The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1935-07-04

ton of the unfolding scenery. It does
not follow, however, that the parkway
is being designed as a fast traffic
artery. Rather it is to be drive for
the leisurely motorist who may spend
days or even weeks along it's five hun
dred miles. For the reason of it's To-
cation in the mountains and because
the Appalachians are thanked by fast
utility highways, it is considered
practicable to regulate against the
use of the drive by commercial
.ehicles.
Particular attention will be given
by the designers to the planning of
the two-lane motorway so that it will
repose in the rugged topography with
the least possible scar. By warping
of the roadside grading into the ex-
listing contour Of the ground it is
hoped to soften the evidences of ma
chine construction. 1t is planned that
ONICAoA"C PA"AIAAiS PAOS oAAAo oAOAAS
the parkway will augment the exist
ing foliage with native trees and
shrubs as dictated by the prevailing
note. At focal points concentration
of Towering materials, the mountain
| laurel, rhododendron, aZalea and the
dogwood will be introduced to height
en- the interest of the drive. Forestry
work will be applied to conserve the
wealth of existing plant growth, and
under judicious supervision to open
up glimpses into the deep woodlands,
meadows and distant off-scapes.
Concurrently with the parkway
program the Government plans to de-
velop at intervals wayside recreation
opportunities. In addition to the
parkway strip to be provided by state
funds, federal land programs have
been directed toward the acquisition
of broad scenic areas along the way.
These will preserve for public use
whole mountains or groups of noun
tains. Foot paths, bride trails and
woodland picnic areas by which the
motorist may retire for more init
mate appreciation of nature, will be
the main developed features. More
active recreation, as fishing, swim
ming and boating may also be pro-
vided.
The Shenandoah to Great Smoky
Mountain Parkway is being designed
by the engineers of the United States
Bureau of Public Roads in close col
laboration with landscape architects
and architects of the National Park
Service. The close working together
of these allied planning professions
should harmonic the factors of use
fulness and beauty in the completed
project. The most stubborn and time
taking problem, however, is the ac-
QUESTION of the parkway land. This
division of the work is the province
of the State and to the right-of-way
agents of the State Highway De-
partment falls large share of the
responsibility and credit for the for
ward movement of the whole project.
Through North Carolina the parkway
lands, which will vary in width as
dictated by the local scenic qualities,
will average approximately 100 acres
per mile. In addition, the State has
been asked to negotiate for scenic
easements averaging approximately
so acres a mile. These easements are
device permitting land to remain in
private ownership for it's normal ag-
ricultural or residential use, but by
which the owner agrees not to place
billboards, unsightly structures or re-
fuse in the area adjacent to the park
land. The intent of these agreements
is to scure a maximum of protection
to the natural scenery without in
creasing the amount of land to be
purchased. A fair attitude on the
part of the property holder and an
attitude which looks beEond selfish
gain at the expense Of the new road
will be essential to rapid progress.
The effect which this project will
exert on the furture growth of west
ern North Carolina is obviously con-
| iectura'. We may reasonably expect
a si~"a''l': increase in the flow of
tourist travel through this region
with the attendant benefits to the
!; "n1arkct" for local products. The belt
of influence will not be restricted to
the immediate vicinity Of the drive,
but will comprehend the many cities,
towns and individual farms for miles