Evening star., 1943-04-15
Planners Buy
BPct. Of Land
Needed in Parks
$4,000. 900 Spent
On Program Since
May, 1880

VOmpleLlOn OF ABOUT 10 per cent
of the land acquisition program
under the Capper-Cramton Act for
the development of the Districts
recreation and park system was re-
ported today by the National Park
and Planning Commission. -
Since passage of the act in May.
1880, which authorized $4,000, 900
for this purpose. it was reported that
nearly $4,000, 900 has been appro-
priated and spent.
John Nolen. jr, director of PLAN
ming, outlined the land acquisition
program to members of the COM
mission at the opening session of the
April meeting. 1t was explained he
is undertaking general survey of
accomplishments under the entire
park program since the creation Of
the commission in 1924, with a view
to planning procedure for next year.
Included in the program COM
pleted thus far. it was said, are 26
recreation areas and 1873 small play
areas. Most of the latter were pur-
chased for new schools or to supple-
ment the Fairgrounds of others.
Total Amount Not Revealed.
The total amount of acreage pur-
chased for parks and recreation
areas was not disclosed, but officials
said that at least two-thirds of the
land needed for park development
has already been acquired. Despite
the war. the commission plans to 20
ahead with necessary park develops
ment, one reason being it desires to
acquire land before prices become
too high. A great deal of the park
land purchased since Pearl Harbor
had been under negotiations long
before the war started.
The scenic Fort drive encircling
the city is an example of this pol
icy. All the land required for this
long-planned highway has now been
purchased. final parcels having been
added in recent months.
The commission took action today
looking to the early purchase of the
final link of private property needed
to complete the right of way of the
proposed Baltimore Washington
parkway between the District line
and Fort Meade.
Location Of this strip of land was
not disclosed In advance.
Funds Available to Maryland.
The commission voted to cooper,
ate with the Maryland planning
group In completing the survey and
appraisal of the tract and to enter
into formal agreement for it's pur-
chase. Federal funds are now avail
able to Maryland on the basis OF
one-third grant and two thirds loan.
The Federal commission has been
working for 10 years on this boule-
ward which in intended to reduce
traffic on the main highways be-
tween Washington and Baltimore.
The Maryland Legislature also has
authorized the exchange of certain
small lands between the State and
the Federal Government necessary
for postwar projects now under con-
sideration.
To Inspect Pentagon Roads. .
An inspection tour of the roadway
network at the Pentagon Building
will be taken by the commission this
afternoon. It's members, who got
lost in the huge War Department
building several months ago, have
not gone over the road network in
its entirety.
They also will inspect the two
largest housing projects in the
Washington area while on the trip
and visit lands contemplated for
purchase in connection with the
proposed enlargement of Arlington
National Cemetery. Both housing
projects are In Arlington County.
One was built by the Defense Homes
Corp. and the other is a Metropoli-
tan Life Insurance Co. project.
This phase of the inspection trip
is being made in preparation for a
full days session tomorrow on hous-
ing problems. Included in reports
70 he made is one from Alfred Bet
man, consultant and chairman of
the Cincinnati (Ohio) Planning
Commission. dealing with urban re.
development after the war.