Presenting Nature

Cover

Contents

Foreword

Acknowledgements

Overview

Stewardship

Design Ethic Origins
(1916-1927)

Design Policy & Process
(1916-1927)

Western Field Office
(1927-1932)

Park Planning

Decade of Expansion
(1933-1942)

State Parks
(1933-1942)

Appendix A

Appendix B

Bibliography

Presenting Nature: The Historic Landscape Design of the National Park Service, 1916-1942

U. S. Department of the Interior
Mission Statement

As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility for most of our nationally-owned public lands and natural resources. This includes fostering sound use of our land and water resources; protecting our fish, wildlife, and biological diversity; preserving the environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historic places; and providing for the enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation. The Department assesses our energy and mineral resources and works to ensure that their development is in the best interests of all our people by encouraging stewardship and citizen participation in their care. The Department also has a major responsibility for American Indian reservation communities and for people who live in island territories under U. S. administration.

This publication is financed by the National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, the United States Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis race, color, national origin, handicap, or age in its programs. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility, or if you desire further information please write:

Office of Equal Opportunity
National Park Service
P.O. Box 37127
Washington, D.C. 20013-7127

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....To keep the natural beauty of mountain, forest, lake and waterfall unspoiled and yet within easy access of such a multitude of visitors is an interesting though often difficult problem. Quoting the landscape architects, upon whom devolves the responsibility for this phase of park activities.., roads, trails, and buildings all should provide a maximum of scenic view, at the same time being as inconspicuous as possible themselves...The landscape process begins with selecting locations which do not tear up the landscape or obtrude into important views. This is followed by a study of the design, which endeavors to use native materials and other architectural features that will harmonize the structure with its surroundings. The last phase of the problem is the placing of any plant materials necessary to cure unavoidable damage that may have resulted from construction.

--National Park Service,
The National Parks and Emergency Conservation Work, 1936

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