The Washington herald., 1909-07-29
WILL GIVE LAND
FOR PARK HIGHWAY
Means of Access by Trolley
to Rock Creek.
CAPT. HICKEY MAKES OFFER
Strip of Land One-half Mile Long
Placed at Disposal OF Park Com
missiOn-By Extension OF Seventh
Street Line, Would Open North
End Of Park-Great Natural Basin.

Another substantial supporter OF The
Washington Herald campaign to popu-
larize Rock Creek Park came forward
yesterday IN the person Of Capt J. NJ
Hickey, OF the Elsmere. II street north
west, well known as the president Of the
Confederate Memorial Association, and
closely identified with the Southern pa
triouc associations having headquarters
In this city.
Il have taken a deep concern" said
Capt. Hickey last night at his apartments
in the Elsmere. 'in the effort Of The
Washington Herald 70 arouse public
sentiment among the masses TO popular
ize Rock Creek Park and heartily indorse
all the suggestions that have been made
10 make that park the resort OF the peO-
pie. While the most romantic and pic
turesque natural park that 1 know of
in this section OF the country, prac-
tically unknown to the people of Wash
ington. for whose especial benefit it was
purchased, II is the most Inaccessible
and least known in the entire District
The only way TO make the park Access
sible IS 10 extend the car lines l am
In a position TO OFFER 10 the park COM
mission or District Commissioners a tract
Of land sixty feet wide and over a half
mile IN length, free, TO be used as
highway connecting the Seventh street
road directly with Rock Creek Park
This tract of land extends from the Dis
uict line east, from a point on the Sew
enth street road. midway between Seventh
street proper and the power house on
the west.
Great Natural Basin.
with a branch line Of. cars over the
Seventh street road to this land, thence
to the park the site OF that great nat
ural basin in the northern end Of the
park could be made accessible Then
would suggest that that line OF cars be
run so as to connect on the west Of the
park with the Chevy Chase line.
I'm the great natural basin I have re-
ferred 10 there are between seventy-five
and one hundred acres Of land. This
basin could be made into a large artificial
lake. 20 be fed by a small stream that
flows into Rock Creek Just below that
point The cost would be inconsider-
able.
"In the immediate vicinity Of this lake
would suggest the location of play
grounds, ball grounds. tennis courts. golf
links. swings and other amusements and
sports Run the Seventh street car line
into and through this section Of the park
and thence on down 10 the Zoo and con-
meet It up with the Columbia road line
and the Chevy Chase line. and you will
have done much to popularize the park.
Suggests Cars to Zoo.
Another suggestion for transportation
facilities Is that a line be built from the
terminus Of the Rock Creek Park line at
Kensington to the power house. into the
park. and then down 70 the Zoo. The
Seventh street line extension suggested
over the highway through my land would
care for all visitors to the park from the
eastern section Of the city while the
Rock Creek line extension from Kensing-
ton would offer transportation facilities
for the western section OF the city.
I see that Commissioner West has
suggested that a swimming pool or bath
ing beach be established IN the park 10
accommodate the boys Of the northern
section.
II heartily indorse this and would sug-
gest In addition that il the artificial lake
Is made, that a big band stand be erected
there. I'm glad to see that the Commits
Of popularizing Rock Creek Park. and
have read with pleasure that the Engi-
neer Commissioner is considering FEAST
BILE plans FOR the extension Of the car
lines 20 make the place accessible, and
other improvements for the amusement
and pleasure OF the masses.
If the park commission or the Dis
trict Commissioners will investigate the
plan / propose for the now highway TO
connect the Seventh street car line with
the park. the creation OF the big arti-
fcial lake. and the other amusements
proposed. l think they will see that II is
not only practical. but will open UP the
park 10 the people as no other single
plan could.
Il stand ready 10 donate the sixty-foOt
right of way for the half mile highway
over which the new car line could pass
from Seventh street 10 the park"