Evening star., 1902-01-15

about 900 feet brings the line to the west
ern escarpment of the narrow plateau,
where the land falls rapidly and steadily
from its elevation of 410 feet, disclosing
view that sweeps due west over mile after
mile of rolling country in Maryland and
across the river to Virginia. To descend
from this height it would be possible, by
cutting at the top of the escarpment and
filling heavily at the bottom, to avoid eX-
cessye grades, but to do so would be to
ignore the opportunity here offered by the
topographic conditions. Instead of so
doing, we should advise carrying the
parkway level out to the very brink, there
ending it in projecting concourse COM
manding the sunset view in Its perfection
preserved from the intrusion of future
buildings by the requirement of the slope
in view below; then, turning the road, it
can be carried down upon a very easy
grade by means of two reverses on the hill
side, giving the opportunity at some future
time of developing a splendid series of ter
races facing the view and the mle-long
continuation of the parkway to the reser-
yoir and the District line.
Receiving Reservoir.
THE receiving reservoir grounds-acres
in extent, situated at the westerly edge of
the District, close to the Potomac river, lie
partly In the state of Maryland. That por
ton in the District is heavily wooded and
the land is of a basin-like formation No
views of any Importance are to be had
from this land except that portion which
touches the palisades of the Potomac
From this portion, however, views up and
down the river are to be had, and in the
remainder time and care will develop some
very beautiful woodland scenery to which
the large pond-like reservoir will give great
interest. This land should, therefore,
be treated consistently with view to it's
ultimate development as a park. An adja-
cent block of land, including the site OF
Battery Vermont, purchased by the Dis
trict for girls reform school Is no longer
needed for its original purpose, and may
be grouped with the receiving reservoir
for park purposes.
A cliff drive along the Potomac on the
general line of the conduit is suggested, as
it would afford splendid views. Such treat
ment of the river should extend beyond the
District line to the region about the Great
Falls. the natural beauty Of which is we'll
worth preserving. There should be ma
tional park about the Great Falls.
A Cliff Drive.
On this cliff drive along the Potomac
there should be no buildings between the
drives and the river. The natural charms
Of the canal along the route are pointed
out. Fort kemble, north of the Potomac
palisades, should serve as a park and as
a southern terminus of Nebraska avenue
The site of Battery Parrot on a neigh
boring hill is but little less important.
Georgetown Parkway.
ITO bring the upper Potomac into direct
connection with the city and to provide
an approach from Georgetown to the Zoo
logical Park and Rock creek, a parkway
is proposed from the end of Potomac drive
at the valley of Foundry Branch, half a
mile above the Aqueduct bridge, to Rock
creek parkway near Massachusetts avenue
1.-The valley of Foundry Branch must be
spanned by viaduct little north of the
present electric railway trestle, and as the
valley is deep, narrow and picturesque, 1t
would be we'll to preserve it as part of
the parkway between the New Cut road
and the river. From this valley the line
would cross the ridge upon the end of
which stands the Georgetown observatory.
and run on direct line by easy grades to
the gap south Of the naval observatory
In passing through the lands of George
town College, which are likely to remain
always agreeable and park-like. the width
might be reduced to the minimum requisite
for single drive and paths.
Crossing the Ridge.
"In crossing the ridge at 35th street and
the Tenleytown road the central drive
would be depressed below the side streets,
both for the sake of an easy gradient and
in order to pass beneath those two busy
streets. East of this ridge the takings
should widen out so as to preserve the
charming valley scenery which extends
from this point to Rock creek A branch
similar in treatment should connect with
the naval observatory grounds.
THE boundaries are so fixed as to pro-
vide for border streets on reasonable
grades. including the best of the valley
| scenery and permitting the construction
of a central drive. paths, and so forth
without destroying it's beauty; but, in addi.
| ton to these absolute requirements, a pro.
| jecting piece of land of about 1875 acres is
included in order to provide a dignified
| and convenient entrance to the park sys.
tenn from L street. Georgetown, and at the
same time to AFFORD a much-needed loca
park and playground
Piney Branch and Savannah Parkway
Turning from the western to the cen
| trail section. II is. Of the utmost Importance
to secure an agreeable park-like connee