NPS Family Tree MENU Contents Foreword Introduction Part I Part II Part III Part IV Part V Part VI Part VII Acknowledgements Abbreviations		Family Tree of the National Park System Part VI part VI GROWTH OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM, 1964-1972 NATIONAL CAPITAL PARKS AND URBAN PARKS, 1964-1972 We have not traced the important history of National Capital Parks after becoming a part of the System in 1933. Suffice it to say here that a great deal was accomplished during those decades to focus national attention on National Capital Parks as an outstanding example of urban park lands and programs. The Natural Beauty program of the 1960's as developed in Washington, D. C., under the leadership of Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson made a particularly conspicuous impression on the nation. Between 1964 and 1972, National Capital Parks continued its significant role as a demonstration area for urban park programs for the nation. A Summer-in-the-Parks program was initiated in National Capital Parks in 1967 to provide supervised recreation for deprived city children and others. It has been expanded to a program called Parks for All Seasons, and the ideas and techniques are now being exported by the Service to other interested major American cities. Other innovative programs include development of an integrated bicycle and walking trail system for Washington, D. C., and the surrounding counties, and leadership in environmental education. As the first century of National Parks drew to a close, proposals were being developed for National Urban Recreation Areas in several major American cities in addition to Washington, D. C. Best known and farthest advanced in Congress was a proposal for Gateway National Recreation Area in the New York City metropolitan area to include lands at Sandy Hook, New Jersey, and Breezy Point Beach, Jamaica Bay, Floyd Bennett Field, and possibly other areas. On February 7, 1972, President Nixon proposed legislation to establish a Golden Gate National Recreation Area in and around San Francisco Bay. Altogether the area would encompass some 24,000 acres of fine beaches, rugged coasts and readily accessible urban parklands, extending approximately 30 miles along some of America's most beautiful coastline, north and south of Golden Gate Bridge. There is mounting national emphasis on the importance of meeting and solving longstanding problems of deteriorating urban centers in America including their park and recreation problems. The Bureau of Outdoor Recreation has helped focus public attention on needs and opportunities in this field. By considering establishing National Urban Recreation Areas, the National Park Service is endeavoring to make a constructive response to this emerging and urgent national need. In order to develop appropriate responses to this public desire and need, the Service, with approval of the Secretary of the Interior's Advisory Board, has established a new category of parks, Cultural Areas. This category is another expression of the trend represented in other phases of Service work by the Living History programs, and certain aspects of environmental education. As the first century of National Parks drew toward its close, the System included its first Cultural Park, Wolf Trap Farm Park for the Performing Arts, officially opened to the public on July 1, 1971. Others are actively proposed, suggesting that the concept may receive major implementation. Continue >>>
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