Evening star., 1886-11-06
CITY AND DISTRICT.
THE PROJECTED ROCK CREEK
PARK.
Suggestions In Regard 20 the Proper
Plan for that work.

To the Editor Of THE EVENING STAR
Being reader of The STAR have been In
tsrested In the discussion ia its columns OF the
various projected city improvements, and
may say i appreciate your terse, but we'll con-
sidered editorials upon the subject The OPP
posing views that have been stirred up by
the suggestion of extending one or two of the
avenues OF the city leads me to reflect: "What
will be the agitation of the public mind when q
project is presented by the Commissioners for
extending the entire system OF streets and ave-
nues over the whole District?" Such a scheme
has been too long delayed for the inter
ests of the city, and the longer II
Is delayed the greater will be the obstacles to
be encountered. Ii is among the inevitable
events fit is to be hOped) OF the near future and
it does not augur well tor harmonious action
when the crisis arrives, To see now the dssen-
sions caused by a mere incipient step in that
direction. This, by way OF prelude, as 1 have
another matter to which / wish To call your at
tention, MIR. Editor, and will not allude farther
To the Massachusetts avenue question, but
proceed TO a subject upon which our
views, / trust, will be in accord.
refer to the projected Rock Creek Park
The bill for inaugurating this work which
passed the Senate near tie close of the last ses-
sion. contains these words in prescribing the
limits OF the park: Not exceeding one thous-
and feet In width, lying and being adjacent ID
and on both sides OF Rock creek, in the Dis
tTict of Columbia, &C." This means, il in
terpret 1t correctly, that nowhere Shall the
whole width exceed 1,OOO feet, but tnat the
width OF ground on either side of the creek
may not be restricted to exactly 500 feet-On
one side IL may be more than 500 feet,
while on the opposite it might be less.
Now let any person acquainted with the topOg
raphy of Rock creek look at the map and con-
slider what kind of q park can be made in a
ravine ia miles long and less than quarter of
a mile Wide. A road can be made through II, 1t
Is true, and this, under the conditions, would
be an Interesting engineering IeaL, but for any
other OF the usual and popular adjuncts of
park, there is absolutely no elbow room. A fine
drive with easy grades Is necessity To a park,
but 1t Is only one of many necessities; even
"A HNfn nnstfn
unrelieved, as IL would be, by any other ac-
eessories. and shut in ana restricted To the
bottom of the yalley-cut OH from views of
the upper world and the breeZeS and sunlight,
which are desirable in d pleasant drive u
grateful shade (O4 which latter there might be a
shade too nuGhl. No. the bill restricted, too
procrustean Tor such a park as this city and
It's varied population and needs demand 1t
would do but little credit tn the capital city
OF the nation. IL Is fortunate that the
press of other matter prevented its passage by
the House OF Representatives, II would have
delayed rather than have advanced the con-
struction OF the work. for IL would no sooner
have been placed in the hands OF an expert to
examine and work into form than IL would
have been returned as impracticable, tor its OBJ
Ject; and then IL would have had To be started
de novo IN Congress for the necessary amend
menLs 10 be made to II; whe, cas-, i'll its present
condition, being in the order of unfinished
business, 1t Can be taken up with the proper
amenamentsl without The ordinary difficulties
ana delays attending the introduction OF d new
bill. 1fyou will kindly permit NE, / will me ntion
a few of the amendments which seem 10 me
needIul: More land should be appropriated, at
least 200 acres, in place oi about SO, pro-
Nlded ior IN the oiiL The width on each side of
Rock creek should not restricted, except to
Keep Within the maximum area stated.
lne reasons IOr this ought tn be obvious. Less
latitude than mentioned would cripple and
render aoortlve The work of the must expert
enced laudscapist. There several lateral
hollovs along the creek which are component
parts OF the valley, and are relieving features
which cannot be wholly cut on. There art also
hills and prOmont ntOrles juIting boldly into the
valley between the hollows mentioned, access
10 which Is necessary here and there, not only
10 those VINO drive III their carriages, but to Pc
destrlanS, 10 relieve the mOuOLony OI the glen
ana enable ali To get d glimpse occasionally vi a
agnincent outer prospect and catch breath
OI lue upper air.
Many oIner points of equal importance could
De mentioned, out refrain from further Tres
passing upon your column rs, except To add that
II Wolid be we'll Tor ciIIZeus wno nave Lne gene
TAI welfare ana prosperity Of The city at heart,
and VINO lOOk 10 the advancement OIL Its already
unrlvalled beauty and attractions. to see LnaL
the Rock Creek Park bill be put upon hnal
passage IN u properly amended form.
WM. ii. GRANT.