Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-11
BEAUTYOF ROCK CREEK PARK
COMMISSION PLANS TO MAKE
FEW CHANGES IN LINES.
Suggested Purchase Of Additional
Ground-RecomDendat Made
in the Annual Report.


commission. which is being prepared and
which will be the first detailed report
that this commission has made since its
creation, number Of recommendations
and suggestions for the Improvement of
this great public park will be included
One Of the most important of these sug-
gestions is for the purchase Of several
strips of land. amounting In all to about
forty acres. west Of 10th street extend
ed. and for another addition Of about
one hundred acres Of land lying along
Massachusetts avenue west Of Rock Creek
Park and adjacent to part OF the park.
1t will also be recommended to construct
shelters at various points throughout the
Dig park for the comfort Of the thou
sands OF visitors.
This report, which is being looked for
ward to with much interest, was begun
by Col. John Biddle, who was a member
OF the commission during his service as
District Commissioner. Since his seveN
ance with the local government his posi-
ton on the park commission mas been
filled b. his successor Capt. Jay J. Nor
row, who has been assisted in completing
the report by Daniel E. Garges. his pr1-
vate secretary, who is also secretary Of
the park commission.
A general plan of improvement Of the
park was prepared by Col. Biddle, which
plan, 1t Is authoritatively stated, will be
adopted and carried out as suggested by
the ex-Commisstoner.
The idea advanced is to build roads in
the park only as they are needed: ma
cadam1ze roads only as their use re-
quires; make all roads the best of their
Kind. keep them without a suspicion Of
dust, have as few regulations as posi-
bic, no signs to keep of" no part shut
off from the public; build a casino and
playground tho Pr-iohfrpod
voir when needed; to replace temporary
bridges with permanent ones suitable to
the park. to protect the banks and the
big trees along them, and to encourage
mails.
Duty Of the Public.
1t is commended that in return the pub
lie should do its share by not damaging
the plants, shrubs and small trees, the
dogwood. Judas trees, laurels, arbutus.
ETC.. and by assisting in keeping the park
Clean by not leaving debris and papers
around the grounds and by generally OBJ
serving tho few regulations already
adopted. 1t is declared that in this way
the park will have the greatest value
to the greatest number.
The question Of water in the park is an
important one, according to Col. Biddles
report. He said: The only future dam
age Of a permanent nature that can Be
uoHe the park ID the 8raQual 01minutlOn
OF the volume of water in Rock creek
know Of no way to avoid this except in
the distant future, II new source Of
water supply Is obtained for the DIS
trict. to carry the water in the aque-
duet to the north edge Of the park and
empty 1t into the creek
According to The report every effort
will be made by the commission to have
the park maintain its natural and pic
turesque appearance. Nothing artificial
is wanted. The members say the roads
and paths OF the park are sufficient for
present needs. The beauty of this park,
1t Is added. lies in its \closeness to ma
ture-in its lack Of artifcialness. The
fallen trees, the underbrush, and the logs
In the stream. are all attractive in the es-
timation of the commission. The mem
bers claim-that to open roads before they
are needed and to make changes not re-
qutred would detract from the parks
beauty. They say there Is at present no
need to macadamize Ross road and Beach
driveway north OF Military road. In the
future this will have to be done. they
claim. but until 1t is essential, those using
the park should have such use as lit
tie interfered with as possible. For the
same reason the old farmhouses should
be left for the present. They are useful.
the commission claims to the watchmen
throughout the park. decreasing greatly
the danger Of fire.