Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-08-21
PLAY SITE PLANNED
Old Sixteenth Street Reservoir Site to Be
Devoted to Play Space With Provision for
Several Thousand Young Persons.

which can be converted into q plav
room or assembly room, for the holding
of lectures, nature movies and similar
events.
1t is expected the present vroun
OF tennis courts. which have been ex-
ceedingly popular with the younger
set, will be moved to the Sixteenth
street side of the grounds, but
screened with trees, to prevent anv
possible annoyance to residents across
the street Plans call for a maxi
mum of 20 courts
The possibility now is that ice skat.
ing may be provided through the me-
dunn of central field" which could
be flooded in winter for this purpose.
This central field also will provide
area for football, baseball and soccer
games. to be played in season, under
the contemplated plans. A field track
also is contemplated.
FxACT acreage of the area to be de-
veloped has not yet been de-
termined. as the ground joins with
Rock Creek Park on the west and will
be developed, it is planned, to take in
walks, picnic grounds and a park area
for small children and babies with
their nurses, or parents.
The ground is bounded on the north
by Kennedy street, on the east by
Sixteenth street and on the south by
Colorado avenue.
Tentatively it is figured that roller
skating and bicycling trails might be
developed In the Rock Creek Park sec
ton. along with lawn games, includs
ing clock golf, croquet, rogue and
other sports.
Located on another section Of tho
grounds will be court games area
This space will provide such amusr-
ments as an archery range, sand piles
for Riddles. volley ball, outdoor bas-
ket ball and badminton.
In the large meadow adjoining CO..
orado avenue 1t is planned 10 set asidH
several fields for soft ball game.
touch football and hockey games.
Retention Of the slope bordering the
Sixteenth street side Of the recrea-
tional area is expected. With the
planting Of flowers, shrubbery ana
trees the side will lend an air of
beauty to the section,
No swimming pool was being con-
templated as part of the develop
ment. Mr.. Gartside pointed out. He
said construction Of swimming pool
was being considered on the old tu-
berculosis hospital grounds at Four.
tenth and Upshur streets NV. d.
rectly across from the Roosevelt High
School.
THE newly leveled ground will be
sowed with rye and COW peas next.
then plowed under, as a means of
fertilizing the soil preparatory to be-
ginning of the main project Mr.. Cart
side said.
Development Of the area ended a
long controversy between residents of
the immediate section and those of.
nearby areas. Quite a few citizens
associations OF the northwest section
have advocated the ground be made
into play space, especially from the
standpoint that such a development
would tend to decrease juvenile de-
linquency by affording youngsters an
outlet for their energy.
The recreational plan was first sug-
gested in 1924 by District Engineer
Commissioner James F. Bell Since
that time it has been proposed to make
the space into a rose garden. sunken
garden, swimming pool, athletic stadi-
UNI and ice skating rink
One by one the suggestions have been
rejected until finally in December, last,
the Fine Arts Commission approved
generally plans for the project Work
was begun shortly thereafter by Works
Progress Administration workers.
Strong objection was voiced at first
by neighboring residents who claimed
conversion of the site into a recrea-
tional project would result in devalua-
ton Of their property. They protested
further that boisterousness and much
noise would accompany the project.
Further complaints have not been
registered since starting of the develop
ment work, and it Is expected that with
the acquisition of funds the site will be
developed into one of the largest and
most complete projects Of its kind in
the National Capital.
A acknowledgement Depart
ment Of Fairgrounds was not estab-
lished until July, 1911. when Congress-
provided for the salary Of q super
visor for the first time in the Appro-
priation Act of 1912. Until then play
grounds had been supported almost
entirely by private philanthropy. with
a certain amount Of Government as
sistance provided each year.
Although Fairgrounds were men
toned as early as 1890 in q sundry
civil appropriation act authorizing the
temporary use Of the Monument
Grounds south of the White House
for a children's playground, the real
beginnings came later, in 1902. That
year the Senate Committee Of the Dis
trict Of Columbia and on the I'M
provement Of the Park System, headed
by the late Senator James Mcmillan,
submitted a report to Congress recon.
mending establishment Of Fairgrounds
In various parts Of the city.