Available also through the library of congress web site as a. Its primary section, along the rock creek valley, covers 1,754 acres, or. Rock creek park is washington, dcs urban park that extends 12 miles from the potomac river to the border of maryland. These 1,800 acres cut a wide swath through northwest washington dc, providing a haven for people and wildlife. The park offers a retreat from city life and an opportunity to explore the beauty of nature. Rock creek runs for 31 miles from its source in montgomery county, maryland, to its mouth at the potomac river, of which the final nine miles lies in washington, d. Rock creek park, chevy chases wild, wooded neighbor chevy. Buy rock creek park by simon conway from amazons fiction books store. Wilderness and washington, dc, was published earlier this year. Unknown to those taking classes and attending exhibitions, the quaint structure was.
The photos, all taken by tom paradis of nps, highlight the beautiful a royal red cardinal flower with ascending blooms of scarlet, shot in dcs own rock creek park, the bizarre a leopardtigerpatterned stalk of the grimly named american cancerroot, taken along the george washington memorial parkway, and even the glitzy neon lights. For millennia, american indians quarried rock outcroppings to make tools, fished the creek, and hunted wild game in the woodlands. A year in rock creek park the university of virginia press. Join erik taylor as he provides an overview of rock creek parks history and location, its rich natural and cultural resources, and the abundance of opportunities that it offers the dc area community for recreation, relaxation, education and volunteerism. In his engaging book, national park ranger, author and historian scott einberger traces the human, natural and urban history of rock creek park, the largest park in the nations capital. Join national park ranger, author and historian scott einberger as he traces the human, natural and urban history of rock creek park, the largest. Today, the rock creek nature center is the major information center and focal point for activities related to the parks natural and cultural history. The award was presented to author melanie choukasbradley at the independent publishers annual book awards ceremony on may 27th at the historic providence in new york city. Interpretive park ranger and author scott einberger will discuss his new book, the history of rock creek park. The awardwinning free app that helps you find the cheapest and closest parking around.
Jul 12, 2016 relaxation video shot over rock creek in north west dc. The rock creek park historic district nomination and historic district maps are accessible from this page. Rockefeller mansion in rock creek park washington, d. Read this book and over 1 million others with a kindle unlimited membership. Rock creek park article about rock creek park by the free. The art barn in washingtons largest park was a rustic meeting place for amateur artists during the 1960s and 1970s. Text, park phone directory, and color illustrations on verso. She is the author of ten bestselling gardening books, and her images of. Rock creek park should be known for more than its trails. Her 1962 book silent spring led to the banning of ddt, the resurgence of the bald eagle in the area, and assistance with founding the u. Rock creek park is truly a gem in our nations capital. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. Rock creek park, washington, dc library of congress.
Deep in rock creek park, about a halfmile from the nature center and next to a maintenance building, sits one of dcs most wellknown urban myths. Erik taylor is a volunteer with rock creek park through the national park services volunteers. A discovery room will encourage handson activities. This 1,754 acre city park was officially authorized in 1890, making it the third national park to be designated by the federal government. But while local residents flock to its trails and roads on weekends to hike, jog and bicycle, they are largely unaware of its diverse history. As tobacco farming and african american slavery became more widespread. Rock creek station state historical park nebraska game. An oasis in a bustling city, most of rock creek park consists of hardwood trees, a boiling brook, and rocky outcrops.
Mar 20, 2017 rock creek park reflects many years of human history. The conservancy and rock creek park will prioritize installation of final signs along the parks east side. Rock creek valley, which serves as the spine of the national park, has a long and storied historyfrom amerindians who fished the creek, hunted the woods. Washington, dcs 2,100acre urban oasis offers hours of outdoor activities. Aug 15, 2019 rock creek park is one of the oldest national parks in the country, established before even yosemite or the grand canyon. The architects of the park wanted to preserve the natural beauty of the land. Rock creek park is the whole park system in the heart of washington d. I took an easy walk from the smithsonian national zoo to rock creek park and came across a jewel in the midst of rock creek parkpierce mill. Rock creek park is a large urban park that bisects the northwest quadrant of washington, d. Join scott einberger for his author talk on a history of rock creek park.
