40 U.S.C. § 8731 — Acquiring land for park, parkway, or playground purposes

(a) Authority To Acquire Land. The National Capital^* Planning Commission must acquire land it believes is necessary and desirable, in the District of Columbia and nearby parts of Maryland and Virginia, to properly develop the National Capital's park, parkway, and playground system. The Commission can only acquire land within the limits of the money appropriated for that purpose. The Commission must ask the Commission of Fine Arts for advice on which land to acquire.

(b) How Land May Be Acquired. (1) Purchase or condemnation proceeding. The Commission may buy land when it can get a price it considers reasonable, or use a condemnation proceeding when it cannot buy the land at a reasonable price. (2) Land in the District of Columbia. A condemnation proceeding for D.C. land must follow section 1 of the Act of December 23, 1963 (Public Law 88–241, 77 Stat. 571). (3) Land in Maryland or Virginia. The Commission may acquire land in those states under arrangements it agrees to with the proper state officials.

(c) Control of Land. (1) Land in the District of Columbia. Land acquired in D.C. becomes part of the D.C. park system and is controlled by the Director of the National Park Service. The Commission may assign areas suitable for playgrounds to the D.C. Mayor's control for playground purposes. (2) Land in Maryland or Virginia. This land is controlled however the Commission and the proper state officials agree.

(d) Presidential Approval Required. The President must approve: (1) the designation of land to be acquired by condemnation; (2) contracts to purchase land; and (3) agreements between the Commission and the officials of Maryland or Virginia.