Evening star., 1898-03-12
Additions and Improvements of Vital
Necessity.
RECOMMENDATIONS ON BOUNDARIES
Congress to Be Asked to Adopt
Secretary LangIey's Suggestion.
AN INTERVIEW OF INTEREST

When the National Geological Park was
created and the vast territory that com
Irises it purchased by the government
there Vas no hesitancy on the part of Con-
Eress in making generous provisions for
attaining the object of securing for the
national capital a park uErvaled for its
Natural beauty and the esta blishment there
in of a geological collection embracing all
the instructive and entertaining features
possible to be secured for such purpose.
Land that was in Il direct line with the
natural extension of the city and which
occupied the most beautiful and desirable
section Of the suburbs and which would
have been sought for homes by the well
tC-io and wealthy was taken by the gov
ernment and paid for at the market value,
ard the present inclosure embraces 161
acres on both sides of Rock creek.
This land was acquired by purchase in
1Sn the general government and the Dis
uict government sharing equally in the
expense, as they now share equally in it's
support
viii Be Virtually One.
But the Geological Park of the future will
comprise virtually nearly ten times more
territory than it does now. because Rock
Creek Park, which was established to pro-
vide a great atioual park for the benefit
and recreation of the people of the whole
country as ell to preserve and perpetu-
ate the Cnrivaled natural beauty of the
Rock Creek region, Will be simply contin-
UauOn of the Geological Park, which is
OILY separated from it by Woodley Lane
read The beard of regents of the Smith
sOnian Institution governs the Zoo, under
the management of Secretary s. Z. Lang
ley, while Dr. Frank Baker Is In immediate
charge, while Secretary Langley is also a
n nber of the Rock Creek Park commits
siCn, composed besides of the chief of en-
ginters IF the army and the District Com
niissiOners- Since the creation and opening
of the Nation al biological Park, however.
there has rot been the same tendency
shown by Congress to improve it and in
crease its value in a geological sense or to
enfJnce its natural beauty.
In his reports for several years past to
the board of regents of the Smithsonian
Institution Secretary Langley has dwelt
with most force upon the embarrassments
in carrying out the policy of the institu-
tion with reference 10 the National Zoo
logical Park Secretary Langley has
also laid particular stress upon the neceS-
sity of making desirable final adjustments
in the boundaries OF the park. The sug-
gestions he made in his report for the
year 1895 and the year 1896 are partic1-
larly timely at present. if. indeed, they
are not vastly more important in view of
the lapse of time since then and the con-
sequent nearer approach of the possible
building encroachments to which he al
ludes.
UndeninbIe Facts Stated.
The statements Of Secretary Langley are
given herewith. together with a repro
duction of the map which accompanied his
report His recommendations in 1895 were
as follows:
Plans for system of roadways for the
District have been completed for that seq
tiCn lying to the eastward of the park
Here a broad street to be known as the
Park Drive" reaches the boundary of
the park at its southeastern corner and
thence proceeds along the eastern side by
gentle curves adapted to the topography of
the region, as shown upon the accompany-
Ing plan. The establishment of this road
Will greatly improve the access to the park
which has always suffered from the steep
grades that are necessary for descent into
the valley of Rock creek 1t will how
ever. entail some new difficulties which
sEC uid be met at once The road does not
SKIRT the boundary of the park at all
PORTS, but touches or leaves il according
70 the contour of the ground and the prac-
ticdbiiity of the grade. Some tracts of
land are therefore left between the drive
ahG the park. and If these become bull.
upon a succession of private houses will
DE thrust directly upon the boundary
III AIRING the air of seclusion that was one
oi the objects for which the expenditure
OF the hrSt purchase was made, and which
j. sun a principal attraction of the valley
In order 10 avoid this the land in ques-
'l'n should be added TO the park the east
ern boundary of which would then lie along
broad and excellent roadway affordine
access to the park at several convenient
points. The accompanying map shows the
Iand which should be added 1t involves a
striP 90 lying Immediately south of the
t Iear pits much needed for the security of
lile animals confined there. AT present the
boundary OF the park is so near the pits
ihat the bank is very steep. and as il is
composed in considerable degree of soil
and deconposed rock it constantly crumbles
under the action of the weather and pre-
cipitates loose stones and debris into the
pits. thus endangerins the safety of the
animals and gradually undermining the
boundary fence, which must sooner or later
1all inward 1t should also include a tract
Cf land lying on hillside to the north of
The Quarry road and forming a portion of
the property OF MIR. III. d. Walbridge This
j. an exceedingly important tract as its
possession would extend the park toward
kenesaw avenue, which will doubtless be
the principal route of access upon the east
ern side. and il would be desirable to ex-
tend the park on the southern side by TAX
ang IN the cemetery that now lies near the
Adams Mill entrance and constitutes a Sc
s1ious blot upon the surroundings of the
park
Other Desirable Extensions.
Secretary Langley. as stated, rspeated
tho above words in his report of 1896 and
then continued as follows: