Evening star., 1948-06-04
Planners Report
Enthusiasm for
Greenbe|t Park
Citizen Units Support,
For RecreutionuI
Project Is Cited
By Nelson M. Shepard

Oy iNeiSoH W. SHSpOTO
The National Capital Park and
Planning Commission reported to-
day enthusiastic support Of its pro-
posal that approximately 1,100 un-
developed acres of the Greenbelt
area be turned into a recreational
park for Prince Georges County.
Further negotiations with the
Federal Housing Authority. the
agency in charge of the area, were
directed with view to getting the
acreage transferred to the National
Park Service without cost.
I'VE are very hopeful this can be
DONE" Secretary Thomas S. Settle
announced after the close of the
session.
Recreation Plan Drafted.
Various citizen organizations in
Prince Georges County are giving
the proposal their support, he point
ed out, and the outlook is favorable
in Congress for action on a bill
the Baltimore parkway
eventually to the National Park
Service. A section of this parkway
is now under construction from
Anacostia to the north edge of Fort
George c. Meade. 1t extends through
the Greenbelt development.
The planning commission has
drawn up an ambitious recreation
program for the project in the event
the transfer is made to the park
service.
Letters of Endorsement of the pro-
posed recreation area have been re-
ceived from such organizations as
the Maryland League for Crippled
Children, the Berwyn Civic Associa-
tion and the Capital section of the
American Camping Association.
Would Have Golf Range.
Plans for the area would include q
235-acre golf course of 18 holes; a
golf practice range. miniature golf
course, tennis courts and club
house. Also included in the plans
are four large recreational units
scattered over the whole area. sew
eral children's Fairgrounds, picnic
areas Of 10 acres and a wild life area
Of IS acres.
The planning commission made a
proposal that District and Federal
agencies hold District week" ex-
hibit of how public money is being
spent for the Nations Capital.
Their idea for this was gained from
the planning exhibit by school chill
dren now on display in the National
Guard Armory.
Maj. Gen. u S. Grant III was di-
rected to commend the Board of Ed
ucation and the Washington Board
of Trade for their part in supporting
the exhibit.
Agencies Part Cited.
In their inspection of the exhibit
late yesterday, members Of the COM
mission noted that Federal and Dis
trict agencies had taken part in 1t.
There is considerable misunder-
standing In the, District, it was be-
lieved, as to why certain projects
are planned calling for large Fed
|eraI expenditures. This misunder-
standing also extends outside OF
Washington.
A District week exhibit each year
showing how Federal agencies as
well as District agencies spend pub
lie funds in connection with the
development of the city would serve
as real education campaign, it
was believed.
Policy Reaffirmed.
Meanwhile, the Planning Commits
sion served notice on real estate
interests that they are wasting time
in trying to obtain authority to
build access roads to the Mount
Vernon Memorial highway from
private developments.
In re-affirming its established
policy, the commission had de-
MED such authorities to the owners
of the Belle View apartment project
on the outskirts Of Alexandria. Rep
resentatives of the owners were
given a hearing late yesterday at
the monthly planning session. -
Gen. Grant announced that the
petition to build road to give the
development access to the scenic
highway was turned down after
careful consideration" The COM
mission, he said, took the position 1t
would not depart from previous
policy providing there shall be no
more points Of access to the high
way than were included in the
original plan and construction pro-
gram"
The commission has adhered
strictly to that policy, he pointed
out, to preserve the scenic right OF
way for the entire 16 miles to Mount
Vernon. 1t Is necessary to do SO.
it was pointed out, because of the
rapid growth of housing develop
ments north and south of Alexan-
dria since the highway was con-
structed in the early 1930s.
| A resolution was adopted at the
afternoon session recommending to
the District Commissioners that the
proposed Anacostia freeway to
Boiling Field be added to the high
way plan. Action is necessary, tbs
commission warned. to keep COM
mercial interests from encroaching
on the proposed right Of way from
the B. & o. Railroad tracks to
Boiling Field.
IMarIhnrn Dike crash