The Washington times., 1908-04-27
OPEN TREAT ThENT
OF ROCK CREEK
IS RECOMMENDED
Commissioner Morrow
Estimates Parkway Will
Cost $4,750,000.
Plan Involves Condenna-
ton of }, 3,75O,OOO Square
Feet of Land.

Following an exhaustive survey under
the direction Of Capt. NJ. z. Markham,
Assistant Engineer Commissioner, and
W J. Dougles, engineer OF bridges, En-
gineer Commissioner Morrow has re-
commended the open treatment OF the
valley Of Rock creek from NIassa-
chusetts avenue 20 the mouth Of the
creek. The estimated cost is $4,75OOOO.
The cost Of the closed treatment, de-
pending upon the length and width OF
the boulevard. is estimated, respectively
at S5.1O0.oOO. S5.9OOOOO. and 1920. 900.
The plan recommended by the Engi-
neer Commissioner involves the con-
demnaiOn Of three and three-quarter
million square feet Of and, including
improvements. Major Morrow says that
II is believed that authority TO condemn
this land. which. with the improve
ments. is estimated will cost about
Sl'S2o9OO, should be granted by Congress
at as an early a date as possible. for the
double reason Of making the ultimate
development Of the park an assured
fact, and also 10 prevent the perpetua-
tion OF the dumping nuisance which has
assumed large proportions and which
is beyond the control Of the Commits
sioners. as the dumping is not on pub
lie space.
IS is believed by the Engineer Com
missioner that the purchase Of this land
viii be Of sufficient local benefit to
justify assessments, but II is not deem
ed advisable 10 suggest any definite
amount for said assessments. nor any
proportion Of the total cost unless the
completion Of the work can be guaran-
teed within a reasonable period.
Mr.. Morrow's Project.
The project, as recommended by the
Enginer Commissioner, is outlined as
follows:
A main road 10 be constructed in the
valley Of the park, extending from Mas
sachusetts avenue to the river. A main
Fatn extending the same distance. in a
general way parallel to the main road
all in the valley of the creek; and wher-
ever possible additional driveways ana
pathways are provided.
1t is planned to develop the entire
area as a city park, with the exception
of the section between L street and Po-
tomac Park. which will be treated as a
more or less formal PARKWAY and park
connection The section north Of o
street could be easily developed into a
beautiful informal city park, having a
maximum width of 600 feet and a mini
mum width of 400 feet At MassaChu-
sctts avenue the main drive is planned
10 be carried through the eIlbankment
now crossing the valley at that point, a
subway being provided with width OF
thirty-five feet and height Of twenty
four feet, having the form Of a single
arch.
Ia addition 10 the main drive in the
ways are contemplated on both sides,
with a view 10 having the park almost
entirely surrounded by streets, so that
the backs Of buildings could not be pre-
sented to view from the park Main
driveway entrances TO the park are pro-
vided from Massachusetts avenue, JUST
south Of the valley by the road now
known as WaterSide drive, and from .
street by the same road; also from
Twenty-fifth street, just north of y
street, and from Twenty-siXth and L
streets. and from the formal driveway
which leads from Potomac Park along
the banks Of the Potomac river and
Rock Creek TO this last mentioned en-
trance.
Entrances from the west are provided
1T point near Twenty-siXth and p
streets, and from point near Twenty
sixth and - streets, and by way OF the
old Lovers Lane valley, and from T
street as far as that street will be ul-
tirnately completed. In addition to these
riageway entrances, pathway en-
frances are provided at nearly every
point where tie bounding streets are in
teTsected by lateral streets
New Bridges Planned.
A bridge IS proposed from the inter
section OF Twentv-eighth and r streets
to the intersection Of Massachusetts
avenue and street. A bridge is pro-
vided at . street. a new bridge at P
street. a bridge at n street, a new
bridge at NJ street. and a new bridge at
Pennsylvania avenue. The X street
bridge, proposed 10 be maintained at it's
present grade, will be crossed above
by the elevated driveway along the
quay The low driveway crosses the
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