Glen Echo carousel vandalized

Latest example of

NPS failing to protect

historic resources

The historic Dentzel carousel at Glen Echo Park was vandalized Saturday by one or more intruders, the Glen Echo Park Partnership for the Arts and Culture Executiv Director Katey Boerner said. As a result, the organization announced, the park's pavilions and playgrounds are now closed to the public.

According to Boerner, the damage was to the structure of the carousel, but the horses were left undamaged. Renovations to the carousel house had just been completed, and now the carousel itself will have to be repaired. Boerner still believes the carousel will open to the public this year, once coronavirus stay-at-home orders are lifted.

A federal police investigation into the vandalism has begun, and the public is being asked to send tips about the case to the U.S. Park Police at 1-202-610-7500. Boerner said there is some surveillance camera footage of the incident that is being reviewed by law enforcement.

This is the latest example of the National Park Service failing to protect historic resources under its supervision. The historic home at Marshall Hall Park in Charles County was left unprotected to arsonists shortly after the NPS got control of the former amusement park there. A historic streetcar entrusted to NPS at the gate of Glen Echo was allowed to deteriorate, and then was shipped off to a junkyard - eight years ago this very month, by coincidence.

With the 100th anniversary of the carousel's installation at the amusement park coming up next year, the outrageous of this is compounded all the more. Yet those in charge continue to coast with impunity, asleep at the switch.

As I've been saying for more than a decade, Glen Echo Park should be fully acquired by Montgomery County, and the amusement park restored with the original rides. This is yet another economic engine for a revenue-strapped county sitting idle. Thanks to the coronavirus and our free-spending Montgomery County Council, we'll not likely have the funds to this anytime soon, but with philanthropic help, it can be done sooner rather than later.

Fire at Glen Echo Park theater

UPDATE - 2:09 AM: MCFRS spokesperson reports the fire is now under control. Firefighters are checking for any spread of the fire in the building. Over 75 firefighters are on-scene at the park. This was a fantastic job by MCFRS and whatever fire detection system alerted them - the historic former amusement park is mostly wood construction, and could have been a near-total loss with the high winds, if not detected and responded to so quickly

Dozens of fire trucks could be heard heading to Glen Echo Park around 1:30 AM this morning. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Pete Piringer said the fire was in a "two-story theater" at the park. Adventure Theater is a longstanding venue at the park, located at 7300 MacArthur Boulevard. Windy conditions were a factor, Piringer reported.

Firefighters on the roof of the
Adventure Theater early this morning
(Photo by Pete Piringer)

In related news, all Montgomery County public safety scanner channels are offline at this hour, a very strange development.

FIRE AT GLEN ECHO PARK (PHOTO)

Montgomery County firefighters responded to Glen Echo Park around 3:00 AM this morning, after an automatic fire alarm alerted authorities, according to MCFRS spokesperson Pete Piringer. Firefighters found heavy smoke in an arts building at the front of the park, which faces MacArthur Boulevard.

"We're gonna need some lights in here to determine exactly what's on fire," one firefighter was heard to say via scanner. "No active fire right now," one eventually reported at 3:35. Silverworks Studio and an unidentified painting studio were checked for fire and cleared at 3:39, according to scanner reports.

By 3:40, one firefighter determined a thermostat in an art studio/jewelry shop as the likely source of the fire and smoke. Piringer said sprinklers stopped the fire, there were no injuries, and that damage to the building was "moderate."

The historic (1892) Chautauqua Tower is adjacent to the studios mentioned during the scanner reports, so it's positive news that this fire was extinguished so quickly. It is the last remnant of the original Chautauqua at Glen Echo, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Photo via Pete Piringer

GLEN ECHO STREETCAR ROUTE MAP AND HISTORY (VIDEO)

Here's a video with some background, and a map overview, of a fully intact streetcar right-of-way between Georgetown and Glen Echo/Cabin John via Bethesda. The streetcar once served the former Glen Echo Amusement Park.

A future return of streetcars here is now jeopardized by a bike path plan that has designs on a segment of the right-of-way.

NPS ATTEMPTS TO SEIZE PART OF GLEN ECHO STREETCAR RIGHT-OF-WAY

Just 10 months after shipping its historic Glen Echo PCC streetcar off to a scrapyard without public notice, the National Park Service is at it again.

