Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-05-01
OUR BEAUTIFUL ROCK CREEK REGION
IL Should he Made a National Park

Editor Star On several occasions l have
seen communications and references In THE
STAR to the Rock Creek region being set aside
py the government as national park have
been frequent visitor and explorer OF that
locality for several years. and each visit has In
creased my love for its beauties, and my con-
victlon tnat II was designed 10y the Creator for
tne rest and refreShment OF this nations Official
slaves. feel constrained, therefore. TO raise
my voice In support of the proposition. More
IMAM twenty years of study In the line OF my
profession ought to give me some knowledge
and appreciation of The subject (however poor
practitioner may be-, and whether my voice
De loud enough, or my Judgment sound enough
10 meet with any support from Others. I have
examined nearly all the celebrated parks and
many fine private estates OF the worli.
and yet L can freely say have never seen In
The vicinity OF any city or town or place, envl-
and romantic embellishments as the Rock Creek
region affords. In view OF this fact with our
customary shortsfghtedness, or utilitarian pro
cllvlt1es, We are allowing such wholesale
destruction OF rock and forest TO go on I'm the
midst of it, that in few years nothing Will be
left but gravel heap and stone quarry
three new quarr1eS, l notice. have been
opened during the past year, and whole acres
OF pllmeyal forest have been cut down. How
strange il is our Commissioners should be so
the authorities in New York had selected the
site OF the Central Park few years earlier mill
mons and millions OF dollars would have been
saved 10 the adornment, and many of the hills
now bare would be shaded with grand
oiq forest trees that no end OF care and
LABOR Will require for centuries to replace
MoSt or the land needed for the park is useless
Tor cultivation and valueleSS for city lots and
we should suppose could be obtained at a mere
nominal figure. Indeed, it would seem as
though the owners would be glad to dispose OF
IL for such purpose, as It would shut them Off
from molestatlon by trampS "a serious objection
10 living on the outskirts OF any city, and
greatly enhance the value OF the remainder OF
their farms as building SITES The stream Itself
OFFERS every lnducement, as does the con-
fguration of the land, for every variety
OF scenery and adornmenU There are
neldS and meadows for level walks and drives
and games; high, steep hills for caStellated
towers and look outs; solid lodges and piled-up
locks for grottoes, caves and waterfalls;
deep shady hooks for rustic seats and arborS.
There are many springs Of cool water for
drinking fountains and spring houses, deep
pools Tor bathing houses, broad amphitheaCres
lakes for boating (and skating when frozen
oyer) In fact, 1 can think OF no sort OF
rural adornment that could not be Sc
eSqa 6y with the n most ,,d tIg
cost In other public grounds. l have lived and
worked and dreamed SO much In this region, /
know almost every inch OF Il, as well as every
rock and tree. Except at Windsor Castle and
Inverness, have never seen finer oaks and
beeches and cheStnuts than are in this locality;
tEen there are golden and silver birches, pines
laurel, and almost every other forest tree In
digenous to North America / know rocky
leGgeS where days blasting, or the moving of
one or two giant moSs-grown bolders a few feet
would make the most picturesque grottoes
There are deep rocky pools where trout and
pickerel would flourish, and could be grown in
safety; there are shallow sandy flats where
children can wade and sail boats; there are min
AZURE cascades, which, with an artificial supply
OF water would tempt any waterSprfte or artist:
there are miniature islands that, II adornedlwith
bridges, would woo even a politician from
fame to love; paths traverse the whole
region reg t rod only 10y COWS, tresspassers
widened; walled up in a few places. and and
protected with ratings In others, would serve
as most delightful prOmenades for the weary,
dusty Drained statesmen or merchants. There
Is not spot from the street bridge to
Pierces mill that could not be utilized In park,
AND. at trff1ng expense, be made beautiful and
pic ureSque. Where are the citizens who can
exert the influence and are ,rU,jig to do 1t? Who
will enter heart and soul In the matter and res
cue this paradise from total devastation? Where
are the guardians OF the nation who VIII awake
10 the importance OF this work els It be
too late, and the cost or the undertaking be in
cr ased thousand fold! II they cannot Law aside
tIefr personal interests long enough to perform
In 1t chance for many OF their hungry const-
tueItS al friends to get employment? mar
gauge X. R. dixie the one at the centennial
exhibition In Philadelphia) starting at P-street
bridge, following the course OF the creek TO
Piney Branch, thence along that and the lane
leading to the Soldiers Home, thence to the Ma
ttonal Fair ground and back, via. the Boun-
Diary, would be a splendid investment for
capitalists. and bring all the Northern
suburbs in close connection with the city and
the horse rail roads, and open thousands OF
acres of fine building lots to sale and occupa-
uCn.
What we want is a beautiful, safe, convenient
place or resort for our families, and the pleas
ures and attractions OF picturesque scenery pre-
served for the public use. Give as this and the
capitalists can make what filthy lucre out OF IL
they may. Very truly yours, ARTIST.