OCR Text |
Show parks of the District of Columbia and vicinity, and some 55 additional units. The 150 national forests scattered throughout the country include 70,000 miles of streams, 6,000 selected camp sites, and 77 wilderness areas, and provide ex- tensively used areas for camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, riding, picnicking, and other recreation pursuits. There are 282 national wildlife refuges which contribute to over-all improvement of hunting and fishing opportunities. Although no hunting is allowed in most of these areas, some of them permit other types of recreation use. The civil works program of the Army Engineers has resulted in providing more than 75 reservoirs throughout the country which are being used for various recreation purposes, and 61 additional projects now being constructed promise more rec- reation opportunity. The recreation values downstream from some water control projects are substantially increased by the low flow regulation made possible. Navi- gation waterways and boat harbors of the coastal areas, inland rivers, and the Great Lakes, im- proved primarily for commerce, offer opportunity for water recreation and improve the suitability of adjacent land areas for other types of recreation. There are 112 Bureau of Reclamation reser- voirs now existing or being constructed primarily for irrigation and power, 89 of which simultane- ously offer advantages for recreation. The areas surrounding three of these reservoirs-Lake Mead at Hoover Dam, Lake Franklin D. Roose- velt at Coulee Dam, and Millerton Lake at Friant Dam-have been designated national recreation areas and are being developed and administered for recreation purposes by the National Park Service. As part of the total program for development of the Tennessee Valley, the Tennessee Valley Authority has participated in a program for the development and utilization of recreation re- sources of that region. The reservoirs operated by the TVA, together with an associated wildlife refuge program, have shown how impoundments may influence the recreation aspects of a river basin area. A Look Into the Future Despite these commendable accomplishments in the field of public recreation, we should look ahead. Our great industrial Nation, having come of age, should provide the opportunities for recreation which its people want and need. Planning to meet future outdoor recreation area demands should consider three general criteria: quantity, location, and quality; or stated simply, how much? where? and of what kind? Quantity requirements may be anticipated in terms of a framework which considers: 1. A continually expanding population-150 million people now, probably 190 million by the year 1975. 2. Continuing urbanization-in 1800, 95 per- cent of our people lived in rural areas; in 1949, 60 percent were urban dwellers. 3. Increasing time to spend in recreation-our present concept of an 8-hour workday, 5-day workweek, and 2-week annual vacation for every- one may soon be out of date. 4. Increasing interest in outdoor activities-a trend which has spiraled upward in recent years. In spite of all that has been done toward expanding outdoor recreation opportunity, many such areas are far removed from where many people live. The encroachment of city suburbs on nearby natural environment, coupled with the failure to consider the requirements for nearby outdoor recreation areas, has resulted in a lack of balance which favors the larger and more remote recreation facilities. Location requirements should be considered from three points of view: For frequent use by urban people, public recreation areas must be readily accessible. Time and availability of transportation are critical considerations. Weekday recreation facilities of all people should be within a few miles of their homes. This type of outdoor recreation area is provided most often by local public authorities, municipal, metropolitan, or county governmental units. On week ends and holidays people can go far- ther from their home for recreation. Location 249 |