Parks for America

Cover

Contents

Foreword

Summary

Findings and Recommendations

Planning Elements

Parks for America

GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION AND CLASSIFICATION

SELECTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF NATIONAL AREAS

The determination of whether an area is of national significance, as distinguished from State or local, is based on the presence of outstanding scenic, scientific, historic, or other related recreation values of sufficient interest to the general public that protection and development of the resource is a matter of national interest. The chief determining factor is that the area considered possess either outstanding scenery, a major physiographic type or significant biological or geological exhibits, or otherwise possess recreation potential in combination with other values which entitle it to a position of first rank in the heritage of the Nation. These areas, after development, attract large numbers of visitors from States other than the State in which a particular area is situated.

Since natural scenery and objects of scientific interest are where you find them, selection of areas on a geographical basis is not always possible. Areas that best portray important exhibits of the various types of natural scenery, objects, phenomena, plant and animal life, historical objects, or places commemorating important persons or historic events are deserving of protection regardless of location.

Logical balance among the various scenic, scientific, and historical types must be considered so that a well-rounded pageant of the Nation's natural and cultural heritages may be preserved and presented to the public. Areas of extraordinary value, of course, should be selected regardless of balance.

Protection of areas of unique or unusual scenic, scientific, or historical interest is justifiable even when they are remote and difficult to reach. However, the element of use is one that must be considered, and, other factors being equal, the selection of a site that will be visited by thousands of people each year should logically take precedence over selection of one so remote that only a few people will be able to reach it.

Recreation areas should be selected primarily on the basis of providing nonurban recreation opportunities accessible to the people. Geographical distribution and relationship to concentrations of population are paramount. In some instances, how ever, exceptional recreation potentialities warrant the selection of more remote and inaccessible areas.

Consideration has been given in this report to attaining logical balance among areas providing opportunities for various kinds of recreational activities and the relation of these areas to population distribution to provide a well-rounded system to meet the recreation needs of the people. In doing so, consideration was given also to recreation opportunities provided through other facilities administered at all levels of government, such as county, State, and National parks, forests, and wildlife refuges.

NATIONAL SURVEY OF HISTORIC SITES AND BUILDINGS

The Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1935, directed the Secretary of the Interior to "Make a survey of historic and archeological sites, buildings, and objects for the purpose of determining which possess exceptional value [national significance] as commemorating or illustrating the history of the United States." This work, although it was suspended for many years because of world conditions and the lack of funds, is currently being accomplished by inventories and investigations of the more important sites within the several periods or themes of history and prehistory. To date, 25 theme and subtheme studies have been completed, 9 studies are under way, and 6 more theme studies remain to be accomplished. These thematic studies are concerned with the broad periods of our history and prehistory and provide a frame of reference for the evaluation of sites in a particular theme.

The studies are reviewed by a consulting committee composed of eminent historians, architects, and archeologists, who serve without pay. Final evaluations are made by the Advisory Board on National Parks, Historic Sites, Buildings and Monuments, also created by the Historic Sites Act to advise the Secretary of the Interior in these matters. The Board recommends to the Secretary those sites which are considered to have exceptional value (national significance), and those which should have further study and consideration as to their suitability for inclusion in the National Park System. To date, 26 sites have been recommended for such consideration and are included in the 84 areas shown on the United States map in this report. Others will receive further study as the work of the Survey goes forward.

A byproduct of the National Survey of Historic Sites and Buildings is the Registry of National Historic Landmarks. Briefly, this is the means by which the Federal Government gives recognition to historic properties not in the custody of the National Park Service. A certificate and plaque are awarded the owner upon his request and after an agreement is reached to carry out simple preservation practices. To date, 297 sites have been selected for landmark status.

The Registry is a means by which the Department keeps abreast of the preservation of America's national heritage of historical properties.

The Survey studies and inventories are a valuable frame of reference and, to date, the inventory covers some 1,100 historic properties. Findings and recommendations of the Survey have been incorporated in this report.

SELECTION OF STATE AND LOCAL AREAS

The Old Mint, architectural landmark, survivor of the San Francisco earthquake, and for many years the premier mint of the Nation.

Both the selection and classification of potential State and local park and recreation areas referred to in this report were based on recommendations formulated by the Committee on Suggested Criteria of the National Conference on State Parks and adopted by the Board of Directors at the 1954 meeting of the Conference.

The Committee recommended that each unit in a State park system possess a unique or high quality of interest. Each system, as a whole, should (1) conserve outstanding examples of the State's natural and cultural resources for the inspiration and benefit of the public; and (2) provide nonurban recreation opportunities for the State's citizens and visitors that are normally beyond the responsibility of the State's political subdivisions.

