Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-09-08
Washington should Have a Park.
VIEWS OF REV. DIR. BUCK.


To the Editor of THE EVENING STAR:
Mr.. Hallowel's excellent article in the STAR OF
the 10Th ult prompts some additional thoughts on
the same subject. What is to be said will be
summed up under three Questions-Should WASH
ington have park? Where should 1t be located7
and, Why It should now receive attention.
IL may be thought and said by some that WASH
ington city, with It's broad streets and spacious
avenues shaded with Its varied, choice, and beau
ufui trees, together with its weli-lad-out and
and needs no other. Too much cannot well be
said Ia praise OF Washington and OF the parking
committee who have had its ornamentation In
charge; but, granting all the charms the city may
possess, does II supply the need and demand for a
rural or country park? Few or none Will say so.
In TACT who prefers the streets for drive who
and cool valleys north and west OF Washington
Hence the crowds we see daily enjoying the gen.
erous hospitality OF the ol0 soldiers OF me United
states Soldiers Home and its authorities. IL is
strange-marvelously strange, when we think OF
t-that the Congress and Senate, with the whole
United states Government and the great city OF
Washington, should have been content for some
thirty years TO depend upon the soldier Of the
United States Army TO provide, and at heavy ex-
pense 10 Keep In order, a park for their use,
that Washington must have a park Is manifest
from the bill before Congress TO authorize the
commissioners OF the District OF Columbia 10 pur-
chase the valley OF Rock Creek for that purpose,
as well as for the reasons urged by Mr.. Hailowell
and others. But II the 1000 feet along Rock Creek
NC ScCuTcu, SnOulu Jue PARK De cOnlllcu tnAtI
Few regions are more wild and attractive than
ROCK Greek, but there are many little streams and
valleys on both sides entering into which should
be secured also, and the District Commissioners
much and where they should purchase. And II Is
by no means clear the Government OF this great
with Rock Greek, with Its environs as a park
the Soldiers Home park and Rock Creek PARK
should be Joined together by series OF parks or
park roads, thus linking them all together and so
uniting them virtually into one. The first park
should be all the land that can be secured between
the soldiers Home and Washington city, includ-
Ing the new reservoir. This could be made access
1ble by horse cars, and would make an admirable
outing for children Tor country air. Through this
park would also be the choice mode Of access to
the Soldiers Home, and enable the public to avoid
the manifold ann0yances and nuisances OF 7th
street. The second park should be Petworth, lying
west OF the Home, and composed OF about 400
acres, all OF 1t high and undulating, ranging from
200 to 800 feet above tide. all Oft admirably suited
for park.
The Government Of the United States could not
worth and there build a mansion for the President
and cottages for the heads OF Departments, and
for the judges OF the supreme Court. Then, too,
the states and foreign nations might be allowed 70
build residences for senator's and diplomats when
desired. The whole estate Is beautiful, and capa-
Bile OF the highest Improvement The third park
should join Petworth with Rock Greek. This could
be done by roadway between Saul's ana kupert's,
and then down Pney Branch; or across into the
estate or the Blagdens', and through that down TO
Rock Creek. Then there could he a tour drive over
the hign grounds OF the Home and Petworth, and
along the deep valley, ripping waters and wild
vegetation Of Rock Greek, unsurpassed II eQualed,
by anything In the country. In this way WASH
ington would have a series OF parks worthy OF the
capital OF a great nation. In conclusion, Why
should this matter be now and at once attended
to? ! answer: because the probabilities are that
II It Is not done soon II will never be done. The
only diincuty In the way is the cost, or expense.
And II great now, this will be greater and greater
In the future. right OF way, at the least, could
now De secured for park road from Boundary TO
the Soldiers Home This being accomplished, II q
the Line between Saul's and Ruper,s, there will be
q sure and easy connection with Rock Creek
Therefore what ought to be done, and can be done
now, better than at any other time, IL Is mani
testify the height OF folly TO postpone.
J. A. BUCK.