Evening star., 1938-10-16
URGE COMPLETION
. OF. TURKEYTH|CKET.
Michigan Park Citizens Cite
Growth of Area in Asking
Development.

OCVCIOHIIiCiils
Turkey Thicket, spacious area set
aside over five years ago for use as
. recreational center, still occupies the
froIt rank Of "old business" class on
the Michigan Park Citizens Associa-
ton calendar.
Federally- -owned ground, over hve
square city blocks Of land, 1t is the
only satisfactory locale. as regards
proximity, for the whole Michigan
Park -Brookland section, as speeches,
discussions and resolutions have de-
claimed since the termination Of the
plan. The citizens have been demand
ing that the park be completed chiefly
on that basis.
As President John ]. Hurley and his
predecessors have pointed out during
the course Of their tenancies Of office,
the set-up is ideal for its development
as the foremost center OF its kind
in the District. Though in its original
state it was nothing to compare with
its present condition, being rocky,
heavily brushed and treed. in addi-
ton to having a lively brook running
along the outskirts, the would-be park
has been cleared and leveled, the
waterway converted into large sewer,
even a couple of tennis courts and
football goal posts constructed. Yet
it Is Just this state OF suspension
between the unkempt and the refined
that the citizens OF Michigan Park
protest. The completed product is
what the citizens are striving for.
Community Growth Cited.
To substantiate its right for fully
developed recreational nucleus, the
association calls attention to the rap
idly-increasing population Of the COM
munity. Construction has been in
progress for the last three years
throughout Michigan Park, there hav-
ing now been completed about 100
four-family fats and 500 private
homes. According to building plans
there is a likelihood Of roughly l,50o
residences being built in the near
future as a total increase for period
of five years. Figuring an average
of four members per family. it is easy
to see the necessity of playground
park for this one section alone.
Michigan Park is one of the most
rapidly growing settlements Of the
city" states President Hurley. I'VE
have witnessed q veritable mushroom
growth of homes, and with this, added
and improved thoroughfares and side
walks, all of which indicates the sec
tions recognition OF both private real
estate and commercial firms and pub
lie government as progressive and
deserving of attention
Turkey Thicket even in ite present
state attracts hundreds of local and
nearby residents every week. Week
end football games are popular draw
ing cards regularly. while the tennis
courts remain heavily populated
through the warmer seasons. But
aside from these two features there Is
little but mere spaciousness and free
dom from careening autos to arouse
the desire OF young people, especially
the very young.
Boys Are Arrested.
Mr.. Hurley recalls an instance which
has recurred frequently whereby sew
eral boys were apprehended for pitch
ing horse shoes in a back yard made
available to the youngsters by
thoughtful property owner. These
particular boys were slowed into pa
troll wagon and taken to No. IL precinct
station to be detained several hours for
disturbing the peace. Mr.. Hurley
used this as an illustration of the
results of having no adequate, hence
appealing recreation grounds to draw
children from the vicinity OF disturb
able properties and to keep them OF
the streets. Several home owners in
the community have offered their prop
erty as temporary Fairgrounds in an
effort to that end.
And as DR.. Herbert Wright, former
president OF the Michigan Park Citi-
zens' group, pointed out in 1884, adults
of the community could be accommo-
dated by installation of inviting park
benches People of all ages regularly
attend Fourth of July or Christmas
celebrations at the Thicket.
Consummation of the plan to COM
plete Turkey Thicket would necessi-
tate the construction Of fully
equipped field house, installation of
playground equipment for small chill
dren, provision for several small games
courts (such as badminton. volley and
basket balD, construction Of wading
pool, development Of two separate foot
ball and baseball fields and complete
planting and sodding. As original
onicial plans prescribed. the whole
sport layout is to be made on several
terraces proposed to enhance the ap-
pearance of the entire park.
Harry Coope, chairman Of the COM
mittee working on the Thicket, en-
phasizes the fact that drainage facili-
ties are prepared and rough grading in
condition for the final touches, declar-
ing the park is in such condition as
to facilitate completion quickly and
under far less difficulties than are
usually encountered in park construc-
ton. Turkey Thicket has every chance
Of being the model park-playground OF
Washington"
SOCIAL PLANNED