The Washington times., 1902-10-02
ROCK CREEK PARK PLANS
Engineer Makes Report Re-
garding Improvements.
PERMANENT FUND IS NEEDED
Repairs Make This Necessaly-Work
Outlined for the Next
Fiscal Year.

Mr.. w P Richards, engineer in
charge of streets, yesterday submitted
to the Engineer Commissioner a report
of operations on the Improvement OF
Rock Creek Park during the fiscal year
ended June 80 last
Briefly described, the work consisted
OF the construction of two masonry
bridges, the grading and macadamizing
of three miles OF park roadway, and
certain minor improvements. At the be-
ginning of the year the park had iso-
lated pieces of macadam road OF con-
siderable extent, and the improvements
during tie period covered by the report
of macadam together making contin-
uuus way along the creek from klingle
Road to the Military Road. ana thence
by way of return by the Military and
Ridge Roads.
new entrance to the park was es-
tabllshed by way of Blagden Avenue,
and a temporary bridge built to make
the new entrance effective.
The amount appropriated for the i'm
provement of the park, s3I5oc, was all
expended in the completion OF the
Boulder Bridge, in the purchase OF ma
terial and the construction of the ma
cadam road to which reference has been
made.
The report reviews the past improve
pent of the park. and sets forth the
value of the work done by the District
chain gang.
Follow Natural Lines.
Mr. Richards states that no compre-
hensive plan for the Improvement OF
the park has been followed. The drive
WAYS improved follow the natural topo-
graphical features of the park. and he
says they will naturally fit into any plan
which may be adopted in the future.
1t appears from the report that s2i,33o
was expended in the park in the fiscal
year ended June 30, 1900. and $4,000
during the year ended June 30. 1901.
Mr.. Richards recommends additional
work in the park for the next fiscal
year amounting to S19,350. and says:
The most important work, in my opin-
ion, is the completion of the macadam
drive along the banks of Rock Creek to
the northern limit of the park.
Two permanent bridges are neces-
sary on the line of Beach Driveway, one
at Rock Creek Ford and another at the
northern end of the park. at an esti-
mated cost for both structures of
s25. 900. / believe, too, that Ross Road
should be completed as soon as possi-
BILE, as 1t is an exceedingly picturesque
side-hill drive. leading from Military
Road to the mouth of Broad Branch.
1.-The present five and one-half miles
of macadam roadway will, in the near
future, need repair. and will have to be
made wider at a number of points. A
stated sum should be appropriated each
year for the proper care and mainte
nance of these roads. The road from
Blagden Mill to the Military Road has
been in use for two years. and, al
though still in good condition, is be-
ginning to show signs of wear The
road also needs protection from flood
by a wall at certain points where the
bank is high and very near the waters
tdgc.
AN additional sprinkler is very much
needed as the experience of the past
year shows that one sprinkler cannot
take care of the present roads.
Footpaths Through Park.
"a new feature of Improvement that
now suggests itself is the construction
,f footpaths through the park, leading
somewhere near and in the general di-
'ection of Beach Driveway, but on the
opposite side O: the creek. II a start
IAN be made during the coming year IL
s suggested that the work be COM
nenced at Klingle Ford, and be carried
lorthward as far as any appropriation
would allow, and 1t is believed that at
east $4,000 should be allowed for this |
building of places of shelter along the
inc of the path.
There are a number OF fine springs
n the park which need paths leading to |
hem, and likewise some shelter above
hem to prevent leaves and other sub |
tances from falling into them.
THE Pierce Mill dam, which was n
cry pretty feature Of the creek. was
'ashed away during the high water OF
december. 1901. leaving the creek bed
lightly condition. A new and more per
,anent dam would cost about 50, 500. ami
y use of boulders could be made more
ttractive than the old one.
Bridge Is in Danger.
"The entrance to Blagden Avenue is
ow made over temporary bridge,
hich is liable to be destroyed by any
Ugh water, and it is suggested that a
lore permanent connection he made
18th the avenue by extending It alorc
le creek to the Pierce Mill bridge.
1T is recommended that some steps
e taken looking to the location and
appinS VI P"i 'iNu'aiis ditIactlVe
oints in the park. so that any ,,iaa that
light be adopted in the near future
ould have regard to exceptional places
Ike the magnificent bunch OF oaks and I,
,estnuts now standing just west OF the
iddle service reservoir The maps of ,
,e United States Coast and Geodetic
lryey have been used with excellent ;
suits. as an aid in past work, but they
e ON too small scale for very de-