Available also through the library of congress web site as a raster image. But nestled inside the park are exciting activities to put on your mustdo list. Cram its highlights into a single hike on a single day. This enormous meandering creekside forest of mostly pristine virginia countryside that has miraculously escaped the clutches of ruthless developers thanks to the unlikely twin blessings of intelligent and farsighted 19 century planning, and a grasping federal government that greedily seized and retained. The mill is staffed by a ranger from the national park service who can provide interesting photos and background information about rock creek park and the history of the mill. In the 1860s sanitary and living conditions in washington were so poor that president lincoln requested a search for green space with fresh air to site a new presidential mansion. Discover rockefeller mansion in rock creek park in washington, d. Rock creek park also offers a bounty of options for outdoor enthusiasts including hiking, biking, tennis, golf, exercise trails, horseback riding and a boat center.
Experience rock creek park from the comforts of your home. Ippy awards, independent publisher book awards 2014. Rock creek station was a stage and pony express station established in 1857 that become notorious one fateful day in 1861. Jul 30, 2017 i took an easy walk from the smithsonian national zoo to rock creek park and came across a jewel in the midst of rock creek park pierce mill. In addition to the park proper, the rock creek administrative unit of the national park service administers various other federally owned properties in the district of columbia located to the north and west of the national mall, including meridian hill park on 16th street, n. The rock creek park historic district was added to the dc inventory of historic sites in 1964 and the national register in 1991. Twice the size of famed central park in new york city, rock creek park is the wild, wooded heart of the nations capital, offering refuge and a keen sense of. The congressional act called for the preservation from injury or spoliation of all timber, animals, or curiosities within said park, and their retention in.
Scott einberger rock creek park should be known for more than its trails. Aug 07, 2015 deep in rock creek park, about a halfmile from the nature center and next to a maintenance building, sits one of dcs most wellknown urban myths. This is a pleasant, attractively produced book on dc s extraordinary rock creek park. Rachel carson was photographed birdwatching in rock creek parks gloverarchbold park a year after silent spring had been published. The rock creek nature center and planetarium is located at 5200 glover road. The zoos commitment to conservation, research, and education extends to the smithsonian conservation biology institute, located in nearby front royal, virginia. It is the third national park established in the u. Rock creek park trails district of columbia trails. Join erik taylor as he provides an overview of rock creek park s history and location, its rich natural and cultural resources, and the abundance of opportunities that it offers the dc area community for recreation, relaxation, education and volunteerism. But while local residents flock to its trails and roads on weekends to hike. They also offer trail rides for kids ages 12 and up. Peirce mill in washington dc was the last of the operating mills on rock creek, producing flour.
The signage initiative connects to one of rock creek parks priorities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Relaxation video shot over rock creek in north west dc. As long as it is protected, it will be a refuge to anyone looking for a quiet escape and a moment of silent reflection. Rock creek park trails district of columbia trails traillink. Washington, dcs rock creek park which is made up of 2,100 acres of national park service land from northwest dc into maryland is a popular retreat for the citys outdoor enthusiasts. Rock creek conservancy exists to restore rock creek and its parklands as a natural oasis for all people to appreciate and protect. Unknown to those taking classes and attending exhibitions, the quaint structure was also a u. Washington dcs rock creek trail is a collection of paved multiuse paths and onroad bike route. Rock creek park, washington, dc article about rock creek. What to see and do in rock creek park in washington, dc. The wild, wooded heart of washington, dc has received a 2015 independent publishers ippy awarda silver medal for midatlantic nonfiction.
