Evening star., 1939-03-16
Planners Study
New Park Land
Purchases
RecreotionuI Center
Projects Also to
Be Discussed

The National Capital Park and
Planning Commission today opened
an important two-day session with
consideration Of q number of land
purchase items to further local park.
playground and recreational center
projects. -
development plans for four new
recreational areas in various parts
OF the city, recently approved by a
committee headed by Lewis R. Bar
rett, co-ordinator of recreation Also
were taken under consideration bv
the commission at the opening ses-
sion.
This afternoon members of the
commission are to make a first-hand
survey Of the section of the Ana.
costa River between Pennsylvania
Avenue Bridge and the District line
10 examine construction work now
being carried on by the local ARMY
Engineer ONCE and to plan further
development Of the valley as one of
the Nations unique natural park
ways.
AT tomorrow mornings session the
commission will consider preliminary
plans for roadway system in the
Anacostia Parkway, connecting with
existing and proposed MARYLAND
roads and highways and serving the
proposed major sports area at the
east end of East Capitol street. The
Anacostia Parkway is to provide the
District approach for the proposed
Observation-Disclosures motor park.
way.
To Study Armory Plans.
consideration also will be given
tomorrow morning to detailed plans
Tor the proposed combined District
National Guard Armory and sports
center building at the east end of
East Capitol street, adjoining the
Anacostia Park. A site south of
East Capitol street and east of Nine
teenth street, now publicly owned.
has been set aside by the commission
for this building.
Plans for the armory-sports center
and for the Anacostia valley de-
velopment will be placed before the
commission by John Nolen, IT,. di-
rector Of planning of the commits
sion.
Mr.. Nolen and Thomas S. Settle
commission secretary, will report on
the progress OF cooperative efforts
now being made In conjunction with
the Maryland National Capital Park
and Planning Commission to mod.
ernize planning legislation and pro-
cedure for the Maryland section of
the Greater Washington area.
Legislation to enlarge the authority
and territory Of the Maryland COM
mission now is pending before the
State Legislature at Annapolis.
Mr.. Settle also will report during
the morning session on Federal legis-
lation Of importance to the District
now pending at the Capitol.
Parkway Report Subject.
Land transfer items and gasoline
station applications will be con-
sidered by the commission at to-
morrow's morning session.
Tomorrow afternoon Mr.. Nolen
will report on the results of negoti-
ations with authorities of Alex
andria, Va, concerning the develop
ment of Washington street. which is
the right Of way through Alexandria
for the Mount Vernon highway and
the George Washington Memorial
Parkway. Under the terms of an
agreement entered into 10 years ago,
Alexandria officials are to guarantee
that Washington street will be main
tanned in harmony with the dignity
and purpose of the parkway project.
Plans for development of unit 2
of the George Washington Parkway
along the Virginia shore of the Po-
tomac River above Key Bridge and
into Spout Run Valley will be laid
before the commission tomorrow
afternoon by Mr.. Nolen and Mr..
Settle. The commission also will
study revision of the Rosslyn plaza
design to conform with the parkway
development. A new span now is
being built at the Virginia ened of
the bridge to overpass the parkway.
Further plans for the relocation
of the Mount Vernon highway be-
tween the wild fowl sanctuary at
Roach's Run and Four Mile Run
to bypass the Washington National
Airport will be laid before the COM
mission tomorrow afternoon. The
group also will consider at this
| session n number of r,1ilic h,lildinc