Evening star., 1951-01-25
B Acres Assured
For Playground
In Northeast

Kansas avenue ! Ir0Ct
Receives Approval of
Planning Commission
The acquisition of acres in an
expanding Northeast section to in
sure establishment of the long
proposed Lamond Playground was
approved today by the National
Capital Park and Planning Com
mission.
The acreage, acquired under two
contracts, lies along Kansas ave-
nue. and along Tuckerman and
Underwood streets, at the cor
responding intersections.
Col. Vincent E. Stack, land-pur-
chasing officer. told the commits
sion at the opening of it's jan
uary meeting that the rapid
growth in this area in the last
three years has caused much con-
Germ among residents. They have
observed the progressive disap-
pearance through subdivision and
construction of practically all
other available playground sites.
For this reason. the planning COM
mission had been besieged by citi-
zens expressing the hope that ru-
mors REGARDING the negotiation for
the now-acouired site were true.
Funds Await AppraisaIs.
Col. Stack announced that Cap
per-Cramton Act funds matched
by Maryland and Montgomery
County will be available after the
completion of appraisals on all
previously unappraised properties
between Cabin John and the
Montgomery County line for ex-
tension of the George Washington
Memorial parkway.
Reappraisal of these properties.
he said. was deferred during the
war years.
On the Virginia side of the
parkway route, Col. Stack report
ed, appraisals are about 80 per
cent complete on lands covering
the stretch between Spout Run to
the vicinity of Chain Bridge.
Negotiations with property own
ers will begin as soon as the final
appraisal figures are approved by
the planning commission.
In this eventuality hope was
expressed that the Arlington
County authorities will cooperate
rapidly.
Meeting With Truman.
The group was one of two
Federal commissions concerned
with the orderly development
of the National Capital meet
ing simultaneously today at the
Interior Department.
The Commission of Fine Arts also
was to meet with. President Tru-
man In his Office after a business
session. Whether the President
wished to consult about redecora-
ton of the White House or city
problems growing out of the pres
ent emergency was not made
known before the meeting. On the
other hand. he may have wished
merely to greet the six new men,
bers he re. emily appointed to the
commission.
The planning commission faced
a two-day session featuring dis
cussions of regional planning. the
Federal dispersal plan and the re-
development of Washington slums
Also given priority were matters
relating to the commissions own
reorganization bill. on which conf
promises are being worked out.
Land Being Acquired.
John Nolen. jr., director OF
planning for NCPPC. announced
before today's meeting that the
land acquisition program is going
ahead. Like last year. however
the new budget is one of the
smallest on record for new land
purchases. It carries $155,000 for
acquisitions in the District, $798,-
900 for extension of the park sys-
tenn into Maryland and 100000
for the George Washington Memo
rial Parkway.
Another matter before the plan
ners concerns a progress report on
plans for the East Capitol street
bridge over the Anacostia River.
1t. Col. Carlin H. Whitesell,
Assistant Engineer Commissioner
will meet with the planning COM
mission to advise them on what
has been done since Congress
authorized construction of the
bridge after a bitter fight.
The planning commission op-
posed it in favor of spanning the
river in line with Massachusetts,
avenue. The planning staff, it
was announced, has prepared
studies on city approach problems
in view of the East Capitol street
plan. The new bridge will neces-
state rerouting some of the
| traffic east of the CaDitOl