Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-01-12

District Commissioners in the
park-highway idea in terms
ranging from contempt and
shock to sorrow and pain.
The park is one of several
locations proposed to bring
Route 240 from Maryland into
downtown Washington. Built
as an interstate route. it would
be required TO carry truck traf-
nc. And because Of the rela-
lively steep grade over its
$500 foot length in the park
proper. the highway would
probably have 70 be in eight
lanes.
Stretching between Massa-
chusetts avenue on the north
and Reservoir road on the
south. the park valley with tiny
Foundry Branch meandering
down its center averages barely
more than 500 or TOO feet wide.
At its widest point it is no more
than $500 feet.
The narrowness Of the cor
ridor is one of the arguments
Of opponents. The whole wood
ed area with its abundant Wild
life, trees and flowers would
largely be obliterated. they con-
tended.
Moreover. there are moral,
and possibly legal. obligations
at issue, the argument contin-
ued. The los acres of land
was dedicated to the city "fol
park purposes" by two promi-
nent Washington families ir
the mid-l920s. To build a ma
jor road through the property
it was argued. would violate al
least the intent Of the donors,
Mrs. Anne Archbold and the
late Charles c. Glover.
Here are excerpts from tes-
timony Of the defenders of
Glover-Archbold Park as they
appeared at the hearing:
Mai. Gen. Louis w. Prentiss,
Washington Board Of Trade
A highway would practically
completely destroy the park
characteristics over its major
portions because Of the re-
quired right of way widths.
The land was donated by pub
lic-spirited citizens for park
way use and the donors terms
should be honored.
Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant III,
American Civic and Planning
Associate n-The natural
character and topography of
this picturesque valley would
be inevitably destroyed. We
need more parks. 1t would be
an unwise disregard Of the
public interest to ruin a park
this valuable.
Hugh II. Obear, with and
representing John d. Archbold
and Charles c. Glover. jr.-
Protest with all vigor such
ruthless destruction and desc
Grafton Of a natural valley
given and accepted in good
faith. do you imagine that
either donor. If told this would
be used for an eight-lane road.
would have dedicated it?"
Washington I. Cleveland.
District Advisory Board, Amer
lean Automobile Association
Unnecessary use of property
donated for park use only.
James C. wilkes, Government
Employees Insurance Co.--Resi-
dents Of the Glover-Archbold
Park area would soon discover
that a large limited access
highway in the park would
forever change the character
OF that area.
Rear Admiral Neil Phillips.
Georgetown Citizens AsSocia-
tons and five nature conserv-
ancy groups-Parks and city
beauty spots like unique and
priceless Glover Archbold must
be declared inviolable.
John II. Cover, Gao Canal
Associat ion-Against threat to
Glover-Archbold and any other
Washington park; the city
should be by-passed by 240.
Samuel G. Kelly, Westches-
ter Corp. - Emphatic protest
against use Of park for high
way as a betrayal Of trust in
volving an inviolable gift,
Charles r. Richey. Burleith
Citizens Association--An inn
proper breach Of faith to de-
stroy one Of the few attractions
OF nature left in the city.
Mrs. Walter A. Sellers, Ca
thedral Heights Cleveland Park
Citizens Association-The park
would be practically obliterated.
ParS J. Settler, Spring VAL
ley-Wesley Heights Citizens
Association - Glover-Archbold
is entitled to at least as much
respect as Roosevelt Island. The
parkland grant should not be
violated unless no reasonable
alternative exists. a reasonable