Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-23
GREATER PARK SYSTEM
Addition of Broad Tract to Rock
Creek Reservation.
PLAN BEFORE CONGRESS
Subject of Report Recently Made to
Citizens Association.
THE ADVANTAGES SET FORTH
Natural Entrance to Park-Gateway
Which May Be Made Very
Imposing.

The plan to add the picturesque Massa-
chusetts avenue extension to Rock Creek
Park. which is now awaiting action by Con-
gress. was the subject of a report which
was recently made to the executive COM
mittee of the Washington Heights Citizens
Association by Mr.. G. F. C. Smillie. The
report stated that the project cannot fall
TO commend itself to any one familiar with
the region, or who is ambitious for the
artistic development of the national CAPT
tai into the City Beautiful"
This plan contemplates an addition to
the park system of a broad undulating
tract. extending to the northwest along
Massachusetts avenue, separated from the
Geological Park by wedge of land which
narrows to point few hundred feet in
width near Rock creek At this point.
below the crest of the hill, on the north
western bank of the stream. is narrow
neck of parking which there is a car
rage road, and this slender strip affords the
sole connecting link between Zoo Park and
the planned extension.
Advantages Outlined.
Mr. Smillie introduced his subject by say
ing:
t'Flrst, let me explain my proposition be-
AN-O SuuAtSA aSihS Us dohduSdScs.
The plans should be so amplifed as to
embrace the lower (southeastern) bank OF
the creek from Massachusetts avenue to
Calvert street bridge, making Belmont road
the boundary as far as Connecticut ave
nue., and there expanding SO as to include
the area known as Pretty Prospect, as
far as Goth street. This boundary practi-
caliy follows the crest of the high land
bordering Rock Creek valley-the natural
boundary Of Rock Creek Park.
From Massachusetts avenue to Connect
cut avenue the precpitous bank is well
wooded, with outcroppings of rock well
adapted to picturesque driveways and walks
along the stream. but effectually prohibit
Ing any formal entrance to the park.
Broad, Slipping Basin.
East of Connecticut avenue is a broad
sloping basin converging toward the creek
at its bend just above the new Connecticut
Avenue bridge Here, at the southeaster-
most extension of the park system the
most suitable point, is afforded the
plest and. at the same time, the only OPP
portunity for a stately and imposing gate
way to the park from the main thorough
fares of the northwest section of the city.
Such gateway is quie as essential to a
park to an edifice, and should be common
surate with the extent and dignity and
beauty of the territory to which 1t forms
an introduction. Yet these constitute but
minor reasons why this ground should be
and stronger.
1.-THE new Connecticut Avenue bridge,
which has been erected at great expense
and is now nearing completion, will be one
of the structural features of Washington.
Owing to the bend in Rock creek and it's
valley just east of Connecticut avenue, and
the peculiar conformation of the land there,
the entire eastern view from this bridge
will be limited to the area lying between
the stream and Goth street. At present this
space is being used as general dump for
dirt and ashes, which are covering up trees
and all the natural features which would
make the outlook from the bridge agree
able-destroying what can only be regain-
ed for park purposes by great outlay OF
effort and money. This is surely bad
enough, yet consider the results of allowing
ii to proceed
View of Back Premises Only.
Later on unless preventive measures
are taken, this ground must inevitably be
built upon, and then mfllion-dollar
bridge. on the most popular highway OF
the District, will only afford a more ele-
waited and exclusive view OF back porches
hack fences and the usual unsightliness of
back yards and alleys. This Is worse; yet
the worst Of all Is that these dwellings
must inevitably cut OH all view OF the
bridge itself from the eastward, and We
will present the absurdty of constructing
an elaborate public work of architectural
pretensions at great expense, presumably
because pleasing to the eyes OF behoiders,
and then allowing it to be excluded from
vtewt culyert and fill at one-tenth of
the expense would have been just as effect
i've and at least have saved US from being
ridiculous 49,,
s.reat faced the bridge instead OF turning
tail upon It, they would be uninteresting TO
look upon and entirely destitute of the
charm which natural scenery would lend
Moreover, it would be demeaning to the
structure to have houses thus crowded up
seward II with insistent curiosity, and, In
any event. whether backing or facing, these
view OF the bridge from the eastward-the
city side. the side whence alone the bridge
NAV be viewed with its graceful proper
tions most advantageousiy displayed
aoainst a background of wooded hills.
Another Consideration.
There is yet another consideration in
connection with the driveway along the
narrow isthmus which joins the two broad
arus Of the park system. Such driveway
along one bank OF stream mas. as its
bounding view and most striking feature.
Tho other hank of the stream. AS choice
~ would be preferable that the farther
eide he beautiful and the landscape features
of the roadway neglected.
include both sides OF the stream II to
beauty what cannot be effectively seen.
while rendering all the more conspicuous
the ugliness of bounding view. composed
OF rough earth or ash-dumpfngs and back
fences An absurdity only on par with
building beautiful bridge which Is to be
excluded from view.
",rhis extension of the park would az
ford opportunity to remedy notable de-
ticiency in It, and, incidentally, furnish a
sort of ex-post facto excuse for the eIa'b-
crate structure which now spans a TRY
stream occupying only fraction Of one Of
| the seven broad arches Of the Connecticut
avenue bridge.
Formation Of Lake Possible.
Properly damned at point somewhere
near Massachusetts avenue. lake of con-
stantiy changing water could be formed.
extending to. or above. Calvert street
| bridge. This would impart added charms
| to the drfveways and walks. the hilisidss
and the bridge. and constitute striking