McMillan Park Should Be Our Central Park
To those who are curious or question whether McMillan Park was ever a park or not - and, more specifically, whether it included the sand filtration plant or not... I have done some research.
McMillan Park, including the grounds of the resevoir and the sand filtration plant, was a park serving the surrounding communities from its inception.
Any attempt to re-write the history - as is being done by the VMP development lobby and its agents - is simply a shallow attempt at misleading the public.
The facts speak for themselves - I have summarized below a few highlights with sources:
1) McMillan Park comprised the entirety of the ground level surface area of the Sand Filtration Plant (both east and west of 1st Street) and the grounds surrounding the resevoir (west of 1st Street) The exact boundaries can be seen on Google Maps by clicking on the link below:
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=mcmillan+park+dc&ie=UTF-8&ei=ykrCUZ7SD9bG4AOnjYFg&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAg
To be clear:
-Southern boundary was Bryant Street (west of 1st Street) and Channing Street (east of 1st Street)
-Eastern boundary was North Capitol Street
-Northern boundary was Michigan Ave/Hobart Place
-Western boundary was 5th Street NW
Sample Sources:
=>The Sunday Star, April 15, 1906; "McMillan Park - Name for Filtration Plant Grounds Approved: It was announced at the War Department yesterday that Secretary Taft had approved the name "McMillan Park" as the official designation of the public grounds embracing the Washington city filtration beds and plant, the adjacent resevoir and all approaches thereto belonging to the United States."
=>The Evening Star, June 6, 1907; "The Public Stable Site: ....The resevoir and filtration bed reservation has been formally styled "McMillan Park" in honor of the late senator from Michigan, to whom is today due the highest credit for the work of developing the capital."
=>Washington Times, November 9, 1912; "Board of Trade Will Re-Elect Its Present Officers - Campaign for Park Improvements in Capital Supported From Michigan: ...The monument referred to (McMillan Memorial Fountain) is now being erected on the grounds of the filtration plant, McMillan Park, near the head of North Capitol Street."
2) McMillan Park included the "Bloomingdale Playgrounds" - which included the contempory understanding of playground as in children's playground (swings, slides, etc, etc) AND sports venues (tennis courts, baseball/soccer/football fields).
Sample Sources:
=>Washington Times, February 28, 1919; "CIty Playgrounds Reopen Tomorrow: ...Bloomingdale, First and Bryant streets northwest;..."
=>Washington Times, August 5, 1919; "What's Doing; Where; When: Dance Fiesta - McMillan Park, Bloomingdale playground, children, 7:30 p. m."
=>Washington Times, August 9, 1920: "Playgrounds Help Make 10,000 Happy - D.C. Recreation Centers in 29 Locations Prove Mecca for Children: ...Bloomingdale playground is the shadiest (as in lots of shade from the sun). It has six tennis courts and will accommodate 3,000 children."
3) McMillan Park's "Bloomingdale Playgrounds" contained sports venues including tennis (six tennis courts), track & field, baseball/soccer/football fields with use by diverse age groups and organized teams/leagues.
Sample Sources:
=>Baseball=>Washington Herald, August 7, 1921; "Playground Baseball Season Opens - The midsummer season of the Junior Baseball League for boys 16 years of age and under of the various playgrounds under the Municipal Playground Department opened Wednesday.... Western Division League: Tuesday, August 9 - Mackin vs. Bloomingdale at Bloomingdale"
=>Football=>WashingtonTImes, November 6, 1921; "Liberty Wants Games - The Liberty A.C. (Athletic Club) will take on the Mohawk Reserves today at 1:30pm on the Bloomingdale playgrounds..."
=>Soccer=>Washington Herald, November 2, 1916; "Surprises Sprung In Playground Leagues: One of the best games to date in the playground soccer ball leagues was played on the New York avenue grounds yesterday between Twining and Seaton schools elevens.... On the Bloomingdale Playgrounds the Brookland School eleven defeated the Gage School, 5 to 1."
