Evening star., 1938-12-04
One of Most Unusual Porkwuys
In U.S.. Nears Completion Here
Anocostio Development Is D. C.'s Largest,
Leost Known and Most Interesting

the east lake, is being finished for
mally, with retaining walls along its
shores and around the islands
which break up the water area.
Lake Kingman is being developed
for all manner Of water sports.
There is one straightaway Of a half
mile suitable for outboard racing
and similar events.
Lake Kingman will be closed at
both ends by automatic gates and
its waters will be kept at a constant
level, with normal surface level
about 2 feet above mean low water
in the river and lake depth of 6
feet. This will prevent unsightly,
slime-covered areas at low water
and will make possible construction
of shoreline wall only foot above
water, providing boat landing along
the entire shore length of the lake
and its islands.
One OF the most interesting for
NAL features of the entire parkway
are the former Shaw lily ponds and
aquatic gardens, purchased during
the past summer. These ponds, long
an internationally famous show
place, contain water lilies which Col.
Thomas said have an estimated
market value of $4,000. They will
be forever preserved as what is be-
heved to be the worlds finest pub
lie aquatic gardens. Purchase of
the Shaw property virtually COM
pleted land acquisitions for the Ana
costa parkway within the District.
Only one or two small plots, still
in negotiation, remain to be &C.
quired, Col. Thomas explained.
Bigger Funds Needed.
On the way back to Bennings
Bridge, Col. Thomas explained that
although the whole Anacostia prof.
ect. from the mouth of the river on
Hams Point, to the District line, a
distance of six and one-half miles,
now Is 85 per cent complete, the rate
OF appropriations, which started at
$250,00O a year, has been permitted
to fall of to $50, 900 a year. A total
OF 1862 900 more is required to reach
the total estimated cost of 81 4.29O. 900
and If the present rate of $4,000 a
year is continued more than II years
will be required for the work.
Approximately 5000 feet Of sea-
wall 1emain to be constructed
5000 feet were finished during the
last year-along the river itself. In
cluding the lake areas, a total of
some 10 miles of walls have been
constructed, with eight miles more
to do. Col. Thomas said. The re-
naming work, however, involves
comparatively little back filling"
behind the walls. whereas hundreds
of acres of fills were required in the
lower reaches.
The Anacostia River has been de-
veloped with a channel "a feet deep
and 400 feet wide from its mouth to
the Anacostia Bridge. with a turning
basin 400 by $500 feet in size at
the Washington Navy Yard. Above
the bridge there is channel "a feet
deep and 200 feet wide to the foot of
Fifteenth street Sc, with a turn
ing basin 400 by 400 feet at its
upper end
The present project calls for i'm
provement of the river and reclama-
ton and development Of adjacent
flats from the mouth to the District
line. with channel depth Of Is feet
between Fifteenth street and Massa-
chusetts avenue, 8 feet deep from
there to Benning road and 6 feet
from there to the District line.
Masonry seawalls are being con-
structed along the tidal channel Of
the river throughout its length.
They are on riprap stone founda-
tions and are of concrete, faced
with dressed stone, to height Of 6
feet above mean low water.
The Anacostia Parkway within
the District comprises a total of
l ,812 acres, of which 1909 is land
area and SOB water area. More than
BIT acres of the total park area Is
above the Anacostia Bridge.
This park development is one of
the most interesting, yet one Of the
least known of the National Capt.
tails recreational facilities" Col.
Thomas said. When completed, it
will contain more acreage than
either Rock Creek or Potomac Park,
affording to the east and northeast
section Of the city what Rock Creek
Park affords to the north and north
east sections and Potomac Park to
the southern section.
"At its present stage of compile
ton, however, the greater portion
Is almost inaccessible except by
water, by reason of partial compile
ton. and consequently few are able
to enjoy wild life and scenery 80
unusual as to be seldom found with
IN the confines of . metropolitan
area S1lch as fhis