Evening star., 1942-03-08
Anacostia Park
Tract Sought
For Navy Yard
Planning Board
Opposes Move to
Tuke 70 Acres
(MQp on PAGE A-l0.)

The Navy Department is seek
ing permanent jurisdiction over
10 acres of Anacostia Park below
Eleventh Street Bridge, it was
learned yesterday, for proposed
wartime expansion of Washing
ton Navy Yard facilities.
It's request for transfer Of the
tract is meeting opposition from
Federal park official because, among
other necessary uses, the Anacostia
tract includes the valuable tree and
plant nurseries of the United States
Botanic Garden and the District.
A counter proposal has been made
by the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission, it was an
nounced, involving another area in
the general vicinity which would
meet the Navy Yards requirements
and would not interfere with es-
tablished activities.
Involved also in the 70-acre tract
is the only recreation camp for
colored troops in the Anacostia area
and a space reserved for the Ma
tional Capital Park shops which
have to be moved soon from their
present location behind the Bureau
of Engraving and Printing.
Nurseries Might Be Involved.
Park and planning commission
officials said yesterday the Dis
trict government has laid out $4,000
trees in the Anacostia nurseries
which are being grown for replace
ment on the city's streets and parks.
1t was also said the United States
Botanic Garden has invested about
100000 in its nurseries in the area.
The proposal by the Navy De-
partment, it was learned. does not
at present plan any interferepce
with these nurseries. Park officials
objected, however, on the ground
that there is nothing in the prof.
fered contract which would save
them if the Navy desired to elimi-
nate them at some further time.
David Lynn, architect of the
Capitol. said he planned to call the
matter to the attention of the Joint
Congressional Committee on the
Library early this week. That COM
mittee has jurisdiction over the
Botanic Garden and the park off,
Gals hope that it will step in to save
the nurseries, at least, from being
transferred to the Navy Depart
ment.
The Park and Planning Commits
sion said it was trying to interest
the Navy, instead, in an equally
large tract of unused pubic land
south OF the nurseries, supplemented
by some low-cost private land. This
counter proposal was presented to
the Navy Friday.
Several Buildings Planned
The proposed expansion of the
Navy Yard would require consider
able building on the park site. On
the site of the colored troop camp.
which would have to be moved 10
some other area, it is planned TO
transfer all the recreation facilities
now in the Navy Yard. That would
, include the erection of large recrea-
ton building, two school buildings
and also a large number Of perma-
nent barracks. The schools would
include one for musicians and q
general training center.
Park officials said acquisition Of
the alternative site probably would
cost less than the cost Of necessary
flood control in this area and the
deep foundations required for any
large buildings.
The proposed recreational area
represents a partial duplication OF
facilities in Anacostia Park. On the
/ same side of Anacostia Park is a
large recreation area for whites. and
a golf course only partially de-
veloped.
In addition. it was said. the Navy
Department already has taken over
the Lincoln playground at Sixth and
| l. streets Sc, directly north Of the
navy yard.
The 70-acre tract extends from
the Eleventh Street Bridge to the
proposed site of the South Capitol
Street Bridge planned to span the
(See PARK AREA, Page A-40