=>Tennis=>Washington Times, May 19, 1916; "Ten Teams Play For Times' Tennis Trophy - Program For Today in Tennis Tourney - Today's Contests: Bloomingdale playground - Eckington vs. Brightwood"
=>Track & Field=>Washington Herald, June 14, 1922; "Grade Schoolboys Conclude Meets - Wallach and Brookland Win Final Preliminary Track Contests: The last two playground division track and field meets for elementary school students under the supervision of the municipal playgrounds were held yesterday. Wallach School won the Virginia avenue division meet with eighty-one points, while Brookland romped away with the Bloomingdale meet with sixty-five points."
4) McMillan Park included a Park Staff who organized children's activities and events.
Sample Sources:
=>Washington Times, August 5, 1919; "What's Doing; Where; When: Dance Fiesta - McMillan Park, Bloomingdale playground, children, 7:30 p. m."
=>Washington Herald, March 16, 1921; "Playground Work Proves "Poplar" - Speaking of popular clothing apparel, the most "poplar" piece of clothing which has been put on display in the District in many seasons was hung up for inspection in the office of Mrs. Susie Root Rhodes, supervisor of municipal playgrounds, Saturday. The article is a piece of neck wear made of poplar tree catkins pasted on a piece of silk, shaped like a neckpiece. It was made by a class of the Bloomingdale playground under the direction of Director Elizabeth Mahon... "
=>Washington Herald, April 18, 1921; "Kind to Animals - Miss Elisabeth Mahon, director of the Bloomingdale Playgrounds, reports that the boys and girls under her care are striving to make this week a successful "kind to animals week".
5) McMillan Park had a yearly summer Concert Series.
Sample Sources:
=>Washington Times, May 29, 1919; "Summer Concerts For D.C. Arranged - A detailed list of the evening concerts to be given this summer by the Engineers' Band, the Sixty-third infantry Band and the Cavalry Band was made public today... June 13, McMillan Park; June 26, McMillan Park; July 18, McMillan Park; July 25, McMillan Park; August 6, McMillan Park; August 29, McMillan Park; September...".
=>Washington Herald, June 5, 1921; "Park Concerts Program - Washington music lovers who enjoy hearing band concerts are fortunate this year. Col. Sherrill, of the office of public buildings and grounds, war department, has announced the summer schedule of 84 outdoor concerts in the parks and circles of the District. The list follows: ...McMillan Park, June 7, July 7, Aug 8, Sept 6
6) McMillan Park had multi-purpose pavilions.
Sample Sources:
=>Washington Herald, July 11, 1917; "Dancing Pavilions For Playgrounds - Five Washington Centers to Have Improvements in Near Future - Mrs. Susie Root Rhodes, superintendent of playgrounds, has announced that dancing pavilions will be erected this week on five of the Washington Playgrounds, New York avenue, Bloomingdale, Virginia avenue, Georgetown and Howard. These pavilions will be forkindergarten work, Red Cross work and dancing."
=>Washington Times, August 5, 1919; "What's Doing; Where; When: Dance Fiesta - McMillan Park, Bloomingdale playground, children, 7:30 p. m."
All of the above exists today in NY's Central Park...
-McMillan Park's McMillan Memorial Fountain (Three Grace's Fountain) in its original form and setting is just as beautiful and unique as Central Park's Bethesda Fountain (Angel of the Water's Fountain)!
-McMillan Park's Olmsted Walk is just as beautiful as Central Park's many Olmsted walking paths!
-McMillan Park can and should once again have "Playgrounds" as exists today in Central Park!
-McMillan Park can and should once again host sports for all ages - baseball, football, soccer, tennis, running, walking, cycling as exists today in Central Park!
-McMillan Park can and should once again host children's activities and summer camps as exists today in Central Park!
-McMillan Park can and should once again host a Summer Concert Series as exists today in Central Park!
McMillan Park is our Central Park + the High Line + the Low Line + so much more ! It should be restored - in its entirety - to serve the surrounding communities and all DC residents with development of the existing historic structures - both above ground and below ground - for public use.
NO to Surplus ! NO to the VMP plan !
Save Historic McMillan Park !
Best regards,
Paul
Any attempt to re-write the history - as is being done by the VMP development lobby and its agents - is simply a shallow attempt at misleading the public.
