Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-04-28
BY J. B. ZATMAN

Nearby Maryland residents ell
Joy a wide variety of park
facilities, many of which are
within walking distance of their
homes.
Serving the approximately
100000 people in the Maryland
suburbs is a 3,700-acre park sys-
TEN maintained by the Mary
National Capital Park and
Planning Commission.
This amounts to one acre of
open park space for every 108
persons. 1t compares favorably
with National Research Associa-
ton standards of one acre for
every 100 persons.
In the District, with an esti-
mated 100000 population. the
1000 acres of parks maintained
by National Capital Parks break
down to one acre for every III
persons.
Arlington'S park and play
ground system covers 337 acres,
while Fairfax County has 1875
acres of parks, plus TAO acres
along the propose George
Washington Memorial Parkway
Parks Along Streams
The major portion of the
Maryland Commissions park
system consists of nearly 5000
acres of parks extending along
the principal streams radiating
from the Nations Capital like
fingers on hand.
Proceeding clockwise from the
Potomac River, these streams are
Cabin John Branch. Little Falls
Branch, Rock Greek, Sligo Creek
Northwest Branch, Paint Branch,
Anacostia River and OXon Run
They are supplemented by sci
acres of local parks and recrea-
ton centers, including two public
golf courses-the 18-hole Glen
brook Golf Course in Bethesda,
and the 9-hole Sligo Park Golf
Club in Silver Spring.
There also are several parks
maintained by incorporated
towns, including Takoma Park,
Hyattsville and Cheverly.
The Planning Commissions Al
local parks are designed primar-
lily to serve the communities in
which they are located. In
Montgomery County. they in
clude Bethesda Chevy Chase,
Silver Spring, Whe atom. the
GlenmonL Connecticut Avenue
Estates area, Woodacres. West
moreland Hills, Viers Mill Viii
lage, Hillandale and -Four Cor
nerS.
Some of the areas in Prince
Georges County where the COM
mission has acquired and de-
veloped local parks are Suitland,
Kentland, College Park, River
dale and Berwyn.
200 Picnic Areas
Distributed through both the
stream valley and local parks
are extensive recreation facilities
for all age groups. They include
nearly 200 picnic areas with $50
picnic tables and 1913 f1replaces;
40 tennis courts, both clay and
hard-surface; SO ballfields; IS
sets of play equipment; Is bas-
ketball courts, and a riding
stable ringed with bride paths.
Among the commission facil-
tiles are the agency's % COM
munity buildings.
Scattered throughout the park
system, they are used for all
kinds of civic and social ac-
tivitieS. No charge is made for
residents of the two Maryland
counties.
Here are some of the groups
using the buildings: Civic, serv-
ice, religious and patriotic Or
ganizations: boy and girl scouts,
teen-age and square dance clubs,
ceramic and art classes, and
political clubs.
Reservations for use of the
buildings and other park facili-
ties are made at the commits
sion's Offices in Silver Spring and
Riverdale.
Expansion Planned
During the next II months,
the commission plans to expand
It's park facilities to accommo-
date the constantly growing pop
ulation.
Included in the program are
$50 more picnic tables, 100 park
benches. FIVE baseball backstops
and three sets Of play equip
ment.
In addition, the commission
proposes to spend $4,000 for
preliminary development Of Rock
Creek Park between Forest Glen
and Wisconsin avenue.
For the purchase of additional
stream valley and local parks,
the commission has approved a