Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-13

q.
Parks and Reservations.
| With a policy defined ITO develop on
| broad artistic practical lines the park sys-
| TEN of the District of Columbia" the COM
| mittee on parks and reservations has been
0nstantly working. during the past year,
| Fith good progress. They submit a valuable
| report for the infor1nalio and guidance of
| he board of trade. The committee, as here
| totore, and in accordance with resolutions
| heretofore adopted, deemed it proper to i'm
press upon the board OF trade that the
preservation of the parks should be the
| constant care of every citizen of the Dis
! trlct, who may be called to any public sta
| ton, and especially should this committee
dor the board of trade) see to it that these
parks and reservations be not diverted to
any private purpose wha tever,' After a
| full investigator into the proposition for
| The extension of the park system along
| Rock creek valley, it recommends the con-
| tinuation of the National Park system along
| Rock creek, from the Geological Park south
| to Pennsylvania avenue and 9th streets,
and suitably improving the latter street to
| make it desirable and pleasant driveway
| between the Rock Creek and Potomac
| Parks. 1t also indorses the proposition to
| extend the park west OF Rock creek by
! the purchase of what is now known as the
| Boycc tract, leading up to u or Road streets,
which would make a natural entrance to
| the park from West Washington For this
| purpose the condemnation and purchase of
T.; lHlFty-One acres lanu WOulQ De required
| at cost of about $1SOOOO. MessrS. H. p.
| and Thos. f. WagSaman have generously
| offered to donate about seven acres of
| Woodley Park as an entrance to the Zoo
| logical Park.
Rock creek, at present between Washing
ton and West Washington is allowed to be
| a dumping ground, and the stream Is pol
luted by sewerage. Parking, terracing and
driveways would of course eliminate these
| unhealthy and unsightiy features.
improvements Provided For.
AS step toward effecting these improve
ments in park system it is gratifying to
state that there was inserted in the sun
dry civil bill at the Iast session of Con-
gIess an item providing that
THE chief of engineers of the United
States army is authorized to make an ex-
animation and to report to Congress or
the first Monday in December 1900, plans
for the treatment of that section of the
District of Columbia situated south OF
Pennsylvania avenue and north of b street
southwest. and for suitable connection
between the Potomac and the Geological
parks. and in making such examinations
and plans he is authorized to employ 6
| landscape architect of conspicuous ability
| in his profession; for services and expense.
| incident to said examination and report the
| sum of 81 900 is hereby appropriated"
| Under this appropriation plans are beins
| prepared and estimates made by the cnle
| engineer of the United States army, and vii
be submitted to Congress at the next ses
sion. both in respect to the Rock Creel
| Park and'the treatment of the section soutf
OF Pennsylvania avenue between Sd ant
! 18th streets. 1t is estimated that the cos
of Purchasing the ground south of tn
avenL would be s5,9299E.
| The improvements made In Rock Creel
, | Park with the limited means at the dis
posal of the Engineer Commissioner, hav'
, | been judiciously made. securing beautiful
, driveway from the Military road alonl
Rock creek to the District line. and an
, other road is in process of construction
.. 1t is to be regretted that Congress ha
! failed to make better provision for the i'm
provement of this beautiful park to put l
In a condition to be enjoyed by the public
Several times the amount appropriated las
year would be nearer what Is right an
proper, and it is hoped that Congress vii
be more liberal next year. The commit
tee Endorses the recommendation OF tn
| Commissioners of $4,000.
One of the most important roads leadln
to Rock creek from the east Is an avenu
5 100 feet wide. This avenue Is valuab!
I and SPLENDID donation made by Mr.. Thos
e Blagden, who I am proud to say. is
member of the board of trade.
North of Florida Avenue.
a No steps have been taken or provision