Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-08-13
Chtlare. ia the Ceunsr,.

EDITOR STAR:-The ckroziele has done veil.
IL has inaugurafei and conducted a system Of
excursions into the country by which about .
thousand young people, who hsd little other
opportunity to breathe the fresh and pure air OF
the woods, have each hsd = days pleasure and
gainea 20 much health and strength 10 resist
the evil influences OF city streets and city sut-
tiers rs can be gained IN a dav M Il = great
deal, and the vorl IL - real work OF charity
but Il has involve the risk 70 900 children OF
less fatal acciaen 20 excursion trains and
with young people, school children ant orhsrs
from Boston, New York and Phtlaielphia re
calls, and such as the wswsset's late awful fate
Had the city taken up vigorously the suh,eet
OF park on Rock creek sgitated some wears
on both banks, from Boundary street % PierceS
mill, a tract which then should not have cost
more than si5o, 900, we should have hal wf-h. n
shades, flowing streams, bathine and fssins
pools-rlaoes In which the humble dinner OF The
poor could have been eaten from a basket with
he :, 'An N the CITY, and this not at
men, but on their own ground, by their oan
streams, and under the sd ade OF their own trees
ms land is SO situated, 50 itted for park
and ssnitarium, that its Intimate Application 20
this purpose Is inevitable. But every wear -srs
he true selling price Of the land appreciate
and every year sees many children fall vic. ms
10 the summer complaint which a dav or two
GIfrcsoo on the banks OF Rock creek would have
cured. Not too FAR from Pennsylvania ave-
nue. 20 b. reached BY walking easily reached
by hra ach Of the Connecticut avenue anl y
street r. lrosd, which should lie extended along
both she res Of the creek. this country covered
with de sc forests Of oak and other Amer AN
trees IN great variety with open gades. shelter
from q . heats OF the western sun, open q re-
ceiNe { cool southwestern braeEos from the
broad toiomse, invites appropriation 70 the
SICK AZ the needy. IL not thus appropriated be-
fore To- < Il will be taken possession of hy the
hSh, no VIII buiid on picturesque sites their
Sllas, surrounded by high fences and guarded
by warning against trespasS
lt would be a great and GROWING work in the
career of our noble Board Of Public Works 10
secure tbs 600 acres and throw IL open 20 the
public. Thousands OF children and their parents
would bless them for the gift No reason able
debt incurred in its acquisition would lie felt as
a burden when compared with the life aud
health which II would give, with the thousands
of strong men and women who would live and
work saved from the summer diseases OF cities
by Its free use. Their labOr in all the walks OF
industry would amply indemnify the CITY treas
ury for the interest and principal OF the bonds
Nhlch might be necessary to issue for the
purchase.
Little expensive Improvement is needed. A
few country roads for riding aud walking TO
make its retired and beautiful scenery accessi-
BILE 70 the feeble and the needy; rustic bridge
dams 10 control the stream Tor ponds for boat.
ing, hshingi swimming, and create water power
20 force water for fountains and cascades.
and for irrigating 70 the top OF its highest
To the Central Park, New York. with a popu-
iaton under million, sends yearly seven aud
nall millions of visitors. To Fairmount Park TIE
G2;e0 Inhabitants rof Philadelphia pay three
millions of visits.
Who can estimate the health. the happiness
gained by the movement thus indicated. aud
who can reckon the money value of this heath
and happiness and Of the lives Of those saved
through the influence Of these parks 20 grow M
sound and healthy; and citizens, men AMI
women, love their city and their country. Ia
rake us love our country our country mus be
lovely ana IL is a duty OF all cities 20 make
themselves healthy, attractive, lovely TO their
Inhabitants.