SYSTEMS OF OPEN SPACE

systems of open space I, the classic greenbelt: Cleveland, Ohio. The "Emerald Necklace" consists of a park road ring joining "beads" of regional reservations, in part wild and in part developed for recreation. River valleys are incorporated into the "greenbelt," and recent emphasis has been on reclamation of the Lake Erie shore as a scenic and recreational asset.

systems of open space II, stream valleys and areas with
parkway corridors: Washington, D.C. An extensive sys-
tem of open space, incorporating stream valleys, park-
ways, and large institutional uses, mostly federal. Funds
or added stream valley acquisition in the National Cap-
ital Region are available under Capper-Crampton Act.

systems of open space III, stream valleys: Toronto.
The existing system is fragmentary, consisting of two
water valley reservations and some lakefront parks;
the "Metro" plan proposes expanded conservation of
stream valleys for water supply, flood control, and
recreational use.

Table 7. Parks and Open Space as Percentage of City Area
(By City)

<table><thead><tr><th>City</th><th>Area of City<br>(In Acres)</th><th>Total Park/Open<br>Space Acreage<br>within City<sup>a</sup></th><th>Park Acreage as<br>Percentage of<br>City Acreage</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td colspan="4"><strong>High-Density Population</strong></td></tr><tr><td>New York</td><td>197,696</td><td>52,938</td><td>26.8%</td></tr><tr><td>San Francisco</td><td>29,888</td><td>7,594</td><td>25.4%</td></tr><tr><td>Boston</td><td>30,976</td><td>4,865</td><td>15.7%</td></tr><tr><td>Philadelphia</td><td>86,464</td><td>10,685</td><td>12.4%</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles</td><td>300,352</td><td>30,121</td><td>10.0%</td></tr><tr><td>Baltimore</td><td>51,712</td><td>5,091</td><td>9.8%</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago</td><td>145,408</td><td>11,629</td><td>8.0%</td></tr><tr><td>Miami</td><td>22,784</td><td>1,329</td><td>5.8%</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Average, High-Density Cities</td><td>14.2%</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4"><strong>Medium-Density Population</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Minneapolis</td><td>35,156</td><td>5,694</td><td>16.2%</td></tr><tr><td>Portland, Oregon</td><td>79,808</td><td>12,591</td><td>15.8%</td></tr><tr><td>Cincinnati</td><td>49,408</td><td>7,391</td><td>15.0%</td></tr><tr><td>Seattle</td><td>53,696</td><td>6,194</td><td>11.5%</td></tr><tr><td>St. Louis</td><td>39,616</td><td>3,385</td><td>8.5%</td></tr><tr><td>Pittsburgh</td><td>35,584</td><td>2,735</td><td>7.7%</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit</td><td>88,768</td><td>5,890</td><td>6.6%</td></tr><tr><td>Cleveland</td><td>49,280</td><td>2,887</td><td>5.9%</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Average, Medium-Density Cities</td><td>10.9%</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4"><strong>Low-Density Population</strong></td></tr><tr><td>San Diego</td><td>207,360</td><td>36,108</td><td>17.4%</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix</td><td>268,736</td><td>36,501</td><td>13.6%</td></tr><tr><td>Dallas</td><td>218,880</td><td>21,828</td><td>10.0%</td></tr><tr><td>Kansas City, Missouri</td><td>199,360</td><td>13,329</td><td>6.7%</td></tr><tr><td>Houston</td><td>345,536</td><td>21,790</td><td>6.3%</td></tr><tr><td>Denver</td><td>98,112</td><td>5,643</td><td>5.8%</td></tr><tr><td>Indianapolis</td><td>231,488</td><td>13,239</td><td>5.7%</td></tr><tr><td>Tampa</td><td>69,568</td><td>3,090</td><td>4.4%</td></tr><tr><td>Atlanta</td><td>84,352</td><td>3,147</td><td>3.7%</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3">Average, Low-Density Cities</td><td>8.2%</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Average, All Cities</strong></td><td>11.0%</td></tr></tbody></table>

aIncludes land owned by city, county, regional, state, and federal park agencies within city boundaries.

on pavilions, running tracks and outdoor gymnasiums. The first Parks Department recreation programs were also started. A kindergarten andnasium were opened in Hamilton Fish Park, and in De Witt Clinton Park the first "Children's Garden" was established.

903

In October 1903 Seward Park, the first municipal park in the country to be equipped as a permanent playground, was dedicated. Seward Park became the model for similar playground developments at Thomas Jefferson, De Witt Clinton, Gabriel's (St. Vartan), East River (Carl Schurz) and Mulberry Bend (Columbus) Parks.

906

The Playground Association of America (later the National Recreation Association) was founded in 1906. Groups like the Playground Association asserted the new social roles for parks, calling for increased active recreation facilities in city parks across the country.

Parks Photo Archive

Hamilton Fish Park, the "Giant Stride," 1908
The Parks Department has been building and maintaining a variety of play equipment for playgrounds since 1902.

27

Conventional street grid

development of the site shows 1427 single family houses on about 205 acres. Houses are placed according to zoning lot requirements on a street system previously adopted by the City. The result is a disastrously barren environment, and all of the natural character of the site is destroyed.