Evening star., 1947-06-13
Play Center Site
Will Be Bought
In Takonla Park
Planning Commission
Orders Purchase
And Votes S23, 900
By Morton CIork
By Morton CIork

Plans for purchase OF a recrea-
ton center site in Takoma Park,
and an immediate study Of park and
community center needs for portions
of the Chevy Chase-Bethesda area
and Silver Spring were revealed
last night by Park Commissioner
E. Brooke Lee.
Speaking at the annual banquet
of the Allied Groups of Silver
Spring Mr.. Lee said the. Maryland
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission has authorized an i'm
mediate study OF a desirable site
for a recreation center and playheld
in Takoma Park. The commission
voted $23, 900 to finance part of the
cost of the site.
The commission, he added, ex-
poets the cooperation of the Board
of County Commissioners, the mayor
and Town Council of Takoma Park
and civic groups and citizens Of the
town for the project.
Requirements to Be Studied.
Studies of recreation center needs
for the western suburban area, the
section east of Connecticut avenue,
north of Western avenue and west
of Rock Creek Park, and another
between the Bethesda Chevy Chase
Senior High School and the Co
lumbia Golf Club also was au-
thorized at yesterdays commission
meeting, he said. Another area
slated for immediate study is in
Silver Spring in the North Wood
side and the Woodside commune
ties.
Because of the rising cost of land
in heavily populated areas, Mr..
Lee said, park land should be &C
quired now along the outer rim OF
devlopment In such locations as
Hillandale, Kensington View, the
Ayrlawn Farms and Woodacres,
where adequate recreation sites
have been purchased recently.
Mr.. Lee also announced public
hearings will be held shortly on
master plans for outlying sections
of Silver Spring and on street
widths for the Silver Spring busi-
ness district. He emphasized the
Importance of orderly planning for
future growth.
Supported by Brooke Johns.
The park commissioner was sup
ported in his plea for establishment
of a clear-cut policy governing zon-
ing lines in Montgomery by Brooke
Johns, president of the Montgom-
cry County commissioners.
Asserting that politics should be
put aside In plans for the county's
future, Mr.. Lee suggested that the
Park and Planning Commission and
civic groups work out with the COM
missioners an overall plan for the
entire metropolitan area OF the
county. .r
He warned the group that in de-
improvements and ex-
panded services they must be pre-
pared to pay the price. The new
county tax rate, he said, is not too
high in this period of inflated mar
kets, and the assessments are
plenty low
Others who spoke were Oliver w.
Youngblood, county commissioner
for the eastern suburban district;
Donald K. Staley, president Of the
Silver Spring Board of Trade, and
Maxwell Scringeour.
New President Elected.
During a brief business session
Victor ]. Richter Of the Woodmore
Citizens Association was elected
president of the group, which Is
composed of 20 civic associations in
the Silver Spring area. Mr.. Richter,
a consulting engineer, succeeds
Ralph D. Boyd, who has been presi-
dent for four years.
Other officers elected include:
Vice president, Robert T. Snure OF
-Four Corners -Northwood Park Citi-
zens' Association; secretary-treas-
urer, John P. Dietz, of Seven Oaks
Manor Citizens Association, and
corresponding secretary, Mrs. How
ard M. Kline, Of Sligo-Branview
Citizens Association.
Mr.. Boyd made number OF
recommendations for future develop
ment of Silver Spring. These in
cluded improved recreational facili-
ties, county wide plara of zoning,
high-speed freeway to the Dis
tric, two-level station at the Bal
timore g. Ohio Railroad Depot in
Silver Spring and a two-level cross
ing at Colesville road and Georgia