The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-11
PLAN TO SURROUND
zoo WITH HIGHWAYS
Roads Projected on the East
and West Sides.
VIEWS OF COMMISSIONERS
Board Sends Bill to Congress and Urges
That Immediate Action
Be Taken.

The District Commissioners have |
drafted bill. upon the recommendation |
of Engineer Commissioner Biddle. to be |
presented TO Congress. which, If enact |
ed. will provide for the opening Of con- |
Meeting highways on the east and west
sides Of the Geological Park
The Commissioners ask that land be
condemned which may be necessary sor
connecting the north end of Adams Mill |
Road in Lanier Heights with che south
end of Park Road in Ingleside. by a
highway fifty feet wide along the east
ern boundary of the Geological Park
1t is also desired to connect Cathe-
dral Avenue with Klingle Road by
highway fifty feet wide. along or near
the western boundary Of the Geological
Park
1T has not been the policy OF the
Commissioners. =" says the board in its
report on the bill. to initiate legisla-
ton looking toward the opening or eK-
tension OF streets in the District of CO.
lumbia. So many extensions and OPEN
ings are necessary in order to provide
through highways that the Commission
ers have never felt at liberty to recon-
mend the large sum involved for the
general purpose. and have not thought
il advisable to take up specific cases.
When bills for the extension or opening
of specific streets have, however. been
referred to them by Congress. they have
expressed themselves regarding The
matter.
A Building Proposition.
In regard to the highways proposed
to be opened by the enclosed bin. how
he In.
in the several localities 10 be traversed
by the proposed highways. houses at the
present time can and probably will be
built adjacent to the Geological Park
boundary with the back part OF them
toward the park. to the great injury
of the park, while with the boundary
street proposed these houses would be
required to face the park instead %
backing upon II. A secondary consider
alton, Of course, is the ease of travel
IN reaching the park entrances. as well
as access to certain subdivided land.
The Commissioners believe the public
necessity that these highways be opened
is such as to demand immediate con-
sideration-
The Geological Park. which extends
from where Connecticut Avenue crosses
Rock Creek to the southern boundary
Of the National or Rock Creek Park,
has a boundary length Of about two
and one-half miles. more than half of
which is skirted by boundary streets OF
roads Some Of these boundary high
ways existed when the park was pur-
chased; others were laid out I'm the
course Of subdividing lands, and others
have been provided under acts Of Con
gress. The object OF the enclosed bill IS
to connect these highways by opening
Highway on the east and one on the
west side OF the Geological Park; the
former south of Quarry Road and the
latter in the vicinity OF the present
west entrance.
OF Immense Benefit.
The proposed highway on the east
side is matter that has been consid-
cred by the Commissioners for num-
Der OF years. and is somewhat simi-
lar to a plan that was Incorporated I'm
the first section OF the highway plans.
IL not only would be Of immense bene-
fit TO the Geological Park, but would
also be an outlet from Eighteenth
Street, along the eastern boundary, 20
the National or Rock Creek Park II
would incidentally give access 10 and
improve a subdivision which needs such
highway at It's northern end. A high
way similar in location has been recon-
mendec by the Park Commission, and
Is Incorporated as a part Of its plans
for connecting the park system of the
District. The estimated cost Of acquiring
the land for this highway Is $4,000. Nc
buildings viii have 10 be condemned.
"On the west side OF the Geological
Park. Cathedral Avenue passes along its
border for half the distance north OF
the intersection Of Connecticut Avenue
with Rock Creek. the northwestern Dor
der OF the park having now no bound
ing highway. IL has been suggested 81
various times that Connecticut Avenue
be made sach n boundary by havin.
Congress purchase the tract Of land
lying between the present park and Con
necticut Avenue.
Plan Too Expensive.
THE Commissioners believe thi,
would be too expensive, and besides, 8
highway n little TO the east of Con
necticut Avenue is believed by them e
be preferable in location. as IL woulC
connect more directly with Cathedra
Avenue and would form n feasible grad,
connecting with the KIingle Ford Road
thereby furnishing another route 90 tn
National. or Rock Creek Park Tn.
estimated cost Of this western highwa,
Is $1,000. which is for land only. Their
being no houses I'm the way. The tota
cost of the bill is. therefore. estimate,
at $4,000 The bill provides for assess
ments against private property Of an
benefits that may accrue 70 IL by rea
son OF the opening OF these highways.
Between the present boundaries o
the Geological Park and the highway
proposed. there are small pieces or par
GELS or land which IL is intended shal
be acquired by the Geological Park, a
they would not be available for Gn
other purpose. n is not provided IN Tn
bill that these parcels should b &C
quired."