PARKS AND OPEN SPACES 115 



Determined efforts to light our parks properly, patrol them ade- 

 quately, and take advantage of their natural setting to frame evening 

 cultural activities plays, concerts, art shows. How long are we to 

 accept the need to fear and the need to avoid our parks at night? 



Urban people have a vast interest in wildlife, especially song birds. 

 This interest could be recognized by more intensive management of 

 wildlife habitat in urban park areas. Why not have natural wildlife 

 areas of a few acres, including perhaps a fishing pond for children, 

 within easy walking distance of every city dweller? 



Why not use parks and open spaces to dramatize the entrances 

 to our cities? To highlight and enhance historic structures and 

 public buildings with natural contrast and counterpoint? To open 

 up vistas of the city, providing relief from monotonous urban de- 

 velopment? To rescue waterfront areas from decay and incom- 

 patible uses? 



The uses of city parks and open spaces are limited only by our 

 creativity. If we will it, they can be not only beautiful in the formal 

 sense, but sparkling, diverse, colorful, and exciting physical environ- 

 ments. 



Federal programs can help. For example, since its inception in 

 1961 the open-space land program has made grants totaling $44 

 million for 360 State and local land-acquisition programs in 36 

 States, totaling more than 136,000 acres of land in urban areas. 

 These sites are being used for park, recreation, conservation, scenic, 

 and historic purposes. We can also help to develop and disseminate 

 ideas in effect, provide a clearinghouse for data and information. 

 Based on our experience, we can occasionally make suggestions as 

 to alternatives for meeting particular situations. 



The pending housing bill would broaden and strengthen our 

 ability to assist. As President Johnson foreshadowed in his land- 

 mark message on natural beauty and in the housing message, a new 

 program of grants is proposed to provide financial help for urban 

 beautification and improvement. We would be able, also, to help 

 in the acquisition of built-up lands in the congested areas of cities, 

 and in clearing them for park uses. A new demonstration program 

 also is proposed to support projects that can contribute information 

 and experience about meeting urban needs for parks and open 

 spaces. 



But the Federal role is a limited one, and should remain so. The 

 main burdens fall on State and local officials directly responsible to 



