Evening star., 1953-01-09
Truman Proposes
Extension Of Parks
And Area Parkways
By Harold B. ROGERS


Completion of the Washington
Baltimore parkway and extern
sion of parks in the Washington
Metropolitan Area were recon-
mended to Congress today by
President Truman.
To finish the southern leg Of
the dual-lane Baltimore express
way. the Presidents budget mes
sage proposed appropriation of
two items totaling $3,550.000.
This section, running FROM
Washington northward will join
the northern sector now being
built by the State of Maryland
from Baltimore southwark to
Jessups road, near Fort Meade,
Md.
Report Progress Made.
Officials of the Office of Ma
tional Capital Parks explained
progress is being made steadily
on the part for which funds were
asked today. Target date for its
completion is July l, 1854. unless
there is unexpected delay.
Much grading has been fin
iShed and Is bridges have been
completed or are under contract,
including one over the Anacostia
River in Anacostia Park.
In another part of his budget
message the President recon-
mended $1.250,000 for acquisi-
tion of lands by the National
Capitol Planning Commission
for extension of the George
Washington Memorial parkway
along the Potomac River, and
for other park lands.
OF this total $475,000 would be
the Federal share of the cost
of memorial parkway lands on
both sides of the Potomac. In
Virginia the cost is split SO per
cent Federal, Is per cent State
and Is per cent county funds.
In Maryland the division is half
Federal, half Maryland-National
Capital Park and Planning Com
mission.
Virginia Funds Obtained.
New land would be acquired
in Virginia from the Arlington
Fairfax County line upstream
to the former Letter estate.
which is already in Government
hands. When paved eventually,
this section will start from a
small spur already noticeable to
motorists driving northward
towards Lorcom lane. The
Virginia Assembly already has
appropriated its $150.00O share
of the cost of this land, but
this would lapse unless the Fed
eral government appropriates its
share this year. Fairfax County
has indicated it will provide its
part of the money.
On the Maryland side of the
river. lands would be purchased
to complete acquisition of all
property needed to carry the
parkway from Georgetown to
Great Falls. No part of the
parkway has been acquired
south of Washington.
Extending Park System.
To extend the National Capital
Park system into Maryland, the
budget carries $296,O00 for the
Federal share (one-third) for
purchase of six proposed units
of land (which are in critical
danger of being destroyed
through private real estate sub
division"
These units are for Little Falls
Branch parkway. between Massa-
chusetts avenue and Macarthur
boulevard; small parcel near
Viers Mill Village for Rock Creek
Park; northwest branch of the
Potomac land from the Prince
Georges County line to ColeSville
road in Silver Spring; along
Northwest branch from Univer-
Sity lane to the Montgomery
County line; along Paint Branch
from it's juncture with the Ana
costa River to Metzerott road.
near College Park; and along
Oxon Run from the District
line to Suitland parkway.
For acquisition of areas in
side the District the budget
carries $479, 900, all of which is
to be repaid eventually by the
District. The property. specific
locations of which are not iden-
tilted, will be a recreation CEN
ter for Cleveland Park; play
ground in the Northeast area
near Florida avenue; playground
for Michigan Park: small addi-
ton to Rock Creek Park near
Nicholson street, to complete the
original plan for this big area;
and minor additions to Palisades
Park, the long area which ex-
tends from Georgetown to the
District line along the Potomac.