Evening star., 1951-01-11
Planning
(Continued From First Page.)

tive, To the 393 acres of neigh
borhood parks now in existence
the report recommended 172 addi-
tional acres. A neighborhood park
within walking distance, or min
lmum standard Of one acre pei
800 persons, was urged.
The Northeast and Southeast
sections of the "Old City, are far
below any reasonable standard, the
report indicated. 1t would require
90 acres additional to raise these
sections to the minimum standard.
In the Northwest section of the
Old City, SO more acres are needed
and 13 more acres in the South
west. Outside the Old City. it
was proposed to provide two more
acres of neighborhood parks in
the Northeast north of Florida
avenue.
Washington's parks have IAN
important national value" the
planners stress. They are not only
settings for monumental buildings
but are valuable to the thousands
of visitors who "use and enjoy
them"
"Stabilizing Factor"
Aside from these values, the re-
port stressed that the parks are a
major stabilizing factor" Early
depreciation of residential value.
results from inadequate park pro-
visions. On the other hand, studies
show that proper park develop
ments increase tax values that
more than pay the cost of the
parks.
The planning commissions rec
concentrations for future develop
ments are based on requirements
of an estimated 2 million popula-
tion in the Metropolitan Area by
1880, with the District itself ex-
pected to level off at l million.
Proposed additions of 396 acres
of park lands would give the Dis
trict 7,787 acres of recreational
areas to serve this 1880 popula-
ton. It is the equivalent of one
acre of park land for every 12e
persons. But 800 acres of public
property eventually will become
available for limited park use, il
was claimed. When that is added
there will be one acre for every
116 persons.
The acceptable standard rec.
commended by the National Recre-
alton Association, the report cites
is one acre for every 100 persons
Program Behind Needs.
Washington's park and park.
way program is far behind the
needs, it was claimed. This i:
particularly true now in the out.
lying sections. where Residential
development has been so rapic
since the war.
No appropriation of District
funds has been made for capita
improvements since 1882, the re.
port said, and none is included
in the District Commissioners
current 6-year program. The re.
port said funds should be made
available so park areas urgentl,
needed can be developed for earl,
use.
Planners also warned agains
constant pressure" to use parl
areas for other than park purpose
An attack on the numerous war
time temporary buildings erecte'
IN downtown parks.
This tendency must be opposed
not only by the agencies respon
sible for the park system" the
said" but by the citizens as
whole, with all the power at thei
command if the parks are to b
preserved for the future use an
enjoyment of the people"
What the report did not say wa
that the Korean war and the re
armament program which devel
oped after the comprehensive plal
was prepared, voids the possibilit.
of these buildings being demol
ished and many of the othe
proposals from being carried ou
for years to come, perhaps.
That Ill wind. however, made i
possible to resume work on com