Without wide public notification, NPS has already created a proposal to turn a portion of the streetcar's still-existing right-of-way into a bike trail.

In fact, they've even completed the  environmental assessment at taxpayer expense, before said taxpayers even knew the proposal existed.

It's outrageous.

I thought NPS had no money.  It has been scrapping streetcars and canal boats, and according to the Washington Post, can't even clean the restrooms in its public parks.

So how did they afford to pay for an environmental assessment?

Much as local NIMBYs played a major role in shutting down Glen Echo Amusement Park - and then made sure its amusement rides were never restored, but, rather, demolished - this proposal sounds awfully familiar.

With Washington DC's streetcar revival flourishing, and massive employment growth occurring along the MacArthur Boulevard corridor, the time has never been more right to study restoration of streetcar service to the old Georgetown-Glen Echo-Cabin John right-of-way.

So, wouldn't this be just the right time for NPS to assume its familiar role as NIMBY Protection Service at Glen Echo.

"We're not going to have an amusement park start up in this neighborhood again! And we're not going to have streetcars running through here, either!"

Says who? Says who?

I continue to say we ought to have both. Every single American is paying to maintain Glen Echo Park, but instead of providing joy and entertainment to the masses as it once did, it is essentially a social club for the narrow audience its programming is targeted towards.

Likewise, streetcar service would have environmental and congestion-relieving benefits for large areas on both sides of the Potomac. Why would we provide a benefit to a few with this trail, at the expense of the many?  Doesn't our anti-car, anti-highway county council say we need more transit? Just not in this case?

Something's not right about this. So, as Barney Fife used to say, we've got to nip this in the bud right now.

With no advance notice, I could not attend last night's hush-hush NPS public meeting.

But comment I have, anyway! They always assume the average citizen won't take the time to comment. I say, let's prove them wrong!

Here's the text of my comments (NPS is accepting online comments  through February 8):

# # # # # # # #

I strongly object to the proposed bike trail along part of the historic Glen Echo streetcar right-of-way (ROW).

The most fundamental problem with this proposal is the unnecessary relocation of bike facilities onto the streetcar ROW.  Rail rights-of-way are virtually impossible to obtain in Montgomery County today, both fiscally and practically.

Bike paths and lanes - as demonstrated in the county and in the District - are relatively easy to obtain and locate where space exists.  In contrast, there is no alternative route in this corridor for a streetcar. Therefore, the streetcar ROW must be accommodated in this case. 

This is critically important to any future reinstatement of streetcar operation between Georgetown and Glen Echo (and beyond).

A large residential population in the Palisades and on the county side, the coming expansion of the Sangamore Road intelligence campus, and the rapidly-growing Sibley Hospital campus call for serious consideration of returning streetcars to the still-existing Georgetown-Glen Echo-Cabin John ROW.

Therefore, I am perplexed not only as to why NPS would propose blocking the ROW at this juncture, but why the county council and Planning Board are not strenuously objecting to the plan, as well.

I am also concerned with the arbitrary nature of this sudden proposal. I've known of the need to improve bicycle safety along the MacArthur corridor for years. But I've never heard seizing part of the streetcar facility as a proposed solution before yesterday, January 24.  It was then that I read online that a meeting was being held that evening, which I could not attend on such short notice.

Why was there no published announcement in widely-circulated newspapers, or advance notice via the press? Such poor outreach suggests public input is not welcome.

How did we already get an environmental assessment with no public input as to whether or not the larger, taxpaying public wants this project, or not?

The impression such a closed process presents - accurate or not - is that, once again, a few well-connected citizens are attempting to prevent future streetcar service along part or all of the ROW.  Or that a few cyclists are attempting to appropriate a public resource that holds potential environmental and infrastructure benefits to all, at the expense of the rest of us.

I don't even understand where NPS obtained funds for an environmental assessment when its financial distress is well-known, and it claimed it could not afford to repaint the PCC streetcar last March, and gave it away for scrap.

Given the latter episode, the optics of NPS giving away more of the streetcar legacy - and future potential - are terrible PR-wise and communitywise.

I know that rails-to-trails is a classic NIMBY tactic to stop commuter rail service. As we see in the Purple Line debate today, once a trail goes in, it is extremely unpopular to have it replaced with rail in the future. With the coming growth in this corridor, blocking the streetcar ROW would be highly irresponsible.

