REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 27 



to carry the road any farther on that bank. Having crossed the creek, 

 the road should continue along the stream on the left bank, traversing 

 the region where the Adams mill formerly stood, and then, as it again 

 reaches a precipitous bank, it should cross on another bridge at or near 

 the point marked B, and communicate with the system of roads now 

 established in the park. 



As this road will probably become in time one of the main drives 

 through the park system, it should be well built, have easy grades, and 

 be provided with bridges not only of a substantial character but suit- 

 able otherwise to the scenery in which they are to stand, leading as the 

 road does through one of the most beautiful and picturesque valleys in 

 the vicinity of Washington. 



Plans for a system of roadways for the District have been completed 

 for that section lying to the eastward of the park. Here a broad street, 

 to be known as the "Park Drive," reaches the boundary of the park 

 at its southeastern corner and thence proceeds along the eastern 

 side by gentle curves adapted to the topography of the region, as 

 shown upon the accompanying plan. The establishment of this road 

 will greatly improve the access to the park, which has always suffered 

 from the steep grades that are necessary for descent into the valley 

 of Eock Creek. It will, however, entail some new difficulties which 

 should be met at once. The road does not skirt the boundary of the 

 park at all points, but touches or leaves it accordiug to the contour 

 of the ground aud the practicability of the grade. Some tracts of land 

 are therefore left between the drive and the park, and if these become 

 built upon, a succession of private houses will be thrust directly upon 

 the boundary, marring the air of seclusion that was one of the objects 

 for which the expenditure of the first purchase was made, and which 

 is still a principal attraction of the valley. 



In order to avoid this the land in question should be added to the 

 park, the eastern boundary of which would then lie along a broad and 

 excellent roadway affording access to the park at several convenient 

 points. The accompanying map shows the land which should be added. 

 It involves a strip (0) lying immediately south of the bear pits much 

 needed for the security of the animals confined there. At present the 

 boundary of the park is so near the pits that the bank is very steep, and 

 as it is composed in considerable degree of soil and decomposed rock it 

 constantly crumbles under the action of the weather and precipitates 

 loose stones and debris into the pits thus endangering the safety of the 

 animals and gradually undermining the boundary fence, which must 

 sooner or later fall inward. It should also include a tract of land lying 

 on a hillside to the north of the Quarry road and forming a portion of 

 the property of Mr. H. D. Walbridge. This is an exceedingly impor- 

 tant tract, as its possession would extend the park toward Kenesaw 

 avenue, which will doubtless be the principal route of access upon the 

 eastern side, and it would be desirable to extend the park on the 



