Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-07
ROCK CREEK NATIONAL PARK.
Facts and Figures Collected for the In
formation Of the Public.

formation Of the Public.
BILLS INTRODUCED N CONGRESS AND FAVORABLE
REPoRrs MADE-srRoSs ARGUMENTS FOR Es-
TAsLIsHINe THE PARK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
THE LOCATION OF THI PROPOSED PARK.
The public-park question in this city has
never been more popular, and it has never
been more thoroughly discussed than during
the past few weeks. So numerous and SO
unanimous are the expressions of opinion on
this question, which concerns all good citizens
of the District, that it would seem impossible
Of belief that Congress would not take some
actiOn-immediate action-in the premises.
The agitation in favor of great public park
is growing daily, and nowhere in the city is
there any opposition to it. For more than
score OF years attempts have been made to Sc
cure the setting apart of reservation which
would be for the amusement and enjoyment of
the public. The attention of Congress has
been repeatedly called TO this matter and
number OF bills, variously entitled, have been
introduced.
MAJOR MIcHI.ERs REPORT.
The earliest data regarding these matters
now at hand is what is known Senate bill
$40, Thirty-ninth Congress, Upon this bill
Major n. Michler, q. 5. A., made q full and
complete report to the Senate January 20, 1867.
of which the following is portion:
I'm the first place, let me consider the sub
ject of public park. Where much has
been written on so interesting a feature to any
large city rs that of park, and where the ne
cessity of public grounds, either for the sake
oil healthful recreation and exercise for all
classes of society. or for the qualification of
their tastes, whether for pleasure or curiosity,
has become apparent 10 every enlightened
community. 1t would seem TO be unnecessary
for me to dilate further upon the matter, to
sdy nothing of the natural or artificial beauties
which adOrn park and so cultivate an appre-
ciative and refined taste in those who seek its
shades for the purpose of breathing the free
air OF Heaven, and admiring nature. 1t is GER
tainly the most economical ana practical means
OF providing ail--oid and young, rich and poor
with the greatest of all needs healthy exercise
IL the open country.
10 accomplish these ends there should be
a spaeiOusness in the extent OF the grounds,
not merely presenting the appearance of a
large domain, but in reality possessing many
miles of drives and rides and walks. all indie
pendent of each other, and either open or pro-
tected so as to be suitable for the different
seasons. There should be variety of scenery,
happy combination of the beautiful and
picturesque, tine smooth plateau and the gently
undulating glade vieing with the ruggedness
OF the rocky ravine and the fertile valley.
THE THIcKLY MASTLED PRIMEvAL FOREST
contrasting with the green lawn, grand old
trees with towering shrubs. Wild. bold. rapid
streams, coursing their way along the entire
length and breadth of such scene. would not
only lend enchantment to the view. but add to
the capabilities of adornment. While nature
layishly offers q succession of falls. cascades
and rapids to greet the eye, as the waters
cash through some romantic dale. the hand of
art can be used to transform them into ponds
and lakes as they gently glide through the
more peaceful valleys, thereby rendering them
tine means OF pleasure and recreation for boat
skating What uSPful abund-
ance of water or 80 ornamental when converted
into fountains and Jets to cool the heated
atmosphere? It furnishes. also. opportunities
for the engineer and artist to display their
taste in constructing ornamental and rustic
bridges 70 span the stream.
An attempt has been made in a few words
to describe the purposes and beauties of pub
bic park. In no place has nature been more
bountiful of her charms than in the vicinity of
this city. and all can be found so near and ac-
cessible. The valley of the Rock creek and its
tributaries. the Broad and Piney branches. and
the several minor rivulets. with the adjoining
hills overlooking these beautiful streams, pre-
sent the capital of the nation advantages not
10 be lightly dsregarded in providing a park
worthy great people. All the elements which
constitute public resort of the kind can be
found in this wild and romantic tract of coun-
try. With its charming drives and walks. It's
hills and dales, its pleasant valleys and deep
ravines, its priIneval forests and cultivated
fields. Its running waters, its rocks clothed
with rich ferns and MOSES, its repose and tran
guilty, its light and shade. its ever-varying
shr1bbery, its beautiful and extensive views
the locality is already possessed with all the
features necessary for the object in view.
There you can find nature diversified in almost
every hue and form. needing but the taste of
the artist and the skill of the engineer 10 en-
nance its beauty and usefulness: gentle prtln-
ing and removing what may be- distasteful; i'm
proving the roads and paths and the construc-
non OF new ones, and increasing the already
large growth OF trees and shrubs, deciduous
and evergreen, by adding to them those of
other CHIMES and countries.
The valley of Rock creek occupies a central
position to both Washington and Georgetown,
as It hes between the Tennallytown road on the
west. one Of the most prominent thoroughfares
leading out of the city, and the 14th street
road and 9TH street turnpike on the east. two
OF the finest communications, running in a
northeriy direction from each other. From
these main highways many branches cross the
valleys or follow along the banks of the stream.
These transverse roads already form beautiful
drives. Rock creek winds along for more than
miles through the center of the proposed
grounds. receiving at convenient points the
waters Of the Broad and Piney branches and
several smaller tributaries For a short dis
lance II courses through a narrow but beautiful
valley;
THEN WILDLY DAsHEs FOR MILE
over a succession Of falls and rapids with
descent Of some eight feet. the banks on both
sides being bold. rocky, and picturesque; then
passes again through narrow valleys or between
high. bluff banks. At many points the creek is
capable OF being damned, thus forming a
series Of lakes and ponds for useful and orna-
mental purposes. The many deep ravines set
ting in towards il can furnish romantic walks
and quiet retreats for the pedestrian. The
larger part of the ground is thickly wooded
and capable OF great adornment. Here We find
tie several varieties of oak the beech the locust
the mulberry. the hickory. the sassafras the
persimmon. the dogwood, the pine, with a great
many shrubs, vines and creepers growing,
climbing. and trailing through the woods.
Beautiful vistas, artistically arranged. can be
cut through them. exhibiting distant points of
landscape. while charming promenades can in
vlte the wanderer TO seek cooling shades. Ma
ture has been so rich in her vegetable creation
that the plan of transplanting trees of large
growth which has been adopted in most of the
modern parks will be unnecessary.
Back from the stream some level plateaus ex-
tend, which can be appropriately employed for
geological and botanical gardens. grounds for
play and parade, and many other useful pur-
The lay OF the land is such that il admits of
thorough drainage. and the nature of the soil
offers all the facilities for building good roads.
the granite and limestone rocks which are
found outcropping at different points will fur
nlsh material for their superstructure In
fact, every facility is offered for laying out and