The Washington times., 1914-08-15
ROCK CREEK PARK.

| moved to hOcR Creeh farh, WHICH Il
the place where it ought to have
been established long ago. The In
stitution has been cramped and its
proper expansion paralyzed during
previous years; and years are abso-
lutely necessary to the development
of such an establishment. A tree a
century old cannot be induced to
grow in less than a hundred years.
But the taking of the Botanic
Garden to Rock Greek Park suggests
that a very great deal needs be done
for the park. In a very few years
now il will be beyond question the
most characteristic park in the
world. 1t will present a continuous
boulevard encircling the city, with a
vast variety of scenery and attrac-
tions.
One of the delightful features of
Rock Creek Park is the great num-
Ter and availability of the ap-
proaches and entrances to it. The
whole north and northwest section
of the city is threaded with wind
ing roads and streets that lead doTn
into the network of beautiful drives
that make up the rad system of the
park.
But the park itself is, neverthe-
less, curiously inaccessible save to
people who have private vehicles.
The carriage, the saddle horse, the
motor car, are the means necessary
to its enjoyment. This is condi-
tion that ought to be remedied.
The ten thousand who are able to
reach and enjoy the parks beauties
because they have such means of
transportation, are not entitled to a
monopoly of its attractions. The
three hundred and fifty thousand who
are not fortunate enough to have
their own vehicles are just as much
entitled to, and good deal more
in need of, the benefits of the park.
Rock Greek Park should be great
popular pleasure ground of the peo-
pie. 1t is nothing of the sort. Morn
ing, midday, or evening, one may
drive through it and be amazed to
note that he will scarcely see any
body save the occupants of vehicles
that are passed.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars
have been spent in constructing
splendid roads for the fortunate few
to enjoy. There is no transporta-
ton available for the many to
utilize.
1t will not do to protest that the
natural beauties" of the park would
be marred if a street railroad line
were extended into and through the
park. Natr raj beauties that the
people can't and don't see are doing
any good. Better detract 10
per cent from the natural beauty,
and increase by 1000 per cent the
of people who will enjoy
the remaining 30 per cent.
The authorities responsible for the
park IS management have for some time
means of providing trans
portation within the reach of all the
people. A tentative plan his been
for extending one Of the
street car lines into the park and for
some distance through it. 1t was
recently explained, however, that the
expense involved would be 80 large
that the traction companies were
doubtful about the economic practi-
cability of the Investment.
Without doubt there would be a
period during which
such an investment would not be di-
rectly profitable; and so long as local
transit is permitted to be operated !
in the present uneconomic fashion,
it will be impossible TO insist on
either company making a large in
vestment in extensions that would
not be remunerative.
The plain solution lies in the con-
struction of the park line by the
That method would
insure first that it would be so done
as to detract least from the attrac-
tions of the park, and also that it
would be we'll done. There is no
reason why, the track being once
aid by the city, arrangements should
not then be made to connect it with
the lines of both the traction cor
and run cars from their
lines through the park.
1t might be necessary for time
to charge an extra car fare for the
park ride. That would not be an in
objection. 1t might be a |
period before the mu-
would get any returns on
its investment in the expensive
Lrackage. That likewise is unimport-
ant compared to the great benefits
to he gained. In time the park line |
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