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A Study of the Park and Recreation Problem of the United States


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Cover

Contents

Foreword

Supplemental Foreword

Introduction

Recreational Habits and Needs

Aspects of Recreational Planning

Present Public Outdoor Recreational Facilities

Administration

Financing

Legislation

A Park and Recreational Land Plan


A Study of the Park and Recreation Problem of the United States
National Park Service Arrowhead


A Park and Recreational Land Plan for the United States (continued)

ARKANSAS

THE POPULATION was 79.4 percent rural in 1930 and rather evenly distributed, with the major concentration occurring in the Arkansas River Valley between Little Rock and Pine Bluff. One-fourth of the population is Negro and they comprise the majority of the inhabitants in the lowland counties along the Mississippi and White Rivers.

The Ozark and Ouachita Mountains in the northwest half of the State divided by the scenic Arkansas River Valley form the major recreation section of the State. The beautiful wooded mountains, fine streams and large springs, combined with a favorable climate, attract vacationists from within and without the State.

The Arkansas State Park Board has made considerable progress in the development of a State park system. However, a strip of territory running from north to south through the center of the State is still unprovided with recreational areas. This territory includes the State's major population center of Little Rock and 16 smaller urban communities.

There is need for certain additional State parks and for local day-use areas for the white and Negro rural population.

Consideration should be given preservation and improvement of scenic recreational travel routes through the State and the provision of wayside areas for the enjoyment of tourists.

Congress has authorized the construction of seven large reservoirs in Arkansas and the State should consider the planning and development of recreational areas adjacent to those reservoirs.

map
(click on image for an enlargement in a new window)



FEDERAL

National park: Existing
acreage		 Proposed
additions
11. Hot Springs1,006.4

National forests:
7. Ozark787,155
10. Ouachita1,237,155
     Total
12,024,310


National wildlife areas:
25. White River Migratory Waterfowl Refuge96,311
29. Big Lake Bird Refuge9,379
     Total
105,690


Soil Conservation Service land development projects:2
2. Boston Mountain10
4. Northwest Arkansas908
5. Eureka Springs400
22. De Valls Bluff10
26. Marianna-Helena2,500
     Total
3,828


Proposed national parkway:
23. Mississippi River



STATE

State parks:
3. Devils Den4,230
8. Mount Nebo3,375
9. Petit Jean2,999
12. Lake Catherine2,048
18. Watson Negro100
21. Buffalo River1,735
28. Crowley's Ridge273
     Total
14,850
14,760

State monuments:
17. Donaghey20
24. Arkansas Post61.6
     Total
81.6


State wildlife area:
27. Craighead County3,420


LOCAL

County parks:
1. Lake Lu Emma, Crawford County

15. Poison Springs, Ouachita County

16. Calion Lake, Union County

20. Summit, Marion County

30. Mississippi County Park


Municipal parks:
13. Hope (1 area)35
14. Texarkana (1 area)175
19. Little Rock (2 areas)720
     Total
930

1 Area under Federal administration June 1938.

2 Acreages given are portions of large projects being developed for recreation, March 1939.

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Last Modified: Mon, Aug 9 2004 10:00:00 pm PDT
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