The Washington herald., 1909-07-16
WILL LEND 4 HAND
Commissioners Promise Aid
for New Movement.
EASE OF ACCESS IS URGED
Heads OF Various Departments OF
the District Join City Fathers fn
Advocating Plan 10 Make Rock
Creek Park n Popular Playground
for Population OF Washington.

Impressed with the movement inaugura-
ed By The Washington Herald to have
Rock Creek Park made accessible TO the
people Of Washington. the Commissioners
have promised their hearty support In
the matter. They stand ready 10 do al
in their power 10 bring about suitable
conditions.
The board had promised TO take the
matter up with Congress and interest
that body in the scheme. Legislation in
accord with the project, which will make
possible the extension OF the Fourteenth
street car line so as to reach the park,
win be recommended at once
AS president OF the Rock Creek board OF
control composed Of the District Commits
sloners and the chief OF engineers OF the
United States army. with the Engineer
Commissioner as executive oflcer). Com
missioner MacfarlHnd is desirOus 10 see
Rock Creek Park used more by the citi-
zens Of the District OF Columbia and pro-
poses 10 do everything possible TO bring
this about He said yesterday that the
geological Park, which is under the CON
troll Of the Smithsonian Institution be-
ing directly accessible by pedestrians as
well as by trolley car, was very much
used. but that because until recently Il
had been less accessible, except for car
riages and automobiles, Rock Creek Park
had not had many visitors.
lie said It did not seem to be generally
known that the Fourteenth street car
line extended practically sklrted the
eastern boundary OF the park. and that
its terminus was within q short distance
n nT hn r..H
the park. Individuals and picnic par
ties" he said. could go out on that line
and within three minutes walk from the
terminus Of the trolley line find perfect
picnic grounds"
May Ask Congress.
He said that the Commissioners were
considering. and would probably recon-
mend TO Congress, legislation for a spur
from this street railway terminus d.
rectly to the park. which would make &
unnecessary even to walk the vely short
distance now required. He said that by
repeated announcements in the newspa-
pers in the past. the board Of control OF
Rock Creek Park had endeavored to
make it known that all citizens are
heartily welcomed 10 enjoy the park and
that everything possible had been done TO
make the visitors feel at home.
The insuficiency Of the Congressional
appropriation for the maintenance Of the
park prevented the completion Of the golf
course planned by the board OF control,
but provision for tennis and other similar
games could easily be made whenever de-
sired. As the District taxpayers had 10
pay half the cost Of the acquisition and
also pay half of the cost Of the mainte-
nance Of Rock Creek Park, although It is
really a national park. he felt that the
District taxpayers ought 10 have the full
est opportunity 10 enjoy #, and was ready
to do anything in his power 10 improve
The facilities for transportation and en-
joyment.
There is no doubt that the suggestion
IN The Washington Herald urging that
Rock Creek Park be made more acces-
sible for people who are not fortunate
enough 10 own automobiles or carriages"
said Commissioner West yesterday. will
be realized in the near future A few
days ago when Representative Burleson,
member OF the Appropriations Com
mittee, was visiting the bathing beach
with me I found him very much inter-
ested in the question Of making Rock
Creek Park accessible. and when the
Commissioners estimates are considered
shall at his suggestion. propose an ap-
preparation for opening up certain streets
between the present Fourteenth street
line and the northern edge OF the park
IN order 70 give the Capital Traction
Company an opportunity 20 reach the
edge Of the park. The Washington Rail
way and Electric Company can reach the
park by extending its line from the
present terminus at Park road, but in
this case, as In the case OF the CAPITAL
Traction Company, legislation will be re-
Quired In order to obtain for them the
right Of way over the public thorough
fares. I believe that this legislation will
be easily procured.
Whether Congress VIII agree to rail-
road tracks within the park is another
question, but l remember that in Fair
mount Park, by constructing the tracks
through the wooded portion. the presence
Of the cars does not interfere with the
beauty Of the surroundings. inasmuch as
the track is practically hidden and the
cars themselves are only occasionally
seen through the trees.
Personally. I favor making Rock
Creek Park as accessible as possible 20
the general public II is one OF the most
beautiful reservations IN the entire coun-
try, and its beauty and attractiveness