Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-12-09
East Potomac
IouriistCan1p
1oBeEn|arged
Golf Course Would B,
Reduced to Provide
Necessary Ground
By RUDOLPH KAUFMAN II.

A plan for redeveloping East Po-
tomac Park, under which the ca
pacity OF the tourist camp would be
doubled and the number of golf
holes reduced from SO to q, is being
worked out jointly by the Office
OF National Capital Parks and Gov
eminent Services, Inc, which oper-
ates the tourist camp, 1t was learned
yesterday.
The plan would also extend a
double roadway completely around
Hams Point, and would preclude
development of the tourist camp
site as white neighborhood unit
IN Washington's recreation system
The recreation system plan which
was originated in 1929 and kept I'D
to date in map form by the National
Capital Park and Planning Commits
sion. now calls for development of
the camp site as recreation unit
Tor white government workers and
residents of Southwest Washington.
Non-Segregation Policy Favored.
The policy of non-segregation
pursued at the tourist camp now
will be continued in the enlarged
camp according to park sources.
Although there are no provisions
Tor recreation unit under the new
plan, tennis courts adjacent to the
present tourist camp, the East Po-
tomac Park Swimming Pool. now
reserved for white patrons, and 27
OF the Sc golf holes will be retained.
Horace Peaslee, Washington archi-
teet, has drawn up a sketch of the
proposed new camp for Government
services. Inc, 1.-THE latter's expense.
His fee will be charged off as an
operating expense when the camp is
built. The tourist camp has always
been one OF Government Services
most lucrative enterprises.
1t is expected that initial funds for
the new camp, estimated to cost
approximately 100000, and for
park redevelopment will be request
ed IN l947 budget estimates.
Repeatedly Approve Plan.
Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant III, chair
man of the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission, and A. E.
Demaray, associate director of the
National Park Service, both members
OF the board of trustees of Govern
ment Services, Inc, have approved |
the redevelopment plan, it was
learned, but no formal change in
the Washington recreation plan to
designate unit to replace the tour
list camp site has been announced. |
Park officials feel, it was learned,
that the site is of more practical
use as a camp for Washington Wis
ltors than as a recreation unit for |
local residents. The latter can bet
ter be served, Mr.. Demaray said yes
terday, by increasing play facili-
ties in West Potomac Park.
Tentative plans for the recreation
unit at the tourist camp site called
for a baseball diamond and grand
stand and night-lighted tennis
courts. 1t is improbable, however,
that grandstand facilities and
night lighting will be installed in
West Potomac Park, where such
facilities might mar the scenic
DCduGy VA ldl &c laid.
Before the war, planning and
park officials were unanimous in |
advocating removal of the tourist |
camp to the Virginia side of the |
Potomac River. A plan was made
public for placing it, along with
park workshops and nurseries, on
the old experimental farm of the
Agriculture Department, which was
put under Interior Department jul
risdiction ir 1910.
Pentagon Built on the Land.
The War. Department., however,
took over this land during the
emergency and later constructed
the Pentagon Building on it, thus
multiplying plans for park project.
Park officials now feel the present |
tourist camp site is the one most
suitable for the facilities planned. |
The new plan calls for complete |
remodeling of the tourist camp site.
Whereas the present capacity of the
camp is 300, the new camp will
house approximately 1000. A main
building, heated for winter use, is
planned to house IA patrons. It |
will include lounge for guests, a
dining room, cleaning and press
ing establishment, a barber shop a
camp office and a cafeteria.
On both sides of the main build
ing in two wing developments will
be groups of camp buildings of three
kinds: One-story buildings with out
door parking, two-story buildings
with under-cover parking and one
story dormitory type buildings
where cost of accommodation will
be cheapest. The latter type is ex-
pected to be used by youth groups
such as the Boy and Girl Scouts
and All Clubs, park officials said.
A play field, space for special en-
campments and trailer parking
facilities will be included.