Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-13
1.-THE CITY BEAUTIFUL"
Some of the Things Authorized
by Congress.
AS TO PINEY BRANCH GORGE
Plans to Transform It Into an At
tractive Park.
THE DRIVEWAY OF ROCK CREEK
Possible Bearing on the Plan to Be
Adopted for This Important
Improvement.
AS TO PINEY BRANCH GORGE
HE DRIVEWAY OF ROCK CREEK

mission is going on. and each year some
feature or detail is begun added to. so
that while no general scheme of the sort
has been adopted yet such one is in fact
being carried out
An illustration Is found in current legis-
lation. Provision is made for transferring
the gorge of Piney branch into a parkway.
and Mr.. e. NJ. Tacott. the engineer in
charge of street extension, is making the
| necessary surveys and the detailed plan for
doing the work. The new parkway will
leave Rock Creek Park about where II
joins the Zoo Park and will extend east,
following the gorge of Piney branch as
Tar as the new bridge over 18th street.
A Picturesque Bit of Scenery.
or course this tsrip Of parkway. 400 feet
wide. with driveways bordering the stream
on both sides, will furnish an admirable
| means of communication between Rock
Creek Park and such a thoroughfare as
| 10th street extended. There is no question
| about the value Of the additional means
OF reaching the great pleasure grounds of
the public. At the same time the really
significant thing about 1t is the fact that
Congress by such legislation has saved
forever LOT the enjoyment of the public a
picturesque bit of scenery, and it has been
possible in this instance to accomplish that
| as we'll as provide something practical
In the plan of the parking commission
| such a use of the deep ravine through
which that section of Piney branch passes
| was recommended, and 1t was further sug-
gested that 1t be continued east of 18TH
| street to the ground about the proposed
| municipal hospital building on 9TH street
and from the latter point the widening of
| one OF the streets could be made so as to
| provide a continuation of the driveway
| through to the grounds of the Soldiers
| Home
A Useful Roadway.
The convenience to the public of such
| a roadway, providing as It will a means OF
communication In that section of the city.
was no doubt recognized by the commits
sion, as was the beauty of the scenery
| through which it passed, and now that
Congress has begun the Improvement its
future seems to be assured
somewhat similar undertaking has also
peen authorized in the act which provided
Tor securing the connecting link I'm what IS
known as Park road and Watersde drive
All the land for this road, which passes
along the east side of Rock creek from O
street to the Massachusetts Avenue bridge
has been acquired by the public except the
section through what is known as the LYONS
Mill property.
The Gorge Of Rock Creek.
In addition to the space required for a
driveway, there is quite a good deal of
land that lies along the creek at the foot
OF the gorge. all of which is owned by the
public, so that there will be no encroach-
ment on the gorge of Rock creek between
these points. On the opposite side of Rock
creek for nearly the entire distance extends
the property OF Oak Hill cemetery, SO that
is the status of both shores of the stream
from y street north to the Massachusetts,
Avenue bridge.
The bearing of this on the probable
course that will be pursued relative to the
treatment OF the section of the stream to
the south and extending all the way to the
outlet Into the Potomac Is interesting to
say the least. At the session of Congress
just closed, authority was given for the
preparation of study, as 1t might be
termed, OF the proper method of treating the
section of the creek lying south of street.
The Two Methods.
The law directs that at the next session
OF Congress two plans shall be submitted,
one for the open treatment of the creek, and
the other for the closed Mr.. Douglass, tho
engineer of bridges Of the District govern
ment has the matter in charge and will
prepare the plans as directed. This pro-
vision was no doubt the outcome of the dif-
ference of opinion which developed on the
subject, and the purpose is to get into a con-
crete form and with definite facts as to
cost of either filling up the gorge or else
leaving 1t open and providing bridges where
they may be needed
1t Is apparent from the provision which
Congress at the same session made for the
securing of the land for the continuation
of Waterside drive through the Lyon Mill
property that as far that section of the
creek is concerned 1t is not the intention TO
close 1t over. 1t might be argued by those
faVoring the open method that Congress
has thus practically placed Itself on record
In favor of that plan In providing for its
application to the upper portion of the
creek.
The Practical Phase of It.
However, whatever may be the conclusion
as to that, it is evident consideration is to
be given to both plans. and the further
course in this Improvement will be deter
mined by the conclusions reached. The
scenic beauty of such a bit of natural
scenery as the gorge of Rock creek. espe-
cially within the limits of a city. is what
appeals to a good many. and naturally they
want 1t preserved. At the same time there
is the building space that might be utilized
and turned into useful dollars, and so the
matter stands.
The surroundings, of this city in the way
of natural beauty are of such exceptional
nature that to look forward to the approach
Of population when everything must give
way to the uniformity of city streets and
city houses In rows Is a cause of regret
the Rock creek and the acquisition by the
beauty Is, of course, found In the valley OF
the Rock creek and the acquisition by the
public of much of that splendid domain
settled for all time its future.
To Add to the Park
Lovers of the attractive wish the bounds
Of the park in some sections might be
stretched somewhat and determined effort
to do this was made at the last session of
Congress. Tn measure failed to pass. al
though 1t had the advocacy of Mr.. c. c.
Glover who from the very beginning has
been prominent in the movement which re-
suited in the establishment of Rock Creek
Park.
The part that was sought to be added to
the park lies on the west side of the creek
and would have increased the holdings of
the public south to the Massachusetts ave-
nue. bridge. 1t was specially fitted for such
a use owing to the rugged character of the
ground and the noble forest of trees that
covered 1t.
Gentlemanly Prize Fighter.