Thomas
                         P.O. Box 27217
                     Washington, D.C.  20038
                            462-0757

                          July 31, 1990

Lafayette Park Manager
1100 Ohio Drive S.E.
Washington, D.C.

Dear Park Manager:

     This letter is to inform you that the built-in sprinkler
system in the southeast quadrant of Lafayette Park is, effectively,
inoperable.  While the system does go through its automatic cycle
every night, most of the sprinkler heads are damaged and do not
deliver water to the lawn.

     These sprinkler heads have not been recently damaged, rather
they have been malfunctioning from the first time the system was
used this year.  Both I and others have brought this situation to
the attention of park maintenance workers and Park Police officers.

     This situation concerns me for three reasons.  First, seeing
hundreds of gallons of water flowing pointlessly into the gutter
each night disturbs me.  Second, I don't like watching the grass
die.  Third, although my signs are on the edge of the sidewalk
furtherest from the lawn, I am apprehensive that, should the grass
die, certain reactionary elements might try to link the grass's
demise to First Amendment exercise, rather than to faulty sprinkler
heads.

     Please address this searing problem.

     Thank you for your attention.

                 In service to a loving Creator,








c.c.  Director, National Park Service
                National Capitol Region