Another solution can be found for bicycles in that area. But you are not going to find another streetcar right-of-way.

For that reason, I strongly urge you to scrap plans to utilize any portion of the streetcar right-of-way and creek trestle for bicycling or other vehicular or recreational use.

Limited resources at this time would be better spent cooperating with the DC DOT on a potential extension of DC Streetcar service into Maryland, via the former Glen Echo right-of-way.

Respectfully,

Robert Dyer
Bethesda, MD

GLEN ECHO PARK, NPS: THEY'RE WITH "STUPID" ON STREETCAR GIVEAWAY

CURSORY SALE PROCESS RAISES

QUESTIONS ABOUT GSA PROPERTY

REMOVAL PROCEDURE,

PARTNERSHIP BOARD INVOLVEMENT

The Glen Echo streetcar story made The Washington Post yesterday.  And as I predicted Friday, we are going to learn more and more about this fiasco as time goes on.

My scoop that the General Services Administration tried to sell the People's Streetcar on eBay was solid.  Try as they might, Glen Echo and the National Park Service have to admit it happened.  And fortunately, the evidence was presented here on this blog for all to examine.

One new bit of information to come out of John Kelly's column, is that there was in fact a monetary sale made, by the GSA to General Machine.

But it was a "stupid" price, according to Ken Rinehart, CEO of General Machine.  The clear interpretation in this context, is that it was a joke of a low price.  A giveaway, essentially.  Surprising, given the GSA's eBay demand of $30,000 minimum.

This raises questions about the whole sale process.

I am not an expert on GSA "property removal" procedure.  Whatever it consists of, was it followed in this case?  And if it was, is it flawed?  Because if the GSA handled all government property sales this way, wouldn't it have cost the country a fortune in lost sales revenue?

First of all, when the streetcar issue came up, what involvement did the Glen Echo Partnership Board have in this debate?  Who concluded that sending the streetcar off for scrap was an acceptable option?

Second, should NPS have to solicit at least three estimates for the restoration cost for the streetcar before making a final decision?

Third, once the mystery decisionmaker(s) decided to give up on the car, what were the GSA guidelines for the sale process?

One would think that the selling of government property would first invilve establishing the market value of the property.

If the GSA placed an overpriced listing on eBay, and then gave up and sold it for a "stupid" price, that would almost certainly indicate that the GSA did not bother to determine the market price of this particular piece of government property.  Is that legal?  Again, if such a casual process is truly legal and standard practice, how much did such underselling cost the American people last year?

Consider that Friends of Philadelphia Trolleys and the San Diego Vintage Trolley Line wanted to assist in raising restoration funds and/or adopting the streetcar.  Instead, the NPS bypassed that opportunity 3 years ago, and placed the car - which belonged to you, me and every other American - into private, for-profit hands.  And, according to Rinehart's interview with Kelly, those non-profits will now have to pay him a "price" in order to adopt the streetcar.

Wow.  Do you realize what happened there?

A couple other of points:  We, the People owned this car, and were never alerted or consulted about the pending sale to private hands.  Sunshine laws, anyone?

And ultimately, what was the idea in allowing the car to decline in the first place?  Why should the streetcar and its supporters get a raw deal, if park stewards willfully neglected this piece of public property they were given responsibility for?

How come we haven't heard word one from Glen Echo's appointed board on this matter?

It's all quite troubling.  You can't blame Rinehart in the least in this situation.

When NPS says it would like to acquire a "real" Glen Echo trolley (yeah, there are a lot of those around.  Hee Haw.), you first have to laugh.

But this debacle is more serious then that  The fact is that, while I'd definitely like the DC area to acquire any DC streetcar it can, the SEPTA car was actually more valuable - having been refurbished in 1985, it was in great running condition when it arrived at Glen Echo.  The GSA rated its interior 89 out of 100 on eBay (which totally contradicts the NPS claim of expensive interior renovation being necessary).  It had all new wiring.

In short, the car we lost could actually have been brought to life and run.

That's worth way more than a "stupid" price.

As a result, we lost our streetcar, and the American people lost the difference between the "stupid" price and the true market price (there being such, since both San Diego and San Francisco restore and operate PCC streetcars just like this).

