Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-29
ROCK CREEK PARK.
Mr.. Hemphill's Report Recommending
the Passage Of the Bill.

the Passage Of the Bin.
TIE DEsrRABHrrY OF THE PARK DISCUSSED AMI
REFERENCE MADE TO PARKS IN orHER CITIES
TIE LAND SHOULD HAVE BEEN BouoHT TEARS
AGO But NO FURTHER DELAY SHOULD BIZ HAD.
| Mr.. Hemphill, in the report accompanying
the bill to acquire property for park along
Rock creek, says:
The committee on the District Of Columbia,
to which was referred the bill Oh. r. 1885
| authorizing and establishing public park in
| the District OF Columbia reports that il has
had said bill under careful consideration, and
recommends that it do pass.
By this bill it is proposed to secure tract Of
land, not exceeding $500 acres, along the line
of Rock creek and in the District of Columbia,
| to be perpetually used as public park.
The reservation OF this property for the pur-
pose indicated has for long time been under
resolution was passed by the Senate
| lnstructing its committee to inquire
| into suitable site for public park. At the
| request of that committee, Major N. Michler,
.. 8: engineers, submitted a report, in which
| he strongly favored the Purchase Of the prop
erty referred to in the pending bill. (See Mis-.
Doc, second session Thirty ninth Congress.
| The Senate committee thereupon reported q
bill IS. 549 Thirty-ninth Congress) for the &C
quioitiou VI tIlS lauu, put
IT FAILED TO BECOME LAW.
From time to time other efforts in this direc-
ton were made, which resulted in bills 8. 1854,
Forty-ninth Congress, and H. r. 1928, Fiftieth
Congress, now pending and having the same
object in view. These have been supplemented
by the more detailed bill now before your
committee.
1t seems unfortunate that the earlier endeav-
ors to secure these lands at their then trifing
value did not result in their purchase. 1t APP
pears to be universally agreed that such public
parks are necessary in or near large cities, and
the result has been that practically all cities of
consequence both in Europe and in this coun-
try, and especially all capitals, are in the en-
joyment of such pleasure grounds.
The foresight indicated by the founders Of
this capital city in laying out broad avenues
and reservations has been already amply justi-
fed by the harmonious development OF these
advantages by persons from all sections Of the
country.
The present condition Of the District Of Co
provision should at once be mede for such q
park as the population of large and
PROSPEROUS CAPITAL CITY DEMANDS.
There are several persuasive reasons why
the pending bill should pass, and which will be
adverted to briefly.
The present owners of the bulk Of the lands
proposed to be taken have held them for q
generation or more. Several fortunate results
follow from this condition of things:
O These owners can afford to sell the prop
erty at its intrinsic value, and without adding
the profits Of immediate speculative purchas-
ers, but each passing year must increase their
intrinsic value.
(2) There having been but few sales there
have been but few trees destroyed to make
room for lawns and building sites, and there
are practically no costly improvements to be
now paid for.
(3) The extraordinary natural beauty Of the
proposed park has thus far been preserved, but
its subdivision and the subdivision of portions
of it would undoubtedly result in a great in
jury in this direction. The proposed legisla-
ton expressly secures the protection Of the
trees and other natural attractions in the park.
"a Rock creek drains large section Of the
country practically, and flows through the city
of Washington. Rresidences should be placed
along its banks the sewerage would be emptied
into that stream and necessarily endanger the
health of this city. The consequence would be
either that this continuous risk must exist or
that this picturesque creek must be covered in
and used exclusively as a sewer.
That portion of the creek along which dwell
ing houses have already been built is now an
which disagreeable and noxious odors con-
stantly rise, greatly to the detriment Of the
health Of the people along its banks, and to the
injury Of property in that section; and, in the
opinion OF your committee, the time is near at
hand when this portion of the creek must be
covered over or some other mode Of protection
adopted, at a cost of many thousand dollars.
The preservation of both banks Of Rock
creek, as proposed in the pending bill, will at
once avoid this danger and cost, and preserve
the existing beauty of large territory. Look
ing at this measure merely as practical BUSH
ness matter it seems to be wise. Such pres
walton of the natural beauties Of a section 80
near the city will conduce greatly to the physi-
cal as well as the moral improvement Of the
people.
1T is certainly the most economical and
practicable means of providing ALL old and
young, rich and poor, with the greatest Of all
needs, healthy exercise in the open country"
In the passage of this bill by Congress nothing
more will be done, and in fact not as much as
has already been done in many other cities of
this and other countries.
In the report of the park commissioners Of
the city Of Boston for 1886 it is stated:
Twenty years ago there were but two WE'LL
advanced rural parks in America; now there are
more than twenty. Every city that was then
at a parallel stage in the discussion of park
project with Boston now has the project in a
large degree realized, and is enjoying the
profits of it. London and Paris, Brus-
sells and Liverpool, have each in q generation
twice doubled the area Of their rural recreation
grounds. All the cities Of the British Islands
thirty years ago possessed but four parks
adapted to rural recreations; they now hold
thirty, as large in areaage as Franklin Park in
Boston.
There is an impression with some that the
civilized world has been swept by a ruinous
rage for parks; but not an instance is known Of
apark adapted to provide rural recreation that is
not regarded by those who are paying for it as
well worth all it has cost. No city possessed
OF rural park regrets its purchase. During
the last year New York city, which has the larg
est and costliest experience of park-making of
in has haan ainO
land for six additional parks, averaging 600
acres each. Chicago has six rural parks, lin
each of which large works Of construction have
been completed, and are found valuable beyond
expectation.
Even smaller cities than Boston. such as New
Haven, Bridgeport, Albany, Buffalo, and Mon
treal, have been provided with rural parks.
The city of Baltimore paid for Druid Hill
park $693,000, and it has, besides, four other
smaller parks.
Fairmount park, Philadelphia, was secured
at a cost in round numbers Of 81, 800 900. Gen.
trail park, New York city, was purchased for the
sum Of &C. 1853 033. 55. The city has, in addition,
thirty-eight other parks. In Brooklyn, Pros
pect park was acquired at q cost of 90, 3d.
5000. Saint Louis has a number of
parks, the largest of which was purchased
for the sum of S849, 058.61. The total acreage
of parks in this city is 1,78S.59 acres; and,
though much of the land was donated, the cost
of same amounts to u ,309, 944.06 actually paid.
The ground for the use Of q national park in
this city can now be condemned.
AT REASONABLE COST,
ov,1 Ill