Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-02
The Proposed Addition to the Parks
Of the City.
WHEN THE STREETS ARE EXTENDED
The Total Area That Will Be De-
voted to Recreation Places.
AN INCREASED ACREAGE

Glenn Brown in American Architect.
Although Washington city has always
been well provided with small parks, and
while the larger number of its streets are
parked on both sides, it was not until the
year 1893 that property was finally acquir-
ed for park in proportion to the expected
magnitude of the city. The Engineer Com
missioner has mapped out quite an elabor-
ate scheme for connecting the parks and
proposed parks in the District Of Columbia
by broad avenues, and the map which &C
companies this letter will show the general
idea at a glance.
Beginning at the Capitol: The boulevard
Indicated on L'Enfant's map in 1892 is
shown to the west This was to have been
400 feet wide, with parks 600 feet wide on
either side ending against a background
of government buildings. This boulevard
would run through the mall to the Wash
ington monument from which you would
pass directly into the reclaimed flats of
74O acres area. A driveway encireling this
tract of land would give an opportunity for
an unexcelled river view, with the low, I'M
dulating hills of Virginia on one side and
the arsenal grounds on the other. in the
foreground lying the low land of Analostan
Island.
From the eastern point of the park one
would have a direct view down the river
for twelve miles. The river at this point
is one and three-quarter miles wide, Suff1-
cient to give breadth and dignity to the
water view.
Passing around the western portion of
these grounds you would enter the old OBJ
servatory site. From this location, on a
line with New York avenue. it is proposed
to erect. as a memorial of prominent SOL
ders of the late war, bridge leading into
the Arlington estate now owned by the
,rvlf 10 Of yxyhfo &c
already laid out as a park. Here one could
drive or wander in the woods under the
shade of oaks centuries old; in this section
of country this would be a treat, as but
few of the old forests have escaped the
destroying hand of war.
Picturesque Views.
From the hills Of Arlington many a
charming view may be obtained of the
river, the city and the hills of Maryland.
The charm of the monument and the
Capitol in connection with each other and
their surroundings. when seen from these
hills, is impossible to describe.
A noted object of interest in the Airing
ten estate is the old residence of G. w.
Parke Gusts, afterward the home of Rob-
ert Z. Lee, which is in the small portion
of the grounds used by the United States
as a soldiers cemetery, while on another
part of this tract the government has four
cavalry companies with their barracks,
officers quarters. &c.
Starting again at the observatory
grounds, toward the west broad parked
avenue is to pass along the present line of
18th street. AGO feet wide. into Rock Creek
valley at a point just west of Q street.
From this point both sides of Rock creek
will be parked for the distance of about
eight miles. following the winding course
of the creek, and about five miles in a
straight line. 1t will vary in width from a
few hundred feet to six thousand. 1t
would be difficult to find. except in a