National Park Service Park News U.S. Department of the Interior The official newspaper of Rock Creek Park The Respite Winter/Spring 2009 Georgetown’s New Waterfront Park What was once a bleak asphalt Welcome from the parking lot is being transformed into an urban oasis. After Superintendent years of planning, design and In the midst of the thriving metropolis fundraising, the first phase of the of Washington, DC lies the green new Georgetown Waterfront Park oasis of Rock Creek Park. For over between Wisconsin Avenue and one hundred and eighteen years, th visitors to this grand city, along with 34 Street, is complete. Today, native Washingtonians have used the visitors to the new park can stroll park as a place of contemplation, a promenade with overlooks of relaxation and recreation. Rock Creek the Potomac River, Washington Park encompasses over three square monuments and lush Virginia miles and contains a treasure trove shoreline. They can learn about the of natural, cultural, and recreational resources and opportunities. Whether history of human settlement along one comes to explore a trail, commune the Potomac River from granite with nature, walk in the footprints of slabs etched with historic images. our forefathers, or to simply picnic, Bikers have a continuous trail Visitors enjoy the labyrinth and bike trails at the new Georgetown Waterfront Park Rock Creek Park is waiting for you. linking the Capital Crescent and Construction of Phase Two of the park began in the fall of 2008 and is Rock Creek Trails. Other sites of The mission of Rock Creek Park, scheduled for completion in the spring of 2010. The “Wisconsin Avenue like all national parks, is to ensure interest are an ornate labyrinth and Plaza” will be the park’s centerpiece with a beautiful interactive fountain, the protection and preservation of a “bioengineered” slope designed to stairs to the river, flowering plants, and a continuation of the bike path and these incredible natural and cultural prevent bank erosion. resources for public enjoyment. promenade. Through the efforts of many, Rock An October 4th, 2008 ribbon Creek Park is a shining example of The waterfront park’s completion will be the culmination of 40 years cutting ceremony opened Phase how nature can co-exist in an urban of planning and cooperation between the Georgetown Waterfront Park environment. As Superintendent, I am One of the park to the public. At Campaign, the National Park Service and National Park Foundation, the honored to be one of the many that that time, management of the new Commission work on your behalf to ensure that public space was entrusted to these resources are preserved for the of Fine Arts, Rock Creek Park. In attendance enjoyment of the public of today and the National were many of Washington, DC’s for future generations. You too can Capital Planning civic leaders, including Mayor help protect these pristine areas by Commission, taking only pictures and leaving only Adrian Fenty, Delegate Eleanor and many others. footprints. Holmes Norton, National Park Through their Service Director Mary Bomar and On behalf of Rock Creek Park, I vision and Rock Creek Park Superintendent welcome you to explore the resources dedication, Adrienne A. Coleman. Others who that Washington, DC’s largest forest visitors can were instrumental in the park’s has to offer. Enjoy the respite of Rock enjoy a relaxing, Creek Park. creation looked on with pride. new public Through their efforts, 225 miles of space along Sincerely, parkland, from Mt. Vernon, Virginia the spectacular to Cumberland, Maryland, had Potomac River been connected in the new park. Dignitaries gather for the October 4, 2008 ribbon cutting ceremony opening shoreline. Phase One of the Georgetown Waterfront Park. Adrienne A. Coleman Superintendent Where am I? Page 2 Page 3 Rock Creek Park Rocks-For Kids!....2 Public Programs...3 Can you find me in Rock Creek Your Corner of the Sky The Valley Trail - A Great Winter Hike Park? Answer on page 3 Fascinating facts about a winter Put on your boots and prepare for a great Contact Information…3 stargazer’s favorite constellation. day hiking in Rock Creek Park. Rock Creek Park Updates…4 Monuments of Rock Creek Park Hats off to Partners and Volunteers Learn some of the stories found in the Learn how many have pitched in to help many monuments of Rock Creek Park. out Rock Creek Park. Squirreling Away Winter Learn how squirrels stay cozy all winter. 