Evening star., 1895-04-27

curved streets would badly disfigure the
street plan; that the place was on the bor-
der of Washington, where there was moth.
ing like curved streets. and that lots abut-
ting on the Strengthened streets Would-be
improved. The blocks on Prospect street
east of 10th street having been squared,
line parallel to Superior street was, drawn
from the intersection of the center lines Of
East Prospect street and 18th street west
to 18th street, and the half street width on
each side laid off for new Prospect street.
Crescent street was drawn to be parallel
Herewith, to make a good connection with
Morris street and leave the block between
Crescent and Prospect streets deep enough
for two tiers Of lots without rendering the
lots on the north side of Crescent too shall
low for building use.
''The square between 18th street, Cham
plain avenue and Superior street. part of
which belongs the aqueduct tunnel and
is marked United States park, is selected
as a reservation. The small rectangle in
18th street between Prospect and Morris is
taken for reservation on account of its
view looking down the street, and since it
was undesirable to abandon the present
18th street at the locality. Some lots oc-
cupied by an educatio institution face
the street, and other available frontage
cannot be readily supplied them.
THE square between Florida avenue and
Clifton, 18th and 11th streets Is taken as
reservation since the square is unimproved,
lies on the hillside overlooking the city and
has fine growth of trees; and especially
to provide driveway through it on a prac-
ticabe grade connecting the two parts of
18th street.
This is fine through street, but is ef-
fectually blocked by very steep grade be-
tween Florida and Clifton. Brightwood
read Sherman avenue and 18th streets will
become traffic streets; 11th and 10Th streets
will be short streets and steep. 1t, there
fore. becomes essential that 18th street be
made useful for driving purposes. TO cut
down the hill at Clifton to fill at Flori-
da, or to do both. to sufficient extent
now appears inadvisable on account Of ex-
isting improvements.
"Followng the adopted rule to make reser-
vations of the sites of the forts of the late
defenses of Washington. the marked square
between 18th street and Brghtwood road,
and the tract at the intersection of Ala
bama and Kansas avenues and North Capt.
tol street are so selected. Forts Stevens
and S,ocum occupied these sites. Slocum
Park is intended for part use as a middle
service reservoir.
1.-The maps indicate reasons for the selec-
tiCn of the smaller reservations.
The Rock Creek Park.
1.-The p ans contemplate the establishment
of park along Rock creek south Of the
Geological Park to Lyons mill. or 10 the
prolongation of 25th street of Washington.
This part of the creek and it's banks are
very picturesque Nearly all of the land
adjoining IS unadapted for building pur-
poses. Below the mill the banks have been
defaced by dumps of earth and refuse be-
three strips of land. aggregating six and
three quarters acres, which already belong
to the public: two of them were dedicated
as public parks; the third is aqueduct tun-
mel ground.
ION the right bank. IS indicated in the
third section plans, a similarly proposed
park is 10 extend from the Geological Park
to T street extended.
LAS the Commissioners are not certainly
authorized under the highway act to lay
out parks of the character of the one de-
scribed, this park tract Is marked pro-
posed park on the maps, and a street plan
over the tract is omitted further than to
provide for the extensions through 1t of
Connecticut avenue, street and 25th
street, which in any event will be neces-
sary. This park proposition was explained
on the ground to Mr.. ]. c. Olmsted and he
gave it his hearty approval.
1.-The Commissioners have in view to rec
ommend, when revenues may Justify the
measure, a certain improvement and part
reclaiming Of Rock creek below Lyons
mill. and q widening of 18th street to 100
or 12O feet for an avenue connection be-
tween the intended park on the flats and
the Rock Creek Park.
"Such an avenue with the Piney Branch
and Spring road parkway. its avenue ex-
tension east of the Soldiers Home, and the
proposed park on the Eastern branch and
East Capitol street. and preferably with a
part return to Major L'Enfant's plan for
the Mall, would complete the chain of grand
parks and driveways joining them.
"a small map herewith. being inc1osure
is, sketches this proposition.
with an expression of my obligations to
my colleagues on the board OF; Commits
sioners for their aid support and encour-
agement in the somewhat difficult and deli
cate matter of the street plans. and also to
Mr. W. P. Richards, civil assistant, and all
the employees Of the highway extension di-
vision. I have the honor to be, )" etc.
The Star reprints today the map of the
first section explained In Maj. Powelrs re-
port. a...-t
Capt. Woodruff Detail.
Capt. Thos. NJ. Woodruh: fifth infantry,
has been ordered to attend the encampment