Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-17
URGED BY COMMITTEE
ADDITION TO ROCK CREEK PARK
FAVORED. :.
Purchase Of Other Sites for Breathing
Places in the Suburbs
Also Recommended.

A favorable report by the joint select
committee on addition to Rock Creek
Park has been made to the Senate by SEN
ator Scott chairman. This joint commits
tee was authorized to take into considera-
ton the ACCESSIBILITY of purchasing a pro-
posed addition to Rock Creek Park the
Meridian Hill site, the Carpenter and
Pennsylvania Avenue Heights tracts and
the Montrose tract on Georgetown Heights.
The committee states:
Your committee found in reference to
the proposition for the purchase OF the So
called Carpenter tract. that beyond the
Eastern branch of the Anacostia river there
is no large public park, and that there is a
popular demand and necessity for such a
reservation. This tract is beautifully
located. covered with timber, and affords
a magnificent view of the city. 1t contains
about 40 acres, and can be purchased al 4
much lower price now than in the future.
The committee found that that section
of the city formerly known Georgetown
is entirely lacking in parks, and are of the
opinion that the Montrose tract on George
ton Heights is the most desirable and rea-
sonable in that locality.
The proposed addition to Rock Creek
Park runs along the western boundary OF
Rock creek, and extends up the valley OF
a small branch running approximately
parallel to Massachusetts avenue. The
valley of this br; lch is very deep and the
land abuttng the creek is covered with
a growth of large and beautiful trees. This
land has been owned by two three diff
ferent estates, and up to the present time
the property remains undeveloped. 1t COM
prises about lightweight acres, and its adj
dition to Rock Creek Park would be Of
great benefit not only to that section of the
city, but to the Identification of the park
itself. 1t is easy of access and within
few years will undoubtedly be surrounded
by quite dense population.
THE acquisition of the land contained in
Hall and Elbans subdivision, or Meridian
Hill, is believed to be particularly desirable.
About ten acres lies between Euclid street,
Columbia avenue, or 18th street, w street.
or Florida avenue, and 18th street extended.
The reservation proposed is similar TO the
smaller reservations or parks now existing
throughout the District of Columbia, such
as Lincoln Park, Judiciary square, Franklin
and Lafayette squares. There arena parks
of this type north of Florida avenue nor
south of Pennsylvania avenue, the breath
ing spaces nearest thereto being located
about a mile from each of said sections.
The territory surrounding ii is being rapid
ly improved, and a park in the midst or
one of the densely populated portions OF the
city would demonstrate its utility as well
as it's beauty. In addition this proposed
reservation might also be utilized for gov
ernmental purposes such as the construc-
ton of buildings, The laying out of gar
dens, etc. From the crown of the hiil there
is a commanding view OF the CITY ana the
Potomac river.
For these reasons your committee are
unanimously of the opinion that the bills
now pending before Congress should be en-
acted into laws. 1t rs believed that the
prices indicated are as good as can be Sc
cured and considerably less than they VIII
be for many years to come Inc senate
has already placed itself on record as
favoring the procurement of these tracts,
and it is hoped that the House Will take
similar action