Although the guidelines presented herein were prepared as bases for considering potential park areas of State significance, they were used also in classifying local, quasi-public, and private areas referred to in this report. Appropriate adjustments in details of the criteria were considered to recognize levels of significance, area, size, and management problems.

PARKS

Quality.—State significance exists in (a) inspirational landscape and wilderness values that would attract visitors from all sections of the State, and perhaps outside of the State, or which would in the foreseeable future possess such qualities and attractiveness if adequate protection and access were made available; and (b) areas that are adjudged by competent authority as best exemplifying the natural landscapes of the major physiographic divisions and provinces of the State as shown by accepted classifications.

Adaptability to Effective Treatment.—An important factor is adequacy of area and boundaries to include reasonably consolidated physiographic units to permit proper protection, development, and administration. In many cases an important factor may be determination of whether there are present scenic elements requiring the kind of protection that park status can give, or whether, in the main, the scenic elements can be preserved and used more profitably by some other form of public reservation or device such as zoning.

Another important factor may be the practicability of developing facilities required for health, safety, and comfort of the visitors and their enjoyment of the area in a manner consistent with the preservation of the natural features of the area. Only those facilities should be provided which involve no major modification of the lands, forests, and waters, or require extensive introduction of artificial features such as athletic fields and golf courses.

Distribution.—State parks should be selected on the basis of statewide significance, although where possible their distribution should provide people in all parts of the State with access to park areas.

SCIENTIFIC MONUMENTS AND NATURE PRESERVES

Quality.—State significance exists in (a) areas which best portray the natural processes that have formed the earth and its plant and animal life; (b) areas which portray some specific natural process so dramatically and arrestingly as to be unique or of sufficient importance to be worthy of statewide interest; and (c) areas which contain the best remaining examples of native plant and animal species, ecological relationships, and rare natural objects and conditions.

Adaptability to Effective Treatment.—Areas should be chosen in individual instances on practical grounds as well as on the basis of scientific considerations. The most important factor in many cases may be susceptibility of the object or phenomena of scientific interest to preservation within practical limits of the State park program. The preservation of phenomena of scientific interest which may not be practicable because of lack of spectacular or dramatic aspects, however, may be found to be practicable by the selection of a site that may also possess a sufficient number of other attractions to arouse the necessary public support.

WILDERNESS AREAS

Quality.—The primary factor is the adaptability of an area for the preservation of a quality of wilderness so little modified by human action as to impress its visitors with their relationships to other forms of life rather than their dependence on human inventions and contrivances.

Size and Location.—In general a wilderness area should be of sufficient size to provide an environment of solitude—a significant element of wilderness. Large areas should be retained in remote regions for those who find high recreation values in wilderness journeying. Other wild areas should be provided in more closely settled regions for those people who may not have ready access to the large wilderness area. Such areas should be of sufficient size to permit one to get away from the sounds of highways and railroads and the sights of man-made facilities.

Availability.—If the best areas are not available because of practical and insuperable obstacles, the best available areas should then be chosen.

RECREATION AREAS

Distribution.—Recreation areas should be selected primarily on the basis of providing nonurban recreation opportunities accessible to the people. Geographical distribution and relationship to concentrations of population are paramount. In some instances, however, exceptional and extraordinary recreational potentialities warrant the selection of more remote and in accessible areas.

Recreation areas should be established as local, State, or National areas on the basis of the degree of importance of their recreation values, both their scenic qualities and the extent to which they are expected to attract visitation from the immediate vicinity or from a distance.

Balance.—Consideration should be given to attaining logical balance among areas providing opportunities for various kinds of recreational activities, and to the relation of these areas to population distribution to provide a well-rounded system to meet the recreational needs of the people. In doing so, consideration should also be given to the recreation opportunities provided by other areas administered at all levels of government, such as county, State, and National parks, parkways, recreation areas, forests, and wildlife refuges.

BEACHES

Distribution.—A direct relationship exists between the location of population concentrations and the need for beaches intended primarily for recreational use. However, because of the present and future need for public beaches and because remaining suitable beachlands are being rapidly acquired and developed for private use, every remaining sizable beach on the oceans, lakes, or rivers should be considered.

Adaptability to Development.—Preference should be given to the selection of areas that not only provide a good beach but also adequate space for parking, picnicking, structures for service and visitor use, and perhaps camping. Beach areas may or may not possess other important features such as dunes or interesting vegetation. Stability of the beach, a gradual and safe slope under water, and freedom from undertow or riptide are important.

Accessibility.—Areas that are readily accessible to concentrations of people are usually given preference because of the proximity of users and existence of developed highways, other factors being approximately equal. However, because of the scarcity of suitable beachlands and the fact that they will attract unusually large numbers of people, construction of expensive access roads and causeways may be justified.

