Evening star., 1939-01-26
Park Land Purchases
Are Discussed as
Planners Meet
Bride Approach Plans,
New Stadium Also
Considered

The National Capital Park and
Planning Commission today opened
an important two-day session with
consideration of a number of local
land-purchase items for park and
playground purposes.
Revised plans for approaches to
the new Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge
now under construction across the
Anacostia River and for the Wash
ington tourist camp and the pro-
posed national stadium at the east
end of East Capitol street also are
to be considered today.
Condemnation of the final land
units required to complete the Oxon
Run parkway and flood control
project was approved by the COM
mission at the opening session.
The project as approved covers
acquisition of IA acres of land ex-
tending more than two miles up the
Oxon Run Valley to the rifle range
at Camp Simms. This will permit
the District to develop food control
plans for the valley, it was ex-
planned. The commission made its
announcement through Norman C..
Brown, its land purchasing officer,
who is in charge of the condemna-
ton proceedings.
Sewer Line May Be Laid.
Oxon Run parkway probably will
be developed somewhat along the
lines of the Piney Branch parkway,
it was explained. The commission
previously had acquired narrow
strips of land along the shores of
the stream. Floods of the past few
years, however, have risen above
the original taking lines" of the
parkway. The new purchases will
extend the parkway above high
water and will prevent construction
of homes which might later be sub
jected to flooding On part of the
newly acquired land the District is
expected to construct sewer line
down the valley.
The commission approved four
areas proposed for development by
the Alley Dwelling Authority as a
part of its low-cost housing pro-
gram. Two of these sites near Fort
Dupont and in Anacostia already
have been announced.
A number of small land acquisi-
ton projects for parks and play
grounds in various parts of the
District were approved by the COM
mission. but no details will be m
nounced until the land has been
acquired.
NOlen Named to A. d. A.
Appointment by President Roose-
velt of John Nolen, jr., planning
director of the commission, as a
member of the Alley Dwelling Au-
thority was announced by Thomas
S. Settle, commission secretary. Mr..
Nolen will replace Arno B. Cam
merer, director of the National Park
Service and vice chairman of the
Park and Planning Commission,
who asked to be relieved because of
pressure of other duties.
This afternoon the commission
will receive reports from staff men,
bers on work now in progress in CO.
operation with the Maryland Park
and Planning Commission on the
drafting of legislation to be SUBJ
mitted to the Maryland Legislature
providing for extensive enlargement
of the National Capital planning
area.
Would Increase Powers.
Staff members also will report to-
day on studies now being ~lade in
cooperation with Virginia i,tate and
county planning groups of ap-
proaches to Arlington Memorial and
Highway Bridges. These studies
will include the route of the new
bypass road around Washington
Airport and other iT 2ortant local
highway projects.
To Report on Legislation.
Tomorrow morning Thomas S
Settle, secretary tt. the commission
will report on thu status of legisla-
ton now pending before Congress
affecting the District and vicinity
A special rep It will be made on
legislation av.horizing construction
Of an audit tium here.
The plalning commission will
meet jointly with the Commission
OF Fine -rts tomorrow afternoon tc