February 19, 1999

Hidden in the heart of the nation's capital is an astonishing natural gem, nearly 1,800 easily accessible acres for anyone who might wish to escape the city without leaving town.

But what makes Washington, D.C.,'s Rock Creek Park unusual for a large urban park is that the vast majority of the park-more than 80 percent-is in a nearly natural state, altered only by hiking and horseback riding trails. Biking trails run adjacent to the several roadways that wind through the park, following its natural contours. Only a relatively small portion is specifically set aside for picnicking, ball parks, and other human recreation, according to Ranger Blaine Eckberg. There are 30 picnic areas, many directly bordering the creek, others in meadows adjacent to forested areas.

The park is unusual not only for its relatively wild character within a city, but also as a geographical microcosm of rocky outcroppings, rolling valleys, forest, and running waters. Although minutes from Washington's major historical attractions, the park can provide the weary urban visitor with the illusion of escape, particularly in May, as migratory warblers and other birds fill the woods with song. Deer, fox, and other fauna also call the park home, and it is not unusual to see a doe with fawn in the spring.

The park, created by Congress in 1890, extends 12 miles from the Potomac River to the Maryland border. Perhaps the best way to see the park is on foot. Away from the several roadways that wind through the park, a sense of quiet prevails. On weekends one of the major automotive arteries, Beach Drive, is closed to cars and turned over to bicycles, letting bicyclists peddle from Washington to Maryland without worrying about dodging cars.

The park's only drawback is its popularity, and on a beautiful spring day it may take a little hiking off the beaten path to escape the many visitors getting away from city cares.

While quiet repose and a sense of solitude may be all you are seeking, there are a number of unusual attractions for adults and children within the park. For children, the Rock Creek Nature Center at 5200 Glover Road, N.W., offers a variety of interpretive programs designed to captivate and delight. These include nature films, live animal demonstrations, and a weekend planetarium show for children. Although there is no charge for the activities, some, such as the planetarium show, require tickets due to limited capacity, so call in advance. A list of numbers appears in the box below.

Adults and children may enjoy a visit to the park's Pierce Mill at the intersection of Tilden Street and Beach Drive. Corn and wheat are ground into flour on this water-driven mill in a demonstration of 19th-century technology. The mill is open Wednesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Near the mill is the Art Barn, which used to be the Pierce carriage house. Now it displays works of local artists from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday to Sunday.

Within the park is the Carter Barron Amphitheater at 4850 Colorado Avenue, N.W., at 16th Street. The 4,250-seat amphitheater has a world-class stage that hosts diverse musical and theatrical events. There is a charge for most on-stage events. Directly around the amphitheater are a number of wooded hiking trails and sports facilities.

Depending on which part of the park you plan to visit, you may take Washington's Metro to the National Zoo and walk from there, or you may wish to drive. Make sure you call or at least look at a map of the park before you go.

Rock Creek Park Headquarters
(202) 282-1063

Picnic area reservations
(202) 673-7646/7

Rock Creek Nature Center
(202) 426-6829

Pierce Mill
(202) 426-6908

Art Barn
(202) 244-2482

Carter Barron Amphitheater
(202)260-6836