Bottom line:  What did they know, and when did they know it?

WHAT GLEN ECHO'S STREETCAR COULD HAVE BEEN

ARDENT SUITORS EMERGING FOR PARK'S

NOW-IN-SCRAPYARD TROLLEY SUGGEST

NPS DID NOT REACH OUT TO LOCAL,

NATIONAL RESTORATION GROUPS

Another Robert Dyer @Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

Behold what could have been.  Isn't it a beauty?  The streetcar pictured is the exact same model as the Glen Echo trolley was, but after a complete refurbishment funded by Friends of Philadelphia Trolleys.

Photo courtesy Harry Donahue/FPT

SEPTA #2168 is pictured here at the Baltimore Streetcar Museum - head on over and pay it a visit sometime!

This, too, served the Philadelphia area for decades as a member of the SEPTA fleet.  Just like our Glen Echo streetcar, which was hauled away without public notice Tuesday.  A day that will live in infamy.

Had Glen Echo Park and the National Park Service simply reached out to FPT - and remember, FPT even contacted Glen Echo and NPS three years ago, in hopes of sparing the Glen Echo car the scrapyard storage fate it met this week - our PCC could be in this same, assembly-line new condition today.  Or actually operating on the streets of San Diego.  Instead it is now imprisoned at a scrapyard.  It's outrageous.

Families arriving at Saturday's "Family Day" at Glen Echo Park will truly be in for a shock.  "Mommy, Daddy, the streetcar is gone!"  Maybe they'll tell kids Santa Claus doesn't exist, too, while they're at it!  These are sad times at underutilized Glen Echo Park.  But good times for the spoilsports who want to ensure that average people from Maryland, Virginia and DC can't take a streetcar out for a day of Old-Fashioned fun at Glen Echo amusement park.  Oh, no, we couldn't have that!  The horror!  

Those types, who work with politicians behind closed doors, are the same ones who got the Georgetown Branch railroad torn up real fast - at huge expense (and keep in mind, the Chessie System had just upgraded the tracks a few years earlier after inheriting them from the B&O).

They're glad the streetcar is gone.  Maybe it will mean less kids will get curious about the history of the park.  Less crazy ideas about supporting a restoration of the streetcar line and park.  Here, kid, forget about fun and the All-American amusement park summer experiences your grandparents and great-grandparents had - start working on these arts and crafts!

Unfortunately, they're outnumbered by the rest of us.  And from the feedback I've gotten on my coverage of this, people are plenty upset about losing our streetcar.

NPS acknowledges that suitors for the streetcar are asking them to help them contact the scrapyard CEO.  They want the trolley.  It proves that NPS did not do any real advertising or outreach.  If they had, these same people would have responded with funding or adoption plans.  Restoration experts are apalled and dismayed at not only the neglect of the car over the last several years, but that such a valuable piece of history could end up in a scrapyard when it is wanted - for use - by so many.

We're going to learn more each day about how this all came about, and I'm definitely going to keep all of you posted here as I receive new information. And as we do what we can to:

1. Have the streetcar returned to Glen Echo or to another home where it will be appreciated and enjoyed by many.

2.  Get a replacement PCC for Glen Echo Park.

3.  Advocate for restoration of streetcar service between DC and Glen Echo Park on the original, existing right-of-way.

4.  Advocate for a full restoration of Glen Echo Park and historic replicas of its legendary rides and attractions, and as a revenue generator for Montgomery County.

So we're thinking positive, not negative here, right?

And consider this:  more people in the DC area are aware of Washington's and Glen Echo's streetcar history than they were 72 hours ago.  And more people are finding out about the amazing groups of volunteers like FPT, and hopefully they'll consider supporting their efforts.  That's something good that's come out of this.  And just getting people thinking that Glen Echo Park could be so much more than it is today - that's a step forward.

In closing, here are a couple of links passed on to me by streetcar advocates you might want to check out:

San Diego Vintage Trolley - this is the line that wanted the Glen Echo PCC.

Chicago Streetcar Renaissance - working to return streetcars to the Windy City.

Have a great weekend, and check out the other blog entries, and follow me on Twitter at @BethesdaRow to find out what's going on in Bethesda tonight - including an actual movie star at Bethesda Row Cinema this evening!

