Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-18
ROCK CREEK PARK,
sent 10 Comm iusto.er~

Seggesttons a. 60 It's Improvement
sent 10 Consmi.stoners
The Commissioners have received n letter
from W. L. Bramfal containing sugges-
tons as to the improvement Of Rock Creek
rark- ATTENTION Is invited to the report OF
Reconnaissance Rossell in response 20 n
Senate resolution calling for an estimate
OF the cost OF efchine the valley and filling
up the land This report, because of the
showing of cost to the taxpayers. pra,-
tioaliy discouraged the scheme and nothing
has been heard Of IL since. Meanwhile an
intercepting sewer has been built and he
Improvement could not be undertaken with
out much cost.
After discussing the report of Commits
sioner Rossell, Mr.. BramhaIl saws:
From the District liae to woodley Lane
bridge park is already established along
TIE valley OF Rock creek and in the Mot
OF the hrst section Of the extension Of
highways the said park is further extended
down the creek to the line Of q street A
careful examination of the situation must
inevitably lead TO the conclusion that the
said park should and must be further ex-
tended along the banks of Rock creek TO
pennsylvania avenue IL not to the river.
In such extension las suggested to me by
capt. f1ebegeD the boundaries thereof TO
De established should follow as far as
practicable, the lnes of the streets now es-
tablished. that is to say: Beginning on the
east line at the corner of Q and oath streets
anu III line thence TO the corner
OF I'D and streets; thence south along
I'd street 10 n street; thence west along "
street 10 18th street; thence south along
18th street about 800 feet; thence in a
straight line TO the corner of 18th and NJ
streets, and thence south along Goth street
TO pennsylvania avenue.
1T is true that since the publication Of
ssio report there has been a large amount
OF ming along the banks of the creek but
nom a recent examination, do not think
that such filling will interfere with the
Eians Tor terracing the banks of the creek
ana tie construction of the proper drives.
cycle paths and walks except possibly
at one or two points. from which the sur
plus earth ould be easily removed
The advantage of this plan of creating
park OF the present vacant and desolate
srace between the populated regions on
either side of the creek, over that OF fl;ing
up and extending the streets over IL. is
that IN the one case the beautiful park
would render the vicinity thereof the most
healthful and desirable loca ton for private
residences, while on the other none nut
tne cheapest tenements, to be .upied by
the least desirable class Of our population.
would be constructed upon the area of I'LL
ed ground. and would prove a damage
rather than a benefit to the adjacent prop
erty. L venture the assertion that the con-
tlnuation OF the Rock Creek Park system
to pennsylvania avenue would result in
such an increase of values TO the private
| property TO the east and to the west thereof
as TO create an increased revenue from the
taxes thereon sufficient to cover the en-
tire cost of the lard
The estimated cost under condemnation
OF the land along Rock creek from street
TO PENNSYLVANIA avenue, l.oo0.e1 square
rect. by Capt. Fiebeger. was Sgl2 IC, ~ fin
January, 1888, when values were largely
speculative and at their highest; whereas,
at the present time in all probability, no
jury of condemnation would estimate its
value at more than SiM,GO.
Il ask of you a careful study of the
aforesaid report, and examination of the
present condition of the region and it's
relation TO the sanitation and property
rights of that part of the city. and that
you may reach an carly determination of
the plan or policy to be pursued In relation
thereto, to the end that in your forthcom-
Ing annual report you may make such
recommendation to Congress as the situa-
tion may require. i respectfully submit
that by reason of the large population
contiguous to the valley Of Rock creek
between said points the consideration and
determination of its future. and its i'm
provement in accordance Herewith, is of
FAR greater Importance than that of any
other contemplated Improvement rot ex-
ceptlng the street extensions or he re-
clamation of the Eastern branch of the
Potomac.
1T is submitted that any further aelay
in the premises will only complicate the
situation. and render Its solution more
difficult and COSTLY