Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-11
ROCK CREEK NATIONAL PARK.
A Good Word from an Influential
Quarter.

From the Philadelphis Ledger
The indications for the passage of an act by
Congress to establish pub lie park along Rock
creek are considered very favorable. Rock
creek bears close resemblance to the Wissa-
hickon creek, which is included in the bounda-
ries Of Paramount park, Philadelphia. Like
the Wissahickon, Rock creek is within the
city limits, and flows through a narrow valley
of naturaLruggedness and beauty. 1t empties
into the Potomac river at point that at one
time marked the boundary between Washing
ton and Georgetown as separate corporations
1t is proposed to condemn and purchase for the
use Of park 1850 acres along Rock creek.
from Woodley lane toward the northwest one
half of the cost Of purchase and maintenance to
be paid from the revenues of the District of
Columbia.
Many years ago unsuccessful efforts were
made to secure this valley for public park by
pubiic-spirited and far-seeing men, At that
time the lands could have been obtained at a
triting outlay; but few persons then thought
that the national capital would extend beyond
the geographical lines of the District of Column
bla, and become not only great political and
social capital, but one Of the most attractive
beautiful. and populous cities of the country
The possession of rock and valley is now al
great necessity to the people of Washington
as sanitary measure as the possession of the
taken for public purposes it will become a vast
sewer for the population that will in a few years
be found upon its banks and the area for
which it furnishes natural drainage. When
that time comes it will cost more money to
construct sewer to conduct the sewage to the
Potomac than would now be required to pur--
chase the lands and convert them into public
park. Leaving out of sight, therefore, the
sanitary and aesthetic views of the question as
matter OF economy, park should be estab-
lished along Rock creek.
The rapid growth of the city and its large in
crease in population demand that provision
should be made for establishing public park
Washington is the only city of its size in the
country that has not public park. The Sol
dlers Home park, located a short distance be-
yond the northern boundary of the city, is open
to the public, but the people have no rights
there and are admitted as privilege, the home
and park being the property of the enlisted
men OF the United States army, maintained by
them and administered by the United States as
trustee. If provision be made now for secur-
ing Rock Creek valley, the ground can be OBJ
tanned at reasonable cost, and all the natural
beauties can be preserved. If postponed for
few years the lands will pass into the hands of
the spectators, who will divide them
into building lots, which would not only
enhance their value, but would result in
destroying many fine old trees and other
wise interfering with and removing many feat
ures that would be useful and ornamental in
public park. The movement for the establish
ment of this park is directed by leading citizens,
and has almost universal endorsement The
project has received the approval of the proper
committees of Congress, and there is propo-
stion now pending as an amendment to one of
the regular appropriation bills to authorize i'm
mediate steps to be taken to condemn and pur-
chase the lands. This proposition should be
adopted. Every year OF delay will add to the
value of the lands and their cost to the gov
eminent. There is not city in the United
States of half the size of Washington which
would not appropriate Rock Creek valley
for public use if found within its borders The
country at large has an equal interest with the
permanent residents of Washington in the de-
velopment of the city and the improvement of
its sanitary condition.