Evening star., 1945-05-19
Planners Fight Move
For Radio Towers
In Rock Creek Park
By NELSON M, SHEPARD.


Determination of Federal plan
ners to protect Rock Greek Park at
all times from attempted objection
able" commercialization was ex-
pressed in the form of a protest
lodged today with the Zoning Com
mission against recent proposal
for the erection of several 300-40O
fost television towers in that scenic
area.
Any such amendment to zoning
regulations, if allowed, the National
Capital Park and Planning Commits
sion warned, would create an ex-
tremely dangerous precedent"
The Zoning Commission was re-
minded, furthermore, that under the
authorizing act of Congress lands
purchased and condemned for the
establishment of Rock Greek were
"perpetually dedicated and set apart
as a public park or pleasure ground
for the benefit and enjoyment of
the people Of the United States"
forbidden Ground"
The attitude of the Planning Com
mission has the effect of serving a
public warning to commercial radio
interests that Rock Greek Park is,
indeed, forbidden ground" This
Is just another example of the pres
sure that is being applied to en-
croach on park lands" an official
said. "If we let in television towers,
other commercial interests would
start clamoring."
1t is still bone of contention
with the Planning Commission that
the Washington Monument Grounds
and West Potomac Park are clut-
tered with temporary war buildings
and Government dormitories. That
was concession it made, however,
to the war effort with the definite
understanding that the buildings
are to be razed when the war ends.
"The contention that antennae
towers of 300-400 feet in Rock Creek
Park would be unobjectionable inso-
far as the park is concerned is
difficult to understand" the COM
missions protest declared. Trees
rarely reach a height of over 80 feet
and there are many open areas in
the higher elevations from which
the towers would be visible.
Much of the value of the park
to the public is due to the absence
of any structure not related to park
use and necessary development. The
fact that it is one of the most
famous natural city parks in the
United States is due to this isola-
tion.
Precedent Feared.
aside from the question is the
fact that these towers are part of
a commercial enterprise operated
for profit. Such a use has no place
on public land, especially when the
land has been acquired and devoted
to a specific public purpose, the
essence of which is the conservation
of natural values and freedom from
artificial fncroachments. 1t would
create IN extremely dangerous
precedent"
John Nolen, director of planning,
prepared the protest in form Of a
resolution.
He also submitted to the commits
sion the results of Capt. H. C.
Whitehurst,S recent survey showing
the origin and destination of Dupont
Circle traffic. The purpose of the
District Highway Department sur
vey was to determine the volume of
traffic that would use the proposed
Connecticut avenue underpass and
the divided lanes around the circle.
The commission instructed Mr..
Nolen to explain the traffic survey
to its Co-ordinating Committee on
which are represented all Govern
mental agencies having direct in
terests in planning projects.
The survey showed that the outer
roadways would carry several times
the traffic of the inner roadways
around the circle, with Massachu-
sctts avenue bearing the greater
part.
Secretary Thomas S. Settle nre-