Evening star., 1900-09-18

from its present position. and a bill is now
pending which gives 1t a muek wider slice
from the park. The suggestion of elevating
the boulevard and carrying the tracks under
IL, at the same time screening this disagree
able feature by colpnnade and dense
planting is not in accordance Svith the idea
of the railroad, which contemplates carry
ing the cars over the mall ON an elevated
and destruction of the vista it would ap-
pear to be practicable to carry the tracks
under the boulevard at,their present level
and allow them to rtsGJ gradually to the
elevated structure, which is contemplated
in the southern part of-the city. Another
method presents itself-that of placing the
depot on the south of the boulevard with
an entrance at the boulevaM level and
other entrances below on the street level.
Then all street car lines. cabs and heavy
traffic could pass down 7th street, turn
under the boulevard and out through 9th
street. The road might be given more
space in width and less in length, with a
low colonnaded structure as a depot on
the boulevard, and the rear portion screen
ed by planting. In this case the general ef-
feet would be but slightly marred and the
convenience of access to the station not af-
fected.
Potomac and Rock Creek Parks.
Adjoining the mall on the south and on a
line with the monument the government
has acquired by reclaiming marsh land, a
park area of about 700 acres. From the
mall roadways would pass directly into
this riverside park. With it's broad sheets
of water on either side and the unbroken
views from it's shores Of Virginia and Mary
land this park would lend itself to a treat
ment of broad and quiet effects-large, un-
broken surfaces in connection with water
views treated in natural manner. Passing
from the mall on the north, at the point of
the proposed memorial bridge, thence along
25th street which could be parked the
m a ka a fn MOI oh,,-
sette avenue. At this point the roadway
could descend into Rock Creek valley and
along this valley to the National Geological
and Rock Creek Parks. The combined area
of these parks is something less than 1900
acres. The picturesque qualities of this val
ley are not surpassed by any similar area
adjoining a city in this country. It has
bold and rugged cliffs. magnificent trees
bits of rolling country, limited number of
large, open, comparatively level tracts; and
Rock creek, a beautiful stream, runs
through it for a distance of about seven
miles.
Running as 1t does through a country in
which are numerous outcroppings of rock
this stream forms many and picturesque
rapids and falls as 1t passes over boulders
and between and around rocky cliffs. AS a
contrast, however, it often spreads out into
broad and calm sheets of water, which re-
fleet the varying colors Of the trees and
foliage upon its banks
1 think nothing should be allowed in the
Geological or Rock Creek Park of a formal
character: all artificial work should con-
form and harmonize with nature; the OPEN
ing of paths, roads and vistas, so designed
and arranged as to display and enhance
it's natural beauties, is the only treatment
that should be allowed.
The General Scheme.
To sum up the foregoing suggestions:
1. Group in a more or less formal way
all new buildings for the government on the
north and south of the mall, with a formal
boulevard running through the center, on
which, or visible from which. shall be all
the Capitol the monument and the memorial
bridge the three points of principal in
terest, thus making a memorial boulevard.
Preserve all vistaS and make others they
will not interfere with the ones already eX
listing. Build sufficient government build
ings, so that unsightly temporary or rented
structures will not be necessary on the park
scattered throughout the city.
2 Treat the riverside park, which has
been reclaimed. SO that the broad effects of
river and distant views will not be belittled
by trivial landscape work or buildings.
3. Treat the Geological and Rock Creek
Park only in the most picturesque manner,
so the people can see and enjoy their many
natural beauties, many of which can be
badly designed bridges and retaining walls.
These parks will require many such arti-
hc1al structures in opening them up so that
the people may enjoy them. Il
To bring about a satisfactory result 1t
appears to me that carefully selected
commission of architects, sculptors and
landscape architects should be given charge
of the subject-men in love with art and
nature and having pride in the capital of
their country. ...