The Washington herald., 1909-08-20
PEOPLE DESIRE
PARKAMUSEMENTS
Citizens Voice Need of Ath-
ketics at Rock Creek.
ROUTES FOR BUSES PLANNED
Manager of Raleigh HOte3 Urges EE-
tabIishment of Athletic Fields, but
Says transportation Facilities
Must Come FirSt-Gen. Allen Says
Moro Attractions Are Needed.

That public opinion IS unanimous with
regard 70 the movement inaugurated by
The Washington Herald TO make Rock
Creek Park OF some real use to the citl-
zens Of Washington is being demon
strated more clearly every day.
Rock Creek Park for All Washington
Is the slogan adopted by those who want
10 see the park developed into a place OF
rest and recreation for the citizens To
make Rock Creek easily accessible by
the running Of car or bus lines near. and
To make Il attractive to the people by
providing tennis courts, baseball dia-
monds. and other means OF amusement.
is, In bril- the plan set on foot by The
Washington Herald
Edward L. Weston. manager OF the
Raleigh Hotel, and a resident OF Wash
ington for sixteen years. said yesterday
that the plan to open up and popularize
Rock Creek Park was one that should
have been set on fot long ago.
Interested in Washington,
Everything that interests washing
ton,' he said, Interests me. and I have
watched with qualification the success
OF the movement started by The wash
ngton Herald 10 make Rock Creek Park
what it should be. a place for all the
people Of Washington. irrespective of
their station in life or the amount Of
money they possess. Outside Of the fact
that we need such a huge, easily accessi-
bic playground, pride should PROMPT us
70 concur unanimously in developing all
its good qualities
I think that the first thing 10 be done
Is the establishing Of a bus line through
the park. This would enable every one
to see the entire grounds. and at a trihing
cost such bus lines could be run from
say the entrance OF the Zoo Park. down
along the creek itself, TO the Seventh
street line
Another possible route would be from
Chevy Chase circle down through the
park. arriving also at the Seventh street
line Of cars The buses should be small
ones, and not after the pattern or those
now IN vogue as sightseeing cars. The
roads IN the perk are not adapted 20 the
use of larger cars, as in some places they
are less thar sixteen feet wide. with
ovelhanging trees. The most serious oh
1ecuon, however. 20 large vehicles would
De that they would frighten horses and
endanger drivers and pedestrians"
John Allen. OF the real estate firm OF 7
W. ruling. and lifelong resident Of the
CITY expressed himself yesterday as being
heartily In favor Of making Rock Creek
Park, as he termed it. Something bettar
than natural picture gallery"
Rock Greek Park" Mr.. Allen said .gs
kept up by the government at the ex-
pense or citizens Of ali classes. The great
majority or them have never been within
the limits OF the park. They are getting
nothing In return for their taxpavinr-
ana this Is because there Is nothing in
tie park that attracts them. nothing out
siae OF the natural woodland beauty.
Athletic Fields Wanted.
There are numerous places in tho narp
where such things az tennis courts. base
pan diamonds swimming pools. and the
Ike could be installed These things
would be Of some real benefit 10 the peo-
pie. who would, II opportunity was af-
torded In the way Of easy accessibility.
make use OF them and thereby Justify the
parks maintenance.
Gen. Allen. chief Of the Army signal
Corps, speaking Of the plan to open No
hock Creek Park, said that he thought
that 1t was most praiseworthy. and that
II would undoubtedly meet with the suc-
cess that Il deserved
A city," he said. especially Washing
ION. where the humidity in the sumner
ls very high, cannot have TOO many
parks. While we compare very favor
ably with other cities in this regard
etin Rock Creek is certainly not belnq
used as II should be. II is the most
Beautiful park In this section Of the
country, and yet but a small proportion
or the people take advantage Of il.
This is mainly because it IS nor easy
ct get into the park. and because tbere
as nothing there, once the people do ret
IN. outside Of the scenery. which wouI5 !
hold them. The people want TO he
amused. or rather. to be allowed 70 |
amuse themselves. and If car lines are
run to the park and athletic fields are
provided, band concerts given and IN |
TACT. everything done as IL II were q /
business proposition 70 make money the /
problem Of making the park Of some real /
use TO the citizens 81 Washington WIN l
be solved"