Evening star., 1944-03-24
Public Hearinq
|0n Park Plan
|Set in Arlington
Experts Comments
On Fairgrounds
To Be Discussed

A report by DR.. Jay B.. Nash.
chairman of the Department of
Health and Physical Education at
New York University, on proposed
park and playground program in
Arlington County, will be discussed
at public hearing to be held by
the County Board at pm. April II.
at the Thomas Jefferson Junior
High School, Columbia pike and
South Fillmore street
The report was submitted recentlv
to the Arlington Playground Com
mlttee, which was appointed by the
County Board after the approval at
last November's election Of a bond
issue for the purchase of playground
sites. Copies Of the report are avail
able at the county managers Office.
The proposed program contem-
plates establishment of near
home" recreational areas, to be used
by small children; elementary
school areas, district areas and park
and vacation areas.
The elementary school," DIR.
Nash declared in his report, "is
ideally located for the neighborhood
playground. If the present elemen-
tary school grounds in the various
communities were graded, repaired.
surfaced and fenced, the major
need OF the county in this respect
would be met"
Outlines Other Types.
He recommended that the nro.
posed areas should be divided into
small district areas and large county
areas. The former group can be
located ideally at junior and
senior high schools and equipped
for Larger" athletic games for bows
girls and adults, DR.. Nash stated.
He added that there should ba
three "super-district" areas where
additional equipment, including
seats for spectators and fireplaces.
might be installed.
Finally, Dr.. Nash recommended
a group OF large and small county
parks should be established, includ-
ing areas up to $50 acres, having
golf courses, tennis courts and ia.
cilities for horseback riding.
Would Combine Programs.
The vacation area, which DR..
Nash described as a wilderness,
area, would be located in the county
but would include State and ma
tional park facilities.
Administration of such a program
would be centered in one person.
who would have the duties of both
director Of physical education and
superintendent of recreation. Dr..
Nash suggested that the superin-
tendent of schools and the county
manager confer On appointment Of
such an executive before recommen-
dations are made to their respective
boards.
The administrative organization
also would include an assistant di-
rector and secretary to be housed
in central ofice.
Lauds County Officials.
| DR.. Nash asserted that Arlington
lCounty residents should be Justly
proud" OF the progress already made
IN setting up such a program and
OF the forward looking" tendencies
Of their public officials.
The plans which are being sug-
gested," he said, cover the next
decade, or, from the standpoint of
acquiring areas, possibly four or five
decades
1T would not be outside the range
OF good planning to hold the ex-
penditure OF money available until
the most favorable prices can be
obtained. On the other hand,
when emergencies arise and there
is danger of losing pieces of land,
action should not be delayed.
In the meantime, serious con-
sideration should be given to the
design. improvement. landscaping
and maintenance of present areas