Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-01
ROCK CREEK VALLEY
Suggestions as to Further I'm
provement of Park.
A PLEASURE GROUND
DECLARATION OF CONGRESS
SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT.
Mr.. Louis P. Shoemaker, President Of
Brightwood Citizens Association,
Writes on the Subject.
To the Editor Of The Evening Star.

To the Editor of The Evening STAR
The public spirited attention which The
Star has always given to advance the well
fare of the District of Columbia has been
recently exemplified by interesting articles
pertaining to Rock Creek Park. These ar
ticles will not only instil an interest on the
part of our people in the Park but will,
generally speaking, enlist our citizens in
this as well as other public advantages.
Perhaps a more picturesque and attractive
section, from a rural standpoint, cannot be
found than the upper Potomac and the
Rock Creek region.
Entirely too much space would be re-
CURED to do justice to Rock Creek Park.
1t is known to be the greatest rural park
adjacent to any city in the country. Its
admirable natural beauty is probably not
surpassed, consisting as 1t does Of almost
1900 acres of land. some of which Is level,
other sections beautifully undulating. while
that portion of the park along the creek,
which flows it's entire length, Is extremely
steep and precipitous.
Following the sinuosity of the stream
will be found roadway extending from
Connecticut avenue in the city through the
Zoo Park, crossing the creek In several
places with bridges of varied construction
and style of beauty, until the District line
IS undlly reached, WHICH UlNlOSS IcuSIdl lCi-
ritory from the state of Maryland, seven
miles distant. This great park Is destined
to become potent factor Of the national
capital city, and, indeed, a factor of the
nation, by reason of it's intrinsic character,
as everything of Importance ought to be at
Washington. The title is vested in the
United States by act of Congress, and 1t Is
declared to be "a pleasure ground for the
benefit of the people of the United States
so that as far as legislation is concerned,
national imprint is upon 1t. Congress, how
ever. required the taxpayers of the District
of Columbia to pay half the cost of &C
QUESTION, and attempted to levy the whole
cost, but legislation to this unjust extent
fortunately for District people, proved to be
abortive.
AS has been heretofore suggested by the
undersigned through the medium Of the
Brightwood Citizens Association, this ad-
mirable park should now, at least at this
late day-more than ten years from date
of acquisition-be made of the greatest pos
sible advantage to our citizens. Nothing
can be done to enhance its natural beauty,
and no effort should be made in that direc-
ton. This feature will be perpetuated. and
1t was made possible by the exercise of the
right Of eminent domain in 1890.
Access is Necessary.
1t is, however, necessary that the park
should be made accessible, and indeed long
ago it ought to have been made fully and
completely accessible to our people by the
judicious construction of driveways, bridges,
footways, bride paths and closely approx
mating electric car lines. Not only Is this
desirable and necessary in behalf of our
people, but it will enable the authorities to
carry out the spirit as well the declared
intention of the act establishing the park
by affording opportunities for healthful as
well as pleasant exercise and recreation.
The language of the act of Congress above
quoted. is plain and admits of no misunder-
OF rdin cr,fa afcfi ion 1 che
be a pleasure ground for the benefit of the
people of the United States,'' therefore no
additional action of Congress is necessary
to enable the board of control or commits
sion having charge of the park to make it
all that good judgment and prudent action
would dictate that it could become fully
and completely beneficial to the general
public
There is much cleared land in the park
growing up in ugly underground consisting
of vines. briars and Objectionable trees.
Why not convert these portions into ten
mis-, croquet golf and ball grounds encour-
aging thereby the youth of our community
to go out into the beautiful country and
enjoy recreation in the open air which they
so much desire and actually need? There.
also. shelter from storms should be afford
ed music provided and permits given to
competent persons to furnish refreshments.
An admirable place in the park for the
accomplishment of these results is just
south and west of the new reservoir, where
almost 100 acres of level land, practically
speaking, can be found, mostly clear, hav-
ing been under cultivation. Seventeenth
street extended reaches this spot, and Mr..
Thomas Blagden will dedicate the land
contained in the street free of cost to the
government When it is opened for travel,
as 1t ought to have been some years ago,
the electric car line will be extended from
the present terminus at old 10Th street and
Park thence out 18th street, thus enabling
all our people, men, women and children,
to step Immediately from the car upon this
particular portion of Rock Creek Park, and
the ride will not be longer than five min
utes from Park and 10Th streets in Mount
Pleasant.
Valuable Springs.
This part of the park was known before
the date of acquisition as the Crystal
Spring tract where large hotel was
constructed and an extensive business was
conducted during and for some years after
the civil war. Here will be found three
large neverfailing springs Of the purest
water while Potomac water can be sup
piled If desired, for it is Immediately avail
able from the new reservoir adjacent there |
to. Here thousands of people could go and |
would undoubtedly go to enjoy themselves
in a ealthful and DleaSant manner