The Glenwood post., 1917-05-19
Lays Plan Before City Council Whereby
Recreationa| Assets May be
Greatly Enlarged
HANGING LAKE IS INVOLVED

At a recent session of the city coun
ell, Harry II. French, supervisor of the
Holy Cross National forest, addressed
the city board on the importance of
taking greater advantage of some of
the scenic attractions which lie right
at our doors ana which are recognized
by all our tourists who visit them as
among the most beautiful and attrac-
tive Of all Colorado scenery.
1nasmuch as Mr.. French advanced
many ideas which we believe will yet
be taken up in the interest of Glen
wood Springs and the surrounding com
munity, the Post herewith prints the
address in full: - ,..s
have been requested to meet with
you and discuss the matter of the for
est service cooperating with the city
Of Glenwood in the development Of
Hanging lake as a scenic attraction,
and discuss the advisability Of the city
Withdrawing their application for this
park site. s.s--si,,..s. .... = 1855;
It is the established policy Of the.
forest service to do all they can to
open up the recreational resources If
the national forests to the public The
passage of the act of March 4, 1915,
by congress, providing for summer
home sites in national forests has been
construed by the forest service that
congress intends that the national for
ests shall be made the recreational
grounds of the public in no less degree
than the national parks and other rcs-
ervations of that nature.
1t is my understanding that the city
of Glenwood has made application for
park site under the act of June TO-
1910, which includes Hanging lake as
the principal scenic attraction. The
securing of patent to the area in
question is being held up pending the
survey of the township in which the
site is located AS to when the survey
no doubt for this reason the city of
Glenwood hesitates to take any decided
step toward the development of the
park area. Since this area has been
applied for within the Holy Cross
national forest, the forest service can
take no steps toward assisting in its
M do !
on much the same basis as assisting 4
homesteader to perfect patent on his
homestead, which of course would he
impossible. since a homestead stands
in the light Of an alienation from pub
lie lands.
In my opinion, if Hanging lake, as
a scenic attraction. is to do its part
as valuable scenic resource of Glen
wood Springs, there should be well
laid plans for its development aud
those plans carried out as funds be-
come available. Those of you who
have visited Hanging lake know that
it cannot be easily reached. The trail
: is too steep for ascent only by the
young and physically strong. Several
years ago, before the city made appli-
cation for the site, the service made
some improvements on rather poor
trail to the lake, and nothing more has
been done since. The first considera-
tion in the development Of Hanging
lake should be to make trail on q
grade so that 1t can be ascended by all
who may care to visit it. Other I'M
provements could probably be made in
the way of seats, walks, picnic grounds,
comfort station, and shelter house.
To make the lake comfortable place
to visit and the drawing card that it
should be, these things are imperative,
Since Hanging lake is located within
the Holy Cross national forest, the for:
est service would be glad to- eSosto5ppsrate
in every way possible for its develop