The facts speak for themselves - I have summarized below a few highlights with sources:
1) McMillan Park comprised the entirety of the ground level surface area of the Sand Filtration Plant (both east and west of 1st Street) and the grounds surrounding the resevoir (west of 1st Street) The exact boundaries can be seen on Google Maps by clicking on the link below:
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=mcmillan+park+dc&ie=UTF-8&ei=ykrCUZ7SD9bG4AOnjYFg&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAg
To be clear:
-Southern boundary was Bryant Street (west of 1st Street) and Channing Street (east of 1st Street)
-Eastern boundary was North Capitol Street
-Northern boundary was Michigan Ave/Hobart Place
-Western boundary was 5th Street NW
Sample Sources:
=>The Sunday Star, April 15, 1906; "McMillan Park - Name for Filtration Plant Grounds Approved: It was announced at the War Department yesterday that Secretary Taft had approved the name "McMillan Park" as the official designation of the public grounds embracing the Washington city filtration beds and plant, the adjacent resevoir and all approaches thereto belonging to the United States."
=>The Evening Star, June 6, 1907; "The Public Stable Site: ....The resevoir and filtration bed reservation has been formally styled "McMillan Park" in honor of the late senator from Michigan, to whom is today due the highest credit for the work of developing the capital."
=>Washington Times, November 9, 1912; "Board of Trade Will Re-Elect Its Present Officers - Campaign for Park Improvements in Capital Supported From Michigan: ...The monument referred to (McMillan Memorial Fountain) is now being erected on the grounds of the filtration plant, McMillan Park, near the head of North Capitol Street."
2) McMillan Park included the "Bloomingdale Playgrounds" - which included the contempory understanding of playground as in children's playground (swings, slides, etc, etc) AND sports venues (tennis courts, baseball/soccer/football fields).
Sample Sources:
=>Washington Times, February 28, 1919; "CIty Playgrounds Reopen Tomorrow: ...Bloomingdale, First and Bryant streets northwest;..."
=>Washington Times, August 5, 1919; "What's Doing; Where; When: Dance Fiesta - McMillan Park, Bloomingdale playground, children, 7:30 p. m."
=>Washington Times, August 9, 1920: "Playgrounds Help Make 10,000 Happy - D.C. Recreation Centers in 29 Locations Prove Mecca for Children: ...Bloomingdale playground is the shadiest (as in lots of shade from the sun). It has six tennis courts and will accommodate 3,000 children."
3) McMillan Park's "Bloomingdale Playgrounds" contained sports venues including tennis (six tennis courts), track & field, baseball/soccer/football fields with use by diverse age groups and organized teams/leagues.
Sample Sources:
=>Baseball=>Washington Herald, August 7, 1921; "Playground Baseball Season Opens - The midsummer season of the Junior Baseball League for boys 16 years of age and under of the various playgrounds under the Municipal Playground Department opened Wednesday.... Western Division League: Tuesday, August 9 - Mackin vs. Bloomingdale at Bloomingdale"
=>Football=>WashingtonTImes, November 6, 1921; "Liberty Wants Games - The Liberty A.C. (Athletic Club) will take on the Mohawk Reserves today at 1:30pm on the Bloomingdale playgrounds..."
=>Soccer=>Washington Herald, November 2, 1916; "Surprises Sprung In Playground Leagues: One of the best games to date in the playground soccer ball leagues was played on the New York avenue grounds yesterday between Twining and Seaton schools elevens.... On the Bloomingdale Playgrounds the Brookland School eleven defeated the Gage School, 5 to 1."
=>Tennis=>Washington Times, May 19, 1916; "Ten Teams Play For Times' Tennis Trophy - Program For Today in Tennis Tourney - Today's Contests: Bloomingdale playground - Eckington vs. Brightwood"
=>Track & Field=>Washington Herald, June 14, 1922; "Grade Schoolboys Conclude Meets - Wallach and Brookland Win Final Preliminary Track Contests: The last two playground division track and field meets for elementary school students under the supervision of the municipal playgrounds were held yesterday. Wallach School won the Virginia avenue division meet with eighty-one points, while Brookland romped away with the Bloomingdale meet with sixty-five points."