EXCLUSIVE: NON-PROFIT TRIED TO RESCUE GLEN ECHO STREETCAR 3 YEARS AGO, WAS REBUFFED BY NPS

SAN DIEGO PRESERVATION GROUP

WANTED TO GIVE A HOME TO

PARK'S NEGLECTED TROLLEY,

MOVED TO CHEVERLY SCRAPYARD

TUESDAY

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

The plot, as they say, thickens.  As I reported yesterday, Glen Echo Park's beloved 1947 PCC streetcar was abruptly hauled away by a scrap metal company, by order of the National Park Service and the GSA.  This after the GSA tried to sell the trolley on Ebay (as you can tell from yesterday's entry, I'm not making this up, folks!).

The NPS initially did not respond to my inquiry Tuesday, and gave an "exclusive" to The Gazette, which printed an NPS-centric version of events.  Needless to say, the additional exclusive details I uncovered were not quite as flattering to Glen Echo and the NPS.

Wednesday, I finally got a response by contacting the park manager.

I am still waiting for some follow-up communications today about questions that remain unanswered.  NPS and Glen Echo should hardly be surprised that people who care about streetcars and history are understandably upset about the way this was handled.  

Right now, what I've heard from NPS gives me more questions than answers.

One disturbing point is that the NPS apparently sent the streetcar off believing it would be destroyed for scrap metal.  In fact, it was sent to a scrapyard.  The scrapyard owner, however, is quoted saying he wants to keep and restore the car in his scrapyard.  It's entirely possible that the purchaser paid nothing for the car but the cost of moving it.

But this is where it gets interesting.  The NPS has claimed it attempted to raise funds to restore the car, and that it could not afford what it said is a $100,000 restoration of SEPTA Car 2732.

Later, among the feedback I received on yesterday's post, was a very interesting and enlightening email from Harry Donahue of Friends of Philadelphia Trolleys.  Needless to say, these folks know SEPTA trolleys, and are a far more authoritative source than NPS on restoration.

Remember the claims of failing to find donors, $100,000 restoration fees, and there being no alternative but to have the GSA "remove excess government property," a.k.a. the People's Streetcar?

The NPS statement said, "We had sought grants to restore the streetcar...two different donors expressed interest...Each of them later changed their minds."  Ultimately, NPS says, no money was available.

But according to Donahue, FPT "tried to rescue this car 3 years ago."

He says that the San Diego Electric Railway Association would have loved to adopt the Glen Echo streetcar at that time, and still wants it today.

"Unfortunately, we could get no answers from Glen Echo/NPS," wrote Donahue, adding that they sent an FPT member to the park in person, "to no avail."

The claim of $100,000 restoration by NPS?  Donahue's group has restored another SEPTA PCC for the Baltimore Streetcar Museum for "just under $40,000."  He included a photo, and SEPTA car #2168 literally looks like it just rolled off the assembly line!  Incredible work.

As far as outreach to the public or streetcar fans and restoration groups?  Yesterday, I challenged the NPS to show us the articles or ads to prove these efforts, because I've heard not a single word that we were in danger of losing our streetcar.

It turns out that FPT's sole mission is raising money to restore former Philadelphia streetcars - of which our #2732 was one!

Did NPS reach out to this most logical source of funds?

"We never heard anything (about NPS) seeking funding for #2732," reports Donahue.

I think NPS and the directors of Glen Echo have more explaining to do.  Particularly the way this was handled.

It's a sad day in Glen Echo and Bethesda without our streetcar.  But very heartening to hear from this group and Mr. Donahue, who are doing all of this work for free to restore streetcars, so that history can be remembered, and for the enjoyment of others.  FPT's work helps to create new generations of streetcar fans each day.  I hope people consider supporting this and other preservation groups.

The information he has shared is extremely helpful, as we in the community try to get answers about how and why we lost our streetcar, and were not consulted about its sale/giveaway - when we, the People, own it!

To summarize, we had a fully operational PCC streetcar, Glen Echo and NPS neglected it, NPS ignored offers from groups who would restore the damage so it could remain at Glen Echo, and - if not - even had a specific home for it in San Diego where it was wanted, and would actually be run on an active streetcar line(!!)...

