GENERAL PLANNING OF A PARK SYSTEM 57 



connections or knowledge give them possession of facts valuable to the 

 planner. Second, the specialist may direct the agency or authority respon- 

 sible for the initiation of the survey to form a number of local committees 

 covering the different lines of studies to be made and provide these com- 

 mittees with proper directions for the collection and tabulation of data. 

 Contact with the committees will be maintained from time to time either 

 by mail or by personal conferences until the information is completely col- 

 lected. The planner may then take this information and in cooperation 

 with the various committees analyze it, and from the data compile the 

 final report. The planner, under this scheme, will, of course, spend enough 

 time in the local community to get a fairly accurate and intimate first- 

 hand knowledge of the environmental conditions of the community. 



This method of making a survey is likely to be slower and less scien- 

 tific than the first, but its advantages are that a considerable number of 

 citizens and officials will be definitely interested in the local problems and 

 will possess first-hand information concerning these problems and the plans 

 for their solution. They will therefore be in a position to promote intelli- 

 gently any plans or programs that may be adopted. 



Forms for Recording Information. A series of forms for collecting and 

 recording data on the various lines of studies in the survey may be found 

 helpful. This is especially true if local people assist the planner in collect- 

 ing information. There are a great many such forms in existence, but the 

 limits of this manual prevent the exhibition of examples of the various 

 kinds. They include forms for recording data concerning public parks and 

 other recreation areas, features of development of different areas, organ- 

 ization and management activities, financing; forms for recording data 

 concerning properties and facilities controlled by other public agencies, 

 which might be used for public park and recreation purposes; forms for 

 recording social conditions of the community including population studies, 

 and forms for recording data concerning commercial recreations and the 

 properties and facilities that are or may be used for recreation, although 

 controlled by private agencies, institutions and organizations, etc. 1 



Compilation and Publication of the Report of the Study. The report 

 embodying the data, conclusions and final plan or plans should be written 

 in simple, non-technical style. It should be so organized that each major 

 subject shall stand out clearly in its own appropriate section or chapter. 

 A summary of the conclusions or plans should be presented either at the 

 end or the beginning of the report. Above all else, it should be as profusely 

 illustrated as possible by pictures, charts, diagrams, plans and maps, espe- 



1 The Playground and Recreation Association of America has compiled a number of such forms and will 

 furnish samples to anyone desiring them. 



