Serpentine Roads Created by Design

Many of the historic trails were adapted from old farm roads.  All of the park's serpentine roads were designed as pleasure drives.  Beach Drive follows Rock Creek.  The present road system continues to reflect their original purpose of providing public access to the enjoyment of extraordinary rural scenery.  Although adapted to the automobile, the designed alignment, width and environmental surroundings of these scenic roads has not substantially changed since the 1920s. (National Register of Historic Places).