And, instead, the streetcar is spirited away with no public warning, and now sits in a scrapyard?

What is this world coming to, ladies and gentlemen?

It's outrageous.

SEPTA #2732 - and Bethesda - deserve better.  The indignity!

GLEN ECHO STREETCAR HAULED AWAY WITHOUT PUBLIC NOTICE!

1947 PCC SEPTA CAR GONE FOR

GOOD, THANKS TO... THE GSA?!

EXCLUSIVE DETAILS YOU WON'T
FIND ANYWHERE ELSE!

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

Glen Echo Park is a ruin and shell of its former self.  Only a handful of powerful symbols remain of its past glory, such as the famous carousel.  What a shock it was yesterday to find out another such symbol has been stolen away:  the 1947 PCC Streetcar, from its place of honor at the gate to the park.

No public announcement was made regarding the trolley by either the Glen Echo board or the National Park Service.  As a fan of just about anything on rails, I am a streetcar buff.  My favorite streetcar is the DC Transit PCC.   I had actually planned to take some pictures and video of the PCC at Glen Echo in the near future for this very reason - that it might suddenly be taken away.

Imagine my horror when Justin Fidler tweeted a photo yesterday morning, showing the old PCC being spirited out of town.  Apparently, Glen Echo thought they could do this quietly, and by the time people noticed, it would be gone.  Fortunately, they were caught in the act on camera.

Now, I have to note that this is not the tragedy it would have been if the car had actually been an original DC Transit PCC.  This car was a veteran of Philadelphia's SEPTA system - which has its own rich history (score yourself bonus points if you know what a "flying coffin" is on the Main Line).

That said...  Once I received word of this legal heist of the People's Streetcar, I was immediately on the case.  Within minutes, I had dashed off an email to Glen Echo Park.  In addition to asking for an explanation of yesterday's events, I reminded them that Glen Echo - the town and the park - only exist because of the streetcar.  To remove the only prominent symbol of that legacy is outrageous.  

Strangely, even though I emailed them long before the close of business, I received no response from Glen Echo.  When I wrote the lettter, I still had some hope that the streetcar was going to be refurbished.  It had been left to rust by Glen Echo and NPS, which was shameful.

But as my investigation continued, that hope was dashed.

I knew it was a 1947 SEPTA PCC, so I started searching on the internet.  Alas, I found a bulletin board discussion from last week with bad news:  Apparently, the smart NPS ranger who arranged for Glen Echo to acquire the car is no longer at the park.  Push has come to shove, apparently, and the streetcar was determined expendable.

Yet, Glen Echo never alerted the community.  Certainly, there are enough streetcar enthusiasts in the DC area to raise funds to give the old PCC a new coat of paint.  Yet, they did not engage them.  They made no public effort to keep it there.

Here's the best (or worst) part:

The GSA - yes, that GSA - tried to sell our Glen Echo streetcar on Ebay.  Ebay!

Stay classy, GSA.  Just don't stay at any more Vegas resorts at taxpayer expense.

Apparently, the GSA drives a much harder bargain when they're selling, than when they're buying conferences and handbags.  Their asking price was $30,000.  Now, I'm a huge streetcar fan, but not an expert on them.  Even I know that $30,000 is way above the real price of a '47 PCC.  In fact, some of the more knowledgable folks on the internet say they can go for $250-$5000 these days.

In the message board discussion, one person asserted the PCC was operational when Glen Echo acquired it.  Its current operational status is unknown.  I know the rust has been increasing over time.

Anyway, the Ebay auction failed to draw a buyer.

Then we jump to yesterday's haulaway.  So what happened?

Well, it turns out the NPS decided to ignore my email yesterday, and tried to give the exclusive to, at a minimum, The Gazette.  The Gazette is now reporting that exclusive given to it by NPS,  stating that the streetcar was sold to General Machine and Tool Company of Cheverly.

This kind of thing happens sometimes, particularly with government stories.  They will shut out a blogger like me, and give a corporate media outlet (or outlets) an exclusive.  My guess is they think the coverage will be favorable, if the media outlet knows they'll get scoops in the future.  I don't know why they didn't respond; that's just a guess on my part.

But when somebody disses me, I don't get discouraged; I get energized and work harder.

