Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-12
ROCK CREEK PARK
PLANS COMPLETED
Development of Upper
Stretches Into Montgom-
cry County Announced.
BY WILLIAM J. WHEATLEY,


stan Correspondent of The Star.
SILVER SPRING, Md, May IL
Preservation of the virgin beauties OF
the upper stretches of the banks of
Rock Creek, and at the same time pro-
viding modern attractions to suit the
demands of the present period, Is as
sured under the plans for the improve
ment of this waterway and its adjacent
lands just completed and made public.
The details, which have been ap-
proved - the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Capt.
tai Park and Planning Commission, were
laid down by Irving c. Root, chief en-
gineer of the commission, and Roland
w. Rogers landscape architect. The
plan made public connects at Connect
cut avenue with the plan published in
The Star two weeks ago.
While there is no definite time named
or even proposed when the project will
become a reality, nevertheless those
charged with the planning Of the devel-
opment are hopeful that they may OBJ
tain the land without any great cost.
and in most cases by dedication. 1t
was pointed out by Mr.. Root that much
of the land which it Is proposed to in
corporate in this area consists OF great
slopes which are Of no value for COM
mercial development, but fit in ideally
with the plans for park development.
Water Gardens Planned.
The bottom lands in certain places
along the creek in this area will make
it possible to develop very close to Wis
consin avenue, or the Rockville pike, as
some term the roadway, a great lagoon
and surrounding water gardens, and
even canoe channels of some length.
This particular section of the area in
cluded in the proposed development Is
low and marshy. During the recent
heavy rains the area was flooded and
from the roadway gave the appearance
Of a great lake. AS matter OF fact,
very few people who travel this road
know that Rock Greek is so close to
the edge of it at this point. Its prox-
unity to this much-traVeled highway
will make the proposed recreation fea-
lures easily accessible and, in fact, the
beauties of the proposed water gardens
will be visible from the roadside. 1t
is proposed to erect boathouse on the
edge of the lagoon, and ample space is
provided in the plans for the parking
Of automobiles.
Starting, in from Connecticut avenue,
at the point where the second section OF
the proposed improvement joins with
the drst, there would be a large play |
field. including q base ball diamond and |
other athletic features. In close prox-
unity would be large picnic grove, |
easy Of access by automobile. From !
that point until the park touches Wis
conSin avenue the natural beauties |
would be preserved. The next man !
made improvement would be at the pro- |
posed lagoon, and from that point 10
the KenSington Rockville road. in Gar |
rett Park, would be one of the most I'M |
usual golf courses in this section OF the |
country. This will be the main feature |
of the upper section, Mr.. Root said, and !
it will be Is holes. The distance out |
will be 1871 yards and in 3,177 yards, |
or q total Of 6,368 yards. Mr.. Root |
further stated that the judiciouS use OF
the creek as a water hazard and the |
arrangement Of the holes to conform to |
the topography and wooded areas should |
result in very interesting course. He |
added that q proposed clubhouse and |
locker room are indicated in the design |
near the intersection Of Wisconsin ave-
nue. and Grosvenor lane.
Golf on Fee Basis.
The golf course, Mr.. Root continued,
would be operated on the fee basis. He
has made a study Of the golf courses in
WestcheSter County, N. Y, which are
operated under such a system, and he
expressed the opinion that net in
come Of $4,000 per year could be rea-
sonably expected from the proposed
course in Rock Greek Park.
Surveys made Of the swamp area adj
jacent to Connecticut avenue it was in |
dicated, show that there are about 80 |
acres here. Mr.. Root said that the |
dredging incident to drainage here could !
be done at reasonable expense, and |
much Of this might be reimbursed from |
the concessions, as it is proposed to !
construct a concession building in con-
nection with the development. 1t also |
is proposed to build here an outdoor |
swimming pool, to fill q large demand |
in this area.
Traversing the whole of the area will |
be bride path, which, of course, will |
be connected up with those in the Fed !
eral project in the District. which then |
will make 1t possible for devotees of
horseback riding to go from Garrett |
Park, to East Potomac Park without !
running the dangers Of city street or
suburban highway traffic. Roadways
will line either side, and the natural |
winding of the creek bed will make 1t |
possible to develop highways which will !
give a. direct road from Kensington to |
the Rockville Pike for those heading for |
the city, and another road direct from |
Connecticut avenue to the Rockville
Pike. In addition to these main high |
ways, of course, it was pointed out by |
Mr.. Root, there will be numerous cross |
driveways, as well as many walks which |
will make the parts of the proposed |
park easily accessible both for pedes- |
TRANS and those travelling by motor car. |
Picnic Grounds.
In the wooded areas ample provision |
is to be made for picnic parties by the |
installation Of tables. benches and stone |
ovens. While some of the natural
wooded areas in the area are not pro-
posed for inclusion within the taking |
lines for the park project, 1t was pointed |
out that these will be protected by the
placing of proper restrictions which will |
be required by the Park and Planning |
Commission at the time the land is SUBJ |
divided for residential development |
Five of these wooded areas are indicated /
on the accompanying map by dotted |
lines.
The length of this second section Of |
the proposed parkway between Con- |
necticut avenue and Garrett Park is !
two and three-Quarter miles. and 800 |
acres will be included in the area.
The principal owners of land who |
will be affected by the proposed park, |
and the acreage required, was made
public by Mr. Root as follows: Morris
x Barroll, 1863 acres: B. F. Saul, 1875
acres; George E. Hamilton, 22.7 acres:
Straight Improvement Co., ATS acres, |
and DR.. E. A. Merritt, 3.8 acres.
AS in the first section from the Dis
trict line for Wisconsin avenue, there
is a hope that some of the property
owners will dedicate the land to the
county for park purposes. because of
the great increase to the adjacent
property will be a direct result of such
Improvement. Some of the owners
in the lower section have indicated
their willingness to give the land, on
the condition that it be promptly i'm
proved as q park project. The offer