs.
Wilson often visited the ponds, as
have many other prominent public
officials and practically all Of the
diplomatic corps.
Co;aptietc opd borticult1Iristc froyo
all over the world have likewise found
these water gardens Of extreme inter-
est The ponds are unique, in that
they have been left entirely natural
from their inception. The soil and
| the water have both been tested and
found specially valuable in the growth
and development of aquatic plants.
The lotus plants are of the same va
riety that decorate the pools at the
Imperial Palace at Peiping. Then, too,
these ponds are stocked with hun
dreds Of black bass. pickerel. sunfish
and crappie, and there are few water
gardens in the world that are stocked
with such species of fish. Most Of the
lily ponds are stocked with goldfish.
Previous Efforts Recalled.
In 1924 discussion was prominent on
the development Of a national arbo-
return here. Immediately attention
was focused on the Kenilworth area
because Of the Shaw water gardens.
Congress took the question under ad-
visement and the matter received a
favorable report. In Senate document
81 of the Sixty-eighth Congress, first
session, it is stated that the national
arboretum and botanic gardens will
include the famous Shaw lily ponds"
and that at will be available for use
as a water garden"
Kenilworth citizens believe the mat
ter should again be called to the atten-
ton of Congress to have the gardens
perpetuated for the citizens Of this
community and for visitors.
"It occurs to me that. if this plot
were developed into a public park, band
concerts could be presented there. and
it would also be an ideal place to give
plays and other presentations. Ice
skating also would be available during
the Winter.
The owners of the gardens are
Charles Shaw and his sister. Mrs. L.
Helen Fowler, who is the active man
ager Of the ponds.
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