And that's how I got the exclusive details and links above.  As you may have noticed, the details I uncovered are not quite as flattering to Glen Echo and NPS.  I don't think they wanted you to know they tried to peddle our streetcar on Ebay!

Furthermore, the Gazette printed the NPS assertion that it would cost $100,000 to refurbish the streetcar.  That sounds pretty exaggerated to me, considering the car's Ebay listing says the interior is 89% in good shape.  And that it basically needs a rust treatment and paint job for display purposes.  $100,000?  Please.

Even worse, the Gazette didn't fact check the NPS claim that the agency had made "failed attempts to raise money" to keep the streetcar.  I've been right here in Bethesda all along.  If I had heard the word "streetcar," believe me, I would have noticed it!  I challenge NPS to produce the local newspaper article(s) and/or advertisement(s) asking for donations to restore the trolley.  I think we'll be waiting a good, long time for NPS to produce those.  Forever, most likely.

It's pretty sad when a government agency funded by the taxpayer can't answer a highly relevant email from a taxpayer by the close of business.  It says something about their regard for the public.  And that's one of the reasons Glen Echo Park continues to be an underperforming resource, when it was - and could again be - a national treasure providing enjoyment for the masses.

What a statement, when NPS sells off a streetcar, when Glen Echo was created by and for the streetcar!  It's absolutely absurd, and the public had a right to know.  We the public owned that trolley, and we should be notified of its sale in advance.  And once again, our elected officials failed to intervene, just as they have with the wacky choice for the new Bethesda Post Office.

The sale of this streetcar is the last straw in Glen Echo's long decline, as far as I'm concerned.  This is a turning point, if we in the community can make our voices heard.

Frankly, today I want to start a serious, public conversation on the future of Glen Echo Park and the importance of the streetcar line that extended to it from Georgetown.  The fact that Glen Echo, the NPS and the GSA would just sell one of the only historic symbols at the park, is just the latest example of intentional decline there.

Glen Echo Park is a wasted resource, refashioned as a niche arts and crafts spot with appeal to a very narrow audience.  And that was an intentional devolution by the community and the powers that be.

What I've wondered for years is, why can't Glen Echo Park be restored to glory?   Not as a Six Flags, but in its original dimensions, with accurate replicas of its historic attractions.  The spectacular roller coaster.  The bumper cars.  The Crystal Pool.  The Tunnel of Love.  And so many more.

A place of the sort we don't have in Montgomery County, and frankly, anywhere in the immediate DC area.  A place where families can go, or where a young person can take a date.

And a potential revenue source, if Montgomery County were to buy the park, perhaps in a public-private partnership.  Clearly the current stewards have little interest in the park's massively-undertapped potential.

All of the drive-in theaters, miniature golf courses, and nearly all of the bowling alleys are gone.  For all the talk about making the county appealing to young people, and reducing long automobile trips, we insist on sending them elsewhere for most entertainment.

The critical piece of the restoration of Glen Echo Park would be the restoration of the Glen Echo (Cabin John) streetcar line.  Believe it or not, the right-of-way is still there from Prospect Street and Georgetown University, through the elite bastion of The Palisades, and out through the woods to Glen Echo.  Parts of the trestle remain.  And, of course, DC is launching a streetcar system.  The potential to cooperate on a Glen Echo route is there.  (Although, wouldn't it be great to run a couple of restored PCCs on the route, instead of those red toaster ovens DC is planning to use?  The PCC has something they don't: character and style.  I'm hoping the next set of USA-built cars DC is buying will have a better exterior design).

I haven't met a senior citizen yet who doesn't have fond memories of the old Glen Echo Park, and of the streetcar ride there several described as "more exciting than the rides in the park."

When you consider those memories of Glen Echo and a similar park at Chevy Chase Lake, you realize that the plans put forward by developers today suggest a future less engaging than the past.  Which should be a red flag that our planning is going in the wrong direction.

Was there some point that drive-in movies, miniature golf and amusement parks stopped being fun?  Of course not.  So why did our great-grandparents have more fun things to do in Montgomery County than we do today?  If that isn't a devolution, what is?  Not surprisingly, developers had a big part in this coming about.

But we have the power to change this.

And one small first start, is to bring a PCC streetcar back to the gates of Glen Echo.   Let's hope the GSA's streetcar profits aren't going to their next Vegas getaway.