Arizona republican., 1920-06-11
CACTUS PARK IF
 2,OOO ACRESM MAY BELAND|NGF HELD
Possibilities of Development Unlimited and Will Be Presented to U. S.-Use Tait Ranch In Meantime

VI National Cactus Park east of Phoe- nix, with its 2,000 acres. is considered a splendid possibility for a large auto camp ground and the much needed landing field for aircraft, according to proposals presented to the board of di- rectors of the Phoenix chamber of commerce. For the present. however, lt Is considered best that an auto camp ground be placed on the Prod Tait ranch south of the Yavapai street city line on South First avenue .It ,s DOS sible too that this ground may be made a permanent affair for campers wishing to be very near the city, ac- cording to suggestions received by the board
 Possibilities of National Cactus park Ire considered unlimited. going far be- yond those of an auto camp ground or a landing field for aircraft, it being ex- plained that 2,000 acres are filled with beautiful spots and natural settings for architectural gardening and inn provements of every description. The park. through the cooperation of the people here and federal government, can be made one Of the best in the country and a permanent attraction for visitors and people of the communi ty Here could he built waterfalls. series of ideal pleasure parks tucked away in the hooks of the rocky hills, with the 100 or more varieties of cacti
 
 parts of the reserve.
 For All The People
 f The park would be first a community proposition for the people of the val ley and state and second a world at traction The people of Phoenix and the county would reap the largest ben efits for in thls park they would find everything in ehe way of outdoor life and wholesome amusement. Tennis park, Golf patiS- Ball park. Landing Ff ~-1~ Convention park, American park, Wa terfalls park and others are suggested for hooks and larger spots when sup piled with water by the reclamation service for Identification purposes and by the city'S Verde water works Sys- tenn for drinking purposes. All these within one reservation or one group ing would make something unique in park development and could be as- sembled, not all at ore time, but dur ing periods as the great work of com munity love. pride and necessity went forward. Tn this way the expense would not be much.
 Concerning the aircraft landing field it is believed that at least 2,500 feet or 150 acres could be found suitable. The decomposed granite in parts of the park would make the best field in the world, hard and especially inviting for aircraft. The old Tempe road is pointed to as an example of what can
 
 road was solid as a rock and proof against rain storms and washouts,'' said one advocate of the landing field. The possibilities of such a landing field are not confined to men of vision. Engineers have said this field can be built James C. Dobbins. considered an engineer of the highest standing. has expressed himself as firm in the belief that th:s field is only a matter of selection and proper work
 Report On Tait Ranch
 c. F. Beach, member of the board Of directors. has made report on the Tait ranch auto camp ground, recommending it with the provision that the cham OCT of commerce put mp $350 for i'm provements. which is $100 more than prcNements MT. Tait has given the use of the ground for one year. The board suggested that the city park board consider the advisability of maS- ing Q permanent camp ground of the Tait place, possibly also including a public park there. R. ID. Roper, pres ident of the chamber of commerce, was also asked to present to the city park board the possibility of cooperating with the federal government in put ting the National Cactus park in condi- tion, planting trees and making camp places there. It was suggested that the city park board take over the handling of the auto camp ground and aviation field. Secretary Harry WeIch pointed out the handicap which existed because of the lack of a proper landing field in the city and that gov ernment aviators mapping the border states being unable to land large planes