Rock creek is very well known by locals because of the creek running through the city and the rock creek parkway which is one of the busy through way in and out of the city. Rock creek park, dc washington, dc neighborhood mapquest. Rock creek park was founded in 1890 by the united states congress as a recreational resource for the nations capital. Washington is very much a walking city, and the main streets and sidewalks radiating from the capitol are wonderfully wide. Development of rock creek station as a state historical park began in 1980.
Rock creek park hiking guide by washingtonian magazine. Rock creek park is one of the oldest national parks in the country, established before even yosemite or the grand canyon. This is one history lesson that requires you to watch your step. Save money and get to your destination faster with parkme. Nordgrens article left out rock creek park in washington, d. Discover and connect with rock creek park district of. United statesdistrict of columbiawashingtonrock creek park. Rock creek park is a 1,754acre federal park within the center of washington, d. Learn about the long and varied history of the rock creek valley and the people who have called it home. Mar 01, 2017 art barn, rock creek park, 2401 tilden street nw, dc. Rock creek park was the nations third national park, emerging from an act of congress and approval by president benjamin harrison. Rock creek park historic district op dc office of planning. It should also be known for its influence on the civil war, u. The rock creek valley has a long and varied history.
The wild, wooded heart of washington, dc by melanie choukasbradley. I would not recommend this section during the week. The zoos commitment to conservation, research, and education extends to the smithsonian conservation biology institute, located in. Art barn, rock creek park, 2401 tilden street nw, dc. C scott einberger rock creek park should be known for more than its trails. Its history is long and storied, from native indian tribes who fished the creek.
Exhibits tell about the parks wildlife and forest, and a library, open to all, has many books on natural history. And during the summer months, visitors can attend music, dance and theater performances at the parks carter barron amphitheatre. In the 1600s and early 1700s, european americans claimed title to the land. Order online tickets tickets see availability directions location. The entirety of rock creek downstream of the maryland border is within rock creek park except for a small portion that runs through the national zoo. Rock creek park article about rock creek park by the. Rock creek park 15 hrs rachel carson 19071964 was a marine biologist, writer, and early environmental activist. Lc copy foldlined, rubberstamped, laminated, and mounted on cloth backing. The last mill in the district of columbia closed down in 1897 almost 10 years after rock creek national park was founded, and the last in montgomery county stopped operating in the early 1900s. Check out the photo galleries or view a multimedia presentation. In the heart of the city, rock creek park offers places to.
For her book a year in rock creek park, washington writer melanie choukasbradley spent hundreds of hours walking and skiing every nook and cranny of the park. With lush greenery, miles of trails and picnic areas, a nature center, golf course, horse. And during the summer months, visitors can attend music, dance and theater performances at the park s carter barron amphitheatre. An outdoor exhibit honoring her was installed in gloverarchbold park in 2016. This 1,754 acre city park was officially authorized in 1890, making it the. Nature, space, and pony rides at rock creek park kidfriendly dc. The park was created by an act of congress in 1890 and today is administered by the national park service. Twice the size of central park, rock creek park is the wild, wooded heart of washington, dc, offering. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. It offers visitors the opportunity to escape the bustle of the city and find a peaceful refuge, recreation, fresh air, majestic trees, wild animals, and thousands of years of human history.
Find out information about rock creek park, washington, dc. On that july afternoon, james butler hickok killed david mccanles there and began his bloody career as a gunfighter. Rachel carson was photographed birdwatching in rock creek park s gloverarchbold park a year after silent spring had been published. An oasis in a bustling city, most of rock creek park consists of hardwood trees, a boiling brook, and rocky. Rock creek park serves as a natural oasis within the heavily urbanized district of columbia. Rock creek park reflects many years of human history. Heres the path we followedall seven milesin pocketguide format so you can take it, too. Today, the zoo sits on 163 acres in the heart of washington, d. The wild, wooded heart of washington, dc melanie choukasbradley, susan austin roth on. Previously, the fund ii foundation provided initial funding to the rock creek conservancy for sign design work. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new.
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