4) McMillan Park included a Park Staff who organized children's activities and events.
Sample Sources:
=>Washington Times, August 5, 1919; "What's Doing; Where; When: Dance Fiesta - McMillan Park, Bloomingdale playground, children, 7:30 p. m."
=>Washington Herald, March 16, 1921; "Playground Work Proves "Poplar" - Speaking of popular clothing apparel, the most "poplar" piece of clothing which has been put on display in the District in many seasons was hung up for inspection in the office of Mrs. Susie Root Rhodes, supervisor of municipal playgrounds, Saturday. The article is a piece of neck wear made of poplar tree catkins pasted on a piece of silk, shaped like a neckpiece. It was made by a class of the Bloomingdale playground under the direction of Director Elizabeth Mahon... "
=>Washington Herald, April 18, 1921; "Kind to Animals - Miss Elisabeth Mahon, director of the Bloomingdale Playgrounds, reports that the boys and girls under her care are striving to make this week a successful "kind to animals week".
5) McMillan Park had a yearly summer Concert Series.
Sample Sources:
=>Washington Times, May 29, 1919; "Summer Concerts For D.C. Arranged - A detailed list of the evening concerts to be given this summer by the Engineers' Band, the Sixty-third infantry Band and the Cavalry Band was made public today... June 13, McMillan Park; June 26, McMillan Park; July 18, McMillan Park; July 25, McMillan Park; August 6, McMillan Park; August 29, McMillan Park; September...".
=>Washington Herald, June 5, 1921; "Park Concerts Program - Washington music lovers who enjoy hearing band concerts are fortunate this year. Col. Sherrill, of the office of public buildings and grounds, war department, has announced the summer schedule of 84 outdoor concerts in the parks and circles of the District. The list follows: ...McMillan Park, June 7, July 7, Aug 8, Sept 6
6) McMillan Park had multi-purpose pavilions.
Sample Sources:
=>Washington Herald, July 11, 1917; "Dancing Pavilions For Playgrounds - Five Washington Centers to Have Improvements in Near Future - Mrs. Susie Root Rhodes, superintendent of playgrounds, has announced that dancing pavilions will be erected this week on five of the Washington Playgrounds, New York avenue, Bloomingdale, Virginia avenue, Georgetown and Howard. These pavilions will be forkindergarten work, Red Cross work and dancing."
=>Washington Times, August 5, 1919; "What's Doing; Where; When: Dance Fiesta - McMillan Park, Bloomingdale playground, children, 7:30 p. m."
All of the above exists today in NY's Central Park...
-McMillan Park's McMillan Memorial Fountain (Three Grace's Fountain) in its original form and setting is just as beautiful and unique as Central Park's Bethesda Fountain (Angel of the Water's Fountain)!
-McMillan Park's Olmsted Walk is just as beautiful as Central Park's many Olmsted walking paths!
-McMillan Park can and should once again have "Playgrounds" as exists today in Central Park!
-McMillan Park can and should once again host sports for all ages - baseball, football, soccer, tennis, running, walking, cycling as exists today in Central Park!
-McMillan Park can and should once again host children's activities and summer camps as exists today in Central Park!
-McMillan Park can and should once again host a Summer Concert Series as exists today in Central Park!
McMillan Park is our Central Park + the High Line + the Low Line + so much more ! It should be restored - in its entirety - to serve the surrounding communities and all DC residents with development of the existing historic structures - both above ground and below ground - for public use.
NO to Surplus ! NO to the VMP plan !
Save Historic McMillan Park !
Best regards,
Paul
Bloomingdale Resident
This Bloomingdale resident says YES to Surplus and YES to VMP. I don't want it all to be a park.
ReplyDeleteAnd, that makes four in favor of the EYA plan, and hundreds of neighbors against.
ReplyDeleteNo Paul you have 100s of people fooled and they don't even live in DC
DeleteThat's right. Keep telling yourself that.
