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Show many cities department stores close on Saturdays during summer months, perhaps as much be- cause many of their customers are vacationing as because their employees want long week ends. The almost universal use of daylight saving time in urban areas is due in no small measure to the desire of many people for long summer evenings to spend as they choose out of doors. Just how man will choose to use his time after he has earned it (and he must be left the choice) will depend on many things-his past experience, his recreation education (all public schools teach recreation skills), the opportunities available within the limits of his time and funds, and the satisfaction he gains from different activities. The intensive use of beaches, parks, forest areas, and golf courses demonstrates clearly that many people want to spend what time they can in the out of doors. In 1949, 28 million people visited our national parks and monuments. More than 26 million went to national forests for recreation. State parks counted more than 100 million visi- tors, while uncounted millions enjoyed city parks and public beaches. That same year 13 million people bought hunting licenses, and there were 15 l/z million licensed fishermen. Vanishing Opportunities While modern technology has freed man's time, it has brought other changes. Small cities have mushroomed into great metropolitan centers. New cities have developed. The automobile and improved public transportation systems have made it possible for residential sections to over- flow wide areas beyond the central cities which are their economic hubs. Instead of the essen- tially rural nation of 100 years ago, we now find three-fiftlis of our people concentrated in urban centers, their frequent contact with nature broken except as it is kept available to them in public parks and areas which they collectively provide. As more time has become available to en- joy outdoor recreation, the opportunity to satisfy that urge nearby has rapidly decreased. The rural environs which existed 20 years ago around major cities are now solidly built up suburban dormitories. Much of the lake, ocean, and river frontage which once was open to the public has now been purchased and developed for private homes, for private recreation use, or for indus- trial purposes, while streams and rivers through all densely settled regions have become open sewers which wash away the waste products of urban populations and the industries in which they work. What Has Been Done These less wholesome effects of the expanding industrial economy have long been recognized, and some measures have been taken to alleviate them. Private industry, aware of the universal de- mand for recreation opportunities, is deciding that it is good employer-employee relations policy to help provide them. Many firms actively sup- port the recreation programs which their em- ployees organize. Some own vacation camps in scenic areas where employees can spend their annual vacations. Our local governments, too, have long recog- nized this need and some have done much to provide outdoor recreation areas for their citi- zens. The extensive park and recreation pro- grams of New York, Chicago, Milwaukee, and many other county, municipal, or metropolitan units are evidence of this recognition and stand as models for other areas to emulate. State governments have also been active in pro- viding recreation facilities. More than 1,250 State parks in 47 States include almost 5 million acres. The well-planned and much used park systems of such States as Indiana, New York, and Michigan provide tremendous personal enjoy- ment to the many people who frequent them. The Federal Government, too, has assumed responsibility. The national park system includes 28 national parks-areas of superlative and unique scenery-87 national monuments which have historic, scientific, or prehistoric significance; several national parkways; the National Capitol 248 |
