138 CONFERENCE ON NATURAL BEAUTY 



We know that the mind is generally little influenced by temporary 

 exposure to beauty. Rather, sensibilities are molded by frequent 

 contacts which form a meaningful, if subconscious, part of our ex- 

 istence. How can we expect our people to seek out beauty and 

 improve their condition if we provide no daily stimulus to their 

 lives? 



Therefore, we suggest a plan which provides for the creation of 

 a series of parks and playgrounds beginning in urban areas and 

 progressing into and through the suburbs. A series of islands where 

 one may go to sit or walk or just be alone; places close to the city 

 center as well as beyond, where it is possible to walk within a grove 

 of trees, however small; where flowers can grow; and where grass 

 can reach its natural growth. 



No home should be more than a few blocks walk in any direction 

 from an open public space (be it a city block square or 10 square 

 miles). We must not try to compress all types of facilities within 

 the same areas; rather let some islands be green with only trees, 

 flowers, benches and walks; let some be playgrounds with swings 

 and slides; and let others be athletic islands with courts and ball 

 fields. These islands will open the cityscape and provide a variety 

 of stimuli for a variety of activities; and they will add immeasur- 

 ably to the beauty in our everyday lives. 



The White House Conference on Natural Beauty should be but 

 a prologue to the great things that lie ahead. Even with the energy 

 and direction available in this country today, there is much to be 

 done but, if we start now, there will still be time. 



Dr. J. HAROLD SEVERAID. Sacramento County, Calif., in part 

 more urban than rural, has developed an ideal plan for developing 

 county parks and open spaces. It has already met most of the 

 criteria called for by Mr. Belser. Their 58-page published plan, 

 entitled: "A Report on the Park and Recreation Space Needs of the 

 Sacramento Metropolitan Area," by Pacific Planning and Research, 

 Sacramento, might well be investigated as a possible model. (Ad- 

 dress: County Planning Department, 827 Seventh Street, Sacra- 

 mento). 



Let's start tax-exempting open space back into existence instead 

 of taxing it out of existence. Open space has as great a value to 

 man's well being as does revenue space. Take the exorbitant profit 

 out of land speculation and open space will be less prone to be forced 

 into the asphalt jungle. 



