Evening star., 1939-05-27
Go Signal
Given on I Biq
Park Systems
Lund Purchases
In Counties Slated
As Planners Act

As Planners Act
Purchase of large tracts Of land
for two great park systems adjoin-
ing the District in Prince Georges
and Montgomery Counties, Md, is
expected to begin at once under
terms of the Capper- Champion Act
and legislation recently enacted at
Annapolis.
One system extends along the
tributaries of the Anacostia River,
from the District line to Beltsville
along Indian Creek, along North
west Branch to the Montgomery
County line and along Sligo Creek
to Takoma Park, all connecting with
the Anacostia parkway within the
District. This system is to be de-
veloped as one three-pronged unit
known as Anacostia River Park.
The second is the dual George
Washington parkway, extending
along both shores of the Potomac
River in Virginia and Maryland.
The Maryland Legislature has au-
thorized Montgomery County bond
issue of sl50O00. to be matched by
an equal Federal amount, for pur-
chase of land for the parkway be-
/ tween the District line and Great
Falls. {
/ Negotiations Ordered.
| Chairman Frederic A. Delano and
Vice Chairman Arno B Cammerer
of the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission. at the final
session of a tWo-day commission
meeting ending yesterday evening,
were instructed to negotiate with
Arlington County CVaJ officials for
/ the completion Of an agreement COW
ering the early purchase of land in
units l and 2 of the George WASH
} ington parkway above Key Bridge.
The commission approved de-
tailed road plans for unit of Rock
Creek Park in Montgomery County,
/ between Browns lane and Garrett
Park. land for which has been ac-
quired.
| Coupled with purchase of a acres
for the Shepherd parkway in the
southern corner of the District and
other park acquisition items. these
actions represent the most impor-
tant developments in expansion Of
the Greater National Capital Park
way system in a long time
The Shepherd parkway and Ana
costa River Park projects provide
for an unbroken park system ex-
/ tending along the entire southeast
/ ern boundary of the District for a
distance of nearly 10 miles and on
into Maryland to Beltsville. This
parkway is to serve as the right of
way for the projected Washington
Baltimore motor parkway. similar in
design and treatment to the Mount
Vernon Highway.
Reports Bills Signed.
Bond Smith, counsel to the Mary
/ land-National Capital Park and
Planning Commission, reported to
| the national commission late yester-
| day that Gov. OConor has signed
a group of bills giving life to the
projected park plans in the two ad-
jacent counties.
One of these permits Montgomery
County to participate in the devel-
opment of the George Washington
Parkway in cooperation with the
National Capital Park and Plannin"
Commission and another authorizes
the s150000 bond issue to finance
the acquisition of land with the
Federal commission matching the
amount.
Another bill signed Thursday, en-
larges by nearly so per cent the
Maryland planning territory in the
two counties and greatly strengthens
the zoning powers of the Maryland
commission.
A fourth measure authorizes a
Montgomery County bond issue of
$4,000 to finance development of
the Bethesda Recreational Center on
land near Bethesda turned over al
the request of the National Capital
Commission to the county by the
Agriculture Department. This 80
acre site formerly was used for eX-
perimental farm purposes, now
transferred to Beltsville
The commission approved a plat
showing all projected park develop
ments in Montgomery County to
guide the Maryland and National
commissions in the acquisition of
land under the Capper- Champion
Act. The plat includes revisions of
the taking lines" of what until yes
terday were known as units l and
of the AnacoStia Parkway, but
which now are a part of the single
Anacostia River Park. The COM
mission also revised its appraisal
figures as a guide in the purchase Of
land in the new park.
Title Remains With County.
The law provides that the Federal
Government shall pay outright one
third of the cost of the land acquisi-
ton for this park and shall lend
the remaining tWo-thirds to Prince
Georges County in exchange for
county bonds. The title to the park
is to remain with the county but all
improvements are to be made with
the approval of the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission so
that the park system will become
unified part of the whole Greater
National Capital system. Both Fed
eral and county funds now are
available for land purchases, which
will be closed as rapidly as possible.
A number of contracts now are ready
to be signed.
The purchase of land in units 1
and 2 of the George Washington
Parkway will be made with Federal,
county and State funds. Arlington
County officials yesterday assured
the commission that their quota Of
$50 900 soon will be available. This
has been matched by the State and
Federal fund of 100000 long has
been ready. In preparation for i'm
mediate land purchases, the COM
mission late yesterday approved
49, L. IL.