PARKWAYS AND SCENIC ROADS

Location.—Since only a considerable volume of pleasure vehicle traffic can justify establishment of a parkway, location should be directly related to (a) pleasure traffic requirements of a general nature, or (b) necessity for reaching or connecting established or proposed units of the park system.

Quality and Adaptability to Development.—A parkway route should be selected that will provide the greatest interest to the traveler in the way of scenic attraction and places of historic and scientific interest. The parkway is characterized by (a) adequate protection against undesirable roadside developments; (b) safe and pleasant alinement and profile; (c) controlled access; (d) preservation of the existing character and quality of the countryside; (e) effective roadside grading and planting; (f) turnouts for observation of especially interesting scenes, or car repairs; (g) wayside developments for picnicking and relaxation and, on occasion, more elaborate park and recreation developments; and (h) necessary service structures such as gasoline stations, restaurants, utility buildings, and police stations.

Right-of-way.—Except in most limited and unusual circumstances, 200 feet is generally considered a minimum width for a parkway and then only in metropolitan sections. The standard for national parkways of 125 acres per mile, or an average width of 1,000 feet, is extreme for most State parkways because of their frequent location in more urban surroundings. Something between these two extremes would seem desirable for State parkways, depending upon character of the terrain, proximity to urban developments, and land values.

Certain existing highways have scenic or other recreation features of outstanding State or National significance, occupy positions in the landscape favorable to parkway development, and are important recreation resources. In cases where devoting such existing highways to strictly recreation purposes would disrupt the economy of a region, and constructing a roughly paralleling road would be unreasonably expensive, it is sometimes logical to develop them as scenic roads with parkway-type improvements and additions. Such roads would be maintained and administered as part of existing systems of State highway departments or by the collaboration of State and local authorities.

Wild areas like the Huron Mountains in Michigan . . .

Free-flowing streams like Missouri's Niangua . . .

Unspoiled seashores, typified by this portion of New Jersey's Island Beach State Park, will need continuing protection if future generations are to inherit adequate outdoor recreation resources.

TRAILS

Hiking, horseback riding, and bicycling trails provide for a combination of healthful outdoor exercise with the enjoyment and appreciation of Nature. To insure that the greatest possible number of people may enjoy these types of recreation in the future, trails should be designated in areas offering outstanding opportunities.

Hiking and horseback riding trails should be located in or near metropolitan areas, as well as in natural areas distant from population centers. Where heavy use is expected, the trails should be restricted to one type of use.

Bicycling trails should be located to provide varied and interesting cycling, where the scene can be enjoyed at the normal speed of bicycling. They should be separate from automobile roads and of sufficient length to offer at least several hours' travel without retracing the trail.

Enjoyment of, or access to, wilderness by canoe trail provides a distinct and outstanding experience. In order to maintain unspoiled routes for canoe travel, canoe trails, consisting of elongated watercourses suitable for canoeing, should be designated. Trails should provide generally continuous water travel, which may include short portages to or through areas maintaining wilderness character. They should include the provision of land or water needed for public access, portages, and for camping. The selection and designation of canoe trails should be based on the determination that travel by canoe is the highest use of the watercourse, although some trails may be used also by other types of watercraft.

DETERMINATION OF NEEDS

In the determination of needs for parks and related areas to meet present and future demands, various factors were considered, including the social, economic, and physical characteristics of a region; the current and projected population density; the location, quality, and extent of recreation resources; and the portion of the needs that can be met by existing park and recreation areas. Considerable reliance was placed on the experience and knowledge of professional park and recreation planners.

The standards of measurement set forth in the following table have been used as a rule of thumb for appraising overall acreage needs based solely on population and its distribution. It is recognized that gross acreage figures do not, in themselves, indicate the adequacy or inadequacy of a recreation system and that many other factors must be considered. However, these criteria are recommended as one factor for consideration after careful study of the general inadequacy of existing park and recreation areas, standards being recommended as the result of recent urban, regional, and State planning studies in various parts of the country, and the changing social and economic factors affecting future use and need for public open space.

These standards suggest that local and State systems should provide both natural areas and intensively developed recreation areas. Generally, the recreation areas should be located close to users and, since they are for intensive use, may be of proportionately smaller acreage than the natural areas. Both traveltime and distance, as they affect cost of travel, are factors influencing the use of recreation areas.

In areas of very high population density per capita, standards must of necessity be adjusted to the realities of land costs and physical developments required in densely populated areas. As an example, the New York Region Park, Recreation, and Open Space Project recommends a standard of 12 acres of county park per 1,000 persons, or at least 5 percent of the county area to allow for population growth beyond that projected for 1985 and, in addition, an equivalent of another 12 acres per 1,000 persons for large regional reservations, such as State mountain and shoreline parks.

Last Modified: Mon, Sep 6 2004 10:00:00 pm PDT
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