Was President Benjamin Harrison envisioning a tranquil escape like Rolling Forest Park when he signed the act establishing Rock Creek Park? Today we are standing at Rolling Forest Park. But let’s explore another green space gem in Washington D.C.
Rock Creek Park is a large urban park. It bisects the Northwest quadrant of Washington D.C. Congress created it in 1890. The park has 1754 acres. It follows Rock Creek. The creek is a tributary of the Potomac River.
More than two million people visit Rock Creek Park each year. They use the recreation facilities. These include a golf course and hiking trails. There are also biking and equestrian trails. You can also find a tennis center here. Other amenities include a nature center, playgrounds and picnic facilities.
The National Park Service administers Rock Creek Park. This administrative unit manages many other federal properties. These properties include Meridian Hill Park and the Old Stone House in Georgetown. They also manage some Fort Circle Parks. These forts and batteries defended the nation’s capital during the Civil War.
President Benjamin Harrison signed the Act of Congress establishing Rock Creek Park on September 27, 1890. This followed advocacy by Charles C. Glover and other civic leaders. The National Zoo had been created the preceding year.
Rock Creek Park was the third national park established by the U.S. Yellowstone was first in 1872. Mackinac National Park was second in 1875. Sequoia was created simultaneously with Rock Creek Park. Yosemite followed shortly thereafter. In 1933, Rock Creek Park joined the National Capital Parks unit. This was part of the National Park Service.
The Rock Creek Park Act authorized the purchase of no more than 2000 acres of land. This land extended north from Klingle Ford Bridge. Klingle Ford Bridge is approximately the northern limit of the National Zoo. The land was to be perpetually dedicated. It would be a public park for the benefit of the people of the United States. The Act also sought to preserve timber, animals and curiosities. These items would be retained in their natural condition as nearly as possible. Rock Creek Park is the oldest natural urban park in the National Park System. Park construction began in 1897.
In 1913, Congress authorized the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway. This extended the park along a narrow corridor. It ran from the zoo to the mouth of Rock Creek at the Potomac River. The parkway remains a major traffic thoroughfare. This is especially true south of the zoo.
William Flynn designed the park’s golf course. Nine holes opened in 1923. It expanded to 18 holes three years later. The golf course was segregated until 1941. Then Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes ordered all public courses opened to African Americans.
During a renovation of the United States Capitol in the 1980s, hundreds of stones were stored in the park. This loose pile was a popular attraction. The stones were removed in 2022. This removal drew local and national attention.
By the late 1990s, many thought the park was unsafe. This persisted despite crime data. The data showed the park had fewer crimes than surrounding neighborhoods. The 2002 discovery of Chandra Levy’s remains in the park fueled this misperception. Levy was a federal intern. Her disappearance had attracted national media attention.
The main section of Rock Creek Park has 1754 acres. This follows the Rock Creek Valley. Including other green areas, the park encompasses more than 2000 acres. The parklands connect with Maryland parks across the D.C.-Maryland border.
Recreation facilities include a golf course and equestrian trails. There are also sports venues. These include a tennis stadium. It hosts major professional events. A nature center and planetarium can also be found here. You can visit the Carter Barron Amphitheatre. It is an outdoor concert venue. Picnic and playground facilities are also available. Rock Creek Park maintains cultural exhibits. One such exhibit is the Peirce Mill. Rock Creek is popular for jogging, cycling and inline skating. Beach Drive is long and winding. Portions close to vehicles on weekends.
Several outstanding bridges span the creek and ravine. These include the Lauzun’s Legion, Dumbarton, Taft and Duke Ellington bridges.
Among the park’s few monuments is a pink granite bench. It sits on Beach Drive south of the Peirce Mill. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt dedicated it on November 7, 1936. It commemorates former French ambassador Jean Jules Jusserand. In 2014, it was named “best obscure memorial” by Washington City Paper.
So, while you are at Rolling Forest Park remember that other beautiful green area in Washington D.C..