1 The Respite National Park Service Monuments of Squirreling U.S. Department of the Interior Rock Creek Park Away Winter Rock Creek Park What do Joan of Arc and General While you’re warm in your home Rock Creek Park was founded in 1890 George McClellan have in on a cold winter day, a glance as one of the first federal parks. When common? One might think nothing. outside might prompt the question, established, it bordered the edge of the After all, Joan of Arc led the French “How are the animals doing in this growing city and was a favorite area for Army to numerous victories during weather?” The eastern gray squirrel, rural retreats. In the establishing legisla- th tion, Rock Creek Park would “provide for the 15 Century Hundred Years’ for one, is doing just fine. the preservation from injury or spoilation War. She was eventually captured of all timber, animals, or curiosities with- by the English and burned at the Comfort in winter comes from the in said park, and their retention in their stake for heresy at age 19. George squirrel’s remarkable adaptations. natural condition, as nearly as possible.” McClellan, on the other hand, was The squirrel cannot simply turn a Union general who led the Army up the thermostat like we do, or Superintendent Adrienne A. Coleman of the Potomac during the Civil go someplace warm the way birds War. Under his leadership and can. As the days grow cooler, Deputy Superintendent direction, the Capital City’s Civil squirrels ramp up their activity level, Cynthia Cox War Defenses were constructed, collecting and burying tree nuts that making it the most heavily fortified The McClellan Memorial will keep them fed throughout the Chief of Interpretation and Resource city in the world. So, what is the winter. Later, their excellent sense Management Meghan Hagerty common link between these two radio waves. His statue recently of smell helps locate those precious Editor individuals? Both are memorialized underwent restoration in which it food stores, even under snow. Deanna Ochs with equestrian statues in areas was reguilded in brilliant gold color. managed by Rock Creek Park. The squirrel’s fabulous tail is also Contributors Joan of Arc sits prominently In addition to the monument to essential to the animal’s winter Mike McMahon within Meridian Hill Park and Joan of Arc, historic Meridian Hill survival. It serves as a blanket, Simone Moffett Park offers an opportunity to see a John Meyer General McClellan is located at the keeping the squirrel warm inside the Andrew Seacord intersection of Connecticut Avenue statue of Dante Alighieri, the Italian nest, high in the trees above. Rachel Meghan Ware and California Streets, NW. This author of the book The Divine Ron Harvey fall, watch for renovations to begin Comedy. There you will also find Rock Creek Park provides critical Mary Brazell on the McClellan Memorial. the memorial to our 15th President, food and shelter for squirrels and Maggie Zadorozny James Buchanan (1857-1861). other animals in the bitter months E-mail These are just a few of the statues of winter. You can observe them [email protected] that fall under the protection of The statues of Rock Creek Park along the park’s trails or learn more Rock Creek Park. Sixteenth Street, honor a broad range of people, from about them in the Nature Center. Park Headquarters NW, provides a nice walking tour private citizens to presidents. Yet 202-895-6000 of a few monuments, including the each individual has made a valuable Art Deco memorial for Guglielmo contribution to the world we live in Park website today. What contributions are you www.nps.gov/rocr Marconi, inventor of the radio and winner of the 1909 Nobel Prize in making? Who knows? Maybe one The National Park Service cares for the Physics. Marconi established the day your statue will be among them. special places saved by the American world’s first radio factory in 1898 people so that all may experience our in England instead of in his native For more information about Rock heritage. Italy because officials there were not Creek Park’s memorials, visit interested in his experiments with www.nps.gov/rocr. An eastern gray squirrel feeds on a high-energy acorn. Your Corner Rock Creek Park Rocks For Kids! of the Sky Monumental Match-Up! One doesn’t have to be an astron- Rock Creek Park has many monuments and memorials at different sites. Use the article “Monuments of Rock Creek Park,” to omer to enjoy the most prominent learn their locations, then draw a line to match the picture to their corresponding street name. constellation of the winter night sky. Meridian Hill Park Even for the untrained eye Orion, the hunter, is easily recognized in the skies above DC. Look in the southern sky for three stars in a straight line. These make up his belt. He stands with one arm 16th Street NW uplifted, holding a club. The bright star at his shoulder is Betelgeuse; a a. Joan of Arc Statue huge, old, red star. Just like humans, c. General George McClellan Memorial Statue stars are born, live and die. The other arm is covered by a lion’s skin Georgetown and faces Taurus, the bull, whose head is a group of stars in the shape of a “V.” Looking below the belt, one sees Massachusetts Ave three stars that form Orion’s sword.