Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1950-12-15
Planners Open Way
For Development Of
School Fairgrounds

Action taken by Federal PLAN
fers at their monthly meeting,
which closes late today, now
makes it possible for District au-
thoritieS to go ahead with the
development of seven school play
grounds in the city.
Lard acquisitions for park and
playground purposes in 1850 were
valu ed at 100000 by Col. Vincent
he. Stack. land purchasing officer
" the National Capital Park and
Hanning Commission. These trans
actions, he reported. complete
purchases for a number of prof.
ectS
Included is the Logan Play
ground in the Northeast section,
near Union Station. NCPPC yes
terday accepted compromise
settlement for a tract of several
acres to complete the Logan prof.
ectS.
Boundary lines on the Foxall
Playground, north of w street
and west of Foxall road NV, also
were approved. This playground
was chosen after authorities aban-
doned the idea of converting the
covered reservoir into a play area
because of objections from the
Health Department.
Street Closings Authorized.
Land transfers for the Turner
School Playground on Alabama
avenue Sc. were approved. The
commission also approved the
Recreation Boards request to close
certain streets and alleys making
1t possible to go ahead with the
development of the Stead, Car
. dozo. Seaton and Harrison Play
grounds.
NCPPC officials welcomed news
. OF the recent transfer of LOO
acres of the Greenbelt tract in
Prince Georges County as a re-
creation area for in connection
with the Baltimore Washington
parkway now under construction.
The property has passed from the
Public Housing Administration to
the National Park Service for use
as an extension of the Washing
ton regional park system.
The planners also approved the
proposed extension of the North
Capitol street through Soldiers
Home grounds. The widening of
the thoroughfare to 100 feet
through the grounds will give
direct passage from Michigan
avenue northward to Hardwood
road.
The planning commission
showed interest in the proposal
of one of its members, A. P. |
Greensfelder of st. Louis, that
the large Nevius tract next to
Arlington Cemetery be set aside
as a memorial to the Nation.
NCPPC took no action, but for
20 years it has advocated public
use of this site which commands
fine view of Washington and
WOULD be an important adjunct to
its park system. II
Other Useage Feared.
The Nevius tract, the center of
controversy in recent years has
been declared surplus by the
Veterans Administration. The
planners fear it might be used
for some Federal development
other than monumental" in view
of the growing congestion of the
Washington area,
The National Academy Of Sci.
ences received a nod from the
planning commission, paving the
way for the addition of another
building on its Constitution ave-
nue. lot.
F. J. Osborn, a distinguished
British city planner and expert
on dispersal of buildings for de-
tense purposes, conferred with the
planning commission yesterday.
He gave members the benefit of
his views on some of the prob
lens which Washington now
faces in this respect. He is now
an advisor to the General Services
Administration on the dispersal
program.