THE WHY OF PARKS 5 



and small areas within cities, is of as great importance as preserving and 

 creating areas for the admission of sunlight, pure air, and as places for 

 rest and repose. Such places are the feeding grounds of that instinctive 

 hunger which all people have for beauty. 



The contribution which a system of parks and recreation makes to 

 the satisfaction and cultivation of the love of beauty among people does 

 not end with the preservation and creation of beautiful, natural forms. 

 A number of park officials have written and distributed short manuals on 

 the growing of flowers, shrubs and trees; others have distributed plants 

 on condition that they be planted and cared for about the homes of the 

 people. In a few instances series of institutes have been conducted for the 

 instruction of people in home landscape problems. 



Landscape art, however, is only one of the fields of art served by the 

 park authorities. There are many examples of really fine architecture to 

 be found in structures in parks, and more attention is being paid to beauty 

 in style and form. There are several notable art museums located in parks, 

 some of which are partially or wholly supported from park funds. This, 

 too, is a contribution of the park to the cultivation of the appreciation of 

 the beautiful. 



To Music AND DRAMA 



Music has received considerable attention from park authorities, and 

 there is promise of better things in the few examples which exist in a 

 limited number of cities of the presentation of operas, symphony concerts, 

 concerts by great artists and organ recitals. Outdoor dramatic features in 

 parks are becoming more and more common, and practically every com- 

 munity contains a stage for the presentation of different forms of dramatic 

 art. 



Best and most fundamental of all the art activities of park authorities 

 is the encouragement of the people to be their own musicians, painters, 

 sculptors, writers and dramatists. The parks are offering opportunities 

 for satisfactions which come only through doing and participating, and a 

 real foundation is being laid for the better appreciation of the work of 

 the great interpreters of various forms of artistic expression. In a number 

 of park systems full-time leaders are employed to develop music, drama, 

 the graphic arts and handcraft. 



FOSTERING THE DESIRE TO KNOW 



Aristotle has said, "It is natural for men to want to know." This 

 curiosity interest is the basis of all scientific investigation and achieve- 

 ment and a proper development of it is one of the greatest needs of America 



