POTOMAC PARKS
It is of interest to note from the L’Enfant plan of 1791 the absence of land in the area known to-day as West and East Potomac Parks. Seventy-five years ago the area had developed into a marshy region, which became so malarial as to affect seriously the health of residents of the city. In 1901 the McMillan Park Commission decided to extend the axis of the Mall westward three-fourths of a mile, and as a result one of the greatest and most remarkable developments in city planning has been accomplished, for at that time, in connection with the park improvement project, the location of the Lincoln Memorial and the Arlington Memorial Bridge was determined upon in plan, together with the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway development. The dredging of these swampy regions by the United States Engineer Office resulted in the creation of West Potomac Park, comprising 394 acres.
East Potomac Park is located along the Potomac River not far from the Lincoln Memorial and has developed during the past few years into the most prominent recreational park of the city. The golf course, field house, and picnic groves are features of the park. It is one of the three great island parks of the world and comprises 327 acres of land reclaimed from the Potomac River, with a water front of 3⁵⁄₈ miles. The park is bounded by a motor drive, which is lined with Japanese cherry trees. A canal to cross the park, connecting Washington Channel with the Potomac River, is in plan.
JAPANESE CHERRY TREES
The Japanese cherry trees along the Tidal Basin and the Potomac Park Driveway attract thousands of visitors to Washington during the cherry blossom season, which is early in April of each year. They are the gift of the city of Tokyo to the National Capital. Upon arrival the first consignment of 2,000 trees was found to be infected by fungous diseases and insect pests, and thereupon they were destroyed. In the winter of 1911-12 the city of Tokyo renewed the gift, and in March, 1912, a consignment of 3,020 trees arrived in Washington. These were examined by experts of the Department of Agriculture and pronounced healthy specimens.
MERIDIAN HILL PARK—UPPER GARDEN
MERIDIAN HILL PARK—LOWER GARDEN
Arrangements were made immediately for planting them. Mrs. William Howard Taft planted the first tree and Viscountess Chinda the second early in April. When the news was received in Japan that the trees had been successfully planted, the following message from Mayor Ozaki, of Tokyo, was received: