PUBLIC PARKS OP IOWA 293 



Community property develops and increases very slowly: First, be- 

 cause of the proportionally small number of people who live in a farm- 

 ing community in relation to the number who live on the same area in 

 the City; second, lack of decision as to what form of community activity 

 is of the most benefit; third, lack of appreciation on the part of some 

 "chronic kickers" of the value to the community of such public enterprises, 

 and fourth and possibly the most important, lack of grounds for com- 

 munity enterprises development. 



With this idea in mind it is not hard to understand that with the small 

 number of interested members in a community, the initial cost of sufficient 

 land, erection of community buildings, development for park and athletic 

 purposes, permanent upkeep and police supervision, such a program is 

 practically prohibitive even if apportioned equally among the property 

 owners and interested public spirited members of the community. 



The definite community center enterprises already existing in Iowa 

 have been developed through the philanthropic endeavors of some public 

 spirited citizen of these communities or some one vitally interested in the 

 development of the same. On the other hand those communities with- 

 out such a public spirited 'citizen are technically speaking "out of luck," 

 although they may be even more deserving than those already receiving 

 these privileges. 



In a great many cases community organizations are capable of and are 

 willing to create among themselves a fund sufficient to erect a community 

 building suitable for library, indoor athletics, public meetings and general 

 community purposes but are unable to create or subscribe sufficient funds 

 for the buying of land, the development of the grounds and the cost of up- 

 keep and police supervision. 



Our sparsely populated farming communities make this situation in- 

 evitable and for the most part prohibitive for the ordinary farm com- 

 munity, without state aid. 



It has been proposed that a system of parks be developed throughout 

 the state; state owned, state organized, and state controlled to be used 

 especially for the benefit of the people of Iowa and the large number of 

 tourists which pass through the state each year. It has also been pro- 

 posed to establish definite park sites along the main traveled highways 

 of the state in order that they may be used for recreational purposes of 

 camp sites, picnic grounds and reservations of native beauty and s'cenery- 



We propose that these park sites be established for another reason, 

 that of furnishing grounds, development, upkeep and police supervision for 

 community center enterprises where the community organizations will 

 co-operate with the state authorities to place suitable buildings for com- 

 munity purposes and state recreational advantages. 



If it were possible for county communities to furnish the entire amount 

 of funds to build such a community center would it be right and just for 

 them to furnish these funds while their city friends drive out and enjoy 

 the picnics, park, camping and possibly athletic privileges without paying 

 their portion of the initial cost and upkeep? Under state ownership this 

 situation would not arise and everyone would be placed on the same 