ReplyDeleteGreat posting Paul. Thanks for putting all of this together. I look forward to hearing the response at the HPRB meeting.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea Patch Perfect - let's destroy a historic national park - an irreplaceable gem - and create VMP's hideous architecture! All I can say is that I hope you never run for public office!!! And no one ever said the entire thing should be a PARK anyway!!! Why can't you think outside of the box and imagine utilizing the historic structures (the amazing underground cisterns and above ground silos) in a creative and innovative way? Why can't we have the best of both worlds? An amazing historic park to serve the community and still include commerce? NY's Highline which was slated for destruction is now one of the city's biggest tourist attractions and has completely revived the entire neighborhood of Chelsea. Unimaginative and mediocre is not right for Bloomingdale nor for DC! You should move to Rosslyn if you like VMP's plan and leave this charming Victorian neighborhood alone! The reality is that the majority want to save this historic site - what don't you get???
ReplyDeleteThank you for your thoughts. Although different, they are equally as valid as mine. :-)
ReplyDeleteHey beutifybloomingdale...your more then likely a member of FOM so lets be clear about some things. FOM has stated in no uncertain terms that they want this whole site as a park. Your folks did an online poll that is irrelevant because you can't verify the people who contributed to the poll cause they could have been in California for all we know and not local much less DC residents. So that invalidates your argument that "most" people dislike the VMP plan. If you dislike it that much I suggest you relocate to some place like Front Royal and then you can have all the green space you can stand. BTW...Chelsea wasn't revived due to a park it was revived due to housing prices and people wanting to move into that area. It was probably a nice addition and perk to moving into the area but it wasn't what revived the area
ReplyDeleteMona - I am not speaking on behalf of any group I am just a concerned resident of Bloomingdale. I was fortunate enough to grow up next to Central Park in NYC and it was my haven, my savior, the fondest memories of my childhood were there and also as an adult... it was a retreat, my oasis and down time from hectic urban life! What in the world is wrong with having a parks? Especially in Ward 5, where we have only a handful of pocket parks - Quality of life for DC residents is trumped by development? We could use - AND NEED - a large park for all the residents of the surrounding communities. Oh, and by the way, who are you affiliated with? VMP??? Evidently, you are not a New Yorker... I am/was (now a proud Washingtonian) and let me tell you for a fact: every square inch of real estate in NYC and particularly in Manhattan is in extremely high demand. Chelsea has become one of the most popular, if not the most popular, neighborhoods in NYC as a direct consequence of the High Line. That far west side of Chelsea was bland, an eyesore, dangerous and was totally neglected. The Highline definitively made it what it is today. That is besides the tourism it has attracted and generated to NYC at large. Oh and finally, regarding the poll, obviously, you are misinformed... the data is published and the signatories are broken out by residency (DC versus non-DC). 3600+ and counting DC residents are against the VMP plan. You should really move to Rosyln or Tyson's Corner and leave this charming Victorian neighborhood alone and oh, please, take Patch Perfect with you since you both seem to share the same mediocre aesthetic values. This area doesn't need or warrant this kind of mediocre suburban style over-development VMP is trying to jam down our throats! You are on the losing side of this battle. Bloomingdale and Washington, DC DESERVES A LOT BETTER !
ReplyDeleteOnce again, not part of VMP also another resident of Bloomingdale. Great you grew up in NYC but guess what, this isn't NYC. This city is renowned for it's greenery already. There is a significant park in the design already how much park do you need? Oh wait let me answer that question. 100% of it as park is the only thing that is going to satisfy you and FOM. As for your little poll no one was verifying those residency in the city. I was at the Sunday market by Big Bear with my sister and they asked her if she would like to sign and never asked about residency and she lives in Maryland. Your poll is invalid and also lets work the numbers here. City is made up of about 600k people so 3600/600000 = that is .06% of the people of the city so you can't just jump up and say DC residents are against it because of you and FOM friends signing a petition. Really doesn't matter what you flap on about or prostrate yourself over. This is happening and you nor FOM are going to stop it. But don't let me stop you from working yourselves into full out seizure activity over it.
ReplyDeleteA big rat infested expanse of grass is NOT a park.
ReplyDelete