Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-07-29
ROCKFORD PARK.


The surveying of the route for the
roadway in Rockford Park is about
completed anu the removal OF the top
soil from that route is to be begun this
week. Rockford Park is the uppermost
one OF the several pieces OF land which
go to make up Brandywine Park. At
present it is not easily accessible TO
vehicles. bur it contains possibly the
most interesting single point in the
whole park, namely Wills Rock. and
furnishes without doubt the finest
scenery in all the pleasure ground
which wise forethoughr has set apart
for all time for the people OF Whining
ton. This highly favored section will
be opened up for vehicles by the build
ing Of the proposed road. The work
will be started at Rockford Lane at
what would he continuation OF the
Keutmere driveway, and continued
over the route which winds across
fields to the woods and through tnem
to the high land which overluoks the
Brandywine; thence skirting the bluff |
and passing Willis Rock. From the
rock the road cuts through woodland
to the open again where beautiful
view will be had of the opposite billy |
shore of the stream, and the road Will |
continue towards Church Lane, which |
extends by Mt. Salem Church, Some
| day it is proposed to build wide
avenue from Church Lane to the Ken.
nett turnpike, which will form an
excellent entrance to the park roads.
| This avenue would be a city street.
| The park road at present will turn
towards Mt. Salem Church and passing
it to the north will extend TO the old
Law house, which it is proposed to
convert into place TOR rest and refresh
ment Of those who use the park.
Anothe road will run from Rockford
Lane In an almost straight line to the
Law property and then will turn
towards the woods and connect with
the first road. These drives will be so
laid out that although they will not be
very long they will give the effect OF
length and generally one will not be IN
view from the other. The width of the
roadway will be 80 feet. 1t is hoped to
have it ready for travel this fall
President William M. Candy OF the
Park Commission very kindly took a
reporter of The Gazette over pic
turesque PORTION of the route Thursday
afternoon. They first drove up the park
driveway which was entered at Van
Buren, street. Although this road is
not yet completed, it already shows
promise Of being beautiful driveway
in the future. Where it approaches the
Lowering avenue bridge over Clayton
street, there is in project, should the
Park Commission acquire the piece OF
land to the left of the bridge, to carry
the road SO as to turn IL under the
bridge into Clayton street and thence
down to the lower level of the park,
which ut some time may BIZ connected
with the North Brandywine Park by a
bridge. just above the Baltimore d
Ohio bridge two beautiful vistas were
pointed out by Mr.. Candy. one looking
. up the Brandywine and the other look
ing down that stream. both to be seen
from the same vantage ground. Above
Scott street grove of cedars has been
started and dogwoods will be added,
giving a pleasing effect when both are
we'll grown. Along the Kentmere drive
way, which begins at Union street and
, connects South Brandywine Park with
Rockford Park, numerous young trees
are doing we'll, and 10 the course OF 10
, or 10 years will be large enough to give
/ shade.
The driveway stops at Rockford Lane,
but the work to be begun this week
will allow it's continuation over the
, route already designated. Nearly all
the park land above the Rockford Lane
was given to the city by William Z.
Bancroft and j.. /. du Pont de Nemours
. & Co., the former having given the old
. Thompson and Law farms, and the
= latter a stretch of land along the
: Brandywine bluff. without the latter
y gift the park drive would have missed
: some of the most beautiful parts OF the
: country, for 1t includes the rugged
= section of the park. In this vicinity
: are found points which are among the
: highest in Delaware. A poplar tres on
the Law farm is located on the highest
!, ground hersabouts, being some six oil
:, eight feet higher than Rodney street
a reservoir. In case Of necessity, the
:, city may in the future establish g
= standpipe in this neighborhood. From
= this high point fine view may be had,
= the sweep Of the vision extending from
. the Brandywine hill To the north ant
: vest the Delaware River to the cas-
"a and Iron Hill, Md, TO the south
\, Thus it will he observed how favorable
II location it is for portion of tn,
4 driveway and for resting place suct
a us it Is proposed to make OF the Law
= house. Wills Rock itself is higt
:, puint but not so high as that alread,
!" mentioned. 1t has, however, othe
:. beauties in ruggedress of scenery which
- make it rival the other. From it ma,
~ be seen the roaring Brandywine ant
~ the lower powder mill OF the du Pom
~ works, as well az the wooded height
- beyond. The driveway will run clos
4, TO the edge of the bluff, so that in on
y or two places retaining wall will meet
" to be built. 1t is proposed also t.
A. build footpath right along the sid
~ OF tho rugged hill, which will be gu
~ of sight of the road.
y President Candy in speaking of tn
a driveway said that the object was t
~ give the people an idea that they wer
~ we'll out in the country. When tn
IL road ia completed persons can drive al
10 the way from Market street to tn
10 uppermost portion of tho park withou
a. crossing steam railroad or elNctrl
AZ railway. 1t will thus be very pleasan
az az road for invalids aud others desiring
"a quiet drive without danger, and it wi
no be none the less enjoyed by those j
40 vigorous health who love the beautie
~ n. of nature which are 80 many an
nj various along the proposed route.