Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-22

|
States of $4,000 population or more
have parks. according to a report short
| ly 20 be made public. Millions of people
| however, in small towns have access
neither to parks nor Fairgrounds. and
other millions in cities are inadequate
ly provided with these places for re-
taxation and recreation. OF the cities
| OF $4,000 or more, only ~ come up to
| the accepted standard of having one
| acre Of parks to hundred or fewer
inhabitants
In all. 1881 municipalities have an
| aggregate OF nearly 100000 acres OF
parks and forests. More than a billion
| dollars have been expended In acquir-
ing and developing these properties for
the people. and a hundred million dol
lars are spent each year in maintain
ing them.
The report is the result OF Nation
wide survey made. at the instance OF
the National Conference on outdoor
Recreation. by the Playground and
Recreation Association OF America In
cooperation with the American Insti-
| tute OF Park Executives. and two years
were devoted TO the study. II Is to be
published with foreword by President
Coolidge In which he says
PLAY for the child, sport for youth
and recreation for adults are essentials
OF normal life. II Il becoming generally
recognized that the creation and MAIN
tenance OF outdoor recreation facilities
Is a community duty in order that the
whole public might participate in their
enjoyment.
This presents a particular challenge
TO municipal and county administra-
bal t.a
this study may be widely used 10 the
end that our people. even In cities, may
not be deprived OF opportunities for
wholesome play and recreation out OF
doors"
President Coolidge addressed the first
session of the National Conference on
Outdoor Recreation three years ago. and
on that occasion emphasized the need
OF a national recreation policy. The
survey which has now been concluded
was an essential preliminary TO the
working out of such a policy.
The Ten Largest Parks.
Paramount Park. Philadelphia. witt,
an acreage OF 1881, heads the list OF 10
largest city parks In the United State
az shown by the report 0rifith's Park
Los Angeles. 3.75i acres. ranks second
and Bidwell Park. Chico. Calf. 1891
acres. comes third The others. In theii
order and with their acreages. are AZ
follows
Pelham Bay Park. New York City
I.756: Rock Greek Park. Washington
-, c.. 1882: New City Park, New Or.
leans. I.4i0: Balboa Park. San Diego
| 400: Forest Park. 81. Louis, 1871
Swope Park. Kansas City. 1888. and
Hubbard Park, Meriden. Conn, /, 800.
New York City. with i0.l78 acres oi
parks, has the largest such area OF an,
American city. but the report states
that the park growth OF the national
metropolis has not nearly kept pace
with the growth In population. The big
city has but one acre OF parks TO $50 in
habttantA, whereas II should have one
acre TO 100 or fewer inhabitants. &C.
cording 10 the standard Of which men.
ton has been made.
Minneapolis In cited by the report a,
| the leading park city OF major size in
| the country. With one-half New York's
park acr sage and but fraction OF Ia
| population. Minneapolis has one acre u
every 90 Inhabitants. with i32 sepa.
| rate properties" says the report, Min
systems In the United States, with re.
| snect 10 per capita acreage, types and
| distribution 0f tn. parks. character oi
| ~ development and quality OF main.
1 issuance"
! OF the larg three cities In the coun
try, PhiladelIf Mia makes the best show
| Ing with respect To per capita park
acreage. The city boasts more than
5000 acres, including. OF course, Fair
mount, the largest city park In the United
Statea Chicago owns less than 5000
acres. but they are exceptionally well
developed and maintained ana are ex-
tensively used for recreation. Chicago
Ia fortunate, also, IN having at her out.
skirts the Cook County Forest Preserve
Of 81, 800 acres.
Speaking of the park acreage OF the
cities In general. L. IL. Weir, who d.
reoted the survey. says that all Of them
are still far from being adequately pro-
pie. the cities IN tho group OF 100, 900 Ia
$50 600 population, only ais of which
have park acreage up 10 the standard
ratio.
CITY Parks Outside City Limits.
The widespread use of the automobile
a. an adjunct 10 recreation has led
many municipalities Ia acquire park.
outside their limits and ~ q consider.
able distance In several eases. The re-
port shows that 100 cities have already
acquired ana others are acquiring large
outlying parks ana fofest ateas, PhoG-
nis, AriS,. ranks fret IN the acreage
acquired for this purpose. having Is 0af
acres IN single tract, while Denvei
leads In the number of outside prop
critics A. with combined acreage
OF i6,20f Boulder. Colo, has II prop,
| critics NJ 6,la3 acres Butte. Mant, and