Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-13
.S2.3 Million Asked
To Buy Park Sites
Area Planners
Offer Budget
For 1867
BY CHARLES L. HOFFMAN

BY CHARLES L. HOFFMAN
A budget totaling $4,347,222.
including 1913 million for park
and recreation land acquisition.
was proposed today for the 1856
1857 fiscal year of the Maryland
National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission.
The budget was submitted to
the commission by Jesse F. Mich
olson, secretary treasurer. Public
hearings are being scheduled for
March 81 and % in Silver Spring
and Riverdale, respectively.
The proposed budget provides
for slightly more than 81 mill
lion for land acquisition in the
stream valley parks under the
Capper-Cramton program.
A $1.2 million bond issue also
is proposed for land acquisition
both in the stream valley parks
and for local parks. Montgom-
cry would issue ST million for
this purpose and Prince Georges
100000.
New Building Planned
Another half million bond
issue is proposed to finance the
commissions new headquarters
building slated for construction
during the year at Spring street
and Georgia avenue, Silver
Spring.
A special $4,000 revolving
fund also is provided for land
acquisition for schools and
highways in advance of their
immediate need by the Mont
Igomery Board of Education or
the State Roads Commission in
Montgomery.
The 7-cent park tax in both
Montgomery and Prince Georges
will produce an estimated $780,
900 for the park acquisition.
maintenance and development
program, Mr. Nicholson said.
The commission also will get an
estimated S346.230 from Mont
Igomery County and from other
sources.
The Scent administration tax
for planning, coming advisory
opinions and subdivision control
will produce s357.900 and with
other funds. the commission pro-
poses spending $462, 1875 for these
purposes.
Preliminary Master Plan
Included under this program
will be the completion of a pre-
liminary master plan for the
regional district in the two
counties.
| The commission budget pro-
poses spending $3.50, 900 of a new
bond issue on stream valley ac-
QUESTIONS including the following
in Montgomery:
Northwest Branch Units 4 and
IS.
/ Cabin John Creek Units 2
through 7.
/ Paint Branch Units 4 through
il.
!, Rock Greek Units s and 7.
l Acquisitions totaling $250.000
| for nine local parks in Mont
!, gomery are proposed, including:
), Wheaton area, six acres.
Falkland area. 20 acres.
j Wexford Old Georgetown road
area-10 acres.
Kenwood Park area - eight
acres.
:. Hermitage area-15 acres.
| White Flint Club area - five
acres.
! Somerset area-flve acres.
!, Oakview area-five acres.
!! Aspen Hill area-20 acres.
Funds for Parks
Besides 100000 for stream
valley acquisitions in Prince
Georges. the commission pro-
poses using another 100000 OF
the bond issue for local parks,
including Defense Heights area,
Is acres; Carole Highlands area.
10 acres, and Boulevard Heights
AREA. 10 acres.
OF the total budget, $29 mill
lion would go for capital ex-
penditures and STA million for
operating expenses and debt
service.
Mr.. Nicholson told the COM
mission that the local park
program was failing to keep
up with residential development
lin Prince Georges County and
said at least $4,000 additional
lis needed for parks at Riverdale
Hills. Brooke road. Fairmont
Heights, North Englewood and
Beltsville.
He also said that the park de-
ivelopment program is inadequate
Ito provide for needed construc-
ton of park roads. tennis courts.
basketball courts, foot bridges,
bride and foot paths.
The secretary-treasurer said
the commission was nearing its
debt limitations in connection
with stream valley park bonds.
Would Increase Park Tax
i In view of these conditions,
Mr.. Nicholson urged that steps
be taken next year in the Gen.
eral Assembly to increase the
7-cent park tax and to in
crease the debt limitation on
Capper-Cramton bonds from a
total $3.250,000 to ! per cent Of
the assesSable base or about $40
million
For the first time. the COM
mission this year receives a par
tial performance type budget
under which commission mem
'berS will have a better chance Of
Weighing the Importance of one
activity against another.
The proposed budget provides
a big step forward in carrying