Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-07-18
Park Invasion

atives of a number of North
west Washington and sub
urban Maryland citizens
groups protest strongly the
arbitrary and unnecessarily
hasty action taken on June 20
of the National Capital Plan
ming Commission in recon-
mending that Glover-Arch-
bold Park be used as an ex-
pressway route. This was
done without affording the
below named citizens asSo-
Citations any opportunity
whatsoever to be heard on a
matter of great Importance
to all the residents of this
area. Within less than 48
hours of the first notice of
this NCPC meeting in the
press the Commission had
cast its 5-4 vote. This was
done despite the protest of
one of the members of the
commission at this meeting
that a paid consultant's re-
port on the recommended 10
cation of this expressway was
due in mid-July.
We note that the commits
sion graciouSly allowed Mr..
Hugh Obear, representing
Mrs. Anne Archbold, a donor
of some 20 acres of land for
park purposes in the
Glover rchbold Park, some
thing in the neighborhood of
five minutes to state his case
before the vote was taken.
Moreover, until the morning
Of the hearing, inquiries at
the commissions headquar-
tiers met with noncommittal
replies as to whether the
meeting would be an open
one and whether the COM
mission would allow any dis
cussion. Gould this have
been done to discourage the
attendance of interested
parties?
We should like to call again
to the commissions atten-
ton a written agreement en-
titled IN e m or a n dunn of
Agreement Between the Ma
tional Park Service and the
Government of the District
of Columbia Relative to the
Development of the Arizona
Parkway" dated April Is.
1913. that the Glover-Arch-
bold areas use as a highway
shall be limited to the use
of passenger carrying We
hicles." We are also pointing
out that preliminary engi-
neering findings indicate that
the Glover-Archbold route
would disrupt a greater pro-
portion of densely populated
residential areas than other
alternatives and cost an esti-
mated additional So million.
The commission apparently
feels that. because its task
is confined to planning" as
contrasted with implementa-
ton. its high-handed pro-
cedures may be appropriate.
1t is Just this attitude which
brings planning" into disre-
pute with the layman. Even
commissions whose mission is
confined to planning should
have the common sense and
courtesy TO seek out the views
of the citizens whose lives
may be profoundly influenced
by their recommendations.
When will the residents Of
the areas affected be given
a hearing on a matter of great
concern to them?
Robert L. Robinson,
President. Foxhall Commu-
nifty Citizens Association.
william E. Shepherd,
President, Georgetown Citi-
zens Association.
j. Warren Wilson,
President. Friendship citi-
zens Association.
Wilbur ID. Thomas,
President, American Univer-
sity Park Citizens Asso-
citation.
Aaron NJ. Steinberg,
President. Fort Gaines Citi-
Gems Association.
Paul NJ. Hawkins,
President, Brookdale Citi-
zens Association.
Roy Frank Bartlett,
President. Orchardale citi-
Gems Association.
4
Rumors Of a highway in
vasion Of Rock Greek Park
have been revived. 1t is re-
ported that the Montgomery
County Council and the
Maryland National Capital
Park and Planning Commits
sion are considering plans tc
bring U. S. 24o into Washing
ton through the park.
With adequate regiona
planning we should never
have to come to the stage o.
proposing such an invasion.