It’s not often a beautiful park is overshadowed by its neighbor, but Montrose Park at 30th and R Sts. NW has to be compared with adjacent Dumbarton Oaks Gardens.

Well, Dumbarton charges and Montrose is free and more of a recreational area for picnics so it wins for family outings. It was owned by ropemaker Robert Parrot, who let neighbors enjoy the grounds. Sarah Louisa Rittenhouse succesfully lobbied Congress to acquire the property as part of Rock Creek Park. The marker says, “Through her vision and perseverance this land became Montrose Park.”