Letter
Dear Ms. Hall:
In its public meeting of 17 November conducted by videoconference, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a concept design for the rehabilitation of the existing golf course and the construction of a new clubhouse facility at the Rock Creek Park Golf Course, located at 6100 16th Street, NW. The Commission members present recommended approval of the concept design and provided the following comments.
The Commission members commended the efforts to revitalize this deteriorated yet beautiful site, and they endorsed the goal to increase and broaden access to the Rock Creek Park Golf Course through this proposed rehabilitation. In support of this goal, they encouraged fostering a variety of recreational activities in addition to golf and establishing pedestrian connections with adjacent communities, not only to the trails in Rock Creek Park on the west but also to the residential communities on the east. They recommended developing the diversity of the landscape throughout the site to include a variety of habitats—such as woods, small groves, and meadows— consistent with the historic design by William Flynn; they cited the opportunity for the proposed irrigation pond to be an integral and attractive feature within this larger Romantic landscape, rather than a fenced-off, steep-sided utilitarian element. Finally, as the design of the clubhouse is refined, they advised further consideration of how best to orient its plan to take full advantage of views to the landscape.
As a quorum was not present for the review, these recommendations will be placed on the administrative agenda for confirmation at the Commission’s next meeting. Please consult on the further development of the design and details with the staff which, as always, is available to assist you.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Kym A. Hall, Area Director
Region 1 – National Capital Area
National Park Service
1100 Ohio Drive, SW
Washington, DC 20242
cc: Mike McCartin, National Links Trust
Chris Henningsen, Henningsen Kestner Architects