PUBLIC PARKS OF IOWA 301 



I feel that in some particulars we are almost at a turning point in 

 making such 'provisions for our state which will place it where it truly 

 belongs as one of the most charming states in the Union. 



We should acquire in various parts of the state, large areas that are 

 permanently suited for state parks, and then in each county a memorial 

 park for the boys of the great war should be planted, and in each of these 

 parks should be planted a number of trees to designate the numiber of 

 boys who took active part in this great war. These parks will be parks 

 of peace and happiness not only foir the tired and overworked city people, 

 who long for a glimpse of natural beauty and a place of recreation, but 

 also as places for the homes of birds and wild animals which must be pre- 

 served. These places should be under supervision and should be freely 

 used by all the people not only of each county but of the state. This will 

 prove a valuable constructive piece of legislation for in a short time likely, 

 the children of the city will find in the woods and the public parks, the 

 only opportunity within reasonable distance of their homes to enjoy the 

 beauty and restfulness of the forest, the lake, the river and the other 

 peculiar beauty spots, and which should be therefore, permanent means 

 of wholesome public enjoyment for both the present and future genera- 

 tions. These places would be secured in honor of our boys, and would be 

 held in trust by the state for its people. What grand monuments for 

 those who were near and dear to us! 



The change in attitude toward the park and boulevard systems has 

 been due in part to the elevation of public taste, which now demands 

 beauty in city plannings. But an exceedingly important factor has been 

 the feeling that beauty is an asset that can be realized in counties. 



Life is not for learning, nor is life for working, but learning and work- 

 ing are for life. In brief, I may say that we have had somewhat too 

 much of the gospel of work. It is time to preach the gospel of relaxation. 

 Something like this is the' observation of nearly every thoughtful visitor 

 in the United States. We should concentrate intelligence on the plan 

 of recreation and relaxation in a long well ordered and efficient life. 



Although state parks are not likely to have the great acreage of na- 

 tional parks, they may prove to be more generally useful as recreation 

 grounds for the great body of the people. Outside the cities the states are 

 most often the natural means to act efficiently in the establishment of 

 large natural parks. Their acquisition is more in the nature of an invest- 

 ment than expense, as the land increases rather than decreases in value. 



Someone has said: "Vice must be fought by welfare, not by restraint; 

 and society is not safe until today's pleasures are stronger than its 

 temptations." "Amusement is stronger than vice and can strangle the 

 best of it." Not only does morality then rest back on recreation, but so 

 does efficiency in any direction. One-half of efficiency and happiness de- 

 pends upon vitality, and vitality depends largely upon recreation, especial- 

 ly the simple recreation of the open air. 



The purpose of this introduction is briefly to describe the nature and 

 character of parks and recreation facilities in Iowa and to define roughly 

 the place and future of parks and recreation. 



