Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1921-09-15
FOREST PARK
SPREADS

(Reprinted from The Milwaukee
JournaD.
The sentiment for natural or foresf
parks was the most remarkable fea
ture of the annual convention of the
American Institute of Park Executives
held recently in Fetroit, according. K
C. B. Whitnall, secretary of the county
park commission, who, with James
Currie, president of the city park
board, attended the meeting.
According to the general opinion
expressed in the convention, the mod
ern conception of parks is changing,
said Mr. Whitnall. "The development
of the forest park idea is really Won
derful and comes from all parts of the
country.
AutOists Increase Demand.
Forest parks are being advocated
both for their economic value and for
their environmental influence on hui
man life. The value of timber taken
from them will pay for their mainte-
nance. Trees should not be allowed
to reach maturity and then decay.
They should be cut and sold, while
continual replanting keeps up the for
est. This combines reforestation with
parks as a source Of pleasure. and
enjoyment.
'The widespread use of automobiles
and the growing number of automo-
bile tourists are largely responsible, in
my opinion, for this growth in the de-
mand for natural parks and forests.
Outdoor life is being promoted by
automobiles and is resulting in appre-
citation of and love for the beauties of
nature. The only real rest for over
strained nerves is found by getting
close to nature, in the solitude and
quiet of forests. This the automobile
has brought within the reach of city
dWellers.
RefOrestation Is Vital.
Forest parks along and at the head
waters of streams will preserve them
and save the entire country from be-
coming a deserts Study of foresters
indicate that probably most of the
regions now uninhabitable because of
the sterility of the soil have been re
duced to that condition by the de-
struction of their forests. China is
now in the transition period. Flood
al famine in China are caused by the
destruction of that nations forests.
The United States has reached the be-
ginning of the damage, but fortunately
the danger is realized and reforesta-
tion and forest parks are demanded
and are coming"
Mr.. Whitnall learned at Detroit of a
successful movement in Bridgeport.
Conn, to control the flow of a river at
that place, minimizing the flood in
sorihs and drought in summer and
g'' ,ng a more equal flow. This was
affected by reforestation with pine
trees and was undertaken by the
Bridgeport Hydraulic Co., for preserv-
ing the river as a source of hydraulic
power.
May Aid Local Problem.
Some time ago the county board ap-
pointed Mr-~Whithall and W. F. Cava-
naugh, county highway engineer, to re
port on some plan to prevent the an
nual floods in the Milwaukee and
Menomonee rivers. Complete data on
the Bridgeport project will be OBJ
tanned and studied for possible help
in solving the local problem
Resolutions were adopted asking
that at least 800 yords from the water
along the shores of all lakes and
streams be publicly owned for park
purposes" said Mr. Whitnall in a pre-
lminary report on the convention sub
mitted to the county park commission
Recommendation was made that more
money be granted by the government
for the protection of forests. Other
steps toward park development ap-
proved by the institute are :Elimina-
tion of billboards from highways, es-
tablishment of one centralized control
for parks and forests in the large
mountain districts; preservation Oh
farm woods, and the purchase of al
least 10 acres of land for every school,
Tourist Camps Are Springing Up.
Delegates reported that tuorists
camps were being established all over
the country. At Council Bluffs, Iowa
as many as rs parties are sometimes
accommodated in one night. The dis
cussion brought out that a majorit!
of tourists carry their own cooking
equipment; that what is most general
ly desired is a shower bath and a nigh
watchman.
Varied experiences were related. Il
some places a fee has been charged
1t was decided to make another year
study of the situation, with view t
adopting some general or universe
plan in the near future. 1t seems fai
to predict that moderate charge vii
be recommended, sufficient to cove
actual expenses of maintenance"
PAVING BRICK PLANT RESUME