Cover Page

Contents

Preface
Letter

SECTION I

Orientation
Summary

SECTION II

History
Needs
Geography
Historic Sites
Competitors
Economic Aspects

SECTION III

Federal Lands
State and Interstate
Local

SECTION IV

Division of Responsibility
Local
State
Federal
Circulation

SECTION V

Educational Opportunities

State Trails

City streets, the margins of modern highways, or the limited trails of public reservations of various types do not appear to have made adequate provision for the foot traveler, or for the encouragement of this healthful and inexpensive type of outdoor recreation.

It is earnestly recommended that the several States, through their State park authorities, give serious consideration to the Massachusetts plan of establishing, marking, and maintaining State trails, designed either solely for pedestrian use, or for the combined use of the man on foot and the man on horseback.

The several State and other highway authorities are urged to undertake programs looking toward ultimate provision of paths or trails paralleling public roads. They should be located at a safe distance from that portion of the right-of-way devoted to vehicular travel, taking all possible advantage of such natural features as lie within the right-of-way. Aside from contributing to outdoor recreation, they would provide safety for pedestrians.

State Forests

Extent of Recreational Use.—It is recommended that such recreational use of State forests be permitted and provided for as will supplement and complement the causes provided in areas established wholly for leisure time use—State parks, monuments, and recreation reserves. In general, such use, if it is to be a complementary, rather than a competitive one, will be limited to very simple types of recreation and will not require, to any great extent, a duplication of the administrative organization required for the park, monument group, and recreation reserves.

Delimitation of Areas Deserving Park, Monument, or Recreation Area Status.—It is further recommended that the State forests be carefully studied to determine what areas in them, if any, are of such character as entitles them to State park, monument, or recreation reserve status, and that appropriate status and administration be given the areas.

Exclusive-Use Occupancy.—Because of the limited extent of State forests; because of the tendency of holders of special use permits to maintain that they acquire through occupancy some degree of vested right in the areas leased to them; and because of the likelihood, sooner or later, of a conflict of the interests of the public and the lessee or permittee, it is recommended as a general policy that such special use occupancy as summer-home leases be denied on State forests. In the case a State is not disposed to accept this general policy, it is particularly urged that the most serious mistake of the past be avoided—that of devoting to the uses of a small group recreation resources which should be maintained for general public use.

Uniformity of Practice on Fee and Concession Practices.—Adoption of uniform practice in charging of fees is strongly recommended for forest and park authorities. Aside from the fact that such charges are equitable and just, such uniformity is desirable in order to avoid invidious comparison of the practices of either agency with those of the other. Uniformity as to concession practices is also strongly recommended.

Protection of Special Features.—While preservation of the (native) landscape, and of natural conditions generally is not an objective of such compelling force in State forests as in State parks, many State forest authorities have safeguarded resources of scenic, historic, prehistoric, and scientific interest which lie within the forests, and which do not justify separate administration. It would be well if all State forest authorities would do likewise insofar as this would be consistent with the primary objectives of State forests.

Fishing Easements on Streams

In order that public fishing rights may be safeguarded and open streams assured to the Waltonian, it is suggested that the fish and game authorities of the several States should keep themselves informed concerning the extent to which desirable fishing streams are closed to the public; that no opportunity to assert fishing rights—as in connection with stocking of streams by the State, and with dam-construction permits—should be over looked; and that authority to obtain public fishing easements on streams and lakes should be granted to State fish and game authorities for use if and when public necessity may arise.

State Recreation Maps

On the accompanying State maps, the State and national recreational areas are shown. A few cities are labeled, with a 75-mile radius from each indicated. Any parks within this radius may be easily reached on a week end outing, and it is possible to visit them on a day trip.

In color on each map is shown an indication of population density taken from a copyrighted population-density map of Rand, McNally & Co.

In addition to the State maps, there is, for each State, a graphic presentation of its total area compared with the area now given to recreational use and that recommended for such use. These graphs are on the same scale throughout the series, permitting a comparison of areas from State to State. Population is indicated by figures in the shape of men, each man representing 100,000 inhabitants.

The average distances which State-park users who were questioned said they normally travel on day outings and week-end outings is indicated for each State where information was available.

The six most densely populated States are so designated. Their need for provision of out-door recreation is particularly acute.

Web Edition Note: The State maps have been omitted from the online edition of this document.

Last Modified: Fri, Sep. 5, 2003 10:32:22 am PDT
http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/recreational_use/chap4-3b.htm