September 16

First, I am now adding comments for September 13 and 14, and should finish this morning (the 17th). Now to yesterday’s parks.

What comes to mind when thinking suburbia? Images of shiny artistic-designed shopping malls, droves of fine culinary restaurants (intermixed with the requisite McDonalds and Subway), and sub-divisions of quarter-acre lots with single family homes are only a couple of reflections. Schools are located within the residential space, giving kids exercise as they walk to their educational hallways. There might even be a few small parks, adorned with swing sets and playgrounds. How about a large oasis of green fields, forest, and camping grounds? Surely one jests with such a suggestion. Do not tell that to the folks who manage and operate Greenbelt Park, a park 12-miles north of Washington, D.C., residing within the suburbia boundary of Greenbelt, Maryland. Greenbelt had the distinction of being the first planned city in the United States. The Federal Government took a swing at managing the housing market in the 1930s. The Feds track record in the free market would be like Reggie Jackson (all-time batting strike-out leader, fanning 2,597 times) taking a swing against Nolan Ryan (all-time pitching strike-out leader with 5,714 K’s). Though, every now and then, when not corkscrewing himself into the ground and striking out, Reggie would put a ball over the fence. Heck, Cy Young did not win all the games he pitched, though he did amass the most victories at 511. Maybe this concept could work. Rex Tugwell drove President Roosevelt to Greenbelt in 1934, pitching his idea of “a garden city surrounded by a greenbelt of trees and open spaces.” A lot of people would be needed to build this community, drawing paychecks and buying homes; music to Roosevelt’s ears. Why not build such a city, complete with all the amenities, sufficiently self-contained (schools, parks, groceries, etc.) providing residents a relaxing life? The NPS, in 1950, via Public Law 643, acquired Greenbelt Park along with land which formed a corridor between Washington and Baltimore. The Baltimore-Washington Parkway officially opened in 1954, providing commuters, and tourists, an uninterrupted scenic view between two metropolises. There is value in Mother Nature. The BW still runs down the middle of the park. The park has a 174-site campground for locals who cannot seem to find their way, or 2 hours of time, to drive into the Appalachians. Hot showers are available, an amenity one will not find on the AT. Reservations for the campground, and the pavilions for picnics, are recommended. The park has four nature trails with nine miles of hiking. A marathon runner would barely break a sweat in covering that distance. Even a casual 2 mph walk would be 4.5 hours. The beauty of these paths is they zig zag through forests of mixed pines and deciduous trees. Wildlife is present. The NPS has identified 14 animals commonly seen, including the flying squirrel, the brown bat, and the white-tailed deer. Red Foxes call this park home, though are difficult to spot.

25 minutes later via I-495 and 16th Street, I was at Peirce Mill in Rock Creek Park. Rock Creek Park covers 1,754 acres, making it one of the largest urban parks in the country. This was the third national park of our country, designated in 1890. An old growth forest provides great shade for hiking (32 miles of wooded bliss) and biking in hot summer months. Horseback riding is available. And one can kick up divots at the park’s Gold Center. People who like hard-surface courts for their athletic enjoyment can play tennis and basketball. The Georgetown area is at the southern end of the park. Many treasures to enjoy. The park has the highest density of raccoons in the country. Granted, many would not consider that species to be a treasure. The NPS estimates there are eight fox dens (red and gray species) within the park’s boundaries. That would be fun to see, but not today for me. Beavers can be found doing their thing on Rock Creek. The deer population has expanded in the last two decades since there are no real predators in the area, except for cars. The few coyotes which have been confirmed are not enough to keep the Cervidea (scientific Family name for deer) population boom in check. This park acts as a secluded island, distant from the trappings of the D.C. metropolis. Civil War enthusiasts can visit Battery Kemble, Fort deRussy, Fort Bayard, Fort Reno (built immediately after the Union defeat at the First Battle of Manassas), Fort Slocum, and Fort Stevens (where President Lincoln came under Confederate fire). The Peirce Mill was built in 1829, by Isaac Peirce, to ground wheat, corn, and rye, becoming the most successful gristmill in the area. There is a drop in the Rock Creek flow at this location providing good water power. The Peirce family interests spread along the banks, with a few other buildings still standing near the mill.

A house in Glen Echo became Clara Barton’s home in 1897. The building doubled as HQ for the American Red Cross for seven of the last 15 years of her life. On April 12, 1912, 51 years to the day when the Civil War began, due to a bout with pneumonia, the “Angel of the Battlefield” (nickname applied after she arrived at midnight at the Cedar Mountain battle in 1862 to tend to the wounded) ascended to the heavens. But the American Red Cross lives on to this day and will be around for as long as our democratic republic endures.

Barton’s home has 38 rooms, sprawled across three floors. Today, the first floor is open for guided tours, though only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and in the afternoon. The dedication of the home in 1976 by the NPS made this unit the first National Historic Site honoring a woman. The American Red Cross flag flies on the roof at the front of the home while the United States flag is at the other end of the house. To pay its respect, the town of Fords, New Jersey took the step of naming their youth Baseball program after Barton. The Fords Clara Barton Baseball League was founded in 1952, allowing youth the opportunity to play Baseball and Softball. Athletics can be an integral part of a healthy life. Barton no doubt would have agreed. What a wonderful way to connect an important part of our country’s history to the new youngsters in each succeeding generation. The Hagerstown Suns minor league team honored Barton in a more modern-day fad, creating a Barton Bobblehead Doll. The first 1,000 fans at their June 23, 2012 game were recipients. There may be 1,000 Barton bobbleheads somewhere endlessly nodding approval of her efforts, but there will always be only one Clara Barton. May the shine of her legacy never be diminished.

If you visit Barton’s home, be sure to walk next door to Glen Echo Park. It is an affiliated site of the NPS. Plenty of activities take place in the summer and on weekends.