Figure 1.--Here we see a Boy Scout troop campaing in Rock Creek Park during June 1934. Thast is no longer the case, but the Park was a green area boys in Washington could easily reach.

There are quite a number of parks in Washington, D.C., but the most important is Rock Creek Park. Most people think that Central Park is the largest urban park in the United States. Actually Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C. is even larger--more than twice as a large as Central Park. It is also among the oldest of the national parks. The park is large, but narrow. It runs from the Maryland border south to Geoegetown and the Potomac River. It essentially cuts the city in two. It is part of the Nation Park System. The Park was established by act of Congress and signed into law by President Benjamin Harrison (1890). This was the same year that Congress established Yosemite National Park. The Park is centered on the Rock Creek Valley. Associated with the major part of the Park are Glover Archbold Park, Montrose Park, Dumbarton Oaks Park, Meridian Hill Park, Battery Kemble Park, Palisades Park, Whitehaven Park, and several other small parks. The National Zoo is located in Rick Creek Park, bit the size of the park affords a wide range of activities. I can recall as a boy having my birthday party in one of the picnic areas. And my brother and I used to bike tgo the zoo. At the time there was very little traffic. Boy Scouts used to camp in the Park. It was useful at atime when people were not as mobile as they used to be. Today the hiking paths are motr utilized, but there are many other activities such as horese back riding

Created: 2:55 AM 7/12/2010
Last updated: 2:55 AM 7/12/2010