PLAYGROUNDS IN PARKS 



a special project of Mrs. Wilson's to transform the central portion of 

 certain blocks in slum districts into interior playgrounds which should 

 have a park character insofar as practicable. An excerpt from the 

 author's report on the project bearing on the matter of the planting 

 is quoted: 



" The problem of developing the Interior Park at Willow Tree Alley has been 

 considered primarily from the standpoint of up-keep and maintenance. Ex- 

 perience in other Washington parks has taught that planting in a locality of 

 this kind unless protected from depredation — not only when first planted but 

 even after it has become established — will almost immediately be rendered un- 

 sightly, and in the course of two or three years become practically erased. On 

 the other hand, it is impossible to give a park-like character to any design with- 

 out a considerable amount of planting; and vegetation for beauty and shade 

 is the one element of park design which cannot be eliminated. Therefore it 

 becomes necessary in this case to make use of planting in a restricted sense, and 

 in such a way that it may be protected from depredation. 



" It is proposed to develop this area as a combination of recreation park and 

 playground. The central portion is to be kept open, outlined and framed in 

 with a belt of trees and shrubbery. A row of Lombardy poplars at each end, 

 planted very closely together in a line, will furnish the vertical element of the 

 design and the remainder of the planting space will be filled in with a collection 

 of flowering trees and shrubs, with occasional shade trees overshadowing the 

 walk lines, and intermediate groups of evergreens for enrichment of the plant- 

 ing during the winter months. The eflTectiveness of the entire design will depend 

 upon the luxuriousness and density of this plantation, and for that reason it is 

 proposed to enclose the areas as shown with a picket fence of sufficient height 

 to render this area impossible of trespass. Broad entrances at each side of the 

 park will lead through this planting screen to the interior portion, which will 

 be encompassed by a cement walk at the outer edge. The central portion will 

 be left bare of planting except for the two formal groves shown on the plan, 

 which will be provided with play tables and sand-boxes for the younger children 

 frequenting this park. 



" All planting could well be put in of a fairly mature size in order to give an 

 immediate effect, and it is recommended that the twelve trees of the play groves 



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